Creme Fresh

Change is good...

2011-12-18T12:46:00.000-08:00

A year has gone by once again since my last post and so much has changed...so it is time to get back to blogging on a regular basis.

In doing so it was time to change the site too. The overall concept is the same. I will continue to blog about dollops of goodness for your home and your life with a little different perspective.

I closed my professional design business in pursuit of new goals and dreams. To the outside it may look like I was going backwards, but for me it is all forward progress.

2012 will be an amazing year filled with monthly decorating ideas, personal growth concepts and making life better in the process.

So stay tuned to what's to come....

Great Collaboration…

2010-11-05T09:20:00.000-07:00

Pretty much every project is a collaborative effort between client(s) and designer but this project was even more so because I partnered with my good friend and fellow designer Aimee Miller of Designed To Move.

It was great to have someone to bounce ideas around, shop and edit the perfect choices to present to the clients....

The clients had moved from a smaller very modern house to a quite large Mediterranean home. We were pretty much starting from scratch. There was a family room sofa and chaise, a master bedroom bed, a guest room bed and a breakfast table and chairs. This house needed life, personality reflective of the people living there.

Here are a few shots I hope you will enjoy!

Before:

After:

Here we used an Oly Sofa, Chairs from Duralee, Paul Ferrante coffee table, Ironworks Light fixture, Visual Comfort Floor lamps, and the Mirror from Hinson. The drapery hardware is from Bradley at Donghia.

Before:

After:

The bed frame was one the clients had purchased prior to hiring us. So we added Night Stands, Sofa from Robert Allen, Ottoman also from Robert Allen and the bedding is a mix of Peacock Alley with custom pillows. Drapery and pillow fabric both from Schumacher. Last but not least is the beautiful hanging fixture from Ironies.

Before: After:

The guest room features a cane bed the client's had purchased prior to us. We pared with it 2 night tables form Global Views, Lamps are from Visual Comfort and again we mixed Peacock Alley bedding with some custom pillows. Drapery and ottoman are all Robert Allen/Beacon Hill fabrics.

All my best!

What we did last summer...

2010-11-04T10:52:00.000-07:00

I can't believe I forgot to tell you about our summer vacation trip in Hawaii....
My husbands cousins are great at planning a family reunion every other year, but this year was different...1st we weren't suppose to have a reunion this summer as last year we met in Bodega Bay. 2nd one of the cousins wanted to do it big. I mean really big! His nick name is Big Daddy. Anyway it was his 50th birthday. So he and his wife Zoe, well mostly Zoe, planned an all expenses paid extravaganza at the Grand Wailea in Maui, but not just at the hotel...oh no, we had 9 condominiums at the Grand Wailea. Did I mention there were sixty people??? So here are a few of the highlights from the trip...

We took a day trip to another Island which includes a day of snorkeling, volleyball, sunning and dinner...

Our host "Big Daddy" his wife Zoe. There last name is Campbell like the soup so they call there family Team Soup....and as you can tell Team Soup had more flavors to be added to the long line of soups...see below for the latest....

One thing that is traditional with the family reunions is that every family usually takes turns hosting a dinner. This year was a bit different because of the sheer quantity of people. So we mostly band together by condo to host a meal. We worked with our condo-mates to create a feast of a dinner. Included grilled fish, lime-coconut rice with cilantro, chicken wings, Chinese long beans and a mixed green salad with nuts, blue cheese and raspberries. Sorry for some reason no photos?

We didn't make dessert that night so I did make cupcakes one night mostly to celebrate Team Soups upcoming additions...
No Hawaiian trip is complete without the quintessential Luau....

There were so many amazing moments, we cannot express how much this trip meant to us nor can we possibly even begin to thank Kevin and Zoe enough for all the memories...

Congratulations on their new additions to the Soup Mix!

Race for the Rescues 2010

2010-10-20T11:00:00.000-07:00

So it's the 5th Annual Race for the Rescues at the Rose Bowl Sunday Oct. 24th!!!

A 5k, 10k & Kids Fun Run to benefit 10 non-profit dog/cat rescues and animal welfare Foundations.
Run, Walk, Shop or Adopt to help save the life of a homeless dog or cat!

Meet celebrity hosts Jane Lynch, the star of "Glee," Carrie Ann Inaba from "Dancing With The Stars" and Danielle Fishel from the Style Network's "The Dish."

Come out and enjoy and help support a great cause the weather is scheduled to be cool and sunny-perfect for to make a difference!!!

Great event to tell you about!!

2010-10-19T13:10:00.000-07:00

As a member of the ICA&CA-SCC I was part of the committee that put together an amazing event. I hope you will join us for a series of talks, round-table discussions, tours of the Inn and historic downtown Riverside, sketching classes and camaraderie and enjoy the beauty of the Mission Inn before the holiday rush.

The Mission Inn and Spa

Built between 1902 and1932, this remarkable hotel embraces all of the architectural phases of Southern California’s fascination with its Spanish heritage. Now restored and refurbished, the Mission Inn Hotel & Spa still conveys the vision of its original owner, Frank A. Miller. The Mission Inn Museum offers a 75-minute walking tour led by docents trained on the art, architecture and history of the Mission Inn. This is your opportunity to see parts of the Inn that are inaccessible to the general public.

November 12 - 14, 2010

Friday Night Speaker: Steven Spiller-Historian Talking about the Mission Inn's History

Saturday Night Keynote Speaker: Charles Phoenix

We will be serving JAQK wines at our receptions and dinners.

$400 ($300 ICA&CA Members) - Fee includes all meals, classes, talks and tours (excluding hotel accommodations)

Sketching Class - XX LU’s/CES credit for AIA members

For hotel accommodations, contact 800-843-7755 to reserve at discounted group rate (reference the Institute of Classical Architecture when making your reservation.)

Hotel reservation must be made by October 20th to receive special ICA&CA rate.

If you choose to partake in the walking tour Marion Mitchele-Wilson gives you an overview of what you will see...

The Mission Inn Historic District (1871-1946) walking tour will cover roughly the area bounded by Sixth Street, Eleventh Street, Market Street and the Commerce Streets in the heart of the Riverside's Historic Mile Square. Between and 1890 and 1932 many of California's most important architects including, A.C. Willard, Arthur Benton, Myron Hunt, G. Stanley Wilson, Julia Morgan, and Burnham and Bliesner worked here. Early urban planner Charles Cheney developed its Civic Center, Transportation and Parks Plans and authored the state enabling legislation for zoning which was carried by State Senator, Samuel Evans, former Mayor of Riverside. It was here that Arthur Benton wrote his monograph on the importance of mission architecture as the basis for California's signature Mission Rival style and designed the first examples. Other architectural styles in the district are Romanesque and Spanish Colonial Revival, and Art Deco in a variety of building materials such as concrete from the Riverside and Colton Cement plants, Arizona Sandstone, ceramic brick, terra cotta and rough-hewn granite. Important mid-century modern buildings include the Riverside Public Library and the Central Fire Station by Bolton Caldwell Moise, Jr. with its extruded aluminum awnings from the Riverside Hunter Douglas plant. The area features numerous resources listed in the National Register of Historic Places and two National Historic Landmarks, the Mission Inn and the Harada House.

I hope you will all come out and enjoy the great weekend!

Before I end this we have to acknowledge our great sponsors Zeluck Architectural Wood Windows and Doors and Project Solutions.

For more information and to RSVP contact 310.396.4379 | diane@classicist-socal.org

I'm Back to Blogging

2010-10-19T11:36:00.000-07:00

Hi All-
I'm back after a six month hiatus...lots to talk about but for now I want to re-enter the blogging world with a blast from last year....

Halloween photos of Wasabi and Sammy, we all need a good laugh and they love putting on their costumes...

Wasabi hates the camera but loves to pose. She's such a goof ball!!!

And then there is Sammy, he's such a happy dog although he's looking a little worried in this photo....
Happy Halloween!!!

Blow Out Spring Furniture Sale!

2010-03-18T09:00:00.000-07:00

I'm back!
Been a little busy getting ready for our Spring Warehouse Sale! It's been days of photographing everything...and we are not done yet. Please visit our site and keep checking back as we will be adding for the next week or so to get everything up...

http://www.designerhomefurnituresale.com

In addition to what you will see on the website there will also be model home furniture from 3 Condos and the proceeds will go to HomeAid.

The Journey....

2010-01-20T12:39:00.000-08:00

It seems most everyone is well on there way to facing the new year...I am a little farther behind. Because my birthday is in the middle of the month I usually give myself the whole month to reflex on the previous year and figure out what I want to accomplish in the new year.

One of the things I did this year was to scourer my journals for in site on how I greeted the previous years...I made a very sad discovery this year. Since about 2004 I have been writing about the same things, the same goals...what they are is not important, and I guess that's my point...they must not be very important to my 'being' either. So I'm throwing out the old concepts, goals and ideas, and looking for what I truly want for this new era.

So continuing the journey I had to look way back at my original influences to become an interior designer and what was so appealing and I arrived at someone who I haven't thought of in years, Alexandra Stoddard. She had a TV show, well before HGTV, that highlighted beautiful homes and living with joy. She states on her website "When we are true to ourselves, we can fly above stress and conflict, contented and confident that we are on the right path toward greater inner peace and lasting happiness."

So with this concept in mind, my new resolutions, goals, concepts and general way of living in the new century include Alexandra Stoddard's philosophy of living a life of happiness, and joy. Focusing less on the practical agenda and goal setting.

2010 is a beginning of a new century and requires a new way of being and to break the vicious cycle I will instead create concepts that are more about a journey and less about a list to check off items.

Thanks for coming along with me on my journey!

Victoria BC 2010

2010-01-15T13:10:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite things is to travel...so even though we just had the holidays and some down time we were off again. Murdock Family Reunion 2010 Victoria BC.

12 Family members, 3 condos, and 7 days.

Parliament. I wish I would have taken a photo at night too...it was lit up with white lights, but still very impressive during the day.

Below is a photo from the top floor of the Carigdarroch Castle built between 1887-1890 for Scottish immigrant Robert Dunsmuir.

Just loved the detail in the handrail hardware.

Here is another "Castle" also part of the Dunsmuir family....Hatley Castle. Only the small museum was open, as it is currently the home to the Royal Roads University. Below is a close up of the washroom hardware. You never know where you will find inspiration.
A trip to Victoria BC wouldn't be complete without a visit to Butchart Gardens. Even in the winter it's gorgeous. I love the faux bois hand rail and stairs.

There was so much to do and so little time.
We did make it to the Royal Museum which had a great exhibit on the local Coastal Salish Tribe. This exhibit is there until March. Victoria was a great place for a vacation-so many more places and things to go and see...but we did what we could. If you have a chance go and have a great time in Victoria.

What did you do on your holiday vacation?

2010-01-05T13:26:00.001-08:00

Let me set the stage:

Todd (my husband) and I love working on houses and our current home is our 3rd one. We usually complete a total remodel in 5 years and move on...however this house has such an amazing view and both of us being busier than ever we have not been in a hurry...
So most of the house had been remodeled prior to moving in, except the kitchen and the front and back yards (one day we'll get to those, soon I hope).

We had gutted the cabinets and purchased the appliances some time ago, so long in fact I can't remember. We knew we wanted to add 20 sq. feet to the kitchen and why it wasn't done when the house was first built I don't know...the roof line matches the other end of the house that holds our bedroom, who knows what's in someones mind when building sometimes.

You will notice in the first few pictures of how the kitchen originally looked with the corner sink and window configuration. This is where the 20 sq. feet come into play. Of course all the plumbing, venting and electrical run through this area, so even though it's a tiny amount of space we are adding it's a challenging job.

It was a few days before Christmas when my husband announced that it was time to start the next phase of the kitchen....all I could think of was there went our usual jont to the Napa Valley to my sisters for rest, redrinkification and fun....so welcome to Kamp Kenman!

Here's a run down of the days to follow...
Dec 27th:
Home Depot in my newly purchased SUV we head off for gravel...8 50 lb. bags...then back to Home Depot for concrete. 15 60 lb. bags. I carried my share....

Then it was pore in the gravel, mix the concrete in batches and pore. Then clean up for round 2 of tear out.

This shows a love shot of the newly pored concrete and the temporary drain situation and plumbing (I'm sure my husband is cringing at the site of this photo-I know it's a bit rustic but it gets the job done). It's all going to be pretty in the end....

Dec. 28th:
Calculation of material needs and off to Home Depot. Ordered the dumpster...
So out with the old....that wall is so 2009 well it's really so 1961....but who's really counting.

Dec. 29th:
The dumpster arrived early, up an adam...we continued the removal of the old stucco exterior walls and bit by bit to the dumpster it went...did I mention that we live on a hill so steep that you can't get the dumpster up it....so bucket by bucket down the driveway we went....my poor niece decided to come back to LA just in time to help...yeah for us!!! She was a big help.

After we finished taking load after load down the hill...back to Home Depot and a lunch run. When we came back my husband had reinforced the load and opened up the whole wall and this is what we came back too....wow the view from this side of the house looks great.

So the concrete is pored and the old wall is gone and with temporary braces we move on...

Dec. 30th:
Well, the weather wasn't cooperating as we had hoped. We had no choice keep moving....so we did! This was an important framing day so lots of up the ladder, down the ladder-measure twice, cut once...only one mis-measure.
Now that the framing was getting somewhere we could decide what size window we wanted. We settled on a double hung Pella Architectural series. 4-6 weeks...Plexi anyone???

Notice how wet everything was...

I finally had to start the fire even though there was a gaping hole just feet from the fireplace....

Some what of a relief...plastic for the night yeah!

Dec. 31st:
The start of a new day! Well sort of...we had slightly over pored the concrete and had to rent a heavy duty grinder. So armed with masks, ear plugs and goggles (sorry no lovely pictures of that hot mess) off we went...I was in charge of the shop vac that hooks up to the grinder. You would think this was an easy enough of a job but I turned my head away for a second and I guess the filter was at full capacity and the dust shot right out the back blowing fine concrete dust everywhere...oops!!! what a mess that was....

Back to Home Depot to take the rented grinder and pick up a new shop vac filter to go clean up all the mess, leaving us with about an hour to hose ourselves off and get to the party with the "Crazy Eights". (I'll introduce sometime soon this bag of characters.)

I could barley keep my eyes opened I was so tired...but we still had a great time and toasted the New Year in style...

Jan. 1, 2010:
We slept in a bit...the day would really start without another trip to...you guessed it Home Depot! Yeah! Plywood...thank goodness for a roof rack...of course I had flea market purchase fantasies strapped to the roof rack not plywood...oh well kitchen fantasies coming true...Continue framing and blocking under the eves, reworking the plumbing for temporary purposes, and figuring out the venting etc. Lots of figuring and doing and...throwing the dog toy!

Husband Todd gettin' it done...

from the inside...notice got to have my spices handy remodel or no remodel....

pretty much the layout was worked out years ago when we put the appliances in there respected locations...

Dec. 2nd:
wrapped the outside with paper to get prepared for stucco...

The weather had improved and what a gorgeous weekend it was...

I had one more metro rack we could bring in from the garage....it's serving as visual aid of what's to come...
The rest of the weekend was dedicated to getting things some what back to normal, football and taking down Christmas...hopefully your holiday vacation was more relaxing but as rewarding as ours...a big shout our to my husband for all his hard work.

Happy New Year everyone!

PS the plumber and electrician have been called, the window has been ordered and the cabinet order is almost done. So give it another few months and we might just finish...now back to work and clients!

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-23T15:20:00.000-08:00

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to all my family and friends!

I don't know where the time has gone as I had planned on doing this post weeks ago...

It's been a pleasure and a challenge writing this blog and I appreciate everyone that has crossed my path and I look forward to a great 2010!!!

We decided to put the tree on a small table this year and place it in a zink style container. My sister has done this for years and I always think "why don't I do that?" So this year I did.

Here's a close up....

It's hard to tell but we used blue and small pearl lights....

The living room mantle

I mixed fresh and artificial garland together-I love the smell and texture of the fresh garland but the artificial has great sparkle and built in ornaments. The stars are from Wendy Addison for Cannon Falls (now several years old).

Close up showing a vintage post card and one of my favorite things from Goldbug Studios...

This picture is of one of the easiest and yummiest-quick appetizers, great for any last minute party invitation...
Bacon Wrapped Dates
Fresh dates (Trader Joe's has them in the fresh fruit area)
Pecan Halves
Cheese (I used Fontina)
Bacon cut in thirds (just enough to wrap around date and secure with a tooth pick)
Tooth Picks

If your fresh dates have pits remove
Stuff with a bit of cheese and a pecan half
Wrap with a third piece of bacon
Secure with a tooth pick place on rack and cookie sheet pan (with sides)
Cook on 425 for about 12-15 minutes or until crispy to your liking.

Here's the Dining/Kitchen fireplace mantle. We had removed the 1970's mantle many years ago and I've been bugging my husband to make a new one for me this year...so with my lack of patience and knowing how busy my husband has been, I went to Home Depot, picked up some moulding and a piece of pine and whipped this together. It's 10" deep which allows for lots of decorations. There is also an outlet perfect for plugging in lights.

You will see this mantle go through many transformations in 2010.

Some of my Boston statues made there way to the hearth...

The garden-gate firescreen had sat in front of the fireplace for a year or two then one day my husband thought "I bet this will fit in the opening?" and it did!

I hope you enjoyed my first Holiday Dollops of Goodness! Best wishes for your and your family in 2010!!!

One of my favorit Artisians

2009-11-25T14:41:00.000-08:00

I just received an invitation to one of my favorite artists open house...Ashley Carter of Goldbug Studio-if only I lived in North Carolina.

I first learned of Ashley when I had my retail store, her booth was one of the first stops I would hit. She as well as her craft is girly, sparkley and sometimes silly.

I hope you will take a look at her website click Here and if you live in the area please go and buy something glittery for the holidays!

I'll be planning my Christmas decoration this Thanksgiving holiday weekend and my decor will defiantly include some Goldbug!

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Reginald Jones Fine Art Studio

2009-11-23T15:16:00.001-08:00

Reginald Jones Fine Art

On the 12^th of November one of my sister and I made a journey to our folk’s house in Tucson, Arizona....

I mentioned in one of my first blog posts that my father is an artist. I thought you might be interested in seeing his studio and some of his work.

Enjoy!!

He studies and paints pretty much everyday.

It's hard to see but he's working on a black bear and is studying several angles and proportions of head to body etc.

He could always tell if there was a pencil or pen missing from his collection.....

Latest painting on the electric easel.

Behind each white foam-core board is a painting and they are lined all around the studio.

We are currently looking for a good place to have a showing and sale....but in the mean time for more information and his bio please check out his website HERE.

Sneak Peak

2009-11-10T13:21:00.000-08:00

I mentioned a few weeks back that I have been working on some things and I was not ready to reveal what it was...because it's taking me longer than I anticipated I thought I would let the cat out of the bag....I am re-branding my company.

I will keep my blog under Creme Fresh for the Home, but my interior design company will be renamed and a whole new package will emerge including a new card, website, promotional material and the like...In the mean time I wanted to take a moment to show you what I've been working on....

This client relationship started over 5 years ago...before you think it took 5 years to design and decorate one house, it's been a work in progress...we did the bulk of the work early on but with the addition of a baby; there was a bathroom redo, carpet to replace, girls bedrooms to be reconfigured, a place to do homework and manage new home base business. It has been such a pleasure to work with this great family and I look forward to what's to come.

I have over 5 projects that need to be photographed so that's no small feat, nor inexpensive so enjoy the photos and a glimpse of what's to come when the website is in full swing.

Hudson taking a moment to enjoy the living room.

Family Room with new paint, recovered chair and 2 new bookshelves.

Here is the custom designed media cabinet...it's not a light as it came out in the photo-the professional photographers really do earn every dollar in my eyes.

Living Room Fall Update

2009-10-26T12:15:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago I promised I would show you my living room that I just repainted and my fall decor. It took a bit longer to get the room painted and redecorated.

I painted the walls Farrow & Ball Terresa Green (25% lighter).

Normally I would use white pumpkins but this year I went for the traditional orange....it looks great against the the new soft green-blue. Enjoy the dollops of goodness.....

Wasabi Stopped moving for one second....she jumps up every time the flash goes off.

Sweet Sammy....

Friday Nights

2009-10-17T09:32:00.000-07:00

I love doing something Friday nights, it makes the weekend seem longer. Last Friday I was feeling a wee bit exhausted, but my husband and I always try to make it to our friend Kurt and Kari's. They had a baby a little over a year ago and in the interest of keeping it simple we just head to their house and usually pick up take-out or throw something quick and easy together.

Again, for the sake of simplicity and utter exhaustion from the week we decided to do our own version of Iron Chef at home – which we’ll just call "Hidden Dinner"... Since I had already been to the market this week and had some fresh ingredients on hand, we said we would bring those to pair with what ever Kari had in her pantry. Did I mention Kari is a marketing director for Bon Appétit Management Co? Before we arrived Kari pulled out one of her cookbooks and opened a page to grilled chicken, potatoes and asparagus. She had no idea what I was bringing but thought we could pick up at the market what other ingredients we were missing....or we could cook something else.
I took one look at the recipe and almost fell over, because inside my bag were....chicken, potatoes, asparagus, thyme and some other random vegetables . The best part it was easy and we did all the prep and the guys did all the cooking on the grill.

Recipes and inspiration can be found HERE.

Here is our version.
You didn't think I forgot dessert did you.....My husband Todd made some amazing Cookies last weekend. The recipe came to me from a internet recipe exchange....

Chewy Chocolate Cookies

(Revised by Elle)

Makes 16 cookies. Published January 1, 2009. Yvonne Ruperti, Cooking Illustrated

Ingredients

1/3	cup granulated sugar
1 1/2	cups unbleached all-purpose flour (7 1/2 ounces)
3/4	cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder
1/2	teaspoon baking soda
1/4	teaspoon table salt
1/2	cup dark corn syrup
1	large egg white
1	teaspoon vanilla extract
12	tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter , softened
1/3	cup packed dark brown sugar
	1 cup bittersweet chocolate , chopped into 1/2-inch pieces 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips ½ cup white sugar for coating individual cookie dough balls

Instructions

1. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, and salt together in medium bowl. Whisk corn syrup, egg white, and vanilla together in small bowl.

2. 2. In stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, beat butter, brown sugar, and remaining 1/3 cup granulated sugar at medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Reduce speed to medium-low, add corn syrup mixture, and beat until fully incorporated, about 20 seconds, scraping bowl once with rubber spatula. With mixer running at low speed, add flour mixture and chopped chocolate; mix until just incorporated, about 30 seconds, scraping bowl once. Give dough final stir with rubber spatula to ensure that no pockets of flour remain at bottom. Chill dough 30 minutes to firm slightly
(do not chill longer than 30 minutes).

3. 3 Adjust oven racks to upper- and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 large (18- by 12-inch) baking sheets with parchment paper.

4. Place ½ cup granulated sugar in shallow baking dish or pie plate Divide dough into 16 equal portions; roll between hands into balls about 11/2 inches in diameter.. Working in batches, drop 8 dough balls into baking dish with sugar and toss to coat. Set dough balls on prepared baking sheet, spacing about 2 inches apart; repeat with second batch of 8.

5. Bake, reversing position of the baking sheets halfway through baking (from top to bottom and front to back), until cookies are puffed and cracked and edges have begun to set but centers are still soft (cookies will look raw between cracks and seem underdone), 10 to 11 minutes. Do not over bake.

6. Sprinkle cookies with extra granulated sugar as needed and cool cookies on baking sheet 5 minutes, then use wide metal spatula to transfer cookies to wire rack; cool cookies to room temperature.

Note: Cookie dough balls can be stored in the refrigerator up to 4 weeks until ready to bake. These cookies are so good that refrigerating the dough (instead of baking the entire batch) enabled us to enjoy the cookies longer and eating fewer of them by baking them in small batches.

We hope we have inspired you to get together with your friend or family and try our version of "Hidden Dinner".

2009-10-16T15:50:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday to everyone! Here's a little dollop of goodness for the weekend....great quick super delicious breakfast....

Puff Pancake
3/4 Cup Flour
3/4 Cup Milk
3 Eggs
6 Tbs. Butter (I know it sounds like a lot but you do need it to make it super delicious)
Sometimes I add a pinch of nutmeg and or a bit of vanilla....

Mix all together....in the mean time preheat oven 400.
When up to temperature place 12" oven proof pan along with the 6 Tbs. butter in oven
Melt the butter but don't burn
Add the batter and cook for 15 minutes

We then serve immediately with lemon juice, powdered sugar and maple syrup. Other options are fresh fruit or jam. Make it your own....

A few notes:
We usually use a Calpholon 12" (or 14" if we double the recipe) anodize omelet pan. You need something that can go in the oven, has sides and a handle.

I have been making this since I was a kid so I'm not sure where the original recipe came from. I have heard this referred to a Dutch baby or a Popover Pancake. One of my friends made it for her kids and they now refer to it as a "Puffer".

Enjoy and let me know how you like it....

Getting in the Fall Mood

2009-10-14T12:44:00.001-07:00

Hi everyone-I'm a little behind on my postings. I've been really busy working on some of my design projects and some things I can't mention yet....

Anyway with the resent rain fall I've pulled out my boots and started to give some thoughts to fall and holiday decoration. I don't think I'm the only one because I've noticed many of my blogging favorites are also going on about the upcoming season.

I was planning doing my fall decorating of the "cottage" (my house) this weekend. I did not want to waste prestigious decorating time running errors on the weekend so I quickly ran in to Target today for the usual stuff like paper towels and laundry detergent when I ran across the Halloween pet costumes....I couldn't resist....

Moments later I was acting as if I was a world renowned photographer....well you'll see how I failed, but we all had a little fun.

This is Wasabi in the bee costume and Sammy in the Chicken costume...that Wasabi so quick.....

This is Wasabi now thinking Sammy is a Giant Chicken Toy-"I know there's a squeaker in here somewhere????"

Being a model is so exhausting! I need caffeine!!!

How cute am I in my Chicken Suit...I love dress up!!! (no seriously he does-weird)

Quick mom my heads going to exploded with excitement!!!

I don't even know what to say about this one....

I hope you enjoy seeing my little crazy's....Fall decoration next week...come back to check it out.

Birthdays are worth Celebrating!

2009-09-28T14:11:00.000-07:00

Well summer is just about over…all though you wouldn’t know it as it is still about 100 degrees today in Southern California. Hopefully tomorrow it should be cooler.

I ran in to a few friends this last week who had asked what I had done this summer….."it was a big family summer, my mother’s 80^th birthday and my husband’s family reunion".

I thought I would share with you my mom’s birthday celebration….It was held at my sister’s who lives in the Napa Valley, where we grew up. Our inspiration for the décor was Carolyn Roehm’s table setting seen below from her book “A Passion for Blue & White” and featured in Veranda July/August 2009 issue.

Below you can see where we created our own version pairing the blue and white with the acid green to add a bit of a punch.

The menu consisted of Fillet of Beef, which my brother-in-law cooked on the barbecue; this was accompanied by a horseradish sauce, fresh corn nibs with a basil-lime rub, cold slaw salad with blue cheese from Ina Garten along with her coconut cupcakes for dessert…

Here are some of the recipes & links.

Horseradish Sauce:

Ingredients

1 Jar horseradish

1 pint sour cream

Directions

Mix together with salt and pepper

Fresh Corn:

Ingredients

Fresh Corn

1 Bunch Fresh Basil

1-2 Fresh Limes

½ Cup Melted Butter

Salt & Pepper to Taste

Directions

Cut corn into 2-3” pieces-Nibs

Cook corn as desired

Chop basil

Combined with fresh lime juice and melted butter

Toss with cooked corn nibs

Add Kosher Salt & Pepper and enjoy

Cold Slaw: From Barefoot Contessa At Home
Ingredients

1/2 small head green cabbage

1/2 small head red cabbage

4 large carrots, scrubbed or peeled

2 cups (16 ounces) good mayonnaise

1/4 cup Dijon mustard

2 tablespoons whole grain mustard

2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon celery salt

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 1/2 cups (6 ounces) crumbled Roquefort blue cheese

1 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

Cut the cabbages in half and then in quarters and cut out the cores. Set up the food processor with the slicing blade (according to manufacturer's instructions) and place the pieces of cabbage, one at a time, lying horizontally in the feed tube. (If they don't fit, cut them to fit lying down.) Place the feed tube pusher on top and turn on the processor. Don't push on the feed tube pusher or the slices will turn out too thick! Continue with the remaining red and green cabbage quarters. Transfer into a large bowl, discarding any very large pieces. Before you pour the dressing on the salad, save a handful of the grated vegetables to decorate for serving.

Change the slicing blade for the large shredding blade and cut the carrots so they also lie down in the feed tube. Since the carrots are hard, replace the feed tube pusher and press firmly with the food processor on. Transfer to bowl with the cabbages.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, both mustards, vinegar, celery salt, kosher salt, and pepper. Pour enough mayonnaise dressing over the grated vegetables and toss to moisten well. Add crumbled blue cheese and parsley and toss together. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours to allow the flavors to meld. Serve cold or at room temperature.

Coconut Cupcakes: From The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook

Ingredientsnocoupons

3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

2 cups sugar

5 extra-large eggs at room temperature

1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 1/2 teaspoons pure almond extract

3 cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup buttermilk

14 ounces sweetened, shredded coconut

For the frosting:

nocoupons

1 pound cream cheese at room temperature

3/4 pound (3 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon pure almond extract

1 1/2 pounds confectioners' sugar, sifted

Directions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. With the mixer on low speed, add the eggs, 1 at a time, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Add the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In 3 parts, alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the batter, beginning and ending with the dry. Mix until just combined. Fold in 7 ounces of coconut.

Line a muffin pan with paper liners. Fill each liner to the top with batter. Bake for 25 to 35 minutes, until the tops are brown and a toothpick comes out clean. Allow to cool in the pan for 15 minutes. Remove to a baking rack and cool completely.

Meanwhile, make the frosting. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, on low speed, cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla and almond extracts. Add the confectioners' sugar and mix until smooth.

Frost the cupcakes and sprinkle with the remaining coconut.

You can also find the two recipes from Ina Garten on the food network website.

I hope you will try some of these dollops of goodness for your next party.

In Progress-Kitchen

2009-09-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

My latest client remembered me from a sink I installed in the 2005 Assistances League Design House. I had designed the wine cellar and bathroom.

When she called my a few weeks back she just wanted to know where she could purchase the sink if still possible…so I left her a message that it was from Kohler and it was still available…I directed her to my local plumbing supply house and I thought was the end of that…..

A couple of weeks went by and another call came in-it was a request for a total kitchen remodel. Wow I wish every request for product information moved into a full blown project….

I guess I should tell you that my client has large dinner parties almost monthly, her and her friends call themselves the “bla bla group”. They get together and talk i.e. bla bla….

My client collects all kinds of dollops of goodness, like dishes, beautiful table clothes and linens, hotel silver you name it.

On one of her trips to Paris she saw two pieces of cut of marble on the side walk in the trash, she couldn’t help herself, and she picked it up and put it in her suit case and dragged them back home. This sums up how fabulous my client is....One of these great pieces of marble is going to be inserted in a piece of butcher block for a little interest and for her to remember her trip when she sees it in her kitchen.

Here are some before photos.....

During....

Here is a glimpse of some of the materials we will be using in the kitchen.

Calcutta Gold for the Counters, Medina tile from Ann Sacks for the backsplash, Cork floors from Expanko & Tin on the Ceiling....and lots of bead board for the cottage feeling.

We haven't finalized the paint or the fabrics yet so you will have to stay tuned.....

what you will find.....

2009-09-15T16:56:00.000-07:00

my intentions are to share my work, favorite things and places, as well as entertaining ideas and recipes-really all things that are aesthetically pleasings, my dollops of goodness!

Here are a few snap shots of some of my work...not professionally photograph yet but you'll get the idea...

here is a few more.....

First dollop of goodness.....

2009-09-15T16:32:00.000-07:00

This is my opening blog, so here's who I am.

Los Angeles designer, Kammy Kenman was raised in the Napa Valley by her artist parents and attended California State University, Chico graduating in 1989 with a BA in design.

Kammy’s trademark style has been heavily influenced by her Napa Valley roots, where the living is casual yet sophisticated. Kammy’s father who spent 40 years as a graphics designer/business owner in San Francisco and is now a fine arts painter also lent a great deal of influence to Kammy’s style.

With over 20 years in the design business, Kammy has honed her style and overall approach to design. She doesn’t believe in merely living within the confines of one particular design aesthetic, she loves the challenge of perfectly blending the old and the new, balancing the modern with the antique and finding the perfect point where casual meets classic. It is this unique mix – the perfect mélange that Kammy believes creates stunning rooms where people feel the most at easy in.