Jennifer Adams Design Tips and Trends

Design Tips: Healthy Snacks?

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 17:14:00 +0000

Eat more to maintain weight? I’ve read a lot about eating five to six small meals a day, rather than three. For me it doesn’t work, because those small meals don’t stay small. I’m too hungry.

But what does seem to work for me is three nicely controlled regular meals—breakfast, lunch and dinner—and two small snacks of about 200 calories at midmorning and midafternoon.

We all try to eat well, but it’s a real challenge when we are on the run or just really busy. If you ignore those midmorning hunger pangs, you’re a lot more likely to overeat at your next mealtime, which is also a dietary disaster no matter how healthy your lunch is.

And “healthy snacking” doesn’t need to be an oxymoron. But snacking well does require some planning, but is so worth it when you have something ready when you need it rather than reaching for a sugar and fat-laden muffin or a candy bar. Even if it’s bran and whole wheat! It’s probably a lot more calories than you need.

Pack a snack along with lunches, stock up your office drawer or have a bag in the fridge…

I make sure I include protein and “good” fats (oils from nuts from trees like almonds or walnuts, avocado, olive or coconut) with every snack. This keeps me satisfied a lot longer than a snack of all carbohydrates (amazingly, like a piece of whole-wheat toast or banana), which I burn quickly so then I feel much hungrier sooner.

A few tips: Read the labels at the grocery store. It’s unbelievable how much sugar and salt gets into even “healthy” foods. And since food manufacturers are trying to get you to buy “healthier” for your kids, they keep adding sugar to existing products so your kids will like it. Even if it’s “brown rice syrup” or “pear juice concentrate” or even “evaporated cane juice,” sugar is still sugar.

For example, my favorite brand of vanilla soy milk changed their packaging to include the words “Great New Taste.” Cool! I thought to myself. I bought it, went home and tried it and almost gagged with how sweet it was. I compared the nutrition label from an old package and found the only thing they added was more evaporated cane juice. The new stuff had more sugars and carbohydrates. Bad, bad, bad since I’d been relying on my soymilk as a source of protein!

I quickly found a new brand that had no added sugars and adjusted just fine. Bullet dodged.

Also beware of anything bar-shaped. These usually pack a lot of calories, sugar and fats, even the ones labeled “high protein” or “low glycemic.” There are always better choices for a snack but you truly can’t live without them, shop smart.

Read the labels, cut them in half or even thirds, split them amongst your kids. Clif Z Bars (even though they’re made for kids, they’re small and tasty and packed with whole grains) are good choices as a convenient dessert alternative.

Also, I’ve seen Nugo bars mixed in at checkout stands, but they are still candy bars since they still have a lot of sugar, fats and corn syrup and few whole grains. These are OK in a pinch and better than a Snickers bar or peanut M&Ms but still not a good choice for daily snacking.

Surprise: I also avoid yogurts. Even the nonfat natural kinds are loaded with sugars. Sure, it’s naturally occurring milk sugars, but for me, too many carbs. I look for calcium and Vitamin D in lower sugar products like vegetables such as broccoli, lowfat cheese or supplements.

And finally, skip the diet soda altogether. Because it tastes sweet, your body looks for sugar (and calories) to hold onto, thus completely scuttling your sugar-free dieting logic. If you want an occasional carbonated cold beverage as a treat, that is fine. My favorite is Mexican Coca-Cola, which is made with real cane sugar, not high-fructose corn syrup. You won't believe how good it tastes. Also, Pepsi has introduced a “Throwback Pepsi” on a limited basis, made with real sugar. Otherwise, just stick to water to wash down your meals.

Here are some of my favorite snacks.

1. A small handful of roasted but unsalted almonds or walnuts and dried fruit or a few Ghirardelli 60% cacao Bittersweet Baking Chips, my absolute go-to chocolate when I need a fix and for baking. Surprisingly low in sugars and full of chocolaty satisfaction.

2. One or two Wasa “Light Rye Crispbread” (60 calories for two!!) with a half-tablespoon of almond butter spread on top. Sometimes if I have a raging sweet tooth, I’ll set 8 of these chocolate chips into the almond butter... Kinda like a donut!

3. Fruit and cheese. A half apple (split it with someone or dip in lemon juice, wrap tightly and save for later) and a piece of lowfat cheese. Or prepackaged applesauce… again, read the label and get one that is unsweetened with no corn syrup or sugar. You have to look really hard! I also like the lowfat mozzarella sticks from Precious. Packaged for kids, they’re great for adults, too. Other brands tend to be too salty.

4. Cheese and crackers. Two Wasa crispbreads and a lowfat mozzarella stick.

5. Hummus! And a carrot or half a sliced red, orange or yellow bell pepper. They’re great for scooping up the protein-packed gooey goodness. Skip the pita chips, you'd be surprised how many carbs are in carrots.

6. Sweet tooth after dinner? In a small cereal bowl, slice a half or third of a banana, add some frozen unsweetened blueberries and/or raspberries (total 1/4 to 1/3 cup), a teaspoon of unsweetened coconut shavings, a sprinkling of cinnamon and a small handful of raw unsalted walnuts or a tablespoon of sliced or slivered almonds. Creamy, cold and sweet. Who needs ice cream?

Until next time!

Elaine Bothe

Information Resources and photos courtesy of:

Nugo Nutrition

Clif products

Ghirardelli Chocolate

Wasa Crispbreads

Precious Lowfat Mozzarella Sticks

Throwback Pepsi

DIY Pendant Light

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 18:49:00 +0000

Apartment Therapy recently posted 25 DIY Projects That Cost Less Than $50. My favorite was this pendant light created using wax paper, tape, and a paper lantern from Ikea. The entire project costs less than $15 and gives you a one-of-a-kind pendant.
To create the pendant you cut strips of the wax paper about 1" wide and tape onto the paper lantern with clear gift-wrap Scotch tape...using the matte shows the seams of the tape. Work your way from the bottom to the top like the image below. That's it! How easy is that? Here is the budget breakdown:
$1.19 : Wax Paper
$0.50 : Tape
$6.00 : 23.5" Paper Lantern From IKEA
$3.99 Electric Cord From IKEA
______
Total : $11.68

Remember to be creative and have fun!
Happy Friday! - DIY Jill

project and images courtesy of www.apartmenttherapy.com

Design Tips: Conquer that Messy Garage

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:01:00 +0000

OK. Here’s some irony for you. The messiest room in your house also has the biggest doors. Gaping widely, those garage doors bare all your clutter for the whole street to see. Where’s the justice? When you were a kid, you could hide the mess under your bed, where, you’d hope, no one would ever think to look.

Garages are like that, too, except for grownups. We toss everything and anything into the garage. Stuff too big, too dirty or too rarely used to keep inside the house.

Kids’ toys, bicycles, gardening stuff, camping stuff, your tennis racquet from high school, an inflatable raft, old canning supplies we accepted thinking we’d be aboard the urban pioneer trend, spare boxes left over from when we moved into the place… oh, wait, now there’s no room for the car.

As long as the garage doors are shut, who cares, right? No one can see the mess. Unfortunately, you might have to wade through the flotsam every time you come home, because that’s still the shortest (and driest) way to the kitchen with all those groceries. Even if you park the car on the driveway. Again, where’s the justice!

Here are a few hints to help you reclaim your garage in stages. You don’t even have to dedicate the whole weekend to it, just work on it a bit at a time. And eventually it’ll all organized efficiently so you can at least find the things you need when you want them, and you can have a nice clear walkway. Space for working on projects and moving things around. And, as long as we’re making goals, maybe even parking the car.

1. Prioritize. Figure out the top few things you need to do inside the garage. Do you want to park the car there? Do you need workspace to maintain your bicycles or motorcycle or create a woodshop? Train set? Ping pong table? A place to pack, unpack and clean your camping equipment? Pet area? Laundry? Or just storage?

Write it all down. Then be honest with yourself. Really. A ping pong table and your kid has just graduated from high school? If you have a huge load of camping equipment and haven’t gone camping in three years, do you really need to keep all that?

Golf clubs? Skis? Rock climbing? You can rent high quality equipment inexpensively for that one time every two years you might actually go. And save yourself the storage and maintenance headaches. Plus the technology of gear-intensive sports and hobbies changes so fast, what you’ve been storing for years is hopelessly out of date.

2. Clean. Start small, and start honestly. It’ll be a process, don’t try to clean the whole garage at once. Back your car into your driveway, and fill it just once with things you can get rid of in one stop, say, a load of things to take to Goodwill or similar charity. Or, a load of things you’ve been meaning to take to a friend’s house… the recycler… whatever.

Allot just an hour or so, including your trip to Goodwill or wherever. Do not save the whole carload for “later,” finish this part too. Otherwise, you’ve just moved the mess into your car!

When you start small like this, one task at a time, you make progress and actually finish the task. Once you do this once or twice, it becomes much easier. Pick up something, and think to yourself, “If somebody wanted to give this to me for free, would I want it?”

Repeat the cleaning steps, revisiting your priorities as needed until your garage is more manageable and what’s left are only items you and your family truly use on a regular basis.

3. Categorize. Create piles inside your garage by category, for example, the camping gear goes over there, bikes, here, gardening, tools, etc. Don’t try to keep these piles neat or weed out further at this point, just make sure you keep the piles separate. This way you’ll have a better idea of what (and how much) you’ll need to store neatly later.

Also, if at all possible, don’t be tempted to start these piles outside the garage, except for very easily moved and large things, like bicycles. While you may need to have some stuff outside just to help clear a space inside, this step will be easier if you can finish sorting your categories without moving them again later when you’re in a rush to get started on dinner or go to a soccer game.

While you’re sorting, take mental notes of what things you want in boxes, what has to be hung, what needs to stay on the floor, large bulky items, and so forth.

4. Organize. Now that you have a good idea of how much stuff you need to store, now you can decide how to store it all. The floor is not the answer! Utilizing all that unused vertical wall space will free up your floor for important things like walking and parking cars.

You can go gangbusters and purchase a gorgeous custom garage storage system, almost like kitchen cabinetry but often made of metal, even shiny enameled finishes and diamond plate. You can hire experts like the people at GarageEnvy.com to assess what you have to store and arrange the shelves and cabinets just so.

Or, you can assemble something yourself with modular products like the Craftsman or the Gladiator Garageworks lines ava ilable at Sears. Bike racks, lawn tool holders, tool boxes, cabinets, benches, even refrigerators are available in matching finishes. This sure is one way to impress the neighbors when your garage door is wide open!

I like freestanding heavy duty and adjustable industrial-style shelving and large plastic bins. This gives me flexibility and doesn’t cost much.

Places like Home Depot and Target also sell similar shelving units to this Edsal version sold at Sears. Just be sure to know how long your walls are before you bring a bunch of these things home. Plus, you can usually go back later and buy more units in a similar style, as you need them.

Also take note of the largest things you will want to place in a bin and buy multiples of the smallest bin that will fit the largest stuff. Having all your bins in the same color and size makes for a neat appearance, but unless you label the contents or can see through them, you’ll be endlessly pulling lids off to see what’s inside.

5. Put it all together. As you put away each category, set aside broken stuff, old stuff or duplicates. Put away only the useful stuff into your new storage system and get rid of the rest. Keep each category in its own section: Consider one shelf or shelving unit for each category. This will help keep you organized after everything is put away, and you’ll easily be able to grab what you need.

6. Enjoy! A neater garage may keep you from throwing just anything in unless you have a place to store it. And you’ll have one less nagging chore hitting you upside the head every time you open that big ol’ door.

Until next time!

--Elaine Bothe

Resources:

Edsal shelving from Sears, photo is courtesy of Sears.com.

Gladiator Garageworks photo is courtesy of Sears.com

Photo of slatwall and cabinetry is courtesy of Garage Envy.

DIY No-Sew Embroidered Pillows

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 20:11:00 +0000

It takes a skilled person to produce gorgeous hand embroidered linens. This project gives you the same effect but you can do it yourself and requires no sewing! All you need to create your pillow is cording, fabric glue, a disappearing-ink pen, a pen/marker and graph paper. With a dark marker or pen draw your design on graph paper, using the grid to make the pattern uniform. Place the design under the fabric surface, then with a disappearing-ink pen, trace the design onto the fabric. Working in small sections, go over traced lines with fabric glue; carefully arrange cording over glue. To prevent fraying, treat all cut ends of cording with a dab of fabric glue. That's all it takes! You can use programs like Microsoft Word or Adobe Photoshop to create your design instead of drawing on graph paper also! Just print out your design and follow the same steps of tracing it with the disappearing-ink and gluing on the cording. Once you get the hang of it, you can use this technique from anything to bed skirts, window treatments, towels, and more. Also, make sure your trim is washable if you plan on washing your pillow. Remember to be creative and have fun!

Happy Friday! DIY Jill

image and project courtesy of www.marthastewart.com

Design Tip: Exotic orchids aren’t all that elusive

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 08:01:00 +0000

Or exclusive, either. Sure, there are rare ones that cost hundreds of dollars, but many beauties are readily available for around $20. For less than the price of a dozen cut roses, you can have a pretty and potentially long lasting gift that opens all by itself, over and over.

Watching a bud swell and burst into a crazy, colorful, sexy, sometimes scary, always fascinating bloom is a lot of fun. Soon you’ll have a full herd of flowers that look like fantastic eyeless alien creatures.

And, as far as colors go, imagine asking a creative 8 year old what they think a flower should be colored, and you’re about halfway there.

Purples with greens, pinks and yellows. Yes, on the same flower! Whites, reds, oranges, there aren’t enough colors in the rainbow to describe. And that’s not even mentioning the shapes… from round and soft, to spiky or even hairy!

Orchids naturally grow in the wild all over the world and lots of varieties have been cultivated for indoors. Some require very special attention, but many are quite tolerant of being ignored, and, probably prefer it that way.

It is easy to kill an orchid with kindness, but a lot of diffuse light and a little water (make that filtered or collected rainwater, and at room temperature, please!) will go far to make most inexpensive orchids happy.

I put my orchids in a bright room, in a corner away from the direct light and they seem to be pretty happy so far. And the foliage is pretty, too, so once the blooms die, I’ll try to see if I can make them come back. One even has interesting bulbs at the base of each leaf.

Exquisite, yes, and exotic looking, but really, quite approachable and fun.

Until next time!

Elaine Bothe

For more reading and additional beautiful photos, including care information and identification guides, please visit the following websites:

www.orchidworks2.com

www.beautifulorchids.com

www.aboutorchids.com

All photos courtesy of AboutOrchids.com.

DIY Key Organizer

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

So, I'm one of those people that ALWAYS loses their keys. I recently got a key organizer to hang by my front door so I can finally find them! I love this project for those of you like me and are still in the market for a solution to your problem! This project is so easy and adorable! All you need is a shadow box that opens from the front, decorative paper (large enough to fill the back of the shadow box), craft knife, metal ruler, spray adhesive, ruler, pencil, and four screw hooks. So, the first step is to measure how large you need the craft paper to be and cut to size using your craft knife and metal ruler. Use your spray adhesive to adhere the paper to the back of the shadow box. Rub out any wrinkles. Measure out to place four hooks just above the center of the box. Screw in each hook, hang, and enjoy! You can even write each member of your family member's names above each hook to personalize. Remember to be creative and have fun!

Happy Friday! DIY Jill

project and image courtesy of www.diyideas.com

Design Tips: Macaroni and Cheese made Better than the Classic

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Mon, 15 Feb 2010 08:01:00 +0000

Ahhh comfort food. Quick, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? For me, it’s macaroni and cheese.

A seemingly simple dish, it’s hit or miss in restaurants. Usually miss--sometimes it’s too gloppy, sometimes too runny. Yes, the boxed kits are fast, but they just don’t satisfy as well as homemade. And I like to control the quality of my ingredients.

I use rotini pasta because it drains better than macaroni, which keeps the sauce from becoming runny. Plus, the additional surface area and its starchiness holds onto the cheese sauce better than macaroni. The larger pasta morsels are more toothsome, too, and look pretty in the finished dish.

For a huge taste boost, as well as a little extra protein punch suitable for a main dish, I add some diced ham. I always dice and freeze leftover ham in small portions so it’s ready in an instant for dishes like this, or scrambled eggs, omelette or potato casseroles. I don't even thaw it before adding to the pan!

This recipe is easy, and almost as fast as mac and cheese from a box. But so much tastier. The hardest part is grating the cheese. But do make the effort, sometimes pre-bagged grated cheese is dry and has a slightly off taste. And I don’t usually even take it to the oven, I just mix the cooked pasta and the cheese sauce together and serve it with a nice green salad! Dinner, in a flash.

The secret of this recipe is a touch of Dijon style or other spicy mustard. Ham and cheese is a fabulous pairing, and the mustard makes the pair sing.

Better than Mac and Cheese

16 oz. rotini pasta, cooked according to package directions

1¼ cup milk (I prefer whole or 2 percent), room temperature or slightly warmed

2½ to 3 cups grated Cheddar cheese

2 Tablespoons butter

3 Tablespoons flour

1 teaspoon chicken flavored vegetarian broth powder

1 teaspoon Dijon style mustard

¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Salt to taste

1 cup diced ham (optional but amazingly tasty)

Sprinkling of paprika and/or dried parsley flakes

1. Prepare the pasta: boil in salted water until al dente, or according to package directions.

2. Place butter in a medium saucepan. Turn heat to medium, allow butter to foam.

3. When the foam in the butter subsides, reduce heat to low. Do not let the butter brown.

4. Add ham to the pan, sauté until it’s warm.

5. In a small bowl, combine flour, broth powder, pepper and mustard. Add mixture to saucepan, stirring frequently until well combined. You’ll end up with a paste.

6. Add the milk and about 2/3 of the cheese. Stir frequently until the cheese is melted and the mixture thickens slightly. Add about half of the remaining cheese, stirring until melted. The cheese should be nicely incorporated into the sauce.

If it’s sticking to itself in a ball, increase the heat a tiny bit and keep stirring. If the cheese ball doesn’t break apart, add a little more milk (no more than a couple of tablespoons) and stir until well mixed. If the mixture is soupy and well mixed, like a thin pancake batter or so, you can add the rest of the cheese. Or you can toss the rest on top of the finished dish.

7. Taste the sauce, add salt at this point only if necessary. Remember, the pasta will have salt on it from the cooking water, and the ham will probably add plenty of saltiness.

8. Pour the pasta and its cooking water into a large colander, allow to drain for a couple of minutes or so. Do not rinse. Then return the pasta to the pot you cooked it in.

9. Pour the cheese sauce over the pasta and stir until well combined.

10. Serve, and if desired, sprinkle paprika and parsley flakes over the top.

11. Enjoy!

Optional: pour into a casserole dish, sprinkle with paprika (no parsley if you’re broiling it, it’ll just burn), and place under a preheated broiler for 5 minutes to create a crust on top. Keep your eye on it; since the casserole should still be hot from the stovetop, if you keep it in the oven too long it’ll dry out.

A word about other topping or crusts, I usually avoid them just to save a step. Bread or cracker crumbs get soggy as leftovers, and isn't worthwhile to me.

Until next time!

--Elaine Bothe

Recipe and photo courtesy of Elaine Bothe.

DIY Valentine's Day Card

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 14:00:00 +0000

Valentine's Day is just a couple days away and it is the perfect holiday to spend time on pouring your love into a home-made card. I love home-made cards because they can say exactly what you want without being cheasy. This simple project can be accomplished quickly and the turn-out is adorable! All you need is an 8.5"x11" piece of card stock, a few colors of paper cut into 12 little strips, Elmer's glue, and a pen. Simply fold the card stock in half to create the folding card, the direction is up to you. Fold the strips of paper in the middle and curl towards the middle to create the hearts. Glue the hearts into 3 rows of 4 (see image). Then write little candy-heart sayings below. A few ideas are "be mine", "i love you", "kiss me", "cutie pie", "my love", "i'm yours" etc. Then just sign, seal, and deliver! I hope you guys have a great valentine's day!

Happy Friday! -DIY Jill

image and project courtesy of www.marthastewart.com

Design Tips: Countertops - Life Beyond Granite.

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 08:01:00 +0000

Granite. If it’s there, it’s often the first feature listed on a real estate listing. There’s a lot of selling points, which is why people choose granite countertop in the first place: it’s hard, it’s durable and it’s highly resistant to moisture and stains. A glorious piece of granite professionally installed is truly beautiful.

But because “granite” is universally recognized as a quality material and therefore desirable, builders often use cheap thin shiny 12 x 12 tiles that are neither beautiful nor durable but may still be described as “granite.” Edges chip, grout is ugly and can stain, and a poor quality installation makes for uneven edges and gaps. And there must be just two or three colors that show up everywhere, even though granite comes naturally in so many glorious colors it’ll make your head spin.

And the because that same granite look is everywhere, and has been for decades, it’s getting old. It’s time to move on.

Here are some other countertop materials to consider. As always, a quality professional installation will yield the very best results. There will always be some maintenance involved: most countertops need a sealer applied periodically to keep it looking and performing its best. Consult the manufacturer or sales team for more information.

1. Marble. Carrara (shown in above kitchen) is the variety of marble that is the most resistant to stains and water. It’s been used for centuries, and its classic coloring of mostly white with black or grey veins looks amazing in either traditional or modern settings. Like the perfect little black dress, it goes anywhere, anyhow. Carrara marble pairs beautifully with stainless steel and wood. You can probably find old pieces at salvage yards, too. But for countertops, don’t consider any other marble variety. Choose a honed (not glossy) finish for instant patina yet a modern look and easy care.

2. Other stone: consider rustic slates, sleek bluish-toned soapstone or stunning translucent onyx. All these are available in slabs, and are beautiful in different ways. Generally expensive and also less durable and higher maintenance than other stone choices, these are suitable for gorgeous and unique applications. You can even backlight onyx for a dramatic glow.

3. Butcher block or solid wood. Perfectly utilitarian, a wood countertop instantly warms up the hard cold surfaces of a kitchen or bath. It’s not nearly as durable as stone, nor is wood resistant to staining or waterproof, but that is part of its charm. The patina of years of use can be beautiful. If you like the look of a perfect wood counter, just prepare yourself for some regular maintenance, and enjoy the warmth.

Butcher block counters can be creatively made from salvaged lumber for custom installations or purchased inexpensively in standard sizes from places like Ikea. Solid wood counters can be installed by many contractors, cabinetmakers or craftsmen. Choose sturdy woods suitable for outdoor wet applications like teak or ipe if you don’t want as much maintenance, but even these will require regular sealing to maintain the color.

4. Solid surface. Remember the countertops in your high school chemistry lab? You can start with products that look like that, in solid colors or wildly patterned with recycled glass particles, pebbles or even pieces of plastic and paper. Paperstone, Icestone (shown below with cup of coffee), Caesarstone (shown at left in white on a double vanity), and Corian by Dupont are just a few manufacturers. These materials can be crafted into sinks, counters, ledges or almost anything you can think of.

5. Concrete. Whether it’s poured in place or pre-manufactured, the options for concrete and terrazzo (concrete with colored flecks of glass or stone throughout) countertops abound. See image of sink with built-in drainboard, below.

If you like a really thick look to your countertop, consider a concrete craftsman. Concrete is not stain resistant, and needs to be sealed regularly. And since it’s heavy, special care needs to be taken so that the supporting structure is solid, to prevent cracking.

6. Good old laminates. It’s not you grandma’s boomerang shapes on a glitter-flecked background, worn through to the dark brown underlayer. Modern laminates are a lot more durable and the colors and patterns are beyond imagination.

Today’s wood grain- and stone-look laminates are impressive, and some offerings are even green with recycled content or are recyclable. Readily available at home improvement stores, the durability and look is greatly improved over years past. Some even have color-matched under layers so the seams and corners look great.

Just make sure the substrate is high quality and can take water and abuse, and you’ll have a good solution, that, while not a “forever” installation, will do the job admirably for a few years at least.

7. Metal. Stainless steel and copper are common choices, but zinc, brass and bronze are also options. Stainless steel is highly durable, sanitary and low maintenance, but can be expensive for a full custom installation. And it can look cold. But balanced with other warm materials such as wood and tile or stone, your kitchen doesn't have to look like a laboratory.

Copper is stunning, but requires regular cleaning and a lot of polish to keep its look.

Along with copper, zinc (which has a similar color to stainless steel but is softer and less shiny), brass and bronze also oxidize, scratch and dent easily, reacting even to water and fingerprints. But a beautiful dark patina can develop over time just to prove it's in a well-loved kitchen.

So, amid the many options, there’s sure to be one to your liking. Have fun shopping!

Until next time,

Elaine Bothe

Resources:

Ecohaus: A fabulous resource for green-minded products and information for your home. Purchase at stores in Portland, Oregon and Seattle or from their wonderful website. The photo of the butcher block counter is courtesy of Ecohaus.

Marble kitchen image courtesy of the article “A Sophisticated Country Kitchen” on the PointClickHome website. Photo by John Gruen.

Concrete countertop with drainboard image courtesy of Two Stones Design by way of www.concretenetwork.com.

Image of coffee cup on recycled glass counter is courtesy of Icestone.

White double vanity image courtesy of Caesarstone.

Dupont Corian

Design Tips: A Little Luxury in Every Freestanding Tub

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 08:01:00 +0000

Have you ever seen a photo of a freestanding tub that looks cramped, weird or uninviting? That’s because tubs like these are the ultimate symbol of spa-like luxury, spaciousness, cleanliness and calm.

You do need some space to accommodate one, and the resulting air space around them give a sense of roominess throughout your entire bath. But they are a worthwhile consideration if you're remodeling or building a new bathroom.

If you have time to take a proper bath, it’s a treat. A moment truly to yourself, warm water, candles and fresh clean towels can make you feel like a million bucks.

Whether it’s just a beautiful salvaged or new reproduction clawfoot tub fitted with a shower, something gorgeous, modern, and sculptural like this example (below, and left) from Agape,

or even a space-saving Japanese style soaking tub (this one shown below and right is only 47 inches in diameter!) you’re sure to enjoy a little spot of luxury in your own home.

Until next time!

Elaine Bothe

Resources:

Reproduction clawfoot tubs, plumbing and shower curtain attachments, and photo courtesy of: Rejuvenation House Parts.

Black and white Agape “Spoon XL” image at left is courtesy of Agape.

Duravit “Happy D” Tub against stone wall image courtesy of Duravit USA.

Small barrel-shaped Japanese style tub by Caruso, shown at right, image courtesy of signature hardware.com.

DIY Valentine's Day Wreath

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 19:24:00 +0000

Christmas and New Year came and went so fast this year and its already almost Valentine's Day! So it's time to pack away our pine wreaths and hang out pink and red heart wreaths! I've been researching the perfect wreath to make for this Valentine's day and I want to share my pick with you guys. It was the most simple wreath to make and incredibly adorable! For this project you need: 1. Hearth shaped 10-inch polystyrene wreath form. These are available at a florist shop. 2. Utility knife with saw blade. 3. Hot glue gun and glue sticks. 4. Several bunches of dried cockscomb. 5. 3 yards of satin ribbon. 6. T-pins 7. Floral wire. The first step to making your wreath is rounding off the edges of the wreath with the utility knife which will allow for the flowers to flow over the sides. Next, trim the stems off the flowers leaving about one fourth of an inch. Apply glue to the base of the flower and arrange flowers on the form, grouping them by color. Cut a yard of ribbon, fold it in half, and attach it to the back of the wreath with a T-pin to form a loop for hanging. After hanging the wreath from a tack in the wall, tie remaining ribbon into a bow with long tails, and mount the bow on the tack with floral wire. You could also do silk roses or other flowers for a different look! Either way you'll definitely have a Valentine's Day wreath that others will be envious of...and you'll get to tell them you made it yourself! Remember to be creative and have fun!

Happy Friday! -DIY Jill

project and images courtesy of www.marthastewart.com

Teal is the IT color for 2010!

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 12:35:00 +0000

Pantone says that Teal is the IT color for 2010. I wasn't so sure that I like that... However, their great description of what the color represents has me somewhat swayed....

“In many cultures, Turquoise occupies a very special position in the world of color,” explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “It is believed to be a protective talisman, a color of deep compassion and healing, and a color of faith and truth, inspired by water and sky. Through years of color word-association studies, we also find that Turquoise represents an escape to many – taking them to a tropical paradise that is pleasant and inviting, even if only a fantasy.”

http://bit.ly/4WL4d6

Design Tips: These Sheets Really Are Great

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 08:01:00 +0000

Shameless? maybe. Biased? a bit, even though I tried not to be!

Exaggerated? absolutely not.

I love these sheets. I got just the basic set from Jennifer Adams Home... the package arrived and I pulled them out of their pretty ribbon and unfolded them. The sheets are truly soft and smooth, just as advertised. I washed them according to the instructions, then made up my bed! Wrinkle free, too, just as advertised.

I snuggled right in, they're smooth and warm and comfy. It really was hard to leave in the morning! That part didn't surprise me...

What impressed me the most was the sewing details and quality of the finish. The elastic of the fitted sheet is very heavy duty, and goes all the way around, it's not just at the corners like lesser sheets. And it fits. My mattress has a pillow top, but it's not one of the super deep ones. I was concerned that it might end up looking sloppy, but, no. It looks pro after I tucked in some of the extra fabric, and all that elastic held everything in place.

The pillowcases, too, are finished beautifully, with a neat flap that hides the pillow inside. Also sized to fit big pillows, they look great.

I'm happy to announce these sheets live up to their billing, from my own firsthand experience. You do get what you pay for. Check them out for yourself or give as a wonderful Valentine's Day gift or wedding!

Until next time!

--Elaine Bothe

Photo courtesy of www.JenniferAdamsHome.com

DIY Upholstery Webbing Runner

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 14:00:00 +0000

I would have to say this week's project is probably my favorite yet! This ingenious use of an industrial material is brilliant. The project involves weaving upholstery webbing in a basket-weave pattern to create a rug. To make the rug start by measuring the area you hope to put the rug and start cutting the webbing to size. Then weave it in a basket weave pattern, hot gluing the pieces together as you go. To finish the edges wrap a 2" piece of cotton twill around all four edges and hot glue it down to keep it in place. Wrap the corners down and adhere with hot glue and you're done.This fabulous rug is not only durable but reversible. It is important to note that you shouldn't wash your rug, only vacuum. Use a rubber rug pad to keep your new runner in place and that's it! Such an easy and inexpensive project that will be a definite show stopper! Hope you guys had a great week!
Happy Friday! -DIY Jill

project and images courtesy of www.marthastewart.com

Design tips: Radon is a real problem.

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Mon, 18 Jan 2010 08:01:00 +0000

Add one more thing on your “to do” list.

Seriously.

There could be a hidden danger in your house, and unless you know about it, you’re defenseless against the Number 2 cause of lung cancer. But there is something you can do about it. It doesn't matter how nice your basement is!

Test for radon. Soon.

January is National Radon Awareness Month. I’m doing my part by telling you that radon is present in many homes at unsafe levels in the United States. Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive byproduct of decaying uranium in rocks, soil, even water, all around us. What happens is that radon can permeate through concrete floors, drainpipes, basement walls, etc., and becomes trapped in enclosed spaces like our energy-efficient weather sealed homes.

What? You don’t live on top of a uranium mine? That doesn’t matter, because uranium is present in many different kinds of benign rocks and soil.

Your neighbor tested for radon and the test came out with safe results? That doesn’t matter either, because soil and geography can change dramatically from house lot to lot.

Radon is real. Turns out my old house, where I lived for seven years, is located in a zip code that has some of the highest radon levels in the entire state of Oregon. I had no idea! I’ve never smoked but now, I’m at risk for lung cancer. You might be, too.

Test your house. It’s not hard. Or expensive. And mitigation isn’t difficult if you end up needing it.

First conduct a short term test, available from the American Lung Association in many states, hardware stores or from the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Costs are from $14 to $40, and include the price of the analysis. In the kit is a canister or container that you set out for two or three days in a low point at your home—the basement, crawl space or main ground floor. Be sure to read the instructions carefully. Then you seal the container in an envelope and mail it to a testing laboratory who will mail the results back to you.

If the results are higher than the recommended levels (above 2-4 pCi/L (pico Curies per Liter), experts suggest to retest with either another short term test or a long term test, which is a little more expensive (maybe $35 to $60 or so) and takes up to 90 days. If your results are above 4 pCi/L, experts emphatically recommend action. (the high tested thus far in my old neighborhood was 35.5 pCi/L!!)

Mitigation may not be expensive, and generally includes ventilation and sealing strategies. To locate a professional in your area, check on the National Environmental Health Association-National Radon Proficiency Program website.

And if you’re considering a remodel or new construction, you can use techniques during construction to potentially reduce and/or mitigate radon levels in your home. Insist on it… talk with your builder. It’s a lot easier to install systems at this point rather than later.

Until next time!

--Elaine Bothe

Resources:

United States Environmental Protection Agency’s radon information page

American Lung Association

National Environmental Health Association-National Radon Proficiency Program website

The photos are courtesy of BHG.com (Better Homes and Gardens)

DIY Bathroom Organizer

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:23:00 +0000

Its the new year and time to start getting organized! Well I recently came across this super cute idea for a bathroom organizer using an old milk carrier. Use it to display hand towels and other bathroom nick-nacks in your bathroom. Or you can use it for kitchen towels too! Either way, its a simple idea to organize and display beautifully! Hope you had a great holiday and happy Friday! -DIY Jill

image courtesy of www.diyideas.com

Design Tips: Planning for Maintenance and Chores

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 08:01:00 +0000

It’s a new year, you’re over the holidays and settled back into a normal routine. Remember all those miscellaneous household thoughts, chores and minor improvements you’ve been thinking about? IT’s OK to put off the big stuff… like the kitchen remodel or new addition…

But the minor fixes, repairs, funny stuff you’ve stared at for months, if not years. The touchups, the deep cleaning, that broken hinge, exterior maintenance. Stuff you can do, some things requiring an expert. But how can you keep track, and where do you even begin? "Honeydew" lists? Job jars?

Here are some handy ways to get started.

1. Make a list. I love 3x5 note cards, because they come in packs of 100, have lots of room to write (but not too much) and are sturdy. I use the white ones, but you can get the colored ones if you want.

Write one chore on each card. Don’t get hung up on if it’s complicated or easy. You can sort them all later, this is just a brainstorming session. Write down every weird thing that has been bugging you.

Hang that photograph. Fill in the holes from the old artwork and the mirror you had over the fireplace. Fix the hinge on the kitchen cabinet. Touch up the wall where the cat jumps up into the window. Clean out the hall closet.

2. Organize the cards. Make as many piles as you need… easy tasks for which you already have all the materials and tools… tasks that need some hardware and a little more effort… tasks that you cannot do. Painting tasks, plumbing tasks, organizing drawer tasks, cleaning… whatever makes sense to you.

Consider the tasks that need the same tools, such as things that need a hammer and nails. A loose deck board, hanging a picture, relocating a wall clock. Or things that require a drill and screws such as repairing a hinge and installing hooks in a closet.

By grouping tasks by tools, you can get many things done without emptying your garage of tools or taking up an entire weekend.

Or, if you have one task that needs an expert, consider adding related tasks that might not be as bothersome to you but still need to be done. I like to stay on top of all the funny things you’d need to fix or clean if you were to sell your house, even if you’re not selling it.

So if you call in an electrician to add one outlet, you might as well have some other electrical work done. Or, a locksmith, a plumber, a painter. A tile repair guy. You might be able to save some money, and you’ll certainly be able to cross a lot of stuff off your list, because most tradesmen have a minimum charge.

For example, I needed a gutter installed on my shed out back, so I called in a gutter guy. I had him add a new downspout and clean out some problematic downspouts while he was there. So, I got my money’s worth out of his minimum charge, and felt great about checking a whole bunch of things off my list at the same time.

4. For complicated tasks, jot down on that same card the tools and materials you’ll need, as well as the steps you’ll need to take. The card is your shopping list and it will help you plan ahead. The steps will become tasks in and of themselves, and you can tackle those one by one. Shopping, cleaning, demo, repair, cleanup. Now you’re done!

5. Prioritize the tasks. Pick out which stack or tasks (you can always organize the cards in many ways) are the most important to fix first.

6. Pick the easiest one first. That way you get something done fast and with little mess. Then perhaps you’ll be inspired to accomplish more without feeling overwhelmed.

7. Set a realistic limit. Make a goal for one task per week or weekend, based on your other commitments. For a complicated task, you may need to break it down one subtask per evening or whatever. We have a rule at our house… only one room at a time has tools in it. It’s too easy to tear stuff out, it’s much harder to put it all back together.

8. Cross stuff off the list. Make a big deal over getting rid of the card. Take a big fat marker and cross out the words. Tear up the card and recycle it. It’s fun to have a task so completely finished that you don’t even need a reminder!

Until next time!

--Elaine Bothe

Photos courtesy of Elaine Bothe

Design Tips: Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 08:01:00 +0000

Welcome to 2010! A chance to look forward to all the expectations and dreams of the new year. Even though we are still at least knee-deep in recession, it’s fun to do a little super-high-end window shopping!

Maybe you had some bubbly cheer to celebrate the decade change. I bet it wasn’t this one, a stunningly beautiful bottle of vintage 1995 Dom Perignon in a special limited edition white gold wrapper. Only $17,000 in 2008 dollars!

And, if you didn’t finish the bottle, I bet it would make a perfectly fine addition to soup the way any other flat champagne would, in the place of your usual white cooking wine!

Or, for fun, maybe you could spruce up your bathroom in rarified style and cache. You know your neighbor and friends won’t have this exquisite metal-coated throne.

Chocolate is always a little slice of luxury. Treat yourself to a piece of the world’s most expensive chocolate, according to Forbes Magazine. The “La Madeline au Truffe,” from

Knipschildt Chocolatier in Norwalk, Connecticut, is a handcrafted chocolate truffle with a black truffle inside it. Yes, the truffle that pigs sniff out in France. Covered in chocolate. It will set you back $250 plus shipping. Better eat it fast, it has a shelf life of just 7 days!

Here’s to the New Year, and best wishes for you all.

Until next time!

-Elaine Bothe

Resources:

Dom Perignon image courtesy of www.luxury-insider.com/

Toilet image courtesy of Artistic Illusions.

Chocolate image courtesy of Knipschildt Chocolatier.

The Winners of our Bed Sheet Giveaway...

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 15:04:00 +0000

CONGRATULATIONS to the following winners of our Daily Sheet Giveaway that was featured on BETTER during the Holiday Season!

Dec. 15: Crystal Dewey, Ashtabula, OH

Dec. 16th: Abby Shine, Miamisburg, OH

Dec. 17th: Mark Whitmire, Atlanta, GA

Dec. 18th: Carol Mitchell, Vancouver, WA

Dec. 21st: Becky Johnston, Marietta, SC

Dec. 22nd: Laurice Trowbridge, Lake Havasu City, AZ

Dec. 23rd: Julia Secketa, Metairie, LA

Dec. 24th: Dabry Schultz, Issaquah, WA

Dec. 25th: Elizabeth Taylor, Virginia Beach, VA

To view our products, please visit us at www.JenniferAdamsHome.com. We are now featuring exquisitely soft bed sheets, and stay tuned for our entire bed system that will be available for purchase soon!

Enjoy!

Jennifer Adams

DIY New Year's Eve Party Favors

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 08:01:00 +0000

If you're hosting a New Year's Eve party tonight this simple and inexpensive project is a quick way to make your party sparkle! I found the project while looking at a wedding website that has many great DIY projects. This wedding favor is a great party favor for a New Years Eve party as well. To make the custom sparklers you'll need sparklers, heavy card stock, corner punch tool (optional), x-acto knife or scissors, ruler, and glassine bags (also optional). First, print the pattern onto heavy cardstock. Use a program like paint, Photoshop, or Illustrator to get the desired look. Cut out the design using the ruler and exacto knife or scissors. Then, cut two small rectangles to slide the sparklers through. If you desire, round the corners with the corner punch tool. Weave the sparklers through and place into the glassine bag. There you go! These favors will instantly make your party stand above all others! Have a great New Year and remember to be safe! Happy New Year! -DIY Jill

project and images courtesy of www.stylemepretty.com

Happy Holidays!

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Fri, 25 Dec 2009 14:00:00 +0000

I hope everyone has a great, relaxing, and joyful holiday! and...HAPPY FRIDAY! - DIY Jill

Design Tips: a Very Happy Holiday Season to All

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 08:01:00 +0000

And very best wishes for the New Year!

Warm thoughts go out to all, those who will celebrate with us and those that are far away.

Peace on earth.

--Elaine Bothe

Thursday's Daily Sheet Set Giveaway Winner! (12.17.2009)

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 17:18:00 +0000

Congratulations Mark Whitmire of Atlanta, GA! You won an amazingly soft sheet set from Jennifer Adams Home! Thank you for watching us on BETTER and going to our site to sign up for the Daily Giveaway!

Happy Holidays,

Jennifer

Wednesday's Daily Sheet Set Giveaway Winner! (12.16.2009)

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:34:00 +0000

Congratulations Abby Shine of Miamisburg, Ohio! You won a set of bed linens from Jennifer Adams Home! Thank you for watching us on BETTER and going to our website to sign up for the Daily Giveaway!

Warm regards,

Jennifer

Tuesday's Daily Sheet Set Giveaway Winner! (12.15.2009)

noreply@blogger.com (jennifer Adams Design Group Blog) — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:18:00 +0000

Congratulations Crystal Dewey of Ashtabula, Ohio! You won a sheet set from Jennifer Adams Home!

Thank you for watching us on BETTER and going to our site to sign up for our Daily Giveaway!

Enjoy!

Jennifer