Nancy Mitchell's Recent Articles
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Don’t Make Cabinet Hardware an Afterthought in Your Kitchen
When you’re planning a kitchen makeover, you probably think about the big stuff: the countertops, the cabinets, the appliances, the flooring. But we’re here to remind you that little things can make a big difference, too. Particularly, when it comes to kitchens, that means hardware.
Sep 14, 2018
In Praise of Cleaning with a Slight Buzz
I have always hated to iron. So imagine my surprise when a coworker told me that the most relaxing part of his day was going home, drinking a beer or two, and doing a little ironing. As someone who deeply detests ironing, I would never have dreamed of anyone finding it relaxing. As the daughter of two strict teetotalers, I would never have dreamed of mixing drinking and household chores. This was my first introduction to the wonderful world of buzzed (drunk?) cleaning.
Apr 24, 2018
4 Controversial Kitchen Design Decisions That People Love to Argue About
Mentioning the word controversy in connection with home decor may seem a little silly. But if you read the comments on pretty much any design-related post on our site or our sister site, Apartment Therapy, you will learn that decorating decisions can be very contentious indeed. People have strong opinions, and nowhere is that more true than in the kitchen.
Apr 13, 2018
A Lovely, Low-Maintenance Alternative to a Tile Backsplash
Tile backsplashes are nice, but if you don’t fancy cleaning all those grout lines, or you’re just looking for something a little more sleek and modern, why not try a glass backsplash? They’re low-maintenance and a great way to add a little color to your kitchen. Interested? Here are a few things you should know.
Feb 9, 2018
5 Old Kitchen Design Trends That Have Totally Made a Comeback
For proof that everything that is old will eventually become new again, you need look no further than the kitchen, where plenty of once-reviled trends are making their way back into the spotlight. Here are five “new” trends that might look oddly familiar. Tile countertops were hugely popular in the ’70s and ’80s. Now they’re making a comeback, albeit in more modern, minimally styled installations.
Feb 7, 2018
Proof That Small Changes Can Make a Big Difference in a Kitchen
A lot of the before-and-after photos we share here and on our sister site, Apartment Therapy, feature dramatic changes: new cabinets, new countertops, new appliances, new floor plans. But in this Fort Greene kitchen, the changes are much more subtle. They’re so subtle, in fact, that flipping back and forth between the before-and-after photos is a little bit like one of those puzzles where you try to spot the differences between the two pictures. Can you spot the changes?
Jan 24, 2018
Downton Abbey Cocktails: Sybil
Now that Downton Abbey season 2 is over, we’re all waiting with bated (pun intended) breath to see what will happen in season 3. Until then, enjoy a little break from the action…and enjoy one of these cocktails inspired by characters from your favorite British drama. It was my ambition to create cocktails for all three Crawley sisters (because original cocktails for the whole cast, while admirable, might be a bit daunting).
Feb 22, 2012
For Valentine’s Day: The His & Hers Gin and Tonics
Valentine’s day is just around the corner, and if you have a special someone in your life (or even if you don’t), you may want to make a few drinks. These gin and tonic variations are labeled ‘his’ and ‘hers’, but don’t let yourself be limited. I enjoy a nice manly cocktail every now and then – and the pretty pink ‘hers’ variation is so delicious that men might find themselves reaching for it by the end of the night.
Feb 10, 2012
Seven Days, Seven Hot Toddies: Part 3
With this post, the Toddy Project reaches its delicious, boozy conclusion. Herein: gin gets the toddy treatment, and vanilla warms up a plain old whiskey toddy. Can’t get enough hot toddies? Check out Part 1 and Part 2 of the Toddy Project. Nancy Mitchell has had a very good week. You can find more of her recipes and writings on her blog, The Backyard Bartender.
Feb 3, 2012
Seven Days, Seven Hot Toddies: Part 2
The toddy project continues with two delicious combinations of tea and booze – whiskey and black tea to perk you up, and chamomile and bourbon to send you off to sleep. I couldn’t stop drinking this. It’s so many things I love, mixed into one: whiskey, tea, spices, honey. I can see myself drinking this après-ski in front of a roaring fire, or just après-work at the end of a long day. Go ahead, make one: you’ve earned it.
Jan 27, 2012
Cold-Weather Cocktail Recipe: Pumpkin Buttered Rum
pumpkin butter Alcohol always warms the body, and hot alcohol doubly so. Delight your guests, and warm your insides, with this tweak of an old recipe. Now, if you have never had hot buttered rum before, you may be a bit skeptical. Alcohol and butter? Believe and do not doubt. Butter adds a certain richness to this drink, as well as a bit of flavor. Imagine drinking a warm glass of boozy pumpkin pie. Don’t you love fall? Nancy Mitchell loves a hot drink on a cold day.
Nov 11, 2011
Summer Cocktail Recipe: The Blueberry Rum Smash
Labor Day weekend always seems like the last gasp of summer before fall begins in earnest. Everyone scrambles to make the most of it — one last vacation, one last trip to the lake or the beach. And, for those of us taking the simpler route and staying home — one last summer cocktail. The beauty of this cocktail lies in its simplicity.
Sep 2, 2011
History of Drink: What Exactly is Sloe Gin, Anyway?
The question I get asked most often about sloe gin is: “Sloe gin? What’s that?” Sloe gin is many things – a home-grown British favorite, a triumph of ingenuity, and a forgotten cocktail classic that deserves a second look. To understand sloe gin, we must first answer the question: “what, exactly, is a sloe”? Sloes are little berries, about the size of a dime, that grow wild in hedgerows all over England.
Aug 19, 2011