Top 10 Trending Smart Gadgets

Digital Cutting Board

 Yanko Design

The Almighty Board is the ultimate kitchen assistant. This smart-board will simultaneously serve as your cutting board, display your recipes, provide step-by-step directions and weigh your ingredients out for you. After you wash it, it will even tell you if it has been cleaned enough to avoid cross-contamination or food poisoning. If only it could do the dishes too!
Designer: Jaewan Jeong

FOOD & WINE

Best Sandwiches in the U.S. includes

Portland, OR: Bunk Sandwiches 

 

Photo © David Reamer.

Sandwich: Oregon Albacore Tuna Melt
At Bunk, co-chefs Tommy Habetz and Nick Wood reinvent iconic American foods. That means transforming biscuits and gravy into a sandwich filled with braised rabbit leg, or preparing luscious melts, like this version packed with locally canned albacore and finished with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and Tillamook cheddar. bunksandwiches.com

 

Secret Rooms

Don't we love the idea of secret rooms? If building from scratch, I would have a secret room in the library with a rotating door or a secret room behind the fireplace. Inthralled has an article titled Hidden Gems: 15 Houses With Secret Rooms. 

It's fascinating to see what others have come up with to hide their secrets.

TRAVEL + LEISURE

Best French Restaurants in the U.S. includes

David Reamer

 

Le Pigeon, Portland, OR

Carnivores and adventurous eaters will appreciate chef Gabriel Rucker’s creations, which add whimsy and decadence to traditional French recipes. Beef-cheek bourguignonne, rabbit-in-a-pig-blanket, and foie gras profiteroles are among the quirky edibles. The chef’s counter puts diners ringside in the busy kitchen, and the brick-wall dining room’s three communal tables are often filled with both locals and international clientele. Le Pigeon’s first cookbook comes out in September 2013—for you try-it-at-home types.

FOOD & WINE

Best Taco Spots includes

Portland, OR: ¿Por Que No? 

 

 

One bite into a taco in the Mexican town of Morelia and Bryan Steelman had an epiphany: Why not open a taqueria of his own? The resulting ¿Por Qué No? (“Why not?” in Spanish) now pulls out-the-door lines with stellar tacos that emphasize local ingredients: house-made chorizo made from pork from nearby Carlton Farms, chipotle-rubbed chicken from Draper Farms in Washington. porquenotacos.com

Photo © Bryan Steelman.

Go To Portland, OR: ¿Por Que No?

F&W Bucket List

Best Summer Restaurants includes:

Bowpicker Fish & Chips; Astoria, OR

 

Photo courtesy of Bowpicker

  

At Bowpicker in Astoria, fish and chips means albacore tuna. Beer-battered, it crisps up golden and, once bitten into, gently separates into meaty, steaming flakes. Served with steak fries, vinegar and tartar sauce, it's all you'll find at this fishing-boat-turned-kitchen—a former gillnet trawler that almost looks like it ran aground. Bowpicker stays open through the winter, but given the picnic-table seating and the near-constant threat of bad weather in cooler months, warmer times are the better bet. bowpicker.com

TRAVEL + LEISURE

America's Best Outdoor Restaurants includes

Bridgewater Bistro, Astoria, OR

 

 Bridgewater Bistro

Seafood items like Pacific Bay oyster shooters and Scandinavian-style pickled herring reign supreme at Bridgewater Bistro, a former cannery along the Columbia River. From the deck seating at the edge of the harbor, you can see Washington across the way while enjoying one of nearly 30 wines by the glass. When the weather gets chilly, there’s no need to head indoors—just request one of the complimentary lap blankets. bridgewaterbistro.com

Noble Rot, Portland, OR

John Q. Porter, JQP Design

For one of the best views of Portland’s iconic White Stag sign, head to Noble Rot’s fourth-story patio, one of the only restaurants with a skyline view—let alone one that faces the sunset every night. The LEED Platinum building has its own 3,000-square-foot rooftop garden, whose ingredients find their way into dishes like the Roof Salad, which tosses seasonal produce in a pickled rhubarb vinaigrette. Pair it with one of the restaurant’s 40-plus wines by the glass. noblerotpdx.com

Salon Features The Look Of Metal

The AP writes about the new look of brass, copper, bronze and nickel in this fall's decor.

The finishes are warm, without the kitschy clash of some previous go-rounds. You'll see these softer, richer-looking metals -- joining gold and silver on the decor stage -- as accents on accessories, as furniture embellishment and as a brushed finish on textiles.

It's a classic look that can work in both traditional and contemporary spaces.

The new catalog from Bernhardt has just arrived and featured is Salon. A taste of Salon is featured here:

We invite you to browse the catalog of Bernhardt's Salon.

New Items From Our Lines

From Uttermost:

Arig Candleholder

Cat: 19368

Size: 6" w x 6" d x 14.5" h; 

Explore Catalog

From Raschella Home Decor, Inc.

Mirror with Bevel - #3

Cat: MFD0013466

Size: 60" x 100"

Finish: Antique Gold Leaf

Explore Catalog

Impressions on Purposeful Entryways, Hallways and Foyers

Photo via The Enchanted Home.

Your first impression upon entering a home will most likely stay with you throughout your entire visit.  Perhaps without even being aware of it, you'll take in the decor, admire (or grimace) at the style of furniture, unique accent items, artwork, lighting, and an array of other details put together by its owner.

Photo via The Enchanted Home.

A home's entrance and foyer can be quickly dismissed in design plans, as it is too often passed through hurriedly throughout the day.  However, it can potentially be one of the greatest and memorable spaces in a home.  Not only does this area greet your guests as they enter your home, but what you will arrive to after a hectic day of facing the outside world.  The space then, should signal a comforting refuge, and whatever you encounter there should feel like a warm welcoming.

Photo via Interior Designipedia.

You may keep things as simple or as elaborate as you wish, but if there’s one thing to keep in mind, it is that this area will be your first visual and “feel” for the rest of the home.  A beautiful console and bench may be all that you find necessary for your entryway.  Add a few accents such as vibrant potted plants, an accent mirror and lighting to brighten and widen the space.  As you'll be passing through the entrance more frequently than other areas of the home, allow sufficient space for foot traffic, and designate storage space for items frequently used when coming and going.  For example, if you live in an area with frequently changing weather patterns, you may wish to provide an umbrella holder and coat rack near the doorway.  By appointing storage areas for articles based on your lifestyle, you'll be able to fully appreciate the convenience this space has to offer.

Photo via freshome.com.

Photo via Home Designing.

Hallways are other areas of the home that are commonly overlooked.  However small these less lived-in areas may be, they can potentially become noteworthy passageways that connect spaces together, and this connection can contain just as much meaning as any other area in the home.

Photo via Home Design Love.

Photo via Home Design Love.

As hallways tend to be narrower areas, the décor and furniture pieces you choose to place within it should be selected with care.  Be sure to allow plenty of walk-through space and do consider the dimensions of furnishings prior to purchasing.  Since hallways connect rooms together, you may wish to use them as extensions to those rooms, and continue with similar themes and design elements.

Photo via Home Design Love.

The hallway above is an awe-inspiring example of blending elegant, modern decor with efficient design.  To keep the area airy and spacious, lighting is built flush with the ceiling which creates a clean and minimal aesthetic. This also cleverly highlights the focus below:  an unforgettable compact lily pond.  The self-contained pond imparts a tranquility that sets the ambiance for the rest of the space.  This magnificent hallway is further illuminated by transparent pedestals lit from the bottom, and each one displays a simple, yet elegant floral arrangement.

So before dismissing any area of the home simply for lack of space, re-imagine these areas as purposeful and inspiring greeters, connectors, and passageways for the special people who pass through them.  To quote British architect and furniture designer, T.H. Robsjohn-Gibbings: “Why do we love certain houses, and why do they seem to love us? It is the warmth of our individual hearts reflected in our surroundings.”

Take a look at this updated look at entryways with this article from 

Designrulz: Entryway Bench Ideas

FOOD & WINE

World's Best Food Markets includes

Portland, OR: Portland Saturday Farmers' Market

 

What started in the early-’90s with only a dozen vendors has grown into locavore heaven with hundreds of farmers, vintners, foragers and prepared food stands. Walking up and down the rows, you’ll find everything from organic and heirloom produce of the Hood River and Willamette valleys to killer grab-and-go bites. On a Saturday morning, I’m headed to Pine State Biscuits for one of Portland’s iconic sandwiches—the Reggie Deluxe... fried chicken, bacon, cheese, gravy and a fried egg all piled onto a fresh biscuit.

Business Booming at World Market Center

8 News NOW

TRAVEL + LEISURE

America's Best Pies includes Random Order Coffee, Portland, OR

www.tsWhalen.com

Random Order Coffee, Portland, OR

Best Pie to Try: Tahitian Vanilla Salted Caramel Apple Pie
This Portland favorite serves a lovely version of the classic American apple pie. But after you’ve tasted their other apple pie, you might decide that the original is a bit dated. This version is oozing with caramel, spiced with vanilla, and sprinkled with salt. It proves that time-old techniques and recipes can coexist with unexpected, mold-breaking tweaks. It’s not so much reinventing the wheel as giving it a makeover. (1800 NE Alberta PDX 97211, Portland OR; 971/340-6995; randomordercoffee.com) —Charlotte Druckman

FOOD & WINE

Top 20 Vegan and Vegetarian Restaurants includes Canteen; Portland, OR and Natural Selection



The hip café’s hearty grain bowls feature ingredients like quinoa, kale, maple tempeh and local hazelnuts. canteenpdx.com.



Aaron Woo spotlights vegetables in dishes like morel mushroom ragout with preserved lemon and almonds. naturalselectionpdx.com.

21 years!

Thursday, Bev and I celebrated 21 years of marriage by dining out; just the two of us. Yes, after that many years we still enjoy being a couple with many things to talk about. We chose Nuestra Cocina at 2135 SE Division St, Portland, OR for dinner where we exchanged two anniversary cards each.

We had an very nice and knowledgeable wait person. Instead of ordering a main entree, we went the tapa way by ordering Albondigas de Coedero or lamb meatballs and tender cactus strips in a spicy chipotle sauce; Camarones con tamarind or shrimp with a tamarind dip; Pollo enchiladas in a tasty, smokey mole; and pork tacos.

Everything was delicious and people were waiting in line to get in when we finished. I probably would not order the lamb meatballs again, but more tacos and enchiladas. For me, the meatball sauce was just too spicy. The tapas average about $9.00 and the four we ordered were filling.Our whole meal with drinks cost us $59.25 plus tip.

We both decided during dinner that we would re-up for another 21 years!

Home Libraries That Ignite the Imagination

Photo via Haleh Design.

Deisgned by Martin Kemp. Photo by Andrew Twort via Architectural Digest.

There exists home libraries of all styles, but one common denominator is that each one is certain to tell a unique story, as every bookshelf holds a one-of-a-kind collection by its owner(s).  Whether you have Shakespeare or Murakami residing on your shelves, or keep special display of mementos, a home library's contents can reflect a great deal about one’s identity and personal history.

Photo via tumblr.

Bookshelves allow the opportunity to display a variety of marvelous keepsakes, but many may not realize it's also a wonderful way to display artwork and other framed treasures as well.  The charming library above applies color to excellent purpose, which is further highlighted by plenty of natural light.  The lemonade-fresh sofa, bright pillows and accent rug make for a cozy retreat - a perfect setting for settling down with a favorite book.

Photo via Beautiful-Libraries.

Style a hand-carved wooden desk and vintage accent chair with historical artifacts and art to inspire learning and curiosity within your home library.  We can’t help but admire the floor-to-ceiling shelving, which is enough to make any bookworm’s heart skip a beat.

Photo via Home Ideas.

An executive desk and formal sitting area complete with an elegant loveseat, sets an ideal ambiance for casual meetings, should you also choose to utilize your library as a home office. Stunning glass-paneled bookcases are perfect for safely keeping coveted first editions.

Photo via Designing Rugs.

Placing a uniquely-patterned accent rug such as the one pictured above can create an inviting coziness within your library. Add a comely pedestal round dining table and a few graceful arm chairs to make a truly welcoming setting.  However, it's the art deco pendant lamp above it that steals the show here.  Who wouldn't want to read or write by the luminescent glow of that magnificent lamp?

We love this look so much (pedestal table within library), here are a few more examples to gaze upon:

Photo via tumblr.

 

 Designed by Alexa Hampton. Photo by Kim Sargent via Architectural Digest.

These curved built-in bookcases particularly compliment round tables, which lend a sense of infinite space as the eyes will never reach an ending.  The powder-blue curtains and tufted sofa enhance the room with a subtle pop of color.

There’s no denying we like pedestal tables. Here are a few:

Photo via Maitland-Smith.

Photo via Century Furniture.

Photo via Home Adore.

Photo via tumblr.

Home libraries will always endear to us, as they continue to endlessly fascinate, offering a unique assortment of books, magazines, journals and collections that pique curiosities and encourage learning.

No matter what you chose to display and keep in this special space, the main appeal of home libraries is that they are the only room in any home that guarantees adventures beyond its four walls - the stories contained within teach ideas of the past, concepts of the future, and infinite travel of the imagination.