KITCHEN VIEWS

The lifestyle blogger of Graze Living uses an open space to cook from her garden and entertain. by Allison Arthur photos by Aaron Kraft

WHETHER she is bringing in fresh eggs from her chicken coop or fresh veggies from her garden, Hillary Munro is rarely sitting down in her Shootin’ Iron kitchen. The DIY expert, whose lifestyle brand, Graze Living, focuses on entertaining and interior design, gets back to basics in an open kitchen space with everything from canning to crafting.

Hillary, 43, and her husband, Mac, 49, moved into the home they built in 2018. With help from architect Anna Butler (Miro Studio) and Two Ocean Builders, the couple built a dreamy space designed with hand-picked details.

When working on the plans, Hillary knew a couple of things she wanted to avoid. She previously had a kitchen island, and knew that she would prefer a peninsula instead, and a functional space where she can cook, entertain and craft.

“It separates the space and keeps people out while I am working,” she says.

With young children (Sawyer, 7, and Miller, 6) and the amount of entertaining they typically do, the couple decided on functional quartzite for the countertops. “I love the look of marble, but it’s too precious for my life,” she says. “Quartzite is not as porous and more durable, but is still a natural material.”

Many of the materials, furniture and finishes in the Munros’ kitchen have a story behind them. The bar stools, for example, were found on a trip to Marfa, Texas, and the trim comes from an ornate engraved wood that her cabinetmaker found. Hillary loves that she met the people who made the stools and that often the pieces in her home have a story behind them.

FUNCTIONALITY WAS VERY

important to all the planning and design that went into the Munros’ home. The pantry is large and close by, for extra storage, workspace and accessibility. Hillary knew that she wanted a singlebasin sink and a buffet space near the dining table. When entertaining, the kids, she says, often sit at the bar and the adults at the table nearby.

HILLARY MUNRO’S TIPS FOR SETTING THE TABLE

IN ADDITION TO THE FOOD, THE SETTING IS VERY IMPORTANT IN THE MUNRO HOME. FOLLOW THESE TIPS ON SETTING AN IMPRESSIVE TABLE AT YOUR NEXT DINNER.

FORAGE FROM NEARBY: HIT UP YOUR YARD AND NEARBY FORESTLAND FOR FOUND ITEMS LIKE THESE JUNIPER BERRIES. MIX IN BAGS OF INEXPENSIVE GREENERY YOU CAN GET AT GROCERY STORES OR YOUR LOCAL FLORIST TO INCORPORATE SEASONAL BLOOMS AND FILL OUT THE DISPLAY.

KEEP IT SIMPLE: MORE ELABORATE ISN’T ALWAYS MORE. STICK TO A CONTROLLED PALETTE, DIFFERENT SHADES OF GREEN AND BLUE, OR MUTED REDS WITH BRIGHT REDS.

OFFER A MENU: USE EVERYDAY ITEMS LIKE LUNCH BAGS FOR THE MENU OR PLACE SETTINGS.

FILL IT WITH SOMETHING FUN: SEND GUESTS AWAY WITH PARTING GIFTS LIKE SPICED NUTS OR HOMEMADE CANDY AND/OR KEEPSAKES.

MIX METALS: USE COPPER, BRASS, SILVER AND CERAMICS. YOU CAN MIX AND MATCH AND CREATE AN ELEVATED FEEL WITHOUT IT BEING OVERLY FANCY.

WELL-SEASONED:

Most nights, the whole family eats dinner at the table together, and 90% of the time, Hillary cooks her meals using cast-iron pans.

GRAZE LIVING’S BOURBON THYME

FOR THE HONEY-THYME SIMPLE SYRUP: 1/2 CUP LOCAL HONEY 1/2 CUP WATER 5-6 THYME SPRIGS AND MORE TO GARNISH

> COMBINE THE HONEY AND WATER IN A SMALL SAUCEPAN AND BRING TO A SIMMER. ADD THE THYME SPRIGS AND SIMMER ON LOW HEAT FOR 5 MINUTES. REMOVE FROM HEAT AND LET COOL. REMOVE THYME SPRIGS AND POUR INTO A JAR. STORE IN THE FRIDGE FOR UP TO 2 WEEKS.

FOR THE COCKTAIL: 2 OUNCES WYOMING WHISKEY 2 OUNCES LEMON JUICE 1 OUNCE HONEY-THYME SIMPLE SYRUP 1/4 CUP BLACKBERRIES

> FILL A COCKTAIL GLASS WITH ICE. COMBINE THE WHISKEY, LEMON JUICE, WATER AND HONEY-THYME SIMPLE SYRUP IN A SHAKER FILLED WITH ICE. STIR UNTIL THOROUGHLY COMBINED. STRAIN INTO PREPARED COCKTAIL GLASS, GARNISH WITH BLACKBERRIES AND THYME SPRIGS.

The table, for example, came from a friend’s store (Flower Hardware). “It came from an old bakery in Minnesota and took about five people to move it in. They used it as a prep table. I love anything that tells a story.”

During more social times, Munro likes to entertain. Guests are often treated to themed dinners that come along with hand-crafted party gifts. She always sets the table to reflect the seasons and aims to create an environment that is welcoming to all ages. Many of the items she uses to decorate the tables are foraged for either in her garden or on local forestland.

Hillary came up with the concept and name “Graze” from the desire to live off open space, and being able to graze and forage nearby. She tries to incorporate that concept as much as she can into her life and home.