There has been a black cloud over Charlotte the past few days with Flo's winds blowing by and until the power went out I spent some time working on a new project and updating my Pinterest boards. I am a bit obsessed with that. I saw these images on both Pinterest and on Flickr and fell in love with their simplicity, beauty and .. well fruit moodiness. I love, love, love a good dose of black and if done right, purples tied in can be strong color combination ! My one piece of advise - just do it in one room not everywhere for that drama.. in my opinion but hey, that's just how I would do it.
photo by girl in the kitchen - sara ghedina (here)
photo by girl in the kitchen - sara ghedina (here)
This color combo is so gorgeous - has me thinking all about blackberries . .
FOR THE CAKE BASE
10 stone Medjool dates
1 cup almonds
1/2 cup hazelnuts
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
3 Tbsp virgin coconut oil
1/4 tsp sea salt
FOR THE TOPPING
2 cups blackberries
2 cups blueberries
3 stems basil
3 Tbsp maple syrup
1 Tbsp lime juice
1/4 cup coconut milk
1 Tbsp starch
1 tsp agar-agar
1 cup blueberries to garnish
For the cake base coarsely chop dates. In a pan without oil, roast almonds, hazelnuts and sunflower seeds until they begin to crack. Chop cooled nuts and kernels in a blender. They should not be too coarse, so that the mass will keep well but is not ground to flour. Add dates, coconut oil, and salt, and continue mixing until you get a sticky mass. Fill mass into greased springform (26 cm dia), and with a large spoon, press firmly into the form. It should create a rim of approximately 2 cm in height. Place cake base in refrigerator.
For the filling, pick off basil leaves from stems and finely puree berries with basil leaves. Then pass through a sieve. Add coconut milk to fruit puree and season to taste with maple syrup and lime juice. Then stir in starch and agar-agar with a wire whisk. In a saucepan, while stirring continuously, bring berry puree to a brief boil. Then pour into a bowl and let cool until lukewarm, stirring occasionally. Spread filing on a cooled cake case and place tart in refrigerator for at least 4 hours. Then garnish with remaining berries.
But on the subject of black and plum - let's talk design and that combination.
This is one of my favorite pieces at Shain Gallery by artist Yvonne Mendez. How brilliant is the lighting and colors in his piece. Love it and find it inspiring. Inspiration for interiors can come from anywhere - art included.
artist - Yvonne Mendez
Or even a floral combination can inspire me as well for a design look !
In looking at all my Pinterest saves, I've pulled the combo I am talking about, take a look !
First place to start BEFORE you pick your paint - fabric. Purples can come in so many different hues, here are a few of my faves we offer at Lucy and Company.
Another moody and fabulous piece just in from Saliha Staib (at Shain Gallery) . In an earlier post I showed you a more Spring like green version, but I am loving this as well. So dramatic and perfect in my plum and black combo.
I would love this in a library . . . and clearly I love this sofa !
Happy Inspiration . . .
