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5 Culinary Winter Herbs To Grow Indoors

Winter is a magical time of year, filled with hearty stews, savory soups, roasted meats, fresh baked goods, and other delights. Celebrate the season, and perfectly season your dishes, by growing these culinary winter herbs at home, right in your own kitchen.

Rosemary

This fragrant, evergreen herb can be grown year-round, but it’s particularly wonderful in the winter when paired with rich meats like beef or lamb. Rosemary has a piney aroma and peppery flavor, and can be used fresh or dried. Extremely versatile, Rosemary is also suited for seasoning salad dressings, artisan bread, and even shortbread cookies.

Thyme

Like Rosemary, Thyme is an evergreen perennial that can be used both fresh and dried. It has a lemony flavor that helps to add a bit of brightness to whatever you’re cooking, be it roasted pork tenderloin, roasted potatoes, or Roasted Chestnut Soup. Like Rosemary, Thyme’s fresh scent will fill even the largest open concept kitchen with festive fragrance.

Parsley

This hearty herb has a vibrant flavor that works well in a multitude of recipes, from pasta with Parsley Pesto to holiday appetizers with Garlic Herb Cheese Spread. It is also the main ingredient in Green Goddess dressing, and compliments beef, poultry, seafood, and vegetables. Thanks to it’s ruffled leaves and bright green hue, parsley is also used to pretty up dishes as a garnish.

Mint

Strong and aromatic, mint comes in several varieties, including peppermint, spearmint, and chocolate mint. Mint pairs nicely with citrus, winter squash, and lamb, and adds a bit of cheer to a hot mug of cocoa. It is also found in cold weather cocktails like this Mistletoe Martini or Moscow Mule made with vodka and spicy ginger beer from your home bar cabinets.

Sage

This leafy, evergreen herb gives holiday stuffing its distinctively earthy flavor. Somewhat sweet, somewhat bitter, sage also enhances vegetables, seafood, steak, poultry, and pork. But use it sparingly — a little sage goes a long way, and packs a powerful punch.

6 Tips For Growing Winter Herbs Indoors

Heating your home during a cold spell can dry out the air indoors. Choose plastic or glazed pots that will retain moisture.

Make sure your pots have proper drainage holes, with a saucer below to catch drips. Herbs can develop root rot if they become too soggy.

Check your plants every few days and water when the soil is dry a half inch below the surface.

Use proper potting soil for indoor herbs and apply fertilizer sparingly in the winter.

Find a sunny, easily accessible spot close to where you’ll be cooking, whether you have a small galley kitchen or large, open concept kitchen.

While they do need sunlight, winter herbs like the warmth of being indoors, so avoid placing your pots too close to drafty windows.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, home bar, laundry room, TV room, or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer solid wood cabinetry, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

Silver And Gold: Mixing And Matching Modern Metallics In The Kitchen

While wearing silver and gold at the same time may be a fashion faux pas, mixing and matching metallics in the kitchen is actually encouraged. When done right, incorporating both silver and gold in your kitchen design can be chic and modern. Learn how to bring your favorite metals into the kitchen and see how they can complement each other despite their difference.

Kitchen Cabinets

If you’re not sure where to start with your metallic inspired kitchen design, first decide on your cabinets. White and gray kitchen cabinets both make excellent foundations for metallic tones, as they provide a clean, modern base. In the main image, you see Willow Lane Cabinetry’s Providence Slate Gray cabinets beautifully incorporate brass and nickel. Let’s use this design for inspiration, and walk through the different elements of the room where you can add silver and gold touches.

Decorative Light Fixtures

Metal is magical when hanging from the ceiling in the form of a chandelier or other light fixture. Like stars in the sky, these luminous accents can brighten up your kitchen and emphasize other metallic elements. Since they float above, they also create a good balance when mixing gold and silver. You might be hesitant to put gold directly next to silver tones, but with one metal cascading in the air, mixing and matching becomes much easier.

Knobs and Pulls

Accent your cabinets and drawers with metal knobs and pulls. From polished brass with a high shine to satin nickel with a more matte look, you’ll find knobs and pulls in a wide range of metals at Willow Lane Cabinetry. Use this hardware to tie your metallic theme together and give your cabinets a little gleam and glimmer.

Backsplash Tile

A simple and chic way to incorporate metallics into the kitchen is with a silver or gold toned backsplash. Subtle but striking, a backsplash with a touch of shimmer adds interest to an otherwise average wall. At Willow Lane Cabinetry, you’ll find a variety of metallic backsplashes such as the Venetian Glass and Aluminum Tile, Cristezza Club Glass Tile in Silver Foil, and Silver Travertine Tumbled. These styles are sure to stand out, and will beautifully complement either white or gray kitchen cabinets.

Hoods, Sinks, and Appliances

Another easy way to incorporate metal into the kitchen is with your hood, kitchen sink, and appliances. This is undoubtedly the most natural way to get your metal fix, as most appliances are available in stainless steel, and hoods and sinks are typically available with silver or copper finishes. Don’t feel the need to have all of your appliances in the same finish. Silver and copper are a chic combination, and pair nicely in a modern kitchen theme.

Ready to design your very own metallic kitchen with Willow Lane Cabinetry?

We’re happy to assist you in your kitchen remodel, and can help you create a beautiful, custom design like shown above. Just contact us through our free room design form and one of our professional designers will be in touch shortly to kick off your kitchen remodel.

How To Stock Your Home Bar Cabinets For Winter

Just a few short months ago; we talked about How To Stock Your Bar Room Cabinetry For Summer. And while classic Margaritas and chilled, sparkling white wine are refreshing, with temperatures dropping and December fast approaching, it is time to stock your home bar cabinets for winter. Warm up your spirits and spread holiday cheer with these seasonal suggestions.

Bourbon

This barrel-aged, American spirit has warm and wintery vanilla and honey notes. Perfect for spiking hot chocolate, bourbon can also be used for mixing up a Cranberry Old Fashioned Cocktail or Alpine Manhattan. You can also serve it on the rocks (with ice) — or neat (room temperature) if you’re a true Bourbon aficionado.

Whisky

You’ll often find this aromatic, distilled spirit in hot beverages, such as a Hot Toddy or Irish coffee. There are several types of Whisky, made from a variety of grains, and each has a uniquely complex flavor with hints of toffee, caramel, and sometimes even mint.

Vodka

This clear spirit is ideal for classic winter cocktails, like a creamy White Russian or a spicy Moscow Mule. It’s also necessary for making a big batch of Holiday Glögg (mulled wine) for your Christmas or New Year’s Eve party. On it’s own, Vodka doesn’t have a lot of flavor, but it’s a must have for mixed drinks.

Rum

Rum made our summer list for being the main ingredient in a frozen Daquiri, but you should also add Rum to your bar cabinets during the winter months. Not only is this sweet as molasses distilled spirit used in cold-weather cocktails like Eggnog (alongside the aforementioned Bourbon) and Hot Buttered Rum, but also it’s needed for baking Rum Cake, a classic holiday dessert!

Brandy

Produced by distilling wine, Brandy is typically used as an after-dinner digestif, especially after a heavy holiday meal. It’s also found in favorite cocktails like the Brandy Alexander (essentially grown-up chocolate milk), the Sidecar, and the Metropolitan.

Champagne

New Year’s Eve isn’t quite the same without a celebratory glass of Champagne. For an extra bit of sparkle, impress your holiday guests with a classic and festive Champagne Cocktail, or perhaps Champagne Mojitos with fresh springs of mint.

How To Plan A Fun Family Movie Night During The Holidays

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The house is getting decked for the festivities, Thanksgiving feasts are being planned, and soon the kids will be home on holiday with visions of sugarplums (and presents) dancing in their heads! Make the most of the fall and winter breaks from school by starting a new holiday tradition — Family Movie Night!

Set the scene.

Set the scene for Family Movie Night by stocking your TV Room Cabinetry with holiday classics and new favorites on Blue-Ray or DVD. Helpful sites like Common Sense Media offer reviews and age recommendations, so you can make an informed decision as to what would be appropriate for your children. With that said, here are a few of our favorites:

A Charlie Brown Christmas (1965)
A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving (1973)
A Christmas Story (1983)
A Rugrats Chanukah (1996)
Arthur Christmas (2011)
Elf (2003)
Free Birds (2013)
Frosty the Snowman (1969)
Home Alone (1990)
It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
How The Grinch Stole Christmas (1966)
March of the Wooden Soldiers (1934)
Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)
Miracle on 34^th Street (1947)
Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (1964)
Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town (1970)
The Muppet Christmas Carol (1992)
The Polar Express (2004)
The Santa Clause (1994)
The Year Without A Santa Clause (1974)

Load the sofa with cozy throw blankets and pillows for cuddling, and keep the lights low for an authentic movie theatre at home experience. For a holiday glow, light a fire in the fireplace or turn on those fun and festive twinkling lights. And make sure everyone is wearing their comfy holiday pajamas!

Don’t forget the snacks.

No movie is complete without something to munch on. Create a snack station on a coffee table or using a portable cart. Load it up with bowls of popcorn and Reindeer Food, trays of holiday cookies, chocolate nonpareils, and peppermint candy canes. Or create a buffet on the countertop of your open concept kitchen island with festive, kid-friendly finger food like homemade Pepperoni Pizza Rolls or mini hotdogs wrapped in crescent dough. And don’t forget the hot chocolate with marshmallows!

9 Little Ways To Prep Your Open Concept Kitchen For The Holidays

When you have an open concept kitchen, it’s hard to hide the mess. This is especially true when holiday guests come to call, and you’re cooking up a feast. Here are nine little ways to prep your kitchen before the hustle and bustle starts, so your holiday gatherings will be good as gold.

Make the most of your storage solutions.

With an open concept kitchen, storage shouldn’t be a problem. Of course, optimizing that storage is another story. If clutter and chaos is lurking behind your cabinet doors, consider investing in some inside cabinet accessories before the holidays. From knife block drawer trays to door mounted spice racks, there is an organizer for every kitchen essential. Put these accessories into play and your cabinets and drawers will be ready for entertaining.

Keep small appliances discreetly hidden and free up your countertops.

If you’re always trying to navigate around a coffee maker, toaster, blender, or stand mixer, it might be time to find a new home for your small appliances. You can easily install a heavy-duty mixer lift in a base cabinet or a Lazy Susan in a blind corner cabinet to free up your countertops for food prep.

Give any small appliances that you don’t use often a test run.

Speaking of small appliances, now would be a good time to make sure yours are working properly. If you haven’t used that mixer since baking last year’s cookies, do a test run a few weeks before your cookie exchange.

Sharpen your knives.

If you’re an avid home cook, the difference between a good set of knives and an “okay” set of knives is truly life changing. Make sure yours are in tip-top shape by sharpening them before the festivities begin.

Count your glasses and dishes.

Did you ever replace that broken wine glass? Are a few of your dishes chipped or scraped? Give all of your glasses and dishes a once over in case you want to replace anything before your holiday guests arrive.

Clean out your refrigerator, freezer and pantry.

Those veggies covered in freezer burn and those half used jars of salsa should probably go. In just a few weeks, you’re going to have more food than you’ll know what to do with. Clean out your refrigerator, freezer and pantry now, so you’ll have plenty of space for holiday wining and dining.

Stock up on plastic containers.

If you’re a gracious host, you’ll likely be sending guests home with leftovers. If you don’t already have a stash of plastic containers, stock up now, so putting together to-go bags is a breeze.

Refresh your spice rack.

Before you start your shopping, see if any of your spices have expired and take inventory of what you have. If you’ll be baking and cooking this season, you’ll obviously need plenty of spices and seasonings on hand.

Double up on cleaning supplies.

It’s always good to have extra dishwashing liquid, detergent, and sponges ready and waiting. Who wants to run out of cleaning supplies when you’ve got casserole dishes stacked pretty in the kitchen sink? Save yourself the frustration and have a back up of everything you need to clean up post-holiday dinner.

Welcome to Willow Lane Cabinetry — the #1 place to buy affordable, semi-custom cabinets online! Let us help you create the kitchen, home office, bar room, laundry room, TV room, or bath of your dreams with our 100% free room design tool. We offer all wood, semi-custom cabinets, fully assembled and delivered for free. Plus all the accessories you need to complete your remodel. Visit our website to see our products today!

Quintessentially Autumn Decorating Tips For An Open Concept Kitchen

An open concept kitchen is tailor made for holiday entertaining. Because it opens to the living and dining room, it creates a seamless space for gathering with family and friends, whether it’s sharing a meal (or Thanksgiving feast) in the dining area, socializing on the sofa with football on the TV, or congregating around the kitchen island for a slice of pumpkin pie and a cup of spiced cider.

While your kitchen is a place for cooking and baking during the holiday season, it should also be a festive space that welcomes guests. As the temperature drops and the leaves start to fall, celebrate the season with these quintessentially autumn decorating tips for an open concept kitchen.

Pumpkins Aren’t Just For Pie

From carved Jack-O-Lanterns on your front porch to pies on your Thanksgiving table, these lovely gourds are extremely versatile, and perfect for creating uniquely seasonal holiday décor. With a little paint and creativity, you can turn a plain orange pumpkin into an adorable faux bunt cake to display on your kitchen island, or simply add an elegant monogram or large letter to a white or blue heirloom pumpkin for personalization. You could even make a one-of-a-kind centerpiece with fresh flowers and colorful fall foliage. The more pumpkins the better!

Have Fun With Fall Foliage

Is there anything more spectacular than colorful autumn leaves in rich shades of red, orange, purple and gold? You could bring a touch of nature indoors by simply placing colorful branches of fall leaves in a clear vase, or get crafty by stringing an autumn garland of preserved leaves. You could also frame leaf rubbings or press leaves dipped in gold and silver paint as artwork.

More Autumn Decorating Tips For An Open Concept Kitchen

Scented candles can help add ambiance with a welcoming fragrance and soft glow. Opt for fall scents, such as pumpkin spice, cinnamon stick, and apple pie.

When planning a sit-down meal, make handmade place cards for guests with names, or inspirational words like “Thankful,” “Grateful,” and “Blessed,” printed on natural brown cardstock.

You could also print inspirational words stacked in the center of natural brown cardstock. Cut the words into long strips horizontally, and staple or glue the ends together to make handmade napkin rings for your Thanksgiving table.

Place colorful gourds in a basket or on a platter with realistic battery-operated candles as a centerpiece.

Place your centerpiece atop a beautiful burlap table runner, or set your table with woven placemats and galvanized metal chargers.

Bring a touch of nature indoors by filling decorative glass jars with small seasonal items like pinecones and acorns collected from your yard.

Add a basket of mums to your kitchen for seasonal color.

How To Design A Modern Farmhouse Kitchen With Cold Weather Comfort In Mind

The Modern Farmhouse movement features a blend of classic elements and contemporary accents, and it’s easy to understand its immense popularity. Filled with chic character and clean lines, it is truly the best blend of recent interior design trends. As the temperature drops, we can’t think of a better way to warm up your kitchen. From crisp white cabinets to stylish industrial finishes, we’ll show you how to design a Modern Farmhouse kitchen with cold weather comfort in mind.

White Shaker Cabinets

Trends come and go, but some interior design choices remain timeless. White cabinets stand the test of time and fit perfectly in the Modern Farmhouse theme, especially in a Shaker style. Shaker solid wood cabinetry has simple recessed panel doors for a clean, minimalist look. Adding glass panel doors and rustic cup pulls to your kitchen design can create a true Farmhouse feel in the heart of the home.

Wood (Or Wood Look) Flooring

Hardwood floors were a must in Farmhouse kitchens of the past, but there are so many more options today. Wood look ceramic tile flooring comes in a variety of gorgeous styles, from Carolina Timber to Driftwood, and gives homeowners the warmth of natural hardwood in a durable, low maintenance, water resistant material — perfect for those snowy winter days!

Large Kitchen Island

A Farmhouse kitchen wouldn’t be complete without a large kitchen island for baking pies and cookies and prepping home-cooked holiday meals. When designing a Modern Farmhouse kitchen, give your space a contemporary twist by opting for a dark finish on your kitchen island, such as black or gray, paired with a natural butcher block countertop.

More Modern Farmhouse Design Elements For the Kitchen

Barn Doors
Antique Farmhouse Tables
Weathered Wood Chairs and Benches With Caned Seats
Metal Barstools
Anything Galvanized Steel/Oil Rubbed Bronze/Wrought Iron
Rustic Light Fixtures With Edison Bulbs
Shiplap Accent Walls
Whitewashed Brick
Board And Batten Wainscoting
Neutral Wall Paint With White Trim
Apron Front Sinks
Exposed Beams
Natural Fiber Area Rugs
Tartan Plaid Placemats
Burlap Table Runners
Industrial Hardware
Open Shelving
Natural Stone Countertops
Pottery Canisters
Woven Baskets

Tips For A Stylish Yet Comfortable TV Room

Gone are the hidden dens and separate formal living rooms of the past. Today’s homes often feature an open concept kitchen, creating a large living area where family and friends can gather to watch TV and socialize. Since televisions are now placed front and center in the heart of the home, this open space needs to blend seamlessly with the kitchen and dining room. Designing a large family room that is both stylish and comfortable may sound like a daunting task, but it’s not as difficult as you might think. Thankfully, we’re here to help! Here are a few tips to get you started.

Create a cohesive, organized space with solid wood cabinetry.

Truth be told, a tidy home is always more appealing and comfortable than a cluttered home. A simple way to stay organized is to make sure you have enough storage space. TV room cabinetry allows you to hide DVDs, video games, board games, electronics, and even extra blankets behind closed door, while open shelves are ideal for housing books, as well as decorative touches. There’s no doubt solid wood cabinetry will add both storage space and style to your space.

Keep in mind that, when dealing with an open concept kitchen, the cabinetry you select for your TV room should match or at least compliment the cabinetry in your kitchen, for a cohesive look. Check out our recent blog, Great Design: How To Create A Cohesive Great Room Space, for tips. Then, let the experts at Willow Lane Cabinetry help you create a cohesive, organized space with our free online kitchen and room design service.

Create a room that is stylish yet comfortable.

First and foremost, don’t let your large screen TV become an eyesore. According to Better Homes & Gardens, the ideal height for comfortably viewing your television is three to four feet above the floor. Solid wood cabinetry below will help to anchor a TV that would otherwise be floating on a wall, while shelving around or above help it to blend into your space. Compliment the dark screen with other elements, such as gallery frames and simple decor. Simple is key, as over-decorating can be distracting. A few well-placed items are all you need when decorating around a television.

When it comes to furniture, some pieces are comfortable but not so pretty, while others are gorgeous and stiff as a board. Find the perfect balance with cushy sofas and chairs that are equally attractive. When shopping for new furniture, there are a few more rules to follow. Keep the scale of the room in mind. For example, don’t fill a small room with a large overstuffed sectional or place a tiny loveseat and area rug in the middle of a huge great room. Also, consider the design aesthetic of the rest of your home. For example, when your open concept kitchen has traditional solid wood cabinetry, with white raised panel doors and a farmhouse table, you wouldn’t want to go with an ultra modern sofa and slick Euro slab black cabinetry. Finally, it’s smart to avoid stuffy fabrics in the TV room, and opt for leather, microfiber, or washable slipcovers. And don’t forget to finish the room with fluffy pillows and throws.

3 Fabulous Fall Color Schemes For The Home

If the changing of the leaves in autumn inspires you, you might want to consider a fall color scheme for your home. Featuring reds, oranges, and yellows, these warm tones come together to create a perfect pumpkin spiced setting behind your front doors. Keep reading for a few fabulous fall color schemes that will look beautiful in your home this season.

Subtly achieve an autumn-inspired color palette in a modern room.

If your home is filled with modern features like gray kitchen cabinets and stainless steel appliances, there is still room for an autumn-inspired color palette. You just need to be strategic when incorporating warm tones into a room with a cool foundation.

To start, choose colors that complement the existing furnishings, cabinets, materials and paint colors of the room. Staying with the example of gray kitchen cabinets and stainless steel appliances, complementary colors include brick red, burnt orange, and bright yellow. When decorating a modern room, maintain the minimal vibe and add subtle pops of colors rather than oversaturating the naturally neutral space.

Accent natural wood with a touch of nature.

If your room features natural wood cabinets, floors, or furnishings, adding fall is as easy as apple pie. Just think of what you find in nature — or better yet, step outside to seek some inspiration firsthand.

Earthy browns and seasonal foliage as they occur in nature create a pretty perfect color scheme on their own. While its not always visually appealing to replicate these colors indoors, you are able to achieve a very authentic fall theme when the foundation of the room features natural wood.

Golden yellow, vibrant orange, and classic red look right at home against both light and dark shades of wood.

Step outside the norm with an alternative fall color scheme.

While the traditional fall colors are breathtaking, you may not want to incorporate these hues into your home. Not a problem. There are other ways to create a fall color scheme without your standard red, orange, and yellow shades.

Marigold and burgundy is one color combination that is less traditional but fall all the same. These hues can warm up a room and look lovely beside black or beige elements. You could even amp up the black in this color scheme to create a slightly spooky, gothic ambiance that celebrates the season in a different way.

Rich tones like emerald green, deep blue, magenta, sage, and purple are also appropriate for fall and can be paired together to create a vibrant color scheme. You won’t find any of the leaves in your backyard colored cyan or fuchsia, but there’s no rule saying you have to transition from summer the conventional way. There are many rich hues that signal the start of cooler days that aren’t sourced from nature.

Fall can also be embodied by its textures, not just its colors. Think velvet throw pillows and cozy blankets. These types of additions help to change the mood of a room and help your home feel more seasonal.

6 Home Trends To Embrace This Fall And Winter

When it comes to home design, 2018 has been right on point. With spring and summer behind us, and temperatures taking a plunge, it’s time to cuddle by the fireplace and take a look at the six home trends to embrace this fall and winter.

A warm welcome. While mixed metals are still all the rage (including gold, silver and bronze), the warm red sheen of copper makes it the ultimate metallic for fall and winter, especially when paired with black kitchen cabinets. From cabinet hardware and copper kitchen sinks, to appliances and light fixtures, add a trendy touch of copper to your room design.

Go big at home. Make a statement this fall and winter by incorporating a bold print in every room of your home, on area rugs, wallpaper, table linens, drapes, throw pillows, and comforters. Perfect patterns for the colder months include buffalo check, Ikat, large polka dots, abstract geometric shapes, and wide stripes. Or install a tile backsplash in an arabesque or herringbone pattern.

Everything old is new again. The Modern Farmhouse movement has ushered in a resurgence of vintage and industrial accents, such as Edison bulbs, unfinished wood furniture with gorgeous grain, caned chairs, exposed beams, galvanized steel and wrought iron decorative elements, and lush upholstered furniture with nail head trim.

Mad for marble. If you want to impress the neighbors at your holiday Open House or New Year’s Eve bash, marble is a dramatic and elegant choice for the home. Iconic gray swirls and veins highlight the natural beauty of marble flooring, or a marble tile backlash. Or opt for a Quartzite countertop that mimics the appearance of marble, but will not etch while preparing Thanksgiving dinner for your guests.

Embrace the dark side. Pastels are oh so light and airy, but come fall and winter when days grow shorter, deep jewel tones take center stage. In home magazines and on our favorite HGTV shows, designers are leaning towards dark hues for walls, like amethyst, sapphire, onyx, garnet, emerald or charcoal gray, in contemporary and transitional interiors. Other options include black trim and black kitchen cabinets.

The World is your oyster. Whether you did a bit of traveling this year or just had a relaxing stay-cation, global influences are right on trend. From framed maps and postcards to geode bookends on the shelves of your home office cabinetry, showcase the places you love or would love to visit.