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5 Things I Love RIGHT Now.

21 Feb

1.  Marbleized Anything

marble paper(source)

I love the idea of framing a piece of marbleized paper.

marble paper

I acquired a DIY marbling kit for Christmas so I might be trying this soon. Hopefully I’ll spring for a marbling tray so I don’t stain my bathtub, but I’ve been known to be a less than careful crafter when I’m struck with an urge to make something.

 

2. Making Candy

gummy candy

I experimented with chocolate and toffee and truffles during the holidays, but I’d never made gummi candy before. Until a few weeks ago. And the thing is, it’s SO easy! You just mix a large box of Jell-O with 3 packets of plain gelatin and 2/3 cup of water, let it sit for 5 minutes, then boil it until the crystals dissolve. Then you pour it into little silicone molds (it makes about two molds since there is so little liquid involved), let it sit for half an hour, and they pop RIGHT out. Easiest thing ever. Totally gross and artificial, but who am I to criticize that. I love candy.

 

3. Nurturing A Creative Soul

My son is really coming into his own as a tiny artist. He is not one to receive instruction or take direction often or with ease, but he has been asking for drawing lessons lately, and I oblige. He even added some…umm…”flair” to a rough sketch of mine. I’m not sure that it needed purses or Christmas trees, but he thought it did.

Collaborative Sketch

 

4. Rocks

A few weeks ago I rediscovered my childhood “100 Rocks of North America” chart, and it brought back awesome memories.

2014-02-21 04.35.20 pm

It’s hard to tell from my picture, but they really are super colorful and cover a wide spectrum of neutrals. They remind me of these agate platters from LEIF ($50 – currently sold out, but they should be back in stock soon).

2014-02-21 04.37.25 pm

 

5. Free Stuff!

I’ll be doing a GIVEAWAY on the blog next week! Look out for it – it’s a good one!

 

Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

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Color (Almost) Friday is: Peach!

9 Aug

Before you delve into this post, I’m editing it to add that I posted my Friday post on a Thursday. AND I HAD NO IDEA IT WAS THURSDAY until my cousin sent me an email saying “Happy Thursday” and I went “She’s crazy…oh…wait…it’s me.”.  See, it’s been a long week, and my husband has a big project due today that’s kept him working until later than 10pm most nights. But he’s done with it today, and my clients are almost done for the week, and I finally have child-care relief tonight! So that basically means today is Friday for me. But not you. In short: expect no post tomorrow.  Now…

I admit that this week I had to search my own blog to see what colors were being ignored. Turns out I had prevalent and recent hues of everything but orange. So since it’s the absolute tail-end of peach season (we can say that, right? It isn’t over, right?) today’s color is Peach!

Door  Peaches Room via House & Garden

How about that DOOR?! I love it. And I especially love the way the above images take a little of the saccharin out of super-feminine peach, and infuse it with some edge via the Moroccan-inspired graphic aesthetic (see the shapes? the cushions? the geometric curves and variety of metals?). Enjoy this plethora of perfect peach objects. Each one is ripe for your decor!

Peach Pendant;  Peach Lamp;  Peach Twill Tape Pillow;  Peach Candy;  Cloth Napkin;  Dresser;  Transparent Louis Ghost Chair;  Brooklyn Fox Theatre Mirror;  Juice Cup

Have a great weekend!

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

I’m Late to Color Friday…

30 Jul

…but I’m here now.
Let’s not talk about how I haven’t watched a second of the Olympics so far this year, and instead, let’s talk about these lovely Gold, Silver, and Bronze finds!

Enjoy them! I think my favorite is the sanding sugar, which is luckily the most affordable item on the list!

Sunburst on the Scene Mirror, $299, Westwood Gold Lamp, $318,  Edible Sanding Sugar, $7.95,  Martini Side Table, $129,  Cheese Knife, $6.95,  Frosted Foil Pillow Cover, $29,  Iron Side Table, $775,  Metallic Bronze Hurricane, $49,  Arteriors Anderson Pendant, $910

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

Thai-inspired Peanut Noodles!

5 Jul

Here we go again…another deviation from my specialty – design – into the world of food. But this is worth it. Trust me.

It’s a miracle in my house is all three of us can agree on the same dinner, save for mac-and-cheese/pizza/tacos. But I think we’ve found a new item for the “sure-thing” rotation: Peanut Noodles! These are thai-inspired (which means that I disclaim any actual authenticity) but the flavors are there. Here’s the basic idea:


 

If you’re interested in trying this dish out in your house I’ll give you my basic instructions; as you probably know if you follow my blog, I’m not big on exacting recipes.

First, make some noodles: we use fettuccine,  but you could use spaghetti, penne, ditalini, soba noodles, or what ever you like. 

While the water boils and the noodles cook, saute bell peppers, broccoli, and carrots in some canola oil; use between 2 and 4 cups of fresh veggies. (I didn’t include canola oil in my collage: forgive me, it just isn’t that sexy). When they’re basically done, throw in some frozen shelled edamame. Turn the heat off.

Mix together your sauce. For half of a box of noodles (4 servings) I use the following proportions: about 1/2 cup of peanut butter, about 2 tablespoons each of soy sauce, brown sugar, rice wine vinegar, and water, and 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame oil. Into that mixture, grate about a “thumb’s worth” of ginger; you’re going to need a microplane. Squeeze in the juice of about 1/2 of a small lime. Whisk it together; you’ll need a whisk because the peanut butter is stronger than your spoon.

At this point your sauce is ready to roll. Your veggies have cooked but are still crunchy. Your noodles should be just about done. When they are done, drain them and put them back in the pot they cooked in. Add the veggie mixture, pour in the sauce, and stir it all up. Throw in about a handful of chopped cilantro, and you’re DONE.

It’s that easy.

If you’re like me and love spiciness, there is one last crucial step:

There. Now you’re done.

You can get the yellow and white bowl pictured above here at CB2 for $30.

I hope you enjoy this easy dinner as much as we do. Have a great rest of the short week!

 

 

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

Color Friday is: Ombre!

25 May

Much like “floral“a few weeks ago, “ombre” isn’t really a color, but it’s a trend that’s pretty popular right now. Therefore, today’s Color Friday is Ombre! The term refers to the slight gradation of color from one shade to another, or from one hue to another. Here are a few examples:

A single instance of ombre can range from bright red to pale yellow (as seen in the flowers above), or from a very subtle green to a rich deep green, which keeps the ombre within the same hue (seen in the chic dresser above). It also refers to a hair color technique that is fairly popular right now, where your highlights or “color” is concentrated towards the tips and the natural or darker color is at the roots: a style which I have unintentionally – but fashionably! – been rocking for some time now. Another place we’re seeing a lot of ombre lately, and I kid you not, is cakes (shown above): the Pinterest crowd surely knows what I mean! 

Anyway…ombre is, in a word, pretty. And gentle. And feminine. And modern. In short: most paint chips you see, with the progression from light to dark, are ombre. Below are some lovely ombre picks. Enjoy!

Clockwise from clutch at top: Bruna Ombre Clutch, $195 (image via Calypso St.Barth); Kevin O’Brien Ombre Lilac Velvet Pillow, $218 (image via ABC Carpet and Home); Ombre Laundry Basket from Umbra, $20 (image via Container Store); Ombre Water Pitcher, $25 (image via Uncommon Goods); Le Creuset Heritage Cast Iron Oval Doufeu, $370 (image via Williams Sonoma); Purple Ombre Rug from Liora Manne, price on request (image via lioramanne.com); Wooden Ombre Vase from West Elm, $29 and up (image via West Elm); Dipped Spice Celler Set from Leif, $45 (image via LeifShop); Wedding Stationery from Paper Freckles, price on request (image via Brides); Silk Ombre Ribbon, source unknown – try any craft store.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

Color Friday is: Blue Hues!

27 Apr

Today is a blue kind of day. The sky is a clear and gorgeous shade of blue, and I’m a little bit sad because my son’s wonderful, sweet, and kind day care provider is retiring, and today is his last day with her. The kids are a little too young to get it, but the moms…oh, the moms are SAD. And so it is: today is blue. Just a little bit blue. 

Warm blues, cool blues, old blues, new blues! (image via The Rug Company)

 

Now here’s a lot of blue to get you your Color Friday fix:

 

Clockwise from pendant at top: Niche Modern Aurora Pendant, $425 (image via Niche Modern); Hudson Necklace in Deep Sea Blue from Chewbeads, $36.50 (image via store.chewbeads.com); D. L. Rhein Honeycomb Peacock Pillow, $104 (image via ZincDoor.com); Industrial String Lights from West Elm, $39 (image via West Elm); Blue Louis Chair (source unknown); Godta Mug from Ikea, $2.99 (image via Ikea); Darling Art Print by Sugarboo Designs, $280 (image via ModernChicHome.com); Blue Ombre Jar from Wisteria, $59 (image via Wisteria)

 

On a more positive note, did you see that gorgeous light from Niche Modern? And I love the necklace: it’s meant for teething children to chew on (because what mom hasn’t had their baby teeth on their jewels, right?) but it would be stunning without a baby and with a neutral sundress or cardigan!

Have a great weekend, and enjoy the blue skies!

 

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

Find of the Week: Ethnic Inspirations!

24 Apr

This week’s Find of the Week is just in time for spring entertaining! The Round Sequin Tray  ($150) from Serena & Lily is part of their new “Africa Collection,” which is chock full of other neat finds.

Round Sequin Tray, $150 (image via Serena and Lily)

 

It’s made of recycled woven materials in Swaziland by artisans who create part time, which allows them to maintain their traditional lifestyles. Use this tray to hold some appetizers, and plate them on these equally lovely Moroccan Dessert Plates ($18 each) from Jayson Home and Garden !

Moroccan Dessert Plate, $18 (image via Jayson Home and Garden)

 

Happy entertaining!

 

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

Color Friday is: Fuchsia!

9 Mar

Today’s hue was up for grabs to JGB Interiors’ Facebook fans, and though it took a few requests to identify a color that I haven’t yet covered, we’ve arrived at a great one: fuchsia. There isn’t much more to say except: enjoy the picks! I’m especially loving the “chandelier” balloons this week!

 

From balloon at top: Fuchsia Chandelier Balloons, £7.50 (image via Culture Label); Trina Turk Shanghai Links Pillow, $96 (image via Zinc Door); Every Which Way Magnet Hook from Land of Nod, $19.95 (image via Land of Nod); Prettymaps (Amsterdam) Print by Aaron Straup Cope via 20x200, starting at $60 (image via 20x200); Leif Salad Serving Set, $30 (image via LeifShop); Footstool with Nailheads from Black Orchid Furniture, £23o (image via The Independent); Riva Rug by Madeline Weinrib, from $325 (image via House Beautiful); Pink Hourglass, $38 (image via Indigo.ca); Skyline Necklace, $44 (image via LeifShop)

 

Are there any colors that you’re itching to see on Color Friday? If so, leave a comment! I’ll likely do some repeats this year, so feel free to name a color I’ve already done. I have a feeling next week will be a shade of green…

Have a great weekend!

 

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

Find of the Week: Bamboo Cutlery!

16 Feb

I’m really digging these three-piece cutlery sets from Core Bamboo. They’re just $9 for all three (fork, spook, knife) and come in a huge range of colors like “banana,” “strawberry,” and “slate”

 

Core's Bamboo Cutlery (image via Core Bamboo)

More of Core's Bamboo Cutlery (image via Grassroots Modern)

 

One of the lovely things about bamboo is that because it grows so quickly, it is fairly easy to grow sustainably (meaning you can put back what you take out of the earth). Core seems to go one step further, and employs sustainable practices throughout the manufacturing life cycle of their products – hooray! Their website says, ” All of the bamboo we use is 100% organically grown. We use food safe water based adhesives and we finish our products with top grade natural oils. Even our lacquer comes from natural cashew trees. Every product adheres to the standards of the FDA and European equivalent. Wherever possible we use recycled and eco-friendly packaging.”  Perhaps their bamboo is being transported from across the globe (a not-so-green aspect that’s often overlooked when talking about bamboo), but they seem to be operating with the environment in mind and care about their artisans and the local people who harvest and work with their products. 

At $9, you can get enough for you and five other dinner guests for about $50! Love love love! (Gotta give one “love” for each utensil, don’t you think?)

 

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

Beautiful Bars.

9 Jan

When I was a kid, just about the coolest thing you could have in your house was a finished basement with a wet bar. A wet bar! Picture it: a little corner with dark wood, a mini fridge full of Dr. Pepper, creepy under-cabinet lighting interspersed between those racks that hold wine glasses upside-down, maybe some old signs or salvaged stained glass somewhere, and somewhere beyond this groovy set up was the rest of the room, where there was likely a sofa clad in plaid upholstery.

So. Yeah.

Flash forward about fifteen or twenty years and the coolest bar you can imagine probably looks very different. My ideal bar isn’t fancy, nor does it require a sink or any counters. It’s comprised of a simple table (or tables, or cart), a few (and I mean just a few) carefully chosen and well-placed decorative objects, and the essentials: glasses, plates, bottles… you get the idea. Below are some beautifully simple bar images that could exist in the middle of a palatial parlor just as well as they’d take up residence in a tiny studio apartment. They’re all 100% attainable and will cost you very little money (well, less liquor expenses) and about eight square feet. Like the inspiration images? Get hunting for your perfect table, and start arranging your bar!

I adore this set-up. A few bottles, a gorgeous painting, and a vintage bar cart that was purchased at auction for just $150! Check out Design Sponge’s write-up on Naomi Stein of Design Manifest’s house tour for more.

(image via Design Sponge)

This image is from Society Social, a vendor selling the chicest, cutest, most amazing bar carts out there. This one is the Sedgewick. Check them out!

(image via Society Social)

When left without a devoted bar cart, fear not: just pile it all on a table (turn the table 90 degrees if necessary to switch up the angles and create a better serving area). Love this one from Lonny!

(image via Lonny)

This one just takes the cake for me: a little Palm Beach chic, a little “Mad Men,” a little urban, and a lot awesome. From Styled Creative. They’re an event design and styling studio located in Philly. Hmm…I think I recognize that cart…

(image via Styled Creative)

Ok ok…here’s another from Styled Creative‘s online portfolio. Masculine, sleek, and beautiful. Wow. (Love that Knob Creek). 

(image via Styled Creative)

I suppose I should say sorry to all you parents with little curious ones. The cute cart or acrylic table set-up won’t quite cut it for you. But never fear: here’s a wall-mounted great idea that can be modified to be accessible to adults only! It’s via The Kitchn.

(image via The Kitchn)


And there you have it: all the drinking inspiration you need for a dreary Monday. Have a great week!

Design consultations for all styles and budgets: JGB Interiors.

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