March Madness

March Madness is headed our way (whether our respective teams are in it to win it or not).  It’s time to infuse a little spirit into those game rooms.  It will certainly make for livelier game viewing, but who knows; perhaps it will inspire a season of smarter brackets, too.

These accessories, ideal for casual spaces and game rooms in particular, will remind you and your guests of your roots, your teams, and most importantly, your loyalties.

Throw pillows can make great conversation starters. Try these embroidered state pillows, found in gift stores nationwide, which highlight cities, towns and historical sites from each respective state.

Food and drink serving tools make a statement when emblazoned with team colors. A galvanized drink bucket bearing your team logo will make imbibing (responsibly) all the more fun.

Express your roots and put the writing on the wall. Wooden signs with favorite expressions, quotes or team mottos are affordable, fun substitutes for traditional wall art.

To keep everyone interested during half time, add a multifunctional game table that can handle the food, the drinks, and the cards. Hillsdale Furniture’s Kingston Game Set makes a cozy but distinguished statement in any home.  The light walnut finish has a hint of cherry color, making it easy to accommodate design-wise.  The seats and stools are covered in rich black leather, accented with a nail head trim, and the gaming surface of the table is covered with a quality black felt for years of use and enjoyment.  However, the table features a reversible table top that is as attractive for dining as it is enjoyable for a round of poker.  The bar stools and game chairs feature a full 360 degree swivel.  The game chairs also feature locking tilt / riser mechanisms and heavy duty casters for increased comfort and mobility.

Unlike your bracket, these gambles are a sure thing for game time.

 For more information go to, hillsdalefurniture.com

Red Hot!

Regardless of relationship status, Valentine’s Day is an opportunity to infuse a little love into your (home) life. Spice things up around the house with red and pink accents for a quick hit of Cupid’s arrow to your favorite spaces.

Lots of HeART – Artwork is a wonderful way to add a splash of color to your walls, without marrying yourself to red walls or expensive furniture. Try abstract paintings in warmer hues or obscure business or road signs that can add a touch of whimsy to your bedroom or living room.

Pillow Talk – Accent pillows are always a favorite way to add a dose of seasonal spirit to any room. Red and pink pillows on beds, chairs and sofas are affordable, fun and easy to arrange.

Paint the Town – A little more willing to get your hands dirty? Try painting your door in a bright, standout shade of glossy red for the month of February (or however long you prefer). Just be sure to take the door off its hinges and paint in a garage or on a driveway.

 For an extra dose of romance, try adding a red painting above, or throw a few spirited pillows onto, the Hillsdale Furniture Rose Bed. Inspired by the petals of a delicate rose, this gracefully designed bed boasts a gently curved silhouette, a dynamic aged steel finish, and intricate metal detailing. It is at once romantically Gothic in inspiration, but modern in execution, and may just be the perfect piece to ask for from your Valentine this year.

See more Hillsdale Furniture at: hillsdalefurniture.com

Island Inspiration

It’s February. It’s frigid, windy, wet and for most people, pretty unpleasant. Unfortunately, we don’t all get to be snow birds, fleeing the coop for the winter and escaping to sunny, exotic locales. Most of will need to settle for small reprieves, and the kitchen is one of the best places to brighten the mood. It’s usually warm and comforting all on its own, but it can really sing with the help of a little island inspiration. 

•         Linens are a cheap and cheerful way of adding a splash of color and tropical spirit to your kitchen and dining room. There is no time like the presence to look for fun patterns in bright hues of turquoise, yellow and cerise for your tablecloths, napkins, and runners.  
•       Give the impression of dining al fresco year-round by potting a fichus tree or other large plant in one corner of the room. Be sure to water regularly, or if you’re forgetful, go the silk route. 

•         Boost your nutrients as well as your mood by making a point of keeping colorful winter fruits well stocked in pretty bowls and containers on your tables and countertops. Bananas and oranges are not only affordable and in-season, they’re healthy! Lemons and limes arranged together in a clear glass container make a beautiful and festive centerpiece.
•         Get cooking! Specifically, look for recipes with heavy doses of citrus, coconut, fish and shrimp, and serve up something to make even the coldest day feel like a day at the beach. 

 

Need a more permanent dose? Take a look at a few Hillsdale pieces that will likely kick your wanderlust into high gear. 

 

The West Palm Swivel Barstool brings the beach to you. Made out of sturdy metal but designed to resemble bamboo, this stool boasts hand-painted palm trees accents that are unmistakably island.  The barstools swivel 360 degrees, and are the perfect place to enjoy a colorful drink, preferably with an umbrella in it.

 

Finished in a dark cherry, our Bayberry Collection also takes advantage of the trendy bamboo look, this time alongside the clean lines of a modern design. The chairs and barstools have a cream colored fabric seat.  The matching tables, available both round and rectangular, are made of hardwoods and have gently carved pedestal bases.  This group is composed of both solids and climate controlled wood composites to prevent cracking and splitting from changes in temperature or humidity, making it ideal for vacation home décor as well.

Find out more about these collections at hillsdalefurniture.com

Super Bowl Sips

This post is the third in a series on entertaining for the big game, this year being played between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots on Sunday, February 5.

Beer is the obvious choice for the big game, but this year, get creative.  Here are a few more interesting ideas for Super Bowl sips that will have your guests begging for unlimited refills.

Touchdown Tea is an easy one to make, and an even easier one to adapt depending on the number of people you’re serving. Blend half parts of vodka, rum, gin, and triple sec with a quarter part of tequila, 1 ½ parts lemon-lime Gatorade, a splash of cola for color and orange juice to taste. Pour over ice into a punch bowl, stir and serve.

Feel like being a little more spirited?

 If your crowd’s cheering for the Giants, try the New York cocktail. It’s a thick, sweet drink that goes well with fruit and chocolate desserts. Premium Canadian whiskey is the perfect, light blended whiskey for this drink as it's not too sweet, nor too robust.

  

Ingredients:

• 2 oz blended whiskey
• 1 oz lemon juice
• 1 tsp superfine sugar
• 1/2 tsp grenadine
• lemon twist for garnish

Preparation:

1. Pour the ingredients into a cocktail shaker with ice cubes.
2. Shake well.
3. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass.  
4. Garnish with the lemon twist.

A little more patriotic? The Boston cocktail brings a London dry gin and apricot brandy together for a delightful drink with a sweet finish. The herbal aspects of the gin shine against the fruity sweetness of the brandy and grenadine, while the lemon balances with a sour finish.

 

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 ounce London dry gin
• 1 1/2 ounce apricot brandy
• 1/4 ounce grenadine
• juice of 1/2 a lemon

Preparation is the same as for the New York cocktail.

Be sure to hone your bartending skills beforehand, preferably behind a swanky new bar, like the Hillsdale Furniture Lakeview Bar combines rustic textures and colors using a medium oak wood, coppery brown metal fixtures and a dynamic slate diamond motif in the bar top. It is ultimate guest at this year’s Super Bowl fete. 

Please drink responsibly and have a fantastic Super Bowl Sunday!

For for information on the Hillsdale Lakeview Collection visit: hillsdalefurniture.com

Super Bowl Snacking

This post is the second in a series on entertaining for the big game, this year being played between the New York Giants and the New England Patriots on Sunday, February 5.

On any given Sunday, the only more important than the score, is the snacks. This is even more true on Super Bowl Sunday.

Dips are perfect for the pre-show and kick-off. Thicker options are easier to have fun with though. This crab dip can be molded into a football shape on a pretty platter, then surrounded by crackers, pretzels and vegetable dippers.

Ingredients

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 2 cups (8 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 cup (4 ounces) provolone cheese, shredded
• 1 cup crabmeat, drained, flaked and cartilage removed
• 1 cup (8 ounces) 4% cottage cheese
• 2 teaspoons seafood seasoning
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon prepared mustard
• Pretzel sticks
• Assorted crackers and/or fresh vegetables

Directions

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add cheddar cheese, provolone cheese, crab, cottage cheese, seafood seasoning, Worcestershire sauce and mustard; mix well. Cover and refrigerate overnight.  Form mixture into a football shape. Arrange pretzel over top for laces.

Sweets are always the centerpiece, so make them as pretty as you can. Football cookies are a cinch to make. Just buy a football (or even oval) shaped cookie cutter, mix up a batch of your favorite chocolate cookie recipe, and bake. Mix up a simple royal icing, no need to bother with food coloring, and pipe onto cooled cookies to resemble laces!

Here’s a fun recipe to get you started: http://www.food.com/recipe/fabulous-filbert-football-cookies-aka-super-bowl-cookies-206624

Equally important is having a classy pad to serve everything on that is easily accessible, and within a clear view of the television. The Hillsdale Furniture Thornhill coffee table features a distressed washed ash finished top.  The metal base boasts a three step rubbed black/pewter finish.  Together, these create a chic but rustic style that’s ideal for entertaining. Matching end and sofa tables are also available.

For more information check out hillsdalefurniture.com