Aug 30, 2013

Home Decor: Wicker Baskets

Five Ways To Use Wicker Baskets
BY CHARLOTTE MILLER

Finding places to tuck away everyday clutter is a challenge. A versatile solution is the wicker basket. Wicker baskets provide instant storage solutions in any room
and add a rustic yet modern touch. Here are five ways to use wicker baskets in your home.




 
1. Clean Kitchen

Hide away pots and pans in your kitchen by lining up baskets underneath your kitchen island. Selecting a series of identical baskets makes for a curated and clean way for kitchen clutter to disappear.






2. Blanket Storage

Store away blankets in the living room in an interesting shaped wicker basket. The stark white couch juxtaposed with the wicker basket makes for a fresh modern look.

 




3. Wicker Basket DIY

Wicker baskets can also be easily spray painted to go with any decor. Spray painting the baskets silver gives the classic wicker basket an updated and modern feel. 





4. Reading Nook


Organize your books, magazines, and newspapers into smaller wicker baskets on shelves for a clean crisp reading nook.






 5. Awkward Spaces

Hide away awkward spaces of your home like a radiator by placing different sized baskets in front. This look not only provides extra storage but also is adds a textural design element to a hard to decorate space.

{Images courtesy of
Pinterest}

Aug 23, 2013

Tips + Tricks: A Gallery Wall

10 Tips + Tricks For A Perfect Gallery Wall
BY CHARLOTTE MILLER




1. The first step to creating a successful gallery wall is to pick work you love. 


2. Select artworks of different mediums such as photography, watercolor or collage.




3. Choose works of different sizes to create an interesting play of shapes.

4. Play with different mat sizes. For a small work such as a Polaroid, choose an oversized mat for a more substantial look. 

5. Juxtapose frames of different sizes, colors, and textures. 




6. Lay out your works on the floor in advance to determine your perfect layout.

7. Smaller frames look better grouped while larger works need more space.

8. When installing work over furniture, make sure to leave eight inches between the base of the frame and the top of the furniture. 




9. Do not center the works for a more interesting and organic feel.

10. Don't over think it and have fun!

{Images courtesy of Pinterest}

Aug 16, 2013

Home Decor: Reading Nooks

Five Cozy Reading Nooks
BY CHARLOTTE MILLER



Apartment living means awkward small spaces that do not quite have a clear purpose. It is the small nooks and crannies of an apartment that you can creatively transform into your favorite places.  Why not turn these cozy spaces into a quiet place to take a moment to yourself.  All you need is a comfy pillow and the latest best seller for an afternoon of true rest and relaxation. Here are five of our favorite reading nooks.




1. Stair Side Reprieve 

Turn the space around a spiraling staircase into the perfect reading nook. The stark white of the room juxtaposed with the black leather chair and dark wood table make for ideal space to get lost in your latest book. 




2. A Step Up

Old apartments come with unique characteristics like this step. Turn this awkward step into place to read by stacking neutral colored pillows. Add a pop of color with a vase of fresh cut hydrangea. 



3. At An Angle

Angled ceilings can be a challenge. Turning an angled loft space into a reading nook allows for a true tucked away place for a moment of quiet. 



4. Window Seat

A window seat makes for the perfect little space for an afternoon of reading. Make sure to pick the window for the best view for an amazing reprieve. 



5. Bookshelf Bliss

A bookshelf is more than just a place to store your books. For those of us with minimal space to stretch out simply prop up your feet up on your bookshelf. 


{Images courtesy of Pinterest}







Aug 9, 2013

Restaurant Feature: Roka Akor

Roka Akor
BY CHARLOTTE MILLER

San Francisco is home to many top restaurants making it a major mecca for foodies. With new restaurants popping up all over town, finding one that really stands out is a challenge. The San Francisco counterpart to award-winning London restaurant Roka Akor breathes new life into culinary fabric of San Francisco. Nestled into the charming neighborhood of Jackson Square, Roka Akor specializes in contemporary Robatayaki Japaense cuisine. The restaurant decor is modern and thoughtful providing the perfect setting to enjoy Chef Roman Petry's decadent menu which includes sushi, seafood, and steak.



Sit at the sushi bar to get the sous chef's top recommendations. Start with the wagyu beef and kimchi dumplings for an appetizer followed by the robata grilled berskire pork belly with golden beets that melts in your mouth. Move onto your favorite sashimi and you will understand why Bon Apetit named Roka Akor one of the top 10 sushi spots in the United States.



Next, order the roasted king crab with chili lime butter and fresh cucumber for one of the best crabs you will ever eat. End your meal on a sweet note and order the warm chocolate cake with caramelized white chocolate and burnt orange ice cream. Roka Akor is a much welcomed fresh take on Japanese cuisine and is on our list of SF restaurant favorites.



Roka Akor
801 Montgomery Street
San Francisco, CA 94133
415.362.8887
http://www.rokaakor.com/locations/san-francisco/



Aug 2, 2013

Winery Spotlight: Scibe


Scribe Winery, Sonoma, CA
BY CHARLOTTE MILLER

One of the best features of living in the Bay Area is our proximity to wine country. With so many amazing wineries to visit, finding a winery off the beaten path can be hard to find. Our favorite winery is Scribe located on Napa Road in Sonoma. Scribe was founded by brothers Andrew and Adam Mariani with the goal of reviving the property to make artisanal wines using sustainable winemaking methods. Scribe provides a laid-back and young atmosphere with an at home feel for an afternoon of amazing wine. 



A long driveway leads to you the Scribe cellar where wine tastings are held inside a cozy cellar or on one of the picnic tables overlooking the vineyard. The vineyard is more than an amazing view as it is infused with history adding to the mystic of Scribe. 

Reconstructing the history of the vineyard from county records, lithographs, and artifacts, Scribe uncovered that the vineyard was purchased in 1858 by Emil Dresel, the son of a famous champagne producer in Weisenheim Germany and also the first importer of first varieties of Riesling and Sylvaner to the US. Later joined by his brother Julius, they were became known as viticultural leaders. During prohibition, the Dresel Wine Co. served as a byline for bootleggers to transport their goods and was also a password-protected speakeasy. 


The intriguing history of the vineyard coupled with the rustic setting make Scribe the perfect place to sip a glass of wine. Best part of all is that your Drip Module dog can play on the rope swing!

Scribe Winery
2300 Napa Road
Sonoma, CA 95476
707-939-1858
http://www.scribewinery.com


{Images courtesy of Charlotte Miller's iPhone}