Candles

The Latin word "candere" means to flicker.

According to Wikipedia, a candle is a source of light and sometimes a source of heat consisting of a solid block of fuel (commonly wax) and an embedded wick.

As the mass of solid fuel is melted and consumed, the candle grows shorter. Portions of the wick that are not evaporating the liquid fuel are consumed in the flame. The incineration of the wick limits the exposed length of the wick, thus maintaining a constant burning temperature and rate of fuel consumption.

OK, that’s the information bit now let’s see what we can find with the Interior Design Team!

Votive Candle Holder by Nonnie’s Treasures

This lovely candle holder is constructed of four 3" beveled glass pieces, and sits on a plain glass base.

Stained Glass Frog and Lily Candle Holder by Glassnwood

Ideal for scented candle, or to create a romantic atmosphere. This table piece is 8.5 inches high and 8.5 inches wide.

Raku Dragonfly Candle Holder by Fehustoneware

Wheel thrown Stoneware clay raku fired.
Flashes of copper blue and green.

Unity Wedding Candles – Bird of Paradise by Pleasant Ridge Candles

Unity Wedding Candle White 3”X 9” pillar, 12" tapers, Bird of Paradise Flowers with Leaves.

Fresh Cut Roses Type Jar Candle by Bliss Candles

FRAGRANCE: Fresh Cut Roses ~ A beautiful interpretation of the YC favorite. This smells just like real roses.

Don’t just take my word! Go on, search Etsy.com using the word ‘interiordesignteam’ . You will be blown away by the products you will find. Enjoy!

What You Put On Your Table Matters

While perusing the Design Style Guide website, I came across these lovely functional pieces, all just begging to accent your dining table.

This recycled champagne bottle cheese tray from BPR Designs catches the eye with its simple functionality and the weightiness of glass combined with soft curves.









The Secret Life of Saxofrage hand painted canvas table runner from Bliss Art for Life is an elegant french-inspired accent or centerpiece.












A set of four gorgeous quilted and appliqued tulip placemats from Quilts By Design herald the coming of summer.






A lovely set of 2 organic cotton napkins with contemporary print from Flying Needle Gallery.








This stunning cutting board from GT Cutting Boards is made from wormy maple and exotic padauk wood and finished with mineral oil. And, I imagine that anything you cut on it will taste that much better!

Kitchen refurbishment!

Recently, our kitchen underwent a total refurbishment.  All the dust and upheaval has been worth it though even though I complained whilst all the work was being done.  Trouble was it seemed to be a constant moving of dust from one end of the house to the other only to have to start again at the beginning once one set of workmen had finished their jobs.

Anyway, I was pleased with the result and even managed to find a good excuse to ditch some of the more decorative items and renew them.  This meant my having to search and where would be the best place to start?  You’ve got it!  Right here in the super Interior Designs Team.

To tell the time I thought this would look cute.

Whisper - Yellow-Barn Red - Earth-friendly contemporary handcrafted pendulum wall clock

by Infinity Arts

Pot Holders Red Toile Kitchen Accessories

by Tish1

 

 

Wire wrapped orange bottle with cork lid

by Xanadu2You

 

Natural Edge Walnut Bench/Coffee Table with Red Cedar Legs

by Truesdell Design

 

Garlic Baker or Brie Baker

by Deb Babcock

 

 

 

I hope you have enjoyed some of these items that I found from the Interior Design Team on Etsy.  If you are interested there are loads of other brilliant products created by other members.   All you have to do is type ‘interiordesignteam’ into your search for ‘all items; tags titles or simply click on the link and you will be astonished at the selection presented to you!

Crunch Time!

In these dark economic times, isn't it nice to know there are still handmade home decor options out there that won't break the bank! Have a peak at these lovely items from Design Style Guide that are for sale for less than $20 a piece...

Add a little sweetness with this 4x6" original flower watercolor painting from Karen Faulkner Art - $15.



This wonderfully bright sunflower-inspired trivet from Annie K Designs can be used as a table runner, comes with 2 matching potholders - the set can be yours for just $12.99 - delicious!

Contemporary handmade salt and pepper shakers from Pat Parker's Stoneware Pottery are glazed in Pat's brand new espresso sunrise themed colors and fit perfectly in your hand at just $16 for the set.

It's a magical, gravity-defying wine rest made from stunning red heart wood from jn3 Hand Crafted Woodworks - a beautiful and functional accent piece at $16!


Gorgeous 16" square black and silver pillow cushion from TheHomeCentric, whose motto is: "Right Design with Right Quality at Right Price." At $16.80, I agree!

Thanksgiving Style Guide

With the holidays upon us I thought it would be nice to share a few ideas for serving the holidays up in style. Making a great impression during holiday meals involves more than just good cooking. Presentation is as much a part of the equation as the cooking. Creating mouth watering food, and presenting it on unique tableware will make a lasting impression on your guests.


A trick to making a great gravy is to mix the flour with lukewarm water prior to adding it to the pan. Use a container with a tight fitting lid to shake the flour water mixture until the flour is dissolved and no lumps remain. Then add it to the pan drippings. Watch the heat. If gravy gets too hot or starts to boil, lumps will result.


Serving trays are not utilized often enough on the table. What a great way to serve drinks, appetizers, dessert, or several smaller dishes.


Don't forget to have an attractive center piece for the table. Something that contrasts with the colors or the theme of your table can provide a whimsical touch that will help put your guests at ease.


There are many great recipes to be found online. Just do a search and you will find thousands of ideas for something different for the holidays. I blogged a recipe for my sweet potato tartlets several weeks ago. They would look great served on this plate, as would any other type of tart. How about lemon tarts?


Providing real table linens just makes sense anymore. It is classy and it is good for the environment. And what a great way to feature coordinating colors at your table too.



When preparing your meals try to use the freshest ingredients possible. If you have guests that you don't know closely it is courteous to inquire if they have any food allergies or sensitivities prior to planning your meal. This can help avoid awkward situations when the guest arrives and you find out they can't eat a lot of what your prepared.


A little libation during the holidays is okay, but don't overdo it. There is nothing that can ruin the holidays faster than a drunk host. And please, don't let your guests drink and drive. Make the holidays a festive, but safe, event for everyone.

A Spanish Influence!

Whilst my vactation in Spain is coming to a close I have had a wonderful time exploring small mountain villages with their whitewashed houses and narrow alleyways. This against a vivid blue sky and green pines graduating up the mountain where truly idyllic.

So, I decided to see what wonderful items this team had produced that included a Spanish theme!

Firstly I came across this colourful mounted print entitled Spanish Nights by Jennysporch. You can just feel the atmosphere of swirling flamenco and the excitement of the bull fights!

Looking further I noticed this image of an old Spanish door. So many of the houses, even the must humble, often had great wooden doors at the entrance to the homes.

This image entitled Spanish Door 02 by Tiffany Teske gives us a feel of that rustic charm found in so many places in Spain.

Whilst walking in the mountains I came across so many lovely smells of the different fauna I encountered. Especially, wild thyme, pine and cedar the smells of which wafted across in the breeze on the pleasantly warm days.

Spanish Cedar has been wonderfully captured by Blisscandles as a soya candle. Presented in a 10 oz jar with a metal handle this would make an ideal present for you to give or just to keep in your own home to remind you of warmer times.



Obviously, whilst in the country my husband and I had to try to many and varied fish dishes offered by the numerous Spanish restaurants. Our landlord, who often frequents Spanish markets, picked up a fabulous old book in English describing Spanish cooking for me. Wasn't that sweet?


Spanish housewives are immensely houseproud and very jealous of their own local recipes. It is amazing how one dish can vary so much between villages! So, La Cocina (Spanish for kitchen) is a very important place in the hearts of all of us.



Shabbytown has created this wonderfully shabby Spanish look with her reclaimed sign with the words La Cocina. Isn't it romantic?

Well, I only have a few more days left to enjoy the gentle sunny warm weather before returning to a cold wet England. With views down to the coast where the sea shimmers whilst sailing boats drift along the horizon I shall leave you to meet up with you another time, in another country!

Adios!

Bowls - functionality mixed with style

At its most basic, a bowl is a vessel suitable for holding something - food, coins, rocks, treasures, etc. From this basic principle, though, variations on the look of a bowl is as deep and wide as the bowlmaker's imagination.
I have gone on a bowl hunt and put together a selection of bowls as imaginative as they are functional and made from a variety of materials from wood to clay to glass - enjoy!

WOOD...

Spiral Bowl (no. 51) by woodbyderaud is half walnut, half maple - a beautiful juxtaposition of dark and light woods spun into a uniquely shaped bowl.


This sumptuous bowl from Sewelson Woodcraft is made from Australian Jarrah Burl (a common species of eucalyptus). It is lathe-turned and maintains the open fissures for added texture and elegance.

This fabulous bowl from myturningshop measures 9.5" wide by 2.5" tall and is made from a rare maple called Ambrosia Maple, after the ambrosia beetle that causes changes in the wood's color to create this beautiful design - lovely!

POTTERY...

This fascinating raku bowl by Rob Drexel has an even more fascinating process behind it, which you should click and read about! The designs are made using horse hair and the lip of the bowl is painted with gold leaf. It measures 9.25" wide by 3" deep.



This set of 5 gorgeous diamond-shaped porcelain dip bowls by Amy Esther are hand-stamped and decorated with a golden glaze with a hint of green from the kiln.

Like most of their pieces, this rimmed serving bowl by Dishfuls of Doodles is sure to brighten up your table with its bold, colorful designs!

This beautifully subtle large party bowl from SheaClay is glazed a creamy-rust color, measures 12.5" wide by 4" deep and wears a lovely spiral design around the rim.

This small stoneware bowl from Pat's Pottery, with its deep blue outside and jade inside, adds speckled color to functionality and is sure to make a latte that much tastier!

GLASS...

This handblown glass bowl from CorporanGlass is apple green and white with squared designs. Completely functional as a table centerpiece or fruit bowl, it measures 9.25" wide by 5" deep.

This luscious 6"x6" square bowl by MagiCat is decorated with fused glass adding a little shimmer to its bold black and red motif.

ETC...

Fun Fact: Gourd bowls predate pottery as a handicraft. This beautifully shaped mottled gourd bowl with its painstaking pine needle bound opening by midnightcoiler took first prize at the North Carolina Gourd Festival!

I'd like to end with this fabulously lovely olive green felted bowl by GretchensCreations. It is made from 100% wool fabric and adorned with a beautiful burnt orange design of gingko leaves and berries.

Form Meets Function: Unique Teapots Add Design Panache!

A Crazy Porcelain Teapot with A Whimsical Funtional Design by Page Pottery

Whether you are serving that "spot o' tea" to special friends, or simply want a unique accent for your kitchen curio, these beautiful, handcrafted teapots will bring charm and whimsy into your living space.


Wickedly Sweet Teapot by DBabcock

Each pot certainly has its own personality, as unique as its creator! A simple search for "interiordesignteam and teapots", or "designstyleguide and teapots" on Etsy's website will bring you so many delightful pots that you will most likely want to start an entire collection.


My Hero - Handbuilt Teapot by DBabcock

These would be quite a conversation starter when company drops in!


Ghost Leaves Teapot and Cups by PatsPottery