Don't Stop the Music

We aren’t musicians ourselves, but that doesn’t mean we don’t daydream about having a beautiful, warm and cozy music room in our homes. Home music rooms come in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors and aesthetics, but they are all designed to get the creative juices flowing in a welcoming and relaxing atmosphere.

Other than being a habitable environment for vulnerable instruments, there isn’t much these rooms have in common. Some are surrounded by bright walls, others in muted wood. Some have a view, others appear to be ensconced in the basement or library, but they are all lovely. Here are a few of our favorites to get your own creative energy going:

Do you play music? Where do you prefer to play in your home? 

Touch Down Checklist

Super Bowl Sunday is this weekend, and we’re super excited to watch the Denver Broncos take on the Seattle Seahawks. We are even MORE excited about the party that comes the final kick-off of the season though, and this is the checklist we’ll be working from to make the festivities just as super as the game itself.

o   The TV – In general, the bigger the better. A great sound system, particularly for when Bruno Mars and the Red Hot Chili Peppers take the stage at half time, won’t hurt either.

o   Decorations – Stick with the classics—footballs, coolers, and team banners. This year’s colors are orange, green and black, so choose your loyalties based on team preference (or color preference), and spread the spirit.

o   Ice – A no-brainer, for the next thing on the list.

o   Drinks – Beer, soda, wine and if you’ve got the bandwidth, a house cocktail are what will keep the party rolling well into the fourth quarter.

o   Bottle openers – Depending on your crowd, you’re going to need anywhere from two to six of these, as they have a habit of walking off, getting lost or breaking all together when used around the clock.

o   Munchies – If you are planning on serving dinner, it’s best to stick with someone straightforward and easy, like chili or pizza. For the snacks, appetizers and desserts, however, go all out. Chips, dips, canapés, brownies and cupcakes are fantastic options, and there are a wealth of fun recipes out there--http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2012/02/my-top-ten-food-picks-for-super-bowl-sunday/.

o   Serving Utensils – Clearly, for the above, you are going to need plenty of napkins, plastic utensils, plates, platters and serving trays. Spend a little time a few days before your party gathering it all together.

o   Seating – Nothing is more frustrating than having to stand for a four-hour football game because the hosts only have one couch in front the of television. Choose a room with a little extra space, bring in folding chairs and cushions as necessary, and make sure everyone can enjoy the game in relative comfort. 

Bar Glam

While the holidays may be long past (*sigh*), it’s easy to fight to the winter doldrums by brightening up one or two corners of the house. One of our favorites is the bar, and we've got a few ideas to get you back in the party spirit in no time. Here are a few ways to glam up your home bar or bar cart:

Get organized.

 A stylish bar begins with a plan. Try out vanity trays, dishes and containers to divide the area up into zones—glassware, bottles, cocktail shakers, etc. It will make the bar more aesthetically pleasing, while making it easier to keep clean and organized. 

Photo credit: streetscenevintage.bogspot.com

Seek style.

Choose your beverage preferences wisely. If they are going to be on display, and not in a cabinet, select choices that come in the prettiest and most eye-catching packaging. Many bourbons, champagnes, and specialty liquors come in bottles with beautiful labels and glass designs.

Photo credit: creativebloq.com

Dress it up.

Once your bar is well stocked, and well organized, select the trimmings. Try dressing up the bar or bar cart with unique bar tools, cocktail recipe books, and your favorite glassware from flea markets and travels abroad. Make your set-up a conversation starter and a watering hole all in one. 

Photo credit: thekitchn.com

Select a strong base.

We’re a little biased of course, but we love the Classic Cherry Large Bar made in our own Hillsdale house. It’s got old school charm with simple enough style to be dressed up anyway you would like, and has its own wine rack to help keep every thing organized.

http://www.hillsdalefurniture.com/s/62578ACHE/Classic-Cherry-Large-Bar/3

Be sure to warm up with a few winter cocktails this season from your beautiful new bar, and share pictures of your favorite touches with us!  

Winter Blossoms

We don’t often think of floral arrangements in the wintertime, but there are actually a large variety of blooms that will let you bring a little life inside when the temperatures drop. Here are a few of our favorite wintry options.

From left to right, top to bottom:

• Phlox Flowers
• Pansies
• Protea Nerifola Flower
• Hellebore Flowers
• Chrysanthemum
• Gerbera Daisy
• Asiatic Lily
• Peruvian Lily
• Acacia Flower 

Bring a little springtime color and atmosphere into your home this winter, and try out arrangements with the above flowers this season.

What are your favorite seasonal blooms? 

On the Serengeti

We suffered through sub-zero temperatures in Louisville this week. This is NOT what we’re used to, so needless to say, wanderlust has set in hard. Alas, a getaway isn’t in the cards for a while, so we’re dreaming of ways to bring warm, exotic locales to us. Last year a member of the team visited Tanzania and the Serengeti, and now we’d love to bring some of that safari style into our home. 

Here are a few ideas:

Employ an Earth Palette

Browns, creams, taupes or gold tones on the walls echo the colors of the African savanna and also warm the atmosphere of any room. Accent colors like rusty reds, pumpkin oranges, and olive greens complete the look and keep the space looking natural and inviting.  

Photo credit: st.houzz.com

Nurture the Natural

Wood, clay, leather, rattan and other native materials are the components of traditional African lifestyles and will give your look an added authenticity and rustic appeal. Wood in particular is crucial to the African aesthetic, as woodcarving is an integral part of many tribal cultures and artistic traditions. Try out a variety of materials in different spaces to evoke the vastness and diversity of the African landscape, and be sure to mix natural textures.

Photo credit: graciepi.com

Pattern Practice

Patterns are an important hallmark of traditional African décor, so give them a shot. We’re partial to animal prints, so long as they are used with restraint. Throw pillows in a zebra print or an accent chair in giraffe spots serve as design anchors of the safari chic we’re trying to achieve.

Photo credit: overstock.com

Eye the Art

Wood carvings and tribal art are beautiful when a few pieces are displayed together on an accent wall or table. Visit museums and art galleries to look for unique works of art (if you haven’t had a chance to build a collection via your own travels) that will capture the eye and start conversations.

Photo credit: etsystatic.com

 If you could go anywhere, where would you escape to this winter?

Hide and Seek

Tired of your kiddos and family members getting an early season preview because you’ve once again tried to hide gifts under your bed? Here is a top 10 list of new ideas for hiding places that will ensure the utmost secrecy until Santa officially arrives. 

10. Kitchen cupboards and drawers you never use.

Everyone’s got junk drawers and high cupboards that very rarely are opened. This year, get out the step stool, stash away, and then hide the step stool. 

9. Your car trunk.

If you aren’t someone who is constantly carting around your kid’s soccer equipment and team snacks, this could be a winning way to keep the presents out of the house, and constantly on the move.

8. Your office.

It may be a pain to drag bags of presents to and from your office or cubicle, but if you have the space, it’s one place you can pretty much ensure your loved ones won’t be visiting.

7. The junk pile.

Have a corner in your basement or attic of old boxes covered in dust cobwebs? We all do. For just a few weeks, add another box to the stash, this one filled with packages a little more pristine.

6. Your neighbor’s house.

Assuming your neighbor doesn’t watch your kids and isn’t a regular hang-out, try hiding a few gifts under their bed or in their linen closet.

5. Behind the books.

Lucky enough to have some spacious bookshelves and small gifts? Try stashing what you can in between the books and the back of the shelf.

4. In shoe boxes.

Another winner for smaller packages, if you’re someone who often keeps shoeboxes around as storage for your shoes. Try moving a couple of pairs into a dresser or closet space, and instead filling those boxes with your prettier packages for a bit.

3. Looting the luggage.

If you aren't going to be traveling this holiday season, use those big empty roller bags and trunks as an easy place to keep things all zipped up.

2. Keep it cool.

Have one of those large coolers leftover from tailgating and picnic season? Give it a little off-season life and throw a couple of presents in there.

1. Under their bed.

Best for teenagers and significant others who don’t spend a lot of time playing on the floor. No one expects their gifts to be kept in such close proximity. It will be more fun to show them where their gifts are hidden than to actually watch them open them. 

Hostess with the Mostest

This holiday season, if you can’t be the hostess with the mostest, be sure to honor those that are. Bring stylish, fun hostess gifts your friends and family will love when you head over the annual Christmas open house or cookie exchange. Here’s what we’re loving this season.

From left to right, top to bottom:

1. Adorable hidden animal mugs from Uncommon Goods, $21. Try pairing with a package of your favorite coffee or hot chocolate.
2. Wishbone bottle opener from Anthropologie, $14. Perfect and appropriate for those that cooked the holiday bird.
3. Beautiful tea towels are a lovely addition to any kitchen. Check out a few of these from Studio Patro, $24. Consider wrapping around a bottle of wine.
4. Everyone loves a nice candle this time of year, and we’re loving these Barr Co. Natural Wax Candles, $25.
5. Elephant nutcracker from Anthropologie, $20. Are the chestnuts roasting over an open fire? They’ll need this.
6. Try this little volume on the sophisticated gentlemen in your life, $20. Try something out while you’re together celebrating.
7. A great gift is always even greater when it’s personalized. These monogrammed bottle stoppers from Pottery Barn are fabulous, $20.
8. Peppermint bark is a delicious holiday treat, and if you don’t feel like whipping up your own, Williams-Sonoma makes a delicious version, $27.
9. Coasters are the perfect accessory for occasions that call for libations. We like these from Rifle Paper Company, $18.

Have any other fabulous hostess gift ideas to share with us? We’re looking forward to the holiday party season!