Sometimes our schedules get so busy with work, school, kids’ sports, it can be difficult to pull everyone back together.  Here are some fun projects to help you reconnect.

Family Stepping Stones

Image and Instructions via Family Fun

Family Hand-Print Paint Art

Image and Instructions via Naptime Decorator

Family Gratitude Project

Image and Instructions via Becky Higgins

Family Name Scrabble

Image and Instructions via Remodelaholic

Family Garden Art Steps

Image and Instructions via My Home Ideas

Family Hand-print Embroidery

Image and Instructions via All Sewn Up

Don’t forget to post pictures of your projects!  Have a wonderful weekend with your family!

Whether you love dark stains or grain variation,  wood is the perfect material that brings nature into your home.  From architectural details such as beams and ceilings, to flooring and countertops, wood can set the tone of a room, grounding it with an earthy feel.

Image via LUX Design Inc.

Image via Keystone Millworks Inc

Image via Tracery Interiors

Image via AMI Designs Interiors

Image via Architecta Interiors

Image via Vanni Archive Photography

Image via HartmanBaldwin Designs

Image via Danenberg Design

Beautiful!  Wood adds so much character to these spaces.

There is nothing like sitting around the family room with my entire family laughing, reminiscing and making new memories.  Having a space for everyone to gather is so important, especially as our family grows – it becomes the heart of the home.

Image via Brock Designs Group

Image via Brock Designs Group

Image via Brock Design Group

Image via John Kraemer and Sons

Image via Ellen Grasso Inc

Image via The Enchanted Home

Image via Dresser Homes

I would love to have my family come together in any of these fabulous family rooms!  What kind of memories will you create with your family tonight?

I just love this quote. You can buy the print via here. What kinds of special memories does your family have within your home? What traditions have you created while living there?

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!

]]> http://brockdesigns.com/2012/05/13/happy-mothers-day/feed/ 0 http://brockdesigns.com/2012/05/09/delicious-lemon-blueberry-scones/ http://brockdesigns.com/2012/05/09/delicious-lemon-blueberry-scones/#comments Wed, 09 May 2012 21:24:34 +0000 Lori http://brockdesigns.com/?p=3077 Portland OR. Interior Design Company

A perfect addition to any Mother’s Day brunch or just because.  These lemon blueberry scones are delicious and will satisfy that sweet tooth.  

I can’t wait to have one with my morning coffee – hopefully brought to me on a tray in bed

Image and Recipe via Sweet Pea’s Kitchen

Ingredients:

• 2 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 3 tablespoons sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 5 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 3/4 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
2. Place flour, baking powder, sugar, and salt in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade. Process with six 1-second pulses.
3. Remove cover of food processor and sprinkle the butter evenly over the dry ingredients. Add the grated lemon zest. Cover and process with 12 1-second pulses.
4. Transfer dough to a large bowl. Mix in blueberries with your hands. Add heavy cream and mix with your hands until dough begins to form.
5. Gently knead dough by hand until it comes together into a rough ball, about 10 seconds.
6. To shape the scones, lightly dust an 8-inch cake pan and press dough into the pan, then turn the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. With a sharp knife, cut the dough into 8 wedges.
7. Place wedges on an ungreased baking sheet and bake in preheated oven 12 to 15 minutes or until tops of scones are a light brown. Transfer to a wire rack for at least 10 minutes before serving.
8. While the scones are cooling, make lemon glaze. Combine lemon juice and confectioners’ sugar until you achieve a thick, opaque icing. Drizzle over scones.

Enjoy!

Since Mother’s Day is this weekend, I got inspired by some beautifully feminine rooms.  The soft fabrics, peaceful colors and elegant light fixtures create a warm and inviting feeling for spending quality time together.

Image via Elle Decor

Image via Hermitage Kitchen Design

Image via Millennium Cabinetry

Image via She Knows

Image via Cynthia Mason Interiors
Image via Mandarina Studio

Image via Millennium Cabinetry

Image via Elle Decor

The soft touches in these rooms bring a sense of comfort and serenity – something that all of us moms need! Enjoy!

As you may well know, Mother’s day is just around the corner, so I thought I would dedicate our inspiration for Monday to Moms – the hardest working ladies out there! In most cases, mothers make the house a home and everyone who lives there benefits! I love this quote and I’m pretty sure my kids feel like this too…

So…what are you doing for your Mom this Mother’s Day?

Images via 1. 2. 3. 4.

With all the new grandchildren in my life, I have come to the realization that I need to bring some comfort down to their level.  These floor pillows can be a great DIY project for even the newbies at the sewing machine.  

Image and Instructions via Purlbee

Image and Instructions via The Ochre Elephant

Image and Instructions via Weekend Designer

Image and Instructions via Living With Punks

Image and Instructions via Moda Bake Shop

I can’t wait to make some of these for my house! Don’t forget to share pictures of your creations – you may be chosen to be featured in one of our blogs or television spots!

]]> http://brockdesigns.com/2012/05/02/diy-comfortable-floor-pillows/feed/ 0 http://brockdesigns.com/2012/05/01/style-files-beautiful-bolds/ http://brockdesigns.com/2012/05/01/style-files-beautiful-bolds/#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 16:14:51 +0000 Lori http://brockdesigns.com/?p=3015 Portland OR. Interior Design Company

Yesterday we talked about playing with colors and not being afraid of going bold. Whether you want to “go for it” by painting a whole room or simply starting with a piece of art, transform and energize your home with some COLOR!   

Image via Tobi Fairley

Image via Lorranie G Vale

Image via Frank Roop

This electric green is super energizing.  When using this type of intense color, keep the room balanced with a neutral white or cream to let the eye rest.

Image via BHG

Image via BHG

Image via Samantha Pynn Inc

Image via The HSS feed

Image via Houzz.com

Image via Sunset

What’s your favorite bold color?

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