Yearly Archives: 2012
Bedroom Design: A Global Room
Post by Laura Cheng.
In my blog a few weeks ago, I chatted about geometry. In the flurry of the back to school season and as our presidential candidates debate about how to best revamp our nation’s great education system, I continue my educational discussion this week on another elementary subject: geography. There is no better way to learn about geography than through the use of visual tools, such as a globe. Despite their educational value, globes are not just limited to classroom use. A globe in the bedroom can be the perfect accompaniment to achieve an A+ room.
Source: http://www.houzz.com/photos/bedroom/Globe
Before there was Rand McNally, there was Nendo, a Japanese design company that created this black and white “CORONA” globe. Whether you are looking to outfit your bedroom floor or bedroom desk, their 3 fast food sizes – small, medium, and extra large has it covered. In addition to the absence of color, there is something very feminine and subtle about the supporting sphere and base. They are the elements that transform this classic school supply to modern artwork. I am a minimalist, so when I found these globes, I was instantly attracted. My bedroom is easily cluttered so a defining black and white globe that can express itself behind all the clutter is exactly what I need.
Source: http://bloesem.blogs.com/bloesem/2010/04/a-one-color-globe-by-nendo.html
Globes can be rested on nightstands or used as paperweights in your bedroom office. Some globes even illuminate so they would add the perfect layer of light to any existing bedroom lighting. Or if your bedroom is lacking light, turn a vintage globe into a full light source. A pendant light fashioned out of a globe is such a unique idea. Your “golden” globes can be brighter than all of Meryl Streep’s combined. Kristi Linauer of Addicted2Deocrating.com explains how here. Just please ask your grandfather first before you take his vintage one to experiment with.
Source: http://h2hblog.com/its-a-map#more-1859
A globe provides visual interest. There is always something interesting to look at and dream about and relate to. This themed picture exactly illustrates the point that I have been trying to make these past few weeks. Overkill? Just a bit. Realistic? Fat chance. Lesson learned? Definitely.
Source: http://www.twiningdesign.com/photos/Res_05_BoysRoom.jpg
Movies in Bed: Sherlock Holmes
Post by Mark T. Locker.
There are countless versions of Sherlock Holmes stories. According to IMDB.com, that individual has appeared 262 times in the last 112 years, most recently some new show called “Elementary” which I will never watch. The most indispensable of all these, however, is the movies starring Basil Rathbone as Holmes and the unparalleled Nigel Bruce as the bumbling, silly Watson.
This dynamic duo dominated the Doyle derivatives from 1939 to 1946. Barely an hour in length, and driven mostly by the hilariously witless antics of Dr. Watson, these are the perfect movies to watch when you want something slightly mysterious, slightly goofy, and not as long as an episode of “Inspector Lewis”. What’s even better is they made a total of thirteen Sherlock Holmes movies during that seven-year span, so there are plenty to choose from!
Now I’m not an expert on the compete works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, but I suspect some of these are not wholly true to the original, such as when, oh, the Nazis are brought into the plot. But whatever the story, you can always count on our friend Watson to announce something like: “Oh! Kippers! I’m as hungry as a bee on a flower!” God bless him.
Things We Like: Country Living Magazine Chose Our Bed!
Post by Kyle St. Romain.
Earlier this year, Country Living Magazine took a different approach with its House of the Year Project. Instead of designing one single home, its designers set out to create three unique spaces: an outdoor kitchen, a guestroom, and an entrepreneur’s studio. The event sets out to show the world an “idealized version of country living”, and who wouldn’t want an escape from the city. It’s a great way to remind New Yorkers that there’s life outside the city, and that it’s available in high fashion too.
The rooms were on display earlier this year from May 17 to 23 at the base of the World Financial Center in Lower Manhattan.
What we liked most about this event is the choice of bed. Country Living designer Thomas Paul chose our special single “X” Campaign Canopy bed to be the focal point for his vision of the ideal bedroom cottage, and we couldn’t be happier.
As a way to add to the room’s camp-like feel, Mr. Paul draped the bed’s iron frame with simple white curtains. His philosophy is that “A lot of fabric around a canopy bed can seem old fashioned,” but that using very plain curtains is a perfect way to bring the tent indoors without feeling too stuffy. Curtains also look great on canopy beds in more traditional bedrooms, as the flowing fabric makes the room more visually interesting and accentuates the canopy frame’s clean lines.
If you’d like to read more about the event, be sure to pick up a copy of the September issue of Country Living Magazine.
Breakfast in Bed: Zucchini Harvest Pancakes
Post by Alison Hein.
Time to pack up the beach chairs, get sweaters out of storage, and go back-to-school shopping. It’s also time to say goodbye to fresh, homegrown fruits and vegetables. But, in between the first frost and the last tomato, a harvest bounty of zucchini still thrives in neighborhood gardens. The fruits of this hardy, prolific vine have the tendency to ripen all at once, leaving us with the quandary of what to do with this over-abundance.
A quick look online yields a multitude of savory summer squash options – cut in rounds and served over pasta; sliced ribbon-thin and quickly sautéed with yellow squash, carrots, and lemon zest; or carved into little boats and stuffed with seasoned breadcrumbs and mozzarella cheese.
There are also many, many sweet zucchini bread and muffin recipes out there. I’m sure you all have your favorites. But what about pancakes? It might seem like an odd notion at first, but you may change your mind after digging into your first feathery light, green-specked flapjack.
Reminiscent of zucchini bread, these pancakes have an appealing, sweet hardiness – the tender squash providing both depth and moistness. I like to shred the zucchini finely enough to cook quickly, but large enough to retain texture and color. If you shred and freeze zucchini in small batches, you can enjoy harvest breakfasts in bed all year long.
Zucchini Harvest Pancakes
2 cups flour
¼ cup sugar
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups milk
2 eggs, separated
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup zucchini, finely shredded
4 ounces (one half stick) butter, melted and slightly cooled
Additional butter for frying
Preparation
Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt in large bowl. In separate bowl, stir together milk, egg yolks and vanilla. Gradually add milk mixture to dry ingredients. Fold in zucchini. Slowly add melted butter to batter. Beat egg whites until stiff peaks form and fold into batter. Place pan or griddle on burner over medium to medium high heat. Melt a small amount of butter in the pan for the first pancake. Ladle batter by ½ cupfuls into pan and cook until small bubbles appear throughout pancake. Flip once with spatula and continue cooking until golden brown, one to two minutes, adding more butter and adjusting heat as necessary. Keep warm while making the remainder of pancakes. Serve hot with real maple syrup.
Makes 12 to 14 4-inch pancakes
Bedroom Design: Fit For a Queen
Post by Erin Sears.
When I was a girl, I never wanted to be a princess. I wanted to be QUEEN. With red hair, pale skin, and the middle name Elizabeth, I was sure I was a royal descendant. The meager contents of my current bank account not withstanding, I still believe in decorating on a large scale. Your home and your bedroom in particular, is a reflection of who you are as a person. At home, you have the total freedom to surround yourself with furniture and objects that inspire you and make you feel good. Why play small? Go for it! Good furniture is an essential investment that will pay off for years to come. You don’t have to look far for this kind of luxury. The Charles P. Rogers website can provide you with many stunning options. I still want to be queen and this week I’d like to highlight some beautiful beds that could make you feel like royalty as well.
First, the new Tansy platform bed in white leather. Gorgeous! A perfect place to wake in the morning prepared to meet your royal subjects.
Nothing says drama and opulence like a canopy bed. For real. If we’re being honest, a lot of us dreamed of having a bed like this when were kids. You’re a grown up now, so it’s time to make those childhood dreams a reality. This one is the Cairo Canopy Bed with Bell Top. I like it with the finial option. If you’re going to do it, you might as well go all the way, right?
Cairo Bell Top Iron Canopy Bed
Finally, we have the Marseille Bed in the black and gold finish or antique white. It’s the perfect way to display your coat of arms with pride.
All beds can be found on the Charles P. Rogers website and are offered at a variety of price points that won’t empty your kingdom’s coffers. May you and yours have a wonderful nights rest. Sincerely, the QUEEN
Source for all photos: www.charlesprogers.com
