Interview | Monica Pedersen | Make It Beautiful

photo credit peter rosenbaum

When I was contacted and asked if I would be interested in reviewing, Monica Pedersen Make It Beautiful: Designs and Ideas for Entertaining at Home  I have to admit I was thrilled at the opportunity to get a peak.  How was I to know over a year ago when I attended Las Vegas Market, and briefly meet Monica Pedersen, that one day I would be writing about her.  The truth is, it was just a brief moment where we were introduced, though I vividly recall thinking to myself, what a truly kind down to earth person she is.



Well here I am!  The day my copy of Make It Beautiful arrived in the mail, I opened the package to get a look at it.  As I perused the pages I was immediately drawn in by the beautiful photography and I could hardly wait to sit down, open it up and read each and every page.

photo credit peter rosenbaum

And that is exactly what I did!  From page to page I was captivated by the story, impressed by the thoughtful expression and intrigued by the really fun and inventive entertainment ideas, many that I will be referring to again and again.  The kind of icing on the cake was the beautiful photography that put it all together and made me feel like I was attending each event as it played out in the pages of the book.  The fact that each chapter represents a party, event or occasion that Monica planned, designed and executed for her friends and family is really a testament to the type of person she is.  She has a very deep connection and bond to her family, friends and her husband of 14 years.  This book is more than a book, it is a capsule of memories from Monica's life that she has chosen to share with everyone.

From the moment I started the book until I turned the last page I had questions spinning through my head.  What a thrill that I was able to have a question and answer with Monica to get some of those questions answered and learn more about her and her book Make It Beautiful.

 ~ all photos to follow credit Peter Rosenbaum unless otherwise stated~

First and foremost thank you for sharing your book with me.  It is not only visually beautiful but the read was so relaxed and enjoyable.  I appreciate that I have had the opportunity to read/review.

 a few questions...

Carmen~I truly loved that you have such a wonderful connection with you family and drew from that inspiration for your book.  In your dedication you mention in memory of Michael & Michele could you share with me who they are?  

Monica

"Michael and Michele are my siblings that sadly passed away much too young. Michael was my twin brother who died when we were 16yrs old and Michele, my older sister passed away suddenly a few years ago. I miss them every day and to see their names in print and including photos of them in the intro was very special to me. The title and message of make it Beautiful means more than decorating. It is about making the effort to celebrate with loved ones. My Mother did that beautifully and I am so grateful for the memories of special times with my siblings."

Carmen~If you had to pick a favorite Design Style what would it be and why? And does this influence the way you entertain and how you dress a table?

Monica

"My favorite design style is traditional. And in the world of television where there is an emphasis on being “hip” I am often defending it.  Traditional details like table skirts china and tabletop accessories  that have been passed down definitely have an influence on my overall design."

Carmen~What is your favorite event/holiday to celebrate and why?

Monica

"Christmas is sooo my favorite holiday for entertaining and for decorating. My holiday china is my prized possession and can be seen in the book on page 149 under a pile of cookies."

Carmen~Who is the cook in your family?  You or Erik?  

Monica

"Unfortunately I am the cook in my household and not a very good one at the moment I must say. While there was a time when I really enjoyed cooking will, my travel schedule at work has taken a bit of the fun out of it. Until I can get a regular design show back home in Chicago, there will continue to be a lot of take out at our house."  

Carmen~How long have you and Erik been married and who planned/designed your wedding?  Did you have a wedding planner or do it yourself?

Monica

"We have been married for 14yrs and yes had a wedding planner.  When we were married I was working in fashion so most of my efforts were about my dress, bridesmaids, flower girls and making sure my Mom looked FAB! I regret not spending more time on the design. Although it was a beautiful winter wedding with layers and layers of white, and gorgeous centerpieces of white roses. The church we exchanged vows was supposed to have been candlelit and when I walked into it the place was lit up like a parking lot. I was so dissapointed. However someday we will renew out vows and I will get my candlelight service."

Carmen~Of all the events you put together for this book which one was your favorite and why?

Monica

"My favorite party in the book from a design standpoint is the graduation party. The setting was beautiful and as the night went  on, the candlelight from those gorgeous chandeliers was magical."

Carmen~How many table skirts (table cloths) do you own?   And more importantly how many does your mom own? 

Monica

I have 6 different table skirts that I use for different holidays. Now my Mother has an entire linen closet full of them. The last time I was at her house she was working on sewing another one.

Carmen~Would you rather be a guest or a host?  And why?

Monica

Hmmm, host or guest? At the moment I would say guest! I am a bit hosted out at the moment... 

Carmen~As a guest at someone else's party what is a memorable moment, item, theme you that is memorable to you?  Or what makes for a great entertainer?

Monica

"My favorite party to attend however was definitely Tea forTwo with my Mom. In the opening shot of the two of us there is a ray of sunshine pouring in on her. Five minutes before that shot was taken it was overcast, drizzling and we had tohelp her up from a nearby sofa where she had been taking a nap after a tough morning session of dialysis treatment. The minute she sat down at the table the sun came out. My photographer actually stepped out from behind the camera and said” did you see that?”   Her dog who was under the table was also putting on quite a show for us throughout the shoot. We have such great memories of that day."

 

Carmen~If you could invite and entertain anyone for a special dinner party who would it be and why? And what would the theme be? 

Monica

Oprah! Can you imagine what a fun dinner guest she would be? 

photo credit oprah.com

A Kitchen with Style

When designing a kitchen my first goal is always to access my clients needs as it pertains to the Kitchen Function.  Once I get the what goes where and how will it work parts of the kitchen design organized for my clients individual needs, I then go to work creating a space that represents their individual style! 
Everyone can have a Kitchen with Style!

Change it up Without Tearing it Up - Kitchen Before and After

Do you want to change your kitchen, bathroom or even your laundry room?  Are you afraid of the dusty mess and maybe the added expense you may encounter if you start tearing up say your kitchen? Does your kitchen need to be updated?  This is a very common and here is an example of just such a kitchen!

This kitchen originally had white thermofoil raised panel cabinet doors with plastic laminate on all the exposed surfaces such as the ends of the cabinets and the toe kicks.  The homeowners first attempt to upgrade prior to us arriving was to have someone come in and do a faux painted finish directly onto the surface of the cabinets and doors.  {not recommend}  Over the course of a very short time this finish was showing signs of wear on and around the areas that had the most direct contact with use, such as around the knobs.  Not to mention that the foil on the face of many of the doors were bubbled and De-laminating ~ essentially peeling apart. 

So the options to fix this were as follows:   
1.  Leave as is ~ do nothing and just live with it

2.  Leave as is and replace all of the door and drawer fronts, moldings and re-finished all exposed ends

3. Remove and replace all cabinets and countertops, which would also allow for kitchen to be redesigned to maximize storage and function.

So for this particular job the homeowner choose option #2, and there were multiple benefits to making this selection.  {no construction mess or dust, able to keep the existing granite countertops and no need for any electrical or plumbing to be done to name a few}  This is how to change it up without tearing it up!

~Before and After Views ~

Veggie Burger from Juice Pulp

I started juicing fruit and veggies just over a month ago with my Omega J8006 Nutrition Center Commercial Masticating Juicer, Black and Chrome.   When you juice fruits and vegetables in this type of juicer you end up with a substantial amount of vegetable and fruit pulp.  

Up until today I had been saving the pulp and putting it in my Soilsaver Classic Composter  And though this is going to make for amazing compost, I have been feeling like something more could be done with this pulp than just tossing all of it to the composter.  So I decided today to experiement with making veggie burgers and this is what I came up with and they tasted great.  Better than any store bought veggie burger I have ever had. 

Carmen's Juice Pulp Veggie Burgers

 Ingredients

1 can black beans

3 cups juice pulp

3/4 cup chopped onion 

1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil

2 eggs (could use egg substitute)

3 garlic gloves crushed

1 tsp. sea salt +/- (I didn't really measure this)

2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

2 tsp. Chia seed

2 cups (+/-) crushed gluten free rice chex (you could also use bread crumbs or crackers)  The amount will vary depending on the consistency of the pulp and how moist it is.

Dry Seasonings I used were as follows and could vary to taste:

1 tbls.  parsley flakes

2 tbls.  Italian seasoning

1 tbls.  rubbed sage

1 tbls.  cilantro leaves

1 tbls.  grill mates / montreal steak seasoning

Directions
-  dump drained black beans into food processor and lightly chop 
-  add in seasonings, olive oil, crushed garlic, sea salt, Parmesan cheese, chia seed and mix
-  add eggs mix
-  add rice chex about a half cup at a time until it reaches a consistency that you can make patties (kinda thick)
-  divide and make into patties
-  heat up frying pan over med heat with olive oil and cook until crunchy brown on each side.  Makes about 8-10 burgers ~Serve with sliced avocado and enjoy!

  

Mailey my TUBE DUDE Dudette

As a participant in the 2012 17th Annual Jewels on the Bay Showhouse I attended the opening event brunch to honor David and Ilene Denton & Reverend Fredrick and Linda Robinson.  During the brunch there was a raffle and I won a custom design of my choice Tube Dude. Here is a picture of me at the luncheon next to the display Tube Dude...

Here are a few posts on my room at the Jewels on The Bay Showhouse!
 click on links here
Laundry Rooms can be beautiful 

Special Place for the Dog!

ABC7 TV Debut / Carmen Christensen

Wallpaper Wednesday I love flock!

As long as I can remember I have been fascinated and drawn to texture.  With that said I love flocked wallpaper - this from a person who hasn't always been fond of wallpaper.  Though I must say I have an acquired appreciation for it, wallpaper is one way to bring texture to a space.  And when you have a large graphic print that is flocked, this is for me the perfect combination.  Here a just a few quick examples of this....Enjoy!

This Tree Bark velvet flocked wallpaper is my fav of the day!