Between the Layers | Design Guide Series

Cocktails

The Perfect Fall Cocktail

October 25, 2022

Apricot Blood Orange Vodka Martini

Looking for a festive and delicious cocktail to serve at your next fall gathering? Look no further. This cocktail, courtesy of yummly.com, is the perfect compliment to any fall comfort food you may be serving. We paired it with clams in white wine broth the other night, and it was oh so good!

Apricot Blood Orange Vodka Martini

1 EGG WHITE

2 OZ VODKA

½ OZ SIMPLE SYRUP

2 BLOOD ORANGES, JUICED

½ LEMON, JUICED

1 TSP APRICOT PRESERVES OR JAM

1. ADD ICE WATER TO MARTINI GLASS TO CHILL WHILE PREPARING COCKTAIL

ADD EGG WHITE TO A SHAKER. SHAKE FOR ABOUT 30-40 SECONDS UNTIL EGG WHITE IS FROTHY. FILL SHAKER WITH ICE. ADD ORANGE JUICE, LEMON JUICE AND APRICOT PRESERVES. SHAKE WELL UNTIL COMBINED, ABOUT 30-40 SECONDS. PLACE ICE INTO GLASS AND STRAIN CONTENTS OF SHAKER INTO CHILLED MARTINI GLASS. ENJOY!

Let us know if you give this a try… we promise you, you won’t be disappointed. We may or may not be shaking one up right now!

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One thing I’ve noticed after years of renovating homes (both my own and my clients’) is that decision fatigue is real.

It sneaks up on you. At the beginning, every decision feels exciting. You spend hours researching, saving inspiration, imagining how it’s all going to come together.
Then somewhere along the way, your brain quietly starts asking...
“Can someone else just tell me what’s right?”

I don’t think that’s because people aren’t capable of making good decisions. I think it’s because no one is meant to carry hundreds of important ones all at once. That’s why I’ve become such a believer in meeting people where they are.

Some projects need a few hours of guidance. Others need a complete design plan. Neither is better. They’re just different levels of support during different seasons of a renovation.

This project reminded me why we created both.

The full story (and how one room unexpectedly became two is on Between the Layers. I also shared the entire bathroom presentation and all of the materials we selected if you’re curious to see where we landed.

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One thing I’ve noticed after years of renovating homes (both my own and my clients’) is that decision fatigue is real.

It sneaks up on you. At the beginning, every decision feels exciting. You spend hours researching, saving inspiration, imagining how it’s all going to come together.
Then somewhere along the way, your brain quietly starts asking...
“Can someone else just tell me what’s right?”

I don’t think that’s because people aren’t capable of making good decisions. I think it’s because no one is meant to carry hundreds of important ones all at once. That’s why I’ve become such a believer in meeting people where they are.

Some projects need a few hours of guidance. Others need a complete design plan. Neither is better. They’re just different levels of support during different seasons of a renovation.

This project reminded me why we created both.

The full story (and how one room unexpectedly became two is on Between the Layers. I also shared the entire bathroom presentation and all of the materials we selected if you’re curious to see where we landed.

One of my favorite parts of our renovation lately has been watching this hallway finally come together. It was one of the first spaces that I started dreaming up when we initially toured the house.

This hallway is wide. It’s also the very first thing you look down when you walk through our front door, so it felt important to get it right. I didn’t want it to feel like this long, empty corridor that you just hurry through. Instead, we wanted it to feel like an extension of the rest of the house.

One thing I always think about is giving your eye somewhere to land. If you have a long hallway, don’t leave it completely bare. Whether it’s a gallery wall, a console table, a runner, or even a lamp at the end, adding a focal point helps the space feel inviting instead of just functional.

It’s not quite there yet, but it’s finally starting to feel like the vision we had from the very beginning. And honestly, it’s one of those spaces that makes the whole house feel more complete.

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One of my favorite parts of our renovation lately has been watching this hallway finally come together. It was one of the first spaces that I started dreaming up when we initially toured the house.

This hallway is wide. It’s also the very first thing you look down when you walk through our front door, so it felt important to get it right. I didn’t want it to feel like this long, empty corridor that you just hurry through. Instead, we wanted it to feel like an extension of the rest of the house.

One thing I always think about is giving your eye somewhere to land. If you have a long hallway, don’t leave it completely bare. Whether it’s a gallery wall, a console table, a runner, or even a lamp at the end, adding a focal point helps the space feel inviting instead of just functional.

It’s not quite there yet, but it’s finally starting to feel like the vision we had from the very beginning. And honestly, it’s one of those spaces that makes the whole house feel more complete.

I’m convinced dining rooms don’t get enough love.
Everyone talks about kitchens, but I think dining rooms are where some of the best memories happen. Long dinners that turn into game night, holiday meals, catching up with friends over a bottle of wine.... they’re meant to be lived in!!

This room has definitely evolved more slowly than I expected (and yes, there were a lot of opinions over pink paint colors ), but I’m actually glad we didn’t rush it.

One thing about me: I don’t need to have every decision made on day one. I’d rather collect pieces I really love than force a room to feel “finished.” That’s how our homes end up with personality.

A little BTS of how this room has come together so far. Many more layers are still to come. God knows I’m not done adding little touches and moving things around until it all settles and feels just right to me!

Anyone else have a room that’s 90% done... and somehow still only feels 50% done??

We’re diving into more specifics tonight on Between The Layers. See you there!

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I’m convinced dining rooms don’t get enough love.
Everyone talks about kitchens, but I think dining rooms are where some of the best memories happen. Long dinners that turn into game night, holiday meals, catching up with friends over a bottle of wine.... they’re meant to be lived in!!

This room has definitely evolved more slowly than I expected (and yes, there were a lot of opinions over pink paint colors ), but I’m actually glad we didn’t rush it.

One thing about me: I don’t need to have every decision made on day one. I’d rather collect pieces I really love than force a room to feel “finished.” That’s how our homes end up with personality.

A little BTS of how this room has come together so far. Many more layers are still to come. God knows I’m not done adding little touches and moving things around until it all settles and feels just right to me!

Anyone else have a room that’s 90% done... and somehow still only feels 50% done??

We’re diving into more specifics tonight on Between The Layers. See you there!

In case you missed it...
I published a new post over on Between the Layers, and I really hope you’ll take a few minutes to read it.

Even if you don’t buy a single thing from it, my goal is that you walk away seeing your home a little differently. Fresh ideas, thoughtful styling tips, and little details that make your home feel more like summer without starting from scratch.

If you enjoy this one, I’d love for you to subscribe while you’re there so you never miss future posts. We’ve been sharing so much more than what makes it to Instagram, and I think it’s becoming one of my favorite places to connect with all of you.

You can find it through the link in our bio. 🤍

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Everyone wants their home to feel elevated. What most people don’t realize is that it rarely comes from choosing the most expensive countertop or the prettiest light fixture.

During every project, we’re constantly asking ourselves, “Will this actually make life better?” Does this layout make unloading groceries easier? Is there somewhere to put the toaster instead of leaving it on the counter? Will there be enough storage for the things this family actually owns? Is this chair beautiful... and somewhere you’ll want to sit every night?

I think people assume we spend our days obsessing over fabrics and finishes. Truthfully, we spend just as much time talking through layouts, storage, and the tiny decisions you’ll appreciate every single day. Those conversations don’t always show up in a highlight reel, but they’re usually the reason a home feels so good to live in.

You don’t have to have every decision figured out before reaching out. Most of our clients come to us because they know something isn’t working—they just need help seeing what’s possible. Schedule an hour consultation with me and we can talk through your project (link in bio)!

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Everyone wants their home to feel elevated. What most people don’t realize is that it rarely comes from choosing the most expensive countertop or the prettiest light fixture.

During every project, we’re constantly asking ourselves, “Will this actually make life better?” Does this layout make unloading groceries easier? Is there somewhere to put the toaster instead of leaving it on the counter? Will there be enough storage for the things this family actually owns? Is this chair beautiful... and somewhere you’ll want to sit every night?

I think people assume we spend our days obsessing over fabrics and finishes. Truthfully, we spend just as much time talking through layouts, storage, and the tiny decisions you’ll appreciate every single day. Those conversations don’t always show up in a highlight reel, but they’re usually the reason a home feels so good to live in.

You don’t have to have every decision figured out before reaching out. Most of our clients come to us because they know something isn’t working—they just need help seeing what’s possible. Schedule an hour consultation with me and we can talk through your project (link in bio)!

Life is too short for a room that doesn’t make you happy. Color is @farrowandball Setting Plaster🩷

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Apricot Blood Orange Vodka Martini

Apricot Blood Orange Vodka Martini

explore

Inside a Virtual Design Project: From Concept to Execution

The Best Blue Paint Colors I’ve Ever Used

Tile Patterns To Try If You Love Checkerboard But Are Tired Of Seeing It Everywhere

get inspired

follow along

Join Between the Layers

Inside a Virtual Design Project:
From Concept to Execution