5 days. 5 Amazing Small Spaces.

Setting the Mood - Fireplaces for Small Spaces

I've been indulging with candlelit evenings for the past month or so. With the stress of the holidays nothing beats rolling up in a warm blanket, a cup of cocoa, and the glow of a few candles. There are days I wish I had a fireplace to set the mood, especially during the holidays. So I got to searching and found some really awesome portable fireplaces perfect for petite places.

I am going to start with my absolute favourite! Piet by Fredrick Hylten-Cavallius, is a chimney free indoor stove with gorgeous brass reflectors lining the inside. This beauty burns using ethanol fuel instead of wood which is ideal for us small space dweller since we do not have worry about storing logs. So chic. I am a definite fan!

Next is this sleek number. The Ghost Fireplace by EcoSmart Fire is strikingly elegant. Its reflective glass panels allows the fire to be seen from all angles and is a winner is a small space because it literally takes up no visual space. This almost invisible, environmentally friendly option is a winner in my books.

For the extreme space challenged, the HOTPOT from Conmoto is a great alternative. It is a mobile fireplace for your table or sideboard and almost looks like a ice bucket. This small fire pot can be carried by its handle to set the mood wherever you want. Not to mention that the fire can be extinguished by simply cover it. I likey!

Another table topper is this ceramic log shaped fireplace. Brasa Fire Avani Portable Bio Ethanol Fireplace from All Modern is a simple and modern way to set the mood. This piece can be used indoor and outdoor and has a slim stainless steel burner that instantly screams modernly chic.

For those of you who have kids or just don't like the idea of an open flame. I though this next idea was totally cute. A bit of canvas, curtain rod and some chalkboard paint and voilà! Seriously...

For now I am going to stick with my candles but maybe Santa will leave one of these in my stocking this Christmas! I'll have to wait and see.

Happy Friday #SS Dwellers!!

The Painted Bench

So, I'm about a week or so away from finishing my "Single Girl" bachelor apartment and I am really excited to introduce you to Ashely (the single girl) and her newly decorated bachelor apartment. I just need to tweak a few things and find a piece or two. One of the pieces I have been looking for was a bench for her desk, but couldn't find what I was looking for. So, I decided to pass along a piece that I had bought from a second hand shop about a year ago. When I bought it it was peach and brown and of course needed to be revived. I reupholstered the top with a fun black and white striped fabric, painted the base to match the striped fabric and added a hot pink colour on the inside.

To fit Ashley's place, I knew I had to change the piece to compliment her new colour scheme of purple and grey. Since I was unable to find fabric that I liked, I decided to paint the bench (and the fabric) to go with what I have already introduced into her space.  After three coats of paint, this bench is going to fit right in. Can't wait for you all to see her space!

Tips from She Bakes - Holiday Baking in a “Petite Four” Kitchenette

With the holidays just around the corner, my tiny kitchen gets put to work with all the entertaining of friends and family. I'd like to think that I can 'throw down' when it come to baking, but the truth is that my cookies always turn out unintentionally hard and things that should be sweet somehow end up either salty or bitter...lol Not to mention that I can sometimes feel the baking heat with the space constraints and limited counter space since I like to spread out all my ingredients before hand. 

This is why I've look to the expert! Pastry Chef, Jacqueline Young-Sterling of She Bakes shares with us some of her tips on how to bake it up this holiday season in your small kitchen. I for one will definitely be integrating these into my next baking attempts. Maybe next time my cookies will not turn out so salty. Have a great Tuesday Small Space Dwellers!

Sending love,

 Tip #1 : Make eggnog! It’ll help get you in the holiday spirit. Everything bakes better with alcohol!

Recipe #1 (for the unequipped kitchen)

1 store bought carton of eggnog

1 bottle of brandy, bourbon or rum

Pour a glass of eggnog, add alcohol of you choice to taste!

Recipe #2 (for the equipped kitchen)

4 egg yolks

1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon

1 pint whole milk

1 cup heavy cream

3 (or so..) ounces brandy, bourbon or rum

1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

4 egg whites

In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Set aside. In a medium saucepan, over high heat, combine the milk, heavy cream and nutmeg and bring to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and gradually temper the hot mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Then return everything to the pot and cook until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the heat, stir in the alcohol, pour into a medium mixing bowl, and set in the refrigerator to chill. In a medium mixing bowl, beat the egg whites to soft peaks. With the mixer running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form. Whisk the egg whites into the chilled mixture.

Tip #2 - Clean up!!

Nothing makes a work space feel smaller than clutter. Clean up and do all the dishes before you start baking and don't forget to clear up as much counter space as possible. Once finished reward yourself with some more eggnog, and run a fresh sink of clean dish water so you can clean as you go. You’ll thank me later!

Tip #3 - Set the mood and prepare for baking

Turn on some holiday music (or tunes of your choice)! Have another glass of egg nog...

For the unequipped kitchen

- open your oven

- take out the shoes, extra bedding and cobwebs

- youtube how to turn on your oven

For the equipped kitchen

- open your oven

- empty it out

- pre-heat (you got this!)

  

Tip #4 - Let's Bakes

Gingerbread snaps are a timeless holidays treat! Easy for both starter and first time bakers!

Recipe #1 (for the unequipped kitchen)

Buy a mix

Follow directions

Recipe #2 (for the equipped kitchen)

1 cup packed dark brown sugar

¼ cup molasses

2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 teaspoon baking powder

1/4 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

1 3/4 teaspoon ground ginger

1 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground cloves

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted

1 egg

1 cup white sugar ( for rolling )

Whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl add in ginger, cinnamon and cloves whisk until evenly combined. Cream your brown sugar, molasses and butter together, cream for 2-4 minutes, add egg, cream for an additional minute. Add the rest of your dry ingredients and mix until just combined (no longer than 1 minute)

To make the cookies, preheat oven to 350°F. Roll dough into balls the size of large marbles, toss in white sugar, and place an inch apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake in the middle of the oven until firm and lightly browned on edges, about 14 minutes. Transfer cookies to racks to cool. Drink some more eggnog you’re doing well!

Tip #5 - Organize!

While your cookies are baking and you’ve done most of your washing up, have a look around your kitchen, have a sip of egg nog, and get organized. The real key to baking (or working) in small space is organization! Once a month I take all my dry storage out of the cupboards (I only have two cupboards for dry storage), give them a wipe and reorganize them to make more space. Ever notice that the word “organize” is only one letter away from “organic”? The more organized your space is, the more organic it will feel to work in!

Tip #6 - Storage

In our space (660 square feet, with no locker) we have had to find storage solutions. I have to keep A LOT of baking supplies around my kitchen and I simply do not have the cupboard space to store it all. To solve this, I’ve collected a few large mason jars over the years and keep my flours, sugar, rolled oats, cornmeal, cocoa powder, rice, pasta and much more in them! They are are all on display on an open shelf  that I also keep my stacked pots and pans on.

Tip #7 - Don't burn the cookies

If you haven't already, don't forget to check on your cookies! You don't want to overbake these little beauties! You may have to adjust the baking time plus or minus one minute depending on your oven. Also, if you want a crispier cookie, replace half the butter with shortening.

Tip #8 - Enjoy

Turn off your oven, your tiny spaces heats up quickly when that baby is running! Then phone up some friends and invite them over for eggnog and cookies!!

Happy Holidays

love,

She Bakes

www.shesbaking.com

Please don't drink and drive

Decorating My 800 Sq. Ft. for the Holidays

Happy Monday All! 15 days until Christmas!!

I love this time of year! Festivities, time with loved ones and great food. What more can you ask for. This weekend I started by making apple cider (well boiling water and throwing in 2 tsp of the cider mix), gluing my television to back to back holiday movie channel and putting up my Christmas decorations. For a couple weeks now I've been eyeing this gorgeous white feather tree but decided not to get it. I already have 3 trees (two of which are in storage) and to buy a fourth would be pushing it. I also have enough ornaments to decorate a small village. Well maybe not a small village, but more than what sees the light during the holiday season. So no new ornaments either this year. I did however pick up these great metal gift boxes from our favourite second hand store, the double V, and a metal deer head with antlers. This year I am carried my fall browns and caramels into winter and added sparkle with gold and silver accents.

I always a few things here and there as Christmas approaches but I share with you some of my weekend decoration additions. Hope you like!

Diamonds are Forever. Emeralds are for 2013.

The verdict is out! PANTONE has released the 2013 colour of the year. PANTONE 17-5641 Emerald - "Lively, radiant, lush. A vivid verdant green which enhances our sense of well-being and promotes balance and harmony. Most often associated with brilliant, precious gemstones, the perception of Emerald is sophisticated and luxurious." ( - PANTONE)