Inspiring Home Spaces

WORKING AT HOME INSPIRATIONS

A dedicated work space in your home helps you set aside household distractions and focus on work. This is a tough thing to do in recent weeks but we have just the inspiration you need to create a space that is bright, colorful, and keeps you working productively.

Why add art to your home office? Because art in the workplace can reduce stress and improve productivity, according to results from a new study from Home Beautiful Magazine.

Commissioned by leading art experts, the study found that 50% of people who work at home have no artwork! But almost a third of the people (29 %t) believe that artwork should be installed in workplaces to improve productivity! (and this came ahead of sleep pods, ping pong tables or beanbag chairs).

Today, we need more than productivity. In this study, 27% of those with art in their office said it makes them feel happy, and another 21% said it makes them feel peaceful.

Is it time to rethink your home office space? Here is some inspiration!

Brighten Up Your Home

The Value of Community

Jigsaw Puzzles Improve Your Memory! Solving puzzles helps reinforce existing connections between our brain cells.It also increases the generation of new relationships. This, in turn, improves mental speed and thought processes. Jigsaw puzzles are especially good for improving short-term memory.

So clear off the table and exercise your brain!

P Buckley Moss art United in Faith 500 piece puzzle. Rainbow of colors with bold black tree in the foreground.

United In Faith Jigsaw Puzzle by P Buckley Moss

History Repeats Itself

Over 100 Years Ago: The United States was dealing with a similar flu pandemic. Masks, sheltering in place, school and business closures–they were real then and now! I think it is is good to look at history so that the present can have some perspective. As I find new images I will share them here.

COMFORT FOOD

Comfort Food Beef Stew suggestion from Canada Goose Gallery in Waynesville, Ohio

BEEF STEW

Ingredients

1 tbsp. vegetable oil

2 lb. beef chuck stew meat, cubed into 1″ pieces

1 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

1 onion, chopped

2 carrots, peeled and cut into rounds

2 stalks celery, chopped

Kosher salt

Freshly ground black pepper

3 cloves garlic, minced

1/4 c. tomato paste

6 c. low-sodium beef broth

1 c. red wine

1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp. dried or fresh thyme leaves

2 bay leaves

1 lb. baby potatoes, halved

1 c. frozen peas

Comfort Food Beef Stew suggestion from Canada Goose Gallery in Waynesville, Ohio

Instructions

In a large dutch oven or heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat, heat oil. Add beef and cook until seared on all sides, 10 minutes, working in batches if necessary. Transfer beef to a plate.
In the same pot, cook onion, carrots, and celery until soft, 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add garlic and tomato paste and cook until garlic is fragrant and tomato paste has darkened, 2 minutes.
Add beef back to dutch oven then add broth, wine, Worcestershire sauce, thyme, and bay leaves.
Bring to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and let simmer until beef is tender, 30 minutes.
Add potatoes and simmer, covered, until potatoes are tender, 15 minutes.

Remove bay leaves. Stir in peas and cook until warmed through, 2 minutes. Garnish with parsley beforE serving.