Kitchen + Living Room Tour with $500 Rejuvenation Giveaway

Please note I cleaned before these photos. This is real life for about 13 minutes per week.

We've been in our new house for an entire month now. It's still hard to believe we're finally in, since this has been in the works since last May. We were lucky to find the house when it was only a foundation in the ground, because that meant we were able to pick out all of the interior finishes. A total dream.

Around the same time, I started chatting with the lovely team at Rejuvenation about possible ways we could work together. The timing seemed to work out perfectly as we were planning finishes and looking for some unique items to include in the design. While we're not renovating or DIY-ing much anymore (I take that back, Chris is currently building an outdoor bench), I still thought it would be fun to show you how the space is coming together.

This post + giveaway are sponsored by Rejuvenation. 

I briefly mentioned in the last post that one of the main reasons for moving was career related. While we loved our old house and the improvements we made along the way, the space and flow were no longer working as my projects grew in size and became more frequent. I also knew I was going to have larger collaborations coming up, with multiple people working at the house, and it just wasn't set up in a way that worked well for that. I tossed around the idea of finding studio space, but it's much more involved than looking for a simple office. I need a full kitchen, storage space, enough natural light to shoot in, etc. We figured that if we could find what I needed in a home, it would make more sense than leasing a separate studio space.

Once we figured out that this was going to actually happen, we started trying to plan the overall style for the house (the layout was predetermined). I'm not sure I really have a name for our style. Sort of, soft modern meets simple industrial? I say "soft" modern, because we like to bring warmth to the space with different types of wood furniture and pops of color here and there.

We've always loved clean lines,  and if you've been here for awhile, you know I have an ongoing obsession with white cabinets. This first floor has plenty of room but isn't huge by any means (it's probably hard to gauge in photos), so we wanted to make sure we kept it feeling bright + open. This was achieved with the unstained hickory floors, white cabinets, white counter (on the island), white backsplash, and white paint.

While cabinet and draw pulls are a small detail, they make a big statement in our kitchen, because they're visible from the moment you walk into the house. I was looking for something simple and clean, but again, also with a softer look. I instantly fell in love with basically all of Rejuvenation's options, but landed on their Larkin pulls in brushed nickel. It was the 1-inch finger pull that did me in (photo above). I could not handle how cute they were but also thought the overall style was just what we were looking for. 

(I'm standing in the entry of the house in this photo and the office is directly to my right.)

Next up was a ceiling fan for the living room space. This is where we started to incorporate the industrial look. The brushed nickel color makes the fan blend in with the space, rather than something like black that would have really made it stand out. It's still a sort of statement piece but doesn't overpower the room. This was important to us with how open everything is.

Perefrine Industrial LED Ceiling Fan

Back to the kitchen to check out these simple Aurora Industrial Stools. We wanted stools with a low profile, so they wouldn't overwhelm the space. We also wanted them to be light enough to easily move around the room but at the same time, sturdy. We thought throwing in another type of wood might be too intense, so that was quickly nixed. These had just the right amount of industrial flair and complemented the gray counter that wraps the back kitchen wall.

I'm not sure if I'll be keeping my photo cart in this main room permanently, but it works for now and is used as storage for some of my photo props. Instead of solely photographing on the cart, I am now able to photograph on our dining room table, the island counter, and the floor by the back doors. It's amazing to have different options in this house!

I will definitely admit taking photos in this space has had a huge learning curve, and I'm still getting the hang of it. There are way more windows than I've had in the past and they're south + west facing (more intense sun), so I'm really having to learn how to control the light. But I've been having a lot of fun trying to figure it all out.

To break up all of the white in the kitchen, we decided on gray counters to wrap the back wall. It added just the right amount of color and warmth to the space.

Dakota was also an integral part of the design process. 

(Her bed is an inexpensive memory foam bath mat and both dogs love them!)

One of my very favorite aspects of Rejuvenation's website is the how customizable everything is. Especially in their lighting department, there are more options than you could ever imagine, and you can preview every single combination they have. It's pretty dang fantastic. 

We definitely tried incorporating a bit of the industrial feel with our fixtures throughout the house. I'm pretty sure I spent hours going through options on Rejuvenation's site. Just for this Eastmoreland Semi-Flush light, you have 10 choices for the finish and 53 shade options! I decided on the brushed nickel finish and clear glass shade (14 inches) to keep things simple and clean.

(Living room is directly behind me in this photo.)

My office is a work in progress but it's already such a bright, happy space to work in. Maybe one day I'll go through all of those papers under my desk...

And that adorable little light at the edge of my desk? You can find that in 3 different wood options on their site, too!

Behind my desk is this temporary bookshelf. We've had this metal shelf for about 10 years now (used to hold a million different things), and I'm pretty sure we're keeping it for life. (The Legos were for a recent photo project.)

And now, the part you probably scrolled to immediately when you saw all of that text I just spewed out. Oops.

Giveaway!! Rejuvenation has offered 1 lucky Edible Perspective reader a $500 shopping spree to spend at their store. Check out all the ways to enter below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Ashley

This post + giveaway are sponsored by Rejuvenation. All opinions are always my own. I only partner with brands I love and think are a fabulous fit for this blog. Thanks for your continued support!! Rejuvenation supplied the items shared in this post.

Kale Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash and Orange Maple Hemp Dressing

Hiiii and happy Friday!!!

It feels so, SO good to be back in this space sharing a recipe with you today. We've been eating it non-stop this past week, and I hope you'll be doing the same very soon.

I really don't know where to start with this post. There are so many things I want to update you on! I know it's been a little quiet here for the past few months or so, but I truly appreciate you sticking with me and still visiting this space for my previously posted recipes. I know you're not looking to read a novel on a Friday, so how about a Cliffs Notes version instead?

• We MOVED, again! If you follow on Instagram you're probably in the know and have seen some photos of my new work space. We moved a short distance from our last house and will not be renovating anything, possibly every again. Famous last words. Or for at least 5 years. I still feel like it's all a dream! There were many reasons for our move, but one of the big ones was so I could have a larger space and more light options for photography. I was thinking about looking into renting a studio space, but our new house ended up being exactly what I needed. 
• After nearly 1 year I finally updated my recipe pages (up top)! I still don't have all of the recipes listed (before 2013), but I did start to divvy them up by larger categories (like, breakfast!) and then sub-categories within those lists. Hopefully, this will be a big help! You can now also search for recipes by a long list of keyword ingredients. I haven't entered in all of the keyword info for each post, but it's a start! Baby steps...
• At the end of last year, I developed 18 recipes for Ancient Harvest that will be appearing on their product packaging! Look for their re-brand to launch sometime in the next few months. So excited for this! All 18 recipes are obviously gluten-free but also vegetarian and/or vegan. But they're very easy to add whatever your protein of choice is.
• I've had a very steady stream of freelance photography work coming in since December. I am actually currently booked through the end of April! I cannot even believe this is reality and am beyond grateful and excited for all of the work (and my amazing clients...seriously).
• I had my very first collaboration shoot last week with Room 214 and Glutino at our new house. It was a BLAST. Be on the lookout for my photography to start popping up on Glutino's Instagram feed in February!!
• Also, be on the lookout for a new website coming soon from Love Grown Foods with a bunch of my work featured there as well! (p.s. Have you seen their new KIDS cereals?? Let me just say, they are not only for kids. I am in love.)
• I have a handful of other photo projects coming in the next few months that I cannot WAIT to tell you about. Maybe I'll start doing some recap posts with my freelance work..?

Slightly longer than I initially intended....per usual.

Things have been exciting around here to say the least!

I must admit, I was quite burnt out by the end of last year and my recipe creating brain was completely shut off. I tried to look around for recipe inspiration but nothing was making sense in my head. I was cooking old standby meals for dinner and actually using my cookbooks. It was kind of nice to give myself a bit of a break and wait for inspiration to hit. I didn't want to come back to this space with anything that was forced, so I simply decided to wait.

And then my latest food obsession provided me with just the inspiration I was looking for.

The ingredients for this salad fell into place pretty naturally in my head. I love it when that happens.

The dressing was modified from a new favorite of mine on Gena's blog. I was really digging the creamy but not too heavy consistency of her dressing and have made it numerous times in the past few weeks. But for this salad, I wanted something a bit brighter in flavor and with some sweetness. That's when I thought to use orange juice in place of water and infuse it will a little maple syrup. 

The dressing helps soften the bitterness of kale and cabbage and helps bring out the natural sweetness in the squash. It's a total winner.

Print Recipe!

dressing adapted from: Gena's Lemon Hemp Dressing

Kale Salad with Roasted Delicata Squash and Orange Maple Hemp Dressing

serves 3-6, gluten-free/vegan 

for the salad: 

• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
• 2 small delicata squash, halved lengthwise + seeds scraped
• 1 medium head lacinato kale, stems removed
• 1/2 small head red cabbage, cored
• 1 sweet red apple, cored
• 1/3 cup salted pistachios
• salt + pepper

for the dressing:

• 1/2 cup hulled hemp seeds
• scant 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice
• 2 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 teaspoons orange zest
• 1 small clove garlic, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat your oven to 400° F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Place squash halves cut side down and slice into 1/2-inch thick pieces. Place on the baking sheet and toss with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil and a hefty pinch of salt and pepper. Roast for 15-18min. Flip slices and roast for another 15-18min, until starting to turn golden brown. Remove and let cool for about 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, stack your kale leaves and slice into thin ribbons. Using a mandolin (or very carefully with a knife), thinly slice your cabbage. Toss together in a mixing bowl and massage in 1/2 tablespoon of olive oil for about 60 seconds. Place in the fridge.

Place all dressing ingredients in your blender and turn on working up to high. Scrape the sides as needed. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Pour into a jar. Dressing thickens a bit as it sits.

Just before serving, chop your apple. Place kale and cabbage mixture on a large serving plate, top with squash, apple, and pistachios. Serve dressing on the side. 

Notes:

• Leftovers will keep well for 1-2 days without dressing.
• There will likely be more squash than can fit on top of your platter. I like to serve this salad with the extra squash on the side, or save the extra pieces to eat the next day. Feel free to cook only 1 squash if desired and decrease olive oil to 1 tablespoon for roasting.
• One of the nights we ate this, I mixed in cooked and cooled quinoa and Gena's lemon tempeh. It was outstanding together and made for a very satiating dinner (leftovers were also great!).

Happy weekend!

Ashley