Paper bags. Shipping boxes. Rubber bands. All regular stuff that seemed magical when we were kids. Masking tape is no different. It cast a magic spell on us years ago, and ever since we've been coming up with fun stuff to do with it. Check out how we used masking tape to create these large-scale designs.

If we could put our runner in the front entrance of our dreams (in, say Marfa, TX), we'd also pair it with these modern accessories that have a decidedly desert feel.

1. Rocky Jewels runner using masking technique with Shadow Grey colorant and rug in Pudding.
2. Wall Clock: "CuCoo Clock" by Stefan K Hepner [etsy.com]
3. Lighting: Bamboo Circle Tiered 20" Wide Pendant Chandelier Style # U6673 $239.91 [LAMPS PLUS]
4. Coat Rack: Latva Mikko Laakkonen $511.00 [LUMINAIRE]
5. Mirror: Silvery Moon 30" High Wall Mirror Style # T5015 $229.91 [LAMPS PLUS]
6. Cactus Statue: All Good Points Statue $15.99 [MODCLOTH.COM]
7. Console Table: Armen Living Obliq Rectangular Wood Console Table $532.84 [ifurn.com]

As the weather warms up, I’m beginning to look for lighter fare that is simple to prepare, but feels festive for a weeknight in. This salmon recipe is just the ticket and comes with a refreshing cocktail to match (look for it later this week!).

If you’ve ever wondered what to do with kumquats, let me be your guide. This little baby citrus has a sweet edible peel and a bitter inside. It’s kind of like a reverse orange that tastes exactly like marmalade. They aren’t always easy to find, but lately I’ve seen them popping up at my local market and have been eager to get good use out of them. If you can’t find kumquats in your area, it is perfectly fine to leave them out of the salsa recipe, but if you wanna try my margarita, I encourage you to continue the hunt.

Check out this delicious recipe for salmon with citrus salsa.

Dinner for two and our budding herbs
Salmon with citrus salsa and coconut rice coconut rice

• 1 cup rice
• 1 ½ cups coconut milk
• ¾ cup water
• salt and pepper to taste

 

Salsa

• 1 small grapefruit, peeled and diced
• 6 kumquats, diced
• ½ avocado
• ⅓ cup finely diced red onion
• 1 lime, peeled and diced
• juice of ½ lemon
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons chopped cilantro

 

Salmon

• 4 salmon filets
• dried herb mix
• ling hing hawaiian salt (optional)

 

Combine all salsa ingredients in a bowl and set aside.

Coat a grill pan with grape seed (or canola oil) and set on medium heat.

Add salmon filets and cook for about 5 minutes on each side. Serve with salsa and rice.

Makes 2-4 servings

 

Check back later this week for my kumquat margarita recipe that is the perfect companion to this delicious dish!

There are go-getters and then are people like Brad Dufton and Kendra Amin, owners of colorTHEORY Boston, a full-service interior styling company. With two nods from Boston Magazine’s annual “Best of Boston” award (this year as color consultants and in 2010 for interior painting) and an expansive portfolio of work, the husband and wife team are a making waves in Boston. They’re color experts, wallpaper aficionados and all-around cool people. Let’s get to know colorTHEORY, shall we?

P.S. You can find colorTHEORY on Facebook

How did you get started?

Kendra: “We had both been in retail management and merchandising for quite some time. Brad also worked as a project manager for another interior designer. Together, we took a leap of faith. Brad left his other job and started the company in 2009, building a client base through previous connections and word of mouth. Later that year, things really took off after getting national press through Design Sponge and Apartment Therapy. Business has been growing ever since, and I was able to join the company full-time last summer.”

What designers inspire you the most?

Kendra: “Kelly Wearstler has been a huge influence for us both. Her style and inspiration pull from so many different era's and references, yet her spaces have an un-mistakable feeling and look to them: glamorous and always unpredictable. Additionally, the way she has been able to brand herself, in fashion and product collaborations, without sacrificing or compromising any of her vision, is admirable and something that we aspire to. She's also a Mass Art alum, so it's hard to not be inspired by a local success story who has taken the world by storm!”

What are the trends for this year?

Kendra: Graphic patterns and tribal elements are continuing to prevail in home decor as well as fashion. There has definitely been a resurgence of art deco elements such as lacquer and metallics, sorbet/neon colors and raw organic materials such as agate and chunky quartz crystals. A juxtaposition of the rough with the luxe, a high/low mix of materials, is the most modern look. Nobody wants the feeling that everything in the home came from the same store or brand.

What websites do we need to be visiting?

Kendra: We really love the online design mags such as Lonny and Rue 21. They bring a blog-style insider’s perspective to interiors and profile creative professionals who take a hands-on approach to their spaces.

Any advice to budding entrepreneurs?

Kendra: Use any and every networking connection that you may have—you'll be surprised at how many people will want to help and support your endeavor. Also, don't be afraid to reach out to publications and blogs to get the word out if you're doing something new and exciting. They love showcasing new talent and chances are, they'll want to continue promoting your company.

Have you used wallpaper yet? Probably the biggest and most lasting of home trends, wallpaper comes in every style imaginable. I remember picking out wallpaper for my room with my mom when I was a ‘tween.

I liked flipping through the thick sample books at our local decorating store, but I didn’t care much for, or about, the patterns. I ended up with a country-infused ditsy floral (think rose pink and cornflower blue) that would have been more fitting for a Victorian drawing room than the bedroom of a Smashing Pumpkins-obsessed 12-year-old.

These days, the options are dizzying and can be found from all over the world with a few clicks of the mouse. Here are some of my favorite wallpapers for a kid’s room or your own:

1. Butterflies
2. Hand Made
3. D’ya-think-e-saurus
4. Little Trees Wallpaper


1. Little Faces
2. Dottir & Sonur Origami
3. Feather Your Nest
4. Robots



1. A View of the Woods
2. Marionette Wallpaper
3. Circus Troupe Wallpaper
4. Julia Rothman Daydream

At MCDC, our mind is still in Vermont at Riverside Farm. This tangent helped us find this versatile DIY wood votive holder project by á la mode! Of course this would be a great design element at Riverside Farm, but we think it could be used as an everyday décor piece as well.

I had an old piece of wood sitting around that I thought would make a perfect tea light candle holder. This project is easy and quick. I made mine in 10 minutes on Thanksgiving morning (including time to gather the tools).

Here's what you need:

• an old chunk of wood (any size; non-pressure treated)
• ruler
• drill
• 1 1/2" drill bit
• marker or pencil

Measure, divide and mark your wood where you want to place your candles.


I drilled 7 evenly spaced holes in the wood. I steadied the wood between my feet,
but it would be easier if you used a vice or helper.

Drill straight down and just far enough for your tea lights to fit.

Credit: http://www.alamodestuffblog.com/2011/12/diy-wood-candle-holder.html

–Amy