How to Make a Delicious Berry Red Sangria Recipe

If you prefer, you can easily turn this drink into a mocktail.  Simply swap out the alcohol for ginger ale, flavored seltzer water or fruit juice for a bubbly and family-friendly substitute. We also love this sangria recipe made with watermelon and cucumber!

Don’t be afraid to play with the liquid ratios, this is an easy drink to customize with different amounts or types of alcohol, or even using different fruits completely!  This sangria will be a crowd pleaser that never gets old with all of the possible tweaks.

Berry Red Sangria Recipe

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Berry Red Sangria Ingredients:

1 bottle of your favorite dry white wine or red wine

1 cup light rum

1-2 cups real pomegranate or cranberry juice (to taste)

1-2 cups orange juice (to taste)

2 cups ginger ale

1 cup sliced strawberries and/or watermelon

½ cup blueberries

Sangria Directions:

1.  Using an ice cube tray, fill each section halfway with water and add blueberries to each cube.  Place in the freezer until solid.

2. In a large pitcher, combine the white wine, rum, and fruit juices.  Feel free to adjust the ratios to your preference.  Add the sliced fruit and chill the pitcher in the freezer for at least 2 hours so the fruit can infuse the sangria.

3. For serving once the ice cubes are solid and the sangria is chilled, add the ginger ale just before pouring to keep it bubbly.  Then pour the sangria into glasses and add the blueberry ice cubes.  Garnish with a sliced strawberry and sip away!  Refrigerate any leftovers… and enjoy on another occasion.

For more drinks and cocktails for your party, take a look through our archives on Stagetecture.

This weekend, you may be planning to host a holiday get-together with all your friends.  Labor Day is a patriotic holiday like the 4^th of July, but there are plenty of ways to differentiate the two holidays and put your own stamp on the normal red, white, and blue theme.  Consider doing your own end-of-summer themed party that includes more of the colors of oncoming fall like rich burgundy, bright yellows, and warm oranges.  Here a few popular alternatives to red, white, and blue to get you started on using one of these or inventing your own Labor Day theme!

White Party

The old rule is that it’s not fashionable to wear white after Labor Day, so why not go out with a blinding flash of, well, white?  Ask guests to wear white, and decorate using white tablecloths (plastic ones will be stress-free), balloons, and flowers.  Use plain white T-shirts and fabric markers to let guests create their own party favor by designing their own shirt.  This theme may be better-suited for adults who won’t be playing football in the grass.  Just watch out for ketchup.

Image via Hannas

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Back-to-School Party

To send the younger generation off to school properly, and bring out your own inner child, host a back-to-school party for kids and their parents.  Decorate the table with school supplies (which also make great party favors) and set up schoolyard games like hopscotch and jump rope to get back in shape for recess.  Feel free to replace the red, white, and blue with fall colors for the school season like school bus yellow, burnt orange, and earthy browns for a more muted palette.

Image via Catch My Party

Denim Party

Since the spirit of Labor Day is to celebrate the American workforce, have some fun with the blue-collar work ethic and make sure everyone wears as much denim as they can find.  Set aside a door prize for the most unexpected item of clothing: a kooky vest, an all-denim hat, who knows!  For table centerpieces, fill simple toolboxes with dinner essentials like silverware, napkins, and condiments.

Whatever your plans may be, have a safe and happy Labor Day weekend!

For more holiday ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

In my experience as a design consultant, I have been inside clients’ homes countless times.  I love to see how each person has a unique and personal sense of style, and I believe it’s very important to preserve their sense of identity when redecorating.  What I like, or whatever the latest home trend is, may not be the one-size-fits-all solution for everyone.  With that said, there are some décor mistakes I see repeatedly from place to place that are easily remedied without professional help.  I call them “mistakes” because, even though design is incredibly flexible, these three things simply don’t work well in the overall visual aesthetics of a room.  Take a look around and see if you can’t do a simple improvement right now.

Image via Pinterest

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The ‘Postage-Stamp’ Rug

Rugs that are too small for a room are all too common.  A rug should act as an anchor that unites all the furniture groupings together by extending to reach all of them.  Generally, you should leave only 18-24 inches of space between the walls and rug border all the way around or the “anchor” will feel lost and floating in the center of the room.  Check here to learn more about choosing the perfect rug.

 Image via: Niki Papadopoulos

Hanging Art Too High (or Too Low)

It’s so easy to hang art or family photos on a single nail.  What’s harder is hanging it at the right height.  The center of the painting should be about eye level, with at least 12 inches of clearance from the ceiling.  Take an extra minute to measure, and your eyes will thank you for years.  To get more ideas for hanging art creatively, click here.

Image via Mix and Chic

No Headboard

Headboards are the focal point of a bedroom, so a bed without one knocks the whole room out balance.  There’s no “right” type of headboard, from wood to upholstery to even a curtain or oversized piece of wall art.  The important part is to have that central aspect of the bed and to make sure that you love it.  If you like to DIY, here’s a tutorial on how to make your own headboard.  With these tips, you can avoid the most common decorating mistakes!

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture here

In the heat of summer, a bright, crisp tropical palette is as refreshing and attractive as taking a bite out of a ripe watermelon.  On the other hand, most of us have seen tropical colors gone wrong in a room with a little too much of a good thing.  How can you strike a balance and bring in exciting color that doesn’t overwhelm?  It is easy to paint on bold colors with a large brush in an effort to capture their powerful emotions, but for tropical colors to really shine, controlling their appearance in your home is the best way to make a summer statement.

Image via:  Pinterest

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Keep the Theme

First, set a palette.  Narrow your tropical colors to two or three, like coral red, grapefruit yellow, or ocean teal.  To truly bring home the tropics, stick to pure, clean, and saturated hues of each color: leave the toned-down shades on the shelf!  Bring in those central colors in varying amounts from room to room to create continuity.  The dining room may be mostly teal with yellow touches and give way onto a primarily yellow kitchen with coral accents.  The repetition of a few colors in the same shade throughout each and every room creates harmony, intentionality, and will help control the palette from becoming too loud and confusing.

Image via: Houzz.com

Minimize Details

When you have lots of bright color, let your palette take center stage over other elements like pattern and texture.  When you’re decorating, it’s all too easy (and fun!) to add gorgeous details everywhere.  Contrasting curtain trim, pillow fringe, and themed accessories; the list is infinitely long.  While those types of details are great, they are better suited to enhance more neutral palettes that won’t overpower the senses.  Let your color be your color, and edit patterns and extra details to the absolute minimum.

While it’s difficult to use restraint in a design full of explosive colors, your careful editing is what separates a loud and uncomfortable scheme from one that feels vibrant and inviting.  Make sure you include plenty of elements in neutral shades to serve as the background “canvas” for your summer style, and let your creativity show in the bright colors you choose.

For more color ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Today, even gender is less of a defining factor for home DIY projects.  Websites like Pinterest, Etsy, and personal blogs rule the web-surfing time of men and women alike. And for good reason: DIY projects can be a fantastic way to personalize your designs within your budget. The Internet makes any home project seem possible for less than the brand-new version, and completely attainable, too.  Though it may be obvious that some people really know how to get crafty on a dime, that doesn’t mean you can save big by ‘pinning’ a home full of design projects to your to-do list.  Do a quick reality check to make sure that DIY light fixture is really worth it.

Image via: Bead & Cord

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Big savings on your DIY project or not?

Before you rush to your craft store with a list as long as your favorite Pinterest board, take a second look at the costs involved.  Unless you already have a well-stocked craft room of spray paint, cordless power tools, and yards of fabric, the expenses can add up faster than you think.  Price out all of the items you need, including the cost of rarely-used tools you’ll have to purchase and then compare it to a new version.  The difference for new and professional versus your sweat and raw materials may be less than you think!  If the savings is significant, though, keep reading.

Image via Martha Stewart

Built to Last

Speaking of new and professional, sometimes an inexpensive DIY project just isn’t worth the sacrifice in quality. This is especially true of furniture, where high-quality pieces are like a simple trench coat in your closet: you’ll keep it forever.  In the long run, you may save money by buying something that will outlast a homemade version.

Image via Thinking Threads

Time Away

The step-by-step instructions are easy, right?  Read instructions carefully, all the way through, and honestly evaluate the time it would take for you to complete.  If you aren’t a seamstress, that ruffled apron isn’t going to happen in a day.  If you’ve considered the money, value, and time required and the project is still a savings, then you’ve got work to do!  Stay sane, and choose your DIY projects wisely.  Happy crafting!

For more DIY tips on Stagetecture, click here.

As the final days of summer approach and the kids’ bags are packed for school, interior trends are showing a homey, warm feel with a few surprises.  There is a distinct resurfacing of some older trends from decades past.  Don’t panic at the thought of your childhood fashions coming back to haunt you, though: these looks are innovative updates that use dated styles in a perfectly fresh way.

Brass

To really understand why brass is back, it’s important to look at the context where it’s used.  Following several years of extremely minimalist contemporary designs loaded with chrome, the new contemporary looks a little more aged and organic.  No doubt growing from the green, eco-friendly movement, this warm and recycled look uses natural materials.  Brass, once a shiny staple in 1980’s hardware; is back in a more subdued, distressed form and extends beyond fixtures and into case goods like occasional tables.

Image via Jonathan Adler

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Classic Tapestry

Elle Décor declares that tapestry is “having its moment in the 21^st century” and they are spot on.  The heavy weaves and intricate patterns balance the clean lines of today’s furniture design, and evoke the exotic mystique of travel.  From knights in shining armor to luxurious palaces in the Far East, tapestries have a rich history to contribute to modern style.  Find it in rugs, wall hangings, pillows, drapes, or accent upholstery for a little splash of ancient adventure.

Image via Treehouse

Period Furniture

At this point, recycled antique furniture shouldn’t surprise you as a fall trend.  Not only is it in keeping with the lived-in feel of the moment, but it’s also easy on the budget.  A high-quality chest of solid wood is an expensive purchase unless it happens to be secondhand.  As auctions gain popularity with the same speed of the DIY community, antiques are a viable, high-quality option that’s high on personality and the restoration vibe.  An accent piece or two with unusual lines will actually contribute visual interest and modernism by adding contrast and a study in form to a blank wall or a crisp sofa.

Image via: Lonny

These trends may have caught you by surprise, but hopefully you’ll see that with a little bit of reinventing these old styles will look anything but dated in your own home!

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Of all the big decorating decisions that go into your home, I find wall art to be one of the most daunting.  I’m not sure whether it is because or in spite of my education in art history, but I look at a blank wall the way a challenged writer looks at a blank page: for hours!  Art is the finishing touch that brings all the elements in your room together, and I love when a great piece of art is the focal point of the room.  But no matter your décor: from an extremely specific theme to simple and white, there are so many options for art.  Choosing a great piece is less about a right and wrong answer as it is about your design inspiration and a gut feeling.

Image via Simplified Bee

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Go Big or Go Home

Like working a crossword puzzle with a pen, you should commit to your decision if it’s going to be a major focal point in both size and style.  For several years now, the staying trend is to fill your wall space as much as possible.  Leave at least a 12 to 18-inch clearance to the ceiling and floor (or furniture, etc), but other than that, fill your space as much as possible.  You can use one large image or a creative grouping to achieve your goal, but find something that you really love or you’ll tire quickly of such a big statement.  While you’re bound to find many pieces that are stunning, keep a close eye on your current design to narrow your choices.  You want at least two of the same colors in your artwork, and the subject (even if it’s abstract) should be in keeping with your style or theme unless you are aiming for an extremely eclectic, mixed look.

Image via Two-Thirty-Five Design

Framing It

Don’t forget about the frame!  Just like the style of the art you choose, the frame’s styling may match or contrast with your room.  A smaller painting may fill your space and draw attention with a thick frame just as a large black-and-white print will shine best in a small, simple frame.  In the end, trust your instincts; after all, you are the one who will see it the most!

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

When most of us think about floral prints and patterns, the immediate image is Grandma’s sofa…. and Grandma’s curtains, rug, pillows, and everything else, for that matter.  Florals may get a bad rap for a certain dated look, but these days, floral prints aren’t your grandmother’s kitsch!  During the summertime, they are the perfect pattern choice for a bright and fresh space that’s not short on modern appeal.

Image via Arianna Belle Interiors

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It’s In the Buds

Believe it or not, you can have a floral sofa; it just has to be the right kind of floral.  Pale, faded colors and small, complicated prints will certainly evoke another generation, so look for bright colors in an open, simple design with lots of visible background.  The big, graphic textiles are less feminine and certainly more playful.  Make sure you also opt for floral prints on streamlined furniture: no skirts or carved wood on sofas and chairs.  That way you will avoid an already dated style.

Image via: Eric Piasecki

For a really fashion-forward look, mix different florals correctly in pillows or rugs.  To do this without clashing, start with one oversized-print floral on a pillow or rug, then choose one to two other prints with at least two of the same colors and in a smaller scale (think a few square inches).  You’ll have an eclectic, bohemian vibe in no time!

Image via: Brewster Home Fashions

Image via Stoheim

Contrast Styles

If you bring floral prints into parts of your design, don’t forget to think about how all the pieces will work together.  In order to keep the room from looking overly feminine, mix styles of furniture with the florals for a cool and contemporary look.  Even the most adorable, vintage chair will look edgier when coupled with an ultra-sleek side table and a graphic rug.  Modern lighting or a chunky coffee table can balance the femininity just as much as the type of floral itself.  While out shopping, it’s always a good idea to keep photos, paint samples, and inspiration with you, but it’s even more important when looking for the right flowery print to strike a balance in your room.

Don’t let florals intimidate you any longer; you have the tools you need to make them modern and fun!

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Indoor lighting is fun and fabulous, and there is no place like the dining room chandelier that has more power to make a statement.  Changing the fixture above your table doesn’t require a remodel, just a really stunning replacement that is the right size, shape, and style for your home.  Which one is right?  Here are the basics for taking the headache (and neck ache) out of craning your head for hours at your local lighting gallery.

Image via: James Glover Residential & Interior Design

Size

The size of your dining room and your table will quickly narrow your choices.  The chandelier should be about one-third the width of the table, particularly with a round shape.  A 60-inch round means that a chandelier about 20 inches in diameter will look well proportioned.  Ideally, you should hang any chandelier 30 inches above the table (from the bottom of the fixture to the top of the table); this allows for even lighting and space for a tall centerpiece like cut flowers.

Image via Vok Design Group

Shape

While you can add lots of dimension with a your dining room lighting, one important rule is that any chandelier should be centered over the table itself, regardless of the room.  In an open floor plan, or a dining room with a buffet and other furniture, your table may not actually be in the center of the room where the fixture is mounted.  If this is the case, an electrician can move the location of the fixture without much trouble so that you will be able to update the lighting as often as you want in the future without needing to repeat the process.  If you have a large space, focus on finding a bold chandelier with plenty of three-dimensional impact so it seems visually larger.

Image via: Ideas Home Design

Style

Think big picture here: what is the style of your home?  If you don’t want to replace the fixture often, choose something in harmony with your architecture for timelessness.  If you like to be on-trend, consider a chandelier that is a bold contrast from your décor.  If you have a very industrial design, a crystal chandelier will soften the look and add visual interest.  Keep your whole design inspiration in mind while shopping, and have fun!

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.

Few things are more precious and valuable than your collection of family photos.  A photo display of your closest friends and relatives is a key point in making a house feel like a home.  While most of us automatically reach for a hammer and nails, there are plenty of more creative ways to make those photos shine.  Here are a few interesting ideas for displaying your pictures in a fun way that doesn’t involve quite as many holes in the drywall.

Image via: Room and Board

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Picture Rails

Picture rails are an elegant solution with a bit of an old-fashioned nostalgia.  The shelf surface allows for lots of creativity and easy adjustments and photo swapping.  To add visual interest, use several different sizes of frames and decorative items.  Most picture rails should be installed within 12-18 inches of the ceiling, and they do not run over window and door casings.  Installing the molding isn’t difficult, just be sure to screw into wall studs, not drywall, for support.

Image via: Pottery Barn 

Recycle

If you like the unexpected, repurposing objects from around the house or craft store can be a playful way to show off your loved ones.  For a small grouping, use a sturdy curtain rod mounted high on the wall, and hang your photos from varying lengths of chain (safer than string).  Fewer holes in the wall, and easy to swap out for new pictures!  If you update your photos so often that even framing them becomes a chore, hang a large, empty frame on a blank wall and secure a few horizontal rows of string from side to side.

Image via: Holly Mathis Interiors

All you need are some clothespins (spray paint them to match your color scheme) and you can clip and re-clip photos just as fast as the kids are growing up.  If you have floor space, a double-sided painted wooden ladder becomes a tiered display shelf for small frames and keepsakes in a snap. Rather than resorting to rows of photos nailed to the wall, use one of these easy ideas to turn your family photos from a lineup to a warm and unique collection.  Quick to install and even quicker to update, you’ll always be proud to show off your loved ones in photo display with style.

For more home decor ideas on Stagetecture, click here.