2018 Gift Guide: Stocking Stuffers

As a child, my grandparents always filled my stocking with some of the most special gifts. It was usually stuffed with new doll house furniture or new art supplies. As I got older, I looked forward to a new item for my home or a family heirloom that was finally being passed on. Now, with a child of my own, I tend to make his stockings just as special as what’s under the tree, since it’s all about carrying on the tradition for us.

Our stocking stuffer gift guide has a little something for everyone on your list, from sweet toys for a child, to a gift that will light up a room, to a book for adventurers and treats for foodies. Happy holidays! —Erin

Image above, from left to right: Bunny Puppet, Spark Adventure, A Year Off, One Line A Day, Toy Wagon Truck, Rubber Boat

from Design*Sponge https://www.designsponge.com/2018/11/2018-holiday-gift-guide-stocking-stuffers.html

from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/180657874334

Casa Sebastian Is a Relaxing Pad Surrounded by Nature in the Yucatán Peninsula

Located in Chuburna, Mexico, in the northern part of the Yucatán Peninsula, Casa Sebastian is a retreat for a couple looking for rest and relaxation amongst nature. The front of the house, designed by Workshop, features a wide pathway full of vegetation and a wall of lattice that welcomes visitors to the property. Behind the entry, the home opens up with double balconies that overlook the lush backyard.

The lattice detail that appears at the front also makes an appearance in the back and around the sides of the house. It’s used as railing on the second floor balcony and around the perimeter of the roof. Behind that rooftop lattice is a rooftop terrace which houses a steel and bamboo structure for hammock relaxation and sun protection.

The ground floor acts as the social area of the home with a kitchen and living room that extends out to the covered terrace through a large sliding glass door.

Materials like the tiles used in the kitchen, bathrooms, and staircase, the stone in the courtyard, and the blue pool resin are all decorative materials native to the region.

The ground floor also houses a guest bedroom, while the 2nd floor features the master bedroom and bathroom.

Photos by Tamara Uribe.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/casa-sebastian-is-a-relaxing-pad-surrounded-by-nature-in-the-yucatan-peninsula/

from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/180657811464

6 Easy Ways to Update Your Christmas Decorating

Update your Christmas decorating with on-trend gold accessories. Image: Williams Sonoma Home

We hope you like the products we recommend. Just so you are aware, Freshome may collect a share of sales from the links on this page. 

We live for Christmas decorating. The planning and preparation for this special day is part of the magic of the season. With so many events and details to handle, it’s easy to reach for the same decorations every year. There are definitely ornaments and decor that are special to you and will always be a part of your Christmas decorating. By planning a little in advance, though, you can give yourself time to replenish your decorations and add new colors and designs to your home this holiday season. You’ll want to start with a decorating plan so that everything will come together for the big day. To help you with your plan, we’ve created a Christmas decorating checklist.

Ready to Update Your Christmas Decorating? Start Here:

Silver and gold ornaments are the perfect Christmas decorating accent. Image: Pottery Barn

Christmas is about family gatherings and tradition. There’s no doubt that your Christmas decorations are cherished every year, so it’s important to honor that while updating your home’s holiday look. While you’re going over your plans to decorate this year, it’s also a great time to freshen up your Christmas decor.

If you’d like to give your Christmas decorating a fresh look you’ll want to focus on these six things:

• Freshen Up Color: The easiest way to update your Christmas decorating is through a new color palette.
• Create a Plan: Use social media like Pinterest to get inspiration for this year’s Christmas decorating.
• Make Hard Decisions: Deciding what to keep and what to donate is crucial in making space for your new look.
• Stick With Your Plan: Once you decide on a new Christmas decorating plan, sticking to that plan will save you time and frustration.
• Make It a Whole-House Project: Carry your new Christmas decor scheme from room to room.
• Organize as You Go: Stay organized as you’re unwrapping treasured Christmas decor and unboxing new items.

1. Freshen Up Your Color Palette This Christmas

Your Christmas color palette doesn’t have to be complicated. Neutrals make beautiful accents with traditional holiday colors. Image: Crate & Barrel

We love traditional Christmas colors like green and red — you can use them as your base when you update your palette. Silver and gold metallics are an easy way to add more color to your decor, but you’ll want to consider copper and brushed gold if you’re creating a contemporary color palette.

Choosing colors for your Christmas decorating is easy because you don’t have to limit yourself to just a few. You’ll want to choose three main colors for your decorating plan, then add three accent colors to your palette (and metallics to tie everything together).

2. Create a New Christmas Decorating Plan

Christmas decorating inspiration with coastal style. Image: Pottery Barn

If you’re ready to freshen up your Christmas decor, it’s time to make a plan. Making a decorating plan isn’t as formal as it sounds. What you’ll be doing is looking through your favorite social media (Pinterest is ideal for this) for inspiration and ideas. Once you have a vision in mind, note the colors that seem to pop up in every image you love. When you decide on a theme for your decorating this year, you’ll know exactly what’s right for your updated Christmas decorating plan when you go shopping.

3. Make Room for New Decorations

Keep what you love while making space for new Christmas decor that reflects who you are now. Image: Crate & Barrel

Your treasured ornaments and decorations are a big part of your Christmas traditions and will be the center of your updated decorating plan. Like any decluttering project, going through all of your decorations can help you decide which pieces are truly keepsakes and which are not. We’ve all accumulated boxes of ornaments and decorations over the years that are put up out of habit. These are the items that can be replaced by updated decor as part of your new decorating plan.

4. Stick With Your Christmas Decorating Plan

Charming Christmas throw pillows are easy accent decor for your living room. Image: Crate & Barrel

Now that you have a beautiful new Christmas color scheme and decorating plan, your goal is to stay focused as you shop for new decorations. When you know exactly what your new vision looks like, you’re less likely to impulse shop. While it’s best to stay within your plan, allow yourself a few must-have ornaments that you know will become keepsakes for years to come. The secret is in creating a beautiful foundation to highlight your most cherished decorations.

5. Flow Your Christmas Decorating Throughout Your Home

Decorate your guest bath with fun Christmas decor. Image: Wayfair

Spread the Christmas decorating love throughout your home. Seasonal throw pillows, blankets and wall art can be used in any room. For your guest baths, Christmas towels and even a shower curtain can make guests feel at home during the holidays.

6. Save Time Next Year by Organizing Your Christmas Decor Now

Pretty and practical ornament storage boxes make organizing easy. Image: The Container Store

We know that the last thing on our minds as we decorate for Christmas is next year, but taking a little more time to organize while decorating can save time and hassle later on. If you’re going to be storing some decorations in their original boxes, labeling the boxes as you decorate makes packing them away later so much easier. There are usually big sales after Christmas on ornament and decor storage boxes and tubs. Take advantage of those before you take everything down this year.

The post 6 Easy Ways to Update Your Christmas Decorating appeared first on Freshome.com.

from Freshome.com - Interior Design & Architecture Magazine https://freshome.com/6-easy-ways-to-update-your-christmas-decorating/

from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/180657690064

2018 Gift Guide: Kids

Finding modern gifts for kids takes a little bit of looking if you’re trying to find something that doesn’t come in primary colors, saccharine phrases, or overly gendered patterns. However, once you start finding design-conscious brands or shops that curate a plethora of modern toys and apparel, it can be hard to ever go back to a mall to shop for kids! Below, we rounded up 10 gift ideas for the modern baby/kid that we think parents would love as well.

Hanno the Gorilla Figurine by Areaware \\ $100
I’m a fan of wooden toys because they allow for imaginative free play. Areaware makes some of the best wooden toys including building block sets and figurines that will stimulate your child’s imagination.

Elora Little Quilt by Louise Gray \\ $225
We’ve been a fan of Louise Gray’s quilted designs and I’m so glad she also makes smaller items for kids and infants. This smaller version of her signature throw quilt can be used as wall decor or to cozy up with your little one.

Stripes Playsuit by Meme Kidswear \\ $40
Meme Kidswear gives kids and design-conscious parents a break from all the primary colors with their line of monochromatic apparel. How cute is this modern stripes playsuit?

Wooden ABC Animal Letter Set \\ $60
If you’re in the US, Design Life Kids has one of the best well-curated shop for toys, furniture, decor and apparel for the modern kid and are always adding new-to-me brands that are designing the coolest things for children, like these wooden letters by Dutch brand Petit Monkey that makes learning the alphabet fun.

Tahoe Dress by Winter Water Factory \\ $59
Made in the US, Winter Water Factory’s line of baby, kids, and women apparel have a certain Marimekko-esque aesthetic to them with their fun, graphic prints. I especially love this Tahoe dress for its simple design and cheerful yellow print.

Pacifier Clip by Loulou Lollipop \\ $15
Never worry about losing your baby’s pacifier with these silicone pacifier clips made with food grade silicone beads. They easily attach to clothes, blankets or strollers and are free from toxic chemicals.

Socks by Tchutcha \\ $13
These organic cotton socks by newly launched Tchutcha add such a sweet pop of color and pattern to baby’s little limbs that you won’t mind the small hassle of putting them on every 10 minutes. ;)

Eames Elephant by Charles and Ray Eames, produced by Vitra \\ $105
An iconic favorite for design aficionados, the Eames Elephant adds an element of whimsy in any kid’s room and will for sure be a family heirloom to pass down for generations.

My First Shapes with Frank Llloyd Wright Board Book from Mudpuppy \\ $17
Help your little one learn their basic shapes with this colorful book that focuses on the circle, square, or triangle. Who knows – maybe they’ll one day be the next Frank Lloyd Wright!

Baby Clothes from COS \\ From $7
COS’ first ever baby collection is here to the delight of minimalist parents! The line of simple, organic apparel in neutral colors and prints makes you want to buy every single piece.

from Design MilkDesign Milk https://design-milk.com/2018-gift-guide-kids/

from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/180656426154

Bridget Jones’ Pan-Fried Salmon + Giveaway

I’ve been an Ottolenghi fan from day one and have enjoyed both the shops and Yotam’s ascent to being a household name. A favorite (and funny) Ottolenghi memory for me was when I was in London by myself and sneaked off to a movie theater that sold wine and other alcoholic beverages to see Bridget Jones’ Baby. (I knew it would be awful, but sometimes, that’s what you want!) With my Instagram feed as my witness, the best part of the movie was when Patrick Dempsey brought Ottolenghi food to Bridget Jones’ apartment. Well, now we can make that fictitious Pan-Fried Salmon with Pine Nut Salsa in our own kitchens because in the newest book from the Ottolenghi family, Ottolenghi Simple, they’ve created a recipe for it. It is extremely simple, can be made in a flash, and plates up beautifully.

One last note — I love the acknowledgements Yotam wrote in this book because he included first a hefty recognition of the work done by his colleagues Tara Wigley and Esme Howarth who were integral to making the book and whose names appear on the title page. Congratulations to all three of you! —Kristina

About Yotam: Yotam Ottolenghi is the author of the New York Times best-selling cookbooks Plenty, Ottolenghi, Jerusalem, Plenty More, NOPI, and Sweet. He lives in London, where he co-owns an eponymous group of restaurants, the fine dining restaurant NOPI, and the vegetable-focused restaurant ROVI. Find Ottolenghi on Instagram at @ottolenghi.

For a chance to win a copy of Ottolenghi Simple, respond in the comments section below by December 13, 5PM EST to the following question: What’s your favorite food scene in a movie or television series and why?  We will announce the winner in the comments section, so be sure to check back!

Image above: Ottolenghi Simple. Photography by Jonathan Lovekin

Image above: Yotam Ottolenghi

Image above: Yotam and Tara Wigley

Image above: Bridget Jones’ Pan-fried Salmon with Pine Nut Salsa

from Design*Sponge https://www.designsponge.com/2018/11/bridget-jones-pan-fried-salmon-giveaway.html

from Home Improvment http://notelocreesnitu.tumblr.com/post/180656384489