Succulent Blue

Nature is the perfect inspiration when decorating inside, outside and all occasions.

Take the blue of this Succulent on my patio, just imagine your kitchen walls or back-splash tile in this color. Or a dinner party tablescape design based on the shape and mood it inspires. Mixing inside and outside textures and colors makes for a truly interesting and personal design.

kf.

Tags: krayl funch, tablescapes, home, Natural Decorating, Entertaining, Inspiration, An Appealing Plan, succulents, decor, design inspiration

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day!

CANDIES: Sockerbit Sweet Hearts ~ Strawberry Jelly & Marshmallows Stamped with LOVE

CARD: Recollections Craft Paper Blank Folded Cards with DCWV “Love” Rub*on Quotes both available at Michaels Crafts and easy to make dozens of cards for your sweetie.

XO ~ kf.

Tags: An Appealing Plan, craft paper, DCWV, gifting, happy valentines day, Inspiration, Love, marshmallows, michaels crafts, micheals crafts, Occasions, strawberry jelly, sweet hearts, Valentines Day

Decorating: Seeing Red

In Honor of Valentines Day (its tomorrow if you need to rush out and get a few flowers…make a card…bake cupcakes…set the table…etc…) I walked around my home and wanted to see how many red items I could find.  I found red in most rooms and concluded that I was appropriately festive. How about you?

Appealingly Pretty ~ kf.

Tags: An Appealing Plan, entranceway decorating, home, Inspiration, red, red decor, Valentines Day

Eco-friendly LEGOs made of sawdust and coffee

Reblogged from Grist:

Earth Blocks are basically LEGOs, but made out of coffee grounds, tree bark, sawdust, or tea chaff mixed with a plasticlike binder material. Finally, a way to teach children that being eco-friendly means playing with monochrome toys made out of dirt! …

My first reblog…couldn’t resist this one.

Style on the Street

Looking for a statement piece to complete your outdoor room or that one piece to inspire your dream patio? Look no further than Bobby Berk Home in Atlanta, GA {Also in NYC & Miami}.

The Queen of Love in white and mandrin {pretty close to the Pantone 2012 Color of the Year – Tango Tangerine} oversized outdoor armchairs caught my eye and I had to cross the street to check them out in person. Made of recyclable linear polyethylene they resist color fading and are scratch, shock and weather resistant and are actually pretty comfortable.

Stylish and Appealing! kf.

Tags: An Appealing Plan, atlanta, bobby berk, home, outdoor living, outdoor room, tango tangerine

A Reason to Bake!

After seeing these cupcake liners I might even take out the apron and make some Valentines Day Cupcakes.

Shop Sweet Lulu - Solids, Stripes, Polkadot. Made from the highest quality greaseproof paper, these baking cups are bakeable up to 450 degrees F. Each liner measures 2″ across the base, and 1.25″ tall.

via Shop Sweet Lulu – Lollipop Garden Cupcake Liner Mix.

Tags: An Appealing Plan, baking cups, cupcake liners, Cupcakes, Entertaining, food, gifting, Inspiration, Love, lulu, Paper Plates, Shop Sweet Lulu, Valentines Day

Entertaining: Lets Agree to Disagree.

I follow Bon Appetit on twitter for daily postings and tips. I pick up the magazine when in my local grocery store. I visit their website frequently. Sometimes I have even cook the suggested recipes. Big Fan right. Then yesterday they post an article, 6 Rules for Setting Your Valentine’s Day Table, listing “rules” for setting your table and I have to say I was disappointed. Perhaps it was the title that I disagree with, maybe “suggestions” would have been a better title.

One ~ I do not feel there are rules for setting any table. There maybe etiquette to follow and I frequently refer to Ms Emily Post and her granddaughter, Ms Peggy Post, for guidance however, RULES for a dinner for two people? Not buying it. The table should be set with what makes you happy and makes you feel good about the experience. I love to set a beautiful table and the style of cooking can also play a big part in the selection of the dinner and serveware.

Two ~ The term formal dining room should be removed from the english language. Not that you can’t have a formal dinner party or set a formal table but simply having a room where you have a large table and host friends and families does not make a formal space. It is possible to entertain at a table large table and not at all have a formal feel. In fact I do it all the time and my guests always end up saying they wish they had a big table like we have.

Three ~ Although I sort of understand where the author is heading with the comment don’t eat at a large table, instead move to the breakfast nook. I once again disagree. There HAS to be a more romantic place in your house to set up a table for two than the kitchen. Cover a small coffee table with a linen and place it in your bedroom with candles, music, etc.. small balcony, anywhere. Different is good when it comes to romance.

Overall I understand where the author, Julia Bainbridge, was going with the story and there are points that I agree with. For instance, I TOTALLY agree with the unscented candles in the space you are eating your meal. And also agree with her on the choice of scented version, Jo Malone is at the top of my list. {I could go on and on about candles. I feel a new post coming on.}

Whatever your Vday dinner brings make it personal and your own experience. kf.

Tags: 2012, An Appealing Plan, bon apettit, dinner, emily post, Entertaining, food, home, krayl funch, Occasions, romance, tablescapes, unscented candles, valentine s day, Valentines Day

Home Life: Tea Time. Remembering a forgotten ritual.

I lived two years of my childhood in London and grew up with a mother who to this day loves tea time, so how is it possible that yesterday I found my self searching through still unpacked boxes from two years ago for a Tea Pot. Had it really been TWO years since I brewed a full pot of tea and sat to enjoy it? Sure I have had a cup or two here and there {truth be told I am more of a coffee person on a daily basis. Decaf of course.} but not a true “spot of tea”.

Climbing around in the garage and finally finding one of my many tea pots I settled on a pure white version more on the  casual side. After all you can’t go two years and jump right into a formal tea-pot. It just didn’t seem right. And for the cup and saucer, one of my all time favs Jasper Conran Chinoiserie.

For the tea ~ Loose Lavender Earl Grey by a great company out of Canada named simply “T”.  whose tag line is ”find peace in a teacup”  A dollop of natural honey and I was ready.

I still had work to do so it wasn’t a official break but, the ritual of preparing the tea; opening up the box of loose leaves and smelling their aroma, boiling the water, pour the  water over the leaves, patiently waiting for them to steep, setting out the cup & saucer, selecting the type of honey to pair with the flavor and finally sitting to sip the warm herbal goodness was calming in its own right. You always hear “Its the Little Things in Life” all the time and for me Tea Time is the perfect example. I vow to take a few minutes at least once a week in 2012 to recreate this simple but incredibly enjoyable ritual. You should try it with me.

Appealing? I say yes. kf.

Tags: 2012, An Appealing Plan, dinnerware, food, home, Inspiration, Jasper Conran, loose leaves, natural honey, pot of tea, serveware, tea, tea pot, tea time, time for myself, Wedgwood

Bright and Sunny Thank You

I was recently asked to create a floral arrangement as a Thank You to a business who works with companies to build and market their brands. So what choice did I have but to create something that matched THEIR brand. Considering the environment that the arrangement will eventually be placed in should be a factor in the color and style of the final arrangement. ~ kf.

Tags: An Appealing Plan, centerpieces, colorful, floral, flowers, gerber daisy, gifting, hostess gift, irish bells flowers, orange flowers, thank you

Gardening: INside or OUT. WoollyPockets Are the Answer.

What is a WoollyPocket??

“Woolly Pocket was founded in 2008 by brothers Miguel & Rodney Nelson. …out of a personal need for a simple, DIY-consumer friendly system for gardening vertically, not yet available on the market. …they invented the breathable Woolly Pockets with internal moisture control that are made from recycled plastic bottles in USA. Now, the Nelson brothers are turning the gardening industry down side up. And the Woolly Pocket family is also helping millions of students learn nutrition and gardening through their Woolly School Garden program by creating a living garden classroom for students K–12.”

I have seen them for sale and have wanted a space to use them. Currently living with out the garden space of my dreams I have decided to bring it inside, and plan on placing them in my bathroom as well as master bedroom. Stay tuned for

my progress as I continue my 2012 plans!

The images are just a few examples of how you can use them as well as the full description of how they are made.

Happy Growing! kf.

Perfect for any area indoors or outdoors where moisture protection and water conservation is desired.

1. HANGS SIMPLY Wally has easy fasteners and anchors that work on masonry, drywall, sheetrock, wood and metal walls. Hardware included.

2. SMART WATERING Water Wally’s back panel (the tongue) with a wine bottle or a long spout watering can. Wally’s tongue wicks water down directly to the roots. This conserves water and promotes plant health.

3. AUTOMATIC WATERING For larger installations, insert optional drip irrigation behind Wally’s tongue.

 4. PROTECTS WALLS Military-grade moisture barrier ensures that your walls stay dry.

5. SELF WATERING Reservoir allows tongue to continue wicking water to the roots.

6. STRONG, HEALTHY ROOTS Breathable felt allows moisture to evaporate and allows plants to air prune.

7. ECO-FRIENDLY Made from 100% recycled plastic bottles (PET).

Happy Growing! kf.

Tags: An Appealing Plan, drip irrigation, eco, food, garden, garden crafts, gifting, green, green gifts, herbs, Inspiration, kitchen gardens, krayl funch, Natural Decorating, nelson brothers, recycled plastic bottles, woollypockets