Classic with a Twist: December 2012

Looking back on a Colorful Year!

Before looking forward to 2013, I wanted to share one of the highlights of

this year... thanks to these three.

It's a highlight based on the fact that memories were created and the simple

joy I felt by watching my A's have such a great time together.

We road tripped to Austin a few weeks ago, where we participated in a 5k called

Color Me Rad...

where basically you are pelted with paint while you are running.

Why did I agree to do this??? Hmmm...

Feeding of my need of sharing color in everyday life,

this took it to another level!

Doesn't get much better than this!

Add a bit of color to your everyday and you'll be surprised too!

Personally and professionally, it has been a year of growth for

me and I landed on my own two feet!

(Luck or by design?:)

Source

So take a moment to think about what brought happiness to your

year and pump it up for 2013!

Monday, December 31, 2012 Comments: 2

Merry Christmas from TCI!

Merry Christmas from all of us at Traci Connell Interiors!!

Hope your day is merry and bright!

Tuesday, December 25, 2012 Comments: 0

My COMPLETED Kitchen Remodel! Before and After-

Back to my can of worms:)

Just in time for the holidays, we are feeling settled in our new home.

As you read a few weeks ago in another post

(check here for original drawings and plans),

I had an ~~awesome~~ idea to gut the entire kitchen during one of

our busiest months of work!

Soooo.... I became YOU and lived through this remodel!

Again, like YOU, it was well worth it!

We can't be more pleased with the outcome!

If any of you are house hunting, you know to look beyond the green tile and white

formica of the possibilities that await (if you can't see it... I can!)

Keep reading to view the progress pics and all the details!

Calcutta marble harlequin backsplash

(I have a thing for diamonds:) and subtle granite selected

The downdraft was relocated in order to create

the large gathering island and a suite of new stainless

appliances were added.

I repurposed window treatments from my previous home...

(with a tweak or two)

My FAVORITE part are the upper cabinets.

I've put them in a few clients homes, but I had to have

them too. Now- to leave them empty or fill them???

Shaker style cabinet doors, modern hardware and

I FORGOT... new hardwood floors

The biggest change of all was the removal of the wall between

the kitchen and family room. We created arches for cohesion with

the existing arch ways in dining/living rooms.

A palette of White is what I wanted:

Clean, fresh and calming

Where did I start?

Purty...

Thank you to all my contractors, vendors, friends and kiddos for

making this happen (and the patience). Sometimes working

on a designer's house can be challenging... we know

what we want!!!

Call us if you want one of these too:)

Thursday, December 20, 2012 Comments: 7

Happy Monday!

We are quickly approaching the Christmas holiday NEXT week! Before we rush into it, we thought it would be nice to take a seat....and sip on a delicious Holiday Drink!

Read on for a few of our favorite drinks, with recipes,

that you can make for yourself and friends!

Mulled Cranberry Cocktail

source

Ingredients

1 quart cranberry juice

1 cinnamon stick

2 whole cloves

1/2 cup cranberries

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Directions

In a medium saucepan, combine the juice, cinnamon stick, and cloves and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer.

Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the cranberries, sugar, ground cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons of water and heat over medium-low heat, gently stirring, until the cranberries pop and are well coated with the sugar mixture.

When cool enough to handle, thread 3 to 4 berries each on 4 decorative toothpicks or skewers. Pour the mulled cranberry juice among 4 mugs and garnish with the cranberry swizzle

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

source

Ingredients

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 quart milk
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips (3 ounces)
7 peppermint sticks; 3 crushed (1/4 cup), 4 left whole
pinch of salt

Directions

Place cocoa in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk until cocoa has dissolved. Add chocolate chips and crushed peppermint; simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until chocolate and peppermint have melted, 8 to 10 minutes.
Bring to a boil and immediately remove from heat. Add salt. Ladle into mugs; serve each with a peppermint stick.

Gingerbread Apple Cocktail

source

Ingredients:

2 oz. Domaine de Canton
1 oz. vanilla vodka
2.5 oz. apple cider
A few drops of lemon juice
Orange zest
Agave syrup

Directions:Line a chilled martini glass lightly with agave syrup on a dish followed by spiced graham cracker crumbs. Place all ingredients except for orange zest in a shaker and shake vigorously. Strain into glass. Freshly grate orange zest on drink and serve immediately.

Junior Mint Hot Chocolate

source

Ingredients:

2 Cups milk

2 Cups Dark Chocolate Almond Milk

1/2 Cup finely grated chocolate

1/2 cup Jr Mints

1 Cup heavy cream

2 T Granulated Sugar

Directions

1. Pour milk and chocolate almond milk into a 3 quart saucepan over medium heat. Add grated chocolate, stirring to combine. Add Jr. Mints stirring until melted. Reduce heat to a simmer.

2. Pour cream and sugar into a large mixing bowl. Whisk until stiff peaks form

3. Ladle hot chocolate into cups and top with homemade whipped cream and sprinkle with additional grated chocolate.

Favorite Eggnog
source

Ingredients
- 12 eggs, separated
- 1 1/2 cups superfine sugar
- 1 quart whole milk
- 1 1/2 quarts heavy cream
- 3 cups bourbon
- 1/2 cup dark rum
- 2 cups cognac
- Freshly grated nutmeg
Directions
1. In a very large bowl, beat egg yolks until thick and pale yellow. Gradually add sugar to yolks. With a wire whisk, beat in milk and 1 quart cream. Add bourbon, rum, and cognac, stirring constantly.
2. Just before serving, beat egg whites until stiff. Fold into mixture. Whip remaining 1/2 quart heavy cream until stiff, and fold in. Sprinkle with nutmeg
Enjoy!

Monday, December 17, 2012 Comments: 0

Friday Favorites at TCI

We are gearing up for several big installations next week before the Christmas Holiday!

In order to put the finishing touches on our projects, we are making sure all the details come together from the art to the accessories and everything in between.

Here are a few of our favorite accessories from a few retail stores around.

Read on!

1. "Winter" Candle from Bath and Body Works, accompanied by an

adorable metal candle holder with unique cut out designs.

2. Glass Bell Jar Accessories from Z Gallerie. We love these pieces. And the options for creativity are endless! You can swirl a sprig inside a bell jar, cover florals, or place vases or objects within.

3. This Mother-of-Pearl inlaid Capiz bowl is made from natural teakwood and each bowl is completely different. The organic nature of this bowl is very intriguing.

4. A little fun! We loved this yellow and grey drape at Z Gallerie and began brainstorming what uses this could have...shower curtain? Art?

5. And of course this star ornament caught our eye while we were looking around Z Gallerie.

Simple and Fun!

Friday, December 14, 2012 Comments: 0

Commercial Design: Physical Therapy Office

This week has been full of design with some of our commercial projects!

This is a physical therapy office that is under construction and we have great plans for the final look:

Concepts and Products:

Our goal is to combine textures, materials and colors to make a cohesive plan that will be both functional AND stunning.

Site Visit:

After visiting the site a couple of times this week, we went to the drawing board (literally) and began drafting out exactly what we had in our minds for the reception area.

Drawings:

These are some of our preliminary drawings for the reception desk and focal wall behind the desk:

By using 3Form products, we plan for this to be a very impressive entry!

Be sure to stay tuned to follow the progress!

Thursday, December 13, 2012 Comments: 1

Blue Christmas Styling in my House!

Red and Green.... we love you, but are ready to try something fresh and new!

BLUE Christmas Styling and Decorations

this year are our favorite! ;)

We are finally settled in our new home and what better holiday to fully deck your halls!

Adding touches of gold and white to my already blue home is the perfect addition for the holidays!

It's really a simple conversion of decor! Find ribbons and decor for the Christmas holidays
with blue, bronze, and white accents to pump up your new color scheme!

You'd be surprised at how many Christmas decorations really do come in other colors!
We were at Zgallerie today and saw THIS!

Begin to layer in snowflakes, ribbons and small ornaments to bounce around the colors.

Draping garland from staircases and mantels is a great place to showcase more blue styling
through ribbon colors and ornaments.
(first priority of 2013...stain banister to match floor!)