Summer Salads

Posted on July 30, 2012 by Caitlin Noblitt

There’s less than two months left of summer! It’s amazing how fast it flies. With little time left, make the most of the delicious vegetables and fruit available this season. When it’s too hot to turn on the stove you can easily throw together one of these salads! I’ve found some great recipes using summer specialties.

Strawberry & Feta Salad

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All of my friends get so excited when summer rolls around. The reason has nothing to do with the warm weather or vacation time. They are obsessed with Panera’s Strawberry Poppyseed Salad, exclusive during the summer season. It seems everyone I know loves adding strawberries to their salads! This recipe include fetta cheese and a handful of healthy almonds.

Chicken Cobb Salad

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Has anyone noticed the recent craze over avocados? It seems like every restaurant has added it to their menu and can’t stop advertising it. I’m going to hop on the avocado bandwagon since it seems to be so popular this summer. Avocado is the perfect addition to a regular chicken salad.

Orzo Caprese in Tomato Cups

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This recipe is a take on pasta salad except it is placed in a hollowed tomato. Fresh tomatoes can’t be beat during the summer so why not use it as a small bowl?

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Are you fully equipped to make an impeccable summer salad? I found these charming and practical items so you can stylishly prepare your salad!

Ricci Jackson is a Certified Interior Decorator and founder of Your Design Partner.

The goal of Ydp is to meet you where you are In your design process.

If you have a project looming, contact us to see which plan is right for you. Is it the minimal “Refresh your space plan,” The “DIY plan,” or the “Total redesign”?
Our one hour consultation can help you get started.
Reserve your appointment today by calling (217) 722-4806 or email us at rjackson@yourdesignpartner.com
Inspiring creativity,

Ricci

Lifestyle: Coffee Culture

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Caitlin Noblitt

Although it may not happen frequently, sitting down for a cup of coffee at home is relaxing and rejuvenating. Most of us are in such a hurry it’s hard to take the time to make and enjoy one cup. Create a coffee corner in your kitchen or in another convenient space so you have everything at hand for that morning cup of joe. Soon enough you won’t even need to head to your local coffee shop!

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Clear a little counter space and set up everything you would possibly need to make that perfect cup of coffee.

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Do you prefer having everything stowed away? Instead of clearing some counter space, make some extra room in a cabinet for all your coffee needs.

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Do you ever use a percolator? When I lived in Italy this was how I prepared my brew. There’s something so old fashioned about this method.

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While in Italy I also noticed that it is very common to own one of these, sometimes massive, espresso machines. I love how they put it on a cart and created an entire area for it rather than eating up needed counter space.

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Don’t have time to enjoy your coffee at home? Whether you prefer it iced or hot, here are mugs that will have you drinking your coffee in style!

Ricci Jackson is a Certified Interior Decorator and founder of Your Design Partner.

The goal of Ydp is to meet you where you are In your design process.

Ricci

Lifestyle: The Perfect Summer BBQ

Posted on July 16, 2012 by Caitlin Noblitt

Are you planning to throw an outdoor party this summer? A barbecue is the quintessential summer activity. Good food, friends, and family make for the perfect party. This summer, add some flavor to your party! Use a unique way to display food or add fun activities to keep guests entertained. I’ve gathered some recipes and touches that could be added to your summer BBQ!

FOOD & DRINKS

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Let guests customize their delicious burgers with a topping tray.

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Individual servings of pie in mason jars. Genius. This is sure to be a crowd pleaser!

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Watermelon juice served from a hollowed watermelon. This would be a prefect refreshing drink on a hot day.

SUMMER GAMES

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Play games such as bocce ball, horseshoes, or cornhole.

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This DIY bowling set would keep the kids busy. If you add glow sticks in the bottle, you can play well into the night!

PERSONAL TOUCHES

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Be sure to add personal and creative touches to your party. Signs, like the one above, can spice up a traditional outdoor BBQ.

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Hang stringed lights, lanterns, or candles to brighten up the party when the sun sets.

Ricci Jackson is a Certified Interior Decorator and founder of Your Design Partner.

The goal of Ydp is to meet you where you are In your design process.

If you have a project looming, contact us to see which plan is right for you. Is it the minimal “Refresh your space plan”, The “DIY plan” or the “Total redesign”?
Our one hour consultation,can help you get started.
Reserve your appointment today by calling (217) 722-4806 or email us at rjackson@yourdesignpartner.com
Inspiring creativity,

Ricci

That’s Pinteresting! Effortless Art

Posted on July 11, 2012 by Caitlin Noblitt

For most people, including myself, picking out art can be a daunting experience. It’s difficult to pick out colors and patterns that work with your existing designs. When browsing for art, especially online, I find I always fall in love with pieces that have daunting price tags. Sometimes I look at art and think, “Why didn’t I think of that?” or “I could easily make that!”. It would be so nice if all of us were born with artistic talent!

I found a few ways, via Pinterest, that you can create effortless art for your home. These are easy DIY projects that could be completed in a snap and for a fraction of the cost of fine art.

Believe it or not, this is actually a framed vintage scarf. Finding a scarf to frame would be simple! There are many patterned and colored scarves out there to choose from.

This blogger picked up a painting at a thrift store, added lettering, and then spray painted the entire thing. Click here to for the directions to this amazing DIY.

Art can even be created from paint chips. These colorful paint chips were arranged in an interesting geometric pattern. It would still look great with the squares lined up in a simple row.

This painting looks professional to me but was actually designed and created by a blogger. Still hung up on the ombre trend? This project is for you.

I love this idea for a children’s room or play room. A child’s drawings were scanned and made smaller in Photoshop. Imagine collecting all of your kid’s cute drawings from when they were little and placing them in one space.

Ricci Jackson is a Certified Interior Decorator and founder of Your Design Partner.

The goal of Ydp is to meet you where you are In your design process.

Ricci

That’s Pinteresting! Repurposing with a Purpose

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Caitlin Noblitt

Happy 4th of July! I hope everyone is enjoying this time with their family while staying cool!

Have you ever seen the endless ways you can reuse an old door on Pinterest? There’s everything from a door as a dining room table to a corner bookshelf. Many flea markets bring in elements or furniture that appears to have seen better days. Beams and windows are commonly excavated from warehouses or homes and then used again in a modern, sleek way. I’m bringing you a few of my favorite repurposed furniture ideas. It just might make you want to head to your nearest flea market this weekend and get creative!

This rustic door lends to the romantic and almost country feel of the bedroom. Too neutral? Paint the door any color to add that extra pop against the wall.

Just imagine what this bench probably looked like before! It was most likely a darker color. A little paint can go a long way!

The lights and stools in this kitchen were taken from an old warehouse. Talk about a conversation piece!

I have seen many DIY projects regarding windows. This one encompasses a few as it serves as a picture frame, message board, and a shelf.

This is an island made from pallets. It can’t get more creative or innovative than this!

Ricci Jackson is a Certified Interior Decorator and founder of Your Design Partner.

The goal of Ydp is to meet you where you are in your design process.

Ricci

That’s Pinteresting! Independence Day Inspiration

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Caitlin Noblitt

Can you believe Fourth of July is one week away? I can’t either. July is the perfect time to show your American pride! I’ve gathered up some inspirational image of homes and Fourth of July party decorations done right! Decorations that are put up for Independence Day don’t have to come down on the 5th! Create simple patriotic accents that can last all summer. I’ve even found some delicious red, white, and blue deserts that would be delicious come next Wednesday.

This is a perfect example of how Fourth of July can extend till the end of the summer. The napkins and cake stand bring new life as they aren’t the traditional color of “blue” on the American flag.

Are you hosting a big party on the Fourth for your family? Wow them with an entrance like this! After the holiday, the banner could be taken down while the flags and stars remain.

Paint red, white, and blue stripes on different colored candles! This idea is perfect for an outdoor party but could continue to light up a patio throughout summer.

I admit, I probably wouldn’t leave these up in my home after Fourth of July but this would be a fun craft for Wednesday! All this takes is some patriotic scrapbooking paper and ribbon.

I found an endless amount of American themed food and drinks for the Fourth. Rasberries, strawberries, and blueberries cannot be used enough for this holiday!

Ricci Jackson is a Certified Interior Decorator and founder of Your Design Partner.

The goal of Ydp is to meet you where you are In your design process.

Ricci

That’s Pinteresting! Monograms

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Caitlin Noblitt

Monograms are a classic way to add a personalized touch to ordinary objects. When scrolling though the pages of Pinterest I found that anything can be monogramed today. From cell phone cases to bed sheets, people are seizing every opportunity to make their mark. I’ve gathered some monogrammed images from beautiful homes to hopefully inspire you.

Instead of a wreath, dress up a front door with your initials.

It seems that monogrammed pillows are the most common way to add a small personal touch. The black font really helps to pick up the black design in the bench.

A decal is an expensive, yet bold way to try out this trend.

This is proof that monograms can and will be placed virtually anywhere!

How glamorous to have your initials placed on the back of your very own vanity chair! Monogramed chairs would also work perfectly in living rooms to properly display the family name.

This acrylic tray would almost be too simple without the monogram. I could see this in a living room or a bedroom to display colorful jewelery.

What do you think of the monogram trend?

Ricci Jackson is a Certified Interior Decorator and founder of Your Design Partner. The goal of Ydp is to meet you where you are In your design process.

Reserve your appointment today by calling (217) 722-4806 or email us at rjackson@yourdesignpartner.com

Inspiring creativity,

Ricci

That’s Pinteresting! Beautiful Libraries

Posted on June 13, 2012 by Caitlin Noblitt

A couple months ago I read an article on the subject of famous and beautiful libraries all over the world. Ever since I read this article I saw many images of libraries cropping up on Pinterest. The images ranged from opulent structures in Europe and, eventually, I noticed quaint and cozy home libraries. You don’t have to turn an entire room and fill it with books to have a library. By simply taking a wall or a small corner you can convert the space into a place that will hold your favorite stories. I’ve gathered some images for inspiration to show you how lovely and practical a library can be.

This beautiful purple is such an unexpected color. Paint shelves to make them really pop.

Have fun with it! Group similar colored books to brighten up a room.

This isn’t exactly a library but I like how they dedicated two walls for all of their books.

How creative is this? Display your extensive collection in a nonworking fireplace.

A library doesn’t have to be limited to just books. Display your collections and trinkets.

If you like these, let us know, we won’t even mind if you tweet, these or re-pin them onto your favorite boards.

Ricci Jackson is a Certified Interior Decorator and founder of Your Design Partner. The goal of Ydp is to meet you where you are In your design process.

Inspiring creativity,

Ricci

That’s Pinteresting! 5 DIY Finds

Posted on June 6, 2012 by Caitlin Noblitt

This week I searched Pinterest to bring you some quick and easy DIYs to spruce up your home. I found a few ways to incorporate prints through small elements in design. These DIYs will bring new life to ordinary pieces such as your coffee table or an old bulletin board.

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The great thing about this project is that you can choose any color of your liking. You can find a vintage tray or pick one up at a store that sells home goods.

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Choose any color or pattern you want to create your own coasters on a few pieces of tiles.

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I definitely plan on doing this DIY for my apartment next year. All you need is cork board and paint, it’s almost too simple!

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Looking for a creative way to display or store your jewelry? Check out this YouTube video found on Pinterest. You’ll just need to go outside and find the perfect branch.

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This artwork looks professional but it’s only a simple DIY project you can complete at home. I would love to show something like this off. All your friends would think you’re an artist!

Do you have a favorite DIY project?

Ricci Jackson is a Certified Interior Decorator and founder of Your Design Partner. The goal of Ydp is to meet you where you are In your design process.

Inspiring creativity,

Ricci

That’s Pinteresting! Nautical Inspiration

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Caitlin Noblitt

One of my favorite boards I have on Pinterest is called “Sea”. It’s dedicated to all things nautical and beautiful pictures of the ocean.

Recently I’ve been inspired by the ocean to create a nautical inspired room. Having a nautical room doesn’t have to be taken too literally, meaning, anchors and boats do not have to dominate the design. The rooms I am inspired by draw from the colors of the sea, whether that be blues from the water or the tan from the sand as a neutral. This week, I’ve found a few nautical inspired rooms on Pinterest that could make anyone want to escape to a beachside cottage.

This design is simple with its use of neutral colors. I love the pops of black and the subtleness of the starfish placed in a box near the back.

Navy and white stripes: the quintessential nautical design. I like how the brighter blue was added to the palette. The different varieties of stripes adds dimension to the room and shed a different light on the classic horizontal stripe.

The use of color, natural wood, and sand in small ways bring the beach theme into this beautiful home.

There are endless amounts of colors that can be drawn from the ocean and a sunset. Use these to create a diverse color scheme in a nautical theme room. Don’t be afraid to break out of the traditional navy.

Isn’t this view amazing? I love the use of pink and white stripes instead of navy and white.