and we're back...

http://www.lemonademovie.com/

How was your Monday? Was this your first day back in the world after Thanksgiving? How did it go?

Mine was a working Holiday, but it was good....BUT for some reason, it's now all catching up with me today and everything feels kind of crappy. ALL of it. Not just the Holiday weekend and the recent traveling, but everything that has gone on in the last year and not just in my life. So many people I know and others who I don't, but get the privilege to meet, have had a life changing year and NOT always in a good way.

The Holiday Season has a way of making the year that we lived through feel more amplified and when you see it up close, it's not always pretty but it can be hopeful. That's what I believe in, hope. So, as I go about the rest of this year trying to tie up loose business ends, resolve never ending challenges, try to spend time with family and friends and plan for all the stuff that 2010 holds, I vow to remember those in my life that are courageous daily and those that I don't personally know but who's stories are so loud and strong they are difficult to ignore. I will also share my luck & good fortune since others have shared their's with me.

In the meantime, I'm going into the last work phase of the day with homemade chocolate chip cookies and red wine. Is that wrong?

I feel better already. Don't judge.

Happy Holidays.

-angelo

holiday giveaway...

Here's your chance to win the chair of your choice from angelo:HOME & HGTV.com

The giveaway starts today.

GO to the HGTV.com Blog: DESIGN HAPPENS and watch the video where I tell you all about it and give you the first clue.

Check in everyday with the DESIGN HAPPENS blog for clue of the day and enter all your answers on Friday for your chance to win.

HGTV.com & DESIGN HAPPENS will announce the winner!

GOOD LUCK & HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

-angelo

words to live by...

These "rules" were written by a filmmaker and meant for filmmakers but I think they pretty much apply to all.

Jim Jarmusch’s Golden Rules

by Jim Jarmusch | Published January 22, 2004

Rule #1: There are no rules. There are as many ways to make a film as there are potential filmmakers. It’s an open form. Anyway, I would personally never presume to tell anyone else what to do or how to do anything. To me that’s like telling someone else what their religious beliefs should be. That’s against my personal philosophy—more of a code than a set of “rules.” Therefore, disregard the “rules” you are presently reading, and instead consider them to be merely notes to myself. One should make one’s own “notes” because there is no one way to do anything. If anyone tells you there is only one way, their way, get as far away from them as possible, both physically and philosophically.

Rule #2: Don’t let the f*****s get ya. They can either help you, or not help you, but they can’t stop you. People who finance films, distribute films, promote films and exhibit films are not filmmakers. They are not interested in letting filmmakers define and dictate the way they do their business, so filmmakers should have no interest in allowing them to dictate the way a film is made. Carry a gun if necessary.

Also, avoid sycophants at all costs. There are always people around who only want to be involved in filmmaking to get rich, get famous, or get laid.

Rule #3: The production is there to serve the film. The film is not there to serve the production. Unfortunately, in the world of filmmaking this is almost universally backwards. The film is not being made to serve the budget, the schedule, or the resumes of those involved. Filmmakers who don’t understand this should be hung from their ankles and asked why the sky appears to be upside down.

Rule #4: Filmmaking is a collaborative process. You get the chance to work with others whose minds and ideas may be stronger than your own. Make sure they remain focused on their own function and not someone else’s job, or you’ll have a big mess. But treat all collaborators as equals and with respect. A production assistant who is holding back traffic so the crew can get a shot is no less important than the actors in the scene, the director of photography, the production designer or the director. Hierarchy is for those whose egos are inflated or out of control, or for people in the military. Those with whom you choose to collaborate, if you make good choices, can elevate the quality and content of your film to a much higher plane than any one mind could imagine on its own. If you don’t want to work with other people, go paint a painting or write a book.

Rule #5: Nothing is original. Steal from anywhere that resonates with inspiration or fuels your imagination. Devour old films, new films, music, books, paintings, photographs, poems, dreams, random conversations, architecture, bridges, street signs, trees, clouds, bodies of water, light and shadows. Select only things to steal from that speak directly to your soul. If you do this, your work (and theft) will be authentic. Authenticity is invaluable; originality is nonexistent. And don’t bother concealing your thievery—celebrate it if you feel like it. In any case, always remember what Jean-Luc Godard said: “It’s not where you take things from—it’s where you take them to.”

brownie fever...

RECIPE:

1 1/4 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 Tablespoons dark cocoa powder
11 ounces quality dark chocolate (60-72%), chopped coarsely
8 ounces butter (2 sticks), cut into 1 inch cubes
1 tsp instant espresso powder
1 ½ cups sugar
½ cup light brown sugar
5 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Butter the sides and bottom of a glass or light colored metal pan 9x13x2 pan.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, the salt, and cocoa powder.

Configure a large sized double boiler. Place the chocolate, the butter, and the instant espresso powder in the bowl of the double boiler and stir occasionally until the chocolate and butter are completely melted and combined. Turn off the heat, but keep the bowl over the water of the double boiler and add both sugars. Whisk the sugars until completely combined and remove the bowl from the pan. Mixture should be room temperature.

Add three eggs to the chocolate/butter mixture and whisk until just combined. Add the remaining eggs and whisk until just combined. Add the vanilla and stir until combined. Do not over beat the batter at this stage or your brownies will be cakey.

Sprinkle the flour/cocoa/salt mix over the chocolate. Using a spatula (DO NOT USE A WHISK) fold the dry into the wet until there is just a trace amount of the flour/cocoa mix visible.

Pour the mixture into the pan and smooth the top with your spatula. Bake the brownies for 30 minutes (rotate the pan half-way through baking) and check to make sure the brownies are completely done by sticking a toothpick into the center of the pan. The brownies are done when the toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.

Cool the brownies completely before cutting and serving.

CHECK OUT their web site: BAKED

CHECK OUT the excellent book with all sorts of swell recipes: BAKED

-angelo

happy thanksgiving...

Wishing everyone a fantastic

Thanksgiving Holiday!

-angelo

can't stop...

Off to New York for some great work related stuff. Will fill you all in when I can "spill" the details.

In the meantime I have started a living room project--MINE.

It just makes sense, doesn't it?

Last year, right before the Holidays, I decided to take on a kitchen remodel and this year just wasn't feeling the same without throwing another iron in the fire. Thankfully, it's not nearly as big a makeover. I am not taking the room down to the studs and floor boards. I will post after details once it's done. I am leaving in the middle of the project and since I have decided to do all the work myself, the makeover will have to wait till I get back. I'll be back the night before Thanksgiving and will spend the Holiday at a friend's house with family & friends. The living project will resume the day after "The Big Feast." I'll probably need to work off some calories.

Since the home front test-lab experiment continues, I'm in the market for some architectural details. Some of the current things in the room are staying, others are being repurposed and some stuff is being donated.

This is a never ending journey and going to a salvage yard only fuels my desire to continue with the mad experiment that is my home.

Silverlake Salvage in Los Angeles is one of my favorites. Check out some of finds:

above photos: iPhone/angelo:HOME

How are you spending Thanksgiving? Are you cooking? Hosting? What are you making or looking forward to having? This is the beginning of my favorite time of year. GOOD STUFF!

I hope it's filled with everything that makes you feel happy & swell.

-angelo

good stuff...

Yesterday I received a care package from Susan Inglis from the Sustainable Furniture Council.

Tom Erdman (my upholstered furniture mfg) and angelo:HOME are members of SFC and we have had the pleasure of Susan and her team working with us to make our companies and products as sustainable as possible, within our business model.

Susan met with us when we went to High Point last month and yesterday she sent a box that included some very tasty things from

3 CUPS in Chapel Hill, NC.

GOOD SUFF!

You can read more about Susan and what she and her organization do so beautifully HERE and you can check out 3 CUPS if you're up for some delicious wine, coffee and/or tea--AND who isn't up for that?!

Thank you Susan.

-angelo

seriously...

Dark Chocolate Chipotle Fritos.

Seriously killing me here. Seriously.

They are offered by the appropriately named Tempt Chocolate.

Enjoy.

-angelo

Country Kitchen Decoration ideas

Having an inviting country kitchen is an important attribute in the overall ambiance of your country home.Why? Well, no matter who you visit or who visits you, the kitchen is where everyone tends to gather.A warm and relaxing country kitchen can be established with a few simple kitchen decorating ideas.Kitchen Decorating Ideas For A Country Kitchen

Country Kitchen

Elegance of natural materials, subdued shades create an elegant and soothing atmosphere.

* Warm color choices for your walls with either paint, wallpaper, or beadboard paneling. Add a wallpaper border or you can stencil a border for a creative, personal touch.* Kitchens - Prado and Primo Design
Country Kitchens - Pia Series
Kitchen Design Inspiration from Sanidero
Country style light fixtures, such as, wood, pewter, wrought iron, or pressed tin.

White Kitchen Decoration
Saveur Kitchen

An ode to pure and simple lines.The eye glides over the broad and elegant design of the moulding.

* Country curtains - gingham check, plaid, or a stencil border curtain are good choices.Kitchen Decorating Ideas For A Country Kitchen

Kitchen Decoration ideas

Rive Droite Country Kitchen

The variety of clear shades is enhanced by the warmth of the arched worktop and the clarity of the glass units.

* Wrought iron hanging pot rack - both decorative and useful!
Desire To Inspire - Inspirational Kitchens
Kitchen Design and Style
Design Your Outdoor Kitchen
* If you have a table in your kitchen, use an area rug under it. A braided rug is an excellent choice, as it adds warmth to your room.

* Use a country throw rug in front of your sink. There are a variety of choices. It can either match your area rug under the table or can go with your kitchen's theme. For example, gingerbread men, hearts, Americana, cabin decor, etc.

wooden Cabinets Kitchen

An atmosphere with a country flavour, inviting you to acquire a taste for authenticity : tradition conjugated in the present and adapted to today's style of living .

Inexpensive Kitchen Wall Decorating Ideas
Home Interior Decorating: 10 Things for you to Consider
Kitchen Decorating Themes
* Decorate with country accessories, such as, baskets, mixing bowls, canisters, wooden country signs, country prints, cookbooks, and decorative plates.

* Add some fresh flowers when possible - they always look great!

White Country Kitchen

The seductive appeal of a soft warm environment - a chic way of bringing a touch of elegance into our everyday lives.

You Should Remodel Your Kitchen
How to pick the perfect kitchen furniture
15 simple ideas for kitchen cabinets
These simple additions or changes can go a long way in creating a cozy country kitchen.

If you're going for a major change, perhaps with flooring, hardwood floors or tile floors make wonderful country decor style floors. An important bit of advice for tile floors would be to have them heated if you do not have a heated room or heated basement under your kitchen.

Home decoration ideas

Oak Country Kitchen

High quality materials, accessories and general equipment. It is a pleasure to cook in this kitchen.

Decorating country kitchen ideas

One last tip is to incorporate a candle or two, or a small lamp or lantern on your counter for a subtle light source and added appeal for your country kitchen.
Source: http://www.ikstudio.co.uk/

Kitchen Wall Colors - Kitchen Decoration ideas

Here's some kitchen wall decorating ideas that will add splash to your kitchen but not break your budget. Your walls are probably the biggest area in your kitchen so you want them to have some special pizzazz. Whether you have a special theme in mind or just updating your look, these ideas below might be able to get you started

Kitchen Wall Colors

Kitchen Wall Decorating Ideas Showcase

Decorative Kitchen plates

One of my favorite kitchen wall decorating ideas is to use colorful dinnerware or plates. You can hang them on fancy wrought iron hangers that cost about $20.00 each or just buy inexpensive spring type hangers for a couple of bucks. If you have a theme going, you can get plates to match the theme or if your decorating scheme is more about color, you can get bold colorful plates to match. Why not add interest with a plate collection? You can group plates with a certain theme like perhaps, plates with birds on them or plates with cats or even plates with scenes of your hometown. Plates can be bought cheaply at yard sales, flea markets and even online.

• red kitchen
  
• Natural Pear Kitchens - Pear wood
• Cherry Kitchen - Wooden kitchens
• Brich Kitchens - Light Birch

Old Family photos

If you have some old photos of your ancestors laying around what better way to display them and add to your kitchen décor than to put them in some nice antique looking frames and arrange them on the wall. You Should Remodel Your Kitchen
Of course, this is one of those kitchen wall decorating ideas that doesn't go with every decorating scheme but if you have a Victorian, old world, tuscan, country or even French country style kitchen, you can buy new frames that match the style and add part of your heritage to your décor.

Kitchen Wallpaper borders

Wallpaper borders are an inexpensive and easy way to add a little zip to your walls. You can even add them in with any of these other kitchen wall decorating ideas for some added zest. Wallpaper borders can be run at the top of the wall, the backsplash, or chair rail height.
How to pick the perfect kitchen furniture
15 simple ideas for kitchen cabinets

Kitchen Decoration ideas

7 way to store kitchen containers - kitchen cabinetsYou can buy borders in every style imaginable and if you like shopping online you will find a much larger selection on the internet than you would in your local stores.
Oak kitchen wooden cabinet designs

Architectural pieces

This is one of the more expensive kitchen wall decorating ideas but one of my favorites and doesn't have to cost a lot if you shop wisely. Depending on your kitchen decorating scheme, you might want to add some iron grates, wooden columns or fancy metal architectural pieces to your walls. Just hang them up like pictures and they make a unique and unusual display. You can go with lacy metal pieces for Victorian or shabby chic décor (you can even paint them white or any color you want).
Kitchen Design Trends 2010
Feng Shui Kitchen
Vastu for Kitchen
Some old heating grates in fancy designs or those architectural stars that hang on old buildings might be nice for a country look. You can use wooden pieces from old houses, porch railings or even colums (you can cut them in half lengthwise and make them look like they are holding up the wall! You can shop for these architectural pieces at flea markets and in antique shops but you can also buy reproduction pieces online at a fraction of the cost with the same look.Contemporary kitchen

Kitchen Decoration ideas - luca and Lugano series
Kitchen Pictures - Grado

Faux painting

Faux painting is one of the least expensive kitchen wall decorating ideas and will make a huge change. Paint is rather inexpensive and you need only invest some time into learning the techniques. You can even get free instruction on faux painting at Home Depot or here online. I recommend practicing on large pieces of cardboard before you apply your new skills to your walls!
Wooden kitchen cabinets
If you have spent hours scouring the local stores for perfect the perfect wall decor, then why not try the internet? It lends itself quite nicely to purchasing decor and you get

• Italian Kitchens Picture Gallery
• Minimalistic House and minimalist Kitchen
• Add some colors to your kitchen

delivery right to your door!Kitchen Decorating Themes - Kitchen Ideas You can find a much larger selection than you would locally and our recommended merchants have secure ordering systems so your private information stays private.
Design a Kitchen Tile - Kitchen cabinet collors
Source: http://www.ikstudio.co.uk

Wall decoration - Picture frames

How you decorate your walls says a lot about you, but it's important to use the space efficiently. Check out these pictures for ideas and inspiration for your wall decor.

Country Kitchen wall Decoration ideas
home deocorations

• Living Room furniture in your home should definite... walls decor
  
• Minimalist Wall Fireplace

Hanging designed plates is a stylish and easy way to fill up space.

Whether enclosing a precious work of art or a prized family photograph, a picture frame is a design element not to be overlooked.

home wall deocorations

• Yellow apartment interior Designs
• New Italian Furniture Collection
• Luxury interior

A carefully chosen frame adds to the aesthetics and overall harmony of a well-decorated room, while a bad frame can ruin the entire effect of the artwork.

wall decor

Before shopping for frames, visit art galleries and museums in your area to see how different frames are used to enhance photographs and paintings. Browse decorating books and magazines to see framed pictures displayed in homes. Simple Modern Makeovers - Interior Designing Tips
Interior Design Pictures - Pictures of Living Room
Small Space Interior Design TipsNext, consider the type of picture and the style in which the room is decorated to determine what type of frame would best fit.

picture decors

Above all, the frame must complement the image it holds. When searching for a frame, keep in mind the painting or photo and find a frame that will enhance it.

• Wall decoration ideas - color ideas
• Leather Sofas, Leather Couches, Leather Loveseats ...
• Luxury interiors - Luxury Homes

For example, an ornate gold frame looks wonderful with a traditional oil painting, while a natural wood frame suits a painting of a lush forest, and a soft blue frame could be used to accentuate a color from the picture it encloses.

home decors
DIY has compiled a bunch of ideas for quick, easy alternatives to the standard painting or print for filling that empty space on your wall. We'll probably pass on the old license plates (too TGI Fridays), but some of the other projects are pretty cool.

Modern Interior Design Decoration Ideas
Modern GREY bathroom home decor ideas
The size and shape of the frame also make an impact on the art. A small picture can have greater presence matted in a larger, elaborate frame. A frame with thick sides can also keep a small painting from going unnoticed, while a large painting is often set off to best effect by a plain, thin frame.

The decorating style and function of the room where the picture will be hung must also be considered when choosing a frame. For a child’s bedroom or playroom, frames in primary colors or those featuring cartoon characters often work best. A spare, modern room calls for sleek contemporary frames. Old-fashioned gold colored frames or beautifully carved wood ones complement a traditional home, while simple, natural wood frames look great in rooms decorated in the country style. Also consider the wall where the painting will hang. A white frame against a white wall can get lost, where a green frame will stand out. If the painting will be hung on busy wallpaper, make sure the frame contrasts with the background.


home decoration


The frame must fit the artwork for which it is meant. If framing an oil painting on stretcher bars, make sure the frame is deep enough to accommodate the bars. If using a metal frame on a large picture, see that it is strong and will not buckle.

Wall Decor Ideas

These wall applications are simple adhesive plastic shapes that can be stuck to walls/doors/just about anywhere in pretty patterns. Would get some for dorm, but the "These applications are permanent and may damage your wall, door or the product if removed" note made me think twice.

If you are hanging a collection of photos or prints together, use similar frames to visually link them. The frames could be all of the same style, or perhaps different shapes and sizes, but all in the same color. These frames should be simple in order to focus attention on the pictures.

You can find photo frames in most home decorating shops, and many arts and crafts supply stores sell frames for paintings and photos. Professional framing shops naturally have a great selection of frames, and the employees, who have handled hundreds of pictures, can offer expert advice for choosing a frame. Alternatively, check out thrift shops for old pictures in great frames. The picture can always be discarded. You can also buy inexpensive wooden frames and spruce them up with paint.

bedroom interior designs - bedroom furniture

For something such as a bedroom design you’ll want to think long and hard about precisely what it is that you’re going to do, and today we present another inspirational post from our bedroom interior design inspiration series.
A honey yellow (not neon) looks fantastic with earthy green tones and natural wood. Wall maps are a great way to tie this scheme together.BedSheet - Bedroom designs

• Children's bedroom furniture Ideas
• Luxury Italian Bathroom Collection

Bedroom pictures

Bedrooms are the primary place of relaxation, where we all retire to take a good sleep and refresh, away from the world and worries.

• Luxury bedroom
• Living Room Decorating Ideas
• bedrooms Designs

Classic bedroom furniture

bedrooms
A bright wall color adds bold character to the space.Bedroom Interior Design - Bedroom pictures
Teen Girl Bedroom Decorating Idea for a Small Spaces
Bedroom Inspiration
The bedroom interior design is extremely important in order to provide that instant feel of relaxation and here are a few tips: the first thing that meets the eyes are the colors used on the walls, carpets and bed set so, they all must be soothing in pastel colors in order to provide a relaxing effect.

Bedroom pictures

bedroom bedsheets
An accent wall creates interest without clutter.Bedroom - luxury and convenience
Bathroom - Water temptation - Bathroom designs
Modern carpets - interior solutions