As the sun comes out and skies clear, it's time to transition your space for summer. With new trends in interior design coming and going each year, here are tried and true ways to redesign your home for summer that will never go out of style.

Lighten

Winter design is often associated with heavier fabrics and cozy, plush furnishings. Perhaps you have a woolen throw blanket on your couch or a thick shag carpet under your feet. While these features add a warm and cozy atmosphere during long winter nights, they can feel stifling in the summer. As you transition to the season, think about lighter textures in your design.

Woven rugs in natural fibers are a great way to lighten up your space. They tend to be thinner than regular carpets which makes them a great choice for the summer. These rugs also come in gorgeous colors and patterns, which can serve as a focal point in a room.

Consider replacing heavy furniture with lighter mid-century or modern style pieces. Replace an overstuffed armchair with a sleeker version that has wooden or metal legs to bring in natural elements into your space.

Brighten

Welcome summer by adding a splash of color to your interior. Muted winter grays and beiges can feel washed out in the summer, especially in a room without lots of natural light. Add a bright tapestry or artwork to a plain wall, or change out your muted throw pillow cases with bright yellow or electric blue ones. 

Add a decorative mirror to your wall to reflect more light and physically brighten up a room. Mirrors also give the illusion of more space, helping the room feel nice and airy.

Enliven 

Natural influences on interior design will never go out of style, especially in the summer. Having plants in your home is a great way to create a sense of calm and peace in your space. There are plenty of beautiful, hardy houseplants that are very hard to kill, but if you're still worried you can get fake plants that look just like the real thing. 

Vertical plants like the Fiddle Leaf Fig are perfect for entryways and living room corners. For a bushier plant, try out the Areca Palm, which thrives in bright spaces. These green plants will add a verdant touch to your summer decor.

We hope you enjoy transitioning your interior design to summer with these creative tips. Need the help of a professional designer to bring your vision together? Contact me here.

Life in quarantine can be challenging. Many of our usual avenues of communication are no longer viable and on top of that, we're all trapped inside our homes forced to examine the reality of the four walls surrounding us. And in some cases, our less than ideal interior design. But just because it's no longer safe to go outside and look, touch, and explore all of the latest design trends with an interior designer in person doesn't mean that all of your home design plans have to be put on hold.

In fact, now is the perfect time to work with an interior designer virtually!

One of the most important aspects of home design, and one of the most difficult aspects for interior designers, is crafting the perfect mix of trends, styles, and vibes to match the customer's desires for their home, something that we take seriously here at Ana Maria Designs. This relates to the paint color on the walls, the furniture in the room,  to even the throw pillows adorning the couch. And the easiest way to make sure that you get the best results, and that your interior designer brings your home to its full potential, is to have clear ideas about what you want.

Stuck inside our homes with what seems like limitless free time (outside of those pesky Zoom calls for work!) is the ideal time to clarify, compile, and create your vision for what you want your home to be. Draft some detailed emails, create a Pinterest board, hop online for a video call, or take advantage of our Design Your Own service.  Scroll through our project galleries and to find examples of rooms you love. Take the time to point out which aspects you enjoy, arrange a folder of concept pictures, furniture pieces that you love,  wall art that inspires you, and colors and fabrics that spark joy.

Ana Maria Designs is always happy to discuss your home design projects, even while in quarantine, so send us a note or book a call today.

None of us can travel right now, but that doesn't mean you can’t bring the feeling of travel into your home. Here are a few fun ways to use interior design to satisfy your wanderlust. 

Travel Souvenir Gallery Wall

Many of us have lovely travel mementos hidden away in our closets or drawers. A group of similar items would make a nice gallery wall. We're thinking of travel posters, foreign paper currency, photos from a single destination, maps, or travel postcards. It's helpful to consider the rest of your decor before you frame your souvenirs. Identical frames go well with modern or minimalist decor.  

World's Easiest Souvenir Display

Another way to show off those souvenirs is to arrange them on your coffee table. Then cover them with glass. Curating is the key to making this project successful. First, pick a theme or motif like "My Trip to Paris" or "Foreign Coins." Next, among your items that fit the theme, choose your best. Play with the arrangement to find the one you enjoy most.

Go DIY with Travel-Themed Fabric

Don't let the thought of DIY overwhelm you. DIY pillow and upholstery projects aren't complicated. And you don't need piles of fabric you've picked up at the world's most exotic locales. (If you have such fabric, that's great too.) You can easily order fabric with travel motifs or patterns inspired by traditional cultures online. Here are step-by-step tutorials for no-sew throw pillows and easy DIY upholstery. 

Global Basket Wall

You can put a travel twist on the basket wall trend. Displaying a collection of baskets from around the world is an option. We also like showing off a group of baskets from the same region. For inspiration, look online for traditional baskets made by artisans in places such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, or Zimbabwe.

We're not going to lie, we wish we could be on vacation right now. Somewhere warm, tropical, and beachy, where there isn't a load of laundry waiting to be done and dirty dishes left in the sink . . . but instead we're stuck at home. So in lieu of living a life of luxury at a tropical resort, here are three tips to help bring the resort to you.

1. Keep It Organized

One of the best aspects of resorts is the fact that you don't have to clean. There are no dirty clothes on the floor and the bed is always made when you come back from lounging at the pool. This is hard to imitate in real life without hired help, but one of the easiest things that you can do to mimic that resort lifestyle is keeping clutter out of the naked eye. It does wonders for the look of a room and helping to create that resort vibe, even if you're just shoving your television remotes and favorite throws into a cute basket. 

2. Embrace Simple Luxury

Resorts are expensive for a reason. And that is because they carefully curate every aspect of the experience, down to the fabric choices they shroud your room in. You can replicate this in your own home by working in quality fabrics and airy textures. Try adding in a faux fur throw pillow like this ivory one from Pier One.  Or working in some delicate eyelet curtains like this flowy cotton set from Anthropology.  By creating a mixture of elegant fabrics and textures in complementary colors it's easy to forget you're in your living room instead of on vacation.

3. Focus on the Light

Summer is just around the corner, bringing with it sunshine and natural light. Pretend you're on vacation by maximizing the natural light in your home. Focus on the rooms in your home with windows and try to work in lighter colors, bright whites, warm-toned ivory, creams, and soft tans. A brighter area rug like this Moroccan inspired area rug from West Elm can add an exotic twist as well as brighten up a darker floor, and your entire room, in one simple move. 

These are just a few ideas to help transform your home into your own personal resort but make sure to check out our other articles on our blog for more ideas!

Spring is in the air and with it comes a brand-new year of the latest design trends. Entering into a fresh decade, the 2020s seem poised to reinvigorate interior design with novel concepts, the continuation and acceleration of certain trends already seen in the last decade, and the revival of a few old classics. Without further ado, let's look at five stylish design trends which are dominating spring this year.

HOUSE PLANTS

Shocking to just about no one, the trend of merging nature and greenery into interior design is continuing this season. Both aesthetically pleasing and a functional way to improve air quality, houseplants are wonderful for adding a touch of color and nature.

For an environment where growing plants proves troublesome or sunlight is difficult to come by, artificial plants may prove a decent substitute. While considered a bit tacky by some and lacking the practical benefits of actual nature, artificial plants still provide an attractive and low-maintenance alternative to caring for living plants. Plus, as an added bonus, they don't die. However, either choice is sure to breathe new life into your home.

WOOD PANELING

Following the trend of incorporating nature into households, natural materials are also in vogue. Wood is perfect to fit the bill and has enjoyed a surge in popularity over the past few years. Once often dismissed as passé or vintage, wooden surfaces have come back in full force and one of the most stylish and popular design choices to incorporate this material is wood paneling.

Tastefully installed using narrow slats, wood paneling can be a lovely addition to an interior space. Particularly pleasing under warm temperature lighting, wood paneling imbues an otherwise sterile environment with a natural warmth and cozy aura.

INDOOR GARDENING

For those not content with simple houseplants, indoor gardening represents a very ambitious and modern take on the concept of indoor greenery. Going above and beyond simply placing a few pretty plants around the house, indoor gardening requires significant patience and care to ensure a tame and thriving green space. But for those who put in the effort, an indoor garden can provide a striking and lush contribution to any interior environment.

FLORAL DESIGNS

Written off decades ago as old-fashioned and out-dated, floral designs were long associated with your grandparent's aesthetic sensibilities. But as trends come and go, sometimes they come back around once more. Floral patterns are once again popular and stylish, returning both to fashion and interior design. Floral wallpaper has reemerged to become a sensible design choice. But for those still on the fence, don't worry. The floral wallpapers of 2020 are not all the same as those of 1920. Sophisticated 21st-century designs and cutting edge printing techniques have rendered the floral wallpapers of today far more crisp and vivid than was even imaginable just a few decades ago.

Current design trends emphasize a return to nature and the incorporation of natural beauty into indoor spaces and there's no time of year this trend is more coveted than spring. Embrace the celebration of life and bring natural beauty to your indoor spaces today!

Taking into account how children will use the space is the key to designing an interactive and engaging kids play space. The next step is to create a zone for each function. Most play spaces have a zone for active play, creative expression, relaxation, and storage. These design ideas are meant to make each zone functional and fun. These tips maximize the use of vertical space to fit as opportunities to engage as possible.

Active Play Zone

1. A physical play area encourages movement with a climbing wall,  an indoor swing, or a ladder that hangs from the ceiling.

2. Falls happen. Soft flooring options like carpeting or gel floor tiles cushion falls.

3. Adding a sensory board to the wall gives children another way to engage.

4. Remember to leave empty space for floor play.

Creative Expression Zone

6. Since many little ones enjoy writing on walls,  a wall covered in chalkboard wallpaper gives them a guilt-free place to do it.

7. A magnetic board can grow with the children. As the kids get older, the number and letter magnets can be swapped out for word magnets.

8. It's helpful to have a table in this area for arts and crafts. A table that has a storage compartment for art supplies is ideal. An alternative is having a dedicated basket to store art supplies.

Relaxation Zone

9. For children who read while relaxing, a bench topped with a cushion works well.

10. Installing a tent, fort, or castle is great for little ones who enjoy relaxing in their own secret hideaway.

Storage Zone

11. Toys can go in baskets that are kept in the hollow space under a bench. For safety, the hollow space should open from the front instead of the top.

12. An attractive wicker hamper can store toys that are too large to fit in a basket on a shelf.

Life is getting stressful for those juggling full-time work and parenting under the same roof. Adjusting to working from home while homeschooling requires modifying habits and routines. If this is your new normal, your home space needs updates for these new roles. Some simple tweaks will streamline your space when you don't have a dedicated home office.  

Set Boundaries

To be productive with kids around, parents need to set boundaries in space, behavior, and time. If your home has an open floor plan, create zones for different tasks. Set ground rules on the kinds of activities and levels of noise that are appropriate at certain times.

A large dining table will likely be your new work/school hub. Assign each person their own section and give yourself a nice view out a window if possible.

Examine Your Lighting

Hopefully, your home is already centered around a good lightscape. Keeping lights softer and more yellow will help create a relaxed ambiance. Be sure to layer enough lighting that you don't find yourself dozing though. 

Declutter

Taking a few minutes to organize the main living spaces will boost your productivity and clear mental space as well. Give everything a place that is easy for everyone to keep up with. Rolling carts make for great family command centers. Each person can have their own tier to organize work and school supplies.

Embrace Mood Music

Use smart home devices like Amazon Echo or Google Home to play music throughout the day. Music is an amazing way to set or adjust the mood in a room. Try something soothing when nerves are on edge or an energetic playlist when you need a pick-me-up.

Think Fresh & Green

Fresh plants and flowers have a magical calming quality. Send your kids outside for a garden scavenger hunt. Some colorful clippings in a simple case will brighten everyone's day.

Scent Power

It's called aromatherapy for a reason. Different scents can do wonders for creating a cozy and efficient space. Lean into the hygge movement with glowing candles or wax warmers.

Diffusing essential oils go beyond a pleasant smell with actual health benefits. Lavender is calming while peppermint invigorates. Sweet orange is great for both mood improvement and an energy boost and all three are safe around kids over 5.

Get Better Sleep

To function at optimum capacity from home, get good sleep. Maintain your sleep schedule and bedtime routines even if you don't have to be up at a certain time. Consider that the time you used to spend getting ready or commuting can be a decent quiet time to get started with work.

Let your bedrooms remain work-free zones. Use a humidifier to balance the moisture in the air for better breathing while you sleep. Now is also a great time to invest in quality cotton sheets that will complete the oasis feel of your bed.  

While millions of families are adjusting to spending long days together at home, make the best of your situation and space.  

As millions of Americans are spending more time at home than ever before, now is the time to make your home a place you want to be. If you are itching to update your space, here are some simple tricks that won't bust your budget but will still have a big impact.  

Edit, Edit, Edit

Learning how to approach a room with a critical eye is a fundamental key to good design. Start by removing everything from an area and reintroduce items one at a time. Take your time and embrace the idea that less is more. Not every item you love needs to be in one place. Some pieces might be better suited for other areas of your home.  Items that don’t add anything to the feel of your space and also have no real function can be donated or sold.

Update Drawer Pulls

One of the fastest and easiest ways to change the entire look of a piece is to update its hardware. Amazon has an impressive selection of knobs and handles in every style. Many are less than $5 which means you could update a large kitchen for under $100. Anthropologie is another great place to stalk for hardware on sale.  

Green Up Your Space

You can never go wrong with fresh foliage. Right now is a great time to support your community and shop local. Even if your local nursery isn't keeping regular hours, you can give them a call to arrange a pickup. Plus it is amazing what you can snag for a few bucks compared to big box stores.  

Boost Your Trim

Updating baseboards and crown molding for something thicker and bold elevates a space. Unfortunately, most big trim comes with a big price tag. An easy hack is to bulk up your existing trim with a thin piece a couple of inches above. Paint all the trim and wall between to match and you have chunky molding that fools the eyes.  

The Power of Paint

There is nothing you can't update with some patience and a can of paint. Painting doors, light fixtures, furniture, cabinets, or an accent wall can completely change the look of a room. You can even use paint and homemade stencils to create bold and modern faux wallpaper.  

Go High & Wide

You can make a room feel grander by updating the curtains. Instead of spending lots of money on new ones you can get away with a simple rehanging. Adjust your rod to be higher and wider than the window frame. This will make your windows appear bigger and your ceilings higher.  

You don't have to break the bank to make big impact changes in your home. With a little patience and creativity, you can design a space you love being in.

Having a visually appealing office space in your home is so important. It allows your mind to think freely and creatively. You will spend hours in this space, so it is crucial that your work space matches the comfort and beauty of the rest of your home. Whether you have a desk in the corner or a completely separate room, here are four must-haves in any beautiful home office space:

1. Natural Light

Natural lighting just does something for our minds and bodies. There are multiple studies that praise the benefits of working in natural light. This article from the New York Times highlights how greater amounts of artificial light, rather than natural light, can lower productivity. So first things first, make sure your desk is positioned near a window that allows plenty of sunlight to come through.

2. Plenty of Color

Colorful spaces always draw our attention. A monochromatic space without any pops of color may stifle your creativity and can make you feel bored. To make your home office more visually appealing and thought- provoking, add some color. This does not mean you have to paint the walls! Find a poster, a painting, or a fabric canvas to hang on the walls. Play around with textures, too! A faux fur rug or a wooden sculpture on your desk may be exactly what your home office needs to keep those productive juices flowing. 

3. Methods of Organization

Keeping an organized space may not seem fun or creative, but it certainly will create a beautiful home office space. Just looking at a desk piled high with papers and junk can cause anxiety and make you feel overwhelmed, while an organized desk will save you time in looking for important papers or items. Plus, sitting at a clean desk will give you the freedom to think creatively, rather than being stressed about the stack of papers in front of you. This applies to your laptop or desktop as well! 

4. Lots of Life 

Add a few plants or even a small fish tank to your home office! Bringing the outdoors in is a great way to keep you from feeling like you are stuck inside. Afraid of your brown thumb? This article lists 30 easy houseplants that will be hard to kill and make a wonderful addition to your workspace. 

These are four simple ways you can create a beautiful home office space. Be sure to check out other articles on our blog for more inspiration!

Few things convey a sense of coziness like a rich wood floor that's steeped in character and history. While not everyone has the luxury of living with aged hardwood floors, adding touches of reclaimed wood to your decor can capture the same feeling of warmth.  

What Is Reclaimed Wood?

Reclaimed wood is high-quality wood recycled from places like old barns, factories, ships, or wine casks. This aged wood comes with a unique sense of the past and can be beautifully refinished. Utilizing reclaimed wood over new lumber has a monumental environmental impact. Reclaiming wood requires 11-13 times less energy and produces up to 470% less CO2 emissions than producing new lumber. For anyone who cares about the environment, reclaimed wood is an obvious choice in sustainable design.  

Incorporating Reclaimed Wood In Your Space

1. Kitchen Cabinetry

Reclaimed wood can look stunning accenting a kitchen in the form of a custom-built island. It’s also a timeless choice when refinished as cabinets.  

2. Beds

A metal and reclaimed wood bed offers a masculine touch without being overwhelming. The warm wood tones and solid construction center the space in a sense of stability.  

3. Floating Shelves

With styles ranging from farmhouse to industrial, reclaimed wood shelving provides extra storage for any space. Longer lengths can make beautiful substitutes for upper cabinets.  

4. Wall Art

There are all kinds of large-scale art pieces made from reclaimed wood. Depending on your room, you can find the perfect statement to fill a wall above your sofa or to accent a fireplace. Our favorites include this high contrast geometric hanging and this rustic mountain scene.  

5. Console or Media Tables

Living spaces benefit from gorgeous reclaimed wood tables. You can choose from industrial-rustic builds to mid-century modern-inspired pieces.  

If you want to imbue your space with a truly unique feel, reclaimed wood is what to look for. Upcycled old-growth wood is the most durable, strong, and stable lumber you can find. Each piece is like a time-capsule to the past with sustainability for future generations.  

One of the biggest (and most sophisticated!) trends of this year is jewel tones. Jewel tones are richly saturated colors reminiscent of your favorite gems. Think elegant, rich colors like deep garnet, a dark sapphire blue, a multi-dimensional golden, or a daring emerald. The simple addition of a piece of jewel-toned furniture in your next redesign can be a stylish and tasteful addition that has the potential to transform the entire space.

A Statement Piece

This mid-century style emerald sofa with cast brass legs from Anthropologie becomes the centerpiece of any room. The deep jewel-toned color and importance of this piece of furniture in the room make it eye-catching and dramatic. The addition of a statement piece like this sofa to your home is an easy way to convert any room into a more modern, sophisticated, and on-trend version of itself in one simple change.

An Edited Approach

Picking a single color and layering various textures, fabrics, and furniture in complementary hues such as in this striking living room featured in Architectural Digest's Clever makes this room feel effortlessly put together but still fresh and intimate. Pick your favorite jewel tone and layer it throughout the room. Nothing has to match, and in fact, this look works better when things don't match perfectly. Add a set of lounge chairs in a similar shade to your couch, find a rug in the same tone that brightens up the room, play with colorful coffee tables and prints on the walls. Once everything is there, it all comes together. 

Contrasting Colors

One of the best aspects of the 2020 jewel-toned trend is that it's easy to mix and match shades. Since all of the jewel tones are already in the same family you're free to pick multiple shades and mix and match. This minimal sitting room from Living Spaces features turquoise, sapphire, and ruby together, helping to make this clean and cosmopolitan room more fun. This fun sectional loveseat would work great with this rose quartz colored chair, add in a pop of navy with some fun velvet throw pillows and you have a tasteful yet lively design for any room.

2020 is the ideal time for a change and working jewel tones into your next redesign is a fun and easy way to do that.

In the pursuit of sophisticated design with visual interest, we find monochromatic color schemes. This trend offers the ease of built-in harmony and a distinction from the design trends of the past.  

 Evolution of Trends

With a style motto of "ultra neutral sophisticated boho California cool," the past decade highlighted beige, gray, and other pale colors. Monochrome spaces saw layers of neutrals and hygge-inspired minimalism. This contrasts with the warm colors and jewel-tones that are becoming popular today.

Marked by a post-recession mindset, the 2010’s focused on safe choices in color, pattern, and fabric. Now we have bolder choices like rich velvet and statement interior doors.  Neutrals are still appealing though, and many are choosing to stick with their soothing tones.

Getting Started With Color

When starting on a monochromatic space, choosing your base color is key. Once selected, everything else will come together seamlessly. While "monochrome" literally means "one color," monochromatic design uses variations of a base color to create interest and unity. Vibrant colors like Classic Blue offer a bolder visual impact than the neutral palettes of past years. Color theory is important to consider when deciding on your base color.

Limiting a space to one color scheme helps create a soothing environment. This is because the brain will have less stimulation to process. For the most part, cooler colors are relaxing while warm colors energize. The tone and value of each hue can affect this reaction.  

Key Color Terms

Color - also called hue, color refers to the appearance of an object based on how it reacts to light.

Value - describes how light or dark a color is.

Tint - adding white to a color to lighten its value.

Shade - adding black to a color to darken its value.

Tone - adding gray to a color to mute its value.  

Principles For Effective Design

When you are getting started with a monochromatic design, a small space is easiest. Bathrooms are perfect for this treatment as the limited palette will give it a Zen spa feeling.

To keep shades from blending together, layer textures and patterns. Sticking to one color keeps everything cohesive while giving you the freedom to experiment. Remember that white and black are values of any hue so these will always accent your space well.  

As you embrace the experience of working in monochrome you will fall in love with the elegant simplicity this trend offers.

In their 20th year of selecting the Color of the Year, Pantone offers something simple and elegant. As the shade of the sky as it fades to dusk, Classic Blue transcends the high-speed tech world we live in. It offers a solid serenity to soothe and relax. In our interior spaces, this means we can use the color to build cozy and comforting rooms.  

Find Balance

As a vibrant, primary color, Classic Blue is a bold hue that reads dark on walls and bright on textiles. Overusing the shade can feel intense so finding balance is key. A singular accent wall works well as a bold pop of color in a large space. Selecting a few smaller decor elements will tie the color into any scheme in an understated way.  

Small Yet Bold

Smaller spaces like hallways, bathrooms, or foyers are excellent areas to lean into Classic Blue. This darker shade can actually open a room up while drawing people in. It also makes a lovely backdrop for any accent pieces you bring in.  

Accessorize Wisely

If you are opting to use Classic Blue in your decor accessories, be sure to choose multiple pieces. A singular small item will look at odds if there are no other uses of the color. Instead, you want to tie the whole space together with repetition and variety.

You can achieve this unity by selecting artwork, rugs, or table decor that incorporate blue. Elago even offers tech gear in this sophisticated shade for subtle touches throughout your home.  

Utilize Texture

Classic Blue is the perfect color for developing a monochromatic palette. This rich shade has enough moodiness to keep a space interesting. Select a broad range of textures to build layers and depth. Luxury fabrics like velvet upholstered chairs will look stunning against an airier curtain of the same shade.  

As we enter a new era, returning to a classic color provides our homes and workspaces the stability we crave. Embracing Pantone 19-4052 Classic Blue will keep your spaces fresh and relaxing in 2020.    

Estrella Side Table

This stunning table offers ample design “pop” in one petite form. The laser-cut detail is impeccable and even lovelier in person. We love this table solo or in a cluster for added surface space and maximum style input.

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Estrella Lace Side Table

We live for those seasons when the weather encourages us to entertain outdoors. The soft breeze and golden sunlight encourage us to sit for hours enjoying conversation with friends and family. Our Southern California climate (and our large family!) inspired us to create a line of all-weather furnishings which look just as chic in the living room as on the terrace. Here are a few of our favorite pieces.

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Al Fresco Wing Chair

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Al Fresco Sofa

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Coral Reef Chair

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We can customize details of almost any piece to suit your preferences. Contact us to start your custom project or shop other all-weather pieces in our collection.

Tuscan Kale Salad

With quinoa & butternut squash

Lately, I have been obsessed with Kale salad, I started maxing different variations and versions of it using different vegetables, nuts, grains and dressing(s). To my surprise there is a number of different types of Kale the most popular served at restaurants are Lacinto & Curly kale. This particular kale salad I used lacinto, you could also use the curly kale either one will work. The key and the secret of an amazing kale salad is the “massage technique” if you do not massage your kale it will be rough to eat. Believe it or not Kale used to be the leafy decor item used in salad bars and or buffets these leafy green vegetables served as the decoration outside the salad bowls, now they have made their way into our salad bowls.

Types of Kale

Russian Kale . Lacinto Kale. Curly Kale.

The Technique in “Kale massage”

Massaging the Kale

Let’s start with removing the stems. I mean throw them away. The stems in kale are fibrous and tough. We don’t want that in our salad.

Now, apply the massage technique.

Add a of pinch of salt and squeeze some lemon juice a splash of olive oil to the leaves and then start crunching them between your hands. The key is not to over-massage. Mushy kale is much worse than tough kale. Over-massaged kale loses it’s crispy texture we love so much. Rub the kale leaves together between your fingers, until they just start to wilt. The way to tell if you’ve hit the right point, as it is with most things, is to taste. Massage the leaves to the point where they feel more crispy than rubbery.

• Ingredients

  • BUTTERNUT SQUASH:

  • 3 cups cubed butternut squash

  • olive oil

  • salt and pepper

  • QUINOA:

  • 1 cup quinoa

  • 2 cups vegetable broth

  • SALAD:

  • 1 large bunch of curly or lacinto kale leaves (chopped & massaged)

  • 1 cup pomegranate arils

  • ½ cup pepitas

  • DRESSING

  • ¼ cup orange juice

  • 2 tsp dijon mustard

  • 2 cloves of chopped/smushed garlic

  • ¼ cup apple cider vinegar

  • 2 tablespoons agave syrup

  • 3 tablespoons oil

  • salt and pepper

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Directions

1. Preheat your oven to 400 degrees and place the cubed butternut squash on a baking sheet. Drizzle the squash with a little olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast the butternut squash for about 30 minutes until fork tender, flipping the cubes over half way through. Remove from the oven when cooked and set aside.

2. While the butternut squash roasts cook the the quinoa by placing 1 cup of quinoa and 2 cups of vegetable broth in a medium sized sauce pan. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to a low and simmer until quinoa is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove the saucepan from the heat, still covered, and let the quinoa sit for 5 minutes. Then fluff the quinoa with a fork and let cool.

3. While the butternut squash roasts in the oven and the quinoa simmers, prepare the salad and dressing. Place the chopped kale into a large bowl, drizzle on 1 tablespoon olive oil, and massage the kale* with your hands until it softens.

4. Pour all of the dressing ingredients into a small jar and mix.

5. To assemble the salad, pour ½ of the dressing onto the quinoa and stir well. Add in the chopped and massaged kale leaves , pepitas, butternut sqaush stir gently to combine.

6. Serve with another drizzle of dressing.

Notes

*For added sweetness add some yellow raisins

*For added saltiness and a punch of flavor enhancement add some Parmesan cheese shavings.

Enjoy!