Warm industrial style condo

Recently I had the privilege (and fun) brainstorming/working with others on bringing a warm industrial style to  a sweet condo. The desired effect is accomplished by bringing together various elements including: wood, metal, glass, wicker, fabrics. Smooth-rough, shiny-matte, dark-light opposites bring depth to the design.

Below metal bar stools, wood cabinets, sleek black granite, and stainless steel appliances contrast with one another.

In addition, replacing a fluorescent fixture in the kitchen area, with a sharp, brushed nickel finish track light brings another touch of contemporary decor. This update not only provides the desired style, but necessary task lighting and welcome ambient illumination.

The IKEA Hektar pendant light provides perfect soft lighting. The glow adds a warm sheen when paired with the metal topped dining table. A combination of upholstered and metal dining chairs create interest.

Organization is a must in condo living. I love the choice of storing dishes and glassware in a separate cabinet in an artful way.

In the living area, fabrics, wood-- both smooth and rough, painted and unpainted-- wicker, glass, and a sleek black furry feline {slightly visible on the coffee table :)} complete the eclectic look.

What a stunning, cozy space....and fun project! The well-traveled owners are enjoying taking their time choosing art and accessories. They have a playful philosophy of breaking the rules of the "design police", if needed, to let their individual style and preferences shine!

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Simply...t r u t h

The truth is incontrovertible. 

Malice may attack it,

ignorance may deride it, 

but in the end, 

there it is.

~ Winston Churchill   

Painting a floor update

As I mentioned in the previous post, there is a small room in our home--  that despite its character (unique location on a landing three steps up, two windows allowing great sunlight, quaint built-in shelves, and cozy feel)-- it has never found its identity. My latest challenge is to remedy that.

To refresh your memory, here's the BEFORE:

Previously painted red floor. I painted it years ago to cover dark spots.

AFTER: With the Sherwin Williams "Croissant" painted on the floor.

The room is lighter-- the new floor color gives the impression of expanding the space. As the floor wears, the red will peek through. The floor boards are more prominent, lending a cottage feel. I am very happy with STEP ONE of this project!

My goal is to simply enjoy where this room leads me. It is an experiment in creativity. Now, on to step TWO!

{I'll let you in on a bit of trivia about this room that has nothing to do with decorating. Several persons have told me that the actor, James Rebhorn, lived in this house as a child. This room was his bedroom. After hearing that from different sources, several years ago a car stopped in front of our house while I was mowing. The driver went on to tell me that he was a friend of James growing up and used to come for sleep overs in this house. He accurately described the room and was reminiscing fun times. It is always interesting to hear anecdotes about a home's past.}

* * *

"Creativity is inventing, experimenting,

 growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes, and having fun."     

~ Mary Lou Cook

What's a red floor have to do with a croissant?

 

Are you thinking warm and buttery? 

You may have noticed my red stained/painted floor when I introduced the DC subway art dresser. This is a small room in my home that has never really found its identity. This space has been used as a spare bedroom, sitting room, work room, and catch-all room.

When we first moved into this house, the walls were dressed with a sweet pink pastel flowered wallpaper pattern because it was a little girl's room. I was in a hurry to transform it, so I removed the wallpaper and painted the walls a medium yellow. Some time later, I decided to stain/paint the wood floor, which then led to the new wall color, Sherwin Williams "Greek Villa".

Oh, back to the French pastry~ the croissant! I may be sharing in the coming days how I have changed this surface~ and area~ beginning by painting the floor with Sherwin Williams "Croissant" floor paint. Stay tuned.

Ugly cookies taste good, too!

As you see here, some of my mini muffin chocolate chip cookies came out less than perfect.

In this Pinterest world of beautiful pictures, I feel the need to keep it honest here. Even though I hope you will visit my previous post with eye-pleasing treats, I want to assert that UGLY COOKIES TASTE GOOD, TOO~ reassuring to know that perfection is not a requirement for success! ;)

Dark Chocolate Chip Valentine Treats

With February approaching, it is time to think about Valentine sweet treats!

These are easy and tasty. I simply follow the recipe for traditional Toll House chocolate chip cookies. You can find it on the bag of Nestle's dark chocolate chips. My twist on the recipe is to bake them in mini muffin tins. Spray tins with cooking/baking spray. Bake them at the prescribed temperature of 375 degrees for 10 minutes. Let them cool slightly before removing from pan if you want to serve them warm...wait longer if you plan to eat them by hand.

The mini muffin cookie is not extremely eye-pleasing left plain. That gives us the opportunity to get creative and dress them up! For a warm treat, drizzle dark chocolate syrup on serving plate. Add ice cream and/or whipped cream, maraschino cherries, strawberries~ your choice! :)  Both you and your Valentine will LOVE it!

Here's the simple steps I took to embellish my treats.

1. Drizzle dark chocolate syrup on serving plate. This one is for sharing, or you can make individual portions.

2. Place mini muffin cookies on plate, top with whipped cream and maraschino cherries.

 3. VOILA! Grab an extra fork, share, and ENJOY!  ;)  

I can say from personal experience that these are fun for breakfast! 

Treat someone special today!

:)

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No Minimalist Here 

Work well done

 

"If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music, or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, 'Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.'"

~ Martin Luther King, Jr.