International Desserts

International Desserts Bring friends together to kick off the holiday season with a cozy, international-inspired cookie swap party. Take inspiration from vacation dessert traditions from around the planet and incorporate natural elements such as pinecones and conifers into the decoration to maintain the atmosphere perfectly seasonal.



Wintry Garland Deck the halls and generate a decorative detail which can be enjoyed year after year by changing ordinary miniature pinecones. Simply dip the borders of the pine cones to white tempera paint and allow to dry. Subsequently string onto red twine and hang above the buffet, around the Christmas tree or on the mantel.



Frosted Trees With just a few coats of spray paint, these mini bottle-brush Christmas trees receive a wintry makeover and also make the great decorative centerpiece for a Christmas table or, even in this case, a cookie buffet.



Easy Cookie Buffet Spread holiday cheer by placing out cookies for visitors to enjoy, along with the recipes to re-create them. The best part? Each guest brings a batch of cookies, keeping hostess duties to a minimum and allowing everyone to feel involved with the planning. Then take turns taste-testing every batch.



Festive Partyware Rather than using flimsy paper plates, put money into a fantastic set of neutral dessert plates which will suit any party theme. Set these buffet with festive linen napkins for visitors to catch by themselves.



Cookies Milk Have a cue from Saint Nick and wash down the day's sweets with a tall glass of milk. Locate glass milk bottles in any home shop or source vintage ones in antique shops, fill with milk, and garnish with red-and-white-striped paper straws to get a soda of peppermint.



Stylish Identification For Your hostess who likes to add a personal touch, there is no greater investment than the usual set of alphabet stamps. Dip in black ink and postage onto folded card stock to make menu cards that identify each cookie type on the buffet, then fold and prop by each corresponding batch of cookies for simple viewing.



Austrian Linzer Tortes Add an elegant touch for your holiday buffet table with classic Austrian linzer tortes. Raspberry preserves are sandwiched between two buttery crusts, with a small cutout on the top, to create this holiday classic. Pile them high in a tin to get a presentation. Get the Recipe Here>>



Eastern European Rugelach Eastern European rugelach are a pastry known because of their crescent-roll form. Fill with any blend of raisins, cinnamon, chocolate, nuts or fruit preserves, then roll up and slice prior to baking go Learn More. Get the Recipe Here>>



French Madeleine Cookies Say oui, oui to cherished French Madeleine cookies. With the consistency and flavor of little sponge cakes, all these biscuits are unmistakably shell shaped see post. Dip half of the batch in chocolate for an extra bit of sweetness, and function in a basket lined with a festive tea towel. Get the Recipe Here>>



Mexican Wedding Cookies An all time favourite, Mexican wedding cookies are a buttery, nutty cookie ideal for any festive occasion take a look at the site here. Blanket at a snowfall of powdered sugar, then put out on a tray for visitors to grab freely. Get the Recipe Here>>



Italian Biscotti Buon Natale! Take inspiration from Italian holiday culture by making these homemade biscotti. Serve up these crunchy treats with coffee, cappuccinos or, even if you're in a candy holiday spirit, alongside a piping-hot glass of cocoa. Get the Recipe Here>>



Sizzling-Hot Cocoa No holiday season is complete without mugs filled with hot cocoa navigate to these guys. Serve with cinnamon sticks for yummy stirring, and a liberal sprinkling of marshmallows, naturally.



Dessert for Later Send guests home in design with neatly packaged "to-go" boxes. White bakers' boxes lined with parchment paper would be the perfect containers for filling with each guests' loot in the day Extra resources. Print and cut out these festive tags, hand-stamp guests' names and series onto red-and-white kitchen twine.



Memorable Recipe Cards Before the party, send these printable recipe cards to every guest in the email Read Full Article. Ask them to complete the recipe to the international cookie they will be attracted to the party, and make enough copies for each guest to take one home with them. Set the recipe cards on the buffet for visitors to pick up as they sample every cookie.



Sweet Take-Home Treats The very best party favors are ones which remind guests of a candy party long after the celebration is over. Not only will everyone leave the cookie swap with a box filled with candy treats -- they will have recipes to improve their collections to enjoy for many years to come.

Time to Reflect

Time to Reflect Twinning a contemporary material with a traditional mosaic pattern produces a complicated, luminescent backdrop. The textured reflective surface of the stainless steel backsplash varies with all the intensity and direction of the lighting for a modern organic design. Photo Credit: Ann Sacks



Modern Organic An artistic twist on a standard stainless backdrop, the scratched surface is an intriguing organic design that suggests a little whimsy and contrasts with the flat stainless appliances. Photo Credit: Jerry and Lois Photography Programmer: Stephanie Young/Design Spectrum



Cool and Colorful Multi-hued dishes replicate the warmth and color of their custom pine kitchen cabinets painted red and over-glazed with brownish. The backsplash, a stainless steel tile, supplies an industrial contrast above neutral countertops.



Chain Reaction A distinguishing ridged pattern fits nicely with river rock tile for a more natural appearance or with blond wood and stainless steel counters for a unique modern look. Photo Credit: Stainless Living



Harlequin Romance A strong, but not overly powerful, harlequin pattern comprising alternating diagonal layers of brushed and polished stainless is frequently paired with flat-panel walnut or cherry cabinets. Photo Credit: Stainless Living



A Real Steel The ridged stainless cobblestone pattern pairs with rainbow granite counters in addition to cherry and slate cabinets . Its design flexibility is matched by its durability. This backsplash is easy to clean and resists scratches read this article important link. Photo Credit: Stainless Living



A Scott Brother's Take Team Jonathan installed butcher-block countertops, a new stove, fixtures along with a Brazilian cherry floor inside this Brother Vs. Brother kitchen renovation. A stainless steel backsplash creates a contemporary, easy-to-clean surface.



Nature and Metal Meet Industrial meets natural within this one of a kind kitchen covered floor to ceiling in wood elements with stainless steel accessories. White onyx countertops help break up the space and generate a fantastic prep place.



Only a Touch This modern backsplash blends white subway glass tile with stainless steel inserts.  



Black Contemporary Kitchen With Stainless Steel Mosaic Backsplash This kitchen layout from Patrick Baglino, Jr. includes granite countertops, white countertops and a stylish stainless steel mosaic tile counter tops.



Vintage Style Vintage design elements were preserved from the kitchen like the hexagon counter tops and the timeless stove. To spice things up, a stainless steel backsplash and modern pendant were added.



This Will Wake You Up The Kitchen Cousins outfitted this homeowner's new espresso bar with a shining stainless steel backsplash.



Move Modern Like many of the rooms within this penthouse, the kitchen features a floor-to-ceiling window which offers a stunning view of the Chicago skyline. A white dining table and chairs make casual dining room a cinch, while sleek white cabinets and a stainless steel backsplash complete the minimalistic look of the room.



Retro Wonder A reddish refrigerator and classic canisters pop against this retro kitchen otherwise monochromatic color scheme Going Here see this. Black wood shelving lines the space and the stainless steel sink, whilst metal geometric wall panels serve as a backsplash.



Allow the Light Shine In A glass tile accent window and wall within this contemporary kitchen brings natural light into the snowy, spacious space. White countertops and cabinets maintain the space feeling glowing while stainless steel appliances and a metal tile backsplash include a modern touch to the functional space.



Compare and Contrast Textured stainless steel mosaic tile on the bar and backsplash makes a dynamic contrast in this contemporary European kitchen and highlights the glossy finishes at the space More Bonuses. Acrylic barstools increase the urban elegance of this space, and one-of-a-kind hand-blown glass pendants include pops of colour.



Stay Neutral Stainless steel countertops and backsplash mirror light during this slick kitchen, creating greater visual depth in the area. Frosted glass-front cabinet doors break up the all-white cabinetry and frame the stainless steel range hood.



A Little Shine The gray stained maple cabinets are a flat pull fashion to add to the contemporary feel of the kitchen space with HGTV's Property Brothers. A white subway tile backsplash provides a bit of the traditional. The new grey/cream/blue granite countertops and stainless steel appliances give this kitchen a fresh feel.



A Twist On Subway Tile A sleek stainless steel subway tile backsplash is a nice complement to the stainless steel cooktop in this darkened kitchen.



Go Vertical The perpendicular backsplash behind the stove is mixed with stainless steel inserts to accent stainless steel appliances and cabinet pulls.

With walls of glass on either end of the property's living wing, light is able to travel deeply into the space. "The rear wall faces east and has morning sun," says architect David Bourke, who paid close attention to the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces when designing the home. "In the day the mountain range is all lit up. It has this fantastic glow."

With walls of glass on either end of the property's living wing, light is able to travel deeply into the space. "The rear wall faces east and has morning sun," says architect David Bourke, who paid close attention to the relationship between indoor and outdoor spaces when designing the home. "In the day the mountain range is all lit up. It has this fantastic glow."



A moment-resisting framework, fashioned from metal, affirms the wall of glass and secures the structure during times of seismic activity.



A soft, shaggy wool rug with a subtle Moroccan-style pattern anchors the living room, defined by a collection of furnishings -- both conventional and contemporary in shape -- that spouse to create an eclectic look.



A play on cozy flannels and classic lodge-style cloths, oversized plaid prints are used to upholster side chairs and reappear on wool throw blankets.



Steel collar joins support the weight of the roof and, paired with glue-laminated wood beams, offer a striking visual component.



Veneered fieldstone, in reddish-brown and gray hues, clads the fireplace surround in addition to the bottom of the adjoining patio. A piece of hot-rolled steel stands in as a mantel.



The home's sole piece of found art comes from the shape of a 41-inch-wide cross-cut piece of ponderosa pine, mounted on a wooden box by carpenter David Brown. "It's very bold from the dark stone and very modern, and it only pulled the whole room together," says interior designer Linda Woodrum.



Two walls of windows provide magnificent views of the wooded lot, golf course and mountain range outside click this link here now. Wrapping the entire living wing in glass says architect David Bourke, generates the illusion of a floating ceiling.



A colour palette of muted gray, black, cream and vibrant yellow tells a contemporary mountain layout narrative from the area.



Red Vanda orchids attract the red-orange hue seen across the house into the living space.



A leather ottoman functions as a coffee table at the area, but can be cleared and double as seats when guests their explanation more info here. Engineered wooden trays provide a set place for electronic equipment, food or beverages.



Roller blinds, discretely tucked behind steel valances, along with semi-sheer linen curtains, are offered should one want to block sunlight or require solitude.



Low-profile furnishings were selected to keep all eyes focused on views.



A gas fireplace provides just the ideal touch of mountain lodge ambiance while emitting just enough heat to keep the living room cozy. A remote control allows for complete customization of flame height and accent lighting -- all from the comfort of conventional upholstered seats.



A cross-legged table offers up a group of eclectic accessories, including a primitive-style temple bell and a sparkling mercury glass votive.



An oversized wing seat, covered in lush buttercream velvet upholstery, is the best spot to sink, snuggle and enjoy views of the sun as it sinks beneath the mountains.



This modern bench, upholstered in hot gray with glossy stainless steel legs, can be pulled outside to provide extra seating on the patio and outdoor dining area.



Using unconventional mountain house colors like bright yellow helps balance the house's bold architectural capabilities. "Wood and stone are extremely heavy, strong materials, so to be successful you need to use very bold, powerful colours," says interior designer Linda Woodrum.



Great lighting takes over as soon as the day's natural light fades. A large glass and iron carriage light with a blackened bronze finish is the centerpiece of the room, while mini bronze spotlights and modern white table lamps fill in additional task lighting.



The oversize lantern echoes the style of the iron-and-glass, floor-to-ceiling windows and vulnerable iron ceiling supports.



The skeleton of the home, most often tucked beneath drywall, is exposed in this application. The play between steel and wood is a design motif repeated throughout the home's interior.



A large-scale, angular acrylic on canvas painted by local artist Marcio Decker comprises the home's primary accent colours -- burnt orange and bright yellow -- along with nature-inspired colors like brown, green and gray.



A layer of snow on the floor is a common fixture in the home's Truckee, Calif see this website. location, which receives an average of 206 inches of snow each year. A dusting of snow leaves the house's colors crisper and reflects much more natural light through the long living room.



"It's totally unexpected and crisp and clean," says interior designer Linda Woodrum about the living room layout. "This isn't your grandmother's log cabin"