Gone are the days of neutrals feeling drab and cold.  Decorating with these colors can now be warm and inviting…

Image via Latitude Art Projects

Image via A Design Story

Image via Tracery Interiors

Image via Happenstance

Image via Decor Pad

Image via Inspiration for Decoration

Image via S.R. Gambrel

Image via HGTV

Image via S.R. Gambrel

The soft creamy palette of the neutrals brings such grace and serenity to the design, no matter what room you use it in.  What’s your favorite neutral combination?

]]> http://brockdesigns.com/2012/02/22/color-palette-natural-beauty-neutrals/feed/ 0 http://brockdesigns.com/2012/02/21/style-files-hard-working-home-offices/ http://brockdesigns.com/2012/02/21/style-files-hard-working-home-offices/#comments Tue, 21 Feb 2012 16:00:42 +0000 Lori http://brockdesigns.com/?p=2015 Brock Designs, Portland OR. Interior Design Company

This week we are all about determination and, of course, inspiration!  We all work in our homes, whether it’s paying bills, exchanging e-mails or even running a business.   No matter the amount of time you spend working at home, why not have a beautiful and organized place to be?  Look what inspires me…

I love the look and feel of this office!  It’s so sophisticated and serine.

I love the organization in this home office.  Using like-colored baskets in cubicles or book shelves

 is a great way to contain and organize clutter.

Image via BHG.com

A pull out desk that can come and go as you need it is a great way to save your space.

Image via Harrell Remodeling

Try a small kitchen table with a piece of glass on top for a desk – beautiful!

Image via Houzz.com

Adding a skirt to a simple table can be a great, inexpensive alternative

to a desk.  It also hides cords and storage underneath.

Image via BHG.com

This home office is so bright and open that it makes the space

feel much larger than it actually is.

Image via 2juh.com

Exchanging industrial office chairs for comfortable dining chairs

adds designer detailing and comfort to your office.

Image via DIY-Kitchens.com

Even open shelves can be well organized where everything has it’s place.

Image via Anna Barnett Online

Short on space? I love these ideas of transforming a closet in to an office space.  Wouldn’t it be

great to be able to shut the doors at the end of your work and “return” to home?

Image via getdecorating.com

Image via Luxury-idea.com

I think that we all should be able to do what we love and love what we do.   I hope that these awesome home offices have motivated you to transform the space that you have!  Contact us for more ideas on space-saving office ideas.

Now, go have a GREAT week but do check back in with us tomorrow for a fantastic collection of beautiful home offices!

Image via here.

On a beautiful lagoon on Kiawah Island in South Carolina’s Low Country, sits a gorgeous home built by architect Christopher Rose.  The modern open floor plan of the “Lips Room” House (you will see why below) was recently featured on Houzz.com by architect Bud Dietrich where he described the home’s design concept. “A desire to maximize those lagoon views while ensuring the structure could withstand hurricanes and earthquakes drove the home’s design. The extensive use of glass on the back side of the home captures these views while the front is a bit more traditional in design. “  Float away in the breathtaking beauty of this home….

This spectacular home has amazing architectural detail.  So many contemporary designs can seem cold, but not this one.  It feels liveable and warm! 

We hope you enjoyed today’s tour.  Have a great weekend and enjoy your loved ones!

Image via Modern Parents Messy Kids

Image via Lamps Plus

Image via Natalie Kaye

Image via Creative Party Place

Image via Tatertots and Jello

Image via Creative Ambitions

Image via Art Pixie

Image via Lamps Plus

Ready to create your own one of a kind arrangement?  Send us photos of what you’ve done – we’d love to see how imaginative you can be!

Yesterday I was thinking that Valentine’s Day sure is nice but it could be so much more if it was on the weekend….so I thought what a more perfect way to do that but with a scrumptious breakfast on Saturday morning!  How does Crème Brûlée French Toast sound?  Yummy, right?  Check out this recipe that I found from Smitten Kitchen (you should check out her blog too, it’s great)  Let’s try it…..

Image and recipe via Smitten Kitchen

Shopping List:

Toasts
1 loaf unsliced white bread, brioche or rich bread of your choice
1 1/3 cups whole milk
2/3 cup heavy cream
4 large eggs
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt or table salt
1 teaspoon Grand Marnier or another orange liqueur or 1/4 teaspoon orange zest
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Topping
2/3 cup granulated sugar

Cut bread into 1 1/2-inch thick, generous slices; a 9-inch loaf should yield 6 slices.

Whisk together milk, cream, eggs, sugar, salt, liqueur, and vanilla extract.

Preheat oven to 325. Arrange bread slices on the smallest rimmed tray that will fit them in one layer (encourages maximum absorption) pour custard over slices. Allow them to absorb the custard for 30 minutes, turning the slices over at one point to ensure they’re soaking it up evenly. [Do ahead: You can also soak them overnight in the fridge. No need to flip them if so.]

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Transfer custard-soaked slices to prepared sheet, arranging them with a smidge of space between each to avoid making one French mega-toast. Flipping them halfway through if you wish, bake French toast slices for 30 to 35 minutes, until a slim knife inserted into the center of a slice and twisted ever-so-slightly does not release any wet custard. Keep warm until ready to serve.

To caramelize the tops: Either leave toasts on their baking sheet, or transfer to a serving platter. Have ready a small offset spatula and a potholder or trivet to rest your caramel pot on.

Melt remaining 2/3 cup sugar in a small, heavy, completely dry saucepan over moderate heat, stirring with a small spoon or fork until fully melted and the color of honey.

Move it over to the potholder or trivet you’d set up and working quickly, spoon one generous tablespoon caramel over your first slice of toast, spread it thinly and evenly with your offset spatula and repeat with the remaining toasts.

Because your caramel will continue to deepen slightly in color (veering towards almost-too-toasty) as you work, it’s best to work quickly but carefully. Let no fingers or forearms be harmed in the melted sugar’s path and should a single drop land on the counter or on your towel or on the rim of the plate, do not swipe it. Just leave it until it cools.

[Hot water will melt all hardened caramel and make your clean up job easy. Simply soak your pot/spoon/spatula and all will melt off.]

Serve with fresh berries and if you’re feeling extra fancy, loosely whipped cream. It doesn’t seem to need any maple syrup.

Doesn’t this look delicious?  What a great way to surprise your loved ones this weekend with a new spin of French Toast!  Enjoy!

Today is nationally recognized as the day of romance – Valentine’s Day!  We thought that we would entice you with some oh-so-lovely and romantic bedrooms…Dream away!

Image via Tracy Murdock Allied ASID

Image via Knighman

Image via HGTV

Image via Material Girls

Image via Barn Furniture

Image via HGTV

Image via HGTV

Image via Decor Pad

Image via Shiny Interior

Making a bedroom romantic can be as simple as adding soft lighting on bedside tables with some beautiful lamps and including some soft luscious bedding.  You can also take it one step further by hanging a chandelier or two, depending on the size of your space.  I hope this puts you in a romantic mood, just in time for Valentine’s day!

We LOVE this simple but powerful statement over the bed.  A wonderful way to wake up every day!  

Have a beautiful week and do something special with someone you love.

 Image via here.

I’m so happy it’s Friday!   I hope your week has been amazing and you are filled with love.  I am infatuated with today’s home tour.  This Stonewood LLC home is tucked in the heavily wooded hills of Minnesota on a seven acre lot and has sweeping views of the country side.  I’d love to spend some time in a home like this.  Ready?  Let’s take a look…

The large island and the open floor plan draws me to this space.  I would love to have friends and family surround me while preparing meals.

Cozy up by the fire with the snow outside? ….Don’t mind if I do!

Oh the storage…

Soaking in the tub while watching the snow fall outside would be amazing!

Yes please, fill it up!  What a wine cellar.

The bar area right off the media room is perfectly placed.

No “cabin fever” days with a room like this in your house.  

I hope you enjoyed today’s home tour!   Give our handmade Valentine ideas a try and have a great weekend!

All images via Stonewood LLC

It’s all about Valentine’s Day in our house right now.  With all of my grand-babies (and my kids too), there is a lot of love around us.  Today I thought I would share some fun and fabulous DIY crafts for this affection filled February 14th….Let’s get creative!

Valentine’s Day Candy Jars

Image and full tutorial via Love Sweet Love

Individual Mailboxes For The Whole Family

Image and full tutorial via The Anderson Crew

Chalkboard Heart Mug

Image and full tutorial via The Idea Room

Valentine’s Day Tree

Image and full tutorial via Love, Laughter & Decor

Burlap “Be Mine” Banner

Image and full tutorial via Northwest Lovelies

“LOVE” Wall Art

Image and full tutorial via Uncommon

Candy Cane and Chocolate Hearts

Image and full tutorial via Nest of Posies

“I Dig You” Shovels

Image and full tutorial via Disney’s Family Fun

Play-Doh Valentine’s

Image and full tutorial via The Wilson World

“BEE” Mine

Image and full tutorial via Pizzazzerie

Stitched Heart Bookmarks

Image and full tutorial via Thirty Handmade Days

I hope that this gives you some inspiration to let your crafty-ness shine this Valentine’s day!

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