Holiday Decorating & Entertaining
Still entertaining with red plastic cups?
6 easy upgrades worth making Page 7 Five ways to
Organize your holidays now PAGE 14
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Baking Shortcuts for time-pressed entertainers Page 15
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Inside: Why the dining room is due for a revival.....................................................pg 4 Still entertaining with red plastic cups?........................................................pg 7 Try a different take on turkey this holiday season...................................... pg 8 Move over ugly Christmas sweaters, Famjams are here............................pg 10 High standards, low budget........................................................................ pg 12 Five ways to organize your holidays now.................................................. pg 14 Baking shortcuts for time-pressed entertainers.........................................pg 15 Must-have kitchen remodel........................................................................ pg 16 Create drama with bold paint colours......................................................... pg 17 Craft corners, yoga rooms and more.......................................................... pg 18 Don’t be afraid to think pink in the living room....................................... pg 20 Tackle wardrobe organization..................................................................... pg 21 A tailor-made tart for brunch..................................................................... pg 22
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Photo by: Anna Routh Photography — The Washington Post
Why the dining room is due for a revival For many overscheduled families, “dining” has been reduced in recent years to grabbing a plate of food at a kitchen island or on an ottoman in front of a screen. Even in homes that have a separate dining room, the table is regularly commandeered for homework or, at this time of year, as a tax-prep command center. But there are signs that we are heading back to the dinner table, designers say. Their clients are tiring of grabbing meals in the “great room,” a more informal, open space that often accommodates drive-by eating and lounging. Or they’re annoyed with noisy restaurants and want to do more entertaining at home. Many young families are looking for a more structured family dinner hour around a real table. “Everything is so casual these days, it’s nice to be a bit more formal in a room where you entertain or gather your family,” said designer Erica Burns of Bethesda, Maryland. “The room sets the tone, since there’s no TV in there and hopefully no cellphones. It’s a space focused on conversation and eating.” A separate dining room is on many homeowners’ wish lists. In the January 2017 Home Buyer Reference survey, 73 percent of those who responded said the dining room was “essential or desirable,” according to a spokeswoman for the National Association of Home Builders.
redecorating. We asked designers to share some of their strategies on making this somewhat formal room, often full of inherited furniture, come alive.
Go for drama. A dining room is a good place to do something dramatic, if that’s your style. “If a client said, ‘I want glazed turquoise walls,’ I’d say we probably should not do that in a room you’re in all the time,” Hildreth said. “If you want to be wild or crazy, a dining room or powder room is a good place to do it.”
Break up your dining room set. Many dining rooms have too much furniture. Why not put your buffet or server in a different room? Hildreth moved his sideboard to the living room to use when entertaining. He arranges appetizers on it before dinner, then serves dessert and coffee on it afterward. “It’s nice not to be tethered to your dining room table and to move into another room after dinner to talk with other guests,” Hildreth said. “And now my sideboard has found a new life.”
Soften it up.
But how do families turn the dining room from a stiff backdrop for elaborate Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrations into a warmer and more approachable space?
New York designer Katie Ridder said window treatments and carpets are important in a dining room: “There are usually brown tables, chairs and sideboards. That’s a lot of hardwood surfaces, so it’s nice to soften it with carpeting, curtains and maybe a wallpaper.”
“Dining rooms sometimes give people the chills with memories of their parents’ dining rooms filled with brown furniture,” Washington designer Josh Hildreth said. “If you want to bring a room like this back, you have to make it useful and fun.”
Pay attention to light fixture height.
Lots of memorable moments occur in the dining room, yet it’s a space that’s often at the bottom of the list for refreshing or
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Chandeliers are often hung too high in dining rooms. Washington designer Thomas Pheasant said he likes lighting 30 to 36 inches above the table: “You want to sit across the table and not have the
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fixture in the way, but you want to bring the light and attention down to everyone’s faces.”
Install sturdy seat covers. On traditional dining chairs, it pays to use indoor/outdoor fabrics. Burns said she often uses Sunbrella or Perennials for young families. “There are so many great options now that are soft and don’t feel like the slippery outdoor fabric of days past,” she said. Additionally, you can take any fabric and get stain treatment applied before upholstering chairs.
Up your chair count. If your dining room is small but you want additional matching chairs available, you can display the chairs in other rooms. Ridder said: “Buy extra chairs and if you want, do different seat covers for them so you can use them for the living room, family room or bedroom yet still bring them in for a large dinner around your table.”
Liven up brown furniture. Hildreth updated the traditional mahogany china cabinet at his mom’s house by lining the back with a neutral grass cloth that has a bit of coral in it. “It lightened the whole look up,” he said. Because china cabinets are going for very affordable prices in auctions and vintage markets, he suggested buying one and lacquering it with a bold paint color.
Supplement lighting. Ridder said she advises clients who are renovating a dining room to add down-lights around the chandelier. “It’s nice to have light pointing down on the table as well as chandelier light and candlelight,” she said.
Mix it up. Don’t be so matchy-matchy. A different look for the host chairs at either end of the table can make a statement., Burns suggested. Instead of the usual chandelier over the center of the table, try two pendants.
Make it pull double duty. Urban clients like having separate dining rooms but are sometimes short on space, Pheasant said. “What do we do if someone will only use their dining room two or three times a month?” Pheasant said. “We might create a library there using a center table and lining shelves with books and photographs.”
Rethink your china. If you have a glass china cabinet or hutch crammed with porcelain and crystal, separate what you really use from what you might want to de-accession. Display only a few special pieces; it will give the room a cleaner look and feel more modern. And don’t be afraid to set a nice table with your best china and cloth napkins, even if it’s just for a weeknight family dinner. Pheasant said, “Use your good stuff and enjoy it.” (c) 2017, The Washington Post
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Still entertaining with red plastic cups? 6 easy upgrades worth making. By Marie Elizabeth Oliver — The Washington Post
Disposable plates and red Solo cups are fine for frat parties and tailgates, but a host or hostess on a budget shouldn’t have to resort to a sweep of the paper goods aisle. Take a cue from the experts and focus your efforts on little upgrades that will make a big impact. “Some of the best events are simple with a few beautiful details,” says Lauren Conrad, whose book “Celebrate” features an approachable guide to entertaining. Conrad, who also co-founded the nonprofit home goods store the Little Market, loves combining low-cost accents, such as colorful paper straws, with higher-end items, such as bamboo plates. According to Sarah Ashley Schiear, an A-list caterer turned founder of the lifestyle and entertaining site Salt House Market, the fact that more casual get-togethers are on trend is good news for anyone looking to host an event at home without breaking the bank. “First and foremost, don’t take yourself too seriously,” Schiear says. “There’s this old idea in our minds where you have to get centerpieces and everything has to be perfect, but that is not what’s modern.”
local produce section, such as cherries, cranberries, artichoke and squash.” When it comes to special-occasion entertaining, however, experts agree a few things are worth splurging on. Read on for their top advice.
1. Perfect your plating Whether you’re planning simple snacks or a sit-down dinner, the plates you choose will set the tone for the event. “I’m a big proponent of investing in a set of white plates,” Schiear says. And with an Ikea line starting at 99 cents per plate, you don’t have much of an excuse. If you must go with something disposable, Rose recommends a set of gold-foiled plates to add pizazz: “You’d be amazed at what disposable party items you can find these days that look like a million bucks.” Instead of paper plates, try: - Large paper-and-foil plates.
One of her favorite ways to avoid party-planning burnout is to steer clear of anything tied to one particular season or function. “Nobody wants to be stuck buying things that they have to store later,” says Schiear, who suggests making sure anything you buy for your event has an everyday use in your home. Schiear recommends building your party palette around a classic table setting and adding greenery, votive candles and seasonal fruit -- she loves pomegranates. “That is a lot less expensive than doing a big flower arrangement,” she adds. Conrad agrees that even a small number of strategically placed fresh flowers can make an event feel special without the need for heavy decorations. “Use small jars and vases so you will only need to put a few flowers in each piece,” she suggests. “A little bit can go a long way.” Ashley Rose of the DIY-inspired lifestyle blog Sugar & Cloth says another way to keep your decoration budget in check is to choose a few focal point vignettes, and don’t be afraid to mix and match items: “You can easily clip greenery from around your home for arrangements in a vase, mixed with a few key pieces from your
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- Tempered-glass plates.
2. Set up a hydration station Schiear’s go-to is chilled bottles of San Pellegrino water served with citrus wedges. A pretty glass pitcher full of water or a signature beverage can also serve as a functional focal point. “Style a bar cart with inexpensive, pretty napkins, a drink dispenser and a few candles,” Rose says. Instead of plastic water bottles, try: - Chilled bottles of San Pellegrino sparkling water - Glass pitcher
3. Choose sturdier napkins This is one detail that experts agree is worth the price -- and extra load of laundry.
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Instead of paper napkins, try: - White buffet napkins. - Linen hemstitch napkins.
4. Forgo plastic flatware Metallic cutlery can create an instant wow factor. “It costs more, but you can use them every day, and overall it makes a big impact,” Schiear says. Disposable wooden cutlery is a less expensive option that comes in an assortment of shapes and sizes and coordinates with most decor. Instead of plastic cutlery, try: - Wooden cutlery. - Silverware set.
Photos by Jennifer Chase for The Washington Post
5. Set out toast-worthy glasses They may come in festive colors, but you can do better than those plastic Solo cups. Schiear says raiding your own cabinets (or your friends’) for mismatched glassware can create an eclectic vibe. She also loves classic, European stackable glasses. If you need something tossable, Rose recommends a classic tumbler that can do double duty for cocktails and pre-made desserts. Instead of red party cups, try: - ‘Cut crystal’ plastic tumblers. - Marta glass.
6. Use a runner Whether you prefer your table clothed or bare, a simple runner can help tie everything together. Schiear recommends something in a natural color or fabric. “I’ve heard of people finding things around the house,” such as old curtains or drapes, she says. Muslin fabric can also work in a pinch: “The naturally frayed edges of the material make it great for a quick, cut-and-go DIY project,” Rose says. Instead of a disposable tablecloth, try: - Natural muslin fabric. - Natural fiber and Lurex table runner.
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Try a different take on turkey this holiday season Turkey is a holiday dinner staple in many families. While many might scoff at the idea of altering their holiday turkey traditions, others may embrace changing things up, feeling that the joy of cooking often lies in experimentation. Those unafraid to try something new might want to cook up the following recipe for “Turkey Roulade with Cranberry Chutney” from Laurey Masterton’s “The Fresh Honey Cookbook” (Storey).
Turkey Roulade with Cranberry Chutney Serves 6 1 1 3 1⁄2 1⁄4
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2 1⁄2 1⁄2 1⁄2
sheet puff pastry pound turkey meat from turkey breast and/or thigh meat, cut into 1-inch chunks eggs cup chicken stock cup Marsala Following the instructions on the package, thaw the puff pastry. This will take 30 to 45 minutes, depending on the type of pastry. You should be able to unfold it without it breaking. Set aside. Pulse the turkey in a food processor until it is the consistency of ground beef. Add 2 of the eggs, the chicken stock, the Marsala, and the butter. Pulse again briefly, until just combined.
3. Roll out the puff pastry on a floured surface until it is a 12- or
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13-inch square. Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper and place the pastry on top. Form the minced turkey mixture into a log and position it down the center of the prepared puff pastry. Make an indentation down the length of the turkey and place the celery, mushrooms, and cranberry chutney along the indentation. Cover the indentation with the meat, forming a log once again.
as round as possible, like a Yule log — try to avoid a flattened version, like a strudel.
6. Preheat the oven to 450 F. 7. Combine the remaining egg
with 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl or cup. Stir well until completely mixed. Brush the roulade with the egg wash, being careful to brush every bit of the exposed pastry.
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5. Wrap the puff pastry around the turkey, neatly folding the 9. ends and top together, rolling or tucking the edges together, and pinching to seal any gaps. Make the pastry-covered log
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tablespoons unsalted butter Unbleached all-purpose flour, for the pastry cup celery sliced on the diagonal cup sliced button mushrooms cup Cranberry Chutney (see below), plus more for serving Fresh parsley sprigs for garnish
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Bake for 10 minutes at 450 F, then reduce the heat to 375 F. Continue to bake for 30 to 45 minutes longer, until the pastry has risen and is a toasty, golden color and the turkey has reached an internal temperature of 165 F. Generally speaking, once the pastry has cooked, the meat will be cooked, too. Remove the roulade from the oven. Transfer it to a serving platter, using the parchment paper to help you. Allow to rest for about 10 minutes. Slice and serve, garnishing with the parsley and accompanying with a bowl of extra cranberry chutney.
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Cranberry Chutney Makes 3 cups 1 2 1⁄3 1⁄2 1⁄2 1⁄2 1⁄2 1⁄2 1⁄2 1⁄4
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1-pound bag fresh cranberries navel oranges, unpeeled, cut into 6 wedges and then into thin slices cup golden raisins teaspoon ground cinnamon teaspoon whole cloves teaspoon ground ginger teaspoon kosher salt cup apple cider cup honey, preferably cranberry honey cup apple cider vinegar Pour the cranberries into a 2-quart pot. Add the oranges, raisins, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, salt, apple cider, honey, and vinegar. Bring to a boil, and then reduce the heat to low and simmer until the chutney thickens, about 20 minutes. Remove from the heat and serve warm or, if you prefer, chill and serve cold.
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Taylor Norris and her family have been wearing matching pajamas for the past two Christmases - and taking selfie-stick photos to prove it. Photo by Taylor Norris.
Move over ugly Christmas sweaters, Famjams are here
By Abha Bhattarai — The Washington Post
Early in November, Kathy Woods calls a family meeting to discuss the season’s pressing question: Matching Christmas pajamas in stripes or solids? The routine began casually enough about five years ago, Woods said, but has become an annual holiday tradition that includes her three children, her dog and sometimes her mother and sister. (Her husband, however, declines to participate.) “It’s like my big challenge every Christmas: Can I get everybody to put on these matching pajamas and sit still for a photo?” said Woods, who lives in Teaneck, N.J. “If I can, it’s a good year.” Pajamas, of course, have long been standard holiday fare and, at times, a gift-giving cliche. But in recent years, retailers say social media - a wonderland for cheesy photos - have created a matching-pajama frenzy that has spread from niche retailers like PajamaGram and Hanna Andersson to mainstream chains. Even Oprah Winfrey has joined in. Family pajamas by Burt Bees Baby are on her “Favorite Things” list.
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Coordinating sleepwear, retailers say, is the new ugly sweater: Kitschy, extravagant and somehow irresistible. Target said sales have grown every year since 2013, and this season it plans to offer 22 patterns, some with options for dogs and dolls. Walmart, meanwhile, is expecting another year of “hefty” sales growth for its one-piece, zip-up pajamas for adults. New this year: Patterns depicting skiing polar bears and Santa riding a unicorn. “This is definitely a peak year” for matching sets, said Debbie Horton, senior sleepwear buyer for Walmart. “People aren’t just wearing them to bed anymore. They’re actually putting them on to go out and have fun.” At the PajamaGram Co., the holiday boom began in early September, when shoppers began planning photos for this year’s Christmas cards. The online retailer expects to sell 500,000 pairs of coordinating sleepwear this year for moms, dads, children and of course, the family dog and cat. Business has been so brisk
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that matching holiday pajamas now make up 80 percent of the company’s annual sales, up from 15 percent in 2005.
“I love my family, and I’d do anything for them,” he said. “But matching pajamas? That’s where I draw the line.”
“It’s great for business,” said Stacey Buonanno, the company’s brand director. “It used to be that people would buy just one pair of women’s pajamas. Now they’re buying four or five pairs for the whole family.” Prices start at about $20 to outfit the cats and dogs, $30 for children and $60 for adults. For a family of four plus a pet, that’s $200 although Buonanno says that hasn’t deterred buyers.
Jeff McGurren used to feel the same way. But he caved last year after his wife, Jacqui, told him he’d ruin Christmas if he didn’t join in. So he sheepishly put on a pair of reindeer-emblazoned pajamas and posed with their then-5-month-old son and two dogs for their annual holiday card. (One of the dogs also wore antlers.)
“We are seeing opportunities with this as a year-round business,” she said. “Demand is just constantly growing.” The company has increased its lineup of designs from three to 27, and this year has licensing deals for Looney Tunes and Minions characters. Other patterns include candy-cane stripes, snowflakes and color-your-own Christmas motifs, though classic red-plaid flannel remains the company’s best seller. Matching pajamas have become such a hit on social media, Buonanno said, the company has begun asking customers to send in their photos. It has received 5,000 submissions over the past few years, many of which have ended up on the company’s website and its catalogues. “It’s all about the family photos,” said Justin Sonfield, a spokesman for the Company Store, where sales of matching flannel pajamas have grown by double digits for five years in a row. “In the retail world, it’s what we call a home run.”
“You can tell by the look on his face he wasn’t too happy about the family photo,” Jacqui said. “But he is a good sport [and] agreed to do another one this year.” Which means, she said, she’ll have to go shopping. The family recently doubled in size, with the addition of five chickens. It would be a lot to corral for a holiday photo - even if the animals cooperate. It was hard enough, she says, getting her dogs to cooperate last year. “They were totally skeptical and didn’t talk to me for at least an hour after the shoot,” she said, adding that Sprinkles tried to eat her pajamas off, while Tina looked a bit ashamed in her outfit. “It was a rough day for everyone.” But that doesn’t mean she isn’t trying again. “I really want to do one this year with the five chickens matching,” she said, adding that she’s already found fowl-friendly Christmas sweaters. “I just love the cheesiness of it.”
It has been decades, Sharon Sweeney says, that she’s been buying matching holiday pajamas for her five children and six grandchildren. These days, even if the extended family is apart during the holidays, they have three-way video calls on Christmas Eve so the family can see each other in their matching pajamas. “This is something we’ve been doing our whole lives,” said her daughter, Susan Pennell, who lives in Newfoundland, Canada. “It’s just that now it’s a lot more visible because everyone can see our pictures on Instagram.” Each photo posted on Instagram - or Facebook or Snapchat - ends up reaching dozens, if not thousands, of people, which furthers the wildfire-like spread of matching pajamas, said Jonah Berger, a marketing professor at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School of Business. “It used to be that maybe your uncle’s family did this on their Christmas card, but you’d only see it if you were on their mailing list,” said Berger, author of the book “Contagious: Why Things Catch On.” Now, he said, “It’s a classic case of internet one-upmanship. Who can come up with the best matching pajamas and show the world that they’re a good parent?” Joshua Pease, for one, isn’t feeling that pressure. He says he was caught off-guard when, a few weeks ago, his wife casually mentioned that maybe it’d be fun to dress their family of four in matching pajamas. Pease, a writer in Castle Rock, Colorado, was not amused. He’s never liked uniforms, he said, and something about coordinating sleepwear just seems, well, corny.
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High standards, low budget Holley Simmons — The Washington Post
Friends of mine would probably describe me as “crafty” and “creative.” But that’s just because they’re too polite to tell you the truth: I’m cheap. My stinginess has led me down dark alleys in search of scrap wood to build a coffee table for a fraction of the price of the Restoration Hardware version I adore. And it means I’ll often wake up to pictures from my roommate of dilapidated, discarded furniture on the street with the message, “This made me think of you.” As a result, my apartment is filled with inexpensive pieces that have been gathered in unconventional ways or made by yours truly. In fact, the other day while I was tidying up, I realized that every item -- with the exception of my mattress -- cost less than $300. I’ve been very deliberate in my selections, and it’s taken me years to build an arsenal of couches, tables, rugs and art that I’m happy with. At times it was difficult not to rush to Ikea and settle for a set of just-okay dining chairs to avoid another night of standing around the dinner table eating supper. I realize not everybody has as much patience to devote to decorating and furnishing their home. And I’m not proposing you spend your weekends scrounging around in dumpsters for unique home accents. (Please, that would mean fewer treasures for me.) But there are a few tricks and shortcuts I’ve learned along the way that make it easy to save a buck or $200. And not a single one requires a tetanus shot. Photos by Katherine Frey — The Washington Post
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Know what to buy vs. DIY
Don’t be afraid of prints
Anytime I see an item described as “industrial” or being made with “reclaimed” materials, my DIY senses tingle. Additionally, the plumbing section at your local hardware store is brimming with potential storage solutions. I built the clothing racks in my dressing room using copper piping and concrete, and I’ve made a simple, versatile blanket ladder using dowels and copper fittings. And if you find an affordable dresser but hate the knobs, you’re just a few twists away from a sleek piece when you update the hardware.
If you want to make an otherwise bland room come to life, just add prints. The bright green floral couch in my living room (which I affectionately call “grandma chic”) serves as the anchor for the space, and the wallpaper in my dressing room turns a drab wall into a happy garden. Plus, the pattern is so bold that I needed to cover only one wall, thus saving money. Just be sure to go easy on other patterns so as not to overwhelm the eye.
Buy textiles when you travel The fastest way to add color and richness to a room is by adding textiles. It also happens to be one of the most expensive. Throw blankets, table linens and rugs often demand a high price because they’ve been imported and are grossly marked up. But when traveling through foreign countries, you can find the same items at markets for a fraction of the price. Take the massive white rug in my living room that I snagged in Mexico City for $30. Or the hand-embroidered blanket draped across my bed that I picked up in Burma for $40. Not only were they affordable and rare, but they also tell a story.
Host a tchotchke swap One woman’s trash is another woman’s new wall adornment or pop of color. Similar to a clothing swap or a book swap, a tchotchke swap is a way for you to exchange items you no longer need for something fresh. It’s how I picked up a crystal chandelier (really!) for nothing.
Think big If you have a large, blank wall to fill, don’t immediately think gallery wall, which is a strategically arranged collection of art pieces that can cost a fortune to frame. Instead opt for a large anchor piece, such as a giant map or a handmade installation. For my living room, I searched “DIY backdrop” for inspiration and found instructions on how to make a huge tassel hanging on a wedding website.
Paint often and paint everything A can of paint is the single most inexpensive way to change the look of your home. Don’t be afraid to go big here. I wasn’t, and I’m thrilled with my bright blue living room (inspired by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera’s house in Mexico City) and coral dining room (inspired by a Santorini sunset). And consider painting your cabinets and doors. I couldn’t resist coating the door in my foyer with millennial pink, and the results are whimsical.
Make your existing belongings do the work Books, clothing and dinnerware are common items in every apartment. They can also look beautiful when displayed in the open vs. stored in a cabinet or closet. Be sure to choose your items wisely: Think floor-length floral frocks hung on a clothing rack instead of a row of white tees.
Add some plants Don’t let a fear of killing greenery stop you from adding life to your home. There are a number of foolproof houseplants that cost next to nothing and will last a long time, including ZZ plants, snake plants and pothos. Fiddle-leaf figs and succulents might be in vogue, but both are fickle and require specific conditions to thrive.
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Photos by Katherine Frey — The Washington Post
Five ways to organize your holidays now By Jura Koncius — The Washington Post
You might already have a plan for your holiday cookie baking or new garland doorway display. But some of the most satisfying preparations for the holidays involve more mundane pursuits: making order in a small corner of your home, stocking what you’ll need for a seasonal chore, or decluttering unneeded or worn-out items. Clea Shearer and Joanna Teplin are experts in this kind of orderly living. They run the Home Edit, a home organization company based in Nashville, Tennessee, that takes a stylized approach to editing and arranging, and they’re also home organizing consultants for Target. They know how to make ordinary stuff look good: They have clients (including Gwyneth Paltrow and Rachel Zoe) throughout the country and more than 330,000 followers on Instagram.
hooded parkas. Transition into the winter season by emptying it and putting away sunscreen and baseball hats. Put a bin or tray for boots in the bottom. Get extra hangers for visiting coats. “Buy heavy-weight hangers, not something flimsy,” Shearer says. “For coats, you really need a wooden hanger.”
4. Dedicate
an area to holiday correspondence. If exchanging cards is one of your favorite parts of the holiday season, make the process easier. You can order your cards from an online stationer, adding in your own photos. (Shearer and Teplin use Minted.)
Technology has changed how many of us store and update addresses, from keeping contacts on a cellphone to maintaining an online database. If you’re diligent, you update your addresses all year. But for those who can’t keep up, Shearer suggests using a custom card service that will email every person in your database before sending out your cards to make sure their address is correct.
Shearer says, “The holidays are supposed to be a joyous time. To make that happen, the most wonderful thing to do is to cleanse your house of things you don’t like or don’t need.” The fast-paced weeks ahead will be more pleasant if you strategize ways to accomplish your holiday to-do list in calm, not chaos.
“We all know what’s coming is not like a random birthday party; it’s like a lot of birthday parties all at once,” Teplin says. “Set yourself up for success this year.”
Here are five lifestyle suggestions from the Home Edit team that could help.
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Purge as many items as you can. Now is the time to take toys your kids don’t use to a donation center or donate your outgrown coats to a shelter. You’ll be making way for new toys and new clothes. Get nonprofit groups that have donation trucks to pick up at your house and finally get rid of bulky unused items such as doll houses. For gently worn clothes and smaller items, the team suggests packing them into shopping bags or boxes and immediately getting them out of your house by placing them in your car. You’ll be sure to drop them off sooner rather than later, Teplin says. Set up a gift-wrapping station. Even if it’s a corner of a desk, the back of a closet or a mere plastic tub, designate a place for all things gift wrap. “It doesn’t have to be a Beverly Hills mansion-style wrapping room,” Shearer says. “Just keep all the stuff together and you can wrap on the floor or kitchen table.” In addition to rolls of paper and gift bags and tags, make sure you have several pairs of scissors and at least two rolls of tape on hand. They suggest choosing a festive paper, maybe in gold or silver, that would be appropriate for either Christmas or Hanukkah, plus other occasions.
If you write your own cards, gather them and your stamps in one place. Create a basket to collect cards you receive. You can display cards on a mantel or bulletin board, or get creative: Hang a wire and pin cards on it with clothespins.
5. Edit holiday decorations and entertaining supplies as you put
them out. The Home Edit team is convinced that you’ll be more diligent about evaluating your holiday decorations when you are decking your halls. They suggest decorating your tree with a shopping bag nearby that you’ll fill with the Santas that are looking a bit tired and the reindeer that have lost their sparkle.
“If you wait, in the rush to clean up the holiday at the end of the year, you’ll probably just shove stuff in boxes and bags just to get it packed up for the season,” Shearer says. Teplin advises clients to “take out holiday serving pieces and tableware, wash them and have them ready to use.” If you find a chipped dinner plate or two, she says, now’s the time to order more. Photo by: The Home Edit
3. Revisit
your coat closet. The front-hall closet is often the repository of sports equipment, boots and vacuums. With company on its way, you’ll need that space for puffy coats and
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Baking shortcuts for time-pressed entertainers ‘Tis the season for baking cookies, cakes and other treats. However, during the holiday rush, it’s easy to get side-tracked or tired, and perhaps even a little bit overwhelmed by all the things to do in such a short period of time. Holiday baking doesn’t have to add to seasonal stress. With these tips and shortcuts, there will be plenty of sweet treats for the family. Stick with tested recipes Although holiday bakers may want to branch out a bit with their culinary creativity, recipes that have previously been prepared with great success can take some of the work out of holiday baking. Preparing recipes you recall preparing in the past is much easier than trying something new. If you’d like, add sparkle to old standards, such as decorating oatmeal or chocolate chip cookies with colored sprinkles.
much fuss. Substitute melted butter for oil, buttermilk for water, and add an extra egg for a rich cake. Mix in chocolate chips or nuts or experiment with garnishes for a festive look.
Parchment paper is key Line cookie sheets or cake pans with parchment paper for easy dessert release and quick cleanup. Parchment paper and even foil can help lift cakes or cookie bars out of pans so they look neat and do not stick. Holiday baking can be made much easier by employing a few tricks of the trade.
Cookies are fast-baking Did you know that cookies were originally made to test oven temperatures? Culinary historians say that cookies were first made to test if an oven was hot enough to bake other goods. Today, cookies can be whipped up in mere minutes. Make a batch of dough and then freeze or refrigerate it, thawing it when the time comes to bake. Also, think about baking one day and decorating the next if pressed for time.
Embrace colored candy melts Icing can be tricky to master. Simply heating colored candy melts and pouring over cakes or painting onto cookies can add festive appeal to desserts. Candy melts even come in many different colors and can be combined to achieve the tint desired.
Keep ingredients in top form Don’t let poorly performing ingredients or a lack of supplies be your undoing. Butter can be softened quickly in the microwave when needed for recipes. Eggs can be brought to room temperature by allowing them to sit in a bowl of warm water. Ensure that brown sugar stays soft by putting a piece of sliced bread in the container. Don’t forget to stock up on other baking staples, such as vanilla and almond extracts, baking powder/soda, molasses, and confectioner’s sugar.
Don’t bake from scratch Not all recipes need to be made from scratch. Boxed cake mixes can be embellished and turned into delicious desserts without
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Homeowners looking to renovate often see room for improvement in their kitchens and bathrooms. The National Association of Home Builder’s Remodeling Market Index Survey, which measures conditions in the remodeling market, indicates that, in 2015, the two most common remodeling jobs were bathroom remodels (81 percent) and kitchen remodels (79 percent). According to HGTV and Statistics Brain, a new kitchen remodel for a kitchen measuring 12 by 12 feet may cost homeowners anywhere from $17,000 to $37,000. Before investing so much into their remodeling projects, homeowners should think carefully about the features that will improve their time spent at home. When planning a kitchen renovation, homeowners may want to consider the following upgrades to make the room more enjoyable while improving its functionality.
Must-have kitchen remodel features
Oversized sink Although high-efficiency dishwashers are popular, deep sinks to soak soup pots or woks are still useful. Deep sinks may be preferable to double sinks, especially for homeowners who use lots of kitchen tools when preparing meals.
Soft-closing hinges When replacing cabinets (or just the hardware), consider installing soft-closing hinges and slides on doors and drawers. These devices eliminate slamming and caught fingers, reducing noise and injuries in the kitchen.
Foot-pedal water operation When outfitting a sink, think about foot controls, which are popular in doctors’ offices and hospitals. Turning on the water with the tap of a foot can reduce the transfer of pathogens to faucets from hands during food preparation. These pedals also free up hands for other tasks.
Bottom’s up People likely spend more time raiding the refrigerator than the freezer on any given day. Rather than having to bend down to seek out that favorite flavor of Greek yogurt, choose a model with the fridge on top and freezer on the bottom, especially if anyone in the household has mobility issues. When shopping for refrigerators, French-door style units may offer even more access, making it easy for homeowners to slide fruit trays, sheet cakes and other large items into the fridge.
Extra lighting A kitchen should be a balance of form and function. A combination of overhead lighting, decorative lighting and task lighting can illuminate all areas of the space effectively.
Appliance garages Architectural and design resource Houzz says that appliance garages are popular kitchen additions, too. Set at countertop level, these cabinets allow people to keep small appliances plugged in but tucked neatly behind closed doors. Kitchen remodels are a sizable investment, and renovations can be customized to make the kitchen more hospitable for all in residence.
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Create drama with bold paint colours Painting is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to transform the look of a space. Paint colors can dramatically change the mood and the design of a home. And depending on a homeowner’s goals, paint can make a statement or blend into the background. Many people are now looking to bold colors to make spaces stand out. But choosing a paint color can be challenging. Homeowners looking to update walls and complement decor may want to look at some of the more impactful colors that Pantone indicates will be popular for the 2017 season. Primrose Yellow, Lapis Blue, Flame, Pink Yarrow, and Greenery are some of the more eye-catching selections. Once colors are selected, consider these guidelines for using bolder colors in room designs. • Decide how big an impact you want to make. Are you looking for color overload or just a small focal point of vivid color? Remember, using bold color doesn’t mean every wall must be lathered in that hue. Instead, select one wall to serve as an accent point and use that spot as your bold color display. Otherwise, rely on bold colors to dress up otherwise mundane areas, such as the back wall of a cupboard or moldings and trim. • Try bold in a small space. Many people are surprised at how well bold colors work in small spaces. Powder rooms can be an ideal spot to experiment with paint colors. Try deep colors that can make the area seem intimate and even exotic. Dark, bold hues can be toned down by different accents, such as neutral colored fixtures and towels. • Go bold in the kitchen. Incorporate a splash of color in the kitchen without going overboard. Try an appliance or design fixture in a bright shade. Or paint the inside of the cabinets in your favorite color and install glass inserts in the cabinet doors so that everyone gets a peek of the color beyond. A neutral kitchen also can be brightened up with the use of silverware, dishes, pots and pans, and other kitchen items featured in bold hues. • Stick to boldness on interchangeable items. Those who like to experiment with color may find that they like to switch out the colors now and again. Instead of having to repaint every few months, use decorative items in bright shades to make swapping out color that much easier. For example, replace area rugs, throw pillows and draperies. Paint over terra cotta flower pots when the mood strikes. • Establish balance. Rely on neutral furniture, rugs, moldings and baseboards if you decide to take bold colors up a notch. This will help create a sense of balance in the room. Painting is a fun way to experiment with color. Many homeowners are not hesitant to use bold shades of color when they learn the right techniques. And because paint is an inexpensive option for making over a room, homeowners who find they do not like a particular color can easily paint over it with a new color.
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Craft corners, yoga rooms and more: How the self-care craze has seeped into home design By Megan McDonough - The Washington Post
Picture an escape. The first image that came to mind was probably a sandy beach, or an exotic location. It likely wasn’t your master bathroom or bedroom. That is slowly changing, said interior designer and author Nate Berkus. “With everything going on in the world, I think all of us want, and have always wanted, our home to be our sanctuary,” said Berkus, co-star of the TLC reality show “Nate & Jeremiah by Design.” Berkus has made a career of transforming peoples’ living spaces into private oases. But as millennials join the ranks of home buyers, with their obsessive interest in self-care, mindfulness and the Internet, the idea of design as escapism is expanding.
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People are relying more on their home environments to boost their moods and overall sense of well-being. And in today’s heated climate, optimizing your home for happiness and creating a safe space to decompress and disconnect from work, politics and technology are not only valued but seemingly necessary. “The best interiors are the interiors where people . . . shut out all of the noise and really take a great, careful assessment of what made them feel the best in their spaces,” Berkus told The Washington Post. “The first question everyone should ask themselves before launching any design project whatsoever is, ‘What makes you feel good in your home?’ “ With minimalism in vogue and decluttering advocates such as Marie Kondo reaching Beyoncé-esque levels of recognition, the areas of home and wellness are becoming more integrally
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“When you’re embarking on a renovation or redesign, ask yourself, ‘What choices can I make to promote a feeling of sanctity?’ “ Berkus said. He also recommends incorporating “natural elements,” “timeworn finishes” and “architectural elements salvaged from old buildings” to add layers of depth and character. Many of his clients are devoting spaces in their homes to “wellness, tranquility and serenity.” His celebrity patrons, including his friend Oprah Winfrey, often request spaces for silence and reflection such as craft corners, reading nooks, and yoga, prayer and meditation rooms. Master bathrooms have also become a common place of respite, with trends toward personalization and spa-inspired amenities. “Bathrooms have become even more sumptuous,” Berkus said. For homeowners on a budget, an easy way to carve out a slice of bathroom serenity is with candles, fresh flowers, relaxing music and recessed lighting. Berkus also notes a growing trend toward upholstered bathroom furniture such as small, quilted chaises and tufted settees next to the bathtub, to add another tier of warmth and relaxation. The idea of optimizing home wellness has also seeped into our travel and lifestyle choices. “Ten years ago, hotel design wasn’t at the forefront of everyone’s consciousness. It didn’t really matter as much as it does today,” Berkus said. But now, “when you’re looking online and booking a vacation, [you ask] ‘What’s the design of the bathroom in the room that I’m staying in? Where is the photo of the spa or the pool?’ “ Visual social networks such as Instagram and Pinterest can help homeowners curate their interests, hone their design aesthetic and create a home environment that reflects their personality and tastes, Berkus said. “The design consciousness of everybody has been elevated based on our access to information,” Berkus said. “People are literally planning not only their homes and their living rooms [on these sites] but their weddings and next meals.” They have also served as great visual tools to help clients communicate to interior designers what statement and sentiment they want their decor to exude, “whether it’s something that reflects who they are as a person, their cultural heritage or . . . a [certain] time in their lives that was meaningful to them.”
Bathrooms have become even more sumptuous,” designer Nate Berkus said. Photo by: TC Studios/Delta Faucet — The Washington Post
intertwined. People are shying away from clutter and excess by placing more weight on the long-term benefits of the objects they choose to keep and display in their homes. “As a culture, I think we have too many things. I think there is a fine line drawn between hoarding, which is truly a medical term, and collecting,” Berkus said. “It’s important not to have too many, because then you stop noticing, engaging and caring about the details ... That’s when you cross the line from collector into something more dangerous.” One way Berkus avoids this pitfall is by selecting furnishings that have “age and patina” and “evoke a sense of history, permanence and use.” For example, displaying treasured travel souvenirs or incorporating beloved vintage and antique furniture might fit the bill.
The flip side of these websites is that no one really understands what design features cost. “Clients will say, ‘We really love this marble bathtub carved out of a solid block of marble. And I tell them: ‘I love that as well. Are you aware that it is the same price as an Acura?’ “ he said with a laugh. Your best shot at creating a home that feels “safe, warm and protected,” Berkus said, is to do your homework and figure out what design style best suits you before pulling out your credit card. “We all do better when our homes are better. Our homes do rise up to greet us, and they do make a difference in how we move through the world,” Berkus said. “At the end of the day, when we come home and we light that candle and we close the door, we want to know that we are surrounded by things that we have chosen and that we really love.” (c) 2017, The Washington Post
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Don’t be afraid to think pink in the living room By Megan McDonough - The Washington Post
At first blush, pink might seem like a bold color choice for the living room. But soft pink tones are a quick way to add elegance to your communal space. “Blush pink is an amazing accent color for a living room, as it can act both as a bolder color or muted neutral,” Arlington-based interior designer Nicole Lanteri said in an email. This color of the moment among millennials has presence without being distracting. It pairs well with bolder hues, such as Kelly green, bright yellow or cerulean blue, and creamy neutrals, including beiges, taupes, grays and whites. The lighter, feminine hue “feels young and fun, while still being calm and restful,” says Lanteri, “like you are taking a bit of a risk in a space without it being a crazy bold color.” It can be used to balance or brighten a space or add visual interest, depending on where and how it is used. Consider adding a fresh layer of color to your space with one of Lanteri’s pink suggestions.
8-by-10-foot Sato rug in petal, left; 8-by-10-foot Mirage light pink rug. Photo by: RH Baby & Child; The Land of Nod — The Washington Post
Costanza floor lamp by Paolo Rizzatto in soft skin, left; mix-and-match light pink floor lamp shade and mix-and-match nickel floor lamp base. Photo by: Lumens; The Land of Nod — The Washington Post
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Linen Orianna chaise in petal, left; Soderhamn chaise in Samsta light pink. Photo by: Antthropologie; Ikea — The Washington Post
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Tackle wardrobe organization Cooler weather keeps many people indoors. Although this may cause a bit of cabin fever, time spent inside gives people a chance to tackle some much-needed organization projects without the distractions of outdoor activities. One task to tackle as winter settles in is sorting through wardrobes and making room for new clothes, as extra clothing can quickly take over a home. In fact, according to the National Association of Professional Organizers, too much clutter, general disorganization and difficulty determining what to keep and/or discard are the primary reasons individuals reach out to professional organizers. If clearing away closet clutter is on the top of your winter to-do list, consider the following tips. • Know what you have. It’s easier to determine what you can keep and what you can donate or discard when you have an idea of what’s in your closet. Take all of your clothes out of closets and drawers and place them on the bed or floor. • Clean the closets thoroughly. The closet organization company Closets by Design suggests a yearly and thorough cleaning of closets. This includes dusting shelving and vacuuming the floor of the closet. You can do the same with armoires and dresser drawers. • Take inventory of your clothing. Create three main sorting piles. Label one “keep,” another “donate” and the third one “sell.” As you look at your clothing, keep only those items that fit you well and suit both your tastes and your lifestyle. If a piece is high-quality and worth the cost of repair, bring it to a tailor or make the modifications yourself. Let go of items you never wear or those you bought on a whim because you wanted to try something trendy. In addition, figure out which type of clothing best suits your lifestyle. If you have 10 pairs of yoga pants but never hit the gym, you can thin out that collection. • Immediately bag donation items. Move items you will be donating out of the room. Place them by the front door and make a plan to drop them off at a thrift store or in a nearby clothing bin. • Don’t overlook sales opportunities. An easy way to make a little extra money is to sell used belongings at consignment stores. Such stores are popular in towns all across the country as more people attempt to conserve and cut back on their spending. Consignment shops typically do most of the work, including marketing the items, which can be less hectic and safer than selling things on your own. Only bring in items that are clean and in good condition. Opt to have clothing donated after the consignment period is over if items haven’t sold so they don’t end up back in your closet. • Group remaining “keep” clothes in the closet by category. Organize the clothing you keep by color or style (i.e., casual, formal, exercise, etc.). Arrange the clothes in a way that makes most sense to you. • Consider moving off-season clothes. Sturdy storage containers and bags can be used to keep off-season clothing out of the closet until it’s needed. This frees up more space.
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A tailor-made tart for brunch Brunch is a great way to enjoy a lazy weekend morning and early afternoon. Unlike the hustle and bustle of weekdays, weekend mornings can often be enjoyed at a more leisurely pace. Restaurants make substantial sums of money on weekend brunch specials, but home cooks can make brunch in the comforts of their own kitchens as well. This “Grape Tomato and Blue Cheese Tart” from Betty Rosbottom and Susie Cushner’s “Sunday Brunch” (Chronicle Books) makes the perfect flaky food to serve at brunch.
Grape Tomato and Blue Cheese Tart Serves 6
Crust 1 4 8 pieces 1⁄4 1⁄8
cup all-purpose flour ounces cream cheese, chilled and cut into 1⁄2-inch pieces tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 1⁄2-inch teaspoon salt teaspoon cayenne pepper
1. Arrange a rack at a center position and preheat the oven to 375 F. Have ready a 9-inch tart pan with a removable bottom. 2. For the crust: Place the flour, cream cheese, butter, salt, and cayenne in a food processor; pulse until the mixture resembles coarse meal. Remove and knead the mixture into a smooth mass and then press it with your fingers in an even layer into the bottom (not up the sides) of the tart pan. Smooth the dough with the back of a spoon. Freeze the tart shell for 15 minutes to firm, and then bake the crust until golden brown, 30 minutes. Remove the tart shell from the oven and cool for about 5 minutes but retain oven temperature. 3. For the topping: Sprinkle the cheese evenly over the crust. Arrange the tomatoes in a circular pattern and in a single layer over the cheese, cut-sides up. You may not need to use all of the tomatoes. Whisk together the olive oil and vinegar and drizzle over
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Topping 4 2 2 1 11⁄2 2 parts
ounces creamy blue cheese, finely crumbled cups grape tomatoes, halved length-wise (see note) teaspoons olive oil teaspoon balsamic vinegar Kosher salt tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley green onions, chopped to include 2 inches of the green
the tomatoes, and then sprinkle with salt. Place the tart on a baking sheet to catch any drippings and return to the oven and bake until the cheese has melted and the tomatoes are hot, 10 to 12 minutes. 4. Cool the tart for 5 to 10 minutes and then remove the sides of the tart pan. (The tart can be made 3 hours ahead. Leave the tart cool at room temperature and reheat in a preheated 350 F oven until warmed through, 8 to 10 minutes.) 5. Mix together the parsley and green onions, and sprinkle over the tart. Cut the tart into 6 wedges and serve. Note: Small grape tomatoes, which have a sweet flavor, work better than larger cherry tomatoes in this recipe and can be used year-round. However, in the summer, feel free to try the tart with one of your favorite varieties. Sweet ones that are on the small side work best.
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