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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!

How To Stock Your Bar Room Cabinetry For Summer

We love kitchen trends that extend outside of the kitchen, like portable carts and wet bars. Everyone knows the kitchen is the heart of the home, and with these little additions, the entire home suddenly feels more welcoming.

When summer comes along, there’s no better time to enjoy these kitchen trends and entertain guests at your home bar. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbeque with all of your neighbors or a simple summer soiree with just a few friends, you want to be sure your bar cabinets are fully stocked. Here are a few selections to choose when the days get longer and the temperature rises.

Gin

A Gin and Tonic is a refreshing cocktail all year long but it is particularly popular during the summer months. Prep for this warm weather winner by stocking your bar with a good gin, and tonic water. Make sure your G&T’s never lose their fizz by skipping the two-liter plastic bottle and opting for tonic that comes in single serve cans or mini glass bottles. Before your event, pick up some fresh limes or grapefruit for the finishing touch.

Rum

Depending on your drink of choice, you could go for a light or dark rum. Even better, stock your bar cabinets with both. Rum is a staple in the summer, as it is the foundation for Daiquiris, Dark and Stormies, Pina Coladas, and Mojitos. To whip these up in a flash, keep cans of coconut milk and pineapple juice in your cabinets, as well as club soda, lime juice, ginger ale and sugar. With just a few simple ingredients and rum, you can put together a handful of delicious and diverse cocktails for your next summer bash.

Tequila

Some like it with salt, some without — but everyone loves good tequila. Mix it with pineapple juice for a two-step hit, or put together a classic margarita. You could keep a margarita mix on hand, but all you really need to make your own is orange liqueur and lime juice. For a sweeter version, you can also mix in 1 ounce of simple syrup for every 3 ounces of tequila, or a blend in a handful of fresh fruit like strawberries or mango. Just don’t forget the limes!

Sparkling White Wine

Whether you like Prosecco or Champagne, make sure you have a bottle of sparkling white wine chilling in your bar refrigerator. When the weather is warm, the last thing you want to sip on is a glass of cabernet or merlot — and what sounds like celebration more than popping a bottle of bubbly? When it comes to wine in summer, keep it carbonated with a light, sparkling white wine.

Better Bitters

If your guests like it on the rocks, keep a bottle of Aperol or Apertivo Select in your cabinets. This bitter, red-colored beverage goes down easy on its own and also blends well with other ingredients. Want to serve up something simple yet unexpected? Add a splash to your sparkling white wine for a slightly sweet and sophisticated summer cocktail.

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!

5 Tips To Infuse Your Home With Summer Style

Summer is officially here! It’s time to fill your home with summery kitchen trends, and easy breezy décor in the living room, bedroom and bath. Here are some terrific tips to help you infuse your interior with summer style.

By The Sea

Summer style is all about color. Beach-inspired blues are reminiscent of the sea and sky, and are the perfect choice for summer. Options run the gamut from pale aqua to deep navy. Other colors that epitomize the warmth of the season include sunny yellow hues, sandy beige, driftwood gray, grassy green, crisp white, and bright citrus tones like pink grapefruit and lime.

The Living Is Easy

Swap out the wool throws, velvet pillows, and heavy drapery in the living room for linen, burlap, and lightweight cotton fabrics. Sheer drapes let the sun shine through during the day, while thin knits are the perfect amount of warmth while watching TV in the evening. Add seasonal touches to TV room cabinetry, like glass jars of seashells and pots filled with succulents or fresh flowers.

Those Summer Nights

In the bedroom, opt for a thin quilt or duvet instead of a heavy comforter on the bed. If your home has central air conditioning, you may still want a blanket as well. With that said, now is a good time time to pack away those thick wool and microfiber blankets in favor of lighter cotton knits.

When choosing summer bedding, stick with a seasonal color scheme. Just be sure to find something that compliments your existing furniture and wall color. Summery patterns include:

Coastal
Batik
Floral
Geometric
Gingham
Ikat
Nautical
Paisley
Stripes
Tie Dye
Tropical

Summer Breeze

All the above-mentioned rules hold true for the bathroom as well. From shower curtains to towels, choose lightweight fabrics in seasonally appropriate colors and fabrics. Then add a touch of the outdoors with potted plants that love humidity, perfectly placed on your bathroom vanity. For more tips on how to turn your bathroom into a tropical oasis, click here.

In The Summertime

The kitchen is the heart of the home, and this is especially true in the summer months. Looking at kitchen trends, glass front cabinets add a touch of airiness to the space, and the opportunity to showcase pretty pottery and stemware. If you’re lucky enough to have a wet bar in your kitchen, stock your bar room cabinetry with summer cocktail essentials. Spend a few pennies on unbreakable melamine plates that can easily move outdoors for dining al fresco. Top your table with a natural fiber runner or linens, and a vase of fresh summer blooms or seasonal fruit.

5 Easy Ways To Add Character To A New Home

While building a home has some major pluses, there is a downside. Often, new construction lacks the character of an older house, thanks to cookie-cutter elements and a lack of personal details. Thankfully, your new home is a blank slate with lots of design potential. You just need to know where to start. Here, we’ll discuss five easy ways to add character to a new home, from finding the perfect lighting fixtures to choosing cabinets with charm.

Lighting

The right lighting fixture can add a touch of style and ambiance to your space. Whether it’s a chandelier in the dining room, a pair of table lamps in the TV room, or pendant lights over a kitchen island, don’t let this golden opportunity go to waste. Lighting sets the tone in a room, so swap out basic, builder fixtures for something special. And consider the simple addition of puck lights under kitchen cabinets to highlight your countertops!

Windows

Naked windows are boring, and lack privacy. And while some new homes include blinds, they tend to be lackluster. If you want to add character to your new home, why not dress your windows up with beautiful drapes or valances? Hang draperies higher than the tops of your windows to give the illusion of a taller ceiling. Plantation shutters and Roman shades are also classic choices for their unique beauty and simplicity, and are great alternatives to basic blinds.

Architectural Details

It’s the little things that count, so accent your new home with architectural details such as hardwood floors, crown molding, cornices, and custom wainscoting or wall treatments. One of the benefits of building a home from scratch is the ability to have a choice in flooring, cabinetry, and other important elements. When choosing cabinets, opt for accessories like posts, corbels and columns, or glass panel doors, for extra charm.

Furniture

While your home may be new, your furniture doesn’t have to be. Instead of buying out the local furniture store, fill your home with furniture finds that have meaning to you personally — for example, the antique table with Queen Anne legs passed down from you Grandmother, or the vintage, mid-century modern chair you purchased from a boutique while on vacation. Filling a home with character takes time so don’t rush it.

Curb Appeal

Older homes haves mature trees and landscaping that is difficult to replicate in a new neighborhood. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. Spend a few more pennies on larger plants with more growth. It’s well worth the added expense for the curb appeal your garden will offer. Choose a tasteful color and wreath for your front door, and lovely additions to your porch, like potted plants, a metal bench or swing, and outdoor pillows. And don’t forget the welcome mat!

5 Fresh And Delightful Cocktails For Spring

Having a wet bar is one of those unique kitchen trends we all can celebrate. After all, who wouldn’t want a kitchen designed for entertaining? So give the neighbors a call, fire up the grill, and let’s get social! Spring is the perfect time to host a casual get-together with friends. Here are five delightful spring cocktails to get the party started, with fresh ingredients like garden herbs and seasonal fruit.

Mint Julep: A Mint Julep is the quintessential spring cocktail for sipping out on the porch. If you’ve planted herbs this spring, you’re in luck! You can find several recipes online, but we like this one from Food Network star, Alton Brown. Muddle up 10 mint leaves with 1 ½ teaspoons of fine sugar. Pour in 1 and ½ ounces of Kentucky Bourbon. Add ice and top your glass off with seltzer water. Then sit back, relax, and enjoy!

Mojito: Another cocktail starring mint, the Mojito is easy to make and easy to love. All you need is sugar, lime, and mint, plus some light rum and seltzer water. Muddle your mint and sugar, then add the rum and seltzer, and serve over ice. For a complete recipe from Real Simple, click here. For a large party, whip up a big batch ahead of time (minus the mint – add that as your guests arrive), and serve in pitchers.

Mango Mojito: This recipe from Martha Stewart adds a fruity twist to the traditional Mojito described above. For entertaining, you can make the base the night before, and pulse or muddle the fresh mint before serving. You’ll need a blender to puree 4 cups of chopped fresh mango with sugar, rum and lime juice. Again, top with seltzer water for added fizz.

Strawberry Peach Sangria: This creative cocktail comes from Bon Appétit, and features a plethora of fresh fruit favorites in addition to spring strawberries and peaches. Ingredients also include white wine, peach liquor, lemons, oranges, and strawberry syrup. Strawberry syrup can be found at most supermarkets, or make your own by sautéing frozen strawberries with equal parts water and sugar (until sweet to taste), and pureeing with a hand blender. For the Strawberry Peach Sangria recipe, click here.

Carrot Cooler: This cooler recipe from Coastal Living will brighten up any spring fling. Light and refreshing, it has a lovely orange hue, thanks to freshly pressed carrot and orange juice. You’ll also need some limes, ginger ale, tequila and a pinch of turmeric. Click here for the full recipe. If you don’t have a juicer, there are several brands gracing grocery stores shelves, as naturally sweet carrot juice is growing in popularity.

Kitchen trends come and go, but everyone loves a kitchen designed for entertaining — and they always will. If you dream of having your own wet bar in the kitchen, contact the designers at Willow Lane Cabinetry, and check out our vast selection of beautiful bar room cabinetry.

Outdoor Kitchens and Patios: 5 Culinary Herbs That That Naturally Repel Mosquitos

With spring officially here, you’re probably looking forward to warm days spent in the great outdoors. Of all the kitchen trends for spring and summer, an outdoor kitchen or patio is probably pretty high on the popularity list. Many homeowners consider the backyard an extension of the home — the perfect place to create an additional living and dining space. And while relaxing in the yard and enjoying a meal al fresco sounds delightful, mosquito bites are anything but. Keep your patio free of pesky insects by potting these culinary herbs that naturally repel mosquitos.

Lemon Balm

This plant is a powerful insect repellent, and has a lovely lemon scent. Since it is an invasive species, it does well when contained to a large pot on the patio. For culinary purposes, lemon balm has a delicate lemon flavor. You can use it to sweeten iced tea and homemade jam, or add this herb to salads and marinades.

Rosemary

Rosemary thrives in containers, and has a woodsy scent that keeps mosquitos and other insects away. Rosemary can be grown in containers on the patio, and can be pruned to add visual interest. As an added bonus, this herb is a great addition to homemade bread. It can also be used for seasoning meats on the grill.

Lavender

This fragrant herb is quite popular with homeowners for several reasons. Lavender has a pleasant aroma and pretty purple flowers that can add a touch of color to the patio. Best of all, bugs despise its scent. Opt for a culinary variety for your patio pots, and use a dash of lavender to infuse simple syrup for sweetening lemonade and tea. You can also grind Lavender into sugar or butter for baking, or to flavor homemade vanilla ice cream.

Basil

Basil is a handy herb to have in your patio garden, and not just for culinary use. Not only does it repel mosquitos, but it also wards off houseflies too. For the best results, plant basil in large containers by your patio door. Basil can be used to top salads or pizzas on the grill, or use it in a homemade marinara with fresh garden tomatoes.

Peppermint

This herb has a heavenly scent that homeowners love — and mosquitos hate. It is best to contain Peppermint in pots, since it can grow aggressively in a garden. Use the aromatic leaves to flavor iced tea and mojitos — perfect for sipping while relaxing in the backyard on a warm, sunny day.