Melt in Your Mouth

I love chocolate. It's an unabashed affair. One taste of the {high quality} stuff is like a good kiss - all seems right with the world when you have even just a little - and yet it's a fleeting feeling that leaves you wanting more.


images via aubrey road and that kind of woman

This kitchen, on the other hand gives you everything you need all at once. Creamy chocolate brown floors, dark chocolaty smooth counter tops and a peak into the treasures it hides behind it's milky white chocloate doors. My mouth is watering just looking at it.

You may not be able to have this kitchen. But you can have chocolate - you can even make your own little bite of heaven. I feel a Saturday morning cooking project coming on!

Fig & Ginger Chocolate Truffles {via the Food Network}
2 cups dried black mission figs, or other dried figs (about 8 ounces)
1/4 cup crystallized ginger (about 2 ounces)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon honey
2 1/2 ounces dark chocolate (60 to 70 percent cocoa solids), chopped

Directions
Remove the stems from the figs and discard. Put the figs, ginger, cinnamon and honey in a food processor and process for about 45 seconds, until the ingredients are finely chopped and begin to stick together.


Roll the fig mixture with your hands into heaping teaspoon-sized balls and set them on a baking sheet or plate lined with waxed paper.

Place a small bowl over a saucepan, containing barely simmering water, over low heat Make sure the water is at least 2 inches from the bottom of the bowl. Place half the chocolate in the bowl and stir until it is melted. Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the remaining chocolate. Stir until all the chocolate is melted. Remove the bowl containing the chocolate from the pan.

Roll the fig balls into the melted chocolate 1 or 2 at a time, until they are all covered. Place them back on the waxed paper and chill in the refrigerator until set, about 15 minutes. Serve at room temperature.

Rockin' Rochas

Ahhhh, to live the life of a supermodel. Well, really, just to live in the home of one. I'm loving Coco Rochas' NYC apartment.

The views. The vintage vibe. And the fabulous glamour. Did you catch the YSL "yove saved la rent" piggy bank?!

And we don't even get to see her closet. I can only imagine! Le sigh.

Sweet and Savory Tasty Tuesday

As the hunt for yummy kitchen inspiration continues, the basics that always keep me coming back. Fresh white cabinents, sleek and supple marble counters, a sprinkling of open shelves and absolutely dilectable square undermount sinks (i'm officially letting my obsession with apron sinks go, too played out I'm afraid!) are like comfort food for home design.

This kitchen encompass all the taste treats I'm looking for. I just want to dive right in and start rolling out some dough!





kitchen via house beautiful, treats by canelle et vanille and house beautiful

And now that Fall is offically in full force it's time to celebrate the classic flavors of the season. These apple sage muffins and pumpkin cupcakes would do the trick quite nicely. I'm not sure if the kitchen or the treats whet my appetite more!

Apple, Gruyere and Sage Muffins
makes 6 muffins plus a loaf
1 cup (150 grams) superfine brown rice flour
1/2 cup (75 grams)millet flour
2 Tbs (30 grams) potato starch
2 Tbs (20 grams) tapioca starch
1/3 cup (70 grams) cane sugar
1 tsp (8 grams) baking powder
1/2 tsp (3 grams) baking soda
1/2 tsp (5 grams) salt
1/4 tsp xanthan gum
1 Tbs fresh sage, finely chopped
1 cup (55 grams) shredded Gruyere
1 egg
1 cup (250 ml) buttermilk
1/4 cup (55 ml) olive oil
2 apples, peeled and small diced
Extra shredded Gruyere for topping


In a large bowl, whisk together the first 11 ingredients. In a small bowl, whisk together the egg, buttermilk and olive oil. Add the wet ingredients to the dry and mix until combined. Fold in the diced apples.


Scoop batter into molds. Bake at 400F for 20 minutes for the muffins and 40 minutes for the loaf.

Pumpkin Cupcakes with Maple Frosting

Makes 10 cupcakes
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
2 extra-large eggs, at room temperature
1 cup canned pumpkin purée (8 ounces), not pie filling
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Maple Frosting (recipe follows)
1/2 cup coarsely chopped Heath bars, for serving (2 1.4-ounce bars)

Color Me Happy

Because it's finally Friday! And it's sunny...and over 70 degrees in Seattle...on October 1st! Is this the twighlight zone? Wait, no don't answer that. I'm so looking forward to a bright and beautiful fall-color filled weekend!



colorful room via decorista, nicely hued looks chris benz rtw spring 2011

I'm all about color inspiration right now. Colors for our new bathroom (we're picking tile and vanities tomorrow), color inspiration for a friend's wedding, and new color ideas to carry us into a new month. I'm in the mood to mix, match and go for a bit of the unexpected.

I hope you've gotten some good inspiration from Apartment 34's September sponsors. If you haven't checked out Sugarcomb Event Design, Bella Card Company, Wendy Mink Jewelry, Dace Clothing and Stella & Dot be sure you do! Each one provides their own brand of bright and shiny eye candy.

Happy Friday luvies!

If you would like to reach thousands of editors, writers, stylish bloggers and style savvy readers around the world, then consider sponsoring Apartment 34! 



We are offering a holiday season special for feature sponsorships. Email apt34(at)gmail(dot)com for more information and current rates!

Dark Floor Deliciousness

This Tasty Tuesday I'm switching my focus from my favorite foods to rooms so good you'll want to devour them.

As our home remodel planning moves forward my obsession with dark floors only grows deeper. Maybe it's the rapidly shortening days and the impending desire to hibernate.



images via livet hemma (from ikea btw!) and plush palate

Or that dark floor infuse a shot of sexy into a room that I just cannot get enough of. Or maybe it's just the simple fact that this kitchen is too damn fabulous.


Ok, I think it's official then. We have to pull the trigger. Dark hard woods for the new floors it is.

One home renovation decision made! One million to go...

I've Got a Crush

On home renovation inspiration. We'll be breaking the seal on redoing our entire house when we return from NYC so I'm banking all the tear sheets I can find right now! I think my vision is starting to come together.

I have a crush on dark floors in bright white kitchens,



on tufted ottomans for my future living room,



on a eclectic mantle,



on sweet vignettes in unexpected places,



on perfectly packed gallery walls,



on subtly sultry bedrooms that use my favorite shade of grey,



And on every girl's dream closet!



Swoon, right?! Now I'll have to see how we put all of these different puzzle pieces together. It'll certainly be an adventure worth sharing!

Pretty It Up With Pattern

Maybe it's the sudden infusion of vitamin d from the Portland sun, but I'm totally drawn to energetic patterns right now. Ask my husband - not my norm! It's certainly an easy way to make a bold statement without saying a thing.

pillows via bestill, dresses catherine malandrino resort 2011, chair via elite leather company

I've long been a fan of using pillows to reengerize any tired room. The tiny investment can result in big change to the space. And a dress with a fabulous print is an instant outfit. No mixing and matching required. Throw on, go out and be the life of the party. While a statement piece of furniture may be a bit harder to pull off, it's such a great way to break the matched set habit. 

Because sometimes you just get tired of being quite, right?

A Bright Shine

This summer we're going to be turning our sights to a new project - home renovation! I've been banking inspiration (for years!) and it will be fun to actually implement some of my long time fantasies for a dream home.

One of my latest loves is high gloss floors.

photos via greige

I think it gives such a lovely touch of a glamour to a space! I'm not entirely sure if they're puppy friendly - I'll leave that to the husband to figure out. I just know I like the shine!

I'm Loving...

An office move has given me a great opportunity to refresh my work space and I'm thrilled. I can do a good spring clean, a bit of restyling and completely new inspiration board!

images spotted on sacramento street, via the style files

I'm loving the tones, mix and match and perfect balance between organized and organic of this board. 

Everyone needs something fabulous to draw you eye away from your computer screen!

Feelin' Beachy

It must be the residual effects of Mexico still lingering, but I'm finding myself suddenly attracted to the beachy feel of natural wood pieces in home decor. 

images 1, 3 and 5 via {this is glamorous}, 2 the girl and the cupcake, 4 NY Mag

Usually totally not my style, but I'm into the vaction-y feel the twisted and rugged pieces bring to a space. It's like bringing a little bit of your getaway into your home. 

I may just have to try it out myself, especially if I could find something like that beautiful farm table...

Oh and btw, have you entered this week's giveway?? There's still time!

I'm Loving...

A mix and match of grey home decor and vibrant accessories this spring. 

images via ish and chi, better living by design, vogue, symmetry via design crush

Grey is my usual wardrobe staple and I reserve color for my furnishing or accessories, but I think it would a refreshing way to bring balance to the new season by switching things up. I leave the neutrals at home and bring the color out into the world!

Duplicity

Here is one table two very different ways. 

Are you a minimalist?

Or a lover of layers?

images by magnus anesund via swedish elle decor 

Or perhaps, like me, your mood switches from day to day? If  that's you, check out the progression of the entire table here!

More is More

Can you guess how big this NYC apartment is??

photos by robert wright for the new york times via nick olsen

I never would have guessed 178 square feet! You've got to read more about the owner here. He got his current interior design job by showing pictures of his place. He's an inspiration to any aspiring designer. Or really anyone trying to make piles look damn good!!

Lovely Layers

I love using trays in the house. It's the perfect way to keep track of your precious little pieces and keep clutter in check. They add texture and interest, becoming like a treasure hunt through your own home.  Even better, each tray can be unique and make a statement in its own right. 

The latest issue of Lonny was spotted with sweet trays on virtually every page. Apparently, great minds think alike!