Navy, Coral and White…Oh My!
If you read my blog regularly you have no doubtingly heard me mention my obsession with NAVY. I love this color much for the same reason I love Grace Kelly, Jackie O and Kate Middleton – navy is always classy with a sophisticated stance. This year you have also heard me mention Pantone’s Color of the Year: Tangerine Tango, a hue that gives off warmth and energy. Lately I have been day-dreaming about these two fabulous colors married together in a home (yes, design does find its way into my subconscious) and I love the idea…well almost.
While I love the warmth tangerine offers against the dark side of navy it gets dangerously close to looking like collegiate school colors, particularly my alma-mater, The University of Virginia (UVA). So, after some research and reflection, I have come up with a new color combination that is my new and improved obsession: Navy, CORAL and White.
Coral has the pink under-tones that offer the femininity I was so desperately seeking in this new play on navy. And white seals the deal in this trio. I have come across some photos I would like to share with you to illustrate just how fabulous this color palette is. Take a look and let me know what you think!
{San Francisco based interior design firm Massucco Warner Miller created this sumptuous bedroom. The headboard provides stability in this room in combination with the geometric wall treatment. White and navy dominate the bedroom, but coral pillow shams accessorize the bed brilliantly. The navy detailing in the tufted headboard is heavenly and the converted closet to workspace is genius.}
{Let’s face it; the nautical look is here to stay. It is reflected in every spring fashion line and interior design will follow suit. While I have not always been a fan, in recent years I have come around to the look because amazing designers have offered up alternatives to the traditional nautical themes of the past. This room exemplifies, a modern twist on a the nautical theme fantastically! The clean lines of these white and navy sofas are contemporary and chic. Pillows further accessorize the sofas in eye popping patterns of coral and navy. Ceramic jugs hand-painted with floral details in coral provide an amazing back drop while the stark white coffee table and vase allow the flowers to take center stage. My favorite detail…the piece of coral delicately resting on a few well-placed novels.}
{These coral color painted frames serve this wall as art. The varying sizes of the frames along with space consideration and strategic placement complete this sea-side nook. The coral and white fabric decorating the tiny ottoman bring a cozy feel and an extra seat to the space.}
{Clean and white are the claim to fame for this room. Amazing navy trim defines the lines of the chairs and ottoman. A coral inspired fabric graces the surface of another chair and throw pillow. Flooring is not forgotten in this space where a coral rug rests it’s threads. This room is like a breath of fresh air to me, I feel relaxed just looking at the picture. Don’t you?}
{Amanda Nisbit is the designer of this delectable home in the Hamptons. Natural wood, navy and coral are the focal point of this room. It’s important to note that some of the corals in this home reflect a more orange hue. When shopping for coral accessories you will find a range of hues – some taking on a more pink undertone, while others displaying more of an orange tone. The natural wood coffee table in this photo is amazing, truly embracing the origin of its former glory. I certainly would welcome the opportunity to relax in this Hamptons retreat after a long day at the beach. Wouldn’t you?}
{Amber Interior Designs put this photo collage together and I just love it. Interior designers everywhere are embracing the endless possibilities this color palette offers to a home.}
As you can see, I am not alone in my passion for this trio of colors. Navy, coral and white are energizing while remaining dignified and classic. I hope I have given you some inspiration for your future decorating projects.
If you’d like help creating a beautiful room in your house or office, contact me at denise@decorbydenise.com today to learn how easy it is to get started.
Check out Décor by Denise on About.com
This past fall Sarah and I had an amazing opportunity to do a series of “How to” videos for Knowlera Media. About.com is in the process of converting all their text articles to videos and has reached out to media and production companies to get their help in creating the videos. I was asked to shoot six videos on the following topics:
Right Size Bed for your Bedroom
Tips for Using Paint to Make Furniture Pop
How to Add Small Bursts of Color to a Room With Paint
How to Arrange Living Room Furniture
How to Find Storage in Hidden Spaces
I asked Sarah to tackle three of these, while I focused on the others. We had an amazing time and what a learning experience for us both! While these videos are chalk-full of useful information and decorating tips suitable for every home, they do not feature our work. Check out the videos at the links above or tune in to our youtube channel, decorbydenise. Enjoy!
If you’d like help creating abeautiful room in your house or office, contact me at denise@decorbydenise.com today to learn how easy it is to get started.
Preparing for Your Design Consultation
Congratulations! You’ve decided you want to update an area in your home, but recognize that with all the options out there, you are going to need some help in making the right choices. This is where I come in. When clients setup a consultation with me, I send them a preparatory worksheet to ensure that our initial time together is most productive. This preparatory work is designed to help me understand the client’s priorities, goals, lifestyle, budget, timeframe, constraints (like young children, pets, elderly parents, etc.), and style preferences. The initial consultation is also the time where I assess whether the client’s personality is a good fit with mine and if there are any “red flags” that will likely cause problems down the road.
If you find yourself at the phase where you are about to embark on a design project and have setup an initial consultation with an interior designer or decorator, then my top tips below will help you get prepared for when he or she comes calling.
Decide on your budget. The amount of zeros in your budget is not nearly as important as the actual amount you can comfortably spend on the project. Decide on a budget before your consultation and don’t be shy about telling your designer what it is. This is where many of my clients often fail. They either don’t want to share or are uncertain of the budget they have come up with and therefore they hold this information close to the vest. I think people are “afraid” that if they share their “number” their designer will either be underwhelmed by it or will try to spend every last penny.
Not sharing this information up-front makes it very difficult for your designer (especially if you two have never worked together before) when selecting all the elements for your room–fabrics, materials, furniture and more. He or she runs the risk of under- or overwhelming you when the design plan is presented as the price points he or she selects may not coincide with your expectations or comfort level.
It is always better to put a number out there so as to make the design process smoother, to help your designer when making selections for your project and to prevent lots of rework. Defining a budget at the onset of your project helps keep your designer and you “on the same page” and is critical to a successful partnership throughout the various phases of your project.
Define your design style. Browse online to collect pictures of rooms and furniture you like. Or, visit your local bookstore and pickup some home and design magazines, such as Elle Decor, House Beautiful, or Veranda. If you aren’t able to spend time online or visit the bookstore, you can also look through catalogs you receive at your house to see if anything inside of them peaks your interest.
If you find things online, you can post them to a Pinterest board to keep your thoughts organized or if you prefer a hardcopy version, start a design binder with clear sleeves to collect all your inspirations.
Evaluate the photos you have collected. Are you drawn to contemporary pieces, traditional rooms, eclectic accessories, soft french accents, clean modern lines? Whatever your style or combination of styles it’s important to harness them and be able to convey some looks you like to your designer. It’s also important to note which colors you are drawn to. You may love red (it’s my favorite), but would you want a red sofa or a solid red wall, or do you prefer just splashes of the color?
It is key to not only collect the photos of rooms you prefer, but also to put sticky notes on the pages with your comments as to what you like, dislike, etc. I can’t tell you how many times I have met with clients and reviewed the rooms they liked only to discover that they cannot remember what drew them to the space. Don’t let this happen to you as this is a critical time to relay as much information as possible about your preferences to your designer or decorator.
{Still need help defining your style? Visit bhg.com and take the quiz, Find your Decorating Personality}
Think about how you will be using your space. Will this room be used for entertaining, eating, television watching, games, or perhaps quiet focus? If you envision that a year or so from now you want your youngster to start taking piano lessons or you want to transition your room from a kid’s play room to an adult space, let your designer know this so that he or she can factor these ideas into your design plan. If the room needs to perform multiple functions, your designer needs to know this as well.
How long will you be in your home? The longer you plan to stay in your home the more creative freedom you have in design. However, if you plan to sell in the next few years, popular, durable and more conservative choices need to be considered to make your home competitive in the market place. Be sure to consider your goals carefully and be open and honest with your designer during your consultation.
Think about what will be purged or re-purposed. Show your designer what furniture, fixtures and textiles you would like to keep. Also consider what furniture could be reupholstered or refurnished. And, if you are expecting to inherit a few pieces in the near term, make sure to let your designer know up-front so that he or she can factor that into your design plan. It’s truly amazing what a designer fabric can do to a tired old wing back chair.
{Bold and colorful fabrics infuse life into old furniture}
Thinking about these tips before your design consultation will make the most of your time with a designer and your design plan will benefit immensely from it. You might also consider things like storage (if that’s an issue), child friendly design, allergies, pets and sunlight. If any of these items is of concern to you, mention them to your designer during your consultation. Remember to have fun, be clear in your design wishes and be open to a new world of possibilities. Happy designing.
If you’d like help creating a beautiful home or office you love, contact me today to learn how easy it is to get started.
What’s Hot in Design
This past weekend I was browsing the internet for ideas and design inspirations when I stumbled onto one of my favorite sites, interiordesign.net. If you haven’t visited this site you should as they have a wealth of information on what I like to call, “the things to come.” Meaning, they are a great resource for predicting and identifying new industry trends. The section I thought would most interest you is the “new products” tab. There are tons of new items featured on this site, but I thought I would break them down by category and pick one of my favorite new products in each category to share with you. So, here they are…
ACCESSORIES
{These ceramic bowls are as eye catching as they are useful. Dress up your tablescape this spring with these Bloom Bowls, complete in abstract florals and hand finished to achieve subtle variations. They come in 10 patterns, which are based on paintings by edgy Turkish architect, Emir Uras.}
FLOORING
{This Sunrise Wings area rug is made out of carved silk and sculpted wool, and is offered by Decorative Carpets. What an amazing addition to your floors this would make! Be on the lookout for more bold color choices and textures this year in flooring.}
FURNITURE
{I love the color and pattern on this rose storage ottoman/table with glass top and nailhead trim by Lilly Pulitzer. This ottoman blends functionality and beauty effortlessly and is super fun, bright and flirty. It would be a welcome addition to any room where you want to brighten it up by adding a bold splash of color.}
ECO-FRIENDLY
{Livinglass, presents Fresh, their first non-laminated line of decorative glass. Highly customizable, Fresh draws inspiration from natural and geometric forms. Patterns are available in a wide variety of stunning finishes and are 100 percent recycled. I am loving the gold etching pictured above.}
KITCHEN & BATH
{The Bisazza Bagno Organico bathtub in methacrylate rests its high-gloss white varnished wooden frame on delicate legs that Spanish designer Jaime Hayon describes as “feminine.” The Organico line—which includes washbasins, washbasin tables, shower walls, cabinets, mirrors, and wall lamps in white or black—embodies Hayon’s vision of 1930s glamour in the modern bath.}
LIGHTING
{This coral ceramic wall sconce with polished-chrome backplate by Jesco Lighting Group is the perfect lighting choice to jazz up your interior.}
OUTDOOR
{I love the idea of creating an outdoor retreat. The Zen space-creating system by Ludovica and Roberto Palomba consists of furniture, lighting, structural elements, and even kitchen and bath modules that can easily be reconfigured. Handmade in Italy, the line is dominated by red cedar, while Sunbrella dresses the shades and plump seating.}
TEXTILES
{Trina Turk proves she’s a woman for all seasons with Beauty Bark. Showcasing the graphic sensibility and California spirit that mark the designer’s clothing line, the 54-inch-wide indoor-outdoor acrylic upholstery fabric comes in six sun-kissed shades: Cerise, Laguna, Sulfur, Jet, Violet, and Ocean. For more modern and sophisticated patterns infused with subtle texture and fashion-derived color palettes by Trina Turk visit F. Schumacher & Co.; its cold out today but these fabrics will have you feeling the warmth of spring.}
WALLCOVERINGS
{Marcel Wander’s four-pattern Whispers collection pits soft velvet decoration against rough-textured paper, like the winged nymphs dancing across damask on Forest Muses. It’s an update in sensibility but also practicality, as the 20 ½-inch-wide rolls can be cleaned with a wet sponge. I am a huge fan of damask prints and the texture, rich color and intricate design detail in this wall paper would dazzle on a bedroom wall. For more info on this line, check out Graham & Brown.}
I hope this list of new products gives you some valuable insight on what is to come this year in interior design, and inspires you to infuse some of these beauties into your own redesign efforts this year.
If you’d like help creating a beautiful home or office you love, contact me today to learn how easy it is to get started.
Gleam Clean: Starting Your New Year off Right
I recently wrote a blog post for Ask Miss A on Savy Storage Ideas for the New Year that was published this week. Décor by Denise also had a video released this week on about.com that discusses some creative storage solutions and ideas that you must check out. At this time of year when decorations are coming down, ornaments and wreaths are being stored and outdoor lights are packed away for next year, creative storage is key.
The holidays wreak havoc on your home and this is the time to not only storage away items for next year, but also clean out those cobwebs, dust surface areas and polish silver before putting it away. Elle Décor recently published an article on designer cleaning secrets. I really liked some of their ideas so I thought I’d share them with you…plus a few more I’ve come across. Let’s start 2012 completely uncluttered, organized and CLEAN – your home (and your family) will thank you. Let’s take a look!
{Elle Decor recommends these Cape Cod metal polishing cloths and I could not agree more. I ordered some online to polish my silver and I love them. They are great for those quick polishes before you have guests over or in between major home cleanings. These cloths work wonderfully on candlesticks, sterling doorknobs, lamps with silver fittings and silver hardware.}
{I have a small laundry space so I love this next idea! RealSimple.com recommends using a clear shoe holder over the back of your laundry room door to house cleaning products. This makes them easily visible, out-of-the-way and organized.}
{Round up all those singleton socks you have lying around, place them in a designated bin and use them for your dusting. Simply wear them on your hand like a glove and wipe away. This has been a cleaning tool in my family for years. Socks also work great for polishing shoes.}
{If you have not discovered Mr. Clean Magic Erasers yet, you are missing out! These water-activated micro-scrubbers are a staple in my home. They can be used on walls, baseboards, floors, switch plates, blinds and more. They effortlessly remove scuff marks and dirt and can be found at your local grocer.}
{In an effort to be more “green” I have searched for more natural cleaning products without all the chemicals. White distilled vinegar is a popular household cleanser, effective for killing most mold, bacteria, and germs, due to its level of acidity. Vinegartips.com has 1001 uses for household vinegar. My favorite tip is meant to clean your garbage disposal which can produce an unpleasant odor from time to time. Deodorize and clean the garbage disposal with white distilled vinegar ice cubes. Make them by freezing full-strength white distilled vinegar in an ice-cube tray. Run several cubes down the disposal while flushing with cold water.}
{Window treatments are often the anchor in a room. Upon hanging window treatments in a client’s home I often get asked, “So, how do I clean these?” It may seem like a daunting task, but if you have a vacuum with a brush detachment you are in luck. Gently go over the surface area of your window treatments with the hose of your vacuum – brush attached. If you do not have the brush attachment, place pantyhose over the end of the hose, it will work just as well.}
{I will end this journey where it started, a recommendation from our friends at Elle Decor. Ms. Meyer’s is a collection of household products with essential oils from flowers and herbs that smell nice, but really pack a punch against daily dirt and grime. Their garden fresh scents include Lavender, Lemon Verbena, Basil, and Geranium. All earth friendly, cruelty-free and not tested on animals. I especially love the packaging and the consideration this company has for animals.}
I hope you find these cleaning tips as useful as I do. Remember, you can’t tackle purging, cleaning and re-organizing in one day – but, if you get started now your house will be sparking like new come spring.
If you’d like help creating a beautiful room in your house or office, contact me today to learn how easy it is to get started.
Tango with Tangerine
Out with the old, in with the new! Pantone, the world-renowned authority on color announced it’s 2012 Color of the Year: Pantone 17-1463 Tangerine Tango. Think of the fiery red shades radiating from a sunset combined with the soft yellow undertones of a candle’s glow. The 2012 color pick is meant to form a high visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.
Fashion designers Nanette Lepore, Ellie Tahari and Tory Burch, to name a few, have already introduced this sultry orange into their spring fashion lines. It’s only natural that fashion will transcend into our homes. As an interior designer this excites me! I have enjoyed using various shades of orange in my clients homes for years, but now I have the authority on color, Pantone, to back me up when I suggest accents of tangerine in a color consult.
Let’s take a look at how we can use this color in your home.
{I love the orange fabric embellishment on this chair, adorned with a nautical ornament. What a great way to dress up your spring or summer dinner party.}
So, there’s a little preview into how this vibrant, bold new color will be infused into home decor this year. 2012 is sure to be a bright year thanks to our friends at Pantone. The Washingtonian just did a wonderful article on how to infuse this color into you home. Check it our! And, for more inspiration on this fabulous color, check out this post by Style Bistro. I hope I have inspired you to tango with tangerine (silly Denise humor)!
If you’d like help creating abeautiful room in your house or office, contact me today to learn how easy it is to get started.
A Sneak Peek at My TV Appearance Today on Wallpaper!
Tomorrow I will appear on Let’s Talk Live (local DC-based talk show on ABC affiliate, News Channel 8), which airs from 11am-12pm every week day. My topic tomorrow is one of the hottest trends for 2012…wallpaper! Most people cringe when I mention wallpaper, but I’m not talking about your mother’s outdated, archaic wallpaper with fruit and dated florals. Wallpaper today has taken on a whole new life and I am using it everywhere these days in my designs. For those of you who cannot tune in tomorrow, I thought I would share a sneak peek of what I will be talking about. I hope after seeing some of the latest wallpaper designs and innovative ways to use it, you will be as excited as I am to wallpaper the world!
Today’s manufacturers have really turned up the “heat” so to speak with the wallpaper options they are offering, making them irresistible to homeowners who are looking to add a little extra twist to their walls. Today’s sophisticated wall coverings include beaded papers like those from Maya Romanoff (called Bedazzled), mother of pearl collections, bold geometrics, metallics that look like faux finishes, and even papers embellished with Swarovski crystals, yes Swarovski! Here are a few of my favorite wall covering collections that use all kinds of amazing materials and finishes…
{Maya Romanoff’s Bedazzled Collection. I LOVE this stuff! We have samples you can peruse through in our studio.}
{Here is a hand-dyed paper from Romanoff’s studios that is embellished with stitching to look like leather. Wouldn’t this look great in a Belgian Chic-inspired room like those seen in Restoration Hardware? I love this paper and can’t wait to use it on an upcoming client project.}
{For those of you who love Mother of Pearl, Maya Romanoff offers a lavish option for your walls. Truly decadent!}
{Here is a Carl Robinson collection that is cork that is flecked with a metallic finish and finished off with the large pattern. Isn’t it stunning and truly unique? Carl Robinson offers some amazing wall covering options. If you love wallpaper, you definitely want to check out his site.}
{This Romanoff creation is made out of wool, yes wool. It is a great option for something unique and totally unexpected on your walls.}
{This Adore Collection by Kandola is truly one of the most expensive and extravagent wallpaper options on the market in that it is embellished with Swarovski crystals, yes Swarovski! This choice is definitely not for the faint of heart.}
Not only is wallpaper making a comeback with all the new textures and finishes, but also we are using it in new and distinct ways to dress up the home and offices we work on.
{Here is an example of a house we completed last year in the Pallisades in DC where we dressed up the ceiling with this stunning wallpaper from Seabrook. Doesn’t it look like a faux finish? This type of look historically could only be achieved with paint and a very talented decorative painter, but today, it is a breeze with wallpaper. Our wallpaper hanger extraordinaire, Ami Byers of Byers Wallpaper & Painting, made this ceiling really shine!}
{Here is another example of how to use wallpaper to create a strong focal point or accent wall. This nursery was done by Sarah Willis who works on my staff for a personal friend of hers. The homeowner wanted to add a little drama to the space, without going too over the top, and wanted the nursery to have a more “grown-up” feel to it. This Seabrook wallpaper was just the answer she was looking for! Way to go Sarah; the room is stunning!}
{This photo demonstrates one of the more creative ways to use wallpaper—at the back of shelving to make it pop! I absolutely love geometrics and this wall unit is to die for with the addition of the wall covering. Don’t you think?}
{As an avid pet lover, I ABSOLUTElY ADORE this last idea. Here is a wallpaper line that can be custom-made to suit your whimsy. If you look closely, this paper is modeled after the cute little dog who is sitting in the chair. This is a new trend that is starting to take off and I can’t wait to use it on an upcoming client project! This particular wall covering is offered through Eleanor Grosch.}
I hope you will tune in tomorrow to get all the details, but if you can’t, we will be posting the video on our YouTube Channel as soon as it is available.
Have a blissful and happy weekend!
If you’d like help creating a beautiful room in your house or office, contact me today to learn how easy it is to get started.
Let’s Talk Live Appearance this Friday!
Don’t miss my discussion Friday, January 6th on Let’s Talk Live which airs on channel 8 at 11AM. I will be discussing 2012′s hottest design trend: wallpaper! I hope you will tune in.
If you miss it, we will be posting the videos very soon here, on our website and on our youtube channel. My previous guest appearances on Let’s Talk Live and my decorating videos have already been posted on our youtube channel for you to view. Be sure to check them out and I hope you will tune in Friday!
If you’d like help creating a beautiful room in your house or office, contact me today to learn how easy it is to get started.
Our Holiday Celebration…Both Merry & Bright
This year Décor by Denise hosted its very first holiday party in our new studio in the heart of Vienna, VA. I had planned to share this post with you before Christmas, but with all the holiday travel, parties, shopping and preparation…I am running a bit behind.
To celebrate the holidays with our colleagues, clients and friends we decided on a cookie swap and white elephant gift exchange; this made for some great cookies and some amazing presents! We decked out our office in holiday garb, invited our guests, and enjoyed great food and conversation. Here are a few of the highlights.
{First, we decorated our studio for the season. With the decorations up and the Christmas music on, our office was transformed from our place of work, to a festive party environment where our guests could relax and get in the holiday spirit. We had our guests put their white elephant gifts under the tree until we were ready to start the gift exchange.}
{As guests arrived we placed their cookies on the “swap table.” A cookie exchange is a great way to simplify your holiday baking. Invite a group of friends and have each person make 3-4 dozen of their favorite holiday cookie. At the party, sample the treats, then trade and package them in appealing assortments. We made personalized holiday cookie bags with our logo on them for guests to gather their treats to take home.}
{Another great idea (if space allows) is to set up a packing station. Guests will be able to decorate their own cookie boxes and later distribute their tasty packages as gifts. White boxes, ribbons, twine, glue, scissors, stickers, glitter and baking papers should be just the right ingredients to get your party-goers creative juices flowing. Source: marthastewart.com.}
Last year I participated in Janus et Cie’s holiday cookie party where I had to not only bake my favorite cookie, but also had to decorate a cookie box. Both were judged by local experts. It was a lot of fun and provided a unique twist on the traditional cookie exchange party.
But, I digress…back to our party…
{After sampling cookies we started our white elephant gift exchange. I had a little helper. Gina’s son, Chase, assisted me in opening my present. Gina is our new marketing director and has been a big asset to the Decor by Denise team. The group debated over weather the small or large packages would reap more reward. I chose a medium sized package and was pleasantly surprised with my gift. What was it you ask? Only the season’s hottest trend…FUR! Chase is absolutely adorable.}
{Here is part of the gift I took home…a fur wine stole from Pottery Barn. Isn’t it stunning? I love it!!! It is the best secret Santa gift I have ever received.}
{Here, Sarah and I are demonstrating to our guests how the cute little stole works. Perfect, my wine will be all dressed-up this holiday season!}
{Sarah received another highly sought after gift, embroidered hand towels from guest Kaire Biberaj of European Design, Inc. Sarah didn’t get to hold onto them long as her gift was picked to be traded.}
{The fun continued as more guests opened presents, some silly, some homemade and some edible. Here Patty (from DirectConnect, our credit card processing company), opens up her gift.}
We had a wonderful time celebrating the holidays together in our new space. We sincerely hope your celebrations this holiday season were both merry and bright.
If you’d like help creating a beautiful room in your house or office, contact me today to learn how easy it is to get started.
Don’t Forget Your Furry Friends
It’s common practice to make your neighbors a baked good during the holidays. But, have you considered their four-legged family members? They like treats too! I know my dogs, Jake (a 15 pound Chihuahua-Pug mix) and Edward (a 6 pound black and white Chihuahua) go absolutely crazy when they even remotely hear words that sound like “treats.” So, this holiday season I decided to delight the dogs in my life with some homemade doggie treats.
I looked for a recipe online that received high ratings from reviewers. Since I could not taste test the results, I had to rely on the reviews of others who has tested the treats on their dogs. Here’s the recipe I decided on from allrecipes.com (I added a few tweaks below):
Yummy Dog Biscuits
- 1 cup rolled oats (this is just loose oatmeal)
- 1/3 cup margarine
- 1 cup boiling water
- 3/4 cup cornmeal
- 2 teaspoons white sugar
- 1/3 cup peanut butter (this was an addition recommended by a reviewer)
- 1/2 cup chicken broth (again, this was another addition that was recommended instead of the milk that the original recipe called for)
- 1 egg beaten
- 3 cups whole wheat flour
I actually doubled the recipe because we wanted to provide treats to quite a few furry friends, but just one batch will do if you only need enough treats for 2-3 dogs.
Directions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). In a large bowl, combine rolled oats, margarine and boiling water. Let stand 10 minutes. Grease cookie sheets (I used the leftover margarine stick and had my little helpers smear it onto the sheets).
- Thoroughly mix cornmeal, sugar, chicken broth, peanut butter and egg. Mix in flour, 1 cup at a time, until a stiff dough has formed.
- Knead dough on a lightly floured surface, mixing in additional flour as necessary until dough is smooth and no longer sticky. Roll or pat out dough to 1/2″ thickness. Cut with cookie cutter (I used holiday shapes–christmas trees, snowflakes, candy canes–and a standard dog bone cookie cutter that I purchased at Micheals for our treats), and place them approximately 1″ apart onto the prepared cookie sheets.
- Bake 35 to 45 minutes (our oven required 40 minutes) in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Cool before serving. Store in a loosely covered container.
With recipe and ingredients in hand, I worked one Sunday afternoon with a friend’s little ones to make the treats for my dogs, their dog and their neighbor’s dogs.
Way before baking day I had visited Michaels and found these adorable containers that I thought would be perfect for storing our treats and giving them out as gifts.
{Here’s one of the containers, santa! Isn’t he adorable? This one was slated for the kid’s dog, a black lab. Other containers we used were a court jester and a gingerbread man–all super cute! These containers really made our gifts come to life!}
I also purchased several cookie cutters in the shapes of Christmas trees, snowflakes, candy canes and dog bones to make our treats look extra special. With all the ingredients purchased and the containers and cookie cutters bought, we were ready to start the baking process.
{After mixing in all the ingredients, we were ready to start rolling out the dough. Here the kids are working on the first batch. The rolling of the dough was super fun for the kids.}
{Here we are using our Christmas cookie cutters to make shapes out of the dough. This was the first one completed. We were so excited!!! (especially because the first batch I tried was a total flop…because I forgot to use the proper amount of flour to keep the dough from sticking to the wax paper… so the dough stuck and never got unstuck. I had to throw it all away and start all over…not fun!}
{After cutting and cooking, 40 minutes later…voila…the finished product! This was our first batch. This process went on for 3.5 hours, yes, 3.5 hours to complete all the cookies and the kids never tired. It was a lot of fun to see how excited they got throughout the process. They were quite the little bakers.}
{No baking job is successful without a taste-test. Since none of us was willing to test the treats, we decide to unleash my furry guys and let ‘em at it. Here’s little Edward scarfing down his first treat. Success! Our first customer loves them! When we delivered the first batch to the neighbor’s dog he kept sniffing under the tree where his family put his treats and wouldn’t stop until someone opened the container and gave him a sample. We were thrilled at his response.}
I had a wonderful time sharing this activity with the kids and our doggie friends loved their Christmas treats. This holiday season, if you are looking to fill a few puppy stockings, try these doggie biscuits – they were a grand slam in our neighborhood. Happy Holidays!
If you’d like help creating a beautiful room in your house or office, contact me today to learn how easy it is to get started.
