Transformations: Family Room Refresh

Sometimes, updating your space doesn't mean starting from scratch.  When one of our favorite clients called us about updating the look in her well-used family room, we knew just what to do.

Family Room rehab

This was one of the first spaces we tackled 15 years ago when we began working on this lovely antique colonial with the homeowners.  At the time, we selected the paint colors, designed the window coverings and specified the furnishings, rug, and lamps.

The original arrangement (shown above) worked well, but after 15 years of daily use, the homeowner was ready for a refresh.

We kept the paint colors, window treatments, and lamps.  Antique pine case goods and distressed finish tables still worked well but we opted to update the upholstery beginning with a new, more transitional styled sofa in a high performance fabric that would stand up to snuggling with the grandchildren.

The solid wool sisal rug was exchanged for a patterned, more contemporary style area rug, and the chairs and ottomans were recovered in luscious textures and friendly stripes that echo the colors in the rug.

Belmont family room interior design

Now all the generations of the family can enjoy the new space for years to come!

Project in Progress: A Renovation Tale, Chapter One

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Once upon a time there was a house.  It was sad and neglected, but it had great potential for all it's dreams to come true.  Along came a family to rescue it from obscurity and help it to live happily ever after.

And so it begins .... After a couple years of planning, our client's big renovation project is underway!

We came into this process at the very beginning - when the homeowners first purchased the house, they knew they would renovate for better flow and usability.  We were able to do a few things immediately, like add an archway to open up the family living space to the dining room allowing both rooms to work better, and paint some of the dark built-ins to brighten and refresh the space, but the big projects - involving the kitchen, laundry, and all the bathrooms would require a major reorganization.

Some before pictures of the kitchen...

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We began with concept sketches playing around with moving the bathroom and laundry area to a more remote spot so that the kitchen could flow better into the other living spaces.

And moving the quirky second bath and bedroom upstairs (before pictures below) so that a true master suite could be created without sacrificing a guest room.

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Over the course of two years we refined the plans to include everything on the homeowners wish list: a gourmet eat-in kitchen, a separate laundry room, a first floor powder room, a hard-working home office, a reworked family space with a new fireplace, a mudroom and closet space by the garage, a master suite with a luxury bathroom, a family bath with more storage, retaining the existing laundry chute, and maintaining four bedrooms. Whew!  A huge project, but the results will be spectacular!

Now the family has moved out for the 6 month project and the demolition has begun.

Check back soon for chapter two as we share the progress in this renovation tale!

Trade Secrets: Five Tips for Fabulous Tablescapes

Tablescapes are an exercise in visual storytelling. They are meant to be changed up occasionally so they are a great way to herald the current season, or inject some personality into your room.  

Here are 5 tips to help you create fabulous tablescapes using things you probably already have somewhere in your house or yard!

1  Start with lighting

A single interesting lamp or a pair of buffet lamps (tall and skinny) on either end of the console or entry table will not only shed light in that area of the room, but provide some structure and a starting point for your tablescape.

2  Include something organic

No, we are not talking about pesticide free food here ... I mean something natural like flowers, a plant, branches, a nest, seasonal berries or greens, a bowl of fruit … a little something organic always adds life to a room or a tabletop.

3   Strive for balance rather than symmetry

While symmetry can be useful and is a great tool to create a more formal feel, for the most visual interest aim for balance.  Huh?  What do you mean?  Rather than static pairs of things, I mean use odd numbers of like items in varying shapes or textures (candlesticks, frames, etc) and/or vary the height of similar or identical objects with decorative boxes or books.  Items should relate in some way to other pieces without being mind-numbingly repetitive.  The overall distribution of your selections should be visually balanced ... picture your tabletop like a seesaw - the goal is to arrange your objects so that it stays level!

4   If you are including framed photographs, mix it up

There is nothing more boring than a barren table top full of identically framed 5 x 7 portraits all standing sentinel at a 45 degree angle.  Vary the heights, sizes, and orientations and even the shapes of the frames – I also prefer frames that coordinate (in style or finish), but don’t match for a far more interesting ‘collected’ feel.

5  Edit, edit edit

Too much of a good thing is still ... too much! Resist the urge to cover every square inch of space with stuff. You need to leave some blank space to give the eye a break and allow the viewer to appreciate your thoughtful arrangement.

Most importantly, have fun! Use things that have meaning and reflect your family’s personality.  Keep moving things around and trying different combinations until it works!

Happy Tablescaping!

Seen Around Town

Another sprint through the Boston Design Center revealed some interesting trends in side and cocktail tables ...

Side Tables

Sleek and sexy side tables in a mix of metals ...

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like this terrific mixed metal take on neoclassical style

and these patterned metal drink tables.

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There were a lot of nice options in metal and glass ...

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and in metal and stone.

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There was this fabulous pair of cantilevered nesting drink tables,

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and this chrome base with a removable lacquer tray top.

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This was a really fun option in a whimsical color and shape.

There is a definite trend toward acrylic tables in a variety of styles that would fit seamlessly in almost any room while maintaining a light and open look.

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Cocktail Tables

There is a current trend toward pairs of square cocktail tables as a more flexible alternative to a single rectangular one.  Here are some interesting ones in zinc with gilded iron bases and some glamor-meets-campaign ones with mirrored tops on classic x-frame wood bases.

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There are still plenty of more classic style cocktail tables, but in newer material mixes such as this round cocktail table with a great antiqued, beveled mirrored top on a distressed, turned-leg base.

We hope you have enjoyed this quick shopping trip through the latest table options...

So many great choices!

Surrounding Yourself with Treasures that Mean the Most: Part 3

It is more than likely, if you are downsizing, that you will be editing down to less rooms – perhaps one ‘great room’ space to live in rather than the ubiquitous and sometimes redundant ‘living room’ AND ‘family room’. Planning these new living spaces wisely is tremendously important to the ability to live comfortably and well.

Here are 5 things that should be prioritized in your new living room space:

1  Colors you love (look at our March 28, 2016 post for tips on choosing paint colors)

Color has the power to shift the whole mood of a room so plan your color scheme to accomplish your goals. Are you looking for a serene, calm space? A vibrant, energized atmosphere? A cozy, warm retreat? The right colors can help get you there.

2  Comfortable seating for yourself and a variety of guests

Plan furniture arrangements conducive to how you live.  If you watch TV frequently or prefer the atmosphere of a cozy fire, seating that is arranged around the TV or fireplace, or both if that is part of your routine, is imperative.  Seating pieces should be arranged for comfort and comfortable conversation – if at all possible, in such a way that someone passing through the room doesn't block the view of the TV or interrupt a conversation.  Consider how you want to use the room first and then what you need to use it that way.   Perhaps an ottoman to prop your feet while watching TV or reading?  A sofa long enough to stretch out on?  Perching spots for guests when entertaining?  Fabrics that are durable and cleanable as well as beautiful?  The days of the 'living room' with plastic protective covers on the furniture and invisible velvet ropes at the doors have, blessedly, come to an end.

3  Tables within easy reach of each seat

Coffee tables, side tables, console tables – all can make a difference in usability of the room. Tables need to be available to hold a drink, a book you are reading, a laptop, a flower arrangement, or the remote.  Whatever your goals are for use of the room, plan your tables accordingly, but each seat should have access to a spot to put down a drink, at the very least!

4     Appropriate and adequate lighting

Well dispersed lighting can create a flattering atmosphere, or accent art or architectural features in a room. Lamps tend to cast friendlier light than overhead fixtures, and any overhead fixtures should be on dimmer switches,  Lamps can provide reading light or ambient light or both. Fixtures and lamps can also contribute to the overall mood of the room as accessories in their own right. Choose both the lampshades and the bulbs for your lamps with an understanding of the impact they have on the quality of light and the resulting atmosphere.  My personal suspicions that fluorescent lights were conceived by an evil overlord bent on destroying civilized society aside, choose what is best for you!

5     Personal, meaningful accessories and art

Favorite art that may have been scattered throughout a larger home previously, can have great impact gathered into a gallery wall arranged for best effect in your new space. And meaningful accessories or carefully curated collections will personalize your new space and help it instantly feel familiar.

The key to making your house into a home lies in surrounding yourself with the things you love and making your home furnishings and accessories choices serve how YOU want to live.

Trade Secrets: Eight Tips for Choosing the Perfect Paint Color

 

1   Pick colors you like.

This seems obvious, but you would be amazed at the number of people who want to choose a color that is “in” at the moment. Just because the Pantone colors of the year are rose quartz and serenity doesn’t mean these have to be YOUR colors! It is likely you will be living with your choices for much more than a year! Look at the stuff you have that delights you and see if there is a common color theme. This picture is from a client's home office - she is totally smitten with all things blue and in this personal space, constellation blue was the perfect wall color for her.

2   Use color to visually change the perceived temperature or mood of the room.

Icy blue tones in a south facing sun-drenched room can make the space actually seem cooler. Conversely, a warm yellow, orange, or red toned hue can make a north facing or dreary space feel sunnier or cozier.

3   Pick paint last after other color selections like fabrics and rugs.

There are infinite colors of paint – if there isn’t a sample chip of a color you like, paint can be custom mixed as well – or even color matched to a physical sample of something that is the color you want. There are more limited choices of fabrics and rugs, so start there and then choose a paint to coordinate.

4   Take into account the more permanent finishes in your room.

Hardwood flooring, stained woodwork or paneling, stone, brick, tile - these all have color tones and your paint choices need to work with them.  We were able to totally update this 70's harvest gold bathroom with carefully selected paint applied to the wall in wide stripes.

5   Get a large sample.

Get the largest size sample you can of the paint color under consideration. Buy one of those tester jars if possible and paint a 3’ square of the color – be sure to use an adequate number of coats or you will be seeing the color under it as well. I would also suggest painting it on a piece of wallboard or hardboard instead of the wall so that you can move it around. (See # 8)

6   Beware: Colors may look darker and more intense than expected.

Once there is a whole room full of it , that sweet candy pink may look like a bubblegum factory exploded…unless you were going for dramatic, err on the side of caution especially with clearer, more vibrant colors and dial it back a bit. Choose a color one or two rows up on the chip card.  I used to suggest the option of having them half the formula when you have the paint mixed, but that doesn’t just cut the intensity, it totally changes the nuances of the color as well and can have disastrous results. That said, dramatic colors can be terrific in certain spaces and elevate the whole design - just be sure dramatic is what you were after!

7   Assess your sample with a neutral background.

Your perception of color and the undertones you see changes relative to other colors (remember the white and gold vs. blue and black dress controversy??) Put a white background under your sample to better assess the color without the current background interfering.

8   Check your sample in different lighting and locations.

Look at the paint sample IN the space to be painted and during both daytime hours, when the room is lit with natural light and night time hours when the room is lit with artificial light. Different bulbs affect colors differently and can TOTALLY change the color you see. Also, move your sample around the room - some colors can look very different in shady corners than they do on brightly lit walls. And always hold the sample against the wall in the same orientation as the surface you are going to paint…the color will absolutely look different on the vertical surface of a wall than on the angled surface of a dormer or the horizontal surface of a floor or table.

Paint is one of the easiest ways to freshen and dramatically change the feel of a room.  Still not sure what to choose?  

Contact JRL Interiors to set up an in-home color consultation, or learn more about our virtual paint consultation services HERE

Surrounding Yourself with Treasures that Mean the Most, Part 2

Are you up to your eyeballs in stuff? Even if you are not a candidate for the show ‘Hoarders”, we all need to de-clutter occasionally. Stuff, it seems, just creeps in and multiplies without conscious effort on our part.

organizing and editing your stuff

Spring is around the corner and it is the perfect time for a clean sweep.

If you are getting ready to sell or preparing to downsize, there is no better time than now to start editing your possessions. Need help? There are professionals who special in organizing and in liquidating if you don’t have the time or inclination take on the task yourself, but only you can decide what is really important to you.  Editing down to just the best of the best is difficult and often emotional, but if you are planning to downsize it is critical. De-cluttering and downsizing is often very freeing.

decluttering

Conventional wisdom on de-cluttering advocates the box or pile method: go through each space and sort into 4 piles: throw away, donate (or pass along to family members), sell, and keep.  When you are preparing to move to smaller square footage, the "keep" pile requires a great deal of thought.

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Having a cohesive plan for what will make the move is essential. Planning not only from a ‘will it fit?’ space perspective, but also from a ‘will it WORK?’ design and scale perspective will save time and regret later on.  For example, suppose you have a favorite hand-painted armoire you are currently using for storage. It looks terrific in your home with the scale of things around it and in the room, but will it look good with different things? Or in a smaller room? Or with lower ceilings? Will the bulk of it make the whole room feel uncomfortably lopsided? Does it need to be balanced with furnishings or artwork on an opposite wall? Will it fit through the doors or up a staircase to get to it's new destination?  Just because it fits on the floor plan (and yes, you should measure everything and yes, you should have a floor plan!), doesn't mean it will be just fine as is. It might, or it might not. It may need re-thinking.  Can the doors be re-used on built-in storage in the new space or re-purposed as artwork so you can enjoy your favorite things about the piece without the bulk? Creative solutions are often necessary.

For help with strategic planning and creative solutions for your move, check out our ReNesting services.

What is the most difficult part of deciding what to take to your next house?

Seen Around Town

A recent visit to some of our favorite showrooms had us drooling and dreaming .... Now that we've caught up on that hour we lost this past weekend (seriously, isn't it time to give up this whole 'daylight savings time' thing??) we are reveling in the warmer weather that promises springtime is around the corner.  The gardens are starting to wake up and we are beginning to daydream about al fresco dining.  What better place to dine than on a patio outfitted with this beautiful, classic, iron and stone set?

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Or for indoor dining, how about these unusual sleek leather skirted parsons chairs with this great stitch detailing at the side and back pleats?  As we've mentioned before, we LOVE detail on the back of a dining chair!

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Speaking of dreaming, a few beds caught our eye ...

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This cushy tufted headboard from Century Furniture begs for a good book,and we love the button detail on these pillows and duvet.

And these sheets!  OH MY!  I've never felt or seen anything like this GORGEOUS embroidered bedding from Muse Bespoke - Italian cotton sateen, completely custom and luxurious - hey, you spend a third of your life in bed, right? Shouldn't the bedding be wonderful?

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Here is a closeup of the one embroidery option ...

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And this, from the same line but with a more contemporary vibe.

Happy Almost Spring!  Keep dreaming ....

Surrounding Yourself with the Treasures that Mean the Most

Have you considered moving to a smaller space, but aren’t quite ready to part with your treasured belongings? You are not alone!

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Downsizing is a popular trend right now and the reasons for it vary widely … sometimes it is empty nesters looking for less to maintain and more freedom to travel and enjoy newfound leisure time, sometimes it is the result of a life-change like loss of a spouse due to death or divorce, and sometimes it is a move from sprawling suburbia to more compact city spaces to be close to work or to all the cultural opportunities the city has to offer (or both!).

Though the reasons are varied, the goal is always the same: to arrive at a place that still feels like home and to be surrounded with the things you treasure most.

Here are the top 3 challenges to moving to a smaller space:

1.  Not sure WHERE to move to

While this is a perfectly valid reason, a little research can help – check out different neighborhoods and areas to find one that resonates with you, then connect with a real estate professional so you get informed when something comes on the market in your preferred location.

2.  Overwhelmed by the idea of sorting through your stuff

There are professionals to help with this, but you can start immediately by tackling different areas one at a time and sorting and organizing. Sorting can be painful and time consuming, but far less so than the pain of storing or moving things you won’t really ever use. The popular The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo is an inspiring book on the subject of editing and organizing your belongings – even if, like me, you can’t buy into all of it, the premise is sound, and anything you can accomplish is a step in the right direction

3.  Worried about feeling at home with less of your stuff

Bringing the important things with you is the key – pictures, artwork, things with special memories attached. Thoughtful attention to the relocation of the things that make you smile every day is what will make you feel like your new space is truly YOUR home!

What’s the biggest challenge for you in considering downsizing or moving?

If you need help contact us today to get started, or learn more today about our ReNesting services.

Seen Around Town

Here are some of the highlights from a recent visit to the Boston Design Center. Blue is finally back in vogue in all shades from cadet to periwinkle to midnight .. .but these embroidered fabrics seen at the Lee Jofa showroom are also full of luscious texture that make the blues better than ever!

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And speaking of embroidered fabrics ... I just can't get enough of them!  The embroidery and detail is what makes these neutrals anything but bland.

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Love, love, love the addition of little wooden buttons in the embroidery on this one from Kravet!

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And these gray embroidered linens ... could make me forget that gray is so ubiquitous right now and fall in love anyway.

Toss pillows have reached new heights of creativity too - with contrasting cutouts and unique fabric application, texture and ties, or oversize fabric loop trim, these from FDO can take a sofa or bed from ordinary to extraordinary.

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And who says end tables should be boring just because they are functional?  This round up from a few showrooms shows some of the variety available for the oh so hard-working end table.

Like this all wood "draped" side table at Lee Jofa

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Or this more contemporary tiny 'spring' one at Brunschwig and Fils

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This elegantly structured glass and metal one ...

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Or the subtle texture of two tiers of hammered copper

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and then there is this - one of a pair of charming rustic wood petite tables seen in the Market Stalls

Speaking of furniture - we loved the covered button detail dressing the back of this dining chair from Kravet - after all you see the BACK of a dining chair far more often than the front!

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and the metal trim detail on the footrest of this barstool

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The toile applied to the front of this chest complements the beautiful hardware perfectly

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This slipcovered sofa at Kravet is beautifully tailored - distinctly different from the slouchy slipcover of yore that came with the popularity of 'shabby chic' a decade ago

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And, of course, nailhead trim still abounds ... here on a rich navy velvet upholstered bed.  A classic furniture detail that has been elevated to more creative uses than just embellishment for a leather sofa!

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We love the asymmetrical seams and butter soft leather on these ottomans at Webster and Co. 

Beautiful lighting ...

this classic regal chandelier at Webster and Co

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or this one with an interesting mix of rock crystals and flint colored cut crystals

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Or this great rendition of the currently popular bottle chandelier ... there's that color again!

And finally, a couple of wall treatments that made an impression.

This wallpaper that looks like a woven sisal - you have to touch it to believe it is just an image and not the real thing

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or, finally, this wall texture created by the application of individual puzzle pieces - a striking effect worth mentioning for its uniqueness alone!

Hope you enjoyed the armchair sprint through a couple of floors of the Design Center!  Check back for more as "Seen Around Town" becomes a regular feature here at Nestfeathers by JRL.

New Year, Fresh Start

January is a time of change - new year, new resolutions, a perfect time for a fresh start.

The holiday decorations are all packed up and put away, but before you mindlessly arrange your stuff the way it was before you shifted it to accommodate the season, think about ways to give your home a fresh start as well.  Rethink furniture placement.  Eliminate clutter.  Organize your space so it works efficiently for you and it is comfortable and a pleasure to live in.  Easier said than done? Totally!

Here is a new year's resolution challenge for you - don't keep something  just because...use this opportunity to challenge the status quo.  William Morris said, "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.".   This famous quote is a great measuring stick to use to determine what stays and what goes.  Don't waste your money trying to buy things to go with a piece of furniture, paint color, or floor covering that you hate in the hope that they will somehow help you hate it less.  Buy what gives you joy.

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We had a client who called us in to rescue her master bedroom suite  - she liked some things about it (much of her furniture, her custom bedding and window treatments, her collection of jadeware and artwork), hated others (the oppressiveness of the wall color, the rug, the uncomfortable loveseat).

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We recommended some pillows and a rug in patterns that would pull together the golds and burgundies in her bedding and valances with the jade in her accessories, a lighter, but still warm, paint color, a pair of comfortable chairs and ottoman for a useable lounging spot by the fireplace, and simple re-arrangement of artwork and accessories.  She was excited by our suggestions and delighted with the outcome!

New rug ...

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Pillow and upholstery fabrics ...

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poetic spring

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Rearrangement of the artwork and accessories ... and voila!  A fresh new space that is comfortable, functional, and distinctive with just a few key changes!

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Look at your home with new eyes and decide what about it you need to change and what gives you joy!

The Annual Nutcracker Sweets Dessert Party

We held our annual 'Nutcracker Sweets' Dessert Party this weekend to celebrate the end of the holiday season in style (and with a sugar coma!).  Twenty-three nutcrackers collected over the years and arranged on and around a gold and cream paper mâché drum stood watch over a table laden ... and I mean that in the best possible way ... with 15 desserts representing at least 12 pounds of butter, 16 pounds of sugar, 8 pounds of confectioners sugar and untold amounts of cream, chocolate, and eggs ... a cardiologists nightmare, but what a way to go!  Above is one tower of sweets including the BEST raspberry crumble bars (recipe from the FLOUR bakery cookbook), incredibly addictive Lemon Ricotta cookies which, miraculously, I was able to hide from my son long enough to get on the table, and these sinfully rich Sea Salt Caramel Brownies.

Raspberry crumble shortbread, lemon ricotta cookies, and our favorite caramel sea salt brownies in a tempting buffet table display

Our nutcracker collection marches among the cakes and confections on a holiday dessert buffet table

Scattered votive candles add elegance to the evening dessert event

Gingerbread cakes shaped like houses are dusted with sugar “snow”

Miniature toffee cheesecakes

Mini toffee cheesecakes - a perennial favorite topped with homemade caramel, whipped cream and a sprinkling of crunchy toffee bits

Raspberry and almond flavors are a match made in heaven!

Almond scented white cake with raspberry filling and topping, finished with almond flavored cream cheese frosting, another favorite that has become a permanent fixture on the party menu

Cinnamon, sugar, nad buttercream? It doesn’t get any better than that!

A new offering this year inspired by one of my favorite cookie flavors - Snickerdoodle Cake with Cinnamon Buttercream frosting.  While I have never met a buttercream frosting I didn't like (I am personally lobbying for frosting to be included as one of the four major food groups), this one containing vanilla and cinnamon alongside 4 1/2 sticks of butter and 9 cups of sugar (?!) is incredible!  I think this may make a return visit in the form of mini cupcakes next year...preserving the spectacular flavors in a less daunting package!

Gingerbread house cakelets

Adorable AND delicious gingerbread containing pieces of crystallized ginger and baked in mini gingerbread house molds.  A sprinkling of non-melting powdered sugar (available from King Arthur Baking Co.) gives them a snow dusted look that doesn't absorb and disappear into the moist cakes as the evening wears on.  

Lemon deliciousness

Another favorite recipe; lemon cake - not as dramatic as some of the showy cakes, but refreshing in its lemony moist deliciousness as the cake is infused with lemon-sugar syrup hot out of the oven

Chocolate mousse bites

For the casual chocoholic, we always offer our favorite chocolate mousse recipe in some manner - this year it appeared both in demitasse cups and in these Belgian chocolate shells topped with fresh whipped cream and chocolate filigree decorations ... the shells and filigree are available seasonally online  through Gourmet Finales Dessert Emporium.

Chocolate coconut almond tart

The table would not be complete without this Chocolate Coconut Almond Tart which tastes exactly like a very grown up Almond Joy bar

Creme caramel flan

A relative newcomer (the last 4 or 5 years), Creme Caramel is now another favorite that we would be remiss to leave out.  The smooth and creamy texture is a perfect contrast to the cakes and cookies...and, serendipitously, it is a great gluten-free option

Tiramisu

A brand new recipe this year - A Tiramisu recipe from Mary Berry, one of the judges on the British reality TV show, The Great British Bake-off which we binge-watched during the baking week of party prep!  Sadly, I broke the chocolate decoration trying to stand it on the cake, so alas it is flat instead...maybe next year we'll get the decoration right, but the taste was delicious

Banana cake…don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it…it is an oft requested favorite in our house!

Banana Cake with Cream Cheese frosting is an absolute must.  My kids have requested this cake for birthdays for as long as I can remember and I have baked it many, many times over the years as cake, and as mini-cupcakes for a variety of occasions!  The basketweave frosting application only appears once a year for this party, though!

Espresso-white chocolate macadamia nut bark? Yes please!

This Espresso White Chocolate Macadamia Bark candy pulled double duty this year in gift baskets as well as on the party table.  It is such an unbeatable combination of salty and sweet

Classic German chocolate cake

German Chocolate Cake is another recent addition to the line-up and I keep trying out different frosting options ... this year a classic chocolate buttercream.  Personally, I think a mocha buttercream would be the perfect combination, but I don't dare to mess with tradition yet where German Chocolate cake is concerned ... maybe next year I will be braver

Beverage bar includes our teacup collection and silver servers

Beverages arranged on the sideboard included Asti Spumanti, Sparkling Cider, and Ice Water...along with Tea and Decaf Coffee. My teacup collection works out beautifully for parties as everyone has a unique cup so there is no confusion as to who's beverage is who's. These 5 tier teacup stands are both pretty and practical both in the china cabinet and in use!

Chocolate dipped stirring spoons are always a hit

Chocolate dipped stirring spoons for those who need a bit of chocolate with their coffee ... easy to make and a festive addition displayed in a blue willow teapot

Some savory appetizers offer a brief intermezzo from all the sugary desserts!

For a respite from the sugar, we always offer a cheese and savory snack table.  This included hot artichoke dip, mozzarella/tomato/basil Caprese skewers with a drizzle of balsamic creme, and a wonderful savory roasted red pepper cheesecake topped with apricot jam glaze and served with pita chips.  We also discovered the wonders of Great Hill Blue Cheese (a hunk of locally made creamy deliciousness) served with a drizzle of honey from the hives of a friend in a neighboring town on table water crackers ...just yuuumm!

Feeding friends and family is a wonderful and rewarding way to start the new year

A look at a few behind-the-scenes moments ...

The beast…a must-have for the baking enthusiast!

The newest addition to the kitchen appliance line-up ... Xmas this year upgraded me from my 24 year old 4.5 qt Kitchen Aid to this 7qt pro model affectionately nicknamed "the beast"; suffice it to say it got a great workout in it's first week home!

German chocolate filling ready for duty and sea salt caramel brownies getting their sprinkling of sea salt flakes on the warm caramel drizzle

German chocolate cake filling

A pan of sea salt caramel brownies

gingerbread cakes cooling

Raspberry almond cake decoration in progress

Gingerbread cooling and a ring of frosting keeps the raspberry topping going on top of the cake while it is setting ... rosettes of frosting and fresh raspberries will be added as a finishing touch

The deliciousness that is espresso white chocolate macadamia bark.  Messy but deceptively simple to make

great ingredients make for great candy!

White chocolate and espresso laced dark chocolate are marbled together and miked with toasted macadamia nuts for this heavenly homemade candy bark

Half sheet trays of raspberry bars cooling ... cutting them with a pizza wheel turned out to be a stroke of genius ... the cook's family gets to taste test the edges...just to make sure, you know, that they are good!

trays of raspberry shortbread bars

lemon ricotta cookies

Half sheets of lemon ricotta cookies all frosted and waiting to be packed in tins.  There were quite a few that didn't make it to said tins as they are addictive and ... the cooks family ...'nuf said.

a crowded refrigerator holds completed desserts

I posted this on facebook with the caption "I think I need a bigger fridge".  There were a number of offers from friends who claimed to have plenty of fridge space ... hmmmm.

the calm before the party!

Final touches ... lighting the votive candles just before the crowd descends!

Happy New Year!  

Wishing you a Beautiful and Bountiful 2016!