Home stager Ann Burbidge discusses the home staging industry – how it works, what benefits to expect, and what the future holds for the industry.

Habitation designer Crystal Romero discusses what to expect when working with an interior designer.

Guest Sydney Brunsvold, furniture representative for Moe’s Home Furnishings, Magnolia Home from Joanna Gaines, and Violino Italian Leather discusses the furniture industry from the perspective of the manufacturer / distributor

Guests Nick and Jess talk about their unique, Minnesota made line of printed lightbulbs. Discussion of colors, patterns, and how to beautify rooms that have exposed bulbs.

Guest Crystal Gillis, discusses consignment furniture. What to expect in terms of price and condition and the future of disposable home furnishings.

Beth Cousins, principal at Cousins Company, an independent representative agency for furniture manufacturers, discusses the industry from the supplier’s perspective. Secrets of Furniture Market in High Point, NC are discussed after returning from a booming Spring market.

Tools…

Martini or Coupe glass

Mixing glass

Bar spoon

Hawthorn or julep strainer

Ingredients…

2 oz bourbon

3/4 oz sweet vermouth

1/4 oz fernet

Brandy cherry

Method…

Chill your martini glass in refrigerator or with ice.

In your mixing glass add bourbon, vermouth and fernet.

Add ice and stir 15 – 30 seconds.

Strain into the chilled martini glass and garnish with a brandy cherry.

Guest Kim Tucker from Tucker Thompson Interiors discusses interior design trends in the Minneapolis market, as well as out-of-state projects. Best ways to add trendy colors to interiors and the importance of team collaboration in large projects is also covered.

Tools…

Large pitcher

Stirring spoon

8 beverage glasses

Ingredients…

12 oz Gin

8 oz Rhubarb Syrup(recipe below)

4 oz Lime juice

8 oz Pineapple juice

12 large Basil leaves

Sparkling Wine (dry)

Method…

Add gin and basil to the pitcher and allow to steep for 10 minutes.

Add ice to fill the pitcher 3/4 full.

Add the juices and rhubarb syrup and stir to combine.

Top with roughly 3/4 bottle of sparking wine.

Guest Tony Swierczek discusses warm places as Minnesotans languish under the seemingly endless winter. Discussions of European “Hill Walking” in the Alps together with tales of falling tarantulas in Ecuador make for an off-beat and lively conversation.

Tools

Low ball glass

cocktail shaker

Muddler

Ingredients

2 oz Cachaça

1/2 oz simple syrup

Half of a lime quartered

Method

Muddle limes with simple syrup in the low ball.

Add the cachaça and shake with ice.

Serve in the low ball. Do not strain.

Garnish with a lime wedge.

Guest Colleen Kleve, interior designer and principal at design practice Double Vision, discusses the nuances of blending interior styles for maximum impact. Jourdan Morris creates an ultra-potent cocktail combination that does justice to the firm’s name.

Tools

Mixing glass

Cocktail shaker

Muddled

Strainer

Collins glass

Ingredients

2 oz prairie cucumber vodka

3/4 oz lemon juice

3/4 oz simple syrup

3-5 1/2” slices cucumber

3 oz soda water

1 large sprig of mint

Method

Muddle 2-3 slices cucumber in a mixing glass.

Add simple, lemon juice, and vodka.

Shake with ice.

Strain into the Collins glass over fresh ice.

Top with soda water.

Garnish with cucumber and mint.

Guest Karl Peltier, Commercial Design Lead for habitation Furnishing + Design discusses Habitation’s model staging program, called “Habitats” in addition to trends in the industry. Karl’s consistently solid judgment and level-headedness inspires his nickname, “Grandma” leading mixologist Jourdan Morris to craft a conservative but potent cocktail creation.

Tools…

Cocktail shaker

Strainer

Martini glass

Recipe…

2oz Hennessy

1/2 oz grand marnier

1/2 oz luxardo

1/2 oz lemon juice

2 dash angostura bitters

Method…

Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake for 30 seconds and strain into a chilled martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.