Designer's Blog

I love going to art museums! While my favorite style is modern art, many artists inspire me. My husband and I visited the Crocker Art Museum while we lived near Sacramento, California and I was surprised by the variety of art they had on display. Ceramics, European paintings, African, Asian and Oceanic Art, not to mention the beautiful Crocker Mansion that is adjacent to the museum. One of the temporary galleries was devoted to California artists. Here is where I met my newest obsession: William S. Rice.   Rice is known for his woodblock prints and his association with the Arts...

I am excited to introduce you to my new recipe box! With the aid of an American wood company, I was able to keep the important features and give it a cleaner look. Here's a look at the key differences: Recipe Card Holder: Like my previous box, there is a place to set your recipe card to keep it clean, dry and propped up while cooking. When you open the box, there is a ledge that sticks out a little bit where you can place the card and lean it against the lid.  Material: Instead of bamboo, this box is...

  Making applesauce is a Leavitt family tradition. When I was a kid, we would go over to my grandparent's house for the Cowboys vs. 49ers football game and make applesauce. (Can you tell that my Texan Dad and Californian Grandpa chose the entertainment?) We would set up an assembly line and tackle several laundry baskets full of apples.    The preferred Leavitt method is to have at least one person on each stage so that you start cooking right away. Peel first, then cut the apples in half, core & slice. If you want smooth applesauce, then cut thin slices. If...

Have you ever used chalk paint before? It has a different consistency than latex paint and has more of a stiffness to it when it dries. It is very versatile and doesn't require sanding or priming before applying. The biggest selling point for me was the dark wax that you can apply afterwards to get a rustic & antiqued look. Before heading to the store, my hubby and I watched tons of videos on using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint. The most helpful videos I found were on Simply Reinvented's YouTube channel. She showed us how to paint, apply the clear...