Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! I opened the drapes this morning and the sun is pouring in, it is absolutely amazing and a great way to start off Thanksgiving day. I have been thinking a lot lately about all of the things I am grateful for. There is a long list but here are  a few: I am so thankful for Bryan, he is always supportive of my crazy business venture ideas (last night while we were baking pies, I told him I wanted to own a bakery one day!) I am grateful for my friends and family for all of their support and inspiration with my blog. And lastly I am so lucky and thankful for all of my blog readers. Thank you so much for sticking with me and checking back to see daily design inspiration and tips. I am seriously slacking on posting my own design projects / photographs and I promise I will have more time after the holiday. 

What are you thankful for?

Here are a few of my photos of the fall trees and leaves from down the street...

After seeing these fall leaves I was inspired by this autumn leaf rose tutorial found on Design Sponge. It sums up everything I love about this time of year. Can you believe it is made from real leaves? I am going to make it for our Thanksgiving table!

Enjoy your day!

Thanksgiving: Set The Table

It is the day before Thanksgiving and time once again to create a beautiful table scape! Here are a few last minute ideas for creative place settings.

Creative Place Settings From Real Simple Magazine and Martha Stewart
 This first one is absolutely adorable. I may have to try this on our table!

Simple, cute idea using apples, twine and card stock...

Use a skewer stick and create a place setting with kumquats or cranberries

to create a seasonal and cheerful place setting.

 

 Use gold or silver spray paint to monogram a fresh piece of fruit!

 Or tie a place card to a fresh bunch of herbs!

Creative table settings:

Corn husk tea light holders. I love the combination of purple, orange and gold for a fall table.

How cute is this? Use root veggies and design faces on them for a playful centerpiece. This would be perfect for the kids table with a butcher paper table cloth for creative sketching and easy cleanup!

Beautiful, classic fall center piece...I love the paper leaves, pears and walnuts...

My favorite thing about Thanksgiving is the various desserts. My family has always made numerous varieties of pies, this year we are making: Traditional Pumpkin pie (Bryan's fav), Key Lime pie, Ginger Apple crisp, Chocolate Pecan pie and a Cranberry tart. I am always intrigued in peoples different Holiday traditions and I would love to hear about yours, so please post any of your favorite traditions for the Thanksgiving Holiday...

Enjoy your Thanksgiving!

Define: Interior Design

The term "Interior Design" is relatively new and many people are not familiar with it or sure what the difference is between an interior designer and an interior decorator. Here are the definitions according to the National Council For Interior Design Qualification (NCIDQ), and when it would be appropriate to hire either of these professionals: 

• Interior Design: "Interior design is the art and science of understanding people's behavior to create functional spaces within a building. These solutions are functional, enhance the quality of life and culture of the occupants and are aesthetically attractive. Interior designers apply creative and technical solutions within a structure that are functional, attractive and beneficial to the occupants' quality of life and culture. Designs respond to and coordinate with the building shell and acknowledge the physical location and social context of the project. Designs must adhere to code and regulatory requirements and encourage the principles of environmental sustainability." - NCIDQ
  
  
• Interior Decorating: "Decoration is the furnishing or adorning of a space with fashionable or beautiful things. In short, interior designers may decorate, but decorators do not design. Interior decorators require no formal training or licensure." - NCIDQ

The other thing I see, is many people choosing not to hire an interior designer for their design project because they are under the impression that it would cost them to much money. This can be a huge mistake! By hiring an interior designer even for a simple one hour consultation you have access to a professionally trained design eye. First off an interior designer can draft floor plans for remodels to submit for permitting which is a huge benefit if you are remodeling. When you hire an interior designer you can ensure that any furniture ordered will fit appropriately in the space, you have assistance coordinating colors and patterns, choosing tile for a backslash and last but not least, there are resources that are only available to the trade and when you are working with a designer you have access to some of the best materials, furniture and sometimes even discounts!

In my business I offer various interior design services including: a one hour consultation, e-design services where we work via e-mail and full hourly interior design services, to fit the needs of any project. I enjoy nothing more than to create innovative and cost effective design solutions for private residences or businesses and I believe that by hiring a professional the outcome of the project can be unexpected and amazing!

I look forward to hearing from you at Blaiseadkisondesign@gmail.com when you are ready to get started on your interior design project!

And now for a little treat...

In addition to my interior design "101" I wanted to share an amazing recipe with you from Sunset Magazine that I will surely be making for Thanksgiving! I love the presentation in mini pumpkins, so creative!
 

Ingredients:

SOUP: 

• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 1/2 tablespoons chopped fresh ginger
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 large garlic cloves, chopped
• 2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 4 1/2 cups peeled, 1-in. chunks pumpkin or other orange-fleshed squash (from a 2 1/2-lb. squash)
• 4 1/2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper 

PESTO

• 1 small garlic clove
• 1/3 cup fresh mint leaves, plus slivered leaves
• 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 cup salted roasted pumpkin seeds

Preparation:

• 1. Make soup: Sauté onion and ginger in oil in a medium pot over medium-high heat until golden, 5 minutes. Add garlic and coriander and cook until softened, 1 minute, then add pumpkin, broth, salt, and pepper. Simmer, covered, until pumpkin is very tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Purée in batches in a blender until very smooth.
• 2. Make pesto: Pound garlic, whole mint leaves, salt, and 1 tbsp. oil in a mortar into a coarse paste (or use a food processor). Add remaining oil and pumpkin seeds and pound until coarsely crushed.
• 3. Drop small spoonfuls of pesto over bowls of soup, garnish with slivered mint, and serve remaining pesto on the side.

Thanks for stopping by, enjoy the recipe! and be sure to check back later in the week for some great interior design tips and even more recipes for a delicious Thanksgiving dinner,