Window dressing

It is tough to find affordable yet stylish ready made drapery panels but I have them .  Will be posting the different fabrics and pricing very soon ....

Exciting flooring options

There are so many affordable and good looking options in flooring today but one that people are finding exciting is the luxury vinyls .  They not only look like fantastic wood planks or stone tiles but they are easy to install and priced well below other options.  I have some great displays here at The Design Center with Sandy Sutton !! We can get you free estimates .... Get ready for amazing floors !

See ya .

Sandy

Lazy morning

Do I love a lazy Saturday morning ???  You bet I do !

They just don't come around that often .  Hope your Saturday is lazy too .

Upholstered Wall Madness!

Upholstered walls are not just for the criminally insane anymore..  Nope!  I was recently thumbing through the latest issue of Veranda and was drooling over a feature on said walls.  How fabulous were some of these!?  

It got me thinking about this wonderful technique and I have found some of my favorites below.  

Love these framed paneled walls trimmed out with nail head

What a fabulous way to soften a baby's room!  Love this paneled wall!

How luxe and rich is this three panel system and this settee is to die for!

One way to give the paneled look is to add a simple banding around the edges of a wall and then glue on large nail heads.  

I love this little work space with the paneled pieces behind which can also serve as a tack board!

What a great way to really soften an existing area without having to paint over beautiful wood!

Call me Crazy...but these beautiful pieces are enough to drive ME insane...and that would be just fine with me if these padded walls were in my room!

Until Next Time,

Sandy

Entertaining National Open House and my lovely granddaughter's thoughts...

Everywhere I go people ask " Bet you watch a lot of HGTV "  and really I don't .  That may sound crazy but it's the truth and the reason is that much of it is so staged and the watcher doesn't realize that .  They all think that kitchen remodel happened in three days....well, there's a lot of things going on behind the scenes that is not shown.  I have had the pleasure of being on some HGTV and other television productions so I know what all is going on.  But here is one of my favorite stories of my TV adventures .  

National Open House is a segment on Home and Garden Television and producer , Laura Patterson of North Hollywood, Ca. contacted me at my office one day and said that she was producing a show that would feature three homes in three parts of the country that would show what you get for your money in those locales.  She mentioned that she had made some inquiries and that my name kept coming up for Arkansas and would I consider doing a segment with her in my home.  Well, I do have fun doing TV and it is a great excuse to stay out of the office for a while so I agreed!

She asked a lot of questions about our home, how we lived and how we entertained  and really wanted to know about my design process.

We set the date and like any right minded person I really took care to have everything as perfect as possible without looking stuffy.  I knew they would be filming all day and there were interviews that I arranged from sub contractors who had worked on the house so I planned an easy to assemble lunch buffet for all of us.  

(menus below)

This group of Laura and two camera men and an assistant were experienced and knew their business and we all had a lot of fun...As the day is nearing 3:00 Laura said " Sandy, this has gone so well you have really made this easy for us and we are going to be through hours ahead of our normal schedule so I was thinking....you said that you could whip up a good party at the drop of a hat and that your amazing pool table had a dining top that you had designed and you could use it as a buffet...so would you mind whipping up one of those parties for us to shoot? "

Of course I didn't even bat an eye...YES , no problem! And with that I called my assistant and a couple of friends and my Mom and asked them to make some calls and tell everyone to be there at 6:00 and be prepared for interviews and lots of fun !

I immediately put the top on the pool table, while they are filming away, and then started running around finding elements to dress it up and create a centerpiece.  I found a beautiful throw in the guest bedroom and turned it on the silky side with areas of the linen on the opposite side showing...of course I grabbed a bunch of hard bound books to put under the throw to elevate it.  I then found a two foot tall bronze camel that was topped by a bronze vase .  put that on the center with the plans that when I ran to the store I would buy flowers and lots of fruits like pineapples, oranges,limes, coconuts bananas....you get the idea and I would pile these in and around the base.

Next  Denny and I gathered our bar ware and he began to set up the bar....keeping it simple since the clock was ticking.  

And you have to remember that while we are doing all of this the film is rolling and Laura in asking lots of questions and getting us to tell about previous parties and guests.

At the store I found smoked salmon, cream cheese, capers and crackers for one platter,  a large tray of fresh veggies that I converted to my kale lined platter and Denny carved out a large red cabbage to hold the prepared dip that I purchased and doctored up to my standard.  This was a bounty of colors and textures...for  TV

Next, thinly sliced roast beef, spread with horseradish cream cheese and lots of Swiss cheese and lettuce made pretty wraps that were cut in individual servings.  

I always keep my favorite Cheese Straws and so a big crystal bowl on a stand made a great accent and who doesn't like Greek olives, pickled mushrooms, peppers, pickled okra, pickled asparagus and green beans...

It was a whirlwind but it was so much fun and when the door bell started ringing ,the cameras were in place and my guests felt like stars on the red carpet.  

The show has aired many times and occasionally one of my family or clients from other parts of the country call to say they just watched it and what an amazing story and party it was !!  They can't believe that it was thrown together .

This is just one of the wonderful adventures that my career has given to me...things that I would never have dreamed possible, people I never dreamed I would meet.  I wish that I had kept a detailed journal so that my children and grandchildren would know this side of me.  What they do know about me is that I am Mom and I am Dear. And really that is all that counts.

My granddaughter, Katherine, brought it home to me one time... we were out shopping and having a girl day, she was 7.  Every where we went people we passed would smile , wave and say "hi, Sandy"  after a while she took my hand and she said,

Dear, are you famous or something ?  And I playfully said, "Yes I am".  After a short pause she said," No you're not...your just my Dear".  And that was the honest truth.  No big head for me!!!!!!

Isn't she precious!? 

Lunch Menu for Laura and her Crew:

I wanted Laura and her crew to experience a taste of the south and I figured that the other homes they would visit would be more inclined to want to impress with more gourmet type foods.  I pulled together some of my all time family favorites and decided that I would set the table and serve everything family style. When you're passing big platters of fried chicken you get to know each other !

• Buttermilk Fried Chicken
• Garlic cheese grits
• Mixed greens, kale, collard ,mustard and turnip.  I always cook my turnips with the greens
• Green tomatoes and vidalia onion casserole.
• Cornbread and yeast rolls
• Lemon curd angel food cake
• 
  

Buttermilk Fried Chicken:

My grandma always soaked her chicken pieces in seasoned buttermilk and although mine can't hold a candle to hers this crew would never know that comparison.

Soak overnight in buttermilk with pepper and garlic powder.  Drain and pat dry .  Make a mixture of flour, salt, pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and paprika and put in brown paper bag.  Shake the chicken pieces and lay out on a rack to rest so that the coating begins to bind.

I use my very large cast iron skillet (once my grandmother;s then my Mothers and now mine ...don't know which kid to leave it to that will treat it right ...worry, worry.

Grandma always used Crisco and so for special times I do too and boy it is good.  If you want to you can use Canola.

Get your oil hot and put your pieces in and make sure you don't crowd them.. don't turn them until you notice the "browning" coming up the sides of the pieces and then turn it.  this will get you a pretty crust.

When done I lay the pieces out on a baking sheet lined with paper towels This is when I liberally sprinkle with salt and pepper...let them cool completely and you can cover and refrigerate overnight. To warm it is like most foods...do it in a slow oven and give it time to bring the temp up. This will keep the crust crispy and not disturb the flavor.

Garlic Cheese Grits:

The garlic cheese grits are so much better when you cook them in chicken broth.  Add lots more garlic and cheese than called for and then season well with salt pepper and a little cayenne.  make a day ahead and cover well.

I take these out of the fridge to get room temp and them put them in the slow oven with the chicken to rewarm.

Greens:

Greens are another simple dish now that you can buy prewashed greens in the produce section.  This cleaning process used to be an ordeal.

I saute bits of ham , ham hocks or bacon with onions and garlic in oil till the onions are tender then I begin adding the greens with chicken or vegetable broth.  They cook down so fast you just keep piling them in and then adjust the broth. Let these simmer till really tender. I add the salt pepper and cayenne at the end to keep them tender.  Better made the day before !!

Green Tomato Casserole: 

This green tomatoes and vidalia onion casserole has become a hit with my family and friends and everyone has seen the movie Fried Green Tomatoes!!

5 to 6 green tomatoes

1 to 2 large vidalias

 Fresh Parmesan cheese grated

2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

seasonings of Cavenders, cayenne , garlic and salt and pepper

cut the onions and tomatoes sandwich style and layer them in a pretty crockery casserole dish.  Sprinkle each layer with the seasonings and the cheeses.  Bake at 350 for 45 min to one hour till very bubbly and browned .

Lemon Curd Angel Food Cake:

Ok, I am not a baker and I don't try to deny it so I am always looking for a good but easy dessert and this is one of my favorites...it not only is delicious but very pretty too.

1 store bought Angel Food Cake

1 jar good Lemon Curd

1 container of marscapone cheese

1 container of whipped cream

strawberry slices

Cut the cake in three layers and on each layer cover it with the lemon curd.  When it is all assembled then mix the whip cream and the marscapone together till soft and begin to "ice " the cake all over.  I use the strawberry slices on top with mint leaves to decorate.  Refrigerate and Enjoy !!

This meal was a hit. They had been on the road a while and eating mostly fast food and they absolutely loved the flavors and the stories of how I got these recipes...the cameraman would jump up occasionally to shoot  all of us laughing and passing the platters and asking for seconds...no make that thirds !

Happy Eating!!!

Sandy 

Time for a change!

My last post was about new years resolutions and I have been holding strong to mine!  One of the main things I have resolved to do this year is to focus on things that I love and that make me happy and it just so happens that my interior design business and also entertaining others does just that!  

I am so blessed by the wonderful clients, family and friends who support Sandy Sutton's Interior Spaces every day!  I love to blog because it is my time to give back and hopefully enlighten and inspire them through my love for design and entertaining!

I knew it was time for a website update and I was so excited when Ryan at Webmonster was up for the challenge!  Instead of reds and blues on my sites, I went back to the rich browns and deep golds that I so love in my interior design projects. 

I have linked my blog and social media outlets to the site and also have added room for some other upcoming ventures that are in the works when it comes to the entertaining side that I love so much!

Take a look around and let me know what you think!  I hope it is as welcoming and inviting for you as Southern charm and a hot apple pie!  And speaking of pie...I wouldn't let you go without sharing one of my favorite comfort food recipes!!!! 


Sandy's Spiced Apple Crumble 

Photo from Wikihow.com 

Ingredients:

• 4 cups peeled, cored, sliced apples
• 1/4 cup water
• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup softened butter

Preparation:

Place apples in a lightly buttered baking pan or dish, about 10 x 6 or 9-inch square. Add water. Combine flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Sprinkle crumb mixture over the apples. Bake apple crunch at 350° for 35 to 45 minutes, or until apples are tender. 

Serve apple crumble warm with ice cream, if desired. Apple crumble serves 6.

Until Next Time!

Sandy 

New Year's Resolutions!

Resolutions are so personal and we take them seriously...well, at least for a while.  In the past two weeks, I have made it a point to ask my clients. during our meetings, what they were hoping to accomplish in the 2013.  It has been very interesting and varied....

So, I thought I would pass along a few. You might let me know what you have resolved to do this year as well.

Terry: " I definitely plan to get into my exercise program in a big way and need your advice on how to make my small workout area more appealing to me so that I am inspired to exercise everyday."

  Well, most exercise spaces have a TV and if the timing is right you can watch a favorite show but I suggest that you start a great movie and then you will be wanting to get back the next day to see more!  I know this has worked for me.

Also, lets pull in some of your favorite colors...in Terry's case she really likes warm corals and watery blues that remind her of those beach vacations and why she wants to have the perfect bikini body.. I am pairing these colors with some vinyl wall art of sandy beaches and waves ...you can almost feel the breeze.

For the finishing touch we are enlarging some of her vacation photography and creating a memory wall of all the good times and those you share it with.  We all know that smiling is one of the very best exercises you can do for your body and your spirit so looking at these beautiful memories is healthy !

Carrie:  "Sandy, you know that my condo is small and I feel like I can't entertain but I really need to because so many entertain me ...tell me what to do?" 

 Carrie is right, her place is small but that just means that it is intimate and when we decorated her place we made sure that it was comfortable and inviting.  While you may not be able to host the large cocktail dinner party you certainly can entertain..   Think outside the box and create your own style of partying....

Brunch is one of my favs ...it is easy ,affordable and your guests are not expecting a big sit down..they just want to enjoy your efforts. 

Start with a theme such as an Italian tasting party! Instead of the usual eggs, make Risotto ai Asparagi e Formaggio or Risotto with Asparagus and Cheese.

6 servings

What you will need:

2 pounds fresh asparagus

salt

4 to 5 tablespoons olive oil 

1 med. onion minced

1 1/2 cups of Italian rice

fresh ground pepper

1/4 pound Emmentaler or Swiss cheese, diced.

Trim the tough ends of the asparagus. Remove the tips and cut the stalks into 1/12 in pieces.  Bring a medium pot of water to boil and a pinch of salt and drop in the stalks for about one minute.  then drop the tips for 30 seconds 

Drain the asparagus, reserving the water and refresh them quickly under cold water to stop the cooking.

Warm the oil in the pot over med. heat and add the onions to saute til softened.  but not browned.  Add the rice and cook til has turned opaque  and oil has been absorbed.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

Gradually add the reserved asparagus water and the cheese.  Stir the risotto once more  and when the cheese is melting it is ready.  

I have made this dish ahead of time with great success.  simply drizzle a little olive oil on it before warming it again in a low 200 to 250 oven.

A simple salad such as Mozzarella e Pomodori or Mozzarella and Tomatoes is all you need to add.

Slice good tomatoes and Mozzarella cheese and layer in slices with fresh basil topping the slices...use a fresh basil pesto or simply drizzle good olive oil , .  I add delicious black olives and sometimes a sprinkle of capers.  Add some crusty bread with a dipping oil and your brunch is ready !!

Set out crockery or pewter plates and mix and match your glasses to give a rustic approach.  I'm a sucker for anything from Match 1995, which is handmade pewter from Italy.  

  

Remember you are not trying to be the "perfect" party...you are far more relaxed and know who you are .  Use kitchen dishtowels as napkins and tie them with twine.  Your tablecloth could be a textured throw and simple flowers in crockery or even Mason jars are all you need.  With this menu you can lay it out buffet style...no knives required !

Make a wonderful Blonde Sangria with lots of beautiful slices of lemons,limes, oranges, wedges of green apples and whole black cherries are so pretty in tall pitchers . For those not wanting to imbibe offer pitchers of tea with the fruits !

This menu is equally well in warm weather as it is in cooler temps.. Easy, Elegant and Party worthy

Small Spaces produce Huge Memories ... Go for it!!!!!

Happy New Years and Cheers to 2013!

Sandy