Ladders specifically for holding your blankets – did you know that’s a thing? I did and yet I didn’t. After taking down my string light-covered Hub Ladder last Christmas, I relocated it to my bedroom where I hung some blankets to get them out of the way. A few weeks later I began seeing similar things online – or perhaps they’d been there all along and that’s where I got the idea? Who knows. It’s a sweet way to show off your blanket collection as well as keep them close at hand as winter approaches. Check out these ten for some inspiration, click on each image to go to the ladder link!
This is big, you guys. My front door no longer opens with a knob meant for the interior but an actual entry set! If I lived anywhere other than this sleepy little suburban town it would have been the first thing I replaced after closing. Now not only is my front door deadbolt safe but the rest of the doorknobs in my home are something other than boring builder’s grade, all thanks to Nostalgic Warehouse. (Oh, and ignore that staircase full of carpet, that’s on the project list as well!)
I painted the street side of the front door black to play down all of the gingerbread detailing in preparation of installing this gorgeous Fifth Avenue C Grip Entry Set in vintage brass. The house side is in dire need of a new coat as well, and that’s going on this week in preparation for a very belated housewarming party I’m throwing this weekend. (More on that to come.) But just look at that brass!
For the past two years it’s been a bit of a thorn in my side that the door hardware didn’t match the character of the rest of the house. (Get a peek of the befores here and here.) For the downstairs bath that’s directly off the dining room I wanted something with a little added pop, so I chose the Soleil Rosette with Georgetown Lever in vintage brass. I went back and forth with the finish because it doesn’t match the shiny nickel in the rest of the room, but in the end I decided it didn’t matter. The brass picks up on the other warm tones and it all pulls together nicely in the end.
On the flip side, I chose the Rope Rosette with White Porcelain Knob in satin nickel for the pantry door in the kitchen because it does match the fixtures and hardware. The white porcelain knob manages to look both classic and modern at the same time which I notice every time I open the door.
Upstairs there are six doors in a relatively small hallway so it made sense to make all of the knobs the same, and I have to admit that these Rope Rosette with Black Porcelain Knobs in antique brass are my favorite in the house. I can’t. Stop. Staring at them. There’s just something so sleek about these beauties and their super smooth touch. I also chose this design knowing that eventually I may paint all of the doors black and they’ll still look just as amazing.
I fibbed a little though because there is one exception. The third floor attic is finished though lacking ductwork, and one day I hope to remedy that and move the master bedroom up there. For some reason I felt like that door needed a little something special, a denotation of sorts, and the New York Plate with New York Knob in antique brass was calling to me. By sticking with the same brass finish as the other five knobs the doors still feel cohesive as a group.
This particular upgrade has been oh so satisfying! Door hardware pulls together a space like few other things can and I’m so thankful to Nostalgic Warehouse for partnering with Design Crush on this project.
This post sponsored by Nostalgic Warehouse, you can shop their entire collection through ATG Stores! All words and opinions are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush creating fresh content.
I’m in serious denial that we’re halfway through November with Thanksgiving only a little over a week away – anyone else? I’ll be hosting for my family for the third year in a row, so it’s nearly down to a science at this point without a lot of guesswork or planning. But, you guys know how I love to plan imaginary holiday get togethers (see Thanksgivings past: 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015) so I couldn’t break with tradition no way, no how.
Few things are more welcoming than showing up to a holiday spent with family and friends and being handed a cocktail. I like to have bar basics on hand for traditional libations, but a few specialties mixed up as well. Pitchers are great for this purpose, just label them with the cocktail inside. A nice punch in a bowl is even easier, just add a ladle and guests can feel free to serve themselves.
This time of year I’m especially drawn to all things warm and inviting, so I want to have lots of candles sitting in out of the way places as well as on the dining table. Mix things up a little with different heights and widths to add interest. I also want vases full of greenery, a big full wreath on the front door, and the menu posted somewhere in a fun way so guests know what we’ll be eating.
While guests are milling around talking to one another give them something to nibble on. I like how these particular three contain different levels of involvement – if you’re a little munchy go with the crackers, a little more the tartness, skipped lunch go for the fondue!
Serving pieces are my absolute favorite part of planning any meal. For this one I’m opting to stay close to that warm and cozy feeling I already mentioned by using lots of wood, metal, glass, and ceramic pieces. The warm tones all pull together so nicely, and solid pieces like this are great for any season throughout the year.
More of the same for the table itself. And though my table isn’t large enough to set out the entire spread of food, I like to pull in a few trivets. If I see guests going back for seconds on something in particular it’s easy enough to make room for one or two of the more popular dishes. I also like for my dinner and dessert dishes to feel related but not match, in this case both are a sort of stoneware grey.
This entire year I’ve been trying to eat close to the Earth, less processed food and more real food. My menu keeps in line with my intention, lots of vegetables and grains to feed and nourish the mass around the table. And all of it delicious!
Ahhh, now we’re down to it. The best part of the meal in my humble opinion, the sweet finish! At my house we usually take a little break between the main meal and dessert for everything to digest and settle, a (very competitive) game of Yahtzee is usually involved. Dessert is then had, to-go bags packed up full to the top, and goodbye hugs given.
I hope your Thanksgiving planning goes smoothly, friends!
When I’m sad, anxious, uncertain – any number of emotions really – I reach for a blanket. Being swaddled in warmth and comfort makes us feel safe and protected, it goes all the way back to being in the womb. Some of us prefer a favorite that has any number of its own stories to tell while others like a refresh occasionally.
The Kitchen McCabe is all about wholesome recipes that by no coincidence are also delicious. Blogger Kayley is a culinary graduate with a passion for making and baking pretty things that are healthy without being restrictive.
Naturally Ella is a phenomenal resource for natural cooking and vegetarian recipes. Find a meal to cook, explore an ingredient, or create a solid pantry – you’ll find it all and more right here.
Minimalist Baker is where blogger Dana creates recipes full of flavor that require ten ingredients or less, one bowl or pot, and 30 minute or less to prepare. Most recipes are special-diet friendly, specifically plant-based and gluten-free.
FoodieCrush shares recipes that are fresh, seasonal, mostly simple, often healthy, and also comfort food. I’d say blogger Heidi does an amazing job balancing all of those things with a delicious result.
Occasionally a toy is as much fun for an adult as it is a child – check out KUUM. It’s a collection of 202 building blocks crafted from beech wood that come in beautifully arranged units of 12 pieces. Each unit represents 12 elements (soil, fire, flower, tree, mountain, sea, ice, stone, earth, moon, sun, and sand) and each unique piece represents a small fragment of nature. KUUM block units can be broken down into 36 unique shapes and colors – some fit snugly while others are more unstable. Their appealing colors and shapes will instantly inspire you to start building
A mortar and pestle is the ultimate example of form meeting function. It might seem like one of those kitchen gadgets you buy only to have it sit on a shelf gathering dust, but trust me when I say it’s one of the most versatile tools in your culinary arsenal. A few quick ideas – grind sesame seeds for homemade tahini, crush up nuts, grind herbs to infuse salts and make flavored butter, pulverize steel cut oats – the list really does go on. Mine is a dark green marble mortar and pestle gifted to me by my mom, but I definitely have crushes on these thirteen.
Thanks to Michael Anastassiades‘ Floating Forest, you can turn just about any glass into a vase. Watch a seed reach its full potential by placing it in either the polished brass Cone or Disk, then watching as it grows roots. Or place a few small stems in each.
Antonio Aricò designed the Water Pitcher Block by playing on the ideas of purity and simplicity. The end result is this – an organic, beautiful vessel that resembles an ice cube with rounded corners. It comes with six cubic glasses that mimic the same look and feel as the handblown pitcher.
