Cindy Montgomery

Let’s start with the master bedroom and bathroom—treat the rooms as one. The scent of roses not only caters to the sense of smell but also initiates the feeling of romance. Float some petals in a hot bath scented with mineral salts, sprinkle the rose petals on the counter, floor or even the bed. I will also put roses in vases…

If you are in search of roses and don’t want to pay full Valentine’s Day prices, then seek out distributors – easily found on Google! Search “roses for less” and your area of residence and a nice list should come up for you. You will want to put your order in ASAP because they may sell out by Valentine’s Day. When I design my own arrangements, I buy about four dozen roses and design about 3-5 vases at a time.

I place the designed vases all over the house, making fragrant and beautiful spaces. Remember, if you buy the roses, you have to do all the work… cutting the stems, removing the leaves and thorns and arranging the roses in the vase. If this sounds like too much work, the just go to your local florist and have them design for you. Just remember that most of the florists will have to have your order in at least a week prior to Valentine’s Day because it is not unusual to run out of roses, especially red roses!

For all of you out there who really want to make your Valentine something really special then make this sensational creamy cheesecake. My own creation of sweet, tart, and creamy dessert that will leave you wanting more.

Cherry Liqueur Cheesecake www.youtube.com/showhomesgirl

Happy Valentineʼs Day!! Love, Cindy Montgomery – Designing the Senses For all your designing needs, give me a call at 612.226.8044.

November is the month that reminds us to be thankful. It's alarming that I often busy myself with more things than there are minutes in a day and sometimes it's easy to take thankfulness for granted. Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it's a time to slow down and express gratefulness for life's many blessings. That said, I’d like to invite you to some of my spaces for the season– in hopes that you can create intimate surroundings at your own tables. 

This year, let's dress tables with elegance and grace, create feelings of peacefulness and add color, texture and warmth.  Here’s a few examples to help you create your lovely and festive table that will welcome guests to relax and sense the meaning in this season.

On this table, I used wicker place mats atop a lovely yellow/gold toned tablecloth. The plates are by Emile Henry (France) and are brown/copper in color.  I used cloth napkins in a rich multicolored pattern and design.  I added a bronze/rust see-through silk runner, complemented by amber water glasses, a vase filled with fall-colored roses, eggplant candles atop crystal candlesticks.  Lastly, I brought in a rustic touch by placing curly willow along with a few maple tree branches in the center of the table.

Take it a step further; don’t just dress your table– dress your whole house! Bring the same touch of fall colors to your coffee tables, bathrooms and even bedrooms.  These seemingly small details will bless your heart and your senses. I know it certainly does for me!

Lastly, grab a comfy throw, snuggle up by a burning fire for added warmth and for you and your guests. May I be the first to wish you and yours a happy and blessed Thanksgiving. 

This video is set in a home designed by Cindy Montgomery with Showhomes Minneapolis. I love to share my recipes and show off beautiful homes on the market (this particular home is located in Golden Valley, MN)! Hope you enjoy!

Cindy's Famous Spring Rolls Recipe:

Yield: makes 125-150 spring rolls 2 lbs ground lean beef 1 small head chopped cabbage (approx. 3 1/2 C) 1 onion chopped 3 small zucchini chopped 4 C carrots shredded 2 C fresh bean sprouts 1 bunch of green onion chopped 2 t salt 2 t black ground pepper 1 egg 4 packages of Spring roll wrappers (buy at Asian grocery stores only) Make sure they are the non-stick. 2 C canola oil to fry Spring rolls in 350-400 degree electric skillet.

First brown the beef completely, then add the cabbage and chopped onion and cook until tender (approx 2 minutes).

Turn off heat then add carrots, bean sprouts, green onion and zucchini...

Roll 2 tbsp of the mixture in each sheet of spring roll paper (folding in each corner at a time), dip the final corner in a beaten egg and close the roll.

Once you've made all your roll ups, heat a skillet with your canola oil to 400 degrees and cook the rolls until they're browned. Then place each one on a drying rack to cool.... and ENJOY!

Dip the spring rolls in a sweet chili sauce (also available at Asian markets)

Last month we (Showhomes Minneapolis and Cindy Montgomery) were featured on the DIY Network's "Rehab Addict." Since then, I received many questions via email, private facebook messages and phone calls about the furnishings used in the home after the remodeling was completed. In attempt to make this simple, I'll go through room by room with photos and explain the inspiration.

Upon viewing this beautiful renovation, I first noticed the stunning colors: pewter walls and warm cream with antiqued woodwork around the fireplace. Keeping that in mind I wanted to try to find something that would not distract from this focal point. Here's what I chose.

Two matching white linen sofas, with feather down pillow inserts and silk pillow covers that were tight on the ends. The coffee table was purchased at West Elm - simple, yet elegant. I used the largest platter (concrete) from Restoration Hardware with three floating balls with a rope texture. The fresh flowers add even more elegance and are cut to the same length (after first taking off all thorns and leaves to achieve that clean and fresh look). The glass vase is from West Elm along with natural fibers from Pier One Imports. The throw is a cream with a cotton yarn. The lamps are pottery base with a chocolate brown lamp shade. The rug (6x9) is also from West Elm - it's texture made for a perfect balance.

STUDY When I first saw this space I immediately thought it would make the perfect study.

I always float the desk in the room - you do not want anyone walking to the back of the person sitting at a desk - so we placed the desk at an angle in the room, accessorized and put two really hip chairs across from the desk.

This room is opposite of the study - so I used two matching accent chairs in cream and then anchored a side table with a hip lamp.

MASTER BATHROOM I like to use elements that invite a spa like atmosphere. So, in the master bath I brought in rich towels, two matching robes, and some chocolates - Godiva of course!

MASTER BEDROOM When I took this photo, it was facing the entrance wall where the bed would go. Because I always like to use a king sized bed in the master, it was really important to see the space and use the full expanse of this incredible room. The opposite side of this room has a fireplace, sort of separating the room...

I placed a Room and Board chocolate sofa, a Pier One coffee table and end table, two contemporary lamps, a transitional headboard and footboard - a style that could go either way: contemporary or traditional. I dressed the bed with linens, a duvet from West Elm, full and fluffy feather down comforters and pillow inserts.

This room turned out to be one of the most romantic rooms in the home. We did not hang any artwork on the walls, instead we propped the artwork on the fireplace and accessorized the coffee table.

FORMAL DINING ROOM This table is from Room and Board- a rough hewn and distressed table in an oil finish, closed legs with 6 chairs tucked inside (from my wholesale line). Elegant statement.

KITCHEN We steered towards a gourmet kitchen style in the furnishings for this room- cafe table, four black chairs, center island and the accessorizing which works beautifully, making this quaint room more of a sunny experience even on the coldest of days.

GUEST ROOM Normally I wouldn't put a bed in front of a window. But in this room, it was clearly the longest wall- so it made sense as the best placement of the furnishings due to how a person would walk into the space.

I chose a white bed with two matching night stands from my wholesale line. Since the room was a greener tint we accented with green and used mostly white linens to balance and bring in softer and calming colors.

BOYS ROOM This room is long and narrow - but big enough for a twin bed, a nightstand and a desk!

Custom bedding in sail boats and matching coordinating pillows of sailboats and cream and blue strips - black headboard and footboards (my wholesale line) as well as black desk from Hom Furniture.

Being a part of the DIY Network and tackling this home, it was fun to see the transformation of the space and the furnishings finally in place. We focused on enhancing the features, class, integrity and style of the home while maintaining a model home atmosphere. We expect this home will sell quickly once it hits the market - a well dressed and appointed space.

For answers to your questions, recommendations on what you should to do when you are furnishing your space, call me anytime or facebook me: Showhomesgirl.

Are your vacant listings ready for winter? With Showhomes, broken pipes, wet basements and funny smells become worries of the past! Cindy Montgomery of Showhomes Minneapolis has helped Realtors and their home owners sell over 50 homes since January 2010. Let me help you help your clients.

Please click the youtube link below to find out more!