Author name: Cory

When it comes to home improvement and renovation, there are certain areas where you should never compromise on quality. These are the fixtures with which you interact daily, and skimping on them may lead to regret in the future. We’re talking about your kitchen and bathroom – two of the most used rooms in your home. Faucets: Where Functionality Meets Style Faucets are the unsung heroes of your kitchen and bathroom. They are the conduits through which you access essential resources like water. While it might be tempting to opt for a cheaper faucet, cutting corners here can have significant consequences. Think about it: You use your kitchen faucet to wash vegetables, clean dishes, and fill pots for cooking. In the bathroom, you rely on the faucet for daily tasks such as brushing your teeth, washing your face, and cleaning your hands. Imagine the inconvenience of a leaky or malfunctioning faucet when you’re in a hurry or have guests over. Investing in a quality faucet not only ensures longevity but also adds a touch of elegance to your space. Consider brands known for their durability and reliability, even if they come with a slightly higher price tag. Remember, quality faucets can withstand daily wear and tear, saving you money in the long run. Sinks: The Unsung Heroes of Hygiene Sinks are another essential component of both your kitchen and bathroom. They’re where you wash your hands and clean produce and dishes. Sometimes, they’re where you clean paintbrushes and muddy shoes when it’s too cold to use the hose. Cutting corners on sinks might seem like a cost-saving strategy, but it can lead to problems sooner than you think. Cheap sinks are often made from subpar materials that can easily chip, stain, or crack. They may lack proper drainage systems leading to water pooling and potential mold growth. Additionally, they can be challenging to sanitize, which can compromise hygiene. Investing in a quality sink not only enhances functionality but also elevates the aesthetic appeal of your space. Stainless steel, granite composite, or porcelain sinks are popular choices known for their durability and ease of maintenance. Your sink should complement your kitchen or bathroom, and its quality should match your daily needs. The Royal Throne: Why You Shouldn’t Skimp on Toilets You interact with your toilet multiple times a day. It’s where you start your mornings and often where you end your day. It’s an integral part of your daily routine, so compromising on it is simply not an option. While there are toilets available at all price points, don’t be tempted by the cheapest option. Low-quality toilets may have issues with flushing power, leading to clogs and frequent repairs (who wants to continuously plunge their toilet?!). Moreover, they may not be as water-efficient, potentially increasing your water bill. When choosing a toilet, prioritize features like water-saving technology and ease of cleaning. Brands like TOTO and Kohler offer a range of options that balance functionality and style. Investing in a quality toilet ensures reliability and comfort, which are essential for your daily life. Finding the Right Balance While we’ve emphasized the importance of not cutting corners on these essential fixtures, it is possible to strike a balance between quality and budget. It’s not imperative to go for the top-of-the-line options with all the fancy gadgets unless your budget allows for it. Instead, consider mid-range products from reputable brands that offer a good balance of quality, durability, and functionality. Look for fixtures that come with warranties, as they demonstrate the manufacturer’s confidence in their product. Don’t Cut Corners on Kitchen and Bath Essentials In your home, there are certain areas where you can afford to be frugal, and there are others where it’s wise to invest more. Your kitchen and bathroom fixtures, including faucets, sinks, and toilets, undoubtedly fall into the latter category. These are the components you interact with every day, and their quality directly impacts your daily comfort and convenience. So, when it comes to these essential fixtures, resist the temptation to cut corners. Instead, choose quality products that will serve you well for years to come. Remember, investing wisely in your kitchen and bathroom now can save you time, money, and headaches in the future.

This is the day we’ve all been looking forward to. On the sixth day of Christmas, we give you: Six Festive Cocktails, Five Holiday Wishes, Four Tips for a Successful Renovation, Three Blogs Not to Miss, Two New Traditions, and One Room to Refresh. Holiday Cocktails with Dawn and Cory With much anticipation and excitement, Clark Griswold belts “Joy to the world”, as he confidently joins two plugs together with hopes to electrify 250 strands of lights covering the exterior of his home…only they didn’t light. If you’re a fan of the Christmas movie classic, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, then you know exactly what scene I’m describing. Just like Clark, we, with much anticipation and excitement, gift to you three more holiday cocktails to add to your seasonal cheer. We are confident that at least one of the cocktails will electrify your holiday spirits…and if not, follow Clark Griswold’s lead and don’t give up. Make and try the drinks again and again and again…eventually something will light up!   Coquito First up, Dawn’s favorite, is the Coquito (Puerto Rican Coconut Eggnog). Ingredients: 1 (15-ounce) Can of Cream of Coconut (Sometimes labeled as Crème de Coconut and should not be confused with coconut cream or coconut milk, neither of which are typically sweetened.) 1 (14-ounce) Can sweetened condensed milk 1 (12-ounce) Can evaporated milk 12 ounces of white rum, or to taste 1 teaspoon coconut extract or vanilla extract ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon ¼ teaspoon ground cloves 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg Ground nutmeg, ground cinnamon, and/or cinnamon sticks for garnish (Dawn and Cory advise using extreme caution if using the cinnamon sticks as a “straw” to sip the beverage) Directions: Add cream of coconut, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, white rum, coconut or vanilla extract, ground cinnamon, ground cloves, and ground nutmeg to a blender. Process until it is well mixed and then pour into a glass pitcher and cover tightly. Alternatively, add the cover to the blender and place it in the fridge. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving, until well chilled. Coquito tastes best very cold. Shake to mix well right before serving. Pour into small glasses. Sprinkle the top with nutmeg or cinnamon, and/or garnish with a cinnamon stick. Enjoy! Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail Second up, Cory’s favorite, is the Spicy Sweet Grinch Cocktail.  Ingredients: 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 2-4 finely chopped fresh mint leaves, plus more for serving 2 ounces vodka Juice from ½ lime juice Juice from ½ of a small grapefruit 2 teaspoons honey 1-2 jalapeno slices (Dawn didn’t remove the seeds!) ginger beer for topping pomegranate arils, for serving Directions: On a shallow plate, combine the sugar and mint. Rim your glass in sugar, then fill with ice. Combine the vodka, lime juice, grapefruit juice, honey, and jalapenos in a cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until combined, about 1 minute. Strain into your prepared glass. Top with ginger beer and garnish as desired. Enjoy! Winter Aperol Spritz Third up, Sarah Kaper’s favorite, is the Winter Aperol Spritz. Ingredients: 2 ounces Aperol 1 ounce unsweetened cranberry juice 3 to 4 ounces Prosecco or other sparkling white wine Dash of club soda Orange wheel slices for garnish 2-3 whole cranberries for garnish Directions: Add Aperol and unsweetened cranberry juice to the bottom of a champagne glass. Top with Prosecco and a splash of soda water. Garnish with orange wheel and cranberries. Enjoy! Three More Cocktails to Brighten the Season Wait! But that’s only three drinks and this is day six! Since it’s been three years since our last drinks video, we’re sharing those recipes as well: Very Merry Moscow Mule (Cory’s favorite), Christmas Sangria (Dawn’s favorite), and White Christmas Margarita (the most interesting). Be sure to check out the video and don’t miss the outtakes at the end.

On the fifth day of Christmas, we give you: Five Holiday Wishes, Four Tips for a Successful Renovation, Three Blogs Not to Miss, Two New Traditions, and One Room to Refresh. Holiday Wishes Back in 2016 we, as a company (just three of us then) decided to send out a holiday greeting…and the rest is history. Unfortunately, we won’t send one this year, so Francis has yet to join our holiday greeting portfolio, but we have had a lot of fun coming up with each of the past concepts and look forward to next year’s. Therefore, instead of one holiday wish this year, on this fifth day of Christmas, we gift you a trip down memory lane with five Holiday Wishes from years past. It’s delightful to watch the progression as our SDG family gets bigger, too. Collector’s Editions are available upon request. Enjoy!  

It’s that time of year. The leaves are green, flowers are blooming, and we want to soak up as much sun and fresh air as possible after being cooped up indoors all winter. Last week, we spent a day in Chicagoland and the first stop on our itinerary was Abt in Glenview. They have everything from earbuds to refrigerators to home theater systems (it was really hard to leave the theater they had displayed in their showroom – complete with twinkling stars in the ceiling) to kitchen gadgets to sofas and mattresses. It’s a one-stop shop for everything you need for your home under one roof – and that roof is large. We know, they took us to the top! When you walk in, their current displays are grills, patio heaters, and weatherproof electronics, and that got us thinking about what we’d want in our own outdoor spaces and some ideas we could share with you to help you create a space that is as inviting as the living room in which you’ve spent the last five months or so huddled under blankets. When you begin planning, think about your outdoor space as you would an interior space. Designate specific areas for the “living room,” the “kitchen,” the “dining room,” the “playroom,” etc. Then consider your travel paths. Take into account how you and your guests will get from one area to another. How accessible is the outdoor kitchen from your indoor kitchen? All the things that make your indoor rooms “work” should be contemplated when planning your ideal outdoor space. To help make planning a little easier, Cory put together a list of things to consider and to keep in mind while planning. 14 Tips for Creating Your Outdoor Living Space: Use potted plants to help define specific areas to create a feeling of intimacy as well as privacy. Large groupings of potted plants can also create a focal point. Location. Location. Location. Be strategic with setting up your outdoor spaces by thinking about what view you will have while relaxing…or your neighbors’ view of you! This goes for sound as well. Conversations near your air-conditioning unit can be a little tough when that compressor is running. Landscaping. Depending on how you plan to use your outdoor space, good and thoughtful landscaping design can greatly impact its functionality. Defining your outdoor living area with natural plants and rocks has a very different feel than that PVC fence you put up with your father-in-law. Comfortable both day and night. Capture the full potential of an outdoor space by making sure you have things that can make extended time in the elements enjoyable. Umbrellas, shade sails, misters, and fans are all things to consider when planning your perfect outdoor living space usage during the day. Infrared heaters, firepits, outdoor fireplaces, etc. are all things to consider for those chilly evenings. Power. While you can get a battery-powered version of almost anything these days, having outdoor receptacles in the right locations can make all the difference. I mean, unless you like seeing that 100-foot bright orange extension cord running across your deck or landscaping. Take advantage of structures that already exist such as a back or front porch and screen it in. Having a space that is somewhat protected from the elements and the bugs can really help create an atmosphere where you’re relaxed enough to actually enjoy being outside. Define a space that can accommodate a good old-fashioned tree swing or hammock. Don’t forget about the front porch or even the front yard. Sometimes a glass of wine and a comfortable chair situated for watching the neighborhood can be a great way to spend your evening! Invest in quality outdoor furniture. It MUST be comfortable or you’re not going to use it as often. The same goes if you’re always worried about whether that chair is going to fall apart when you try to recline to catch some rays. Build a treehouse and use it as a unique place to enjoy the evening. Just being in the trees can give you a new perspective of your yard or even a better view of that glorious sunset! Bonus experience if you build it with your kids. What a great way to spend quality time together and experience the outdoors. Look for ways to incorporate different types of lighting into your spaces. String lights, landscape lighting, torches, candles, etc. all provide different types of ambiance to your outdoor living areas. Just as lighting indoors can set the mood of a room, the same is true for the outdoors. Music. Invest in some good outdoor speakers. While the great outdoors has an amazing musical score of its own, sometimes you just need a little Jimmy Buffet. Outdoor games and group activities. If you have the room, designate enough space for playing cornhole or your game of choice. As with other outdoor spaces, make sure people playing games aren’t going to interfere with cooking that perfect steak. A larger area like this could also be an excellent place to spread out lawn blankets and set up an outdoor movie night. Installing bird feeders and birdhouses around your property is a great way to bring in local wildlife. Depending on what type of wildlife you’re hoping to see, do some research and make sure to locate bird feeders and houses in places where your new friends will feel comfortable. Cory is our in-house outdoor-living-loving expert. He’s created some beautiful and serene outdoor spaces over the years, but nothing tops his own outdoor oasis. He built his own pirate ship several years ago (not a little ship either!) and added a pool to the scene in 2021. Who else has a pirate ship and a pool in their backyard in the middle of cornfield country?

On the Seventh Day of Christmas, Spectrum Design Group Gives You: Seven Holiday Movies (that should be made), Six Holiday Activities, Five Completed Projects, Four Recipes, Three Holiday Cocktails, Two Resolutions, and One New Website in a pear tree. Tis the season for Hallmark movies full of feel-good moments and predictability. For day seven, we give you the titles of seven holiday Hallmark movies that haven’t been made, (at least to our knowledge) but should. We’re pitching one of these titles to the DIY and Hallmark Networks for next season, so let us know your favorite! 1. Christmas Magic and the DIY Fail Newly married couple, Peg and Don, are deep in a kitchen renovation which has their relationship and kitchen nearing disaster. Through a chain of mysterious events, a local radio station granting “Christmas Wishes” grants Don a ten-minute call with prison inmate Martha Stewart. 2. Quartz Countertops and a Gingerbread Romance After a recent kitchen remodel, homeowner Candie Kane discovers her quartz countertops may have powers beyond a maintenance-free surface when Christmas baking takes an unexpected turn. 3. Pride, Prejudice, and the Pantry Darcy and Lizzy meet for the first time at a mutual friend’s holiday party. When she retreats to the pantry for nutmeg, Lizzy is shocked to find Darcy waiting for her behind the canned goods. Nothing short of a classic English drama, both end up finding more than holiday cheer and figgy pudding. 4. Never Kiss a Contractor in a Christmas Sweater Homeowner, Angel White, is at her wits end with renovation contractors working on her “dream kitchen.” With Christmas quickly approaching, the stress of the season only makes matters worse. On the brink of a nervous breakdown, everything changes when finish carpenter, Chris, shows up one morning wearing a Christmas sweater. 5. Do You Hear What I Hear in the Master Bath With a Master Bath remodel on her Christmas wishlist, Samantha Claus takes matters into her own hands when her husband, Ebenezer, refuses to see the need for such an investment. An elaborate scheme to convince Ebenezer a remodel is needed quickly becomes more than Samantha can handle when strange noises from the master bath awaken them both in the middle of the night. 6. The Holly and Ivy Décor Confrontation Just before leaving her studio on Christmas Eve, Interior designer Holly Greene receives a text from an old friend asking for her advice on a home project. What should have been a simple exchange entangles Holly in a holiday nightmare filled with crippling anxiety and rooms full of wall-stenciled ivy. 7. Deck the Halls with Shades of Gray Just one week before hosting her entire family for Christmas, Anastasia Brown decides to give her suburban home a makeover. When visiting the local box store in search of the “right” gray paint color for her hallway, Anastasia does not realize the path her life will take after asking for assistance from paint associate Christian Black.

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, Spectrum Design Group gives you: Four Holiday Dishes, Three Holiday Cocktails, Two Resolutions, and One Website in a pear tree. Okay, so we know we all have one…that Pinterest Board with hundreds, if not thousands, of pinned recipes “we’re going to make someday,” right? Well, on this fourth day of Christmas, we have decided to give to you, our friends, FOUR holiday recipes from our board! (Which, if we’re being honest, are never going to get around to making.) BUT, maybe, just maybe, it will be that perfect dish or dessert that will make your holiday merry and bright! If so, please let us know how it turned out. And if not, well shoot, just add it to your Pinterest Board. You’ll make it someday… Regifted Pin #1 The Holiday Honeycrisp Salad This gorgeous Holiday Honeycrisp Salad is full of flavor and texture, with fresh apple slices, crunchy toasted pecans, chewy dried cranberries, zippy blue cheese, and a tangy-sweet apple cider vinaigrette. It’s perfect as a Christmas salad, a Thanksgiving salad, for a dinner party, or as part of a regular weeknight dinner! Author: Samantha Skaggs Ingredients 1/2 cup light vegetable oil, such as sunflower or safflower OR extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar 1/4 cup unsweetened apple juice OR apple cider 2 to 3 tablespoons honey 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1/2 teaspoon salt Freshly ground black pepper, to taste 3 medium Honeycrisp apples (about 1 pound), thinly sliced Juice of 1/2 lemon 12 ounces salad greens, spring mix, baby spinach, arugula, baby romaine, OR a combo of your favorites 1 cup pecan halves, toasted or candied 3/4 cup dried cranberries OR dried cherries 4 ounces crumbled blue cheese Instructions To prepare Apple Cider Vinaigrette, measure oil, apple cider vinegar, apple juice/cider, honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper into a mason jar. Tightly screw on lid and shake vigorously until everything is thoroughly combined. Alternatively, you may briskly whisk the ingredients together in a medium bowl, or blend them in a blender or mini food processor. Place apple slices in a large plastic baggie and squeeze the fresh lemon juice (from the lemon half) over them. Close bag and shake to coat. In a large salad bowl, layer salad greens, apple slices, pecans, dried cranberries, and blue cheese. Just before serving, dress with desired amount of Apple Cider Vinaigrette and toss until salad ingredients are evenly coated. Notes You may prep the individual components of this salad ahead of time and then assemble everything just before serving. A day or two ahead of time: Make the vinaigrette and store in the refrigerator. Before using, allow it to come to room temperature and then shake well. Toast the pecans, allow to completely cool, and store in an airtight container. Wash and dry the salad greens (if they’re not already washed). A few hours ahead of time on the same day: Cut the apples and shake the slices with a generous amount of lemon juice. Squeeze the air out of the bag and store in the refrigerator until you’re ready to assemble the salad. Honeycrisp apples will typically hold their bright color (shaken with lemon juice) for several hours. Other varieties of softer apples (such as Gala) will brown more quickly, so those shouldn’t be sliced and shaken with lemon juice until just before serving. Regifted Pin #2 Slow Cooker Cranberry Brisket This tender, slow-cooked beef brisket is served with a savory cranberry glaze, making it the perfect main dish for your holiday dinner. Ingredients 1 (3-4 lb.) beef brisket 2 (14 oz.) cans whole berry cranberry sauce 1 (12 oz.) can ginger ale 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1 envelope onion soup mix 1 tablespoons cornstarch Salt and pepper, to taste Instructions Place brisket in a lightly greased slow cooker. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 can of cranberry sauce, ginger ail, dried cranberries, onion soup mix, corn starch, and salt and pepper, to taste. Pour sauce over brisket. Cover and cook on low for about 8 hours, or until brisket is tender. Move brisket to a platter. Cover and let stand for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, whisk together remaining can of cranberry sauce with desired amount of juices from slow cooker to create a glaze. Slice brisket and serve with cranberry glaze. Regifted Pin #3 Soft and Chewy Ginger Snap Cookies Soft and chewy Ginger Snaps are an easy, fragrant cookie that are perfect for any holiday cookie spread! Author: Melissa | Persnickety Plates Ingredients 1 cup sugar 3/4 cup unsalted butter at room temp 1/4 cup molasses 1 large egg 2 1/4 cups all purpose flour 2 teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon Ground Ginger 1/2 teaspoon Ground Cloves 1/4 teaspoon Ground Nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt sugar for rolling Instructions In a large bowl, add the sugar, butter, molasses, and egg and beat on medium until light and fluffy. Add in the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, ginger, cloves, nutmeg, and salt, Stir well with a spatula until fully combined. Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least an hour. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper or silicone baking mats. Set aside. Pour approximately 1/2 cup of sugar into a small bowl (for rolling). Use a medium cookie scoop to shape the dough into approx. 1″ balls. Roll in sugar and place 12 per baking sheet onto your prepared sheets. Bake for 9-10 minutes or until just set (they will puff up then flatten while baking). Remove from oven and let stand on the cookie sheet for 1 minute before transferring to a cooling rack to cool completely. Enjoy! Regifted Pin #4 Gluten-Free Eggnog Cake Deliciously creamy gluten-free eggnog cake that’s full of holiday flavor! Naturally vegan and dairy-free as well, this eggnog cake is perfect for the holidays! Author: thebananadiaries Ingredients 3 cups gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour 1 tsp cinnamon 1 tsp nutmeg 1/2