Happy Easter!

Courtesy of Sassy Cats

Happy Easter Friends!

May the simple joys fill your day, hope light your path, the many blessings of Easter stay forever in your heart, and the Origin of The Easter Bunny make your day.

Origin of The Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny is a symbol that originated with the pagan festival of Easter. The goddess, Easter, was worshiped by the Anglo-Saxons
through her earthly symbol,
the hare or rabbit.

The date of Easter is determined by the moon whose symbolism is strongly tied to that of the hare. In fact, the hare is the symbol for the moon. Ever since the Council of Nicea in 325 A.D., Easter has been celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after March 21st.

The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve. The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs.

The children would build their nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn or the
garden. Boys would use their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests . The use of elaborate Easter baskets came later as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread through out the country.

Happy Easter from your friends at Interior Design!

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Live well,
Yvonne

Easter Deviled Eggs

Courtesy of Laura, Real MOM Kitchen

Hi Friends,

One Easter tradition usually includes dyeing the shell of hard boiled eggs, but why not dye the eggs out of their shell this year? It can be done and is a fun way to include deviled eggs, another Easter tradition, on your Easter menu.

Just used regular old food coloring from the grocery store baking isle or go a little out and select the neon variety. Remove the shell from your hard boiled egg, cut each egg in half, and remove the yolk to reserve for later. Dye the whites of the eggs just like you would dye an egg with it’s shell on.

NOTE: Some colors take longer than others to achieve the level of darkness. Here pink, purple, and turquoise were used for this festive arrangement. The turquoise took the least amount of time to get it's intensity; the pink and purple took more time to achieve the desired color. It's a fun way to dye eggs and bring some color to your Easter dinner.

Ingredients

• 10 hard boiled eggs
• food coloring
• 1 tsp vinegar for each color you are using
• water
• ½ cup mayonnaise or Miracle Whip or half of each (I use Miracle Whip)

Instructions

1. Remove the shells from the hard boiled eggs and slice each egg in half.
2. Remove the yolks from the egg halves and place in a bowl. Set the yolks aside.
3. Get enough glasses or mugs for the number of colors you want to use. Fill the mugs or glasses ⅔ of the way full with cold water.
4. Add 3 drops of desired food coloring along with 1 tsp vinegar to each mug or cup.
5. Place egg whites in the mugs and allow to sit in the food coloring until desired color is reached. I could fit 3 egg whites in each of my mugs at a time.
6. Remove whites from dye and drain on a plate lined with a couple of paper towels.
7. Take the reserved yolks and mash them with a fork. Then mix in the ½ cup mayonnaise with the mashed yolk.
8. Pipe or spoon the yolk mix into the colored egg whites. Makes 20 deviled egg halves.

Bon Appétit and Happy Easter...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Best Places to Find Color Inspiration

Hi Friends,

Designer David Bromstad shares some of his favorite places to go for color inspiration, which can sometimes be the most unexpected and unusual places. Think outside the box, come up with some ideas of your own for great inspiration; you will be surprised...

Get Outside
Nature is the most amazing place for color inspiration, since each season offers different and amazing color combinations. The warmth of the summer and fall, the cool colors of winter and the fresh hues of spring are the perfect examples of Mother Nature's work. Color doesn't just exist in the growth of nature, but in every aspect. A stormy sky against fall leaves is unbelievable, while a yellow rain jacket on a gray, rainy day is the perfect color combination for spring.

Go Shopping
Take a look at the fresh produce aisles at your grocery store. Nature went crazy with the most amazing and vibrant colors of fruits and vegetables. Grab a few of your favorite shades and see how you can make them work together in your home.

When walking through the mall, take note of the clothes on the racks. Also, pay attention to the interiors of the actual stores and the color choices they used to create their atmosphere.

Don't forget to check out your favorite home stores. Vases, dishware, rugs, pillows and artwork are huge sources of color information.

Read the Fine Print
The greatest color inspiration comes from fashion and magazines. First, it's the best way to stay on top of color trends and styles, since fashion is always the forefront of what then comes into interiors. If you see interesting color combinations on the runway or in a European magazine, they're sure to be in your favorite home store in the near future.

Take a Stroll
Getting inspired by color can also come from being in the midst of the city. Look at the materials used on buildings and how color affects the feel of the architecture. Check out the sidewalks and roads, which use various colors of gray and black combined with pops of white and yellow of the lines on the road. Translating this palette creates a surprisingly sophisticated interior.

All the colors you see in everyday life can be a part of your home. Carry a camera to take snapshots whenever you find the perfect combination. If you see something in a store that inspires you, pick it up and make it a part of your home.

Check back for more great inspirational ideas from your friends at Interior Design!

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Live well,
Yvonne

Make a Polka Dot Easter Bucket

Courtesy of Kim Stoegbauer
Photography by ten22 studio

Hi Friends,

Dress up plain galvanized buckets with spray paint and polka dots to give your kids the most stylish Easter egg "baskets" at the hunt.

Materials Needed: 

• galvanized bucket 
• white glossy spray paint 
•  round foam brush 
• craft paint

Spray Paint Bucket
Spray entire bucket white (Image 2); this will take several coats. Let paint dry in between coats.

Add Colorful Polka Dots Choose paint color and dip round foam brush into craft paint. Push round brush straight down onto surface of the bucket (Image 1). Allow to dry for approximately 2 hours before using (Image 2).

Your little ones will love this spin on the Easter Basket.

Enjoy the project and Happy Easter...

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Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Make a Hatching Chick Egg for Easter

Courtesy of Kim Stoegbauer
Photography by ten22 studio

Hi Friends,

Turn a basic hard-boiled egg into an adorable hatching chick with a few simple materials. Kids will love this sweet addition to the holiday table.

Materials Needed:

• 1 hard-boiled egg, peeled 
• 1 carrot 
• 1 sheet of nori 
• iceberg lettuce, shredded 
• small knife 
• scissors 
• 1 colorful candy/baking cup

Make Chick's Beak
Using the knife, cut a small triangle from the carrot to make chick's beak. Use the scissors to cut tiny circles for eyes from the nori. Set aside.

Cut Egg
Holding the egg, use the knife to gently cut a zigzag around the center of the egg so it looks like it has been cracked, making sure not to cut the yolk (Image 1). Using both hands, wiggle the top cut part of the egg white from the yolk and set aside (Image 2).

Apply Face
Apply nori eyes and carrot beak to the yolk, and place the egg into a baking cup that has been filled with lettuce.

Finish by placing the top of the egg white back onto the yolk at a slight angle so the face still shows.

Your family and friends will appreciate the extra time you spent to present such a novel gift.

Happy Easter to you and yours...

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Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

Easter Table Settings and Centerpieces

Hi Friends,

Spring has sprung which can only mean that Easter is right around the corner. Celebrate the holiday with a beautifully set table. Welcome spring to your home with fresh flowers, cheery colors and playful touches. Compliments of H. Camille Smith.

Easter Tree

Rate My Space user Love2DandD decorated her foyer with pastel colors and traditional Easter touches.

Brunch Alfresco

A bright, sunny spring day is the ideal setting for Easter brunch with family and friends. Design by Rate My Space user Tablescapes.

Cheery Centerpiece

Creamy porcelain pairs beautifully with bright yellow glass eggs and a buttery tablecloth. Design by Rate My Space user Tamgypsy.

Spring Luncheon

Bone-white porcelain and crystal are accented by punches of pink to create this happy Easter table. Design by Rate My Space user Tablescapes.

Mmmmmm ... Chocolate! 

Rate My Space user Tamgypsy created this oh-so-tempting place setting with a tasty chocolate and spring-green color palette.

Pretty in Pink

Delicate pink-rimmed dishes are the focal point of this charming, formal place setting. Design by Rate My Space user MoonlightandMagnolias.

Enjoy Easter Brunch with the people that mean the most to you; family and good friends...

Happy Easter from your friends at Interior Design!

Your kind contribution will allow us to continue sharing great, no cost and cost saving ideas for your space. Click the "Donate" button below to make a contribution. Thank you!

Live well,
Yvonne

How to Dye Marbleized Easter Eggs

Courtesy of H. Camille Smith

Hi Friends,

Dyeing Easter eggs is a favorite holiday tradition for kids and grownups alike. Give your plain dyed eggs a kicky, multicolor twist this year; add olive oil to the dye solution to create a swirling, mottled effect.

Materials Needed:

• eggs 
• liquid food colors (red, yellow, blue and green) 
• olive oil 
• distilled white vinegar 
• mugs or small bowls (one for each color) 
• paper towels 
• fork (one for each color) 
• teaspoon 
• tablespoon 
• 1/2 cup measuring cup 
• large pot with lid 
• tongs or a slotted spoon

Hard Boil Eggs
Place eggs in a single layer in a deep pot. Fill the pot with cold water — the eggs should be completely covered by one to two inches of water (Image 1). Bring the pot, uncovered, to a rolling boil then remove the pot from heat and add the lid. Allow the eggs to continue to cook for another 12 minutes. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, carefully remove the eggs from the pot and place on a towel to cool (Image 2).



Mix Oil, Water and Dye Solutions
Add 1/2 cup water to mugs or small bowls (one for each color) then microwave until water boils. Remove from microwave. To each mug add 1 teaspoon white vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil and at least 20 drops of food coloring. Stir to mix. Because oil and water don't mix, the olive oil will float on the surface.

Roll Eggs in Oil
Use a fork to break up the floating olive oil then carefully roll an egg in the oil before submerging it (Images 1 and 2). Tip: The olive oil will form globules on the surface of the egg which prevent the dye from penetrating the shell. This creates a mottled effect.



Remove Dyed Eggs and Allow to Dry
Leave eggs in the dye solution a short time for pastel colors or longer for more saturated shades. Use a fork to remove eggs from dye; place them in a paper towel and gently wipe excess olive oil off the egg's shell (Image 1). Set dyed eggs aside to dry (Image 2).



Double-Dip Eggs for a Multicolor Effect If you're happy with the single-dyed eggs appearance — you're done. For an interesting two-tone effect, repeat the dying process in a second color. Tip: If eggs aren't achieving the same mottled effect they did with the first color, add another tablespoon of olive oil to the dye solution.

Proudly Display Display your marbleized eggs in a shallow dish or basket. Note: The FDA recommends that cooked eggs be refrigerated or consumed after only two hours at room temperature. When properly refrigerated, hard-boiled eggs can safely be eaten up to one week after cooking.

Enjoy the marbleized hunt - Happy Easter...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Spring Accessories to Brighten Your Home

Hi Friends,

Add a splash of color to your home with lively and vibrant spring accessories.
Compliments of Charity Curley Mathews

Buzz, Buzz

Add some whimsy to your formal get-togethers this spring with a butterfly and dragonfly serving set or your favorite spring theme.

Towel Off

Spring accessories get personal (and adorable) with this set of hand towels, complete with your initial in a pretty shade of green or your favorite spring pastel color. Visit you local bed and bath for great ideas for your bath, bedroom and even the common family space.

Cuddle Up 

Give your bedding a fresh look this season with a springtime color palette of yellow, orange, green and ivory. With butterfly prints and rickrack trim, you'll be in the mood for spring day and night.

Taste of Spring

Looking for a way to bring a taste of spring inside? Try this delectable Key lime tree for a countertop orchard of your own. Use your freshly harvested limes as a cocktail garnish or for a delicious, homemade Key lime pie.

Spring is upon us, lets enjoy...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Contemporary Wallpaper Design Trends

Hi Friends,

From traditional and classic to bold and graphic, wallpaper is back in a big way. We can't get enough of its room-transforming, style-defining powers. Take a peek at what two experts are loving about wallpaper now, compliments of Melissa Macron.

Size Matters

Just as wallpaper can help change the feel of a too-big room, it can rescue a too-small space as well. A clever way to open up a room with low ceilings? Says Gulley, Try a vertical stripe, like the crisp pattern shown here, to create the illusion of height. And if you've ever avoided wearing horizontal stripes for fear of appearing wider, then you understand why Gulley suggests just that pattern to make a small space seem roomier. Photo courtesy of Kreme.

Make a Statement

Wallpapers can make almost any type of design statement, says Wilder. Soft, organic lines lend a soothing touch to a room, whereas bold geometrics can really add vibrancy and energy to a dull space. Photo courtesy of Kreme. Try using damask prints, like our Folk Flower, for a more traditional look, suggests Wilder. Pair with modern accessories or furnishings to keep the room feeling current.

Right About Now

Rather than editing artwork to computer perfection, leave the natural imperfections to lend softness and an organic quality to any space. Think: Bespoke, handmade and eco-friendly. People want things that add real value and meaning, along with things that are handcrafted, Wilder says. This Spiro pattern was inspired by the clean geometry from a Spirograph and was painted by hand, imparting a sense of uniqueness. No two lines are exactly the same. These natural imperfections are what make artwork special. Wilder suggests accessorizing with other handmade, organic-looking pieces to enhance the handmade with care theme. Photo courtesy of Kreme.

Just a few ideas to get you going on your next wallpaper project...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Inspirational Quote

Unkown Author

Hi Friends,

Thought I would share this touching and oh so true quote.

Share it forward...

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Live well,
Yvonne