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Master Bedroom & Bath: Inspiration

April 9, 2014 by Morgan

Nothing is solidified as of yet (we don’t even really have a timeline in place), but there is talk around here of getting on that master bathroom remodel.

Master Bathroom Inspiration Board | PepperDesignBlog.com

The plan is to tear down the wall between the older bath in the house and our bedroom. The rooms would officially integrate into one large space with a soaking tub between the two.

House Floor Plan | PepperDesignBlog.com

The above is a layout of our home at the moment. When we purchased the house it had one full bath (#1) and one half bath (#3). Anticipating this master bedroom/bath conversion, we built the second full bath (#2) two years ago – almost to the day, actually – for guests and the kids’ room.

The closet and half bath in the master bedroom will disappear and the wall between the two spaces will come down. The rooms will still be divided visually by a change in flooring (the beautiful hard wood doesn’t run through the current bathroom or the closet so that will go tile all the way across) and perhaps something even architecturally, like a wide arch (which is a frequent feature in this house).

House Floor Plan with Master Ensuite | PepperDesignBlog.com

We’ll use a corner of the new bathroom (probably near where the new door will be) to create a bigger closet. Removing this last hallway closet will officially mean zero storage (with the exception of the pantry in the kitchen) in the entire house. Bah! Talk about really pairing down. The office, nursery, hallway and all bathrooms will be closet free. We’ll have to make super use of the master bedroom closet and furniture storage (which we do an okay job of now).

You can find the full Pinterest board here with all of my master bathroom ideas. I’ve been dreaming up this space for years!

Above inspiration board:

1. A green glass tile shower wall would be so beautiful. It’s hard to see in the top down layout, but the shower will be above the tub and surrounded on two sides by half glass walls, the third side is the edge of the house.

2. Round brass mirrors for over a natural wood vanity (option #2).

3. A beautiful grey & white Spanish tile for just behind the vanity area (sort of like this). More tiles I’m thinking about here.

4. Natural wood vanity + white tile pairing ideas: images one, two and three

This new bathroom has to accomplish a few different things: it must be true to the Spanish style of this home (it’s just the right thing to do to honor the bones of this casita), it needs to bring that ‘adult’ respite space into an incredibly busy house (I’m picturing bubble baths and heated floors for momma), and in a perfect world it would stay on budget while incorporating all of those special details we’ve been dreaming up.

We’re so early in the process that this all might change… but I couldn’t wait to share the initial plans for this space. It might take a while (we still have renderings, permits and spacial planning to think about) but we’re at the start of something fun.

PS a glance back at our last full bathroom renovation adventure.

- posted on April 9, 2014 Filed Under: Home, Home Inspiration Board, Inspiration Board, Our Master Bathroom, Our Master Bedroom, Renovating Adventures

Good Eats: Experimenting with Broiling Fruit

April 7, 2014 by Morgan

Experimenting with Broiled Fruit | PepperDesignBlog.com

I had some time on Saturday afternoon to experiment in the kitchen. I have read about the intense, almost smokey flavor that fruit takes on when broiled and it intrigued me.

Experimenting with Broiled Fruit | PepperDesignBlog.com

I sliced up a few lemons and oranges and arranged them on foil covered cookie sheets. I even added a handful of blackberries for good fun. Under the broiler they went for 5-10 minutes.

The result? The wedges of fruit almost disintegrated, and in their place, an incredibly concentrated flavor infusion that took on a juicy, syrupy quality. Part sweet, part tangy, and yes – just a little bit smokey. Ooooh so good.

Experimenting with Broiled Fruit | PepperDesignBlog.com

The lemons may have been my favorite.

Experimenting with Broiled Fruit | PepperDesignBlog.com

I broiled all of the fruit with just a dusting of sugar to try and achieve that charred, bubbly effect. Not enough sugar to create a caramelized layer, but just enough to give the broiler something to burn.

The oranges held their consistency a bit more, but stacked on a cheese plate they would make the most perfect sauce to soak up with fig bread and goat cheese.

Experimenting with Broiled Fruit | PepperDesignBlog.com

Experimenting with Broiled Fruit | PepperDesignBlog.com

And perhaps the most intriguing? The blackberries. These guys took on a cooked character that I didn’t expect. So good. And so perfect muddled in a cocktail or as a fruit bruschetta (with a creamy cheese. my taste buds are glazing over).

Experimenting with Broiled Fruit | PepperDesignBlog.com

These were so easy that it feels like every roasted chicken, baked fish or tangy salad ought to have some broiled fruit on it somewhere.

Experimenting with Broiled Fruit | PepperDesignBlog.com

Broiling happens at an incredibly high temp (500+) and will bubble the top of fruit until it caramelizes or blackens. You could also do the opposite and turn the heat down way low and dry out your slices for an entire day for an entirely different taste.

Experimenting with Broiled Fruit | PepperDesignBlog.com

Be sure to leave the oven door open just a couple of inches while broiling. Air circulation is important in such a high heat environment.

Before and after.

Experimenting with Broiled Fruit | PepperDesignBlog.com

Pieces of the finished fruit slices are still tart, some are now sweet, others are just a bit smokey. I’m excited about this entirely new flavor palette to explore.

PS cocktail suggestions to come. More good eats found here. Happy start to the week!!

- posted on April 7, 2014 Filed Under: Beverages, Breakfast, Cocktails, Desserts, DIY, Food Tips & Tricks, Projects, Recipes, Snacks Tagged With: Beverages, Broiled Fruit, Cocktails, Good Eats, Recipes

Living Room Ideas: A Fireplace Makeover?

April 4, 2014 by Morgan

I have kind of a crazy idea.

Fireplace Faux Wood Stack Screen : PepperDesignBlog.com

Redoing the face of this fireplace has been on our todo list since the beginning, but we’ve found bigger and more urgent projects to tackle over the past five and a half years so this guy has been on the ‘wouldn’t it be nice’ list for a while.

Before Shots of Our Home | PepperDesignBlog.com

I added a very basic wood box mantel (basically a plywood box) three years ago and the wood stack facade last spring. The sunburst mirror was a diy project from about the same time.

We’ve thought about tearing out the brick (which is not original) to see if there might be a beautiful Spanish fireplace hiding underneath. But we’ve come to grips that, when torn off, the plaster holding the brick together will surely tear out any decorative stucco below.

livingroom_after_4-23-13_fireplace_800

So my new thought is to box the fireplace in with dry wall and tile it. Embrace the square shape and use it as the foundation for a brand new look.

The first little redo inspiration seed was planted when I was watching Secrets From a Stylist, season 1 (what happened to that wonderful show?) when Emily takes on a Spanish home and includes a fireplace makeover. I couldn’t find a straight on pic (and the ochre is not my favorite room color-wise), but that herringbone pattern totally knocked my socks off.

A Mantel Makeover? Ideas | PepperDesignBlog.com

Two years later and ideas for the fireplace rise again when I spot a very beautiful marble makeover by Molly Wood in December 2013’s Better Homes & Gardens (I have also since subconsciously purchased a couple of those really cool gold wiry stars for our mantel only to come back to this picture and get why I was drawn to them).

A Mantel Makeover? Ideas | Molly Woods Fireplace, BHG | PepperDesignBlog.com

How cool is that whole fireplace? The white/grey, the warm wood, the natural accents (even though it’s decorated for the holidays in the above).

So I’ve been playing around mixing those various elements with some quick photoshop mockups…

A Mantel Makeover? Ideas | PepperDesignBlog.com

A marble herringbone tile with a grey quartz base (we have a chunk left over from our kitchen counters)? A new warmer wooden mantel?

A Mantel Makeover? Ideas | PepperDesignBlog.com

I’m thinking that a marble slab may be out of the ballpark, but maybe a lighter grey quartz? Or perhaps we could find a stone yard remnant…

I don’t know though. The scale of the tile feels too small and the color too cool. Perhaps a lighter marble is out there (already on sheets) waiting to be discovered.

Or or or, how about white ceramic.

A Mantel Makeover? Ideas | PepperDesignBlog.com

I love that.

Am I crazy for thinking chevron/herringbone here? Should we tear down the brick to see what’s really left of the original fireplace? Not touch it at all? Consider plastering it over (to look and feel more like a Spanish fireplace) or a different tile pattern altogether?

I’m so inspired and ready to go on this, but I also know that these ideas need to simmer a bit. Something else amazing might pop up instead.

PS a lighter marble fireplace inset (would be great if I could find that shade in herringbone sheets). More living room renovation posts here.

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- posted on April 4, 2014 Filed Under: DIY, Home, Our Living Room, Renovating Adventures Tagged With: DIY, Fireplace, Living Room, Mantel, mantle

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Welcome to my little slice of the web where I practice finding family, career, homemade & inspired balance on a daily basis. This is where I capture my happy moments, and I'm honored that you're here to join us. Home + creativity + good eats + journaling + life as a working mom. Read more...

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Welcome to my little slice of the web where I practice finding family, career, homemade & inspired balance on a daily basis. This is where I capture my happy moments, and I'm honored that you're here to join us. Home + creativity + good eats + journaling. Read More…

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