Design

We're usually far away from our spread-out family members at holidays, and it's been so for many years. It's generated a simple tradition of putting out a few Christmas decorations after Thanksgiving to enjoy the week or so before leaving for winter break travels. The two small stockings were in cards my grandparents sent many years ago, with small cash gifts. The reindeer set came from my Mom, as did the angel candle-holder. We're looking forward to travels to come.

I often catch a glimpse of a blue jay foraging in the main vegetable garden out the kitchen window or mudroom door window. I've always assumed that seeds or insects were the food of choice in the vegetable garden, but seeing a jay again this morning had me thinking. I knew blue jays have a broad diet -- The Birders Handbook lists "insects, other invertebrates, small vertebrates, carrion, bird eggs, nestlings, but mostly acorns, fruit, nuts, seeds." But, since it's a cold rainy day (we're thankful for the rain), and we've had temperatures below freezing for a number of nights already, any insects still around are in very sheltered spots. So, as I wondered out loud about what the blue jay was eating, my gardening companion said, "earthworms?" and I smartly replied, "they don't eat earthworms" ... A minute later the blue jay returned, nabbed an earthworm about where the arrow points, much to the glee of my gardening companion (whose kn...

The leaves are almost all down now, and many of our neighbors have raked (or blown) much of them to the edge of the street, for the City's leaf vacuum truck to collect. My gardening companion already called to put dibs on one truckful (most of the rest are delivered to the Garden, where they're put to good use, too). Oak, hickory, maple, dogwood, and birch leaves are a wonderful mulch and soil builder and we always wonder why people don't keep them in their yards! Needless to say, ours aren't going to the street; they replenish the soil beneath the trees that produced them.

One of our family traditions is a morning 'hike' on Thanksgiving. Sometimes this is a long hike, in our nearby mountains; sometimes, it's closer. A favorite place is the Clemson University Experimental Forest, created by a federal program during the Great Depression to purchase farming land worn-out from the demands of cotton and corn on hilly slopes. It's now an excellent forest, a mix of ~ 75 year-old oak-hickory forests, planted pines, and lots in between, thanks to succession and forestry rotations. The area around Lake Issaqueena is especially nice, as it's an unofficial natural area - a great place for a morning walk.

Open bookshelves and full overlay cherry cabinets provide pantry storage and tie this dining room into the adjacent kitchen. An ornate antique carving from an old church customizes this highly functional piece. White cabinets, white walls, light gray granite countertops and stainless steel appliances keep this traditional kitchen light and airy. White kitchen cabinets and white countertops act as a canvas for colorful artwork and dishes that adorn the walls. An angled island separates this open kitchen from the living area. This Neoclassical kitchen features white raised-panel cabinet doors and recessed drawerheads. The dining table of this eat-in kitchen is built into the peninsula and consists of carved white furniture legs and a dark wooden top. Elegant yet subtle, handcrafted details in this traditional kitchen include carved onlays at the top of the wall cabinets, a mural of leaves and flowers painted above the cooktop, and the inlaid rope pattern in the floor around the island. T...

This contemporary classic kitchen is an entertainer’s dream, with a large angled island split into zones for food prep, cooking and socializing. Mullioned French doors, a bay window and two skylights connect this space to the outdoors. For the true connoisseur, a wine room with wooden storage rack and nearby tasting counter is a must. A prep sink and paneled dishwasher complete the wet bar. An arched-top window and antique French buffet make the sink area a natural focal point. Dark granite countertops and cognac-stained maple cabinets complete the formal yet comfortable style. In addition to a cooktop, this kosher kitchen includes two sinks, two ovens and two microwaves. White panels that match the cabinetry conceal the refrigerator and two dishwashers. The range and hood serve as the room’s focal point. This gourmet kitchen includes multiple workstations. The cooking zone features a six burner Wolf range and hammered copper ventilation hood, while the island offers a prep area with a...

Floor-to-ceiling storage cabinets provide a place to integrate a built-in desk. These beaded inset cabinets have an autumn maple finish with a black glaze. This kitchen’s large white beadboard island stands out against the beaded, cherry-stained perimeter cabinets. Sparing use of upper wall cabinets allowed the homeowners to retain their windows and natural light. The gas cooktop, refrigerator, double oven and sink are placed in a convenient work triangle in this shallow u-shaped kitchen. Achieve a country manor look with stone walls, lamp-style chandeliers and wood cabinets with a dark brown stain. Staggering cabinet and drawer heights adds another element to the design of this hutch. A built-in wine rack, ample counter space and nearby sink allow this area to serve as a buffet, bar or butler’s pantry. Designing a table at one end of the mahogany-topped island provided an informal dining area. Floor-to-ceiling inset cabinets with a cream-colored painted finish balance out the black is...

This kitchen island features rich cherry wood with a black glaze and furniture-like moldings. The lighter perimeter cabinetry and the bright white tin ceiling serve as a cheery contrast to the island. A Juparana Bordeaux granite countertop complements the warm glow of the perimeter’s birch cabinetry, which is painted yellow with a brown glaze. Recessed lighting and warm downlight pendants reflect light on the white tin ceiling to keep this room bright. Desk areas in the kitchen don’t have to be unsightly. This computer workstation matches the Victorian style of its surroundings. Plenty of cabinet space offers storage to tuck away projects and papers when they’re not needed. Individual touches like a tumbled marble and glass backsplash, pierced metal light fixtures and playful window treatments give this room a whimsical character. Glass-paneled cabinets with in-cabinet lights highlight decorative dishware and artwork. Dual cooktops call for dual vent hoods. Distressed and glazed maple ...

This island fits the kitchen’s k-shaped footprint. The Sub-Zero refrigerator is paneled to blend with the deep green cabinetry. Other appliances are stainless steel. Limestone countertops and cypress flooring add warmth to the space. Consider adding a beamed ceiling as a finishing touch to a rustic kitchen. Dark beams add a warm contrast to the knotty pine cabinetry. The U-shaped layout of this kitchen maximizes available space with corner cabinets and a cooktop placed at a diagonal on the island. Don’t be afraid to mix multiple types of natural stone – such as granite and marble – with wood cabinets. A custom range hood with wood mantel and a tile backsplash highlight the Wolf range. Think beyond stainless steel for metal finishes: this kitchen island features a hammered copper counter and hammered pewter pulls and knobs. Wood flooring, beams and walls are made from Alaskan timber. Cabinetry panels integrate the Sub-Zero refrigerator into the turn-of-the-century farmhouse style of thi...