|
|
|
|
Give the gift of your family’s story through recipes
(ARA) - Almost every family has a treasured recipe, handed down through generations, that is not only beloved because it’s delicious, but because it evokes memories of favorite family get-togethers.
A family heirloom recipe book is a wonderful way to combine favorite dishes and family folklore. According to Cheryl Wolf, a performance artist and graphic design instructor at The New England Institute of Art, "Family recipes are a valuable resource for a family history. I have built an entire performance around my family's recipes and the stories they evoke! "Breaking bread" together is life-affirming. What better way to reach back and bring personal history to the present?"
Wolf adds, “A family recipe is also a family history, and can be a wonderful work of folk art.” For example, she says, take the opportunity to not only write down family recipes for generations to come, but include famous family stories (every family has them), photos and memorabilia as well.
But how to turn family culinary gems into actual recipes? Chef Peter Adams of the Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago has a few tips: “Start with a family letter, asking everyone to send back one or more of their ‘specialties’ by a particular date. Ask those who can to reply by email so you can cut and paste recipes right into your final document.”
If you have a relative who never writes down recipes (it seems like all the best recipes are never written down), but rather cooks by "a dash of this, a little bit of that,” consider having someone in your family be the “helper,” and prepare the dish along with them. Adams suggests the “helper” measure, guesstimate, and generally keep track of how the dish is prepared, including cooking times and temperatures. The “helper” should also be sure to ask about consistency, color, texture and doneness. According to Adams, “This last bit of information is always the most important part of passing along a recipe.” Once you have a written recipe, prepare it again according to the directions, and adjust the recipe as necessary to get as close as possible to the original.
When you’re asking for recipes, provide everyone with a similar format. For example, ask family members to list the ingredients to be used in order, together with the quantities. Lay out the steps that are needed in order to make the item, and always add little comments about what to look for as the dish is prepared, and when it is done. It can be a lot of work, especially with recipes that were never written down. But, says Adams, ultimately it’s worth it because you’ll be saving an important -- and delicious bit of your family’s history.
Once you have the recipes, you’ll want to create a look for your cookbook that reflects your family. A simple way to do this, says Meryl Epstein of The Art Institute of Phoenix, is to include family mementos or old photos, along with the recipes. A simple way to share one-of-a-kind memorabilia is to take them to a local copy center and make color copies.
“You can use the color copies you make as background, and print a recipe over the photo, or have the recipe on one page, and a photo on the facing page. You can also create a collage using items such as blue ribbons (won for a cooking), tickets stubs or airplane tickets from a favorite trip that produced a great recipe,” says Epstein.
For text, use simple fonts like Times Roman or Arial so that they are easy to read for all ages. Save decorative fonts for recipe titles or chapter headings. Consider creating a box -- with shading and borders -- for the recipe itself so that there is enough contrast between the recipe and any background artwork you use.
Epstein suggests writing an introduction about the cookbook, its organization and how family responded to the project. Be sure to date the book and have a table of contents so family and friends can easily find a favorite recipe. Here are a few of her suggestions for organizing recipes:
* by category, for example, appetizers, soups, salads, entrees and desserts
* by family, for example, grandmother, aunt and uncle, or cousin recipes
* by holiday, for example, favorite dishes for the 4th of July, Thanksgiving or Labor Day
To keep recipes easy to read and clean, consider putting them in plastic sleeves (available in craft and office supply stores) and then in 3-ring binders. Says Epstein, “This way, you can add a new recipe every year.”
Courtesy of ARA Content
(ARA) - In decorating, it’s the details that make all the difference -- fresh flowers, carefully chosen accessories, the perfect paint color. That attention to the finer points of design shouldn’t stop at the door to your bathroom. Whether your home is classic, contemporary or country, your bathroom should reflect your sense of style as much as the rest of your house.
The bathroom, once almost an afterthought in many homes, has emerged as an important space in new and remodeled homes. Bathrooms are getting bigger and fancier. Materials once associated with other rooms in the house have migrated to the bathroom. It is not unusual to see fine cabinetry, marble countertops and even chandeliers in today’s bathroom, providing a retreat from the outside world, a place for homeowners to pamper themselves in spa-like surroundings.
In creating this ambience, the finishing touches are just as important as the big gestures. Accessorizing items such as towel bars, toothbrush holders and soap dishes can make or break the design theme.
Kohler, a leader in kitchen and bath design, recognizes the importance of the right accessories and provides customers with collections that complement the company’s plumbing fixtures and faucet collections. Four recently introduced accessory collections provide good examples of how form and function work together to create a refined and cohesive bathroom environment. The collections include items such as towel bars, toilet tissue holders, towel rings, robe hooks, soap dishes, glass shelves and tumblers.
The Purist and Stillness lines lend themselves to modern yet sophisticated decors, and can be used to mix and match with many modern designs. Purist accessories are perfect for home spa environments and bathrooms with pared down, minimalist aesthetics; they are defined by simple design lines, sensuous curves and subtle detailing. Purist coordinates with Kohler’s complete line of plumbing fixtures. Stillness accessories, which complement the faucet collection of the same name, follow the streamlined French-minimalist design tradition. The simplistic beauty of cylindrical forms is the focal point of the collection, which allows it to blend seamlessly into both contemporary and transitional spaces.
Homeowners seeking to create a more traditional bath suite or powder room will appreciate the Fairfax and Devonshire lines of accessories. Fairfax complements the matching Kohler faucets and Devonshire accessorizes the complete suite of matching bathtub, whirlpool, toilet and more. Another option is to choose a favorite line and blend it with existing fixtures for an easy upgrade that adds character to the bathroom. Fairfax exemplifies the stateliness of simpler times, while Devonshire captures the essence of Old World elegance.
Design trends toward warmer, more tactile finishes are reflected in all four accessory lines, which are available in a variety of finishes to match Kohler faucets and accommodate individual tastes in bathroom furniture. While not long ago, the only choice was shiny chrome, now you can choose from finishes like bronze, nickel, brass and French gold, as well as between polished and the newer brushed finishes to add elegance and beauty to your bath. So whether your taste is traditional or trendy, the right accessories help you set the tone and achieve the look and feel that make you feel at home.
For more information, visit www.kohler.com or call (800) KOHLER.
Courtesy of ARA Content
(ARA) – Our rooms are a reflection of our own unique personalities and life experiences. The fact that there’s so much to choose from today for decorating our homes makes it possible to customize and personalize, whatever your style may be.
This year, global and travel-inspired themes are becoming the focus of many decorating looks. From subtle Tuscan finishes on painted furniture, palm trees and tropical motifs on fabrics, to full-blown scenic murals of favorite vacation spots, nearly every room is influenced by thoughts of far-away places.
Creating a personal retreat in your own home is easy. Wall murals can bring that vacation feeling indoors, whether it’s a glittering city skyline, a coral reef or a European villa. “Murals are a fun way to bring the atmosphere of far-of places into the everyday,” says Todd Imholte, president of Environmental Graphics. “’Queer Eye for the Straight Guy’ transformed a ho-hum bedroom into a tropical getaway using our Hawaiian Sunset mural.”
Looks that remind us of tropical islands continue strong for 2004 thanks to Jimmy Buffet and Tommy Bahama. According to Patty Scott, showroom manager for Kravet, the tropical look is "timeless and becoming more sophisticated. Textures like woven raffia, linens, leather and sisal are becoming popular," says Scott. Nature-inspired colors accented with corals, clay tones, deep pinks and reds work perfectly for this look that uses warm, neutral background colors and woven textures.
Color will not change drastically in 2004. One key word to remember this year is contrast. Colors will be on the pale side but combined with deeper accents. Deep, rich, chocolate colors will be paired up with icy blue-greens, silvery accents, and deep wood tones. An abundance of watery, Aegean blues, pale greens, and clear neutrals will continue and all shades of rose, pink, and mauve (yes, mauve!) will begin to reappear in 2004.
According to the Color Marketing Group, rose tones ranging from deep to pale pink and teal will begin to creep back into the marketplace. Colors to watch for include navy and cobalt blue.
In furnishings, old European looks are going to be everywhere but done in a casual way. Countrified versions of French and Italian furnishings in worn and distressed finishes will continue to dominate. Fabrics will be casual, soft, textured, and generally in a tone-on-tone pattern or a solid color. Chenille fabric will remain a popular choice for upholstery but lighter and finer in texture than in previous years. Silk fabrics with rich coloring, iridescence, and embroidery -- and patterned sheer fabrics will be everywhere.
For some, the search around the world for inspiration will lead them home and to patriotic, Americana motifs and American style. Country looks will be strong using fresh takes on the familiar red, white and blue. Denim upholstery paired up with brightly colored braided rugs and painted tables will give a modern look to country casual. Accessories will take on a streamlined, uncluttered look. Other American trends include Western, Lodge, and Cabin looks which provide a cozy and secure feeling.
The faux-finishing trend of the ‘90s is beginning to give way to a return of pattern on the walls and the use of wallpapers; however, wallpaper borders are on a decline. The stripes and floral patterns that have been missing for the last few years will be reappearing soon on fabrics and walls. All kinds of garden themes will be seen in the home using shaped topiaries, statuary, fountains and aviary motifs, and will work well with the returning floral patterns.
Environmental Graphics wall murals are available in more than 20 styles that include nature and sports themes. To purchase wall murals, visit your local Home Depot, Lowe’s or Sherwin Williams store or call (800) 328-3869 for a free brochure.
Courtesy of ARA Content
(ARA) - What better time than Valentine's Day to treat yourself or those you love to extra pampering? Everyone loves to receive gifts that they wouldn’t necessarily buy for themselves, and the luxuries below (both big and small) will let that special someone know how you feel.
ShopNBC, an upscale TV and Internet retailer, has a great selection of luxury items, from coats to bedding. There’s bound to be something for every taste and every budget.
Faux fur is a big trend this winter, and ShopNBC offers high-quality Tissavel faux fur coats and jackets. Made in France, Tissavel looks like the real thing, at a fraction of the cost. “The beauty of these faux furs is that they replicate what a real chinchilla or sable would look like,” says fashion buyer Deb Stadley. The Tissavel line features a variety of styles, from formal, long coats to more sporty coats and jackets. If you’re looking for an inexpensive yet trendy item, ShopNBC offers a tiger print muffler and bucket hat set for under $60.
For leather lovers, Stadley advises that color is important this winter, especially pink and rose. “It you’re buying a leather coat this year, go for something fashion forward,” she suggests. “Instead of the basic black or brown bomber, look for something unique that features some special detailing.”
While the slang term for diamonds is “ice,” they will definitely warm the heart of the lucky recipient, and ShopNBC offers diamond jewelry in a wide range of styles and prices, with something for every taste and budget. If you’re looking for that special gift, diamond buyer Kathy Pryzbilski has some tips. “Pave hoops, line drops and chandeliers are the hottest looks in earrings this season,” she says. No matter what price point you’re looking at, she notes that “you want the stone to have life and liveliness; this will assure you get the maximum impact for your money.”
Winter is a time to cocoon at home, so why not feather your loved one’s nest? When they’re not out showing off their faux fur and diamonds, they can relax in style on featherbeds and snuggle up with down comforters. ShopNBC offers terrific values in down products. One excellent example is a four-piece white down bedding set for $249. The set includes a European legacy white down comforter, a white feather down channel feather bed and two down pillows. They’ll be sleeping and lounging in a cloud of comfort. For luxury on a budget, you can wrap up a pair of all natural down booties in fashionable colors for under $20.
For these and other luxurious items for you and your home, visit www.shopnbc.com, or call (800) 474-6762 to request a catalog.
Courtesy of ARA Content
bravenet.com
