Lavender Design + Cuisine: 2025

Friday, October 3, 2025

Christmas Table Ideas | Centerpiece and Place Settings

The holiday table is a blank canvas, and it doesn't matter if your guests number one or ten—the goal is to create a setting that feels celebratory and inviting. Before you rush out to the stores, take a fresh look at what you already own. You might be surprised to find that a festive and memorable table is just a few creative touches away.

So, let’s get started!

Select color themes - One of the first things to establish before creating your table design is the color palette. Choose 2-3 colors max. Then you’ll want to choose serve-wares, textiles, decor and foliage that work within the color theme you’ve chosen.

Consider scale - Do not overcrowd your dining table. Choose everything based on the size of the table, number of chairs and guests.

Apply contrast to create interest - If your tablecloth is white or a neutral color, use tabletop items that are bolder in color such as different shades of green and red.

Incorporate various heights - By incorporating elements with varying heights, you create variety, interest, depth and dimension in your dining table decor.

Make your table vibrant - Use fresh flowers, foliage, fruits and even seasonal vegetables on your table to provide texture and color.

Create a center piece - A centerpiece can be a winter greenery with shiny red berries, flowers and candles (avoid scented candles, they’ll interfere with your foods’ aroma).

Most of all have fun with your table set up and don’t hesitate to ask family and friends to help, not only they’ll have great ideas, but also can contribute by providing flowers, greenery, etc.

Wishing you a holiday season full of incredible flavors and happy moments!

Ellie Lavender
Space Curator & Avant Garde Chef
Lavender Design + Cuisine

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

Saturday, September 6, 2025

Clutter and Control

5 Effective Ways to Deal with Controlling People

Controlling behavior often stems from deep-rooted insecurities, fears, and anxieties.

Controlling individuals impose their will on others to create a false sense of security and predictability. To protect your personal well-being, you must focus entirely on what is within your own power.

Here are 5 actionable strategies to disarm controlling behavior:

Limit Shared Information: Reduce the amount of personal information you share. The less a controlling person knows about your life, the less leverage they have to dictate your choices.
Maintain Your Composure: Stay calm, objective, and emotionally detached. Controlling individuals often look for an emotional reaction; remaining calm completely disarms their tactics.
Practice Active Detachment: Distance yourself physically and emotionally from the situation. Walking away is a necessary action to preserve your own mental and physical health.
Declutter Your Matters: Focus your time and energy strictly on your own responsibilities. Clear out external distractions so you can manage your daily life without unnecessary stress.
Choose Peace of Mind: Intentionally detach yourself from the behaviors and actions of others. Letting go of their reactions allows you to reclaim your individual freedom and mental clarity.

The Link Between Clutter and Control

There is a direct, psychological connection between physical clutter and the psychological need for control:

Clutter Causes Anxiety: A disorganized environment increases daily stress, leaving people feeling overwhelmed and out of control.
Control Drives Accumulation: Deep internal fears can cause people to hoard items. Accumulating possessions is often an unhealthy coping mechanism used to create a false sense of security.

Ultimately, true peace comes from organizing your own life and choosing your own peace of mind.

Ellie Lavender
Space Curator & Avant Garde Chef
Lavender Design + Cuisine

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

The Art of Arrival: Elevating Your Entryway

In Feng Shui, the entryway is the "mouth of Chi"—the critical gateway for attracting positive energy, abundance, and prosperity. Keeping this space clean, well-lit, and welcoming enhances the flow of vital energy throughout your entire home.

Essential Entryway Enhancements

Clear the Path: Remove all indoor and outdoor clutter that blocks movement or creates unease.
Deep Clean: Keep the front door, hardware, and surrounding areas spotless.
Invite Energy: Add a fresh welcome mat, an elegant door knocker, and healthy potted plants.
Maximize Light: Ensure the space is bright using natural light or warm, inviting fixtures.
Place Art Wisely: Hang positive imagery or mirrors to expand light, but never place a mirror directly opposite the door.
Introduce Water: Incorporate a subtle, soothing water feature to promote vitality and balance.
Check the Door: Ensure the front door opens fully and functions smoothly to allow energy to flow freely.

Transforming your living environment is a gradual, creative process. Embrace the journey toward a more beautiful and harmonious sanctuary.

Ready to design your dream space? Contact me today to start the conversation.

Ellie Lavender
Space Curator & Avant Garde Chef
Lavender Design + Cuisine

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

Tuesday, July 29, 2025

The Connection Between a Cluttered Home & Controlling Behaviors!

The Hidden Connection Between Clutter and Controlling Behavior

A cluttered home can be directly linked to controlling behaviors. Living in a disorganized environment causes stress, anxiety, and a feeling of being overwhelmed. To compensate for this internal chaos, individuals often try to exert rigid control over other aspects of their lives, including their personal relationships.

While physical decluttering is highly beneficial, controlling behavior often stems from complex issues like insecurity, fear, past trauma, or a sense of powerlessness. True healing requires addressing both the physical mess and these underlying emotional factors.

3 Reasons It Is Difficult to Let Go of Items

Clients frequently wonder why it is so challenging to discard unused or disliked possessions. Three psychological factors explain this difficulty:

Loss Aversion: People are naturally more sensitive to potential losses than gains. Emotional attachment or the fear of needing an item later makes discarding it difficult.
The "Just in Case" Mentality: Many individuals keep unused items for years due to a fear of waste or an anxious anticipation of perceived future needs.
Hoarding Tendencies: Excessive clutter can indicate hoarding disorder. This is characterized by an inability to discard items, severe distress, and an intense need to oversee and control other people's actions.

Achieve Emotional Liberation

Decluttering extends far beyond simply tidying up a physical room. It promotes a profound shift in perspective, encouraging you to prioritize internal emotional liberation rather than trying to control external factors or other people.

After decluttering their homes, clients consistently express a deep sense of physical and emotional release. They report being more attuned to the positive aspects of their lives, feeling less judgmental, and experiencing genuine contentment.

Ellie Lavender
Space Curator & Avant Garde Chef
Lavender Design + Cuisine

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook

Friday, April 25, 2025

Plant-Based Recipe: Tartine Végétale Salée

Tartine Végétale Salée:

Roasted Sweet Pepper & Garlic Rosettes

The tartine is a beloved staple of French gastronomy—an open-faced canvas proving that exceptional food relies on thoughtful simplicity rather than complexity. Literally translating to "bread with something on it," the possibilities are endless.

This savory creation features sweet pointed peppers roasted to caramelized perfection, paired with rich roasted garlic, capers, and a whisper of herbes de Provence. Pair it with a double shot of espresso for morning inspiration, or a glass of Pinot Noir or Chenin Blanc for a late lunch.

Prep time: 15 minutes
Roast time: 30–45 minutes
Servings: 2

The Ingredients

4 sweet pointed peppers (or 2 large orange and red bell peppers)
4 garlic cloves
2 thick slices of sourdough, whole grain, or your favorite artisan bread
6 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 tsp capers
1/4 tsp dried herbes de Provence
3 tbsp premium olive oil
Sea salt to taste
Fresh oregano (or your favorite fresh garden herbs)

The Instructions

Prep the Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F.
Roast the Peppers: Wash and pat dry the peppers. Remove the cores and seeds, then slice them horizontally into 2-inch strips. Toss with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. Lay them flat on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Confit the Garlic: Place the unpeeled garlic cloves on a double sheet of aluminum foil. Drizzle with 1 teaspoon of olive oil, add a sprinkle of sea salt, and wrap the foil bundle tightly.
The Bake: Place both the peppers and garlic in the oven. Roast the peppers for 30–45 minutes, checking them at the 30-minute mark to ensure they don't over-char. Leave the garlic bundle in for the full 45 minutes until completely soft.
Shape the Rosettes: Let the peppers cool for 15 minutes. Thinly slice the roasted strips and gently roll them into spiral shapes to create elegant rosettes. Squeeze the roasted garlic out of its paper shells.
Assemble the Canvas: Toast your bread to a perfect golden crisp. Spread the warm, soft roasted garlic directly onto the crust. Artfully arrange your pepper rosettes, halved cherry tomatoes, and capers across the surface.
The Finishing Touches: Garnish with fresh oregano, a drizzle of olive oil, and a final sprinkle of herbes de Provence and sea salt.

Bon Appétit!

Ellie Lavender
Space Curator & Avant Garde Chef
Lavender Design + Cuisine

Let's connect: Instagram | Facebook