Tuesday, September 28, 2021

Solo Stove's Bonfire Is the Perfect Smokeless, Portable Fire Pit for Backyards

Courtesy of Laura James

Hi Friends,

If you're in the market for a fire pit, this one checks all the boxes.

Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and we may make money from these links.

As the weather warms up, it's the perfect time to upgrade your outdoor space. A fire pit creates an instant focal point for any patio or backyard and establishes a natural place to gather and converse, preferably while making s'mores. If you’re looking for an efficient, easy-to-use smokeless fire pit that’s also sleek and stylish, say hello to Solo Stove.

In case you haven’t seen their products advertised on Instagram, Solo Stove is a company that makes high-quality stainless steel fire pits, camp stoves and accessories for all of your fire needs. I recently tried out the best-selling Bonfire model, and, just like thousands of other reviewers, have glowing things to say about it. Thanks to the design, the fire pit burns super efficiently and emits almost no smoke, meaning there’s no need to shift your position every time the wind changes.

Solo Stove Bonfire Smokeless Fire Pit
$349.99 $301 Solo Stove

The Bonfire is just two parts: the actual fire pit and the flame ring, which provides protection from wind and enhances the look of the fire. An optional stand, which can be purchased separately or as part of a bundle, can rest under the fire pit, allowing you to use it on heat-sensitive surfaces. As a new homeowner who’s hesitant to risk any damage to my deck or home, I appreciated having the stand to protect my deck from the heat. Even while the fire was raging at full force, the stand below was cool to the touch.

The setup couldn’t be easier. First, set aside the fire ring, fill the fire pit with tinder, kindling and wood at the center, light the fire and place the flame ring on the top of the fire pit. Unlike a typical bonfire that usually requires poking, rearranging of logs and lighting multiple spots to get the flame going, this baby goes from match to full-on bonfire in just a few minutes. While the circular holes along the bottom may just look like an aesthetic element, it’s actually part of the smart design that helps air circulate to create smokeless flames. When you're done with the fire, simply let it die down on its own, and, once completely cooled, dump out the remaining ash and store.

At 20 pounds, 14 inches tall and 19.5 inches in diameter, the Bonfire is lightweight and portable, making it easy to move around your yard or patio or to and from storage. You could definitely bring it along for the occasional car camping trip, but if a campsite is the primary setting you plan to use this fire pit, the smaller Ranger model or a camp stove would probably be a better option for you.

Keep warm...

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Live well,
Yvonne

Wednesday, September 22, 2021

1st 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 21, 2021

Fall Pillow Covers You Can Buy on Etsy

Courtesy of Maria Conti

Hi Friends,

Add a pinch of fall to your home with gorgeous (and affordable!) pillow covers from Etsy creators. Keep in mind: Price and stock could change after publish date, and they may make money from these links.

Prep your sofa for the season of pine cones, plaid and pumpkins with a set of fresh, fall pillow covers. New pillow covers are our fast and failproof secret to transition any space from the dog days of summer into the crisp, cozy days of fall. There are endless pillow covers to choose from, but when in doubt, call on rich color, warm texture and iconic patterns when selecting autumnal pillow covers for your home.

Turn Up the Texture

Replace your lightweight linen and breezy, cotton-blend covers with warm, texture-rich alternatives like wool or flannel.

Captivate With Color

Saturate your sofa with fall tones found in nature. Amber, merlot, marigold and midnight blue pillow covers will bring depth and coziness to any living space or boudoir. Warm hues like chocolate, charcoal, beige, ivory or almond make gorgeous seasonal touches to otherwise neutral spaces.

Punch Up the Pattern

Dress your bed or entryway bench for the season with classic patterns like plaid, tartan, windowpane or herringbone. Dapper menswear upholstery fabric brings polish and a traditional, timeless appeal to any autumnal vignette.

Ready to usher autumn into your home? We take the guesswork out of shopping and have compiled Etsy’s best budget-friendly fall pillow covers for every style. Whether you’re in the market for a cover that makes a bold declaration of your pumpkin obsession or you’re searching for a more subtle autumnal design, we’ve hand-picked the perfect fit for you.

October Pillow Cover
$24 Etsy | Hickory Point Farm

Sometimes subtlety is overrated. Pop this pillow on an accent chair or on your guest bed as a bold, romantic gesture to the brisk breeze, pumpkins and fall leaves that lie ahead. The cover is crafted from a cotton-linen fabric in a soft, natural hue that pairs well with both bold and neutral accents.

Gray Plaid Pillow Cover
From $38.95 Etsy | porterlanehome

Prep your sitting room for the season ahead with this warm and cozy plaid pillow cover. The gray and cognac color palette plays well with rich autumnal hues, and the cotton and linen fabric brings an inviting, lived-in texture to your sofa. Each cover features a gilded zip closure and a leather zipper tag.

Pumpkin Patch Pillow Cover
$22.99 Etsy | CottonandCrateDecor

Dress your farmhouse entryway for fall with this sweet, seasonal lumbar pillow cover. The linen-like cotton fabric is machine washable, features a hidden zip closure and boasts dainty, black lettering that brings warmth and character to any autumnal vignette.

Fall Flannel Pillow Cover
From $24.50 Etsy | Twelve9Printing

Classic and oh-so-cozy, this flannel-inspired pillow cover makes the perfect addition to your fall decor. The buttery-soft cover is made by hand and boasts brilliant shades of red, emerald and blue that pair well with neutral surroundings and will transition your interiors from autumn to winter with ease.

Charcoal Pinecone Pillow Cover
From $25 Etsy | ReturningGrace

Nod to the season without overpowering your current decor with this chic pinecone pillow cover. The cotton cover serves as a creamy backdrop to a bold, charcoal pinecone sketch design. Nestle the design between a pair of inky accent pillows and drape a fluffy faux-fur throw into the mix for cozy, minimalist appeal.

Fall Harvest Pillow Cover
From $16.15 Etsy | RandGPillows

Turn up the charm in the overlooked corner of your farmhouse dining room or outdoor lounge with this happy harvest pillow cover. Pop the farm-ready design with a chenille plaid throw on a classic, wooden chair to bring seasonal style and comfort to the space.

Cuddle Weather Pillow Cover
From $16 Etsy | PCBHome

‘Tis the season to snuggle up on the sofa with a PSL in both hands. Commemorate the chilly temps and short, cozy days with this darling lumbar pillow cover. Each cover is handmade with one-of-a-kind, hand-lettered calligraphy on your choice of a white or ivory fabric. Bonus? The pillow comes with your pick of 12 stylish lettering colors, allowing you to customize the design to fit your space.

Plaid Wool Pillow Cover
From $45 Etsy | TrueHaving

Flank your leather sofa with a pair of these plaid pillow covers for a timeless and traditional look. The preppy cover features a handsome caramel base enhanced by a chocolate and rust windowpane design that promises to invite elegance and comfort to your autumnal design.

Windowpane Pillow Cover
$52 Etsy | TheHarmonyHouse

Invite autumn into your minimalist or contemporary home with this ultra-understated windowpane pillow cover design. White windowpane lines pop against an inky herringbone backdrop for an eye-catching and cozy design sure to shine on any sofa or armchair. The textured fabric is reminiscent of fall and winter menswear and brings warmth to even the most streamlined designs.

Happy Fall decorating!

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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

Tuesday, September 14, 2021

Host a Fall Farm-to-Table Dinner Party

Courtesy of Liz Gray
Courtesy of Jason Kisner

Hi Friends,

Celebrate fall's bounty amidst the season's brightest foliage with our step-by-step instructions for throwing an autumn farm-to-table dinner party.

Fall is the ideal time of year for alfresco entertaining: It's cool enough to enjoy the outdoors comfortably, and changing leaves offer up a veritable kaleidoscope of color. This autumn, invite friends and family to an outdoor celebration of the season, complete with farm-to-table recipes, rustic DIY table decorations and step-by-step instructions to make your party shine.

Find the Right Location
An outdoor party designed to let guests take in the fall color needs a location where leaves are on full display. Selecting the location should be first on your list — even before the invitations — as fall-perfect destinations typically book up quickly as leaves reach their peak.

We chose The Swag Country Inn in Waynesville, N.C., for our fall dinner party. Located atop a 5,000-foot ridge about 50 minutes west of Asheville, the inn offers unparalleled views of mountain ranges in the adjacent Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Even if you plan to host this party in your own backyard, you'll need to time the event when leaves will be at their peak. Refer to local weather websites (and your memory) for the best date.

Welcome to FALL!

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 6, 2021

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