Commercial & Residential Interior Design
Portland OR. Interior Design Company
This is one of my favorite quotes and it is so true. Enjoy all of the “small” joys in life that are actually the ones that take up the most room in our hearts. I wish you all a wonderful weekend and a blissful Mother’s Day!
Happy Holidays!
Hi everyone,
I am now surrounded by my family and we are preparing for a wonderful Christmas weekend! I hope you are doing the same! I wanted to wish you a very Happy Holidays and a Prosperous New Year.
It’s inevitable that after all the decadence and delight of the festivities are over, our thoughts shift to setting goals and creating a vision for the New Year. I wanted to share this great link – 10 Thoughts for Success via Whole Living. Sometimes reading simple, positive affirmations can truly help us direct our energy. I wish you all great success and joy for 2012!
Thank you for all your love and support!
Image via here.
Happy Friday everyone! Okay, so I know we will have had two home tours this week but I wanted to get us back on schedule. I’m pretty sure you won’t mind, just more eye candy to drool over, right? Enjoy this blissful home decorated by the talented Edie Van Breems with her signature Scandinavian flair…
This is such a great way to display Christmas cards! You can acquire beautiful vintage frames from your local thrift and antique stores.
I just adore the rustic elegance and refined palette of this style. The use of natural materials for Christmas decorations is traditional to Scandinavian decor and I find it very soothing and warm. What do you think?
If you enjoy this kind of decor check out these wonderful books, co-authored by Rhonda Eleish and Edie Van Breems.
Have a beautiful weekend!
Images via here.
They say that the beauty is in the details and I couldn’t agree more…so today, as a little follow up to my tablescape post, I am featuring some of my favorite napkin folding styles and centerpiece creations from dear ole’ Martha.
Go white on white for a striking look. Gather together mismatched white vessels with simple greenery for an inexpensive but beautiful arrangement. Check out local thrift stores for vintage milk glass vases, often only a few dollars each! Pair this centerpiece with the four feather napkin fold to echo the simplicity of this look. DIY instructions here and here.
Create a truly unique centerpiece with pine cones and Christmas lights! A lovely statement piece and one that could be used again next year…but get your glue gun ready! Pair this with a lovely book style napkin fold and have you guests uncover your decadent menu. How to…here and here.
Go for a more earthy, harvest theme with a gorgeous gilded pear basket. Dusted in gold, this look is truly magical. A simple pocket fold napkin is perfectly elegant but slightly rustic. Directions here and here.
I love these little wax bowls! So simple but beautiful! Embedded with Christmas greens and filled with water these vessels are stunning with floating candles and tiny pine cones. So whimsical! The envelope folded napkin is a wonderful look with this display. Tuck a sweet cluster of holly berries or greenery inside, a pretty place card and a printed menu to finish the table. How to…here and here.
I hope these provided a little more inspiration for creating a special table for your family and friends! As always, I love to hear from you…what are some of your ideas or traditions for your table? Oh, and I wanted to check in with you and see how the stress level is? I know it’s hard but try and enjoy this season…if you need help, check back with my Top Ten ways to Beat Holiday Stress!
Have a wonderful Friday!
Christmas is fast approaching and I’m in full decorating mode! It’s time to think about how my table will look…so I thought I would share with you some of the gorgeous inspiration I am finding…so many wonderful ideas!
How delightful is this mason jar floating candle? Simple ingredients create such a dramatic effect! DIY instructions here. I also love this charming farmhouse table setting.
Deep ruby-red is so opulent, touches of gold add to the luxury! Using inexpensive ornaments labeled with your guests’ names can be perfect for seat assignments and a little take home gift.
Christmas brunch or a formal holiday dinner…either way…adding those special details makes all the difference. Christmas crackers are especially festive and are seen on both of these tables. Feeling crafty and wanna make your own? Go here.
Cinnamon sticks make a great addition to cup of hot cocoa but I also love these chocolate dipped candy canes! Brilliant!
Mix and match stem ware, silver and crystal for a layered, vintage look. White roses in a cranberry filled vessel sets a classic holiday color palette.
Pretty, wrapped boxes on pedestals also make for a lovely centerpiece! Get creative and have fun with what you have.
Of course, these ideas are done in the traditional red and green palette but don’t let that stop you from using any color theme. With plenty of sparkle and shine, any tablescape can exude that holiday cheer!
How are you decorating your table this year?
All images via here.
Happy Friday everyone! Hope your week has been wonderful. I promised I would share with you my recipe for the Mediterranean Spice Rub and give you a few hints on packaging it beautifully…so here goes…
This rub is sure to be a hit with your friends and family! It’s a snap to make and tastes good on just about everything! Better yet, it’s inexpensive to create.
Lori Brock’s Mediterranean Rub Recipe
*Montreal Steak Seasoning– ½ ratio
*Tarragon
*Oregano
*Dill
*Thyme
*Rosemary
*Coarse salt –can also be cut to ½ ratio
*Lemon Pepper
Mix equal parts of all the above ingredients – except for the Montreal Steak seasoning, use a 1/2 ratio.
I package the rub in airtight glass jars from Ikea. Click here to see the jars. It is great to put a beautiful tag on it that lists the spices and how it can be used. This tasty rub can be used on fish, poultry, beef or pork and makes a wonderful addition to soups and sauces. The key to using this as a rub is to use enough to lightly cover the roast or fish, but not too thick as it has quite a bit of pepper in it.
Here are some fabulous ideas for creative DIY gift wrapping. Gotta make your Rub look gorgeous and special!
Including a little metal or wood scoop is a great addition. Layering the spices creates a cool effect too!
Think outside the box and make your gift personal by adding custom printed labels or crafty embellishments like twine, ribbon or even clothes pins! Such a cute idea.
For another spice rub mix that sounds divine go here.
Do you have a DIY gift idea that you would love to share?
Have a great weekend!
Images via here.
Hi there! So like many of you I am busy working and trying to get all my holiday shopping done! It can be a stressful time for anyone so I thought I’d pull together the “Brock Designs Top 10 Ways to Beat Holiday Stress” List!
1. Be thankful – even for the most simple of things.
I live a very busy life. It is my choice. I thrive on being active, but I sometimes forget that to be at my best I need moments to slow down and reflect on all that I am thankful for. It can be as simple as a glimpse of sunshine, hug from my grandkids, or a wonderful new client. What are you thankful for?
2. Take 5-15 minutes to clear your mind.
My life has been crazy lately and I have been putting off going to a yoga class. It’s a catch 22 – I feel like I am too busy to go, but I need to go because I am so busy. I am new to yoga, but exercise and relaxation sounded like something I could really use. I finally went to my first class. It was the best thing I could have done for myself. The way I felt afterward was amazing. I had finally done something for me and it was well worth the hour out of my day. My mind feels clear and my muscles a little sore – the good kind of sore. I can’t wait to go back. If you even have 5 minutes, lay on your floor with your eyes closed and listen to some calm music – or just the quiet. Studies have shown that people who take a mental break in the middle of the day are much more productive than those who don’t. My new year’s resolution is starting early- just give myself 5-15 minutes to clear my mind.
3. Light some candles and create some ambiance for yourself.
Watching a candle flicker is calming and certain scents make me feel energized and calm. Find the scents that work for you and get that old flame going!
4. Whistle while you work.
Put on upbeat music – anything that makes you happy while you are working on your “to do” list. If you are working, you might as well be singing!
5. Try to eat healthy foods and take walks as often as you can.
It is almost impossible to be perfect during the holidays, and frankly, why do you have to? It’s fun to allow yourself a treat or two. Just make sure you balance those treats with some days of moderation – and maybe some exercise as well. A simple walk in the fresh air will do you a world of good.
6. De-clutter your home.
Clean off the counters, put coats, hats and shoes in the closet, run the vacuum. You don’t have to spend hours on this – just a few focused minutes will make a difference. The one room that gives me calm is my bedroom. If it is organized and clutter free, I sleep better. Waking up to a clean bedroom gives you a great start to your day and helps you cope with whatever lies ahead. For tips on a quick clean click here.
7. Give to others – it doesn’t have to cost a thing.
Give of your time. Offer to have a cup of coffee with someone who is alone. Help someone else with their shopping or straighten up their home. Christmas is for giving and when you give of yourself, it is truly special.
8. “It’s all about your attitude.”
This was an important saying in our household as our kids were growing up. It’s so simple, but true. As soon as your attitude changes toward the positive, it sheds a whole new light on a difficult situation. Try to find at least one thing you can be happy about. If you just can say something nice to someone – it works!
9. Prepare early!
After you straighten up the house, light your candles and put on your music, sit down with pen and paper to make a list of a few of the things you can prepare ahead of time such as wrapping gifts you may already have or get guest rooms ready.
10. Don’t overspend!
Nothing makes you more tense than spending over your budget. One of the go to gifts in my family (which consists of more than 50 adults) is to fill a small container/tin (from IKEA) with a Mediterranean spice rub that can be used for everything from meats and fish, to seasoning for vegetable soups. Everyone loves it and it costs so little to make. The key is in the presentation. Watch tomorrow for this recipe and more with tips on how to present an easy and special handmade gift.
Feeling less stressed? I hope so!
Images via 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.
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