How to Choose an Area Rug

You can have the most beautifully decorated living space, and if you’ve yet to add an area rug it can really feel like something is missing. A rug ties everything together. There are so many things to consider, but style, size, and shape seem to be the main areas of contemplation. An area rug is a place where you can be adventurous, or stick to your stand-by style patterns. 

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There are so many different styles of rugs. From jute to polyester, to nylon and wool, it can be challenging to find the right style for your home. Consider the durability of each style, and the amount of use you’ll want to get out of it. For example, a jute rug is low cost and very neutral and natural looking, which many people like, but if you’re using it in a living area with kids that are playing down on the floor every day, you might want to think about something more durable and kid friendly. Wool rugs are beautiful and durable, but are expensive and not easy to clean. Polyester rugs are more of a middle of the line price point, have high durability, and are easy to clean. It is important to consider your desire for style along with your durability needs, and how often you’re looking to replace your rugs. 

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Many people make the mistake of choosing a rug in the wrong size. One way you can avoid choosing something too small or too large is to consider your seating area. Ground the conversation space with a rug that is about a foot wider than your sofa on each side and large enough that you can fit at least the front feet of each chair or sofa on top of the rug. If your furniture doesn’t reach your rug it can leave your space feeling awkward and appear smaller, while a rug that is large enough to accommodate all of your furniture will unify the space and make it feel larger. 

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The shape of your rug can really define your living space. There are three basic shapes of area rugs: round, oval, and rectangular. Rounded rugs are less traditional and can be used to add interest to the space, while rectangular rugs tend to mimic the shape of a room making it appear larger. In a dining room, a round or oval rug paired with a table of the same shape, can be a perfect fit. Just make sure that it is large enough that all of the chairs fit on the rug, even when pulled out. In a living room, consider the shape and style of your furniture when choosing the shape of a rug. If your furniture has clean lines you may want to stick with a rug of the same style to unify the space. If you have a large curved sectional, a round area rug might add interest while maintaining a similar style. 

An area rug can be a place where you explore with colors and patterns. Consider the style of your home, and try to stick with that same style for your area rug, or it might feel out of place. Ask yourself if you need a rug that will bring everything together or one that adds colors and patterns to an otherwise neutral space. If this seems like a challenge, you can always consult with a professional. Choosing a rug can be tricky, but it’s a big decision that will likely define your living space for a period of time.

Cilantro Lime Rice

One of my favorite ways to keep my sanity when it comes to cooking for my (very particular) family is to keep a tentative meal schedule that remains somewhat similar each week. Themes like Breakfast for Dinner, Pizza Friday, and Taco Tuesday are winners. For our family Taco Tuesday is loosely based on tacos and is more of a Mexican themed night, but Taco Tuesday is just fun to say! Sometimes we have quesadillas, or enchiladas, and I’ll even throw in nachos every once in a while. All of these things are great, and as parents, we do what we have to do to keep kids eating, but honestly, it gets a little sickening eating the same things over and over. To help with the monotony, I like to try different sides to go along with our themed meals. 

Cilantro Lime Rice is a quick recipe that is fresh and tasty. It can be served as a side, or the base to burrito bowls. 

Prep: 5 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Total Time: 25 mins | Servings: 4 

Ingredients

1 cup long-grain jasmine rice rinsed and drained

2 tsp olive oil

1 clove minced garlic

2 scallions finely chopped

1 tsp lime zest

½ tsp sea salt

1 ½ tbsp lime juice

½ cup cilantro finely chopped

Instructions

Cook the rice according to the instructions on the package. You can use a rice cooker, or your stovetop for best results. When the rice is finished, add garlic, scallions, and lime zest. Fluff the rice and let cool for about a minute. Then add olive oil, salt, lime juice and cilantro. For an extra bite, you can add a little diced jalapeno here if you choose. 

Whether you’re looking forward to celebrating Cinco de Mayo, or just spicing up your next taco night, this side is sure to add something fresh and different to your meal!

Lighting Trends in 2023

Spring is a time for projects around the home. One way to make a dramatic impact on your home’s aesthetic with just a small change is to modernize your lighting. Statement lights can give any space the wow factor that you’ve been desiring. Comfortable and practical spaces, natural materials, and pops of color are overarching design trends of 2023, and these trends are no exception when it comes to illuminating your home. 

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Dazzling Curves

The curvy trend isn’t just for furniture in 2023. Lighting has jumped on the curve train right along with rounded and curved sofas, tables, and chairs. In a shift from large, rounded chandeliers, a more detailed, delicate, version of curved lighting is more on trend. Try a chandelier with glass spheres clustered or layered together for a bubble light effect. A bubble, or globe light chandelier can modernize your space, adding just enough interest to feel updated and new without disrupting the rest of your design. 

Glass Lighting

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Glass lighting can be modern or traditional and it has remained popular throughout the years. In kitchens and bathrooms glass shades work well for maximum light output, while offering stunning visual appeal. In a living space, glass lighting combined with a metal accent can create a beautiful contrast and provide a cozy, versatile display. 

A Pop of Color

We are all used to seeing farmhouse pendants, but what if they were painted colorfully instead of the traditional metal? A colorful lighting choice is a nontraditional way to add interest to a neutral themed space. Imagine your white kitchen with a few pendant lights in your favorite hue to match your dishes, or bring out the colors in your counters. This trend could be for you if you’re looking to add just a small amount of color and make a big impact. 

Oversized Pendants

A newer trend that has been gaining popularity is oversized pendant lighting. The traditional chandelier will never fully go out of style, but you can create so much visual appeal by getting creative with one or more oversized pendant lights. This type of lighting can define an entire room and give your space a luxurious makeover. From soft, natural materials, to glass, to metal, you can be very creative with pendant lighting to customize the feel of your space. 

Whether you’re looking to make dramatic changes, or just add a simple wow factor, lighting can be the statement you need to modernize your space this spring. Take a chance on something new, you won’t regret it!

Four Ways to Refresh Your Front Porch for Spring

The words “spring” and “refresh” go together seamlessly. Nature is refreshing itself from the long winter, so why not give your front porch, the first impression of your home, a refresh of its own? Here are four simple ways you can make a big impact. 

Spring Flower Arrangements

Fresh blooming flowers have seemed like a dream for many months in Wisconsin. As we enter spring we look forward to bold and beautiful colors, so why not add them to your front porch? Try large galvanized planters for a vintage, classic look. You can keep them out year round and add different arrangements seasonally, but for spring, a fun trick is to purchase a colorful faux topiary with tulips and greens. You can set it inside your planter, and to make it more realistic, add a layer of soil. This is a great way to enjoy seasonal colors without worrying about the inevitable temperature fluctuation of a midwest spring that may have your live plants wilting. 

A Layered Welcome

Welcome mats are pretty standard front porch decor. If you want to upgrade yours, try layering it on top of a patterned accent rug. This adds depth and interest to the standard welcome mat. If you’re worried about dirt, you can spray it with Scotchguard for extra protection. You can also add a floral wreath to your door for an additional layer of welcome!

Update your Lighting

String lights can add depth to any outdoor area, a front porch is no different. Drape them under the roof of a covered porch, or beneath a railing. Updated exterior sconces or lanterns can modernize your space while giving an extra glow that is welcoming to guests. Choosing one or two of these options works best, as you don’t want to overdo the lighting. 

On Your Rocker

What is more classic on a front porch than a rocking chair or swing? If you have one, spring is a great time to add some cozy pillows and blankets to make it functional and pretty. Try classic neutral or patterned blankets, and add pillows with a pop of color for maximum effect. 

So many of us are extremely eager to get outside and enjoy the fresh air that spring brings. It can be so hard to wait until the steady, comfortable temperatures of summer roll back into our area, but a bright front porch will surely lift your spirits while you wait!

Adult Lunchables

Lunchables were an iconic childhood school lunch. Convenient for parents and coveted by kids, whoever came up with the idea was really onto something. Looking back, lunchables probably weren’t the healthiest thing to have as your main source of energy throughout the school day, but you can take the idea of the lunchable, and turn it into an easy to pack, healthy, delicious lunch that will bring back all of the nostalgia from childhood. 

If you want to recreate this iconic lunch in a way that doesn’t make you cringe as a grown adult, there is an easy formula to follow. You want to have a protein source, dairy, carbohydrates, fruit, veggies, and something fun to dip. 

Your choice of protein can set the theme for the meal. If you remember, childhood lunchables always had a theme. Whether you liked the classic deli meat lunchable, the build your own taco or pizza meals, or even the chicken dunkers, protein was key. In an adult lunchable, you can try chicken (a crockpot recipe prepared ahead of time could be great here!), deli meats, tuna, nuts or nut butter, hard boiled eggs, or even smoked salmon. 

Dairy is another key element. Depending on your theme, snacking cheeses, yogurt, or cottage cheese are perfect. Crackers, pita chips or pita wedges, tortillas, or rice cakes are convenient for carbohydrates. 

Fruit and veggies set the adult lunchable apart. Choose quick and easy to eat items such as grapes, berries, or apple slices. Baby carrots, celery sticks, cucumber or pepper slices, or cherry tomatoes are nice veggie options. 

Perhaps the most fun part of the adult lunchable is something to dip. Hummus and guacamole are healthy and filling choices. The possibilities are endless, but if you want to stick to a theme, check out these fun options:

Taco Tuesday: Chicken breast strips, pepper jack cheese cubes, whole grain tortilla chips, cherry tomatoes, guacamole for dipping

Mediterranean: Grilled chicken strips, pita wedges, feta cheese, sliced cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, and hummus

The Classic Crackers and Cheese: Deli ham or turkey, whole grain crackers, cheddar cheese cubes, grapes, carrot sticks, and ranch dressing

Bistro Box: Hard boiled eggs, whole grain crackers, snacking cheese, sliced apples, grapes, and peanut butter

Who says lunchables are only for kids? Enjoy these fresh, convenient options for your next healthy lunch.

How to Dress a Bed that Looks and Feels Luxurious

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The bed is the focal point in every bedroom. It’s also the place where you spend a significant amount of time each day. When you walk into a bedroom, you want the bed to be inviting, cozy looking and feeling, and maybe you want a touch of luxury to encourage relaxing, sleepy vibes. From the headboard, down to the sheets, the details matter!

Starting at the top, a grand headboard can be like a work of art in a bedroom. Not only does a headboard add to an elegant feel in a bedroom, it can also be quite functional. A cozy, padded headboard is an invitation to do some comfortable reading, journaling,  or to catch a few episodes of your favorite series before dozing off. Other options for headboards that aren’t as functional, but just as luxurious, would be a wooden or iron design, or you could even paint the wall behind the bed to give the vibe or a headboard without actually having one. 

Another thing that many people overlook when adding luxury to a bed is coving up the box springs and bed frame. You can start by measuring from the top of the box spring to the floor. This length is typically 14 to 18 inches. A bed skirt can hide anything you’re storing under your bed and less than appealing bed frames and box springs. Unless you have a decorative frame, you’ll want to cover it. 

Once you have the base of your bed complete, you can consider the mattress pad and sheets. A trick to a lush, cozy mattress is to add padding when needed. If you do choose to utilize a mattress pad, make sure that your sheets are deep enough to accommodate the extra space. The material of the sheets you choose definitely matters, and if you’re dressing your primary bed, you can choose sheets to meet your specific needs. The most durable type of sheets are microfiber, which might be nice for a guest bedroom. The most luxurious looking sheets are sateen. For hot sleepers, percale has a crisp feel, and for those chilly winter nights, flannel sheets will do the trick. Don’t get too hung up on thread count, as the type of fabric can be far more significant. 

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Next, make the bed! When you see beds in magazines you often see lots of layers. Beyond fitted sheets and top sheets, you’ll want to choose blankets, coverlets, quilts, or duvet covers. You don’t need them all, but one or two will make a big difference. Instead of a bulky comforter, consider thin, layered blankets. Try to choose neutral colors that can be dressed up seasonally with pillows. 

Lastly, think about pillows. There is much debate about how many pillows are too many pillows on a bed. Making your bed can become quite the chore if you have too many, but it does make your bed look much more luxurious to have more than just the pillows you sleep with. For a lavish look that is still manageable, try having two sleeping pillows and then three to five additional pillows. These additional pillows should vary in size, texture, and color, keeping a neutral palette and maybe one or two seasonal looks. 

There is something  about a luxurious bed that makes sleep so much more inviting. Try out a few of these tips and up your cozy game this spring!

Transform your Home Office into a Place of Joy

The home office is a place where people are all of the sudden finding themselves spending a lot of time. If you’re one of the many people that are working full time or even partially from home, you know how quickly a home office can become dull, cluttered, or even chaotic. Don’t let your office be a place where the laundry piles up, and unwanted items are stored. Transform your space into a place of joy and productivity!

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Light it Up

One of the key elements to productivity and happiness is natural light. A home office with no natural light at all is not ideal, so if you can, choose a room with at least one small window. The more natural light, the better! If you don’t have a ton of natural light in your office space, you can lighten up the room by using a mirror to reflect any amount of light you do have. You can use minimal, naturally shaded window treatments, and choose colors for any design elements like area rugs or shelving that are light and airy. 

Speaking of light, even if you have a window in your office you’ll need to have at least one task lamp. Most rooms have overhead lighting of some sort, which is nice to have, but don’t count on that to provide the light you need at your desk to properly see and avoid eye strain. A lamp at your desk is ideal, and another task lamp to properly light your background for any online meetings is a good idea. Light is key in any room, and your home office is no exception! You’ll be surprised at how much more productive and positive you will feel with proper lighting. 

A Place for Everything

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Another mistake many people make when setting up their home office is that they do not have proper storage. If you plan to be working from home, and using your office to store family documents, it is key to make sure that you have proper storage solutions to keep everything in its place. The last thing you need while you’re trying to work from home is to see items laying around that cause you to lose your focus. 

Drawers are a stylish, sleek way to avoid clutter in your office. You can easily separate documents inside of drawers, and when closed, they are out of sight. This makes it easier to compartmentalize your work/home life. Ideally, find a bookshelf that has both open shelving and drawers so that you can let your personality shine through on the shelves, and tidy up your important documents inside the closed drawers. 

Don’t forget about organizers for pens and pencils, post-it notes, paper clips, or anything else you find yourself using frequently. It’s nice to have these things easily accessible, but if they’re just laying out on your desk they become clutter. 

Create a Background with Personality

Gone are the days of an office that is poorly designed, cluttered, and chaotic. Oftentimes your coworkers and friends have a front row view of what sits behind your desk while in an online meeting, so don’t forget to make this space stand out as a reflection of you. A tall bookshelf behind your desk with a place to display a few plants, books, or other decorative items is a clutter free way to add a creative backdrop to your Zoom meetings. This is also a great place to add a piece of artwork that speaks to your personality. 

Seating is Essential

If you spend any significant amount of time in an office chair, you know that it definitely matters where you’re sitting. Creating a seating area separate from your desk can be a nice way to avoid sitting in the same place all day long. If you have the space, try a set of swivel chairs for meeting with coworkers in person, or a small sofa for cozying up to do any studying or reading. Keep the design clean cut and cozy, avoiding busy patterns that can be distracting. You can even add a comfy throw and some decorative pillows that can be changed out seasonally so that you have some change in scenery every once in a while. 

Finishing Touches

When creating places in your home that speak to you and make you feel joy and happiness, a home office often is forgotten. Don’t leave out the office as a place to keep favorite photographs, mood inspiring candles or diffusers, and fresh flowers. Look for items that have both the functionality that you need to stay organized and the design that makes you feel joyful and at ease in a space where you'll be spending a lot of your time.

How To Choose a Coffee Table

A coffee table is such an important part of both the function and design of your living space. The perfect coffee table will be both beautiful and practical in all of the ways you need it to be. When choosing the right coffee table there are many things to think about, such as size, shape, and what exactly it will be used for. If you’re not sure where to start, we’ve got you covered with a quick overview of all things coffee tables to steer you in the right direction. 

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First, it’s helpful to think about what the purpose of your coffee table will be. Here are a few questions to get you started.

• Do you have specific size or shape criteria based on the design of the rest of your living space?

• Do you need storage within the coffee table?

• Is it mostly decorative, or will you use it for putting drinks and food out or resting your feet?

• What kinds of things do you plan to decorate your coffee table with? 

After you’ve figured out how you want your coffee table to be used, you can start to think about size and shape. Even if you have specific criteria to follow based on how your table will fit into your space, this part can be really fun. There are many different styles and you might be surprised at the difference a new size or shape of table will make in your living space. 

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Keep in mind the measurements of your sofa and that for ease of use, you’ll want your coffee table to be a bit lower than that. You also don’t want your table to overpower the space, so it should be about two-thirds as long as the sofa you’re placing it next to. Also, be sure that you’ve got enough space between the table and the sofa to be able to get in and out, but still be able to functionally place a plate or drink on the table when you’re sitting down. 

The four main shapes of coffee tables are square, rectangle, oval, and round. The shapes are self-explanatory, but the functions of the shapes can be surprising. Oval and rectangle shaped coffee tables are both nice for tighter spaces. A rectangle is the most popular coffee table shape. If you have a larger space, you might want to opt for a square or round shaped coffee table. These are statement pieces and if you plan to decorate with a vignette you might be interested in square or round. If you have young kids in your space, round or oval might be your best options. 

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Another important part of the design of a coffee table is the material it is made of. Color, texture, and finish of a coffee table all play an important role in the overall feel of a room. A formal style coffee table will have a smooth texture like glass or marble. A more relaxed style is a natural material such as wood. Another option is an upholstered table, ideal for resting your feet. 

There is so much to consider when choosing the perfect coffee table. If this all sounds overwhelming, it could be really helpful to have an in store consultation or even a house call with someone that is in the know. Whether you’re looking to update your entire living space, or just make a simple change, a coffee table can be just the transformation you need!

One Pan Pesto Chicken and Tortellini

Making healthy dinners can be daunting. Most people think of healthy dinners as taking time to put together, taking lots of kitchen skills, and generally just being more difficult. It definitely doesn’t have to be that way, and this Pesto Chicken, Tortellini, and Veggie dish proves just that!

Prep: 20 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Total Time: 40 mins | Servings: 4 

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil

1 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs

½ cup sun dried tomatoes, chopped

1 lb asparagus, halved with ends trimmed

¼ cup basil pesto

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved (yellow and red)

1 cup tortellini

One Pan Perfection

Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium heat, then add sliced chicken thighs, and your sun dried tomatoes. Cook on medium heat for about 7 minutes, turning the chicken over a couple times as it cooks. 

Next, take the chicken and tomatoes out of the skillet and add the asparagus. Season with salt and cook until the asparagus is cooked through, approximately 5-10 minutes. While the asparagus is cooking, prepare the tortellini according to the directions on the package.Then take the asparagus out and add to a serving plate that will be large enough to hold everything at the end. 

In the same skillet, add the cooked chicken and basil pesto and cook on low for 1-2 minutes until the chicken is heated again. Then remove from the heat and add the tortellini and cherry tomatoes to combine with the pesto. You can always add more pesto if you need or want. 

Last, take everything out of the skillet and add it to the serving plate along with the asparagus. 

If you’re looking for something seasonal, this spring dish is delicious to taste, and beautiful to look at. And bonus, it’s super healthy!

Designing an Inviting Guest Bedroom Retreat

Having house guests can be so exciting. It’s so fun to invite someone into your world and treat them to the comforts of your home. In order to make sure they have the best experience possible, set up a great guest room that they’ll never want to leave! 

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Clean and Comfort

Before you get into the fun design elements that make a guest room feel extra cozy, you’ll want to make sure that at the end of the day your guests have the most comfortable place to rest their heads. Make sure that you’ve cleaned this room well, and you’ve gotten rid of any personal clutter. Start with a quality mattress and maybe even a mattress pad for extra comfort. Everyone has their own preference for pillows, so it is really nice to have both soft and firm pillows for guests to choose from. And of course, extra functional blankets. Thick blankets, thin blankets, soft and breathable are all good options to leave it up to your guest to decide their comfort level. 

Function

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When you’re sure your guests will be physically comfortable in their space, another really important thing to think about is functionality so that guests feel that they have all the comforts of home. Essentials like extra phone chargers, a box of tissues, and a reading lamp fit nicely on a night stand next to the bed, while quality wooden hangers, and a comfy robe can hang in the closet. Don’t forget the wifi password displayed somewhere that is easy to see. 

Design

When the essentials are in place, the fun can begin. When designing a guest space, opting for clean lines, and a light and airy color palette can make the room feel fresh and clean. Neutral colors on the wall and window treatments with a subtle pattern are a classic look. You can add cozy elements such as textured throws and plush decorative pillows to make the bed seem extra welcoming. 

The perfect wall decor can add to your fresh and clean, cozy retreat. A floral print over the bed will brighten the space and is stylish for most anyone’s taste. You can add a full length mirror so guests can check their outfits, and maybe a functional piece where they can hang their coats. 

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If you have the space in your room, a nice set of swivel chairs can be a really cozy way for guests to unwind at the end of their travels. If there isn’t enough space for that, try a bench at the foot of the bed. This is a great place for laying out fresh towels or a welcome basket too. 

You’ll want guests to have a place to put their clothing if they’re staying for a while. Having a dresser available is a nice way to ensure guests know they are welcome to stay. The dresser should complement the bed and not overpower other items in the room. Keep the color light so as to not darken the feel of your fresh space, and make sure, of course, that there is room for guests to use at least one or two drawers. Create a pretty vignette on top of the dresser by adding objects with different heights and textures. Make it functional by leaving space for guests to collect their personal belongings at the end of the day, and maybe a small mirror. 

Finishing Touches

You’ve got nightstands, chairs, and dressers. Guests have fresh, clean bedding and cozy blankets and pillows. Adding some personal finishing touches is a really sweet way to make your guests feel the love. A sweet smelling candle on the nightstand will help your guests feel relaxed and some fresh flowers on the dresser will show you’ve put in the extra effort. You can fill a welcome basket with personal touches such as a favorite bottle of wine, sparkling or still water, and some personalized snacks to help friends and family feel extra special. You won’t regret going all out to make your people feel at home in your home!