Entry #2440, May 21, 2013

Cool down with your Memorial Day Picnic with these refreshing and vibrant drink recipes.  The drinks are simple to make and infused with rich, strong herbs and/or fruit flavors that will be refreshing to you and your guests at the picnic.  These liquid concoctions will ensure satisfied mouths and big smiles for the rest of the day! Pick a recipe and try it out!

Blackberry Crush Cocktail

Blackberry Crush

Image via: Pinterest

Ingredients

*Simple Syrup

Watermelon Lemonade Cocktail Recipe

Watermelon Lemonade

Image via: Piccante Dolce. Blogspot

Ingredients

Entry #2439, May 21, 2013

Staircases might be a problem when it comes to giving them stylish looks that suits décor of your home. They might be cemented, wooden or cantilevered in walls. When renovating your home and giving it a complete new look, don’t forget to transform your staircases.

The cost of remodeling your homes is not very sumptuous and with little budget management you can give your home an amazingly new looks.

Staircase drawers

Image via: Tom Stringer Design Partners

A little innovation will give your home a spacious look and the staircases will enliven your hallway. It all depends on what color schemes you choose and how much innovation you put. We below provide you some exquisite tips that will completely transform the way your staircases look. You can always add an extra touch of yours with your décor schemes and these ideas will extraordinarily transform your home completely.

Cupboard in staircases

One great way to make a staircase wonderful and useful at the same time is transforming it into a nice cupboard. You can follow the pattern of staircase to make a wooden cupboard. Try using woods of higher quality and finish and match it with your carpet color schemes. In case you have a flooring, use the color scheme of flooring.

Cupboard staircases

Image via: Houzz

Bookshelf in stairs

Making a bookshelf in your staircase might be good idea, if your books do not find a place to be when they are not needed. Having a bookshelf in staircase can be beautiful if your staircase is located in your living room. This will inspire a style of its own.

Bookshelf and lighting ideas under your stairs

Image via: CG&S Design-Build

Showcase in Stairs

If your staircase is seen right as you enter the front door, decorating it with exquisite showpieces might be a good in this case. It will give the enterer a speculative thing to gaze as he or she enters. It is a great way to impress your renovation to new comers in your home. You can place flowers and paintings and anything you like in the space you have made vacant in staircases.

What creative staircase ideas have you thought of?

Image via: Lucas Finlay Photography

Staircases are most difficult elements of design and décor. With a little subtlety and innovation you can make out a perfect and catchy thing to transform your staircase. These transformations not only make your staircases look catchy they also make use of the space underneath them. This combination of utility and design can be inspiring for you to carry out during your renovation of home. It is easy and it does not cost much.

For more home ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Entry #2438, May 20, 2013

A wine tour is not just about tasting wines, it’s about enjoying the whole experience of your travel. You get to learn about the history of the vineyards and the stories behind the labels. Whether you hire a guide or brave a wine tour on your own, these tips will help you make the most of your experience.

Experience the ambiance along with the wines at a wine tour

Image via: Inspired by This

Limit your vineyard visits

Visit no more than 3-4 wineries a day. Lingering around allows you to really savor the wines and understand what’s happening at every location. Rushing through the wineries will only take away from the experience. To get the most out of your wine tasting tour, consider visiting the vineyards during the off-season or midweek.

Planning a wine tasting tour

Image via: The Berry

Stay hydrated

Drink plenty of water between tasting different wines. Staying hydrated will help you to avoid hangovers and keep your palate clean. Also, to save yourself from intoxication, make sure to eat small portions of food along the way.

Avoid fragrances

Take it easy on smell goods when going for a wine tasting tour, as smell is an important aspect of how you perceive a wine. So, avoid wearing perfumes, colognes, or, any other beauty products that contain fragrances.

Wine tasting party ideas

Image via: Catch My Party

Say no to mouth fresheners

Stay away from chewing mints or gums during a wine tour. These items can significantly affect the taste of the wine, and generally in a negative way.

Ask questions

Winemakers love to talk about their wines and seek opportunity to discuss about it. Ask questions about the founders or the making process. Every question will surely proffer some valuable information. Learning during a wine tour is the best way to get the most out of your wine. Taking notes is a great way to keep a reference of your experience.

Designated driver

Even though wine tastes are small, they add up over the day. So, choose a designated driver or consider hiring a cab. It’s likely that you will consume much more than the legal limit. Be sure to follow the respective state laws in this regard.

Whether you are a wine aficionado or someone who is new to wine, these simple tips will help you take a wine tasting tour that you will surely remember for years to come.

For more travel ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

 Guest Blogger #963, Entry #2437, May 20, 2013

With summer quickly approaching, it’s finally time to tackle those outdoor painting projects you’ve been meaning to complete all year.  Whether patio furniture, the exterior of your house, or even wood fencing, there’s no better time to whip out the primers and brushes and get started. However, with painting outdoors comes many factors, some of which may require elongated patience and even the delaying of your project.

Helpful summer exterior home painting tips

Image via: Dennis Mayer Photography

Here are some tips to ensure your outdoors paint project goes as smoothly as possible:

Ideal Conditions:

The most important part of painting outdoors is waiting for the right conditions. To get the best results, painting should typically be done between temperatures of 50 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Equally important to the temperature are the wind and humidity factors. If the wind is rather strong, debris is prone to building up on wet or damp paint. Also, if the humidity is high, condensation may develop overnight, resulting in the streaking or fading of paint.

Preparation:

Much of the work for painting outdoors should be preparation, as paint fails to adhere to certain polluted surfaces. This involves scraping off any dirt or grime, or, if necessary, power washing the surface. Following this step, always remember to sand and prime all surfaces before applying the actual paint.

Necessary Materials:

To do this, materials such as scrapers or even putty knives are essential to removing cracked paint and re-filling old nail holes or cracks. If accompanied by a simple cleaning cloth, sandpaper, or even steel wool, you should have all the vital components to correctly prepare your surface. Also, don’t forget a ladder if you’ll need to reach rather tall surfaces.

Tips for painting your exterior home this summer

Image via: Colorful Concepts Interior Design

Safety First:

Throughout the process of any form of outdoors painting, always ensure that your tasks will be completed in the safest possible way. This can be as simple as remembering to keep hydrated during grueling summer months, and starting work at low-peak sun hours – ideally, the early morning.

If you follow these tips, painting outdoors should be problem-free. Remember before starting your project to always be conscious of the current weather conditions, and remain patient. If the conditions are not suitable, you may end up spending extra hours upon hours retouching, or even re-doing the entire surface! The best way to ensure a perfect paint job is to hire a professional, like Highland Park painters.

Fore more outdoor home tips on Stagetecture, click here.

Entry #2436, May 20, 2013

Are you in a rush for a unique sandwich recipe or just want a twist on a childhood favorite sandwich? Whether it’s for a breakfast or snack, the all-time favorite sandwich should satisfy your appetite. A tasty sandwich comes in handy and easy to consume. The fillings of the sandwich can be done in so many ways. You can always have it done according to your preference.

If you’re in a rush but don’t want to compromise the taste, try making a gourmet grilled cheese and apple sandwiches. It’s so easy to prepare and quick to make. The blend of grilled cheese and apple makes it so rich in flavors and sweet aroma. This is a perfect mixture for a sandwich filling that you surely want to eat.

Gourmet Grilled Cheese & Apples Sandwich

Grilled cheese and Apples Sandwich recipe

Image via: The Endless Meal

Ingredients

• 8 teaspoons honey mustard
• 8 hearty whole grain bread slices
• 8 sharp Cheddar cheese slices
• 1 large Granny Smith apple, thinly sliced
• Vegetable cooking spray

Grilled cheese and apple sandwich recipe

Image: Foodess

Procedure

1. Spread about 1 tsp. mustard on the side of each bread slice.
2. Place a slice of cheese on each of 4 bread slices and top it with apples.
3. Top with remaining cheese and bread. Mustard sides down.
4. Coat both sides of sandwiches with cooking spray.
5. Cook the sandwiches in a preheated Panini, press 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown.

Wrap it up and you’re good to go. The whole ingredients should make at least four delicious grilled cheese and apple sandwiches. You will definitely have enough for the whole family. It’s a great tasting sandwich that you want to do all over again.

The grilled cheese and apple sandwiches is not just for a typical day but can also be served for gatherings. It’s a nice addition to your menu. This is one of the sandwich recipes that deserve to be in your list of favorite menus.

For more recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

Entry #2435, May 20, 2013

Your home’s exterior provides the first impression for guests coming into your home. The challenges of the external environment are never taken as an excuse for a dull home exterior. You can definitely do something to brighten up your home exterior and impress your guests from the outside.

One of the best parts of your home exterior that can be enhanced is the window boxes. The window boxes provide a great canvass for a perfect outdoor masterpiece. It’s the part of your home where you can create an impact and change the looks of your home exterior.

Window boxes can brighten your home’s exterior

Image via: Shop Terrain

Try these creative ideas on brightening your exterior home with summer window boxes:

Alternative flowers:

Kale or borecole is actually a vegetable that you can place in your exterior windows. It’s an attractive plant with green or purple leaves that are very attractive even when you look from afar. The leaves of the kale plant form a beautiful landscape for your window boxes. You can have Peacock or Nagoya kale combined with lemon cypress and purple violas.

Create a focal point with your window boxes

Image via: Charleston Mag

Draw a focal point with your window box:

There’s no better way to make an impression than to create a contrast. You can showcase a winter-look in your window boxes by having a one element that will draw attention. For instance, you can have tall pyramid-shaped boxwood as your focal point. Match your boxwood with red nandina berries for a superb look.

Use artificial flowers in your window boxes for climate that is too extreme for live plants

Image via: Ellen Zee

Window boxes that create a statement:

If you want to make an impression, you have to make your window boxes interesting and unique. Think about what you have in your garden. Mix and match the foliage and everything you have to create a masterpiece. You can have different flowering plants as a combination.

Take time to plan for your window boxes before you start. Try the above-mentioned ideas and you will certainly get the most of your home’s exterior. Try switching out your plants seasonally and consider using artificial flowers if the climate is too hot or cold to sustain real flowers year around.

For more outdoor home ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Entry #2434, May 19, 2013

Do you get stressed easily when working in your home office? It must have something to do with the ambiance surrounding your home office. There are a number of studies that indicate the effects of having a conducive work place in your working attitude. That’s why you have to seriously consider how favorable your workstation is.

Your home office should be able to encourage you to work at your best. It must provide opportunities to work effectively and efficiently. If you think this would be hard to achieve, well, think again.

Home office ideas

Image via: Brandon Barre 

There are simple yet effective ways to turn your home office into a retreat. Check out these steps to a conducive work zone:

Wrap it up

If you think folders are just for labeling, you’re definitely wrong. Cover your folders and other paper organizers with art papers to match your interior theme. This should enhance the looks of your home office by adding colors and styles to your interior. With added beauty, you sure to have an inspiring work zone.

Keep everything in order

Organization is a vital key to achieve a conducive work area. An organized home office allows you to work effectively and efficiently. You can easily access the resources you need in style. A well-organized home office creates a great ambiance for you to stay focused with work. There will be no distractions like cluttered office supplies and messy table.

Home office ideas to inspire

Image via: DKOR Interiors Inc.- Interior Designers 

Isolate your cords and cables

More often than not, cords and cables are overlooked and taken for granted. This isn’t intended only for neat home office looks but also for safety purposes. Cluttered cords and cables may cause short circuit electrical connections or even accidents. You can use a cord box to conceal your wirings and feel safe. This will also improve the neatness of your interior.

Make your move now and consider these simple yet effective ways to turn your home office into a retreat. Be productive and have fun working in your home office.

For more home office ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Entry #2433, May 19, 2013

Memorial Day is the occasion to show our gratitude and respect to those soldiers who have lost their lives fighting for the country. The day is also celebrated as the unofficial beginning of summer fun. A Memorial Day party is one of the perfect ways to start the summer out right.

Choose a nice location for the party.

Image via: Pinterest

Pick a Location

The first thing you have to decide for a Memorial Day party is to pick a suitable location. If it is a small gathering, your patio or backyard will be enough for a barbeque. However, a local park or any other large outdoor venues will be appropriate for a large gathering.

Decorate hot dogs and soda bottles with preprinted labels and stickers

Image via: Babble

Set up the Menu

If you are going to host a barbeque party, you have to plan the menu in advance. You have to figure out what you have to buy and what to ask your guests to bring. As the host, you can arrange for the entrees and beverages and ask your guests to manage other items. Give clear instruction to everyone about what s/he has to bring. Otherwise, you may end up with nothing but only 12 bags of tortilla chips. In addition, consider storing some back up items in case someone forgets bringing any item.

Arrange for a few cozy seating corners for the guests.

Image via: Pinterest

Seating Arrangements

You have to arrange for some comfortable seating areas for your guests. If the gathering is big, you can move some of your indoor furnishings outside. Other than that, borrowing or renting some chairs and tables is also a good option. As the party will be held during summertime, do not forget to keep some umbrella-ed tables and plenty of paper fans. A buffet style will be the easiest way to serve food to a big crowd. It will need a long table, plates, dishes, platters, pans, napkins, and utensils.

Decorations

Memorial Day parties do not need much decoration. Balloons, piñatas, and streamers combined with fresh flowers and American flags will be enough. Shiny cut-out shapes and stars will also be good for decorating the place. Use tiki torches, paper lanterns, and candles if the party is going into the evening.

Decorate with patriotic fabrics

Image via: Pottery Barn

Entertainment

A good music system can keep your guests entertained. You can ask them to bring their own compilations along with them. For the kids, arrange for some games to keep them busy. Adults can engage themselves in games like bocce ball, croquet, or even baseball if you have enough backyard space.

Memorial Day party decoration ideas.

Image via: Pottery Barn

By following these tips, you can host the most exciting Memorial Day party of this season. However, make sure to keep the planning simple. Otherwise, you won’t have time to have fun and enjoy your guests.

For more summer entertaining ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Entry #2432, May 19, 2013

The weekend is family time where every member gathers together at home, and breakfast is a wonderful time to do this. Whether you decide to spend your weekend with a movie marathon or family leisure interest, a delectable breakfast should seal the deal. Serve this healthy granola pancakes recipe for the whole family. It’s the easiest way to enjoy tasty pancakes without backbreaking preparations.

Here’s how to cook the Sunday Healthy Granola Pancakes Recipe:

Sunday Homemade Granola Pancakes

Granola pancakes

Image via: Pinterest

Ingredients

• 1 cup water
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 1/3 cup uncooked multigrain hot cereal (such as Bob’s Red Mill)
• 1 1/4 cups milk
• 1 cup granola (such as Special K Low Fat Granola)
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Granola pancakes with fruit idea

Image via: Outbox 4

Preparation

1. Bring water and butter to a boil over medium-high heat in a saucepan.
2. Remove from heat and then stir in cereal. Let stand 10 minutes.
3. Stir in milk, granola, egg and honey until properly blended.
4. Stir together all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, baking powder and salt.
5. Gradually stir milk mixture into flour mixture just until moistened.
6. Pour about 1/4 cup batter for each pancake onto a hot buttered griddle or nonstick skillet. Cook for at least 3 minutes or until tops are covered with bubbles and edges look cooked.
7. Turn and cook for at least 2 minutes or until done. Keep warm in a 200° oven up to 30 minutes.

The whole ingredients should yield at least a dozen of delicious pancakes. You can adjust the size, as desired. This is a tasty proof that you don’t have to give up the taste for a healthy option. It’s a breakfast treat that the whole family will surely love.

For more breakfast recipes on Stagetecture, click here.

 Guest Blogger #962, Entry #2431, May 18, 2013

If you come from the school of thought that says only those parts of the home should be designed which are in view of others, then we can counter that idea by asking why people design their personal spaces, including office desks and bathrooms. The idea of design is to create a mood you like and it also applies to doors that are not out at the front entrance. Even the door that leads to your basement can have design appeal and it’s time you exploit that.

The main hindrance when it comes to getting people to buy interior designer doors is the belief that doors are permanent. They are not. They need to be sturdy but you don’t need to get stuck with one design.

What type of door is perfect for your interiors?

All images via: 27 estore

Doors with fashionable finishes and wood grains

There are many new designs for doors available if you’re interested. One of the recent trends points towards getting doors with fashionable finishes and wood grains. But do not let trends limit your imagination. Designers today are not afraid to challenge the norms. Depending on your budget, or in certain cases, depending on the budget’s limitation, you can adjust the style for your door. The good news is designer doors are getting more affordable every day. But whatever you do, ensure that design-wise, you aren’t making a faux pas by getting the finish done wrong.

Choose doors that blend beautifully with your home

So how do you choose a door? Well, the first thing to ask yourself is – do I want the door to match the setting of the room or do I want to risk a contrast of styles? In the first case, pick a design that compliments the texture of your room. For example, if your home has brick or stone on the walls, an earthy/dirty color would complement it better than something too bright. But if you’re looking for a contrast, you can choose a bright color. Just make sure that the color of furniture or upholstery in that room matches that of your bright new door. If it’s a front door you’re looking for, try avoiding the same color scheme of your neighbor. Your unique choice is your design definition.

Sometimes, when you want to change the color of your door from a dark to a lighter shade, you might get tempted to save time by blowing off the primer. Do not do that, for the more solid your primer coating is, the finer the final opaque color will be.

Choose from a variety of colors and wood grains

Customize your door with decoration

For those who want to go a little crazy with ideas, there’s also this new option of having artwork on the door that creates an illusion of depth, especially if it’s viewed from a certain angle. Or if you’re young at heart and want a punk theme, you could also choose a door with graffiti on it. These are merely recommendations that we have seen around. There are no restrictions when it comes to designing your own home.

Author Bio:- Paul Nach works at 27estore.com, a company focused on offering quality home remodeling products. In his free time and whenever snow is on the slopes, Paul likes to snowboard – going to the beach is also an alternative.

For more home ideas on Stagetecture, click here.