Something about the holiday season brings out the crafter in all of us. Even if you don’t touch a glue gun or construction paper any other time of the year, there’s something about holiday decorating that just calls to our interior designer.
The good news is that there are plenty of DIY options for experienced designers and newbies alike. But that presents its own set of problems. How do you sort through the wealth of projects, information, and ideas out there to find the best holiday DIY projects?
We recommend skipping the lengthy perusal of blogs and endless Google searches. Start your search with images instead. That way, you can see what the finished project should look like. Now, if you are anything like me, the final project may not quite turn out Pinterest-worthy. But it will look wonderful nonetheless. And you can take pride in the knowledge that you crafted it with your own two hands.
Pinterest, Country Living, and House Beautiful are all great places to see a collection of DIY Christmas decorations and holiday craft ideas to help you out on your holiday DIY journey. If you are looking for activities for the whole family to enjoy this holiday season, DIY projects are a great option!
From handmade decorations and ornaments to fun holiday treats to make with your kids, find great ways to celebrate the holidays DIY style. Choose one project to start or throw caution to the wind and create a whole new collection of homemade ornaments, keepsakes, gifts, and decorations.
And when you are ready to move past DIY crafts to larger projects, the Granite and TREND Transformations team will be waiting. Our extensive selection of home remodeling services, such as granite, marble, or quartz countertops, mosaic tile backsplashes, and cabinet refacing, will ensure you find just what you need to tackle a refresh or remodel your kitchen or bathroom in the new year. Plus, if you need some guidance or inspiration, our design team would love to help. Contact us today to schedule a free in-home design consultation, or get started with our innovative visualizer tool now!
Last Updated on November 27, 2012
Fireplaces are the perfect way to warm up any home and provide a central gathering place for family and friends, especially during the holiday season. Many families and friends gather around fireplaces during the winter season to open presents, exchange stories and create new memories. This holiday season, Granite Transformations can make your home extra warm and bright with a beautiful, refaced fireplace.
With the hustle and bustle of the holidays, time for home remodeling seems out of the question, but Granite Transformations can transform your fireplace in just one day. By placing the new material directly over the existing fireplace, there is no demolition or clean up needed.
Contact your nearest Granite Transformations showroom for more information on custom fireplaces and to schedule your free in-home consultation.
Last Updated on November 27, 2012
Above is a Granite Transformations doctor’s office remodel from Vacaville, California. We helped make this office fresh and modern with our beautiful Trend Stone countertops.
Last Updated on February 11, 2020
2 cups [500 ml] all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon [4 ml] salt
1 cup [250 ml] vegetable shortening, room temperature
1 egg
2 tablespoons [30 ml] very cold water
1 tablespoon [15 ml] distilled white vinegar
5 apples, peeled, cored and thickly sliced
¾ cup [200 ml] finely granulated sugar
2 tablespoons [30 ml] all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon [5 ml] cinnamon
Combine the flour and salt in a mixing bowl. Cut the room temperature vegetable shortening into the flour until the mixture is uniform and the texture resembles large peas. (You can also do this, and the following, in a food processor.)
Beat the egg, water and vinegar together to blend. Pour the liquid evenly over the flour mixture. Stir with a fork (or pulse in your processor) until the mixture is moistened.
Divide the dough in half and shape each half into a ball. Flatten each ball into a four-inch [10 cm] circle. Wrap and chill dough for fifteen minutes for easier rolling.
Dust your work surface and rolling pin lightly with flour. Roll dough to a uniform thickness, making a circle about one inch larger than an upside down eight inch [20 cm] pie plate.
Carefully place one dough circle into the pie plate and gently press into form of plate. Trim excess dough around the edge. Preheat the oven to 400 F [205 C].
Mix the sliced apples with the sugar, flour and cinnamon. Place the apple mixture in the pie shell. Place the second rolled pie crust on top and form to the edges of the plate crimping with your fingers as desired. Do not overwork the crust as it will toughen.
Cut slits in the top crust to allow for steam to release in the oven. Bake for approximately thirty to forty minutes until pie is fully baked, crust is golden and apples are tender.
Each month, Granite Transformations’ newsletter features a recipe from its “My Table” cookbook, a collection of delicious recipes from around the world. This month we showcase our Apple Pie recipe. A perfect dish for any holiday gathering, this Apple Pie can be used by any type of apple you choose to give it the flavor you prefer. Misplaced a past recipe from our newsletter? Check out our Pinterest page (www.pinterest.com/granitetrans). We continuously add recipes onto our Recipes board.
Last Updated on November 27, 2012
On Saturday, November 17, Granite Transformations held its grand opening celebration for its newest location in Crabtree Valley Mall.
The new 450 square foot showroom contains a full kitchen and bath display, and various Trend designs and displays.
If you are in the Raleigh area, please visit our newest showroom today!
Last Updated on November 27, 2012
These holiday treats are sure to impress your guests and leave their sweet tooth satisfied. From homemade cinnamon rolls for Christmas morning to fancy snowflake shortbread cookies perfect for any holiday party, these recipes will make your holidays extra sweet.
Pecan Toffee Shortbread– Buttery shortbread and sweet toffee combined with chocolate make a delicious treat or gift!
Snowflake Shortbread– Adding sparkling sugar makes these cookies even more lifelike.
Last Updated on November 27, 2012
Decorating for the holidays is the perfect way to get into the spirit of the season, but if you’re not careful it can put a dent in your holiday budget. Decking the halls doesn’t have to be expensive. These tips will lead you to a home and wallet still full of holiday cheer!
Branch out. Use natural elements outside your home to bring the holiday spirit inside. Try using evergreen branches along with berries and pinecones to create beautiful centerpieces. Adding a little faux snow or glitter can turn these outside elements into festive décor.
Share the season’s greetings. Instead of collecting your holiday cards in a basket, display them in a creative way for all to see. Prop cards on the mantel or create a hanging banner to tack on the mantel or drape down the hall.
Let is glow. Candles are a great and inexpensive way to warm up your home for the holidays. Try using scented or festive colored candles for centerpieces or place small tea candles throughout your home. Not only will you home feel cozy and inviting, it will smell delicious!
Change things up. Rearrange your furniture so that the focal point is your fireplace, where you hang your stocking or your Christmas tree or simply rearrange to a layout meant for cozy conversation.
Be original with ornaments. Ornaments are a valuable asset, not only are they inexpensive, but they come in all sizes, shapes and colors. Filling clear vases with glass ornaments makes beautiful centerpieces and hanging ornaments from chandeliers adds a festive touch.
For more ideas on making your home holiday ready, visit the HGTV website.
Last Updated on January 22, 2020
November is full of family, food and football. Whether spent preparing your Thanksgiving feast or snacking on your favorite football treats at halftime, your kitchen is often the heart of any fall get together.
With Thanksgiving just around the corner it’s never too early or too late to give yourself a beautiful, functional kitchen to cook in, gather in and give thanks in.
Whether you’re looking for a simple kitchen update or a full kitchen remodel, Granite Transformations can provide you with a beautiful, better than granite countertop, mosaic tile backsplash, as well as beautiful new cabinet doors.
In as little as one to two days you can enjoy a hassle-free, new kitchen with our lifetime warranty. Your holiday can be spent in a virtually maintenance-free kitchen without the delay and demolition that accompanies most remodeling projects.
Our granite countertops are made from the highest quality materials across the world. Our recycled glass countertops are one of the world’s most environmentally-preferred countertops and our cabinets are made of high-quality materials to give you the exact look you desire.
It isn’t too late to renovate for this upcoming holiday season. Contact a showroom near you to begin your kitchen renovations. Our in-home design consultations are free, ensuring your comfort and confidence in the transformation.
Last Updated on November 5, 2012
Just in time for cooler weather, this Fireplace remodel can be recreated in any home. Call our home design specialists for remodeling options for your fireplace.
Last Updated on February 11, 2020
Each month, Granite Transformations’ newsletter features a recipe from its “My Table” cookbook, a collection of delicious recipes from around the world. This month we showcase our recipe for Tikvenik, a pumpkin-filled phyllo, the perfect addition to any Thanksgiving meal. Misplaced a past recipe from our newsletter? Check out our Pinterest page (www.pinterest.com/granitetrans). We continuously add recipes onto our Recipes board.
The great thing about this recipe (basically pumpkin pie in flaky pastry) is that it expands to meet the size of your crowd. Small group? Just make and join two or three spirals. Half the neighborhood? Make ten or twenty spirals and braid them into a beautiful round wreath. Golden crisp, either one is a dramatic and aromatic conclusion to this hearty meal.
Ingredients
3 pounds [1500 g] pumpkin pie, peeled and diced
1 cup [250 ml] brown sugar
1 tablespoon [15 ml] cinnamon
1 ½ cups [375 ml] walnuts, chopped
1 pound [500 g] phyllo dough, thawed
½ cup [125 ml] melted butter
Directions
Steam the pumpkin in a steamer until soft. Drain well and mash, then add the brown sugar and cinnamon. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly to blend flavors, about five minutes. Cool to room temperature and stir in walnuts.
Unfold the phyllo and lay one sheet out flat. Keep the sheets you are not using loosely covered with a barely damp towel until you need them. Brush the first sheet lightly with melted butter, then cover with a second sheet.
Spread one half cup [125 ml] of the pumpkin mixture across the width of the sheet. Fold in thetwo short ends to seal in the pumpkin. Roll into acylinder and then coil into a spiral. Repeat and keepadding to the spiral. Brush with melted butter.
Bake in a preheated 425 F [220 C] oven until slightly brown. Reduce the heat to 350 F [175 C]and bake for forty minutes.
Cook’s note: Don’t tell any of your purist friends, but this recipe works also with canned mashed pumpkin. (Buy it unseasoned, not the variety packaged as pumpkin pie filling.) Just spoon it out into a pan and season it as above, following the rest of the instructions as written.
Last Updated on November 5, 2012
Granite Transformations isn’t all about kitchens and baths – we also offer RV and motor home renovations. Just like any Granite Transformations remodel, we offer the same products and services for your RV or motor home.
Let Granite Transformations give your motor home an updated look and enjoy our beautiful and reliable products and services wherever you are.
Granite Transformations is keeping you up to date on the latest color trends, decorations and home décor of the 2012 fall season. From beautiful centerpieces to fall inspired entryways, our Fall Trends & Decorations board on Pinterest is sure to help inspire you this fall season.
Whether hosting a Thanksgiving party for the family or simply looking to bring a little Thanksgiving warmth to your home, this board will provide you with ideas for your home.
