decor-pedia

Entertaining 101 for 2011

A good place to start when planning a successful dinner party is with special cocktails, specifically a vintage cocktail which is both glam and delicious. A little nostalgia always works and vintage cocktails set the stage for an evening of surprises culinary and otherwise. You could consider Gin Fizz, a Brandy Alexander, or even a Hemingway Daiquiri (white rum, maraschino liqueur, grapefruit juice, simple syrup, and fresh lime juice). Memory- lane cocktails as professional bartender Brian Van Flandern explains in his new book Vintage Cocktails (www.assouline.com) capture an earlier time, the era of the Rainbow Room and the Stork Club. His book is crammed with recipes from the 30s and 40s when bars were smoky and bartenders wore tuxedos.

Tags: Assouline, awards-main, Daniel Levy, decor-pedia, entertaining, Ina Garten, Kim Seybert, luxist-awards, Michael Egan, porcelain dinnerware, Richard Sax, Sarabeth Levine, Vietri

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Cutting the Electronic Cord with Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan (with Video)

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan offers his best tips for getting rid of electronic cable clutter.

As most of us have experienced or will experience during the holidays, new electronic gadgets, from flat screen televisions to Blu-ray players, and iPhones, are all wonderful to have, but they all have one drawback---each comes with cords, cables or other accessories that are eye sores to have in one's home.

Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, author of Apartment Therapy's Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces (Clarkson Potter, 2010) and founder of ApartmentTherapy.com, one of the country's most well-regarded and influential design blogs has offered Luxist several solutions for anyone who is facing such a dilemma. As the ultimate online destination for all things design, ApartmentTherapy.com's mission is to help people make their homes more beautiful, organized, and healthy. As technology has come to play a bigger role in the home, the term "techorating" is now being used to describe the use of technology in the home that is both beautiful and whenever necessary, invisible.

According to Gillingham-Ryan, it is possible to incorporate technology, even in small spaces, in ways that are both pleasing and beneficial without sacrificing quality. "It is possible to find great equipment that is mini in scale, but has high capabilities," he says. High quality speakers, for example, can be found in small sizes, he adds. (Be sure to check out the video below for more tips from Gillingham-Ryan.)

Tags: Apartment Therapy, decor-pedia, duracell, duracell mygrid, flat screen, flat screen TVs, main-pedia, Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan, video

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Holiday Entertaining Tips from Designer Kim Seybert

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Holiday Guides, Lux Tips

Kim Seybert, designer of lifestyle and tabletop accessories, offers her best tips for holiday entertaining.

Kim Seybert, a world-renowned designer spoke to Luxist and gave us her six favorite tips for throwing the perfect holiday gathering.

Seybert is widely credited with being the creator of "fashion for the table". She successfully translated her skills as an evening gown and cocktail dress designer to the home with the creation of Kim Seybert, her namesake company, for which she designs gorgeous and elegant placemats, napkins, napkin rings, table runners, tablecloths, glasses, bath accessories and home decor accessories. Seybert's extensive line of table wear and home accessories is available for purchase on the Kim Seybert website as well as at such luxury retailers as Neiman Marcus, Bergdorf Goodman, and Barneys New York, and Horchow.

Seybert's designs often feature the same techniques she used when designing glamorous evening gowns. As a result, her designs are so stunning, they present an easy alternative to re-decorating a home. Seybert's spectacular napkin rings (see image below), for example, feature extensive beading and are so gorgeous they are often referred to as "jewelry for the table".

Tags: awards-main, decor-pedia, decorating ideas, decorating tips, holiday entertaining, how to decorate a holiday table, Kim Seybert, luxist-awards, main-pedia, napkin rings, table decor, table decorations

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A Guide to Finding the Christmas Tree of Your Dreams

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Holiday Guides

Real or artificial? Frasier Fir or Scotch Pine? When it comes to picking out the perfect Christmas tree the little details matter and there are more options now than ever before. Overwhelmed, confused, or just plain frustrated? Read our handy guide on Christmas tree basics and you'll be putting up the tree of your dreams in no time flat.

Real or Artificial?
The first thing you need to decide is whether you want a real tree or an artificial one. Today's artificial trees look and feel very realistic, are convenient to unpack and setup year after year, and come in a variety of shapes and sizes (including colored and pre-lit) so you can get exactly the look you want with minimal effort. Artificial trees also never drop needles or need to be watered. Real Christmas trees on the other hand do require more daily upkeep but they also smell great, create a certain ambiance with their unique and natural character, and offer the richly traditional experience of going out to the lot or tree farm to be picked out fresh year after year.

Size and Shape
Tall and skinny, short and fat, pencil or upside-down, the size and shape of your Christmas tree will have a great impact on how it looks in your home. Plan where the tree will go and take measurements of the space to make keeping track of size and scale easier when you're out shopping. Also think about your decorating style: do you like trees where ornaments dangle freely and lights twinkle through or do you prefer tight, dense branches where ornaments drape along the outside? Pyramid-shaped trees (Frasier Fir, Noble Fir, Douglas Fir) are generally taller and more open while cone-shaped ones (Scotch Pine, Norway Spruce) are of a shorter, denser persuasion. Other options include tall and narrow pencil trees (usually artificial), which have a contemporary look and are perfect for tight spaces, and of course the ever-curious upside-down tree that's specially designed to use minimal floor space.

Tags: christmas, christmas tree, decor-pedia

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The Meaning of Flowers: What Does That Bouquet Say?

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Green

We use flowers to say so many things, from "I love you" to "I'm sorry" and everything in between. Humans have been using flowers to express and punctuate feelings since the dawn of time and so over the eons certain flowers have come to symbolize certain things. The meanings of flowers can vary based on culture, context, and occasion but here are some popular blooms and their most commonly associated messages.

Roses
The Romans and Greeks both associated roses with goddesses of love (Aphrodite and Venus) and although roses today are most often used to express romance and passion they can have other meanings as well.

Red -- Love, Passion

Yellow -- Friendship, Jealousy

White -- Humility, Innocence, Purity

Pink -- Gratitude, Admiration, Happiness

Dark Crimson -- Mourning

Tags: awards-main, bouquet, decor-pedia, floral, flowers, luxist-awards, main-pedia

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How to Clean Stainless Steel Appliances

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

How to clean stainless steel Sub-Zero kitchen appliances.

Anyone with an appliance with a stainless steel finish, such as a dishwasher, refrigerator or oven, likes to see a streak-free surface. Clean it properly, and you will have a beautiful result.

One easy way to clean the exterior of a stainless steel appliance is to be armed with two soft, clean lint free cloths. A portion of the first cloth should be soaked with very hot water. Wipe a section of the surface with the hot, wet cloth and immediately dry the same spot with the dry cloth. Wipe in the direction of any polish lines and you should have a streak-free result. If there are significant stains, try adding a small amount of a mild soap to the water. Rinse the surface thoroughly with warm water and immediately dry it with a clean cloth.

Sub-Zero, one of the most recognized manufacturers of premium built-in home refrigerators, recommends using a soft, non-abrasive stainless steel cleaner on its classic and platinum stainless steel finishes. Apply the cleaner with a soft 100% lint free cloth. Carbon stainless steel can be cleaned with mild soap and water. To bring out the natural luster of all three finishes, Sub-Zero recommends lightly wiping the surface with a water dampened microfiber cloth, followed by a dry polishing chamois. All work should follow the direction of the grain, and better results are obtained by keeping the cloth in continuous contact with the metal.

To clean interior surfaces and removable parts of a refrigerator, Sub-Zero recommends washing with a mild solution of soap and lukewarm water as well as a small amount of baking soda. Do not use vinegar. Be sure to rinse and dry thoroughly. Avoid getting water on the lights and display panel and do not submerge or pour hot water over cold glass shelves.

Tags: applainces, awards-main, decor-pedia, How to clean stainless steel, kitchen appliances, luxist-awards, main-pedia, refrigerator, stainless steel, Sub-Zero, Wolf

House Cleaning Tips (with Video)

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Using the wrong materials to clean valuable items in your home can quickly destroy them. Gisela Lowenstein, president and founder of The Glow System, shared with us the following tips and advice on how to clean and organize a home. The Glow System is an instructional DVD that teaches viewers how to clean and organize quickly and efficiently.

Here are a few of Lowenstein's favorite housekeeping tips:

First, organize a "cleaning caddy" or container that is stocked with supplies.

Invest in specialized cloths. Terry cloths are ideal for cleaning wet areas, while felt cloths are recommended for very delicate areas, such as a piano, to prevent scratches. Microfiber cloths work well for wet or dry areas and are perfect for capturing dust on delicate and smooth surfaces.

Tags: awards-main, decor-pedia, Gisela Lowenstein, house cleaning tips, housekeeping, how to clean, luxist-awards, main-pedia, The Glow System

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Five Ways to Protect Your Purchases at New York's Affordable Art Fair

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Art

The Affordable Art Fair starts on September 30, 2010, and it comes with plenty of opportunities to pick up pieces by emerging artists. Featuring works priced from $100 to $10,000, the right choices can turn into astounding art investments down the road. While collectors are drawn to the pieces themselves first, it's hard to overlook the financial appreciation that can occur, especially as the art market claws its way back from financial crisis lows.

What happens if your artwork is damaged? Collectors don't always spend enough time thinking about the financial side of their holdings, and art insurance can be an afterthought. So, it might not be a bad idea to invest a little in protecting your work.

"After taking the time to evaluate a work of art, but before making a purchase, it is important that collectors consider how they are going to protect their investment," said Andrew Gristina, Fine Art Specialist, Travelers Inland Marine. "Most people buy art because of the aesthetic beauty, however, it's also a financial investment, which is why insurance coverage and proper handling should be a consideration with each purchase."

Here are three five steps you can take to protect what you pick up at the Affordable Art Fair (or anywhere else):

Tags: affordable art, affordable art fair, affordable artwork, art, art collecting, art collection, art collector, art fair, art work, artist, Artists, awards-main, decor-pedia, emerging artists, financial crisis, insurance, luxist-awards, main-pedia, manhattan, new york, new york city

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Giving Fragrant Gifts

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Cosmetics and Fragrance

Luxist Awards Expert Panelist Harry Slatkin is best known for the home fragrances he has created. Slatkin is founder of Slatkin & Co., the premier home fragrance brand celebrated for its scent experience and design (now a division of Bath & Body Works). He oversees product development for all the home fragrance brands under Bath & Body Works, the country's largest bath and body retailer with over 1,650 stores.

In this video, Slatkin explains how to give home fragrances
as gifts.

"They are great because they last for so long," he says. "Plus, it is a gift that people can enjoy instantly."

Slatkin says he may bring a fragrant candle, long with a bottle of wine or a box of chocolates, but the candle will last longer than either of the other alternatives. "A box of chocolates might last a week, but a fragrant candle will last a lot longer."

Slatkin explains how he goes about selecting the scents of the candles he gives to friends.

"I always try to think of the personality of the person, but I also make it seasonal," says Slatkin. "If it is holiday time, I will give a scent that is more wintery, with tree-like scents. If it is spring time, I will select more floral scents like jasmine. If it is summer I will give cleaner scents."

Tags: awards-main, Bath Body Works, beauty-pedia, decor-pedia, fragrances, Harry Slatkin, luxist-awards, main-pedia, scents, Slatkin Co.

Lifestyle Expert Mar Jennings' Best Gardening Tips

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Gardening and lifestyle expert Mar Jennings.

Few understand gardening better than Luxist Awards Panelist Mar Jennings. Mar is the in-house lifestyle expert and correspondent for Better TV and is the home expert for the Fine Living Network. Mar also appears on the Today Show, ABC, Fox, CNN, and many other national and local networks across the country. He is also the author of Life on Mar's: A Four Season Garden (S&J Publishing, $39.95).

In an exclusive interview with Luxist, Mar shares some of his best gardening tips. According to Mar, it is not too late to roll up your sleeves and get to work in your garden.

Luxist: It is already late June. What can someone plant now?

MAR: You might be surprised---and I meet many gardeners who think they're too late.

I recommend focusing on accent pieces where the garden seems bare. Ground cover plants and plants that come in small containers are the best options for getting you in and out of the garden quickly when it's so hot out. Any plant that blooms early in the Spring and has spent flowers is perfect for planting in summer because they will be focusing their energy on growing and not on flowering-plus most will be on sale. Another great bet is succulents.

What can be planted now for full sun and what do you recommend for partial sun? How about no sun?

MAR: Your local garden center can further advise you of things that are particularly good for your area, but here are some sure-fie items that I make use of:

Full sun: Decorative vines such as wisteria or trumpet vines, anchors for your garden such as dwarf boxwoods, and ornamental grasses.

Partial sun: Hydrangeas, hydrangeas and more hydrangeas are ideal. (Not that I'm biased or anything.)

No sun: When God gives you lemons, make lemonade. A full-shade garden can be as wonderful as a full-sun garden. Discover the endless varieties of ferns and hostas, intertwined in any shady area. These create height, texture and interest in an otherwise overlooked place. Introduce moss onto garden structures and stone walkways as an added feature that will increase in charm over the years.

Is it too late to plant vegetable plants?

MAR: For some things, yes. But don't give up! Lettuces, tomatoes, peppers and herbs can be started now---but not from seeds, but by planting the small plants already started. Another reason I love to encourage people to plant vegetables in the summer is because children are out of school and can be involved in the process---a learning experience for them and a family activity for you.

Tags: awards-main, decor-pedia, flowers, gardening, gardening-tips, luxist-awards, main-pedia, Mar Jennings, outdoor living, outdoor-entertaining, outdoor-entertainment, outdoor-entertainment-pedia, outdoors

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Layering Home Fragrances

by Carrie Coolidge (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor, Cosmetics and Fragrance

Slatkin & Co. Candle and layering scents One of the things that Luxist Awards Expert Panelist Harry Slatkin is known for is home fragrances. Slatkin is founder of Slatkin & Co., the premier home fragrance brand celebrated for its scent experience and design (now a division of Bath & Body Works). He oversees product development for all the home fragrance brands under Bath & Body Works, the country's largest bath and body retailer with over 1,650 stores.

In this video, Slatkin explains how to layer home fragrances.

"Start with your favorite," he says. "Buy a fragrance that appeals to you. Start there. Then go back to the store and pick another one that you like that will set a different mood and then try to combine them. Chances are that it is going to work. But if they don't, then try another combination."

Home decorating has become very expensive. To recover one chair, for example, can be very expensive.

"One scented candle changes the entire ambiance of a room," says Slatkin. "You can have a person come over several times to your home and they may think you have changed something just from the ambiance of smell."

Combining scents creates different moods. "You can have four different scents and create 16 different moods," he adds.

Tags: awards-main, Bath Body Works, candles, decor-pedia, fragrance, Harry Slatkin, home fragrance, luxist-awards, Slatkin, Slatkin Co.

How to Love your Antique Silverware

by Cecelia Haack (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

There is something lovely about the way antique silverware feels in your hands, how it looks on the table and shimmers softly in candlelight. Leftovers scooped from plastic containers taste better when eaten with it. Many people believe caring for antique silverware is time consuming, complicated and too much bother. Not so, says Sharon Mackie, co-owner of Art Craft Silversmiths in Portland, Oregon.

She believes the best thing to do with antique silverware is to use and enjoy it. "Washing it in warm water with dish soap will help keep it from tarnishing," she said.

The dishwasher can be a dangerous place for any sterling silver or silver plated silverware because, as Mackie explained, the heat and harsh soap can dissolve the resin or plaster that fills knife handles and seals the blade to the handle.

Tags: antiquesilverware, caring for silverware, decor-pedia, flatware, luxist-awards, main-pedia, silverpolish, sterling

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Will Alice In Wonderland Create A Tea Party Craze?

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Every movie has its own tie-ins but its not often that Wedgwood China gets in the mix. But the English dishware company sees the release of the new Alice in Wonderland movie as a great excuse to encourage people to host a whimsical Mad Hatter tea party. Wedgwood China home entertaining expert, Jorge Perez, offers tips for hosting your own tea party. He suggests creating a relaxed atmosphere with comfortable chairs, a central table, brightly colored fresh flowers and an invitation that sets the tone. Traditional tea time is 4 p.m. but a tea party can be held anytime between 3-6 p.m. He recommends tight, floral arrangements in low vases to make conversation across the table easy and says you can use a teapot as a floral vase.

Basic tea party essentials include a teapot, teacups and saucers, luncheon size plates , a small milk jug, a sugar bowl (preferably with sugar cubes), and a plate for lemon slices. The flatware should be set with forks on the left, knives and spoons on the right with knife blade pointed toward the plate. Place settings don't need to match and good selections of loose teas are essential (no teabags please). Begin the brewing process with cold, filtered or bottled water. Tea party snacks should be both savory and sweet. On the savory side, small sandwiches with smoked salmon, egg salad or cucumbers and cream cheese fit the bill. Sweets ideas include scones and biscuits with plenty of jams and clotted cream and shortbread or simple cakes or, if you are feeling more elaborate fanciful cupcakes with Alice in Wonderland designs might be in order (check out these amazing teacup cupcakes). The Harlequin Polka Dot tea set shown above is available on the Wedgwood site.

Tags: alice in wonderland, AliceInWonderland, decor-pedia, food-pedia, luxist-awards, mad hatter te party, MadHatterTeParty, main-pedia, tea party, TeaParty, wedgwood

What You Need To Know About Red Roses For Valentine's Day

by ashleynorth (RSS feed) —

Red roses are popular year round but take on special importance at Valentine's Day. Suddenly they are everywhere. Bouquets of roses are sold by the side of the road and by salespeople hovering around restaurants. This, combined with the overflowing buckets at the grocery store, saturate a market that is deserving of a richness equivalent to its history. Favored mostly for its beauty and durability, combined with fragrance, the rose's popularity has caused an outbreak of ecologically harmful and trade-wide problems.

Many roses are raised in Ecuador and Colombia, and there is an ongoing concern of heavy pesticide use, unfair wage and labor conditions and the possibility that the rose tips themselves may have been treated with anti-fungal chemicals that are harmful to human beings.

Flower arranger and horticulture expert Betty Miles explains the importance of careful-sourcing and following care that will result in a longer life and a clear conscience. She notes that, due to favorable climate conditions as well as cheaper labor, most long stem roses (the most popular in America) are grown in greenhouses around the world, and generally in Colombia, Ecuador and parts of Africa. There can be a big difference between the white-bucketed variety amongst conventional locations and the fresher and perhaps more local available at a credible florist. Betty goes on to say:

When sourcing flowers in person, check underneath the bud to see if petals will have been removed. This will prove the flower to be old or not as fresh, diminishing their cut-life. 'Hardening-off' is a common flower arrangement term- taking a cut flower from a garden or, later, florist, and diagonally cutting an inch off the tip of the stem then immediately placing it in water (or cutting while the stem is submerged in water). Doing these steps, along with removing the lower leaves and stems will avoid rotting and water-contamination thus, shortening the life. If not removed, the most distal part of the stem will get dried, killing the cells within the stem, rendering it inactive, and killing the flower. This can and should be repeated by the distributor, the florist and finally, the customer. Though the packet of "flower-extender" that comes with your flowers appears artificial, it is an inert and biodegradable substance (typically a formula including dextrose and bacteria-inhibitors) that will extend the life of your cut flowers.

Tags: alternative, bush, columbia, day, decor-pedia, domestic, eco, ecuador, fairtrade, florist, friendly, grow, hybrid, hybridization, long, luxist-awards, main-pedia, red, roses, stem, US, valentines

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The Importance of Color in Interior Design

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Decor

Although there's no hard and fast science that says everyone will react in a certain way to a certain color, there is something very real about the psychology of color and no doubt that certain colors tend to elicit certain emotions, moods, and even physical feelings. Because of this impact choosing the right colors for your interior design scheme is about so much more than just which swatches and samples you think look pretty together.

Warm vs Cool
Colors are divided into two groups: warm and cool. Reds, yellows, and shades of orange are warm colors and are known to stimulate and excite, while blues, greens, and purples are cool colors because they have a relaxing and calming affect. In general warm colors work well in places where there should be activity and interaction, like the kitchen and living room, and cool colors are most appreciated in rooms where the aim is relaxation and calmness, like the bedroom and bathroom.

That's not to say you can't mix things up and put a relaxing color somewhere busy -- my mom has green in her living room and it's still the lively hub of the house, although I do find the walls relaxing to look at. Here are some basics about each of the major color groups:

Source
Source

Tags: color, colors, decor, decor-pedia, interior decorating, interior design, InteriorDecorating, InteriorDesign, main-pedia

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