I’ve always been a fan of a great at-home bar. I strongly believe it’s a must-learn life skill to mix up classic cocktails, and as an avid host, it’s important to provide an array...
Looking back on Easter as a child, I remember how excited I was to dig through my Easter basket. Full of chocolate bunnies, malt ball Easter eggs, Peeps, golden coins, and my favorite Cadbury...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
Lets be honest, salads can be boring. So I’m always trying to think outside of the box to come up with salad recipes that I’ll thoroughly enjoy, but are beyond easy to make. Enter...
We’ve read how MKR raves about using baskets as a chic storage solution in the laundry room and the linen closet. Since then, decorating with baskets has become one of my favorite ways to stay organized around the house, too. I’ve turned to decorating with baskets as a way to corral necessities and hide clutter in a breeze. I’ve also come to appreciate how baskets instantly add warmth, texture and interest to any room.
The possibilities for decorating with baskets are truly endless; I like to stow magazines in a shallow sisal basket next to my desk, I keep rolled-up towels in a classic rattan basket next to my tub, I corral cleaning supplies in a basket on the dryer, and I tote laundry across the house in this handwoven seagrass basket (brand new to the Shop!). Click through the slideshow above to get more inspiration on decorating with baskets at home, too! Cheers, Kat
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FOR LAUNDRY
With handles and a top to this basket, you can easily tote laundry to and from, in style.
This past weekend we had some of our closest friends in town from Chicago which meant all last week I ran around getting our home “guest ready”. You see, I take the act of hosting very seriously and hosting is really all about the prep work! Prep work I’ve got down to five simple steps – it starts with a cocktail (of course) and ends with breakfast. Five easy steps I thought I’d share with you Loves! truly, MKR
No. 1 – Ready the cocktails. After planes, trains, and automobiles your guests are likely a bit exhausted from the travel so greet them with a “house” cocktail and a proper toast to kick off what will hopefully be a relaxing and enjoyable stay. Might I suggest a Rose slushie, blackberry bourbon smash, or John Daly?
No. 2 – Prepare the guest room. This means fresh linens and towels, extra pillows, plenty of closet and drawer space, and fresh flowers on the nightstand is always an appreciated touch.
No. 3 – Create a guest room tray. As a guest there’s nothing worse than having to ask your host time and time again for items they may need or have forgotten. A fully stocked guest tray will eliminate the ask all together. Some suggested guest tray additions would be; water (sparkling and flat), a carafe, glasses, napkins, coasters, a candle, matches, Advil, magazines, and treats. I love wrapping treats such as trail mix and cookies in re-sealable packaging so if your guests don’t dig in during their stay they’ll have something to snack on at the airport.
No. 4 – Bathroom extras. The most forgotten items when traveling are toiletries. Therefore stock the bathroom with all of the necessities; toothbrushes, toothpaste, razors, shaving cream, shampoo, conditioner, face wash, lotion, perfume, and soap. And may I suggest buying the small individually wrapped soaps to avoid the half-used-leftover-from-the-guests-before-full-of-germs-soap.
No. 5 – Stock the fridge. It’s always best to check with your guests before arrival to make sure they don’t have any allergies or need any specific foods during their stay. Then fill your fridge with all of the standard items (milk, bread, coffee, wine, etc.) plus a few regional specialities they may not be able to get at home. For example we’ll have pimento cheese, BBQ of some sort, and homemade Southern biscuits (recipe right here!)
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If you’ve been to my house, which you probably have not, you’d know I have a loft space that is in dire need of some decor (design board here). Well the first step in that process was a small, but very important step. The top of my stairs. This tiny space was just begging for a console table, a grand piece of art and a little bit of styling. And while these pictures make this area look very pristine it’s actually quite functional. And functionality is something I believe every space should have. For example, that quirky hand stool can actually be sat on, but normally houses my purse or anything I don’t want to forget when leaving in the morning.
Another act of functionality, the snake box and malachite bowls which double as beautiful accents plus places to stash my stuff. I’m notorious for having jewelry and trinkets in every feasible place and in every single room so shouldn’t they at least be beautiful?
Next for adding height to the console table, because you never want everything on one plane, I utilized coffee table books which I collect and use whenever I can. Plus that pop of red was a necessity. Last year I saw Kathryn Ireland speak at Americas Mart and she said that no room is complete without red as it always warms up the space. Being someone who doesn’t use red liberally (or really ever) I was hesitant when I started integrating red into my rooms, but dang it if she wasn’t right. Even a dash of red, as in this case with the Art book, automatically adds that small touch of warmth where this space could have felt a tad cold.
And while the show stopping Mary McDonald table lamp needs no explanation, it actually serves the purpose of light and isn’t just a beautiful accent. You see my loft is very dark, there’s no windows so no natural light. Which is quite different than what you naturally think of when you think loft. But it is what it is. So when decorating I knew I needed to have a lamp that actually gave off some light and I promise you she gives off some serious shine.
Finally the orchid. Fresh flowers are a personal must for me, but lets just hope I don’t kill it. I’ve never had an orchid so if you have any tips I’m all ears. Happy Monday Loves! truly, MKR
