Room To Talk Blog

Can I just say that I don't think I'll ever be over the Colors of 2016?  As the Pantone Color Institute predicted, rose and serenity blue have managed to make a big mark on the world this year.  At first glance I thought pastel pink and blues might seem more suited to a nursery than a sophisticated living room, but I was totally wrong!  I'm amazed at what a beautiful job they do creating relaxing, beautiful, and grown-up interior spaces.  

Three cheers for pink as the new neutral! 

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We are in the heart of football season and basketball will soon be up and running until next June. That means that you’re going to spend a lot of time throughout the next few months watching the game, hanging out with friends and family and just kicking back and relaxing after a long week at work.

A well put together man cave will serve all your needs while watching the big game. Make sure you have at least one TV to highlight the main event and throw in a couple smaller ones to stream the side games to keep everyone entertained. Coupled with a good wireless sound system you will be able to hear the in-game commentary or link up with your phone and stream music when hosting guests at a party.

Throw in a bar with a mini fridge and stools on the side so that the food and drinks can be organized and served, while also providing an area away from all the action for people to eat and socialize. Then tie the whole room together with a pool or foosball table to keep everyone entertained during halftime and keep the party going even after the game has ended.

Man caves essential checklist:

• 1 or more TVs (throw in a projector for the main viewing experience and a larger screen)
• Sectional
• Coffee table/ottoman
• Bar table
• Bar stools
• Mini fridge
• Game table

To see more of the above man cave visit Brooklyn Berry's site

Fall is here—Cue changes in colors, cooler weather, pumpkin spice everything and trips up to the mountains or the local Farmer’s Market with friends and family. During this time of year, we are able to find apples at their freshest and a trip to the local orchard may leave you with more apples than you know what to do with. We all need something to snack on as we curl up with a good book and sip on a cup of hot chocolate or coffee. This recipe for apple chips will ensure that you can enjoy all the flavors of fall to their fullest and makes for a great family activity or side dish at any one of the parties that will be thrown this Fall. 

Ingredients:

3 Apples

First Variation (Pumpkin Spice)

• 2 tbsp. of ground cinnamon
• 1 tbsp. ground ginger
• 1 ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
• 1 ½ ground cloves

Second Variation (Chai Spice)

• 2 ½ tsp. ground ginger
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp. ground cardamom
• 1 tsp. ground cloves
• ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
• Optional: sprinkle sugar

Step 1: Make sure the oven is preheated to 200 degrees Fahrenheit and line your baking sheet with parchment paper. Now it's time to core your apples (for thicker chips, slice the apple with its core and pick out the seeds). Use the mandolin to make thin apple slices into rounds (discard the bottom slice) and place the rounds onto the baking sheet, or place the apple chips on top of a baking rack placed over a baking sheet.

Step 2: Mix together your chosen blend of spices into a small bowl. Lightly sprinkle the apples.

Step 3: Bake the apples for an hour and a half, remove from the oven and flip the chips and sprinkle the new side with more of the spices. Bake for another hour and check. If the apples are at the desired level of crispiness then turn off the oven and keep the chips inside the oven as it cools down as this will allow them to become crispier (If you prefer chewier chips, reduce the baking time and pull them out when they have reached your desired level of crunch). Store in an airtight container.

All white kitchens have been absolutely huge in the design world for the past few years...... and for good reason!  I mean, what's not to love?  They are classic, fresh, and beautifully simple.  White kitchens are by no means on their way out, one of the hottest kitchen design trends of 2016 is changing things up a bit with two toned kitchen cabinets.

Many designers and homeowners are opting for darker wood tones and colored lower cabinets, while keeping upper kitchen cabinets neutral or white.  I love this look!  The darker cabinets on the bottom really anchor the kitchen, and the white cabinets up top keep things light, airy, and clean.  I think the visual contrast between light and dark is just stunning, and creates a gorgeous, energized kitchen space.  Here are some inspiring examples.....

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What do you think?  Love the two-toned kitchen cabinets or would you stick to all white (or one color)?