K Sarah Designs

Interiors i love // open shelving for the win!

I've been so drawn to the look of open shelving lately. It's certainly not anything new or groundbreaking, but can be so chic and pretty when done right! Here are a few open shelving looks that I've been admiring lately:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

Open shelving works particularly well in the kitchen or bathroom, providing open, easy-to-reach storage for everyday items. Plus, having so many items out on display would certainly give you the added incentive to keep things nice & organized! What do you think of open shelving in the kitchen or bath?

Happy Wednesday!

Wheat Berry and Lentil Stew

I absolutely loved this stew - it's such a hearty + healthy vegetarian meal option that packs a ton of flavor. You can't really beat a warm, filling bowl of stew on a cold day, and the fact that this one is nutritious and delicious is just icing on the cake!

This stew has mostly Eastern Indian flavors from the curry, coriander, cumin and turmeric, and the sweet potato adds a nice sweetness. As far as texture, the wheat berries add a bit of chewiness, while the lentils are soft and almost creamy in texture - I loved the mix of the two!

Anyway, if you're looking for a filling vegetarian stew option, I hope you give this one a try!

 

Wheat Berry and Lentil Stew

- 1 Tbsp. olive oil
- 1 small onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 32 oz. container vegetable broth (or chicken broth, if you prefer)
- 3/4 cup wheat berries (such as Bob's Red Mill)
- 1 cup peeled, diced sweet potato (or yam)
- 3/4 cup chopped celery
- 3/4 cup chopped carrot
- 1/3 cup red lentils
- 1 tsp. turmeric
- 1 tsp. curry powder
- 1 tsp. cumin
- 1/2 tsp. ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp. salt

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Add the onion, and cook for 4 minutes. Add the minced garlic, and cook for another minute, until both the onions and garlic have softened a bit. Add the vegetable broth and the wheat berries, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer for 20 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, and simmer for an additional 40 minutes, or until the vegetables have softened. You may have to add a bit of water if it gets too thick while cooking.

Serve it on its own or with a sprinkling of parmesan cheese - Enjoy!

*Note: For more protein, you could easily add meat to this stew by sauteeing it with the onions and garlic in the beginning, and then following the rest of the recipe as is. Chicken or beef or even lamb would be great in this!

 

Design Breakdown // Teal + Orange Bedroom

Happy Happy Friday, all!

I first saw this bedroom vignette a couple months ago, and every time I've seen it since, just end up loving it even more. The teal + rust orange are such a pretty color combination, and I just love the arched silhouette of the mirror, resting atop the more traditional wood nightstand.

Here is my (mostly) more affordable + accessible interpretation of this lovely bedroom design:

 

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Happy weekend! Hope you have a good one :)

Interiors i love // Chris Barrett Design

 

These spaces by Chris Barrett Design seem like such cozy spaces, don't they?

What I loved most about these designs as I glanced through the portfolio is that each project is completely different from the next. It's clear that each one responds to the specific architecture of the house, as well as to the client's style. For example, some of the spaces are heavily influenced by the Spanish Colonial architecture, while some are influenced by British colonial architecture. Some have a very bohemian, traveled style, while some are much more traditional. They all manage to have any easy, airy quality about them, though, which I love.

What do you think of these spaces?

Happy Wednesday!

Tasty Eats // Overnight Refrigerator Oats!

I saw this idea floating around pinterest months ago, and was intrigued enough to put it in my "to try" recipes. Basically, the idea of overnight oats is to add a mixture of yogurt, milk, fruit, and toppings to plain old-fashioned oats. Throughout the night, the oats will absorb the liquid and soften, and will be ready to eat in the morning.

I don't know why it took me so long to try it, because it's safe to say that it's now my favorite breakfast ever! Not only is it totally delicious + healthy, but you can quickly throw it together the night before and have your breakfast waiting for you in the morning!

I also love that you can change up your ingredients and toppings so that it never gets boring... because I have to admit, sometimes regular old cooked oatmeal gets pretty boring after a while. Plus, it's a good way to enjoy oatmeal during the summer, since hot oatmeal is never very appealing when it's hot out. Anyway, I hope you give it a try!

Overnight Refrigerator Oats

- 1/2 cup old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup non-fat yogurt (whatever flavor you like!)
- 3/4 cup almond milk (I like the unsweetened vanilla)
- 1 tsp. (or more) chia seeds, optional

Toppings (mix and match)

- mixed berries (I just use the frozen berry medley from Trader Joe's)
- chopped mango
- sliced banana
- chopped pineapple, or any kind of fresh fruit, really :)
- dried coconut flakes
- dried berries or other fruits
- toasted, sliced almonds
- sweetener (sometimes I add a bit of Stevia if the yogurt itself isn't very sweet)

In a mason jar, or a small bowl with a lid, add the oats, yogurt, almond milk, and chia seeds (if using). Stir mixture until well combined, then layer on your favorite toppings. Put the lid on, and refrigerate overnight - it will be ready to go when you wake up!

The flavor combinations are endless, really, but so far my favorite has been berry & coconut. I used non-fat strawberry greek yogurt, and added the frozen mixed berries, dried blueberries, coconut flakes, and toasted almond slices. SO good!

Happy Heart Day!

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Though I've never really been big on this holiday, I also figure it's never a bad thing to celebrate the ones you love, right? :)

And in honor of this holiday, I've rounded up a few pink, red and heart-themed goodies that I'm loving right now:

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 Have a good one!

Interiors i love // Tolix Chairs

Mixing different materials and finishes in a space is one of the more important elements to creating an interesting + balanced room, I think. One of my favorite ways of doing this is mixing metals with wood finishes, and an easy way of bringing that metallic element into a dining space is with Tolix chairs. Here are some of my favorite examples:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

My favorite of these is that first photo, where the chairs are paired with a rustic farmhouse table. That dining space, by the Painted Hive, is pretty perfect in my opinion - I love how the warmth of the raw wood balances the cool, industrial vibe of the metal chairs nicely... and of course that awesome pendant doesn't hurt either :)

Original Tolix chairs can be quite pricey, and are available at Design Within Reach (aka the winner of the most ironic store title!) for $250 each:

Restoration Hardware also sells a version, in five finishes for $89 each (on sale right now):

But, the most affordable option I've seen is through Overstock. They sell some great reproduction versions for an amazing deal - you can get a set of 4 for $180:

and they're also available in red, white, lime green and black. They have this more vintage-looking finish:

And they even sell the cute barstool version in a variety of colors as well:

Tasty Eats // Lemon, Garlic and Caper Roasted Cauliflower

This cauliflower recipe has become one of my absolute favorite side dishes. It goes with pretty much everything, and it's even good warmed up the next day for leftovers.

To me, lemon, roasted garlic, and capers is one of the best flavor combinations ever, and this roasted cauliflower is the perfect vehicle for those flavors. Plus, it's a great low-carb dish, and honestly, I'd take this over creamy mashed potatoes any day of the week!

 

Lemon, Garlic and Caper Roasted Cauliflower

- 1 large head cauliflower, trimmed & cut into bite-size florets
- 1 lemon
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- 1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
- 1/8 tsp. salt
- 1/8 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
- 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp. capers, coarsely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup finely shredded parmesan cheese

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Coat a large rimmed baking sheet or roasting dish with non-stick cooking spray.

Place the cauliflower florets in a large mixing bowl, and toss with the juice of 1/2 lemon, the minced garlic, red pepper flakes, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Evenly spread the cauliflower mixture onto the baking sheet, making sure to get all of the minced garlic & goodies into the pan.

Roast the cauliflower until it begins to soften and brown (about 20-25 minutes) being sure to stir once halfway through the cooking time.

Remove from the oven, and toss the hot cauliflower with the capers, parsley, parmesan cheese, and, if desired, the juice of another 1/4 of the lemon (depending on how lemony you want it!).

Enjoy immediately :)

*This recipe is the love child of this Eating Well and this Joy the Baker recipe

:)

Happy Tuesday!

Currently Loving // February

Happy Friday, Folks!

I thought I'd kick off the weekend with some of my favorite finds from the past month:

1 // Natural Soy Candle in Fir + Blue Sage / Sydney Hale Co. / $28 - This candle was one of my Christmas gifts, and I've been lighting it every chance I get. It smells SO GOOD - super fresh with pine and sage overtones - highly recommend!

2 // Green Onyx Stud Earrings / OhKuoi on etsy / $38 - I just bought these studs, and I can't wait to get them! Love the bright emerald green mixed with the gold.

3 // Step Aside Coffee t-shirt / Skreened / $28.99 - ...For those times when coffee's just not gonna cut it :)

4 // Slate Grey Double Gourd Lamp / LampsPlus / $99.99 - Love this double gourd lamp base in the slate grey color.

5 // Magical Thinking Giant Dot Rug / Urban Outfitters / $89 for a 5x7 - This is such a fun rug, and you cannot beat the price!

6 // Original Landscape Painting / pamelam on etsy / $320 - This large (36"x36") acrylic landscape is so soothing and pretty - such great use of color!

7 // Satelite Sconce / Schoolhouse Electric & Supply Co. / $125 - This is a great looking wall sconce, for a pretty great price. Definitely has a vintage vibe, and comes in lots of finishes.

And with that, I wish you a fabulous weekend!!

Interiors i love // Hannah Maple Design

I recently came across a home that was featured on both Rue and desire to inspire that I am now officially smitten with. The design is by Hannah Maple, and the overall design + vibe of the space is perfection to me. Take a look for yourself:

To me, this home achieves the perfect balance of natural + sophisticated.

All of the raw wood finishes, worn leather, sculptural plants, and cowhide rug definitely give it an organic, earthy feel, yet the amazing(!) light fixtures and artwork elevate it to a polished, tasteful space. It's comfortable and cozy, yet gorgeous and oh so easy on the eyes :) The limited, neutral color palette probably isn't for everyone, but I seriously love it in this case.

Hannah also has a blog, where she recently shared her awesome, budget-friendly kitchen makeover:

It's amazing what some painted cabinets, subway tile, and bamboo shades can do, right?

Happy Wednesday!