Four Inspiring Ways to Decorate Open Shelves in the Kitchen

When you're in your kitchen you’re likely cooking or socializing. A kitchen can be a place where you feel inspired, motivated, and creative, but it can quickly become cluttered and overrun with items that get left behind during the everyday hustle and bustle of life. Don’t let your open shelving be a place for additional clutter! We’ve got four inspiring ways you can decorate open shelves in your kitchen for a clean, put together look!

Contrast

If you want your open shelves to look more interesting and less uniform, try to introduce some contrast. You can contrast size, height, texture, shape, and colors to give an engaging look. You might try a tall vase with some faux greenery next to a few shorter planters with succulents in different shapes and colors. Maybe some flow out of the sides of the planters while others grow out of the top. On a nearby shelf add some of your favorite ceramic mugs next to a beautiful piece of pottery. Glassware looks amazing on display next to something with some pops of color, or in front of a vibrant backsplash. The key to contrast is “just enough.” It can be easy to overdo it in this area, so don’t be afraid to arrange, and rearrange until it looks just right. 

Practical and Meaningful

Kitchen shelving is a sacred space in many kitchens. If you don’t have much of it, you might be less excited to decorate it, and more eager to make practical use of your space. Using your shelving in a functional way doesn’t mean that it can’t be beautiful. Begin by displaying items that are used frequently on the lower, easy to reach shelves. Plates, bowls, and glasses are prime items for these spaces. If your plates are of different colors or patterns, just make sure to display them in an organized way so it looks thought out. Glasses and bowls can be carefully stacked and displayed in a pattern of bowls, glasses, bowls, glasses, in an eye-catching arrangement. 

If your space needs to be functional but you still want to display some decorative items, make sure the items that win the space are meaningful. Maybe it’s a family cookbook, ceramic mugs from a vacation collection, and your favorite greenery in a vase. If it brings you joy, it deserves a place! By keeping it meaningful you’ll be less likely to add too much decor which could leave your kitchen feeling cluttered. 

Color Scheme

While contrast is good, it can be helpful to stick with a general color scheme to avoid an overdone, cluttered look. Different hues of a general theme can be a unique way to keep your shelves feeling organized and planned out versus thrown together and cluttered. If you’re going with blues for example, try some navy and seafoam mixed with some natural wood or bamboo materials. Adding in some white dishes or vases can add to a clean design among pops of color. 

Don’t Fill Every Space

It can be tempting to fill every inch of space on your shelves, but in this case, less is more. In order to keep your open shelves looking clean and feeling functional, leave some room to breathe. You definitely don’t want to be moving things around each time you reach for your favorite mug, or to be rearranging bunches of small figurines in order to dust and clean your shelves. You can have beautiful open shelving by simply organizing your dishes, glasses, and bowls and adding a few statement pieces. 

The best way to organize open shelves is to be strategic. Whether you focus on colors, textures, practicality, or all of the above, the key is to keep your space looking put together, clean, and functional. Your kitchen is a place of gathering, so make sure whatever is on display brings you joy and inspiration! 

Whimsical Summer Tablescape Ideas

Summertime should be easy and breezy. To elevate your summer dining experience, create a whimsical, effortless vibe by designing a beautiful tablescape for your family or guests to enjoy.

One of the most effortless ways to create a tablescape that looks well planned is to have items that match. A summer inspired table setting will have a color scheme that goes along with the season. Beachy colors such as shades of blue, turquoise, or yellow are great choices. You might even choose a theme such as floral, beach, or patriotic. In your chosen color scheme or theme, choose tableware and linens. For an outdoor table, you may want to consider unbreakable plates, bowls, and cups. Start with a table runner, and then layer with placemats, plates, bowls, silverware and cloth napkins. 

Next, you’ll want to incorporate a centerpiece. Consider the time of day of your gathering or when guests will be sitting down to eat. Do you need lighting at the table, or just something fresh and pretty to look at? For brunch, lunch, or early dinners, a seasonal floral arrangement is the perfect centerpiece. You can find florals that fit with your color scheme or theme and place one large arrangement in the center, or if you have a longer table you can use small vases and place several throughout the length of your table. If your dining experience is in the evening, a lantern centerpiece will set the mood. Along the table runner, try fairy lights for an extra glow. 

Not technically part of the tablescape, but equally as important for style and comfort, is how you decorate your seating area. If you’re designing a tablescape for a dinner party, you likely have more formal seating. You can experiment with chair cushions in your chosen colors to add an extra layer of comfort. If you have lounging patio seating nearby, elevate it by adding a few pillows and throws in your colors or theme to bring it all together. 

With the weather turning favorable, us Wisconsinites love to take advantage of our limited outdoor time. Make the most of your experience by creating a beautiful summer tablescape for friends and family to enjoy food and drinks, and make lasting memories!

Frosted Lemonade

School’s out for summer…almost! If your kids, grandkids, neighbor kids, or any other kinds of kids in your life will be around a little more in the next few months, it’s good to have a few fun tricks up your sleeve! One tried and true way to a kid's heart is to make them something they love. This twist on the classic summer glass of lemonade will have all the kids on the block begging for more!

Prep: 5 mins | Total Time: 5 mins | Servings: 2

Ingredients

1 Cup Lemonade

2 Cups Vanilla Ice Cream

1 Lemon

Blend It Up

This is the easiest thing you’ll make all summer long! In a blender, add lemonade and ice cream. Blend on low to start, after about 15 seconds switch to medium. Blend until smooth. Pour into plastic cups, add a straw and a slice of lemon for garnish. That’s it - seriously!

The perfect mix of sweet and tart, this refreshing frozen treat is easy enough to become a summer staple!

Why you Need Swivel Chairs in your Home

A modern spin on a vintage staple, swivel chairs are gaining popularity in home decor. There are so many reasons that you need swivel chairs in your home, so we’ve rounded up the top three. Now’s the time to jump on the trend, it’s here to stay!

1 - You Love a Good Conversation

Have you ever found yourself in a conversation with a group of people at a party and one or more of the people you’re talking to is just out of your sight? Or maybe you’re relaxing but then a family member asks you a question from another part of your home. If you’re chatting with someone, it almost feels rude to not be looking at them, so you crane your neck to keep the conversation going. This can be straining, awkward, and make conversations die quickly, but not if you have swivel chairs! You can seamlessly have conversations with people all around you by turning your chair effortlessly. You and your guests will love having swivel chairs to keep the conversations going. This same idea can be applied to an office space, where you might be working or studying alone sometimes, and hosting meetings where you want to be able to make good eye contact for important conversations at other times. 

2 - You Love a Good Book

Think about the place in your home where you sit down to cozy up with a good book. Now think of that spot as a swivel chair, designed beautifully with a soft, plush throw and a couple of cloudlike pillows. Some people just need to keep moving, even while relaxing. If this is you, a swivel chair is the perfect addition to a reading nook in your home. 

3 - You’re in the Market for a New Focal Point

Oversized, curvy furniture is trending. Swivel chairs can be an effortless way to add an extra pop of style to your living space, while keeping your existing furniture. Choosing chairs with bold colors and patterns can add a unique twist to your current living space, that is both fun and functional. Curved boucle chairs that contrast rectangular shaped sofas and coffee tables are a stylish way to add modern design elements into your home. Swivel chairs can also be a great way to add a focal point in a space that isn’t being utilized naturally, such as the space leading between the kitchen and living room of your home, or other transitional spaces. 

Whether you’re interested in swivel chairs for their style factor, or their versatility and functionality, you won’t be disappointed! With so many different styles and fabrics to choose from you’ll be sure to find something that you love and that fits perfectly in your home.

Easy No Bake Lemon Cheesecake Cups

Perfect for an outdoor gathering, these cheesecake cups can be served chilled in individual cups for a quick grab and go treat that gives off an effortless yet elegant vibe. Sure to be a crowd pleaser, these delightful desserts are freezer friendly and refreshing!

Prep: 5 mins | Assembly Time: 5 mins | Total Time: 10 mins | Servings: 20 small cups

Ingredients

Cheesecake Cups

1 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

1 Cup Lemon Pie Filling

12 Oz Cream Cheese

1 Tsp Vanilla Extract

1 Cup Powdered Sugar

Graham Cracker Crumbs

½ Cup Graham Cracker Crumbs

2 Tbsp Sugar

2 Tbsp Melted Butter

Whip It Up

Using an electric mixer, whip the heavy whipping cream until stiff. Add the lemon pie filling and cream cheese and beat until smooth. In a separate bowl, add vanilla and powdered sugar and beat just until ingredients are combined. Next, fold in the whipped cream slowly until it is all combined and set aside. 

Next, make the crumb topping by combining graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. 

When you’re ready to assemble the cups, you’ll need a small amount of graham cracker crumb topping on the bottom of each cup. You can scoop the cheesecake filling into each cup, or for a more elaborate look, pipe it in a swirling motion into each cup, filling just over the top. The final touch is a little more of the graham cracker topping in each cup. 

These light, refreshing desserts are a great addition to any outdoor party. They get bonus points for being make ahead, and freezer friendly, so that you can concentrate on all of the other fine details you’ll be fretting over as you welcome the first patio guests of the summer!

Patio Prep for your Outdoor Party

As we inch closer to summer here in Wisconsin, the weather is still a little tricky. These middle of the spring weeks offer plenty of variety, but the days when we have 70 and 80 degree weather have us all looking forward to the Wisconsin summer patio season. Whether you’re hosting a Memorial Day gathering or a party later in the summer, it’s never too early to start thinking about your patio decor and functionality. 

Clean it Up

The first thing you’ll want to do in your patio space is clean it up from the long winter. If you have concrete, a good power wash really makes a difference. Spray off any cobwebs, built up dirt, and grime from the winter on all of your patio spaces, including your furniture. Most outdoor cushions can be washed in the washing machine, so if they’re less than fresh from being stored all winter, decide if they need a wash, or simply to be aired out. Now that you’ve cleaned your space, you can see if you are still loving your furniture from last year, or if you’re in need of a refresh. Oftentimes, a few new pillows or cushions can make a big difference!

Seating

It can be really fun to choose seating for your patio. There are so many stylish options out there that can make your outdoor space truly feel like an extension of your home. If you’re hosting a lot of parties this summer, consider a variety of seating options for guests of all shapes and sizes. It is much appreciated by parents if there is a seating option for children that is safe, comfortable, and can be easily seen and accessed by adult caregivers. You might also want to think about having seating of different heights for those that might struggle getting in and out of seating that is too high or too low. 

Once you’ve chosen your different seating options, you can decorate with an outdoor rug, pillows, lanterns, and throws. Choose a color palette and stick with it for all of your decor. Shades of blues, greens, and yellows make the perfect outdoor color palette for summer. Or, if you’re hosting Memorial Day and Fourth of July parties, navy, white, and red colors look nice all season long too. 

Drink Station

There are so many fun options for a drink station on your patio. The main items you need are a place to store ice and cold beverages, drinkware, an ice bucket, garnishes, and of course a place to organize it all. Any table can be used for a drink station, and you can even DIY something you’ve got laying around, like an old nightstand, bar cart, or console. A fresh coat of paint in your color scheme will do the trick.

To store ice and drinks, a cooler works, but if you want to be fancier try a galvanized bucket filled with ice. You can create a signature drink and make a large batch in a drink canister. You can also have a canister filled with water. Reusable plastic drinkware is best for outdoor parties, and you can find cute options that match your colors. Make sure to have an ice bucket and some small bowls filled with cut up lemons, limes, cucumbers, or sprigs of mint to garnish water or sparkling water for a beautiful looking drink. Don’t forget a gorgeous tea towel for drying off wet cans and bottles. You can keep some of these same ideas in mind if you’ll be serving snacks or a meal for your patio party too!

Special Considerations

When hosting an outdoor party, it’s important to think about your guests and what their needs might be. If you’ll have children, elderly guests, or simply people that want to stay out of the sun, you’ll definitely want to consider how you’ll provide shade. A simple, quick fix is to set up a pop up tent that can be staked into the ground and will provide a few spots in the shade. But if you’re looking for something more permanent, a stainless steel or wooden pergola makes a lovely addition to any outdoor space. You could also opt for a large umbrella with a table and chairs underneath. If you’re hosting a larger gathering, you might even opt for one or more of these shady spaces. 

Lighting

Outdoor string lighting is still a popular trend. If your party will continue on into the night you may want to consider a fun way to brighten up your space. If you have a pergola or outdoor tent, you can string lights in a V shape, or criss cross through the middle. If you want to hang lights, but don’t have anywhere to hang them from, you can easily DIY planter pot poles to hang them from using cute planter pots, quick drying concrete, and wooden poles. Don’t forget the lighting for your tables! Candles or lanterns are an elegant touch. 

Whether you’re hosting the first party of the season, or you’re gearing up for an entire summer of patio entertaining, we hope you find a few tips that will turn you into the talk of the neighborhood, in a good way!

Mother’s Day Gifts for Every Type of Mom

It’s May already, and that means it’s time to spoil the wonderful mother’s in our lives. Gifting for someone we love and cherish so much can be tricky, that’s why we’ve rounded up the best gifts that will make moms swoon. There’s a little something for everyone!

For the Homebody

Some moms just love to stay in and relax. If you’ve got a mom that relishes in staying home, she will love gifts that promote comfort and contentment. These gifts come in many forms and can be hard to hone in on, but one trick is to find things that allow her to enjoy being in her home even more, doing the things she loves. Candles make great gifts for moms that love to stay in. Choose a scent that encourages relaxation, like velvet peony, or verbena leaves. Homebody moms might also like fresh new spring throws and pillows to give a little pop of color to their most coveted relaxation zone. 

For the Entertainer

If you’ve got a mom that enjoys inviting those she loves into her home for good times and celebration, she will appreciate gifts that add to her arsenal of unique and beautiful decor and entertainment pieces. Check out our selection of Geometry kitchen towels. With so many unique colors and patterns you’ll be sure to find one that fits your mom’s exclusive style. Paired with an elegant printed wooden bowl, or a beautiful vase filled with her favorite flowers, your mom will be excited to invite family and friends over for the next gathering!

For the Creative 

If your mom is artistic and visionary, giving a gift that allows for reflection and creation is spot on. Maybe she would appreciate a new journal or notebook to jot down her innermost thoughts and wildest dreams. Or maybe a unique coffee table book full of inspiration would be more her style. We’ve got lots of items to choose from for the creative in your life!

Whatever type of mom you have, show her some love this year by choosing a gift just as unique as she is! Stop in to our stores in Mequon or Elm Grove for great finds sure to have her feeling loved and appreciated this year!

How to Choose an Area Rug

You can have the most beautifully decorated living space, and if you’ve yet to add an area rug it can really feel like something is missing. A rug ties everything together. There are so many things to consider, but style, size, and shape seem to be the main areas of contemplation. An area rug is a place where you can be adventurous, or stick to your stand-by style patterns. 

Image by: Loloi

There are so many different styles of rugs. From jute to polyester, to nylon and wool, it can be challenging to find the right style for your home. Consider the durability of each style, and the amount of use you’ll want to get out of it. For example, a jute rug is low cost and very neutral and natural looking, which many people like, but if you’re using it in a living area with kids that are playing down on the floor every day, you might want to think about something more durable and kid friendly. Wool rugs are beautiful and durable, but are expensive and not easy to clean. Polyester rugs are more of a middle of the line price point, have high durability, and are easy to clean. It is important to consider your desire for style along with your durability needs, and how often you’re looking to replace your rugs. 

Image By: Loloi

Many people make the mistake of choosing a rug in the wrong size. One way you can avoid choosing something too small or too large is to consider your seating area. Ground the conversation space with a rug that is about a foot wider than your sofa on each side and large enough that you can fit at least the front feet of each chair or sofa on top of the rug. If your furniture doesn’t reach your rug it can leave your space feeling awkward and appear smaller, while a rug that is large enough to accommodate all of your furniture will unify the space and make it feel larger. 

Image By: Loloi

The shape of your rug can really define your living space. There are three basic shapes of area rugs: round, oval, and rectangular. Rounded rugs are less traditional and can be used to add interest to the space, while rectangular rugs tend to mimic the shape of a room making it appear larger. In a dining room, a round or oval rug paired with a table of the same shape, can be a perfect fit. Just make sure that it is large enough that all of the chairs fit on the rug, even when pulled out. In a living room, consider the shape and style of your furniture when choosing the shape of a rug. If your furniture has clean lines you may want to stick with a rug of the same style to unify the space. If you have a large curved sectional, a round area rug might add interest while maintaining a similar style. 

An area rug can be a place where you explore with colors and patterns. Consider the style of your home, and try to stick with that same style for your area rug, or it might feel out of place. Ask yourself if you need a rug that will bring everything together or one that adds colors and patterns to an otherwise neutral space. If this seems like a challenge, you can always consult with a professional. Choosing a rug can be tricky, but it’s a big decision that will likely define your living space for a period of time.

Cilantro Lime Rice

One of my favorite ways to keep my sanity when it comes to cooking for my (very particular) family is to keep a tentative meal schedule that remains somewhat similar each week. Themes like Breakfast for Dinner, Pizza Friday, and Taco Tuesday are winners. For our family Taco Tuesday is loosely based on tacos and is more of a Mexican themed night, but Taco Tuesday is just fun to say! Sometimes we have quesadillas, or enchiladas, and I’ll even throw in nachos every once in a while. All of these things are great, and as parents, we do what we have to do to keep kids eating, but honestly, it gets a little sickening eating the same things over and over. To help with the monotony, I like to try different sides to go along with our themed meals. 

Cilantro Lime Rice is a quick recipe that is fresh and tasty. It can be served as a side, or the base to burrito bowls. 

Prep: 5 mins | Cook Time: 20 mins | Total Time: 25 mins | Servings: 4 

Ingredients

1 cup long-grain jasmine rice rinsed and drained

2 tsp olive oil

1 clove minced garlic

2 scallions finely chopped

1 tsp lime zest

½ tsp sea salt

1 ½ tbsp lime juice

½ cup cilantro finely chopped

Instructions

Cook the rice according to the instructions on the package. You can use a rice cooker, or your stovetop for best results. When the rice is finished, add garlic, scallions, and lime zest. Fluff the rice and let cool for about a minute. Then add olive oil, salt, lime juice and cilantro. For an extra bite, you can add a little diced jalapeno here if you choose. 

Whether you’re looking forward to celebrating Cinco de Mayo, or just spicing up your next taco night, this side is sure to add something fresh and different to your meal!