Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Make an Autumnal Apple Topiary Centerpiece


Courtesy of Marian Parsons

Hi Friends,

Put fall's bounty on display by making a topiary out of fresh pears or apples as a centerpiece for your table or buffet.

Materials Needed:
foam topiary form (ball or cone shape)
15-20 small fresh apples or pears
fresh sprigs of greenery (boxwood or evergreens)
florist's skewers
pot
pruning shears or sharp scissors
hot glue gun and glue sticks (optional)

Attach Fruit to Form
Place foam topiary form in pot. Secure with some hot glue, if necessary, although the fruit's weight will usually hold foam form in place. Insert a floral skewer into form, leaving approximately 1-1/2" - 2" exposed (Image 1). Press bottom of an apple or pear into skewer (Image 2). Tip: Smaller fruit works best for this project. Large pieces may be too heavy for skewers.



Cover Form With Fruit
Cover entire foam form with fruit, evenly spacing pieces. Topiary may tip if all apples are inserted on only one side at a time so insert one apple on each of the four sides and then fill the rest out.



Fill Spaces With Greenery
With pruning shears or scissors, clip several pieces of boxwood, evergreens, berries or fresh flowers that are 2" - 3" long. Choose greenery with a stiff stem, so it can easily be inserted into foam form, or reinforce weak stems with florist's wire. Stick sprigs into foam, filling in all gaps between apples (Image 1). Continue this process until foam is no longer visible and topiary is full (Image 2). Tip: Refrigerate topiary or store in a cool place to extend its life. Use foam fruit and preserved or artificial greenery to make a centerpiece that will keep indefinitely.



Happy arranging...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Thursday, September 22, 2016

First Day of Autumn...


Courtesy of Anna Fletcher

Hi Friends,

Hope everyone enjoyed the hot days of Summer and ready to welcome Autumn with opened arms. We have a lot of great ideas in the coming weeks and look forward to sharing them with all our friends...

Now that the Fall season is almost upon us! The leaves are about to start changing, the days will get shorter, and mornings will grow chillier and crisp as summer fades away. And though we will miss long summer days and warm nights, we have a brand new, exciting season approaching! So why not start thinking about some fun outdoor activities you can do to celebrate the coming of autumn?? Here are a few…

10 Outdoor Activities to Kick Off the Autumn Season!

1. Attend a Barn Dance. Whether it's contra dancing or square dancing, hoedowns are a great way to spend fall evenings and nights. Have a blast and work up a sweat in the cold, autumn night air while you dance along to foot-tapping bluegrass and fiddle music!

2. Go Mountain Biking. Okay, so you can mountain bike at any time of the year (except maybe the dead of winter…ice and snow are no bueno for your tires). But there's something about the chilly air and bright orange, red, and yellow leaves all around you that makes biking during the fall so amazing.

3. Take a Scenic Drive. Early to mid-fall is one of the prettiest times of the year, as the trees still have most of their leaves which have turned vibrant with the coming cold. This is the one of the best times to take a drive through the woods, around town, or through the mountains.

4. Go Pumpkin Picking. Fall season means one thing - pumpkin season! Restaurants, coffee shops, grocery stores, and many other places around town start selling pumpkin foods, drinks, and products to welcome in the season. You will also be able to find whole pumpkins all over town, whether you want to go pick your own at a patch or get one from the store. If you do take a trip to your local pumpkin patch, you can do many fun, free activities that they offer, like hay rides, corn mazes, and petting zoos. Make a jack-o-lantern with your new prized pumpkin and be sure to keep the seeds so you can roast them! Yumm.

5. Host a Bonfire. Shorter days and cooler weather make perfect ingredients for a bonfire. Grill out, have a tub of hot apple cider, and don't forget s'more fixings!

6. Go Climbing. One of the best times of the year to rock climb is during the fall. As leaves begin to drop and greenery wanes in anticipation for winter, rock faces become more exposed. Cooler weather also means fewer bugs zipping around your face as you make your way up the cliff!

7. Do Some Photography. Bright multi-colored leaves, teaming autumn wildlife, colorful pumpkins and gourds, and clear, sunny days make for great photo ops. See what amazing autumn things you can capture on your camera!

8. Go Camping. Cooler, dryer weather means fewer bugs and fewer people, so fall is one of the best times to go camping. Just remember your cold weather hammocking gear, and you'll be toasty and comfy in the chilly autumn air!

9. Visit an Orchard. 'Tis the season for apple picking! The prime months for ripe apples is September and October, and most local orchards open their doors to the public during this time to do some picking. Just think of all the pies, apple butter, cider, and applesauce you can make! And even if you're not a big apple-eater, just strolling through the trees in the cool fall weather is a great way to spend the day!

10. Play Some Pick-Up Football. Labor Day weekend officially kicked off football season, so what better way to celebrate that than to play some football yourself? Grab family and friends and head out to the park or backyard for some down-set-hike!

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

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Live well,
Yvonne

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Warm, Inviting Dining


Courtesy of Farima Alavi
Photography by INSERTNAME

Hi Friends,

Warm up your home during the chilly fall season with this cozy, inviting fireplace design. A wall-mounted fireplace makes a dinner gathering more intimate and cozy, and the stone facade brings a natural touch to the modern gas fireplace. The warm, inviting look is complete with soft lighting, rich walls and comfortable seating. A neutral area rug and light hardwood flooring anchor the space.

Cosy up next to the fire with a good book...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Get the Message


Courtesy of Charity Curley Mathews
Bamboo Dry-Erase Board, CB2

Hi Friends,

When the weather turns cool outside, it's time to get cozy inside. Get your home ready for fall with top accessory picks. For most families, fall means a busier-than-ever schedule. Keep everyone's schedules straight this season by hanging up a stylish memo board, like this chic bamboo dry-erase board.

Perfect for keeping your family on track and organized...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Decorate With Autumn Colors in Brooklyn Brown


Courtesy of Charity Curley Mathews

Hi Friends,

When the weather turns cool and crisp, your home becomes more of a haven than ever. From golden yellow to deep red and green, try these autumn colors to create a cozy feel in your home. HGTV fan, Jack Gold posted a stunning space in Brooklyn. He used several rich shades of brown to create a cozy palette.

Warm, rich and sophisticated, designing at its best...

Check back for more great ideas 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

Monday, September 5, 2016

Happy Labor Day!


Hi Friends,

Summer's behind us with Autumn just ahead, the perfect opportunity to thank you for visiting us during the hot days with our hopes it will continue through the chilly ones. You know, it doesn't matter if you are white collar, blue collar or no collar; working with your mind, hands or heart; taking the time, devoting the energy or making it happen, we appreciate all of you.

Have a restful and enjoyable Labor Day 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