9.17.25

Episode Transcript

Speaker 1 (00:01):
Hello, and welcome to Women's World on RADIOI. As a reminder,
radiois a reading service intended for people who are blind
or have other disabilities that make it difficult to read
printed material. Today I will be reading from Better Homes
and Gardens magazine dated September twenty twenty five, and other

(00:23):
publications as time allows. Your host today is Rosemary. Newspaper
and magazine articles presented in Women's World or for general
information only. RADIOI does not endorse or recommend any of
the subjects mentioned the editor's letter, Oma blaze Ford, Senior

(00:45):
Executive Editor. We Home editors and writers are often guilty
of claiming that this color or another can be used
as a neutral. I recall a good humored parting note
from a colleague warning another that orange is not a neutral,
no matter what the magazine's staff try to tell him.

(01:08):
I empathize words have meaning, and we shouldn't be able
to redefine them at random. But this neutral's thing has
some nuance to it. Our color feature this month's spotslights
a certain vein of soft, dirty, or earthy pink tones,
and the experts Way designer Nikola Harding wields them. I

(01:33):
look at her rooms and thoroughly bite when our writer
claims pink is less a statement, more a staple in
Harding's hands. So what makes these colors, the types that
aren't traditionally defined as neutrals, believable in that role? I

(01:54):
think it comes down to a sense of livability. They're
comfortable in some way. I keep coming back to the
oft repeated quote from designer Mark Hampton. Real comfort, visual
and physical is vital to every room. Comfort isn't limited
to any given style. Of course, a renovated farmhouse with

(02:19):
a hint of Chikh formality and an neglected woodsy cabin
can be equally comfortable. It's a feeling. Does your space
welcome you? Does it feel you? Whether it being energized
or concooned. While beauty and aesthetics are key to good design,

(02:40):
great design does much more than please the eye. It
supports and improves the way you live your life at home,
form and function working hand in hand and all that.
A well designed space makes you feel good, calm or confident, safe,

(03:00):
and perhaps more importantly, more like yourself. This design issue
is all about helping you find ideas to make your
spaces more fabulous looking, yes, but also more fun, more functional,
more personal. As far as design goals go, I'm not

(03:21):
sure it gets much better than how homeowner Alexis Borges
described his place in the trees. I really feel like
the home hugs you. Here's to decorating that shows us
some love. Cheers from Oma Oma blaze Ford, senior executive

(03:42):
editor of Better Homes and Gardens magazine. There are some
side notes from other editors. We're currently obsessed with patterned
grasscloth wallpapers. They're so an impactful way to fill a room,
an incredible texture and pattern at the same time. That

(04:07):
was from Laura Benston, senior market editor from Caitlin's Soul,
Associate Editorial director of BHD dot Com. I've been leaning
into chrome finishes lately. While warm colors metallics are decidedly
in it seems like everything is earth tone these days.

(04:30):
I like the hint of contemporary style that chrome accents
bring to a room. From Emily Williams, a senior home editor.
We recently purchased a house built in the early nineties,
and it inspired me to fully embrace the comeback of
the Nancy Myers era floral wallpaper, flowy gingham prints, and

(04:54):
creamy beige paint fill both modern and nostalgic. Next, the
inspiration of the month calm Waters. We've fallen hard for
seating areas gathered around garden fountains, where the gentle sounds
and rippling reflections of moving water offer a cooler take

(05:17):
on the fire pit. A fountain creates an architectural element
and the sound gives a psychological sense of peace. As
interior designer Pete Dunham, it's very refreshing. He arranged low
slung furniture around a basin style fountain installed by landscape

(05:39):
designer Scott Lewis and his Napa, California home. A neat
gravel square, a stone wall, and a tree canopy helped
define the space as an out door room. A water
feature is particularly good option in areas where fire pits

(05:59):
pose a hazard. The dream list there are three seek
harmony number two. Consider depth number three. Dial in the
volume number one see carmony. Your fountain's designs to coordinate

(06:21):
with and complement its surroundings. For example, landscape designer Scott
Schrader shows a large blue urn to fit in with
the home Spanish style architecture and add a note of
color amid the landscape's narrow palette. Number two, consider depth.

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If you hope to attract birds, pick a shallow fountain,
like a custom waterfall style co founder designer Kennedy McRae,
co founder of Earth Incorporated. It's about an inch deep
at the service. At that depth, birds will use it
as a bird bath, he says. If needed, try adding

(07:06):
riverstones to a basin to adjust the surface level. Number three,
dial in the volume. Look for styles with flow controls
so you can tweak the strength in thus the sound
of trickling water. You want it gentle enough that it
sounds like a babbling brook. Most fountains recirculate water, so

(07:32):
they don't need plumbing, but they do need topping up
as water evaporates. Next, neutral pinks. Few designers willed pink
with as much color confidence as Nikola Harding, known for
her layered character rich interiors, The British designer favors earthy

(07:56):
pottery versions that feel timeless rather than trendy at the
softer end of the spectrum. Pink tones really act like
a neutral, she says. Her genius lies in the way
she pairs these shades with mossy greens, watery blues, even
red creating rooms that feel romantic and uplifting in Hardy's hands.

(08:23):
Pink isn't a statement, it's a staple, and there are
examples of neutral pinks in manufacturers. One is Rose Tone
eleven eighty six by Benjamin Moore, Pink Shadow s W
one seven O from Sherman Williams, Radiant Rose S one

(08:46):
four one from Bear Meet, Cute from Claire, and Rosy
Glow one eight h C from valspar Aged to Perfection.
A taste of Parmesano raggiano is a taste of Italian tradition.

(09:08):
A food editor gets a behind the scenes look at
the cheese's highly regulated process and how you can honor
its timeless flavor in your kitchen. I have always loved
the flavor of anything parmesan, even the powdery stuff in
the can dusted over pizza. But I can't deny either,

(09:29):
something truly extraordinary about the flavor of authentic Parmigan reggiano.
A sliver of the twenty fourth twenty four month aged
cheese is sharp, salty, nutty, pleasantly bitter and sweet all
at once. Its crumbly texture is shot through with little

(09:53):
specks of crystals amino acid, deposits as a result of
the aging process that give it a delightful crunch. To
get a first hand look at the storied history and
strictly managed process that makes this cheese so special, I
traveled to Parma, Italy to visit Chiao Lat, one of

(10:16):
two hundred and ninety one dairy farms in the northern
Amelia Romagna in Lombardi regions that true parmigiano regiano. Luckily,
you don't have to visit Italy to experience the enchantment
of this cheese. These recipes spotlight parmagano reggiano as more

(10:39):
than a top or for pizza or pasta great taste
a wedge of authentic parmigano reggiano is worth the splurge
for its rich, salty, sweet flavor balance. But you can
use any block of palm in these recipes. Once opened,
refrigerate in an air tight container or plastic wrap up

(11:02):
to one month. We don't recommend using pregraded threaded parmesan,
which usually includes additives in anti caking agents, or pre
shredded parmesan, which usually includes additives and anti caking agents.

(11:23):
Our first recipe, parmisano reggiano moose start to finish time
for the recipe ten minutes. The ingredients are one half
cup heavy cream, one half cup ricotta cheese, two ounces
Parmisano reggiano cheese finely shredded, one half to two thirds

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cup crostini, crackers or bread slices, bsamic blaze which is optional,
and small fresh vasal leaves optional. The directions are in
a chilled large bowl. Beat cream until medium stiff peaks form.
The tips will curl just slightly five to seven minutes.

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Add ricotta cheese, beat on low until combined. Add parmisano reggiano,
beat until fully incorporated. Refrigerate in an air tight container
up to three days to serve. Spread moose on crostini
if you like, Drizzle with balsamic glaze and extra verginola oil.

(12:32):
Sprinkle with a pinch of sea salt and cracked black
pepper if you like, garnish with basil leaves. The recipe
makes one and three fourth cups of moose. That was
the recipe for Parmisano reggiano moose. Next Parmigiano reggiano apple

(12:59):
crisp Parmaicano reggiano adds a cheesy, salty and nutty flavor
to the sweet crumble. If you're a fan of cheddar
topped apple pie, you'll love this crisp with a full
amount of palm. Scale it bake if you prefer a
less pronounced flavor. Hens on time for the recipe is

(13:22):
twenty minutes. The total time for the recipe is fifty
five minutes. The ingredients are two pounds of baking apple
such as Gala or Brayburn, peeled cord, quartered and thinly sliced,
two and one half teaspoons ground cinnamon, two teaspoons vanilla,

(13:45):
one eighth teaspoon ground offspice, a dash of ground clothes,
three to four ounces of Parmiciano reggiano cheese, freshly grated,
one to one and third cups three fourth cup all
purpose flour, three force cup sugar, one half cup regular

(14:09):
rolled oats, one half cup cold butter cubed vanilla ice
cream optional. The directions are per heat the oven to
three hundred and seventy five degrees fahrenheit and a large
bowl stir together apples, one and one half teaspin of

(14:30):
the cinnamon, the vanilla, allspice, clothes, and one fourth cup water.
Transfer apple mixture to a two quart baking dish and
a medium bowl. Stir together palm riggiano, flour, sugar, oats,
and the remaining one teaspoon cinnamon, using a pastry blender

(14:54):
or fork, cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
Sprinkle over apple mixture in the baking dish. Bake until
apples are bubbly and top is golden brown thirty five
to forty minutes. If you like, serve apple crisp warm
with vanilla ice cream. The recipe serves six. That was

(15:20):
the recipe for palm reggiano apple crisp. The next recipe
is a parmesan herb vinegrete drizzle. This herb flecked dressing
over green salads, roasted or grilled veggies, and grain salads.
Start to finish. Time for the recipe ten minutes. The

(15:42):
ingredients are two ounces of palm reggiano or parmesan cheese,
freshly grated, one half to two thirds cup, one half
cup extravergin olive oil, one third cup champagne vinegar or
white wine vinegar, one tablespoon chopped fresh thyme, regano or basil,

(16:05):
or one have teaspoon dried time oregano or basil crushed,
one tablespoon Dijon mustard, two teaspoons honey, and two curly
clothes minced the directions and a small food process or blender.
Combine palm, regiano, olive oil, champagne, vinegar, thyme, mustard, honey, garlic,

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and one eighth teaspoon freshly ground pepper. Process until smooth, serve,
immediately refrigerate covered up to five days for fresh herbs,
or one week if you're using the dried herbs. Whisk
before using. The recipe makes one and one forth cup,

(16:57):
and that was the recipe for the Parmesan herb Vinigrete
Way to Wheels. Gyeeking out over food isn't just my job,
it's also my passion and digging into the intensive process
that yields Parmigiano reggiano's distinctive flavor that was a blast.

(17:21):
Parmesan is a broad term that encompasses a wide array
of dry, salty cheeses. Parmigiano reggiano, on the other hand,
is a specific type of hard age cheese that must
adhere to a series of specifications to earn its label.

(17:43):
Carmigano reggiano must come from Italy's emilion Ye Romagna region
that includes the provinces from which the cheese takes its name,
Parma and Reggio Imagia. It's also producing Modena in Bologna
as well as in the Lombardi city of Mantra. Similar

(18:05):
to Terrier in Wine, the region's soil and the grass
as the cows eat, contribute to the flavor of the milk,
and therefore the cheese made only with three natural ingredients milk,
rennet and salt. Each batch must follow a strict process

(18:26):
and past rigorous quality checks set and monitored by the
Parmisano Reggiano Consorti. At twelve months the minimum duration Parmisano
Reggiano is aged. A quality inspector taps a hammer along
the wheel to listen for defects yes really. Once approved,

(18:51):
each wheal is stamped with a distinctive Parmigiano Reggiano and
protected designation of origin the Peace labels, which are imprinted
into the rind. The cheese can then be sold or
continue aging. The twenty four month mark is what you'll

(19:12):
see typically find in US stores, but some producers have
aged the cheese for ten years or more. Next Spanish revival,
this style updates its rustic roots with contemporary materials and
applications that create spaces both soulful and seriously cool. These

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ten elements tell the story Spanish style interiors are having
a moment, whether you're going all in on the look
or prefer to add a touch of its warmth to
your rooms. Interior designer Sapna Eduaral shows us how she
and her husband Karen Principles at Bungalow, a design built

(20:04):
firm in Los Angeles, cracked the code in this one
thousand square foot house. She says the secret lies in
that sweet spot where bold colors and hand made materials
are applied with restraint. A single tie choice repeated in
multiple rooms, and windows and exterior doors painted the same

(20:27):
color for cohesion. Learn more of her tricks for giving
the style fresh appeal. Number one Plaster finishes. Plaster, a
paste like coating that smeared over woodlath strips, is a
key element of Spanish style, giving rooms a hand made look.

(20:51):
Designer at Gwald used plaster on the walls and ceilings
and in the kitchen, where cabinets were set into a
plaster frame. Number two Modern Lights Agriwall chose simple black metal,
flush mount ceiling lights throughout the house. Black iron is

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a hallmark of the style. She reserved her budget for
a couple of fixtures that would make the biggest impact,
like a pendant from Anthropology over the breakfast table. Number
three handmade tile. We splurged on green agriwall says of

(21:33):
the towel in the kitchen and bathrooms. This handmade glazed
terra cotta is imperfect, which is the appeal. Each tile
can have slight differences in surface color, size, and texture.
She chose white grout to highlight those differences. Number four

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graphic cement tile. Patterned cement or encaustic tiles bring pattern
to baseboards, stairrisers, and design nooks in the living room
and bedroom. It's a nod to the traditional style. Number
five Natural materials. The stone wall mount sink in the

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bath highlights the use of earthy materials. Other popular natural
elements can be found in the iron framed barstools, timbers
in the patio, pergola, and ceramic vessels. Number six linen.
This natural woven fabric looks at ease. It's lightweight and

(22:44):
breathable as bedding used to slip cover chairs or upholster
a sept It allows the eye to focus on the
shape of the furniture and gives visual warmth. Number seven
open show wall shelves add functional storage and a place
for display. But build them into the wall and you've

(23:08):
elevated the look. With clean lines, they add warmth in
subtle sophistication over the range above the tub and in
the office. Arched niche white oak boards in a neutral
stain keep the look warm yet modern. Number eight terra

(23:29):
cotta tile. These earthy red clay tiles are made in Mexico.
In their Spanish style signature. Aggerwall made the new floor
tiles look older and softer by finishing them with a
matte seal rather than a traditional gloss. Number nine Curves

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and arches. Sculptural arches define architectural passages between open rooms.
The gentle curve is repeated throughout, becoming a design feature
that nods to the historical influence of the style. And Finally,
Number ten outdoor living spaces, whether it's a courtyard, patio, balcony,

(24:16):
or terrace. Outdoor living is a priority in Spanish style homes.
Like their Mediterranean counterparts, these spaces serve to connect people
to each other and to nature. The patio was a
former parking spot for the home, but having a place
to gather outdoors was more valuable. Next you missed a spot.

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If you have a pit, these often overlooked zones might
be due from extra attention. There are five listed number
one the air in HVAC system number two, windows and doors,
number three, walls and floors, number four, furniture and soft

(25:04):
services number five, car surfaces and windows and if the end,
don't forget to clean list next time you declean. Cross
off these pet items the bed and insert leash, harness
and collar, litter box and scoop, pet food storage container, toys,

(25:29):
crates and carriers, brushes and pet clothes number one. Air
and HVACT. An air purifier, especially one with a heap
of filter, can help reduce the dust, dander, and fur
in the air, but you also need to address the
places they land. Clean your air filter, replace it per

(25:51):
manufacturers instructions, and change your furnish filter at least once
a month. If it's visibly dirty when you change it,
consider doing it more frequently. A dirty filter makes HVAC
systems less efficient and can cause them to fail over time.

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Vacuum air vents and returns when they start to look
dusty every six months or so, and to go the
extra mile, take vents out and vacuum or dust the
backs to Number two windows and doors. If your guard

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dog tends leads with their nose, don't forget to wipe
down windows and glass doors, both inside and out, and
as needed to remove nose prints and saliva, And to
go the extra mile, vacuum window and door screens every
six months. They're another fur trapper. Number three walls and floors.

(27:00):
Even if you take your shoes off at the door,
your pets are tracking in dirt on their paws, so
your floors warrant more attention when you clean them. Use
a Pate's Pet safe, non toxic cleaners, especially if your
peppe is prone to eating off the floor. You also
want to spend some elbow grease around litter boxes every

(27:23):
time you change the litter, and wipe surfaces around feeding
areas about every two weeks, but clean food and water
bowls every day. Any walls and corners your frequent your
pet frequents, most like where there might be waiting for
you when you get home, are likely to be the

(27:44):
dirtiest and should be cleaned about once a month. To
go the extra mile, clean door mats and outdoor rugs
when the seasons change, the house gunk that your pet
steps on every time go in or outside. This concludes

(28:05):
Women's World for today. Your reader has been Rosemary. If
you have any questions, comments, or suggestions about this program,
please call us in our Lexington studios at eight five
nine four two two six three nine zero. Thank you
for listening, and please stay tuned for continued programming here
on RADIOI