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The Chill Pill … Just What the Doctor Ordered

spring cocktail

It’s the weekend, and we’re ready for some R & R … so what better a time to whip up a new cocktail? I found this recipe on Pinterest, and it does not disappoint! Of course, it took me down a rabbit hole on Pinterest, and I discovered that the recipe is from a mixologist at Deep Dive in Seattle. This bar looks right up our alley for a special date night — but, until we can actually get to Seattle, I’m just going to give it a try at home. ?

The key is making the Pineapple Shrub. I had never tried this before, but it’s sooo easy! It’s an extra step for sure — in fact, you have to let the pineapple sit overnight in sugar, Then you drain the solid pieces of pineapple with a colander or cheese cloth, and mix the reserved pineapple-infused syrup with champagne vinegar. It makes plenty, so you can store some in the fridge.

The recipe calls for Yellow Chartreuse, which we have used before. But, it was years ago so I didn’t have any in our little bar. And let me tell you, I called several local liquor stores to see if I could track some down, but no luck. I guess there’s a shortage in Oregon. Who knew?!? Anyhoo, our friends at Newport Market in Bend suggested we give this brand a try as an alternative. (As a bonus, it’s made in our hometown, Portland, Oregon!) We don’t know any differently since we’ve never tried this recipe before using the Yellow Chartreuse, but it worked beautifully. It’s so refreshing and unique! What a great cocktail to serve friends this weekend ?

CLOUZ HOUZ TIP: Don’t skip the grated nutmeg on top … it really adds a fun kick to the flavor. Trust us!

bar in kitchen


THE CHILL PILL

 

2 OZ. VODKA

1/2 OZ PINEAPPLE SHRUB

1/2 OZ FRESH LEMON JUICE

1/4 OZ YELLOW CHARTREUSE

1/8 OZ SIMPLE SYRUP (1:1)

1 FRESH EGG WHITE (PASTEURIZED IF YOU PREFER)

Combine the egg white, simple syrup, lemon juice, and pineapple shrub in a shaker and shake, without ice, until frothy. Add the vodka and Chartreuse and shake again with ice to chill, then double-strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a spray of Angostura bitters from an atomizer (or drip the bitters on the drink’s surface), and add fresh-grated nutmeg.

PINEAPPLE SHRUB: Peel, core, and cube a fresh pineapple (I bought pre-cut pineapple chunks) and add it to a large container along with 1 quart (32 oz.) of raw sugar. Stir to coat the pineapple with the sugar and cover the container; let the mixture rest at room temperature for 24 hours. Use a cheesecloth-lined strainer to strain out the solids, and mix 16 oz. of Champagne vinegar with the reserved syrup.


We served ours in a coupe glass with a sprig of mint, and it looked fancy and professional with the frothy top and sprinkles of nutmeg. Maybe we should take up mixology?! ?

Cheers to the sunshine and gorgeous weather this weekend. Let us know if you give this one a shot.

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This breakfast nook is a perfect example of why I believe a good design plan can actually help you spend smarter, not more.

We intentionally paired a more affordable lacquer dining table with timeless wicker dining chairs and a statement light fixture. By saving in one area, we were able to invest where it mattered most. The end result still feels layered, custom, and collected because every decision was made with the bigger picture in mind.

That’s one of the biggest misconceptions about hiring a designer. People assume we’re here to encourage a bigger budget.

Honestly, we’re here to educate you where to save so you can spend on the things that matter the most.

Knowing where to invest, where to save, and how those decisions work together is what keeps a project feeling intentional—and helps avoid expensive mistakes later.

I think a lot of people assume they need to wait until they have more money, or the entire house figured out before getting started. But I’ve found the opposite is often true. One thoughtful plan for one room creates momentum for everything that follows.

If you’ve been putting off a room because you don’t know where to begin (or you’re worried about making the wrong decisions), we’d love to help.

Comment “PLAN” and I’ll send you the link to schedule a one-hour consultation so we can kick your project off on the right foot.
When we first started designing our primary suite at the Sixth Street Bungalow, these were the images I kept coming back to. A bathroom that feels collected over time. A bedroom that feels quiet and restorative. Spaces with character, warmth, and a sense of permanence.

I’ve always believed that the best design starts there-not with a specific tile or paint color, but with how you want a space to feel when you walk into it.

The funny thing about renovation is that the vision is usually the easy part. The middle is where the work happens. The demolition. The decisions. The samples spread across every surface. The moments when you’re trying to imagine beautiful spaces while standing in a construction zone. We’re still very much in that season.
Choosing flooring. Finalizing cabinetry details. Adjusting lighting plans. Working through tile layouts.

Making hundreds of small decisions that most people will never notice individually, but together create the feeling we’ve been chasing from the beginning.

I’ve learned through the years that beautiful homes are rarely the result of one dramatic design decision.
They’re built through thoughtful choices, made over and over again.

We’re sharing much more of this renovation journey over on Substack-the sourcing, the design decisions. the changes, the lessons learned, and all the behind-the-scenes moments that don’t always make it to Instagram.

I’d love for you to follow along.
Comment “PIN” and I’ll send over tonight’s Design Board when it goes live. Or find it later in Between the Layers through the link in our bio.

I think people assume designers spend all day choosing furniture. The truth is, we spend a lot more time studying why certain rooms stay with us.

Why one staircase feels timeless.
Why a stripe can completely change the feeling of a room.
Why adding one modern piece to a traditional home suddenly makes everything else fee more interesting.

That’s what this month’s Design Board explores. It’s a peek inside the ideas shaping our work long before they become finished rooms. Some may be having a moment. But I have a feeling they’ll be just as beautiful ten years from now. That’s always the goal.

Fair warning: you may leave wanting to tent a room. I can’t be held responsible.
This is your sign to finally create a plan for the room you’ve been avoiding.

I think a lot of people assume they need to wait.
Until they have more time.
More money.
A bigger budget.
The entire house figured out.

But I’ve found the opposite is often true... Sometimes all it takes is creating a vision for one space.

One room that feels calmer.
More functional.
More beautiful.
More like you.

Because a home isn’t transformed all at once. It’s shaped through a series of thoughtful decisions over time.

If you’ve been circling the same room for months and aren’t sure what to do next, comment ‘PLAN” (or visit our website to get started) and I’ll send you the link to schedule a one-hour consultation.
If you’ve been circling the same room for months and aren’t sure what to do next, comment ‘PLAN” (or visit our website) and I’ll send you the link to schedule a one-hour consultation.

This is your sign to finally create a plan for the room you’ve been avoiding.

I think a lot of people assume they need to wait.
Until they have more time.
More money.
A bigger budget.
The entire house figured out.

But I’ve found the opposite is often true... Sometimes all it takes is creating a vision for one space.

One room that feels calmer.
More functional.
More beautiful.
More like you.

Because a home isn’t transformed all at once. It’s shaped through a series of thoughtful decisions over time.