A View of the Park: The House on Mono

We see a lot of houses, some are up-to-date while others have been left in their original condition. Occasionally, we come across a home that has been meticulously re-designed adding form and function within its walls. From the moment I saw this adorable house on Mono amid construction, I was excited to get my hands on it. I watched as they crafted the architectural details to bring some old world charm to this re-designed home.

Once the construction was completed, I was able to take in all of the work these gentleman had done to take this house and make it ready to be a home. One of my favorite details being the trim added to all the windows and doors that reminds me of the craftsmanship we see in our 100-year-old shop. In a world of fast and furious construction, little details like this tickle me to no end. 

First things first, the front porch: walking up you can imagine yourself sitting on the front porch sipping your morning coffee and waving to your neighbors as they walk by on their morning stroll. Nothing epitomizes that small town feel like a front porch. 

The oversize picture windows overlook Minden Park framing in one of the most beautiful vantage points in our town.  

Now inside this brings me to my second favorite feature of this gorgeous home: open floor plan. The living room boasts enough space for lounging and includes a nook that's perfect for sitting down with your favorite book or creating an in-home office.

Entertaining is easy with a beautifully laid out kitchen that includes a breakfast nook. Bar stools make it easy to visit with guests while preparing some tasty eats on the brand new stainless steel appliances. The dining area welcomes you to sit and enjoy a beautifully prepared meal and make lasting memories with the best of friends.

Onto the Master Retreat, a lovely space for the sweetest of dreams with an attached master bathroom with a double vanity, water closet, walk-in shower and walk-in closet. 

Living is easy in this home. If you'd like to stop by and take a look at this gorgeous place give Devin Murphy a call to setup your own private showing (775) 450-7599. 

Witches Fingers: October Signature Snack

Looking for some fun "finger foods" (pun intended) to prepare this Halloween? How about Witches Fingers?? They taste better than they look, trust me. 

Here's what you will need:

1 cup butter, softened

1 cup icing sugar (powdered, or confectioner's sugar) sifted

1 egg

1 teaspoon almond extract

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 3/4 cups all purpose flower

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

3/4 cup whole blanched almonds

1 tube red decorator gel

Directions: Mix together butter, sugar, egg, almond extract and vanilla. Then, beat in the flour baking powder and salt . Cover and refrigerate mixture for 30 minutes. Working with one-quarter of the dough at a time and (the remaining dough should stay refrigerated) roll heaping tablespoons full of dough into finger shape for each cookie. Press almond firmly into one end for nail. Squeeze in center to create knuckle shape. Using a knife, make slashes to create knuckles. 

Place on lightly greased cookie sheet in 325* F oven for 20-25 minutes or until pale or golden. Let finger cookies cool for three minutes. Lift up almond and squeeze red decorator gel onto nail bed and press almond back into place so gel oozes out from underneath. Repeat with remaining dough. 

Makes about 5 dozen fingers. 

September Signature Snack

Caramel Apple Cider Cookies

Ingredients

• 1 cup softened Butter
• 1 cup Sugar
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1 box (10 packets) Alpine Spiced Apple Cider Instant Drink Mix
• 2 Eggs
• 1 tsp Vanilla
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 tsp Baking Soda
• 1/2 tsp Baking Powder
• 3 cup Flour
• 11 oz Kraft Caramels (about 40)

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Line cookie sheets with parchment paper or silicone mat.
• Cream together butter, sugar, salt and all 10 packets of apple cider mix until fluffy.
• Beat in eggs, cinnamon and vanilla extract.
• Whisk together baking soda, baking powder and flour in another bowl.
• Beat in flour mixture until just combined.
• Spoon out 2 tablespoons of dough into a ball.
• Flatten and place a caramel into the middle and seal dough around it.
• Place about 2-3" apart on prepared sheet.
• Bake 12-14 minutes or until lightly brown around edges.
• Gently slide the parchment with the cookies onto the counter.
• Allow to cool until they firm up but are slightly warm.
• Gently twist to remove from sheet and flip to finish cooling upside down on the parchment paper.
• ENJOY!!! 

Originally seen on cincyshopper.com

Eddy Street Signature Snack: S'mores Bites

S'mores Bites

yield: 24 BITES

total time: 30 MINUTES

Ingredients:

• 7 whole graham crackers (equals 1 cup), finely crushed
• 1/4 cup powdered sugar
• 6 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 (1.55 oz) milk chocolate candy bars (I used hershey's), divided into rectangles
• 12 large marshmallows, cut in half

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
2. Finely crush the graham crackers into crumbs, using whatever method you want. I used my slap chop, but a food processor would work or even putting them in a plastic bag and smashing.
3. Combine graham cracker crumbs, powdered sugar and melted butter into a small bowl.
4. Evenly divide crumb mixture into each cup of a 24 cup mini muffin pan, grease slightly before using. Press crumbs down to form shallow cups.
5. Bake 4-5 minutes or until edges are bubbling.
6. While that's baking, break the candy breaks into the divided rectangle pieces. Also cut the marshmallows in half using a scissors that has been sitting in cold water.
7. Remove the pan from the oven and place one chocolate rectangle into each cup.
8. Place one marshmallow half, cut-side down, into each cup.
9. Return to oven for 2-4 minutes or until marshmallows are just slightly softened.
10. If you'd like the tops to be brown, turn the oven to broil, and broil the s'mores bites for 1-2 minutes.
11. Cool on a cooling rack for 15 minutes before carefully removing them from the pan.
12. Enjoy! These bites are so delicious you are bound to have more than one!

*Originally seen on Pinterest

Staging Stories: Thomas Jefferson Tree House

Staging Stories: Reno, Nevada

I love staging homes because I get to decorate all different shapes and sizes. It's like playing dress up but with houses. When I was little, I always wanted a tree house that I could make the great escape to. Tree houses always seemed so cool, nestled in a great big tree, with beautiful views and loads of privacy. 

Well the last house we staged is just that. The house is positioned on a large elevated lot in Old Southwest Reno. The beautifully maintained landscaping gives you curb appeal while maintaining privacy. Once inside, the living room connects to the dining room and provides the perfect space for entertaining and enjoying views from three large picture windows. Pictured below, you can see the layout before staging. Scroll down to see the after photos. 

After staging, the layout of the living room and dining room now looks like this: 

Immediately off of the dining room, hidden by a pocket door, the kitchen provides lots of storage with newly refinished cabinetry and countertops. 

From there, you head to a lovely space that would be perfect as an additional family room or breakfast nook overlooking the backyard. Pictured below in its original configuration:

Now set up as a family room. I can certainly see enjoying a cup of coffee here. How about you? 

This house is two levels with almost identical footprints on each level. The difference being the bedrooms. Downstairs, you have a living area that would make the ultimate game room and two bedrooms. Upstairs, you could also have two bedrooms; however, it's actually perfectly configured for a Master Retreat. Below is how the room was originally configured as two bedrooms: 

After being staged, changing the positioning of the bed and adding an office area in the additional space, you can see that it also works perfectly as a luxurious Master Suite. BONUS: The master has its own private patio area. 

Continuing on the luxurious note, the Master Bath has been beautifully updated. The spacious layout includes a soaking tub and walk-in shower. 

Now let's take it outside, the covered patio is the ideal spot for outdoor entertaining but it doesn't stop there. The sprawling gardens with additional patio provides you with endless opportunities for outdoor enjoyment. No rear neighbors to speak of makes this park-like setting ideal.   

Like what you see? Want to see more? Well you are in luck! An Open House will be held this weekend: Saturday (7/9/16) from 12pm-3pm and Sunday (7/10/16) from 1pm-4pm. If you can't make the open house but you'd like more information on the property located at 2630 Thomas Jefferson, contact Chris Smith.