Not much for cooking myself, I seem to be doing quite well making friends with those who are willing to occasionally feed me! One such person is Megan B., whose culinary skills get a marvelous workout on the fresh seafood available locally. Though I will attest that these crab cakes taste amazing even when you used canned crab. –Mary T.

This dish was born in a tiny hotel room with a kitchenette during one of our first vacations to Seattle (which we now call home). We were fortunate enough to visit smack dab in the middle of Dungeness crab season, and seeing all of those beautiful crabs at the market inspired me to make these cakes. The sweet Pacific crab is what this dish was originally made with, though any crab you can get your hands on will suffice. Trust me, I’ve even made them with the high-quality canned stuff and they turned out super tasty. Make sure you make the relish in advance — in fact, make more. It’s awesome on top of grilled halibut or chicken breasts or just with tortilla chips! –Megan B. Click for Megan’s recipes!

Crispy Cilantro Crab Cakes (serves 6-8 as appetizer, 4 as entree)
1 lb. lump crab meat
1 cup Panko bread crumbs
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
3 green onions, chopped
1 egg, whisked
Salt and pepper to taste (approx. 1/2 tsp salt)
Grape seed or canola oil for frying

In a large mixing bowl, combine crab, Panko and herbs. Season with salt and pepper and fold in the egg. Let mixture rest for 10 minutes. Form mixture into 6-8 patties. Make sure to press firmly; they take a bit of force to hold them together. Pan fry in 1/4 inch grape seed or canola oil over medium high heat, approx. 4 minutes per side or until nicely golden brown (careful not to burn yourself on the flip). Serve hot with mango jalapeno relish. You can also assemble the cakes a few hours in advance and fry them right before serving.

Mango Jalapeño Relish
1 ripe mango, finely diced
1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
1/2 red onion, diced
1/4 cup jalapeño (jarred in brine) diced
1/2 lemon, juiced

Combine ingredients together in a mixing bowl. Let marinate at least 30 minutes or overnight, if desired. The longer it rests, the better!

Have a voyeuristic itch to scratch? We do — peeking into homes far more luxe than ours is both a pleasure and tease. Happily, we found a new source on line for some mighty swanky kitchens. Over at epicurious.com, they’ve posted a few video tours of some famous kitchens of people we’d love to have dinner with (especially if they were cooking). Our favorite is Isaac Mizhari, who gushes about all of his kitchen accessories, including bowls from Target, a chic (Alessi?) bread box and his espresso machine. Click here to hang with Isaac and see more.

From Julie:

Machado and Silvetti Associates is a Boston firm that specializes in museums (Getty Villa renovation, Bowdoin College Museum of Art, Provincetown Art Association and Museum) and urban projects; the founding partners are both from Argentina and both teach at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. They designed this cottage in Wellfleet, MA, on outer Cape Cod, which looks like the perfect studio for a pair of architects (note the drafting tables).

Back in January 2006, we wrote a post entitled Eight Questions to Ask Before Hiring an Interior Designer. The eight questions were part of an article in Home magazine and we linked to the magazine.

We like to link to an article and highlight several questions in our post, rather
than list all the questions. That way people go to the linked site and we both benefit from the traffic. One of our frustrations looking back at some of our posts is that not all articles are archived. If you click on the link above, you land on the magazine’s website, but it’s the June 2008 issue and the “Eight Questions…are gone!

It’s been awhile, so, because of inflation, we’ve come up with our own eleven questions:

1. Do I like the designer? Can I spend a lot of time with him/her? Good communication is a must. Working with an interior designer involves some give and take. You will share ideas, and the designer will contribute insights and advice based on his or her talents, knowledge and experience. Depending on the scope of the project, you could be working with your designer a couple of weeks to many, many months.

2. Do I get that he/she is trying to understand me by asking a lot of questions? The key to success is really getting to know you in the early stages and how you and your family use your home and your interests.

3. Does the scale of my project really warrant an interior designer? Even if you think you could accomplish the redesign, do you have the time and inclination? You need to be realistic about how much money you are willing to spend. Include in this estimate the cost of all raw materials, new furniture, labor for installations, and possibly a designer.

4. How do you charge for your time? Designers may charge by the hour, which can be anywhere from $35 to $300, and these costs can quickly mount up. Others may offer a free first consultation, and then quote you a flat fee on the basis of your discussions. Some may charge for the first meeting in advance and then a fee for the whole project based on the estimated hours. Some may bill you for hours used each month. Some may bill each month a level amount. Some may get a designer discount and pass some or all the savings on to you. Whatever the basis on which your interior decorator is paid, make sure you both agree on the budget.

5. Can we accomplish the redesign and stay within my budget?

6. I can’t decide if I like the design. Do I still have to pay for it? “Yes! When you decide to hire an interior design firm, you have decided to trust the design recommendations of that firm.�

7. Are you available for conversation about changes and fine tuning? A good designer knowing you may present you with several options and give you the choice of one or the other. ASID recommends: “Minimize changes to your plan. Each part of the design will affect the whole. Changes or special requests can require any number of adjustments that will add time and expenses to your project.

8. My friend doesn’t like your ideas. Why shouldn’t I listen to her/him? If you have to ask this question you should probably have hired your friend.

9. Can I go to the local Design Center? With or without you? Of course, just let them know that you are working with a designer and his/her name.

10. What if a piece of furniture comes damaged? The furniture store should inspect the furniture when it arrives. The designer should also inspect the furniture before it goes to the client. If something is missed or it breaks when it is used, the designer and the furniture store will work together with the vendor to resolve any problem.

11. How long does it take to receive things, once they are ordered? Here’s a guideline (though individual vendors may vary):
Upholstered Furniture: 10-16 weeks depending on vendor.
Casegoods – Chests, bookcases, tables, hutches, etc.: 8-12 weeks depending on vendor.
Window Treatments: 6-8 weeks depending on size of job
Accessories, Lamps, Art Prints, Silk Flowers/Plants: 4-6 weeks or less.
Rugs: If machine made, 2-4 weeks. If hand knotted, 3-4 months
Wallpaper/Fabrics: 3-5 days.

Several websites contributed to this list of questions and their answers:

Apartment Therapy LA Good Questions: Hiring an Interior Designer
ASID Working with a Designer
Nancy Werneken Interior Design Frequently Asked Questions
Lynle Ellis Designs Before You Hire an Interior Designer
NWSID Why Hire an Interior Designer?
CCIDC Frequently Asked Questions About Certified Interior Designers
Directory M articles Interior Decorator

Bev & Mike
Landfair Furniture + Design Gallery

Before I left home for college, my mother warned me about mixed drinks and alcoholic punches- too much and I might end up with a lampshade on my head. Well, I heeded Mother's advice and thankfully got through school without any major embarrassments. But after seeing these lamps by mat&jewski, I say bring on the Hunch Punch! I'm ready to wear these lampshades.

Now, I'm not really a fan of flouncy or cutesy lamps and shades. And despite the whimsy of the mat&jewski lamps, they unfortunately would not work in my home. But I just couldn't help but think of those great feathered hats that women used to wear. You know, women like Doris Day, Audrey Hepburn, and the like. Maybe it's time for feathered millinery to make a comeback. And you can start with one of these lamps at your next party. Just don't say that my mother and I didn't warn you about the punch.

All lamps by mat&jewski; vintage fashion photos from Conde Nast Archives; images of mannequins with feathered hats by Stephen Jones.

Have you ever seen anything as good as this?

Parisian Macaron Ice Cream Sandwich from Ginger Elizabeth

I think I've died and gone to heaven.

Have some Ice Cream this weekend!

Posted by Scott

Recently I had the pleasure of working with photographer Kate Mathis again.

I met Kate years ago when i first started as an prop stylist assistant and have enjoyed her company and work ever since. 

Many of you may recognize her work from the Martha Stewart product packaging photography. She shot both the craft line for Michaels to the Macy's collection. 

Kate can take images like the simple paper flowers below to the sublime level.

With a discerning eye for composition and impeccable perspective and lighting, it's always a pleasure to be on set with Kate.

Below are a few shots from our most recent collaboration. (Food styling by Megan Schlow.) You can also look at her online portfolio for inspiration.