Merry Christmas to All

Poinsettias-Design Crush

Photo: Kelly Beall

Before I cut out for a week and a half of family and presents and way too many cookies, I want to wish you all a happy holiday season. No matter which of them you choose to celebrate. Without you Design Crush would cease to exist and I would cease to have the job I was made for. I’ll be taking my first break from the site in over 2 1/2 years through the new year and I’m looking forward to coming back rejuvenated and full of inspiration in 2016!

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You’re Invited to Christmas Brunch

you're-invited-christmas-brunch-Design-Crush

I can hardly believe Christmas is a week from today! The holidays always seem to sneak up on me, but the unusually warm weather we’ve been experiencing here on the east coast has really thrown everyone for a loop. It’s been more of a challenge than usual to get into the spirit, but I’m doing my best. I’ve also been thinking about the brunch my family will be sitting down to Christmas Day and what it might include – and you’re invited.

 

deck-the-halls-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Buffalo Plaid Stocking // Choose Joy Banner // Felt Ball Wreath    ROW 2: Metal Cap String Lights // Nomad Candle // Painted Tin Merry Christmas Sign    ROW 3: Paper Top Star // Poplar Cone Tree // Porcelain Cityscape    ROW 4: Selenite Fireplace Logs // Teak and Brass Tree Stand // Wooden Tree

 

at-the-table-Design-Crush

ROW 1: 3-Piece Marble Trivet Set // Abbesses Plates in Green // Cotton Tablecloth    ROW 2: Heathered Napkins // Iridescent Serving Utensils // Kinto Dew Glass Tumbler    ROW 3: Lily Pad Tray // Maple Wood Kitchen Utensil Set // Marble & Wood Cheese Boards    ROW 4: Marble Ceramic Dinner Plate // Ombre Bottlebrush Trees // Painted Concrete Candleholders

 

brunch-on-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Black Tea and Cardamom Cake // Blood Orange Buttermilk Upside-Down Cake // Bourbon-Cherry and Almond Dutch Baby    ROW 2: Browned Butter Sweet Potato Squares // Caramelized Banana Bread with Gingersnap Butter // Cranberry Curd Tart    ROW 3: Eggnog Custard Oatmeal Brûlée // Make Ahead Orange Clove Rolls // Orange Pomegranate Scones    ROW 4: Ricotta Goat Cheese Polenta Bake // Roasted Broccolini, Bacon, and Caramelized Shallot Quiche // Salt Crusted Potatoes

 

drink-up-Design-Crush

ROW 1: Blender Eggnog // Dark Hot Chocolate // Mulled Apple + Tangerine Cider    ROW 2: Mulled Winter Punch // Pineapple Cinnamon Sangria // Pomegranate and Orange Champagne Punch

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The Coffee Lover’s Gift Guide

To put it simply, I adore coffee. I started drinking it when I was a kid, and as I grew older the ratio of milk to coffee changed drastically. These days I happily switch between French press, pour over, and drip depending on my mood and how much time I have to brew. One of my vices is seeking out the newest technology and products in the world of coffee, and a slew of the latest is from none other than KitchenAid. That’s right, the brand that’s responsible for one of the most iconic mixers is also fluent in coffee beans and modern design. I pulled together a few gift ideas for the coffee lovers in your life, depending on their preferred brewing method – have a peek below.

 

KitchenAid-pour-over-Design Crush

Brew Milk Pan // Merienda Flatware // Pottery Tumbler

I know what you’re thinking – that looks just like a drip coffee maker. But it’s not. For the coffeehouse experience at home, the new KitchenAid Pour Over Coffee Brewer precisely heats and pulses the flow of water, then steeps like a manual pour over which allows the grounds to bloom. The result is bright, clean, and full flavored coffee without diluting.

 

KitchenAid-siphonbrew-Design Crush

Salt + Sugar Spoons // Sugar + Creamer Set // White Kam Mug

The science and flavors of siphon brewing come from vapor pressure pushing the water up through the siphon tube. After that vacuum suction and gravity draw the coffee down through the grounds. The dramatic KitchenAid Siphonbrew has simplified this process to extract a cup of coffee that showcases all the flavors of your favorite beans. The brewer is made of high quality glass and stainless steel to be a true thing of beauty.

 

KitchenAid-precision-press-Design Crush

Enamelware Pink Spouted Milk Pot // Form Brass Milk Jug // Pink Everyday Mug

A French press brews a bold, full-bodied, robust cup of coffee. KitchenAid’s Precision Press was developed to ensure the best French press coffee can be brewed conveniently at home through simple technology and sleek, functional design. It even features an integrated timer and scale that  measures brew time and the precise ratio of coffee grounds to water for the perfect brew.

 

KitchenAid-burr-grinder-Design Crush

Apothem Bronze Coffee Scoop // Rounded Canister with Leather Tie // Hasami Brown Porcelain Mug

Each of these three brewing methods demands a specific grind size to extract the proper flavor. Grinding your beans to the precise size just before brewing is a key element in brewing the best possible cup of coffee. KitchenAid’s Burr Grinder offers a level of precision and consistency with its fifteen different grind sizes.

 

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This post sponsored by Single Edition Media on behalf of KitchenAid. All words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush creating fresh content! Follow KitchenAid online at Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter for product updates and discounts.

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Mega Holiday DIY + Printable Roundup

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1/Paper Evergreen Holiday Wreath  2/DIY Paper Cut Christmas Wreath  3/DIY Geometric Wreath  4/Minimal Holiday Wreath  5/Black and White Gift Tags  6/DIY Paper House Luminaries  7/Holiday Gift Tag Printables  8/Printable Holiday Treat Labels  9/Vintage Noel Banner  10/Winter Fruit and Greenery Garland

 

DIY-and-Printables-2-Design-Crush

11/DIY Christmas Tree Confetti Cones  12/Marbled Paper Chains  13/DIY Hanging Eucalyptus  14/Branch Stocking Display  15/Pine Needle Garland  16/DIY Holiday Pom Pom Garland  17/Mod Tree Printable Treat Labels  18/Christmas Tree Party Invitation  19/DIY Light Box Marquee  20/DIY Tinsel Letter Garland

 

DIY-and-Printables-3-Design-Crush

21/DIY Fringe Christmas Trees  22/Holiday Gift Wrap Download  23/DIY Gingerbread House Gift Boxes  24/DIY Wrap for Pattern Lovers  25/Free Printable Christmas Wrap  26/Felt Leaf Garland  27/DIY Foam Gradient Trees 28/DIY Holographic Garland  29/DIY Live Holiday Wreath  30/DIY Pom Pom Tree Topper

 

DIY-and-Printables-4-Design-Crush

31/Printable Holiday Cards, Gift Tags & Wrapping Paper  32/Printable Gift Wrap, Gift Tags, and Holiday Cards  33/Holiday Gift Tags  34/Free Printable Holiday Tags  35/DIY Disco Ball Snowman  36/Evergreen Printable Holiday Party Invitations  37/DIY Gold Holiday Laurel Leaf  38/DIY Ceramic Bells  39/Dried Orange & Cinnamon Garland  40/Mini Christmas Tree Piñata

 

DIY-and-Printables-5-Design-Crush

41/DIY Wood Gift Tags and Ornaments  42/Santa Joy Christmas Printables  43/Snow Gift Wrapping  44/Mylar Pom Pom Garland  45/Black and White Gift Wrap  46/Disco Ball Wreath  47/DIY Scratch-Off Gift Tags  48/DIY Christmas Tree Drink Stirrers  49/Asymmetrical Wreath  50/DIY Filipino Christmas Star

 

DIY-and-Printables-6-Design-Crush

51/Fluffy Knit Garland  52/Gingerbread Cookies Cityscape  53/Christmas Printable  54/Printable Holiday Tags  55/Printable Holiday Gift Tags  56/Printable Watercolor Stroke Gift Wrap  57/Merry Christmas Wrapping Paper  58/Holiday Window Painting  59/Printable Holiday Garland  60/DIY Scandinavian Christmas Tree Skirt

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Alcoholidays 2015

Alcoholidays-1-Design-Crush

1/Cranberry Ginger Whiskey Smash  2/Butterscotch Eggnog  3/Cranberry-Apple Cider Punch  4/Pomegranate Vodka Fizz  5/Apple Brandy Allspice Fizz Cocktail  6/Fig Manhattan  7/Wassail  8/Cranberry Shrub Cocktail  9/Spiced Blueberry Rum Punch  10/Apple Orange Hot Toddy

 

Alcoholidays-2-Design-Crush

11/Persimmon Collins Cocktail  12/Pumpkin Punch Cocktail  13/Citrus Sting  14/Gin Citrus Punch  15/Ginger Blood Orange Margaritas  16/Cucumber-Infused Gin and Grapefruit, Black Pepper Fizz  17/Thyme & Citrus Moscow Mule  18/Apple Thyme Cocktail  19/Lemon Rosemary Bourbon Sour  20/Christmas Caipirinhas

 

Alcoholidays-3-Design-Crush

21/Chambord Ginger Beer Cocktail  22/Clementine Prosecco Cocktail  23/Key Lime Cooler Cocktails  24/Fig and Lemon Fizz  25/Rose + Rosé Bourbon Cocktail  26/Pear Spiced Sangria  27/Sparkling Pomegranate Punch  28/Cranberry Ramos Gin Fizz  29/Cinnamon White Russian  30/Jingle Juice Holiday Punch

 

Alcoholidays-4-Design-Crush

31/Boozy Chocolate Horchata  32/White Glogg Mulled Winter Wine  33/Cardamom Rose Gin Tonic  34/Pina Colada Milk Punch  35/Candy Cane Peppermint Punch  36/Cranberry Thyme Gin Tonic  37/Maple Bourbon Smash  38/Spiced Cranberry Paloma  39/Chai Tea Cocktail  40/Quince Hot Toddy

 

Alcoholidays-5-Design-Crush

41/Whiskey Hot Chocolate  42/Cider Bourbon Jam Cocktails with Ginger Beer  43/Pomegranate Poinsettia  44/Spiced Pineapple Rum Hot Toddy  45/Red Ruby Grapefruit Ginger Cocktail  46/Hard Cider Spritz  47/Spicy Rosemary Rhubarb Margarita  48/Black Peppercorn + Cranberry Shrub with Gin  49/Tamarind Whiskey Sour  50/Orange Cranberry Blended Margaritas

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Mega Ornament Roundup

Mega-Ornament-Roundup-1-Design-Crush

1/Carved Paulownia Star Ornament  2/Hand Painted Pink Suzette Ornament  3/DIY Cinnamon Stick Himmeli  4/DIY Balsa Wood Ornaments  5/DIY Christmas Ornament Trio  6/DIY Clay Ornaments  7/DIY Color Blocked Ornaments  8/DIY Kintsugi Gold Fixed Christmas Baubles  9/DIY Leather Gemstone Ornaments  10/DIY Metalworked  Hand Stamped Geometric Ornaments

 

Mega-Ornament-Roundup-2-Design-Crush

11/DIY Mod Wooden Ornaments  12/DIY Paper House Christmas Ornament  13/DIY Paper Star Ornaments  14/DIY Papier Mache Fruit Ornaments  15/DIY Watercolor Ornaments  16/DIY Watercolour Printed Fabric Baubles  17/DIY Wooden Tassel Ornaments  18/DIY Fabric-Covered Christmas Tree Ornaments  19/DIY Glitter Dust Filled Balls  20/Geometric Glass Ornament Set

 

Mega-Ornament-Roundup-3-Design-Crush

21/Light Pink Ball Ornament  22/DIY Faux Ceramic Ornaments  23/DIY Painted Pattern Holiday Ornaments  24/Pink and Orange Colorblock Christmas Ornament  25/Pink Ombre Finials  26/Porcelain King & Queen Ornament Set  27/Precision-Cut Wood Ornament Sets  28/Ready Made Snowball Ornament  29/Scales Ornament  30/DIY Stitched Leather Ornaments

 

Mega-Ornament-Roundup-4-Design-Crush

31/Wooden Bell  32/Wooden Jewelry  33/Woodshop Monogram Ornament  34/DIY Gold Glitter Ornaments  35/Galactic Gold Ornament  36/DIY Gilded Feather Polymer Clay Ornaments  37/DIY Temporary Tattoo Ornaments  38/Mercury Ornament Set  39/Ceramic Animal Ornaments  40/Turned Wood Drop Ornaments

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Mega Christmas Cookie Roundup

I’ve done it – blocked a day off the week of Christmas to bake my face off. A few years ago I attempted to talk my now 91-year-old Grandma into taking a step back and only making her infamous nutrolls. It didn’t go exactly as planned, so now I simply tell her how many cookie recipes I’m making so she can see the reasoning behind my request/demand. I’ll probably end up baking between five and seven different varieties, but need to narrow the list down from these FIFTY. Help a girl out?

 

Mega-Cookie-Roundup-1-Design-Crush

1/Sweet Raspberry + Tahini Sandwich Cookies  2/Slice and Bake Spice Cookies with Citrus Glaze and Sea Salt  3/Old-Fashioned Almond Gingerbread Cookies  4/Almond Butter & Maple Cream Gingersnap Sandwich Cookies  5/Caramel Fluffernutter Chocolate Chip Cookies  6/Chocolate Orange Sandwich Cookies  7/Coconut, Oatmeal, and Cherry Jam Thumbprints  8/Gingersnaps with Apple Cider Glaze  9/Swig Sugar Cookies  10/Rosemary and Apricot Shortbread Cookies

 

Mega-Cookie-Roundup-2-Design-Crush

11/Pumpkin Molasses Cookies  12/Honey Cookies  13/Chai Spiced Sugar Cookies  14/Milano Cookies  15/Chocolate Caramel Ginger Cookies  16/Chewy Triple Ginger Cookies  17/Cinnamon Roll Cookies  18/Cocoa Cinnamon Sea Salt Cookies  19/Cranberry Bliss Cookies  20/Thin & Crispy Coconut Cookies

 

Mega-Cookie-Roundup-3-Design-Crush

21/Brown Sugar Toffee Cookies  22/Salt & Pepper Cocoa Shortbread Cookies  23/Almond Espresso Cookies 24/Butterscotch Gingerbread Cookies  25/Cranberry Orange Pistachio Cookies  26/Thin and Chewy Spiced Oatmeal Cookies with Brown Butter Icing  27/Orange Spiced Sugar Cookies  28/Chai Spiced Shortbread  29/Salted Gingersnap Mallomars  30/Clove and Molasses Lace Cookies

 

Mega-Cookie-Roundup-4-Design-Crush

31/Malted Chocolate Sandwich Cookies  32/Blood Orange Vanilla Bean Meringues  33/Star Anise Spiced Dark Chocolate Sables  34/Spice Sugar Cookies  35/Spicy Gingerbread Linzer Cookies with Orange White Chocolate Ganache  36/Peppermint Drops  37/Citrus Cornmeal Shortbread  38/Cranberry Orange Almond Shortbread Cookies  39/Brown Sugar Toffee Cookies  40/Colorblock Sugar Cookies

 

Mega-Cookie-Roundup-5-Design-Crush

41/Cappuccino Cookies  42/Gummy Bear Cookies  43/Smoky Cardamom Ginger Molasses Cookies  44/Butter Crunch Cookies  45/Caramel Stuffed Soft Gingerbread Cookies  46/Pink Champagne Cookies  47/Jumbo Maple Sugar Cookies  48/Chocolate Peppermint Biscotti  49/Cranberry Almond Cookies  50/Whole Grain Eggnog Cookies

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Design Crush x Umbra

Design Crush x Umbra-Hub Ladder-2

 

I’ve teamed up with one of my favorite design brands, Umbra, to share how I’m using some of their clean-lined products this holiday season. Their wares are extremely well-designed and versatile, making them an especially good fit for small spaces where they can pull double-duty.

I’m starting with my favorite, the Hub Ladder. I wrapped the expandable beech wood and rubber-coated steel clothing (or towel) holder with 200 white lights for a sculptural Christmas tree alternative. Right now it’s my bedroom lending some festive and functional flair to the chaos.

 

Design Crush x Umbra-Touch Toothbrush Holder-2

 

I always have fresh flowers (usually from the grocery store) in my home, so for Thanksgiving dinner I wanted to get extra creative. I used three Touch Toothbrush Holders as vases that formed a modern arrangement when clustered together. (Tip: It’s always a good idea to keep florals short so that guests can see one another across the table.)

 

Design Crush x Umbra-Prisma Wall Decor-3

 

I took down two large pieces of art that hang in my entryway and replaced them with wreaths. Each one got decorated with half of a brass Prisma Wall Decor set, which couldn’t have been easier because the pieces could be hooked around the branches.

 

Design Crush x Umbra-Gazette Magazine Rack-1

 

I use the Gazette Magazine Rack year round in my living room, but for dinner parties I give it a different job – as a utensil and napkin holder. When you’re short on space you can carry it around until everyone is set to eat, then set it down someplace out of the way.

 

Design Crush x Umbra-Toto-1

 

My Toto Storage Box usually lives on a bathroom shelf holding lipstick and nail polish, but during December it becomes a corral for some of my gift wrapping supplies. Sanity and patience are in short supply and this guy helps me out so I don’t lose it wondering where the pen/scissors/tape disappeared to.

 

Design Crush x Umbra-Corda-1

 

Every year I inevitably end up saving a few of my favorite holiday card designs. For what? I had no clue until now. I picked up a few Corda Photo Displays to make some seasonal art that I actually like. And because you hang this frame either vertically or horizontally I can swap out favorites every year.

It’s nice to be able to stick to your style and aesthetic no matter the time of year, and when you don’t have to reinvent the wheel to do it that’s all the better.

Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush creating fresh content!

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My Holiday Cards (+ an Artifact Uprising Giveaway)

Artifact Uprising-1-Design Crush

 

Every year I think I’m going to skip out on doing a photo card to send out for the holidays, but then I see a design that I just can’t stop thinking about and order them. This year was no different, thanks to Artifact Uprising‘s modern looks and beautiful sayings.

 

Artifact Uprising-2-Design Crush

 

After 8 1/2 years of Design Crush I figured now was a good time to do a card to send out to sponsors and PR folk who I work with on the regular. I really liked the idea of sharing a peek at my home and aesthetic for the photo, so you might recognize the shot on it from this month’s holiday mantle post.

 

Artifact Uprising-3-Design Crush

 

For my family and personal friends it was none other than my pup, Bebe, front and center! I snapped this photo of her last year before decorating, and paired with the sentiment it was a perfect match. (This is also the first year I’ve included my pets names on a card – the decision to makes me laugh!)

 

Artifact Uprising-4-Design Crush

 

I also toyed with the idea of New Year cards as I rushed to get the house decorated, gifts bought, and cards written out and in the mail. They’re such a great option for those of us who note December as the busiest month of the year both personally and work-wise. In fact, I’m already half planning on it for holiday season!

Now it’s your turn to win $150 to spend at Artifact Uprising! They have amazing cards and lots of other good stuff to personalize, so think outside the box. Good luck!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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