make it tonight

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and diced to ½” cubes

2 medium Golden Delicious apples, peeled, cored, and diced to ½” cubes

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

3 tablespoons olive oil, divided use

Salt

Black pepper

2 tablespoons honey

2 sweet Italian sausage links, casings removed and crumbled

3 tablespoons butter, divided use

1 small onion, chopped

1 cup Arborio rice

½ cup white wine

4 cups chicken stock, very hot

¼ cup shredded Gruyère cheese

¼ cup shaved Parmesan cheese

4 leaves fresh sage, chopped

large baking sheet aluminum foil heavy-bottomed pan ladle

½ - ¾ measuring cups tablespoon mixing bowl paring knife or apple corer

"FOLDING" using a down-acrossup-and-over motion with the spatula in the mixing bowl

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees, line a baking sheet with foil, and drizzle it with a little olive oil.

2. In a medium bowl, toss together the cubed sweet potato and the apples with the pumpkin pie spice, a couple of good pinches of salt and pepper, the honey and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and turn them out onto the foil-lined baking sheet in a single layer.

3. Place these into the oven to roast for about 25-30 minutes until golden brown, stirring them a bit about halfway through the roasting to prevent them from burning on the bottom (do not worry if the apples begin to break down); set aside once roasted.

4. While the sweet potato and apples roast, begin the risotto: place a large, heavy-bottom pan (which is a couple of inches deep) over medium/medium-high heat, and once hot, add in the crumbled sweet Italian sausage, and brown it for a few minutes until cooked through. Set this aside on a plate.

5. Next, add 2 tablespoons of butter and the remaining tablespoon of olive oil to the hot pan to melt together, and then add the chopped onion and sweat for about 2 minutes until translucent.

6. Add the Arborio rice to this and gently stir, making sure to coat all the rice grains in the butter/oil for about a minute or two; then, add the white wine to the rice and onions (careful if cooking with flame), and give a gentle stir, allowing the wine to reduce until almost absorbed, but not quite completely.

7. Then, begin adding the hot chicken stock to the rice mixture in ½ – ¾ cup increments at a time (about 1 to 1 ½ ladles), stirring gently to incorporate and allowing the rice to slowly absorb the stock and gently simmer (adjust your flame if necessary).

8. Continue to add additional increments of stock, stirring and allowing it to almost absorb, repeating this process until the rice is soft and creamy but not mushy, roughly 25 minutes.

9. To finish the risotto and serve, turn the heat off from under the pan; add in the remaining tablespoon of butter, the grated Gruyère, the shaved Parmesan, the browned sweet Italian sausage, the roasted sweet potato, apples, and ½ of the chopped sage.

10. Gently fold all these ingredients together in the pan, spoon generous portions of the risotto into bowls, and serve immediately; garnish each serving with an additional sprinkle of the sage and an additional sprinkle of cheese, if desired.

A northern Italian dish cooked with broth until it reaches a creamy consistency. The broth can be from meat, fish, or vegetables. Many types of risotto contain butter, onion, white wine, and Parmigiano-Reggiano. It is one of the most common ways of cooking rice in Italy.

In Italy, risotto is commonly served before the main course.

Wikipedia / August 2022

How do you want your home to look and feel?

Timeless and polished, with interiors that showcase well-made pieces from many eras

Light, airy, calm and comfortable with soft neutrals and lots of natural light

Bold, sensual, colorful and enveloping: a home should be an escape from the mundane

Sleek, modern, and minimalistic for a streamlined, curated look

Cozy, rustic, no-fuss: a laid-back, easygoing retreat for friends and family

Colorful and vibrant, with a global flair: a joyful collection of unique things

Practical, functional, multi-purpose: the ideal house is practically indestructible

Cozy, whimsical, a collection of patinaed furniture, charming florals and vintage touches

Which pieces of furniture are on your wish list?

A classic Chesterfield sofa or a family heirloom that has stood the test of time

Pale wood furniture with smooth, clean lines

A sleek and curvy couch or chaise, perfect for lounging

Pieces with sharp, geometric lines

Sturdy, comfortable pieces made of reclaimed wood

A hanging rattan egg chair

A metal studio stool with rivets that works in any room

Distressed wooden pieces, either natural or painted in calming whites or creams

Describe your dream digs:

An English manor house or a painted lady Victorian

A restful, comfortable, calming retreat nestled in the mountains or forest

A midcentury Hollywood mansion with a pool

An open plan urban townhouse with big windows and space to display the art collection

An old-fashioned farmhouse with modern conveniences inside

A bungalow full of treasures — and a custom camper to take inspiration on the road

A loft in a former warehouse that preserves details that give character

A little cottage full of cozy nooks and crannies and a bountiful garden

What’s on your walls?

Timeless paintings on neutral walls: tasteful details like details like crown moldings add drama

White walls and minimal window treatments to maximize natural light and nature views

Vivid colors, bold wallpaper, art, mirrors and dramatic drapes

Neutral colors like black and white, artwork or lighting installations for a pop of color

Airy whites and creams accented with reclaimed barnwood

Colorful paintings, photos, maps, fiber art or tapestries – and maybe all at once

Neutral or concrete walls, accented with historic brick or reclaimed wood

Rustic stone, reclaimed wood or white walls accented with bucolic art

Which materials catch your eye?

Dark, polished wood

Light-colored wood

Lush velvet and anything reflective

Chrome and leather

Rustic wood and weathered metal

Natural textures like jute, bamboo and terra cotta

Stainless steel and concrete, exposed pipes and ductwork

Textiles with a story: heirloom lace, soft vintage sheets, embroidered dish towels

MARK YOUR ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS ON THIS PAGE, THEN TURN THE PAGE TO FIND THE INTERIOR DESIGN STYLE THAT MOST CLOSELY MATCHES YOU!

Scouring the internet and estate sales for classic Shaker furniture

Tucking clutter out of sight using clever organizational systems

Swapping out light bulbs so every room is enveloped in the most flattering glow

Visiting galleries and lighting emporiums to source the perfect accent pieces

Going junking to find rusty accents, vintage window panes and signage to repurpose

Planning the next trip (even if it’s only to the flea market or the greenhouse)

Hitting the salvage yards for the next DIY project

Arranging fresh cut flowers or freshening up home accents with a coat of chalk paint

You can’t resist:

A Tiffany lamp or a family heirloom that adds gravitas to a room

Soft rugs and blankets and candles for a welcoming glow

Crystal chandeliers, a gleaming metal bar cart, gilt mirrors –anything that sparkles

Clever design: Even lamps or a streamlined espresso machine can be beautiful

Hand-lettered signs, antiques with character

Colorful textiles, interesting pottery and plants. There’s always room for more.

Practical furniture that combines wood and metal, cage lights with exposed bulbs

Décor inspired by nature: pastoral paintings, dried flowers, a windowsill herb garden

People who follow every trend. Homes should be carefully curated, not time capsules. Carpet. Wood floors (even imperfect ones) are so much better. Dull, utilitarian interiors in drab colors. Fashion matters just as much as function. Crowded, busy rooms. Negative space is as important as the space you fill. Sterile, minimalistic interior. Rustic wood and stone feel warmer and more natural. Buying mass produced art and furniture instead of working with artists/craftspeople People that throw out heirlooms or furniture when they could easily be repurposed

Well-made, tailored clothing that’s designed to last. Some things never go out of style. Warm, casual, cozy basics that work equally well indoors and out in nature

Interesting silhouettes, patterns and colors that showcase your form and personality

Simple, streamlined neutrals accented with artful accessories

Practical clothing that you can work or play in

A variety of colorful, sculptural or patterned pieces that you can layer with ease

A uniform of utilitarian clothing and durable metal or leather accessories

A blend of vintage and modern shapes, colors drawn from nature and whimsical details

TURN THE PAGE TO SEE YOUR RESULTS

WRITTEN BY ALICIA UNDERLEE NELSON

With roots in opulent Hollywood Regency, this style is all about drama, texture and metallic accents. Textiles like suede, leather and velvet combine with vivid colors, regal jewel tones, vibrant art and striking patterned wallpaper for richly layered interiors. Furniture is often lowslung and curvy for maximum lounging comfort.

Glam fans love entertaining and treating themselves and their guests to the finest things in life. So invest in mood lighting and a bar in the dining room to take a dinner party to the next level and cultivate places to unwind on the patio and throughout the house. Add metallic and crystal light fixtures, mirrors, serving trays – even drawer pulls and door knobs – so every room sparkles and shines.

This style emphasizes sturdy, well-made furniture that can be passed down through generations and natural materials like wood and metal. Rich colors and a subdued decorating style let architectural flourishes like wood paneling, stained glass, intricately carved railings and decorative moldings around windows and doors shine.

Since historic homes contained several rooms, each with a specific purpose, traditional room layouts tend to be more symmetrical and formal than open plan living. Add a touch of traditional style with antique furniture (or a replica of a style that has stood the test of time), classic accents like a grandfather clock or solid bookshelves or even wallpaper and artwork from different decades.

This color palette is light and airy – neutrals like white, cream and tan are accented with just a hint of pale rose, watery green or soft sky blue. Nordic furniture is sleek and streamlined and often rendered in pale, blond wood. Wood floors are prized, but any smooth surface works well with this simple, relaxed style. Comfortable rugs, cozy blankets, and flickering candles create an atmosphere of warmth and relaxation.

To add a little Scandi style to your life, start by emphasizing space and natural light. Clear away unnecessary clutter, find a place for every object and let the room breathe. Choose minimal window treatments (or remove them entirely) so views of nature and soft natural light infuse the room with calm.

Contemporary (or modern) style is rooted in geometric shapes, strong horizontal lines and a strong emphasis on negative space. For this reason, it’s very closely related to minimalism, which also banishes clutter and elevates stark, stripped-down design. Contemporary furniture has very clean lines and often sits quite low to the ground. The way a piece looks and how it contributes to the harmony of the room is as important as how comfortable it is.

Interiors are neutral. Visual excitement comes from juxtaposing opposites like black and white, hard and soft, wood and metal. Color is used very sparingly and anything bright or curvy makes a big visual impact. Adopting a monochrome palette, choosing furniture with clean lines and eliminating clutter can add a contemporary touch to a room.

This popular style combines farmhouse comfort and thrift with modern conveniences. It combines antiques, found objects, family heirlooms and upcycled furniture and building materials in a refined way. Reclaimed wood (especially barnwood) is a cornerstone of the style. In addition to being eco-conscious, reclaimed wood lends a sense of history to doors, walls, beams, cabinets and floors... even in a new build. Metals like galvanized steel are repurposed too, so mixing metals is very common. Interesting rusty bits and bobs, family keepsakes, rustic stone and sturdy furniture create a home that feels durable and timeless.

The color scheme needs to tie all these disparate elements together. Most interiors are white, cream, beige or gray. But understated blues and greens can serve the same purpose. Heritage fabrics like plaid and gingham can also provide a sense of continuity.

Industrial style evolved as warehouses, factories and schools were converted into lofts and apartments. Instead of hiding the elements that made these spaces functional, exposed ductwork and pipes were incorporated into the design. Original wood floors, posts and beams were restored. Historic brick and antique windows were preserved.

A neutral color scheme keeps the focus firmly on these architectural elements. The fixtures, finishes and furniture mirror the wood, metal and concrete around them. While a previously industrial space or open concept dwelling is the best fit for this style, even new homes can adopt a little industrial edge. Try adding cage-style pendant lights or exposed Edison bulbs in kitchens or bathrooms. Swap out wood seating for metal chairs or stools, install a rough brick accent wall or fireplace or repurpose an old wood chest, library card catalogue or metal lockers into a new storage space.

Playful, layered and collected, the Bohemian (or boho) aesthetic is an amalgamation of eclectic styles from around the globe. Furniture and home décor feature natural materials like caning, bamboo, rattan and clay. Artfully displayed collections of plants, meaningful stones and crystals, driftwood and seashells mingle with pottery, art and little treasures picked up on numerous adventures. Boho fans enthusiastically explore new cultures and experiences, even if they can’t physically travel far from home.

Introducing collections of these objects is an easy way to inject boho spirit into a space. Adding intricate textiles, including tapestries, fiber art, handwoven rugs, embellished pillows and bedcoverings is another. The look is layered and colorful, so it’s hard to go overboard.

Approachable, cozy and comfortable, cottagecore (or farmcore) grew out of a lifestyle movement that cultivates the simple pleasures of home, hearth and garden. Despite the site-specific names, anyone can create a cottagecore home. Key zones include a well-appointed (and often open-shelved) country kitchen, an outdoor space for gardening and soaking up the sunshine and plenty of nooks and crannies to read, nap and create. A big dining room table and a fireplace, wood stove or fire pit are coveted additions.

Like its predecessor, shabby chic, pleasantly weathered warm wood, whitewashed furniture and vintage textiles feature prominently in this aesthetic. The broader color scheme favors creamy neutrals, pastels and shades drawn from nature. But art, fabric and flowers are whimsical and vibrant. This look prizes reusing and recycling, so interiors are a blend of materials and eras. [ aw ]