gekko's Profile

Sorry for my lack of knowledge about kitchen ware. But although I've seen photos of dutch ovens, I'm still confused about how it's different from any other big pot. Since there is the word "oven" in the name, I thought perhaps a Dutch Oven is something you can place directly inside a regular oven to bake/cook something, pot and all. But your stew recipe mentions just using the dutch oven on the stove top. Are dutch ovens used both on stove tops and inside ovens? Thanks in advance for any clarifications you can provide.

Thanks for the explanation, Faith.

I had to cancel a trip next week to Montreal. Although now I won't be able to visit Olive & Gourmando in person, having Dyan's recipe (thanks Dyan!) means I can still recreate what I'll be missing in Montreal.

BTW, Faith, I loved your intro. By the time I read "prickly with heat and irritation," I was SO ready for a virtual gulp of that iced green tea elixir!

Hi P2!
What a happy surprise it was to discover that you are the guest designer sharing tips from a fundraiser. (had thought Maxwell was posting when I first started reading). And since I didn't know your last name (only know you as P2 from way back when I used to visit AT more often), I didn't realize it was you until I saw your answers where you signed as Patrick (the other one).
Absolutely LOVE the Wisteria glass coffee table. What a find! It's gorgeous! And your "see-thru-coffee table" tip is one of the ideas I'll be keeping in mind as I shop for a coffee table for my living room.
Other great tip for me was "mix the woods." I have everything from elmwood to rosewood in my living room and like it that way. You're right, mixing it shows a gradual collection rather than "all from one truck." Am also trying to mix reproductions (your "Save" idea), with antiques (the "Invest" tip).
From Small,Cool win to a design career doing exactly what you love to do! So happy for you. Congrats!!

Suki,
Don't mind grumpy Confettimeg. No need to apologize. She's obviously so OCD she can't appreciate an invitation to someone's home without criticizing what's in their sink. It's her loss that she missed all the creative touches in your home.
Retro phone as toilet paper holder. What wonderful imagination you have!

Heidi,
Thank you for sharing with us your elegant and breathtakingly beautiful home. Love your eye for color, simplicity and truly amazing sense of style.
I haven't had time to see many of the other entries this year yet, but based on viewing experience from past years, I believe you've already won.
You mentioned you feel as if you live in a luxury hotel. Which hotel features inspired you the most?

I noticed the raspberries and tomatoes in the tiny shoes...and loved the photo! (a better photo than the NYT one, imho)

Figured whoever picked them will obviously wash them well before eating.

What the photo told me was: a little kid went berry picking, and with no bag or basket, decided to put the berries in her shoe. Image of a barefoot child skipping home with fresh berries is sort of charming.

As for to unplug or not: When I'm talking to someone, I prefer that they don't ignore me by playing on a gadget instead. It's frustrating to have someone only half listening to you. I tell them, "Please look at me. I need eyeball time."

But I have to admit that when traveling, I prefer hotels with internet so I can check the news, book rooms for the next stop, Skype my mom and other relatives (saves so much $$$).

Also have to note that my new iPhone came in super handy on our recent trip to Europe. Just tap in the address on map function and follow the arrow. Was able to help a lost Japanese tourist by using my iPhone to lead him and his grandson to their hotel.

Access to internet translation is also fantastic. In a little out of the way town where little English was spoken, iPhone came in handy again when we were able to type in English and push a button for a translation into the local language. Was also able to type in strange words from the menu and get instant English translations. It was amazing.

Once I'm finished using what all the gadgets can do for me on vacation, I do force myself to put them away so I can enjoy the scenery and people around me.

Is there special "metal paint" that's needed? What kind of paint did you use?

Gorgeous place. Love how you added so much storage (Expedit unit, desk with all those drawers, hydraulic lift for underbed storage, etc..) in such a streamlined and elegant manner.

Yes.

Like the asymmetric arrangement of throw blankets in bottom photo, second from left.

Would love to sleep on that porch bed overlooking the ocean. Dreamy and beautiful setting.