Crystal Gentilello

Rue Magazine’s Editor in Chief Crystal Gentilello recently migrated to a hot new West Coast homestead that’s brimming with unique pieces and clever finds, including an array of lust-worthy pieces hand-picked from hayneedle.com. We caught up with Crystal for an exclusive one-on-one about the style and inspiration behind her to-die-for decor. Here’s what she had to say:

Talk us through some of the pieces you chose for your home and why.

I chose the ivory headboard because I loved the curvy shape and nailhead trim. I knew I wanted my bedroom to be a very feminine and romantic space and the headboard is definitely the crown jewel!

We love your choice for the headboard! What does that particular piece say about your bedroom?

Arch Nail Button Upholstered Headboard

The headboard is the statement piece in my bedroom. The ivory color offers a subtle contrast to the pale pink walls and the soft curves are perfect for the feminine feel I was trying to achieve. The headboard sets the tone for an unapologetically romantic space without feeling over-the-top girly. The ivory balances out the pale pink and makes the bedroom feel distinct from the rest of the apartment’s gray walls.

Also, the color of the headboard inspired the sheer curtains on the windows. The headboard makes for a beautiful focal point and everything else blends seamlessly into the background.

Tell us a little about your decision-making process for the dining table.

I chose the pedestal dining table because it’s elegant and neutral. The white contrasts the dark gray walls and the round shape encourages an easy flow of conversation at dinner parties. It introduces a round element to a rectangular room and really opens up the space for entertaining. I love that it can seat either four or six depending on who’s coming over. Because the dining table is white and the walls are painted a dark gray, I knew I wanted to introduce texture with burlap upholstered dining chairs that balance out those two colors. The result is a very intentionally layered look that I just love.

How does it affect the space?

The table defines the dining room, which is attached to the bedroom as opposed to the kitchen. Having a very clearly labeled space for eating and entertaining was essential since it’s not outwardly apparent.

You also chose two gray armchairs. What did you find appealing about them?

Stein World Wingback Chair

The two gray chairs in the living room are decidedly more masculine than other pieces in my home and I love the contrast they introduce. I wanted the living room to have a slightly moodier look and the gray upholstery definitely does the trick. Plus the nailhead detail gets me every time! They are so perfect in keeping with the moody palette I had used as inspiration for the space. They are comfortable and dramatic with brassy details that I just can’t get enough of!

The chairs definitely called for two oversized throw pillows to help them stand out from the gray walls. Simple striped pillows (a flea market find) are the perfect complement!

How would you define the “dramatic” look?

Dark paint, dark trim, and dark furnishings with plenty of natural light and sophisticated accents.

A huge thank you to Crystal for giving us insight into her decision making process and a look into her home. Read more about her home in the latest issue of  Rue Magazine and check out Hayneedle to shop a selection of pieces hand-picked by Crystal.

Put the French Hens in the coop, it’s time to get to work on Day 3 of 12 Days of Giveaways! Today’s winner not only gets the giveaway item, but gets to call themselves “Head Elf” for the remainder of the holiday season. Families be warned. Go!

Today’s giveaway…

• Provides a place for both Barbies and Bakugan to rest
• Has storage, seating, and a safety lid
• Is exclusive to Hayneedle, but useful to everyone
• Sports a seasonally-appropriate pecan finish

*Hint*
Even if we didn’t already know the answer, we’d start looking in Gifts For Kids.

Remember, this is what you’re looking for:

Submissions will be accepted via Facebook until 11:59 pm tonight. One entry per person. Winners will be announced tomorrow on this blog along with tomorrow’s giveaway. Good luck and happy hunting!

Lighting can make any room feel festive, but garland really ups the ante.  My mother loves to string garland through the handrails of the staircase at her house and she usually puts one on the mantle of the fireplace as well.  Garland adds an element that is festive and fancy at the same time.  With the large varieties available, I’m sure that you can find a few garlands that fit your style!

With the garland hung and the Christmas lights twinkling I suggest adding a few more decorative pieces that can warm our hearts. Nothing does this more during the holidays like a nutcracker!  Every time I see a nutcracker I think of the ballet.  Not that I get to see the ballet every year, but if I have an actual nutcracker, it’s kind of like the next best thing!

Now that you have your fireplace all decked out, you’ll probably want to get a fire roaring in the fireplace to finish setting the scene. While fireplaces are warm and inviting one item I highly suggest purchasing is a fireplace screen.  Not only are fireplace screens ornamental, but they also will help keep the little ones from getting too close to the fire.

Well, it’s been quite a journey preparing our home this holiday season.  I hope that I was able to give you some tips you can use to not only make your home more beautiful for your guests, but for you as hosts as well!  So now go make your gift list so we can get the presents under the tree!  Happy Holidays!

Well now it’s time to get into the spirit of the holidays and put up some lights, tinsel and garlands!  While some people really have a good time of decorating for the holidays, other people can tend to get a little stressed out.  A little advice that can really help you get the most out of the experience would be to consider making decorating an event.  Invite some family and friends over and make a day out of it.  That’s what we do in my family.  Also, you may want to choose a theme or color scheme. Too many different decorations can overwhelm a room. Select a few key items and tie them together by color or style for the greatest impact.

For many years, I’ve been a fan of having a “real live” Christmas tree, but this year I’m all about “going green” in a different way.  Be environmentally friendly and buy a Christmas tree that you can use over and over again!  You can even get a tree that already has the lights on it!  Remember what a chore it used to be to string the lights??

I’m hoping most of you took my previous advice and bought a new welcome mat for the front door.  Now don’t forget to complete the welcome with a wreath!   Perhaps you might consider getting two wreaths; one for fall (Thanksgiving) and another one for Christmas!  No matter what your choice is, a wreath hanging on your front door will immediately inspire your guests with wonder and holiday cheer!

In my blog, “Holiday Spirit”, I went into depth about the best and most efficient way to think about setting up for a party that would be more casual.  So this time, let’s talk about the sit down dinners we’ll be having.  I know that I’ll likely have more sit down dinners than casual parties, but that’s my personal preference.   Each host should do what feels fun for them!

The size of your dining table will surely be determined by the amount of people you are regularly planning on having over, but don’t forget also about placemats, table cloths, napkins and other decorative items to make your table look perfect.  While shopping around online, you may likely find a great selection of dining table accessories or you can always be creative and make some table settings that you can then personalize.

Once again, don’t forget that if you have space in a closet inside your house, purchase some folding chairs.  My parents just bought some really nice folding chairs that match perfectly with their traditional cherry dining room set allowing them to sit up to fourteen people.  Unless you look closely, you can’t even tell that they fold up!

A few years back, my bother cooked a Turduncken in a fryer.  It’s a small chicken stuffed into a medium sized duck that is then stuffed into a large turkey.  He then cooked it in a fryer!  Talk about comfort food!  It was a great way to bring that good country cooking into the holidays and we didn’t make a mess inside.  For those of you that are interested in cooking outside, consider making your holiday meal out on a grill or in a smoker!  I promise you that you’ll guest will be pleasantly surprised!

Let’s first make sure that your kitchen is prepared for the basics.  Think about what you plan on cooking this holiday season and be sure that you are set up to throw your guests a fantastic feast!  Perhaps your kitchen is large enough to consider adding an island.  I personally love islands that are on wheels and mobile.  You can easily increase the options of your working space, or serving space for that matter because an island can be multifunctional!

I’ve mentioned espresso makers before, but perhaps a coffee maker is best four your lifestyle.  No doubt that in the months that follow, as it starts getting colder,  more people will be inclined to indulge in a hot cup of joe!  Purchase a coffee maker that expresses your personality so that when your guests go to serve themselves, they won’t just be pouring themselves coffee, they’ll be introduced to a new element of design.  Yes, even appliances should be looked upon as elements of design.

A great example of an appliance as a design element is a hand mixer or blender.  On my last episode of Extreme Makeover Home Edition, I used a bright green hand mixer reminiscent of a few decades ago.  Green was a color I had chosen for one of the accent walls and many of the accessories so the mixer fit into the design really well!

Another seldom thought of, but very practical appliance is a rice cooker.  Whether your cooking white rice, brown rice, basmati, or a multi grain, a rice cooker cooks your rice for you perfectly every time. With your meal’s starch taken care of, you will have time to focus on other dishes you would like to prepare for your guests!

Remember when entertaining guests this holiday season, you can create delicious meals, but do so in style.

One of the things that I highly recommend when throwing a more casual party is dividing your home into stations and using as many areas in your home as possible.  For example, since you won’t be using your dining room table for traditional seating, use it as the primary place to serve all of your savories, whether it is snacks, appetizers or main dishes.

If you already have a bar, turn it into a hangout spot and decorate it in the style you love. Use your bar as the primary place to serve all of your beverages and be sure that you provide everything your guests need to serve themselves.  Pull your bar stools away from your bar to allow for easy access, but don’t forget to use your barstools to create other conversation areas.  You may want to consider purchasing extra barstools if casual entertaining is more your style.

If you don’t have a built in bar, consider purchasing a home bar to establish your theme. Home bars range in style, from classic to ultra-modern. Use the home bar as a space to display your personal accessories or photos.  You can even add a simple vase with fresh flowers on the serving area to add fragrance and a pop of color. Also, don’t forget to buy matching bar stools to complete the look of your entertaining area.

If you don’t desire to have a bar in your home, a good alternative might be to buy a wine and beverage cooler that you can keep in the kitchen. You can place your new beverage cooler by the kitchen sink and make that space your beverage area.  Remember to keep plenty of towels handy.

Use a different part of your kitchen counters as a dessert station and have an espresso machine handy for your guests to make themselves various coffee drinks.  This is also a good place to have dessert liquors available for some after dinner cordials.

Having multiple stations around the house allows for you to space your spread out from food to beverages. It also gives your guest ample room to mill around and enjoy one another’s company.
-Cheers-

What type of environment do you want to create for your guests? I love to entertain people, and many of beliefs about designing a space carry over to entertaining. Just as good design must encompass all of the senses, the most successful entertaining must excite your guests on every level. You, as the host, really have to think about what you’re going to need to create the best entertaining experience for your guests.

I love to host dinner parties on a regular basis, so when I have guests in from out of town, I will offer to host dinner parties for them and their special group of family and friends. With so many extra guests visiting this season, I’ve decided it will be necessary for me to invest in a new expandable dining room table that will seat twelve people comfortably! After doing my fall cleaning, I have found some extra storage space in the closet that is closest to my dining room. I’ll be able to store my table leaves there, and I’m also going to invest in a set of folding chairs to allow for more guests when I expand my table to fit the most amount of people, which will probably be sixteen! What is the most people you generally like to have over for a sit-down dinner?

If you don’t have the extra storage space, you may consider getting a pair of armchairs to place at the heads of your table. The chairs can then be pulled away to another part for the house when not in use for dining and the need for extra storage is minimized. Also, some expandable tables can store the leaves inside and require significantly less storage space.

It seems that with the extra dinner parties and the many guests coming to visit this season that I will be spending a lot of time accompanying them out of the house. Obviously, there will be much more “in and out” foot traffic. With that in mind, and in order to assist my guests in being practical, I’m considering a piece of furniture in my entryway that will allow for easy storage of items like scarves, hats, and bags. Perhaps a storage bench or an interesting armoire with a mirror will work! First I need to take measurements so I make sure I’m looking for the right piece. Does your entryway warrant a new piece of storage furniture??

This fall, I decided it was time to give my extra room a makeover. This extra room functions as both my guest room and my home office. Truth be told, most of the year it tends to function more like an office, but it seems like this year I have an especially large number of guests visiting for the holidays. Does anyone else seem to think that our family and friends want to visit with us more often this year?

Well, with that in mind, it’s only fitting that I practice my own philosophy and make the guestroom as comfortable as I would my own. The guestroom is a place where our guests should be able to relax and feel completely at ease as they spend time in our homes. Don’t forget, when a guest comes to stay with you, the room where they stay is their “home away from home.”

This fall I’m purchasing new bedroom furniture, and priority number one will be the bed. Be sure to take the time to choose your guest’s bed as if it were your own! Our bed is where we spend most of our time, so choose the mattress and furniture you are thinking about with care. I know that when I stay at someone’s home, the way that I sleep and the bed that I sleep in make the biggest impression on me.  A good host must always keep this in mind!

If you find yourself in a similar situation, with a guest room doubling as an in-home office, you may want to consider a trundle or daybedto make the best use of your space.  I’ll be looking for something contemporary with clean lines to match the furniture that’s already in the room, but keep continuity in mind no matter what kind of bed you put in your extra room. Coordinating with what you already have will make a big impact on your guest’s experience.

Your next priority is going to be storage.  Be sure to have a dresser and side table that you are able to dedicate to your guest.  If you have a lot of space, go for a full-size bed that has storage built in.  This will provide plenty of space for your guest as well as for all of your extra storage needs, especially if the room you’re using has more than one purpose.

If your extra room is completely dedicated to your guests and you have the space, you may want to consider turning a corner into a reading or sitting area. This can be easily and attractively done with one or two small chairs, a table, and a dedicated area rug underneath to delineate the space.  Use the table as a way to showcase accessories like small pieces of artwork, photographs, or a table lamp!

Last time I talked to you it was all about getting cleaned up for the fall.  Well, now that you’ve gotten your home clean, it’s time to get it organized!

First things first – organize your outdoor area and put away your summer accessories you won’t be using, especially if you live where the cold is REALLY cold.  If you haven’t already, you may want to consider purchasing some outdoor storage, especially if you don’t have room anywhere else.  Put away your outdoor pillows, umbrellas, and toys and cover your furniture and grill.

Once you’re done outside, remove all of your indoor summer decor and store it properly.  I usually use plastic containers I can keep in my garage, in closets, or under my bed and swap out accessories and decorations seasonally.  At the very least, you should consider swapping accessories and small items out twice a year in the fall and spring.

If you have a lot of “non-seasonal” pieces, consider simplifying your home by putting some of these items away as well.  The less clutter you have, the more your fall decor will stand out as you prepare to celebrate the holidays with family and friends.

If you have a lot, perhaps you should consider purchasing some indoor storage pieces at this time.  There are several options for attractive furniture that doubles as storage, allowing you to keep track of the other seasons as you prepare for the holidays.

Having a garage or yard sale is a great way to clean up and get ready to organize for fall, will help create space for redecorating and entertaining guests during the holidays, and will help you increase your budget as you shop for new furniture and accessories!  This year, I am selling some of my older items and donating half of what I make to charity.

However you choose to organize, the key to all of this is timing. If you start the project now, while the weather is still manageable and the house is clean, you can really simplify things as you prepare for company.

Getting ready to move indoors is all about transition to me.  Summer is all about fun and vacation and enjoying the outdoors.  Winter to me is more defined by hibernation, unless you are a winter sports person – then you’re outside any time of year.  But I feel that fall, much like spring, gives you the opportunity to get re-organized and create a period of transition.

Think about fall as a great time to clean up and prepare for spending more time indoors.  Since you probably spent a lot of the summer living both indoors and outdoors simultaneously, your home was probably “open” a lot of that time and any deep cleaning you didn’t get to the prior spring should probably be done in fall.

Think about cleaning every room in your house, but focus on the public rooms such as the living room, family room, entryway, and guest bath so that no matter what, your home will be ready for guests when the holidays approach.

Let’s first start with the basics and do a thorough cleaning of your upholstered pieces.  Vacuum your furniture and any drapes you might have that you’ll be keeping throughout the year.  Pollen and dust will collect on upholstery, especially if you have pets, so take the time to really make sure your upholstered pieces will be clean enough to last until the following spring.

If your budget allows, have your carpets and rugs cleaned, or better yet, rent the equipment and do it yourself!  I’ve done it before, and it’s not too difficult.  It takes a little bit of time, but it’s well worth it!

Depending on what the weather is like in your neck of the woods, consider doing a good cleaning of your windows.  Definitely do the inside, and perhaps the outside as well.  Clean windows make a huge impact on the overall feeling of a home!

Once your home is clean, you will be ready for the next step…organization!

Well, I hope that you all had a wonderful summer.  Many parts of the country experienced great temperatures for being outdoors, and I’m sure many of you took advantage of that. But now that it’s starting to cool down, many of us are starting to retreat indoors.  And, that’s a good thing!

The leaves are starting to change colors, a mist is developing in the mornings, and I bet some birds have already started making their trek southward.  And, with the kids back in school, I imagine many parents are enjoying a sense of relaxation. With all these changes, one would think that it’s time to wind down.  Not at all!  It’s the perfect time to get your home ready for company!

After a successful summer campaign, Hayneedle.com has once again enlisted my support as we move from the outdoors in.  This is the perfect time of year to spruce up around the house and consider re-designing.  Whether it’s a big furniture purchase or simply changing out the accessories, making these changes at this time of year will prepare your entire home to receive guests in a welcoming environment, especially as the holidays approach.

Over the summer, I assisted many of you in creating your personalized backyard space.  Well, this fall I’m going to continue my communication with you by giving you great tips and ideas for inside your home.  My hope is that by the time the holidays are in full swing, you will have expanded your design sense and looked at new ways to prepare your home to receive guests at anytime of the year.

I look forward to hearing your specific questions as we embark on this journey together.  Feel free to comment on this blog with anything you’d like to see addressed.

How we live and what we do on a day-to-day basis has a huge effect on our lives, health, and our happiness.  How we design our home is not only an expression of who we are and how we live, but how we share that experience with our guests.  So, let’s move into fall energized and get ready to prepare.  Your guests are on their way!!

Abrazos,

Eduardo

If you were lucky enough to have a parent or grandparent who canned, you probably have memories of long, hot days in the kitchen, counters groaning under the weight of canning jars and tomatoes. For those of you who didn’t grow up in a canning family, you might just have romantic visions of a farmhouse kitchen, complete with a sturdy enamel worktable centered in the space. Whatever your understanding of canning, it couldn’t probably isn’t something you’d do in your own, 21^st century home.

Happily, canning is most definitely something that people are still doing and actually, it’s one of the hottest food trends around right now.

Most people think that in order to get started canning, they’ve got to invest a ton of money in specialty equipment. The good news is that as long as you have a nice, big stock pot, a small rack that can fit in the bottom of the pot, and some tongs, you’re well on your way to your first jar of homemade jam or pickles.

Things to know before you get started canning:

• First of all, set your fears aside. You won’t kill anyone with jam or pickles. They are both high-acid foods, which are perfectly safe for boiling water canning.
• Always keep a stack of kitchen towels around when taking on a canning product. They can mop up spilled water, prevent sticky drips of jam from spreading everywhere and double as hot pads in a pinch.
• Though you don’t need to buy much in the way of specialty equipment, getting yourself an inexpensive canning kits that includes a jar lifter and wide mouth funnel is a good way to make things far easier in the kitchen.

The basics of boiling water bath canning:

1. Remove lids and rings from jars.
2. Place the number of jars you’ll need on top of the rack in your stock pot.
3. Fill pot (and jars) with water to cover and bring to a boil.
4. Put your lids in a small saucepan and bring them to the barest simmer on the back of the stove.
5. While the canning pot comes to a boil, prepare your product.
6. When your recipe is complete, remove the jars from the canning pot (pouring the water back into the pot as you remove the jars) and lay them out on a clean towel on your counter top.
7. Carefully fill your jars with your product. Depending on the recipe, you’ll need to leave between ¼ and ½ an inch of headspace (that’s the room between the surface of the product and the top of the jar).
8. Wipe the rims of the jars with a clean, damp paper towel or the edge of a kitchen towel.
9. Apply lids and screw the bands on the jars to hold the lids down during processing.
10. Carefully lower the filled jars into the canning pot. You may need to remove some water as you put the jars in the pot. A Pyrex measuring cup is the best tool for this job.
11. Once the pot has returned to a boil, start your timer. The length of the processing time will vary from recipe to recipe.
12. When your timer goes off, remove the jars from the water bath promptly. Place them back on the towel-lined countertop and let them cool.
13. The jar lids should begin to “ping” into place soon after they’ve been removed from the pot. The pinging is the sound of the seals being formed and the center of the lids will become concave as the vacuum seal takes hold.
14. After the jars have cooled for 24 hours, remove the bands and check the seals. You do this by grasping the jar by the edge of the lid and gently lifting it an inch or two off the countertop. The lid should hold fast.
15. Once you’ve determined that your seals are good, you can store your jars in a cool, dark place (with the rings off, please) for up to a year.

Happy Canning!

Marisa McClellan

* To see an extensive list of Hayneedle’s canners go to PressureCookersandCanners.com

Speaking of celebrations, you’re invited to save up to 50% at Hayneedle’s July 4th Sale!

I can hardly wait to watch the fun unfold in my backyard tomorrow. American barbecue alongside the undeniably Swedish lutefisk. Bocce and ladder golf while waiting for my turn in the next game of kubb. Kids caroming in and out of the bouncehouse. What better way to work off all that pickled fish and make room for strawberries and cream? Or, if my guests prefer something more definitively American, they can always hold out for fire pit s’mores.

Whatever you’re celebrating, be it a wedding or the World Cup, a cookout or the College World Series, these June weekends are loaded with options. Heck, if you’re looking for a reason to get together tonight, just remind your friends that today is Log Cabin Day. For real. It’s Log Cabin Day.

For the fest of the season, or just the happy hour of the day, Hayneedle has all the essentials you need to entertain. From grills to canopies, from conversation sets to outdoor lighting, it’s all here. And in every one of these categories you’ll find an abundance of options, along with a powerful filtering system that lets you narrow your choices based on what you want. That’s true variety, and that’s how we know you’ll find what you love and love what you find.

Yet, I still feel pretty green-challenged and would like to take more steps toward a greener lifestyle. That’s the concept behind the Green Experience- through blogging, Twitter, and YouTube, I’m going to put my going-green experience out there. Follow me as I make a few changes!

Just a few weeks ago, I received my Worm Factory Worm Composter. I got the bin before I got my worms, so (lucky me) I did not have to make a temporary worm bed. I’m not going to lie, I’m not necessarily the type of person to go out into a field and start digging for worms. So it’s a good thing they just showed up at my door!

It was Friday, April 9th and I had been out for drinks to see off a colleague on her last day. I got home around 8, and that is when my boyfriend, Jason broke the news. “I think your worms are here,” he said before even saying hello. I can say that this is the moment when I started to understand what I was getting myself into. Or at least the moment when I wondered if I was getting in over my head…

Cayden's worms get familiar with their new digs.

Resolution or not, most of us can benefit from a little shaping up after the holidays- both around the house and around the waistline. While we at Hayneedle may have contributed to the current states of stuff (loads of excellent presents) and fluff (looking in your direction, GiftBaskets.com), at least we’re taking responsibility for it. It’s exactly why we’re ringing in the New Year with new ways to get organized and stay fit.

To find a place for all those new presents, look no further than Hayneedle’s huge variety of storage options. From closet organizers to garage organizers, from toy boxes to pot racks, there really is a storage solution for every room in your home.

Finding a place for any extra lbs., on the other hand, isn’t quite as easy. While it’s tempting to entertain the idea of a new wardrobe, burning off the remnants of holiday indulgence is far more practical. It feels a whole lot better, too. Hayneedle has workout options for every interest and fitness level, including exercise bikes, Pilates reformers, inversion tables, rowing machines, and more.

When we say, “Happy New Year,” we’re wishing you a cleaner, clutter-free home and a stronger, healthier you. In other words, we hope you find happiness that extends far beyond 2010.