Seaside Soiree!

Ahhhhh summer!!!

Lazy days with thoughts of poolside, beach side or ocean side...

cool pool colors, cool beverages and summer food...

week-ends with friends and family...

fireflies and night skies...

Enjoy special savings on our beach signs...20% off while supplies last!

Need a hostess gift or a sign for your home or vacation home?

Stop in the shop to see more choices...we are happy to help you!!

Recipes!!

Try these delicious rosemary skewers at your next event!

Ingredients:

Fresh mozzarella cut in cubes

Cherry or grape tomatoes

Fresh basil

Rosemary stems, stripped leaving 1 or 2 inches on the stem

Vinaigrette Francaise 

Using the stem to spear the ingredients, assemble. I marinated the cheese cubes in the dressing for several hours prior to assembly or you can drizzle dressing over the finished stems.

Vinaigrette Francaise

2 tsp. Dijon mustard

2 T. white wine vinegar

4 T. Sunflower oil

Salt, pepper

In a bowl, combine mustard, vinegar and salt/pepper to taste.

Add the oil and mix well.

Meringues were purchased at Trader Joe's and dusted with Hershey's Natural Unsweetened Cocoa.

Brownie bites were purchased at Costco and frosted with Paula's Pink Peppermint Frosting:

1 stick butter, softened
1 1/2 lbs. confectioner's sugar
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3/4 tsp. pure peppermint extract
red food coloring
2-4 T. 1/2 and 1/2

Process one stick softened butter in a food processor using steel blade. Add about 1 1/2 pounds confectioner's sugar and process briefly. Add vanilla and peppermint extracts, food coloring and enough 1/2 and 1/2 to make a spreadable consistency.

Hooray for the Red, White and Blue!!

Decorate your home with stars, stripes and patriotic colors to show your American pride and celebrate Summer!

A perennial favorite, we love red, white and blue for your home and your vacation home. Add a pop of patriotism to your entryway, porch, buffet table....use your imagination or let us help you.

To re-cap Mother's Day, we had a great time with our dear friend and talented artist, Mary Ann Johnson.

Her designs for weddings, Moms, friends, sisters and anyone on your gift list are beautifully hand-crafted and will tug at your heartstrings! Stop in to see her new cards also!

And finally, congratulations to Sheila who won a $50 Design Studio gift certificate in the Mother's Day Drawing!!

More for Moms!!

Yes we love Mom! This little heart says it all.

This precious angel votive holder can be used indoors or outside.

The hearts express what is in your heart whether for your mom or special friend.

Priced at only $3.95, these sentimental bookmarks have flown out of the shop and more are arriving this week.  Stop in for your Mom, Book Club Friends or yourself and curl up with a good book.

Available in three sizes, these glass cylinders come with a floating candle. Shown here with beaded embellishments in four colors, they add warmth to your table. Consider for the summer, use sand and shells. They are beautiful filled with fresh flowers, candies....use your imagination!

Happy Mother's Day from Design Studio!

Mother's Day is Sunday, May 13!

Does the name Anna Jarvis sound familiar? Probably not. She wanted to honor her mother who founded Mother Day Work Clubs in five cities to improve sanitary and health conditions. The women also treated wounds, fed and clothed both Confederate and Union soldiers with neutrality.

On May 12, 1907, two years after her mother's death, she embarked on a campaign to make "Mother's Day" a national holiday. She succeeded in making this nationally recognized in 1914.

We celebrate motherhood at Design Studio to remember our mothers and grandmothers, as well as daughters-in-law who gave us grandchildren. We are blessed!

Stop in the shop and let us help you choose the perfect gift for that special woman.

Mary Ann Johnson has created charming Mother's Day cards.

Does she need some bling? Our jewelry sparkles just like she does!

A scarf is the perfect fashion accessory for your favorite fashionista. We can show you how to tie a Rose!

Let us put together a gift bag and include a gift certificate.

How about filling a Design Studio bulletin board or photo frame to remember special people and special events?

Pamper her with a gift from Design Studio!

Wonderful words!

Visit Design Studio for charming words to express your feelings!

Available in a variety of sizes, these fabric pillows or wood signs are the perfect gift for you or someone you love.  Consider the sweet sentiments to hang in your home or place on a shelf.

Planning a trip to the City of Light? Fond memories of a past visit?

Mother's Day is less than a month away!

Live each day with love!

Spring in Western Springs!

Celebrate Spring at Design Studio! With temperatures in the 80s, the earth has come alive. Forsythia and tulip trees are in bloom, birds are chirping and building nests and outdoor living areas are filled with smiling families happy to be in the sunshine.

With Easter quickly approaching on Sunday, April 8, it is time to consider your own "nest."
As you consider planning a holiday meal or a casual gathering, we have what you need to create the perfect environment for you, your guests, your family.

Bunnies to baskets, nests to napkins we can help you plan the perfect event!!

Do you have a mantle, shelf, bookcase or table that needs that special accessory? We can help you refresh and renew...bring in a picture of your problem area, take some measurements if necessary and we'll find the perfect solution!

New this season are strands of battery operated mini lights....perfect for holiday entertaining! Shown here intertwined in an ivy wreath, they add a special glow. Using three AA batteries, you will be amazed how a little twinkle adds so much.

We look forward to your visit!