Williams Sonoma

Add Some Scottish Influence With Houndstooth Home Decor

Anna Yu on Nov 24, 2009 4:27 PM PST

Houndstooth always reminds me of Sherlock Holmes and pants that chefs always wear, but lately I've been seeing it in a variety of places. The print may have originated in the woven wool cloth of the Scottish Lowlands, but it has universal appeal in any way you can find the print whether it's on clothing or furniture. In the home, it can be an unexpected accent amidst monochrome colors or even floral prints. Don't be afraid to mix and match because it can definitely work as a neutral. Add some to your dining room table with the Houndstooth Placemats found at World Market for less than $6 for a set of 4! For a more subtle houndstooth print, go for the Anywhere Sofa in Modern Houndstooth which features a teeny tiny houndstooth pattern. Click on my slideshow to see more!

Tags : williams sonoma , urban outfitters , rug , pillow

The Top 10 Must Haves For Your Turkey Day Table!

Anna Yu on Nov 16, 2009 10:18 AM PST

Thanksgiving is just around the corner and before you think about all the Black Friday deals out there, there's the actual Thanksgiving Day to think of first! Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it's one of the few times of the year where my entire extended family comes together for a whole day filled with delicious food. We may have the conventional turkey and cranberry sauce, but my family has been known to roll some sushi rolls or add some stir fry noodles to the mix. If you're starting your own Thanksgiving traditions this year, I'm here to provide the basics for a foolproof holiday from thermometers to serveware. If you have no idea where to start, grab a copy of The New Thanksgiving Table at Crate & Barrel for some creative recipes. Thanksgiving is also all about the decorations so I like things that can do double duty such as the uber cute Pheasant Gravy Boat! Check out my slideshow for more Thanksgiving necessities!

Tags : williams sonoma , tools , thanksgiving dinner , thanksgiving

Add Some Charm To Your Fall Kitchen With A Teapot!

Anna Yu on Oct 12, 2009 2:20 PM PDT

Instead of waking up to the smell of freshly brewed coffee in the morning, I like to pour myself a cup of hot tea and enjoy some buttered toast. Maybe I was British in a past life or maybe it's the fact that coffee has the opposite effect on me, but I do love tea. However, even the best tea leaves need to be brought to their full potential with piping hot water. That's why a whistling teakettle full of boiling water poured into a teapot with tea leaves--never tea bags--can be almost as relaxing as a day at a spa. If you still have an old one your mom passed onto you that's full of nicks and dents, it's high time for an upgrade. One of my favorite and affordable options is this classic stainless steel teakettle from World Market, a steal at less than $20. If you're looking to splurge, this teakettle designed by Frank Gehry for Alessi is a design snob's dream. I even found some electric kettles so you don't have to watch over the stove. And of course, these tea kettles can also be used to heat up water for your instant noodle cups. Check out my slideshow for more teakettles that will have you whistling while you work too!

Tags : world market , williams sonoma , unica home , teakettle

Sitting Pretty: Chic And Comfortable Tufted Furniture

Anna Yu on Sep 17, 2009 10:08 AM PDT

Unlike many of my friends, I actually like firm furniture and beds. If I sleep on a soft and mushy bed, I wake up with a sore back. Guess I could blame it on my semester abroad in Taiwan where I slept on a bamboo mat for four months. Hard as a rock beds and wooden furniture are now my priorities when shopping for my home. That's when I discovered the beauty of tufted furniture! I know tufted pieces can seem really old fashioned and taken right out of Versailles, but I can imagine just getting one or two and having it look super chic with my minimalist (read: IKEA) furniture. Best of all, it's a nice balance between firm and soft. I really like the convertible couch found over at PB Teen which doubles as a sofa and a full size bed, and this velvet ottoman from Brocade Home which does triple duty as an ottoman, coffee table, and extra seating. I can imagine Goldilocks finding tufted furniture "just right." Take a look at my slideshow for more!

Tags : wisteria , williams sonoma , tufted furniture , tufted

10 Outdoor Entertaining Tools You Need For The 4th Of July ...

Anna Yu on Jun 30, 2009 8:21 AM PDT

The 4th of July is rapidly approaching and I've been busy figuring out how I'm going to go to all the barbecue parties and picnics I said I'd go to! (I mean, how could I say no to juicy burgers, grilled veggies and cold drinks with all my friends and family?) Anyway, I know I have plenty of capable people who can work the grill as well as Bobby Flay so I can definitely count on a delicious meal. They've got the grill and the charcoal ready, but the last time I went to an outdoor grilling party, I noticed that all their tools have seen better days. I'm looking to replace their ratty and singed oven mitts with a suede bbq grilling mitt instead. There are some things that they didn't know they need too like the magic seasoning sheets that lay on the perfect flavor. For more outdoor entertaining tools that will make your 4th of July (and beyond!) tastier, check out my slideshow!

Tags : williams sonoma , summer , restoration hardware , pottery barn

Father's Day Gifts For The Gourmet Foodie

Anna Yu on Jun 4, 2009 8:29 AM PDT

Father's Day may be on June 21, but it's never too early to starting thinking about what to give him. Is he the kind of dad whose favorite room in the house is the kitchen? Does he like to try out new recipes or know exactly which wine to pair with each dish? Then forget the tie tacks or golf clubs, your foodie father would love something that would appeal to his gourmet taste. If he already has his dream grill and you can't pry him out of the deck on nice days, then consider getting him a monogram steak brand and carving board that will have him feeling even prouder about his grilling abilities. And if he likes to kick back and enjoy a nice cold beer, maybe he should consider making his own beer with a homebrew kit. Check out my slideshow for more gift ideas for dads who like to enjoy the finer things in life.

Tags : wine , williams sonoma , restoration hardware , gourmet