Susan Feniger. Photo from EatAtStreet.com.

Of course, being a mom, I followed her out to ask her if she might chat about food with our foodie, Lauren.  Turns out she ate at the restaurant Lauren manages the night before and they chatted (what…she doesn’t need my help? ) When asked what would her last supper be, Susan replied, “Oh probably an avocado drizzled with olive oil, an artichoke, a ribeye [steak], and a dirty martini.” Ok, the next night I had an avocado and an artichoke…of course if it was my last meal I’d be adding the cake!

Later, after a few quick client meetings, I met Lauren’s boyfriend for a yoga class.  Afterwards he suggested dinner at…you got it…Border Grill! Just seemed like a sign I was to blog about it on Friday.  The decor is fun, colorful, and a casual vibe.  The best view for me was sitting on the patio looking up at the beautiful downtown LA buildings.

Border Grill Los Angeles. Bright colors, artsy, murals, ethnic vibe. Picture from LATimes.com.

We split the Carnitas with to-die-for roasted corn grits and Grilled Fish Tacos (who knew you could throw grapefruit in a taco!)  If you can’t get to LA, I’d say buy one of her cookbooks…I am!

One of Susan’s many cookbooks. Picture from Amazon.com.

We pulled many neutrals in this room to compliment the fabulous outdoor setting at this home. Photo by Don Lewis

I have always admired Victoria Hagan’s gorgeous use of neutrals, highlighted by her implementation of fine architectural details and symmetry. Photo from Victoria Hagen.com

Barbara Barry is one of the best in developing the serenity of neutrals. Picture from Barbara Barry.com

Great example of how neutrals go great with any style. We covered the chairs in three different neutral fabrics, all by Kravet. Photo by Don Lewis

You can always add extra spice to the room with a little color depending on your mood or season. In the fall we might add some great orange pillows to compliment the changes outside. Photo by Don Lewis

Nature is a great way to get the neutral color palette inspiration. Benjamin Moore has an awesome palette to chose from.

Don’t you agree neutrals are a great solution for any style and family?!

I’ve been noticing that eating healthy is becoming a trend. With summer season being right around the corner, this  trend will continue! We all have great access to fresh produce.  I especially like locally organically grown produce…and local farmer markets are so much fun! I love vegetarian food, even though I am not a vegetarian. Vegetarian cuisine is a healthy addition to at least part of my weekly schedule.  My favorite vegetarian cook book is Moosewood Restaurant New Classics. Moosewood restaurant is located in Ithaca, NY (loved visiting that town). The restaurant and their many associated cookbooks have helped form the whole vegetarian movement in this country and was named one of the most influential restaurants by Bon Appetit magazine.  One of my favorite recipes is “Black Bean & Sweet Potato Hash,” pg. 319.  Easy to prepare and delicious!! 

I highly recommend this cookbook! Eating vegetarian does not mean limiting your choices.

Here is a little preview of the recipe I am talking about. Show your cookbook some love and write in it! Plus your notes will help you remember what you have tried and your thoughts.  :)

Black Bean & Sweet Potato Hash made by me. Such a yummy dish!

Our foodie Lauren also loves Moosewood…her favorite cookbook being their Cooking for Health edition.  Lauren on why she likes their cookbooks, “because the recipes are easy, healthy, taste good, and are vegetarian!” Hope this inspires you all to keep this eating trend growing!

One of the Moosewood books found in Lauren’s bookcase.

For starters, I recommend a good mirror. Decorating with a mirror can go a long way! A mirror can work as a form of art work, make a room seem bigger, adds function, or simply adds character to a room. A mirror enhances your visual awareness of the room and extended space. I always recommend a quality mirror over a poorer quality piece of art.

A Pottery Barn  great example of how a mirror can make a room appear larger.

Here is an example of a powder room we did where the mirror provides function, texture, and character to the room. Mirror is from Made Goods, wallpaper from Lee Jofa. Photo By Don Lewis.

Another accessory I recommend is candles. Candles can set the right ambiance to any room! Candles and candle holders come in any shape and color, providing limitless possibilities. Candles provide romantic lighting which softens the room and is flattering to the individuals in the room.  They can also add scent and a sense of warmth.  I do not recommend using scented candles around food.  On tablescapes, try mixing the shapes and sizes of your candles or holders.  Be sure your candles have enough burn time left to last the course of your meal or party.

A Von Der Ahe example of a great way to play with candlelight to set the right ambiance. Photo by Don Lewis

Throws are also great accessories. They can be added to living rooms, family rooms, patios, and bedrooms. They can be that extra pop of color needed in the room or just right touch to make your room feel more livable. Functionally they provide warmth and bring an awareness to our sense of touch.

Example of how a throw can add color, texture, and warmth. Throws and picture from West Elm.

 PS> you know I always think a simple arrangement of flowers is the final touch

Here is a living room and sun room makeover.  The goal was to make the two rooms work together as a complete space for entertaining. This was accomplished by adding a fireplace that is visible in both side rooms and having a space plan that allowed for maximum seating while still allowing for party flow. 

Here is shot of the wall opened up to insert the double sided fireplace. Construction by Abel Builders. Photo by Von Der Ahe Interiors.

In the left we can see how the fireplace will look when in the living room and on the right we get the view of the fireplace when in the sunroom.

Another thing we needed to do was add character details to the rooms. What we did was add ceiling moldings to the living room along with art lights and make the center beam in the sunroom thicker. 

Here is a view of the the moldings added and the art lights being installed. Photo by Von Der Ahe Interiors.

Here is the ceiling beam that is being changed to a thicker one to compliment the space better

Once all the remolding was completed, we needed to think about a way to add a lot of seating to these small rooms. Also, how to make them feel warm while keeping the wood floors in the living room and brick floors in the sun room visible. Living room – Custom sofas by Von Der Ahe Interiors with Kravet Barbara Barry fabric. Console and ottomans by Baker furniture. Custom drapes with Kravet fabric. Vintage coffee table. Sun room – Custom sofas, chairs, ottomans, lamp shades by Von Der Ahe Interiors. Sofa and chair fabric Kravet, pillows, shades fabric Robert Allen. Side tables by West Elm. Coffee table by Baker furniture.

We made the seating area in the living room nice and tight and a walkway behind the sofas so no interruptions occur when walking from one room to the other. Photography by Jose Narro. 

Here you can see how we made the living room feel warm by adding an area rug and making the seating area closer for that more intiment feel. Photography by Jose Narro.

View of how the two rooms compliment each other by the doorway. We also see here how we were able to add extra seating by using ottomans. Photography by Jose Narro. 

Here you can see how we added an area rug in the sun room around where the seats are to make it feel warmer. Also a view of the completed beam. Photography by Don Lewis.

The clients are more than happy with their new rooms! We are so honored that we were able to design the room that they wanted. 

Every wonder what are the top kitchen utensils to have and what are the best ones to get? Dont worry we are here to help! Having a chef in the family really helps when it comes to these questions.  Our Lauren Von Der Ahe is general manager of a local restaurant and has attended fabulous cooking schools.

Here are foodie Lauren’s top three kitchen “must haves”. The items are: knife, cutting board, and spatulas. William-Sonoma and Sur La Table are two of Lauren’s favorite go to spots to shop for the kitchen.

Lauren loves these silicone spatulas! They are easy to clean and the best utensils to use when cooking! Picture from Williams-Sonoma website.

Of course we like to have that great “design touch” to everything, luckily William-Sonoma thinks the same
They have these great wooden spatulas that can be engraved to add that extra touch. Picture from Williams-Sonoma website.

Lauren loves this antibacterial cutting board. Very durable and great for protecting the knife. Lauren prefers not to use a wood cutting board as the cut areas can be prone to bacteria. Picture from Williams-Sonoma website.

As we go into the knives, it is always good to have a knife that does everything, hence Lauren’s pick of the chef knife.  Lauren highly suggest at home chefs  sharpen their knives at least monthly. Lauren notes that her restaurant likes to get their knives professionally sharpened weekly! She is horrified at my (Carolyn’s) knife drawer and can’t understand how I can like to cook and not have sharp knives! Lauren recommends (stronger language here for me ), that a home chef always has a sharpening or honing steel on hand to keep knives up to task.  Sur La Table has great knife options.

This is a great knife to have, it is an all-purpose knife and its shape is great for protecting fingers! As Lauren can attest, a high quality, sharp knife wound is easier to address than a jagged cut…yikes!!

Hope these tips help getting you in the kitchen more often!

One way to make these colors perfect for this spring and summer is to try the pastel shades. I just love the softer shades of the strong greens, yellows, and purples.  Pastels are making big splash this season! We have set up a few ideas to inspire you to use of these beautiful colors!

Mix these soft shade variations like this wonderful pastel family of glass vases at Horchow . Another great way to add the pastel look is by using candle holders.

Great way to use the colors of the year! Photo from Horchow website 

Accent decor is spot on with these glass candle holders that can also be used as vases. Photo from Accent Decor website.

Wisteria has this lovely Chinese Garden Stool to accent any furniture piece with a breath of spring.

Perfect example of a mint green for this spring time. Photo from Wisteria website.

We love decorating with pastels! We have these great example of how to use pastels in furniture, accessories, walls, and flowers!

Pastel pink room example by Von Der Ahe Interiors! Kravet fabrics. Benjamin Moore Paint.

Von Der Ahe Interiors example of purple pastel room. Colefax and Fowler fabrics on bed, chaise, drape. Chaise custom by Von Der Ahe Interiors. Kravet fabric on custom bench by Von Der Ahe Interiors. Benjamin Moore paint.

West Elm has great stuff in the pastel family as well.

How cool are these over sized mugs?! Photo from West Elm. 

Adding throws to give your living room or patio that pastel feel is a great idea as well! Serena & Lily has a great options to choose from.

Throws in every pastel color from Serena & Lily. Photo from Serena & Lily website.

 Even rea rugs add a great pastel touch to any room!

Anthropology has this great pastel floral print. Photo from Anthropology.

Pastels are just going to work great for this season…actually this year! 

There are many different ways to bring brass into a room, here a few items we love and think will go great in a room. I also love to mix metals in a room.

Furniture items:

This Brass Martini Side Table from West Elm will go great in any room! Great different shape.

Baker has this great Oberon Cocktail Table that comes in brass finish.

 Awesome accessorie pieces to add to a room:

How cool are storage boxes from Madegoods? Love the brass studs.

Got to have that subtle brass on Manu mirror from Madegoods.

Love these playful  Ava Sculpture Spheres from Interlude Home.

Very unique sculpture form Interlude Home. This Trefoil Knot Sculpture adds that brass touch.

Tall Brass and Enamel Vase from One Kings Lane has amazing detail.

Of course we have our brass lighting options! :

Perfect example of subtle brass. From Currey Codealers

Antique brass works well for chandelier lighting. Simply classic piece from Currey Codealers

The reflective brass finish is just wonderful in this table lamp from Mercana.

Looks like brass is back from the past, with a new look too

We thought we would have some fun and start putting up a post every Friday with something related to food, recipes, a restaurant, tips in the kitchen, entertaining ideas, etc.  Of course a few decorating tips will sneak in as well. These blogs will be from all of us at Von Der Ahe Interiors…with hopefully a lot of tips from our foodie Lauren Von Der Ahe…(aaaah….there is sweet payback don’t you think from all those college and cooking school bills ).  Lauren has attended cooking classes in Quito, Ecuador and Wa

I will start us off with a family brunch egg dish that has been a staple for feeding large family gatherings or special occasions.  The recipe is great because it is made the day ahead so you are not going crazy the day of the event!  The recipe originated from a cookbook Chris and I picked up in the late 80′s when we were staying in a northern California bed and breakfast.

Cooking In Style by Sonnie Imes, Page 230 Eggs Pierre from Apple Lane Inn

The recipe morphed through the years to our version which is a bit healthier…

6 eggs

8 eggs, whites only

10 slices whole wheat sour dough bread with crusts removed

light butter or substitute

pinch of thyme (prefer fresh)

dash cayenne

10 slices sharp cheddar cheese

10 slices ham

10 slices (smoked if possible) Swiss cheese

2/3 cup milk

garlic salt

pepper

dash Worcestershire sauce

The day before…butter 10″ x 19″ pyrex dish.  Arrange lightly buttered bread and layer with cheddar, ham, and Swiss cheese.  Mix other ingredients in bowl and whisk.  Pour over layers.  Cover with wrap and put in refridgerator overnight.  Remove from fridge before preheating oven.  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Sprinkle with cheeses.  Bake 20 to 25 minutes….serve hot.

The key is getting great ham and cheese.  If you are in LA, I like Shreiner’s in Montrose…get the sharp cheddar, the smoked swiss, and the black forest ham (all are already sliced). The recipe tastes good without the ham if you want to go vegetarian.  This recipe is also great heated up the next day…if you have left that is!!!

Hope you have a wonderful Easter weekend…here’s the arrangement I threw together for my kitchen…all one flower type in a great container…easy and great! My favorite place for orchids in LA is the LA Flower Mart, favorite in the Santa Barbara area is Gallup and Striblingin Carpinteria.

Orchids placed in repurposed container. Bunnies form Pottery Barn.