Let's Get Organized!

Fall always inspires me to get my ducks in a row and organize! As much as I love Summer, I actually enjoy getting back into a routine when September rolls around. And these photos make me want to jump right into my projects!



Finding some sturdy baskets and bins are a good place to start. I love these, on sale right now at Pottery Barn:



And I also love the idea of finding some wooden crates (like these from Target) and painting them a fun color:




And oh to have shelves by the stairs in the basement! I might have to get right on that.

Easy, Yummy Granola

This is the best and easiest homemade granola recipe I've tried. It is so yummy on ice-cream, with yogurt or milk or even by itself. The recipe and photo are from Tiny Urban Kitchen (a great site!)I added sliced almonds, golden raisins and ground flax seeds to mine.

Homemade Granola
Prep time: 5 minutes
Bake time: 20-25 minutes
Cool time: 10-15 minutes

Ingredients
2 cups oats
1/3 cup honey
1/3 cup vegetable oil
pinch of salt
1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
1-2 T brown sugar (optional - if you like it sweeter)

Preheat oven to 350 °F.

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and mix until all the oats are somewhat wet. The whole mixture should be a bit clumpy and wet. If you like clusters, you can add a tiny splash of water (like 1-2 tsp) to help some of the oats stick together.

Spread out the mixture on a pan and bake at 350 for about 20 minutes. Halfway through baking, you can stir the granola around. It will smell wonderful as the honey begins to slowly caramelize.

The longer you bake the granola, the darker in color it will become. If you like your granola relatively lightly golden brown, remove it after 20 minutes. It may still seem kind of wet, but don't worry! It will harden as it cools. Definitely take it out before the honey burns (i.e. when "golden brown" has turned into "black"). I learned this the hard way! After 30 minutes in the oven a portion of my oats had turned brown/black! [Although, to be perfectly honest, I really like slightly burnt food, and I actually loved the slightly burnt sugar flavor in these oats. I ended up eating most of the not-yet-completely-burned-bits of this batch . . YUM!]

Let the granola cool. Stir it around a bit - it will dry up nice and crunchy.

Of course, once you've made the basic granola, you can stir in other add-ins like dried fruit, coconut slivers, chocolate chips, etc. I happen to be super picky when it comes to granola, and I actually like mine plain. If you want to add nuts or seeds, you should mix them in with the oats and honey before baking.

Coffee Table Books

Are a great way to accessorize your coffee and end tables and book shelves. Finding something you're passionate about (art, architecture, flowers, design) helps make it personal and it's always nice to have pretty pictures just waiting for you to browse through for inspiration. And right now, there's a great selection on One Kings Lane. When you sign up, enter my e-mail address (gmid@nc.rr.com) when asked who invited you and you'll receive a $10 credit. Hurry, this offer expires on midnight tonight. Happy Shopping!!

Wallpapered Closets

I love this image from Country Living! My mom shared it with me recently and it stuck with me. So fresh and organized! Even if you don't have the perfect spot for a closet office, I love the idea of wallpapering a closet.






And you can really be bold with the pattern or color, or both! Like these, from Walnut Paper, such a cute site!

Inspiration

I was blown away by the home of Melissa Warner of design firm Massuco Warner Miller, featured in (and on the cover) of House Beautiful's May issue. I dogeared it and keep thinking about her apartment and after drinking in every photo of their website, I am blown away and totally inspired by this design trio's talent. These are just a few random pictures of my favorite rooms they have designed. I think their use of color (and wallpaper) are very effective in bringing the space to life and filling it with personality. Enjoy browsing if you have a moment!

Design Personality

Do you prefer bright colors and accents?



Or more subdued hues, like taupes, whites and grays?




Some designers will ask to look in your closet when you begin working together to get a sense of your color and pattern preferences but I can honestly say that personally, I like a mix. I think a home or apartment with a rainbow of colors or too many accents looks contrived and feels exhausting. But a totally muted palette lacks personality and seems sterile. What is your design personality? It helps to consider this before hiring a professional designer.

*Images via Martha Stewart Living and accessories from Inside Avenue.

Hardware and Paint Combos

Painting a piece of furniture can be daunting! Choosing the right paint color and hardware and IF you're attempting the task yourself, figuring out how to do it, can take some time and consideration. I love the look of a painted chest of drawers. I think it can bring a tired, worn dresser to life. The hardware from Anthropolgie, below, is always fun and inspiring and I love Restoration Hardware's paint palette.

A Fresh New Look

Check out our newly designed website! It is fresh and clean and a great start to a new outlook. www.1820house.com
This site is really geared to the main bread and butter of the business, the candle line. Never fear early lovers........I'll be adding some pages for you too!

Happy Anniversary!!

To my husband! It's been five years and it just gets better and better. It's so amazing to be married to my best friend and companion. I am thankful for him daily. This picture is from our honeymoon. We went to Curacao, a Caribbean island just south of Aruba and stayed at The Hotel Kura Hulanda (below) and it was perfect...the weather, food, service, views...so laid back and beautiful.





My second favorite trip we've ever taken was to Sonoma, California. At the suggestion of my dear friend, we stayed at The El Dorado, right on the square. I highly recommend this trip as a perfect romantic get away. It was delightful...I loved everything about the trip and can't wait to go back!




Honestly, though the trips are wonderful and memorable (and I love planning them), it's the everyday things that make being married to him so special. He truly brings out the best in me and loves and supports me like no one else. I hope and pray I do the same for him. Cheers to my steady Eddy!

Ranch-Style Homes & Front Porch Planters

On a recent trip home to Asheville, I was inspired by my parents neighbors' home and front porch planters. Their ranch-style home has been totally converted into an updated mid-century classic with great details and amazing landscaping and planters. I had to sneak a few pictures!




Although typically I'm drawn to older homes with more details and charm, I really like the idea of an updated ranch and the simple layout and convenience they afford. Characterized by the following details, Ranch-style homes became popular after World War II as an economical alternative for all of the returning soldiers and their families:

•Single story
•Low pitched gable roof
•Deep-set eaves
•Horizontal, rambling layout: Long, narrow, and low to the ground
•Rectangular, L-shaped, or U-shaped design
•Large windows: double-hung, sliding, and picture
•Sliding glass doors leading out to patio
•Attached garage
•Simple floor plans
•Emphasis on openness (few interior walls) and efficient use of space
•Built from natural materials: Oak floors, wood or brick exterior
•Lack decorative detailing, aside from decorative shutters



My mom introduced me to the Fiddle Leaf Fig Trees (she has amazing taste and decorating abilities) and I love their height and shape, especially in the topiary form. And to have two, flanking the front door (which I didn't capture, unfortunately) is very effective! Love the symmetry!

Lonny Magazine Blog!!

Finally Lonny has an updated website and blog, in addition to their on-line magazine, which I love, AND they are offering Lonny in print for those of us who prefer traditional print media. Tons of design inspiration and information. Founded by designer Michelle Adams, former Domino editor and owner of Rubie Green fabrics, and photographer Patrick Cline, Lonny Magazine focuses on new and exciting designers, trends and products. Pour a cup of tea and enjoy every minute of this site!

Children's Gift Ideas

Birthday parties for children are so much fun but sometimes the challenge can be finding the right gift that's age-appropriate, affordable and unique. Here are some ideas I've come across lately.

I love the Paint-a-Pot Garden, pictured above, from Our Garden. It says for ages 5 and up but Janie and I had fun doing it today. It comes with a set of paints and brushes, a terra cotta pot, Marigold seeds and soil. A fun activity and children can watch their special garden grow! You can find them locally at my favorite garden center, Gulley's.

I also love making a short sleeve white T-shirt special (don't they go through hundreds of these?) by adding a child's name or monogram. I buy them from Target and take them to The Butterfly Cottage downtown for a quick, simple monogram. I've also ordered shirts from this Etsy site that are adorable and excellent quality!



We LOVE the book Bee and Me by Elle J. McGuinnes and Heather Brown. I think that book with a jar of local honey would make a great gift (for mom and dad, too) and teach children the importance of supporting local bee keepers. You can always find fresh, local honey at the Farmers Markets.



This is a little bit of a splurge for a very curious child...The Birdsong Identiflyer (below) is the coolest little handheld device that teaches children how to identify bird calls. Janie and I discovered this at Wildbirds Unlimited in Aberdeen and she could have played with it for hours. Do you have any children's gift ideas? I'd love to hear them!!

Foyer Warmth

What does your foyer say about you and your home? Does it welcome guests with warm, soft light a place to sit and maybe some personal touches? Does it come to life with a great wallpaper (like in the photo above, my favorite foyer ever, by Tom Scheerer) or a snappy paint color? Is there a mirror which provides more light and makes the room feel bigger and maybe a nice size tray to gather in and outgoing mail? In our home we mostly go in and out of the kitchen (thank goodness I finally changed out the counter tops) but in a more formal house, it's good to think about the finishing touches. It really does introduce your guests to the rest of the house.