Chai modern

One of my little bros will soon be shacking-up with his lovely fiance in an open, modern, loft-type apartment. For some reason he thinks I might be able to help him come up with a decorating scheme. 

So, based on the preferences he indicated, I've taken a stab at some basics for creating a modern, warm, ethnic, eclectic, organic feel:

Livingroom





Key components:

• Neutral basics (walls white, dark grey or cream; low-slung sectional in grey or off-white soft fabric
• Square low coffee table (to accommodate casual dining while sitting on pillows)
• Natural fiber area rug (jute, seagrass, etc.)
• Focal point of bright yellow sideboard for media storage
• Lots of bright ikat and kilim print throw and floor pillows
  

Dining/Kitchen

Key components:

• Simple dark kitchen with bright yellow backsplash
• Round, dark, old-fashioned table
• Assorted modern chairs 

Bedroom

Key components:

• Warm neutral walls
• Low simple modern bed 
• Rustic bedside tables
• Warm, layered, textured bedding
  
  
  
  

Bathroom

Key Components:

• Warm neutral pallet of whites and creams
• Raw materials: seagrass, unbleached cotton, bamboo, wicker, wood
• Large, ornate mirror

Outside

Key Components:

• Lots of lush plants in rustic, assorted containers
• Low comfortable seating

Hot damn

It's like someone reached into my brain and plucked out my dream space.







Source: The workspace for Parliament Design as shot by Lincoln Barbour via Design Sponge

Best ginger cookies ever.

Seriously. I found the recipe last night and was so excited to try it that I made them up this morning. The source site also has a recipe for Lebkuchen I'm dying to try next.

Chewy Ginger Cookies with Cardamom and Black Pepper

Source: Pithy and Cleaver

2 cups all purpose flour
1 T ground ginger
2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp unsweetened cocoa
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup vegetable oil
1 egg
1/4 cup molasses
1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
1/2 cup chopped candied ginger (I skipped this)
1/4 cup coarse sugar, for rolling (optional)

Preheat oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, ground ginger, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, cocoa, cardamom, and pepper.

In a large bowl, beat together sugar and vegetable oil. Beat in egg, grated fresh ginger, and molasses until smooth. Fold in the flour mixture until well combined, then add in candied ginger.

Shape dough into 1 inch balls, roll in coarse sugar if desired and place on baking sheet. Bake 6-7 minutes until just set.

Let cookies cool for 3-5 minutes on cookie sheet, then remove to a wire rack until cool.

Heart Breaker

Valentine's Day is the one time of year I can freely indulge my love of all things anatomical heart. A selection of Etsy's finest offerings:


Truly Sanctuary

Shannon Gerard

letterhappy

Foldedpigs

Evolution Now

blockpartyprints

Gorgeous.

Beautiful images from a wonderful new-to-me blog. Bonus points for the capture and taming of a House Hippo.




Petits Bonheurs via Bloesem Kids

Drygoods.

Looking for a pic of the black HBC Point Blanket I staggered across Selvedge drygoods. So many lovely things and beautiful images:

Point Blanket love.

When in the Hudson's Bay yesterday hitting their white sale armed with a $250 gift card with the goal of procuring a king-sized down duvet (so RW and I will have more duvet to fight over in bed), I was very sorely tempted to pick up a black and cream Point Blanket instead. I stand to inherit a beautiful traditional one but the black and cream one would look so perfect in my house.

Add this to the "must not buy" list.

This sweet love letter necklace is definitely tempting me to break some resolutions:


Kristin Friesen via Etsy

Bathroom: Improved

Never did take any pictures of the "before" for fear of breaking the camera but this is a vast improvement to be sure.

Another resolution.

In addition to curbing the spending and swearing, I'm out to try new recipes. 

Tonight's Lentil Soup a la Martha Stewart was tres tasty. I recommend a couple of tweaks for those not afraid of a little flavour: use more bacon (I used a half pack) and don't drain any of the bacon fat before cooking the onions and carrots. I also left out the tomato paste and didn't feel it would have made a difference. 


Pic via Martha.