Pumpkin Cookies – makes 6 dozen

1/2 cup butter

1  1/2 cup sugar

1 egg

1 cup canned pumpkin

1 tsp vanilla

2  1/2 cup flour

What a tribute to a legendary Italian cook – her recipe included in her obituary in the New York Times.

In Emilio Romagna last summer we had many versions of the pasta from the region she was raised in.

Marcella Hazan’s Tomato Sauce

What a tribute to a legendary Italian cook – her recipe included in her obituary in the New York Times.

In Emilio Romagna last summer we had many versions of the pasta from the region she was raised in.

Marcella Hazan’s Tomato Sauce

Adapted from “Spoon Fed” by Kim Severson

By KIM SEVERSON

 

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups tomatoes, with their juices (for example, a 28-ounce can of San Marzano whole peeled tomatoes)
• 5 tablespoons butter
• 1 onion, peeled and cut in half
• salt

PREPARATION

1.

Combine the tomatoes, their juices, the butter and the onion halves in a saucepan. Add a pinch or two of salt.

2.

Place over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook, uncovered, for about 45 minutes. Stir occasionally, mashing any large pieces of tomato with a spoon. Add salt as needed.

3.

Here are ten:

1.  Problem Solving – an interior designer is an expert in space planning, color, scale and light.  And that particular problem that plagues you.

2.  Avoiding Mistakes – this is a big one, mistakes are expensive. Designers have the experience to know what will work the first time.

3. Resources [...]]]>  

Ten Good Reasons!

Here are ten:

1.  Problem Solving – an interior designer is an expert in space planning, color, scale and light.  And that particular problem that plagues you.

2.  Avoiding Mistakes – this is a big one, mistakes are expensive. Designers have the experience to know what will work the first time.

3. Resources – access “to the trade” sources, as well as myriads of others, and the ability  to choose from unlimited selections to know which are best for you.

4. Rolodex – maybe not in rolodex anymore, but all the people to execute the project. Workrooms, contractors, carpenters and the rest. Takes years of experience to gather these.

5. Guidance – throughout the decision making process. Arriving at the aha moment when it clicks for you!

6. Timeless Design – the ability to incorporate the trends in a way that that will never look dated.

7. Priorities – helping to set them for the short and  long term

8. Marriage Counselor – small joke – but can help partners with different views arrive at a good solution that both are happy with.

9. Advocate – working with the tradespeople to execute your project to get the best possible result. Years of relationships come into play here.

10. Recipe – your ” instituional history”, the ability to add, redo, make changes that will always work with your original design.

Our 9′ x 15′ design studio floor plan!

Interior Design is a process. It can be overwhelming, expensive and fraught with error. You can do it yourself if you are confident of you taste, have the resources, an infinite attention to detail, lots of time, love [...]]]>

Our 9′ x 15′ design studio floor plan!

Interior Design is a process. It can be overwhelming, expensive and fraught with error. You can do it yourself if you are confident of you taste, have the resources, an infinite attention to detail, lots of time, love decision making and more important problem solving, and a courageous heart. Or you can work with a designer that can make the process manageable and even fun with a splendid result.

The collaboration, and it should be that, begins with an initial meeting, where dreams and wishes, needs and function are discussed along with budget and expectations.

This is where you share the size and  scope of  your project, and your sense of comfort and style. Budget should be discussed. Some people think this will encourage the designer to take advantage of that amount, that isn’t true at all, it is essential to determine if the budget is realistic for what you want to achieve. If not, it is  your decision whether  to scale back, do the project in stages or increase the budget. I am happy to accommodate.  Discuss how you like to be charged. Options are hourly consultation and discount on purchases, or a flat fee that includes one fee for the hours estimated to provide  you with the “recipe” for your project. Both options include floor plans, selections of fabrics, furniture, carpet, paint color and drawings for custom built ins as discussed. Purchasing can  be done by you or a combination of  you and designer. The industry has been moving towards the flat fee model and our design firm has embraced that.  We are both then attuned  to budget and time.

I encourage clients to bring pictures from magazines and books, shows a sense of your style and likes . Can also show what you aren’t comfortable with. It is  a reference point to begin . You should also like your designer’s taste. While our clients’ rooms always look like themselves and not me as designer, there’s a sensibility that you embrace and a style with the designer you choose. You should also feel a sense of rapport with your designer and that should increase over time. I have clients that have come back for over 20 years and the relationship remains a joy.

The length of the project from concept to installation should be discussed and  realistic. It depends on manufacturers, and carpenters and installers and of course how quickly you make decisions. In design we are dependent on so many people and relationships to delver the project.  I like to install the project all at once, complete with accents and accessories. The client can then choose what they would like to keep but in the moment,  it gives them the sense and splendor of the finished room. Voila!

Green for all Seasons

As the season changes I reflect on my spring garden just a few short months ago,  all abloom and in perfect shades of green. My outdoor “room” is accessorized with an ancient iron trellis found at my weekly haunt, The Georgetown Flea Market, and placed behind our pond. [...]]]>

Green for all Seasons

As the season changes I reflect on my spring garden just a few short months ago,  all abloom and in perfect shades of green. My outdoor “room” is accessorized with an ancient iron trellis found at my weekly haunt, The Georgetown Flea Market, and placed behind our pond. It hosts roses in spring, flowering vines in summer and fall and becomes simply architectural in winter. It provides an anchor for all seasons. An antique lantern that was once the top of a city street light, also a Georgetown Flea find,  adds another dimension closer to the pond. Both are lit at night so the garden takes on an ethereal green glow after dark.

I love the different shades of green from top to bottom, the tallest trees, the meet your eye shrubs, and the carpet of  grass. I’m thinking green for fall too.  Time to bring the garden indoors in all those wonderful hues and textures, pistachio, lime and emerald, in silk, suede, velvet and leather.  Great accents for your rooms, and complement all colors. Consider grass green silk pillows,  lime cashmere throws, an emerald velvet chair or evergreen suede ottoman.

Then literally bring in the garden,  oak leafed, magnolia or hydrangea branches while they’re still green. Place them on your entry table, on your sideboard and on your living room console table as summer’s late memories. Soon you’ll  move to fall and Thanksgiving hued arrangements to complement your greens.

How does the process begin?

Interior Design for me is a process that begins with listening. What does the client need, want, think, feel about their project. Just as important is what they don’t want, and are not comfortable with.

I feel my job is to bring them enough of a selection that [...]]]> ‘

How does the process begin?

Interior Design for me is a process that begins with listening. What does the client need, want, think, feel about their project. Just as important is what they don’t want, and are not comfortable with.

I feel my job is to bring them enough of a selection that they have choices to make and are very much part of the collaboration. And then to add just the right amount of pop, whimsy and/or the unexpected that will take the project beyond their expectations.

When presenting to a client it is not unusual for them to say, “Well, I would never have thought of that” as though there might be a problem. And my response is to explain, that is just what we’re aiming for, something different, unique and a step further than the client would think of themselves. For what else is a designer for!

Ultimately the finished project will look just like the client, the very best of that client. That should always be the result.

The process continues.