STYLE FILES – Delicious Dining Areas

Brock Designs Portland OR. Interior Design Blog

Dining rooms can become the center of our home, where family and friends gather around the table taking pause from hectic schedules.  Talking about our day and enjoying a delicious dinner in each others company can make lasting memories and balance our lives.  Here are some of our favorite gathering areas.

Screen shot 2012 07 29 at 6.37.03 PM 300x200 STYLE FILES   Delicious Dining AreasImage via Brock Design Group

Screen shot 2012 07 29 at 6.50.15 PM 300x199 STYLE FILES   Delicious Dining AreasImage via Brock Design Group

Screen shot 2012 07 29 at 6.53.38 PM 213x300 STYLE FILES   Delicious Dining AreasImage via Brock Design Group

Screen shot 2012 07 29 at 6.57.52 PM 300x199 STYLE FILES   Delicious Dining AreasImage via Courtland Homes

Screen shot 2012 07 29 at 7.01.52 PM 237x300 STYLE FILES   Delicious Dining AreasImage via Charlie and Co Designs

Screen shot 2012 07 29 at 7.06.17 PM 300x198 STYLE FILES   Delicious Dining AreasImage via Style On A Shoestring

Screen shot 2012 07 29 at 7.10.42 PM 300x200 STYLE FILES   Delicious Dining AreasImage via Arch Studio Inc.

For me, seeing my family gathered around the table is one of life’s most precious moments.  Take the stuffiness out of your dining area and spruce it up with a new coat of paint, a great light fixture, new table settings or even an interesting table centerpiece.  You will enjoy spending time there that much more.  Balance out your life…

5AD32E5D80D0C1FAA3382E02E91FB880 STYLE FILES   Delicious Dining Areas

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DIY – Creating Beautiful Outdoor Space

Brock Designs Portland OR. Interior Design Blog

This Portland Interior Designer has been spending a lot of time outdoors this week! I love finding ways to change up my yard like I change the interior spaces of my house.  Here are some great DIY projects that I am loving…  

DIY Outdoor Water Feature and Pond

Screen shot 2012 07 25 at 9.49.48 AM 300x225 DIY   Creating Beautiful Outdoor SpaceImage and Instructions via Our Adventures in Home Improvement

DIY Cobble Stones

Screen shot 2012 07 25 at 9.58.52 AM 300x225 DIY   Creating Beautiful Outdoor SpaceImage and Instructions via Home is where they love you

DIY Outdoor Firepit

Screen shot 2012 07 25 at 10.05.29 AM 300x225 DIY   Creating Beautiful Outdoor SpaceImage and Instructions via DIY

DIY Paver Bench

Screen shot 2012 07 25 at 10.13.12 AM 249x300 DIY   Creating Beautiful Outdoor SpaceImage and Instructions via BHG

DIY Outdoor Lounge Bed

Screen shot 2012 07 25 at 10.17.08 AM 300x235 DIY   Creating Beautiful Outdoor SpaceImage and Instructions via eHow

DIY Outdoor Tourch

Screen shot 2012 07 25 at 10.23.39 AM 228x300 DIY   Creating Beautiful Outdoor SpaceImage and Instructions via Design Sponge

Remember, we want to see your finished projects!  Have a great weekend and enjoy your outdoor living!

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DELICIOUS – Grilled Honey Shirmp

Brock Designs Portland OR. Interior Design Blog

Now that we all have our outdoor living spaces designed from yesterday’s post, it’s time to enjoy it with some shrimp on the BBQ!

Screen shot 2012 07 18 at 10.28.00 AM DELICIOUS   Grilled Honey ShirmpImage and Recipe via MyRecipes.com

Shopping List

  • 1/2 cup soy sauce
  • 1/3 cup honey
  • 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon cracked black pepper
  • 12 slices (6 ounces) prosciutto, halved lengthwise
  • 1 pound (about 24) large shrimp
  • 24 nectarine or pineapple wedges
  • Garnish: sliced chives, sesame seeds

Directions

  1. 1. Combine first 7 ingredients in a large bowl.
  2. 2. Wrap 1 piece prosciutto around each shrimp. Thread shrimp and nectarines alternately on 8 (8-inch) skewers. Place skewers in a shallow dish; drizzle with 1/2 cup soy sauce mixture, turning to coat. Cover and refrigerate 30 minutes.
  3. 3. Preheat grill to medium-high heat (350° to 400°). Remove skewers from marinade; discard marinade. Grill skewers 3 minutes on each side or until shrimp are opaque. Serve with remaining soy sauce mixture. Garnish, if desired.

Enjoy!

5AD32E5D80D0C1FAA3382E02E91FB880 DELICIOUS   Grilled Honey Shirmp

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STYLE FILES – An Outdoor Oasis

Brock Designs Portland OR. Interior Design Blog

This beautiful weather is calling me to enjoy my backyard, sitting on the porch swing with a glass of ice tea or enjoying the company of family and friends. Having a great outdoor space can add another “room” to your home, expanding your living area to your outdoor oasis and adding value to your home as well.

Screen shot 2012 07 18 at 9.57.39 AM 300x177 STYLE FILES   An Outdoor OasisImage via Brock Designs Group

Screen shot 2012 07 18 at 10.02.58 AM 300x190 STYLE FILES   An Outdoor Oasis

Image via Architectural Digest

Screen shot 2012 07 18 at 10.07.10 AM 220x300 STYLE FILES   An Outdoor Oasis

Image via BHG

Screen shot 2012 07 18 at 10.14.39 AM 300x198 STYLE FILES   An Outdoor Oasis

Image via Prideaux Design

Screen shot 2012 07 18 at 10.17.33 AM 300x202 STYLE FILES   An Outdoor Oasis

Image via Casa Sugar

These inspire me to get out and make my outdoor living area even better, how about you?

5AD32E5D80D0C1FAA3382E02E91FB880 STYLE FILES   An Outdoor Oasis

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Hourglass for the Designer

Screen Shot 2012 07 22 at 7.36.49 PM 150x150 Hourglass for the Designer

Hourglass for the Designer

 

Sorry we’ve been away from the blog lately!  A few weeks ago, I wrote a post about relaxation and taking time for yourself.   At the completion of each of my projects, my clients receive a thank you gift from me.  In the gift, there is an hourglass with a note saying “take time for yourself”.   Recently, I took my own advice and decided to carve out some time from my very busy schedule to spend some much needed time with my family.   It was a wonderful few weeks and I wanted to thank you all for allowing me that luxury.

We are back now and we hope you are ready for some exciting and informative new blogs!

 

5AD32E5D80D0C1FAA3382E02E91FB880 Hourglass for the Designer

 

 

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