Low and Slow is the Way to Go!

 If you’re preparing something special for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day, consider cooking “low and slow” and using aromatic woods. Follow these helpful tips from Big Green Egg, the original American-designed ceramic cooker that works as a grill, oven, and smoker.

• Cooking slowly over low heat infused with wood smoke is what smoking … and what some call “real BBQ” … is all about. This method breaks down connective tissue and tenderizes tough (and typically less expensive) cuts of meat like beef brisket, pork shoulder, pork butts, and spare ribs.
• For smoking these kinds of foods, cooking times are measured in hours instead of minutes. But boy, is it worth it! The result is succulent, fall-off-the-bone tenderness with the tangy, complex combination of spices, smoke, and natural meat flavors.
• Aromatic smoking woods add flavor to foods without adding a single calorie or gram of fat! Each variety of wood, from apple to mesquite to hickory and beyond, infuses food with its unique flavor. Mix and match your foods and woods. Experimenting is half the fun!
• Try soaking your wood chunks in water several hours or overnight before using them. This allows the wood to smolder and release the smoky aromas and flavors to permeate food.
• Instead of water, you can use wine, beer, or fruit juice to soak the wood and add another flavor dimension.

Stop by Parrish and Company for more information on the Big Green Egg, and have a delightful (and delicious!) Valentine’s Day!

Spring is the Perfect Season to Spruce Up Your Home and Save Money!

Spring is just around the corner, and for many homeowners it’s a perfect season to update the landscape and renovate rooms for a fresh, new look. This year, with such an expansive number of “green” products on the market, it’s important to consider energy and water efficiency for any updates on your list – inside the home and out.

Standard efforts to conserve energy and water throughout the home now include installing low-water toilets and sinks, better functioning furnaces, and improved insulation. Outdoors, especially in South Texas, drought-tolerant plants are now the norm, and more homeowners that ever are using gray recycled water in their gardens. Nothing however, provides as much bang for the buck as new kitchen appliances – especially if it’s been a decade or more since your last purchase. 

At Parrish & Company, we feature Electrolux Appliances as one of our premier brands in our showrooms. Electrolux combines European style with thoughtful design and innovative technologies, including advancements in energy efficiency that lead the industry. The company’s eco-friendly dishwashers use 41 percent less energy and 40 percent less water than they did just 10 years ago, and their refrigerators beat federal Energy Star efficiency standards by 20 percent!

 As a special incentive to “go green” Electrolux is offering $50 to $325 back with the purchase of each qualifying appliance via American Express Reward card through February 25, 2013. Visit a Parrish showroom soon to learn more about Electrolux appliances and saving energy throughout your home in 2013. 

Keep visiting Parrish Place, where next time we'll tell you all about the hottest thing in cooking technology: induction cooktops! 

Extend Your Living Space with an Outdoor Fireplace

From rooftop terraces to backyard sanctuaries, a fireplace can transform an ordinary outdoor space into a true extension of your home. Whether you want to entertain friends or add some mild-weather square footage for the family, the flickering flame of a fireplace can add to your home's value and enhance your ability to enjoy it year-round. These exterior architectural elements can be designed in all shapes, sizes and styles to complement your home perfectly.

Check out the ideas below, then drop by your closest Parrish and Company showroom for a tour of our fireplace gallery and more design tips.

Significant seating. Ample seating built around the fireplace helps make use of an outdoor space on chilly nights and accommodates more guests. Put blankets or bench cushions on your hearth as a layer between bodies and the hard, chilly materials used for fireplace surrounds.

Outdoor living room. Outdoor living spaces can be created to feel just like an indoor living room. The fireplace acts as a focal wall but still allows for an open space. Even with simple architecture, an outdoor fireplace can be customized and accented with the choice of surround and mantel materials.

Two-for-one. Many homeowners turn their retaining walls or fences into a fireplace. A sunken sitting area and stone or brick pathway can transform it into a private sanctuary. Be open-minded when it comes to location. There's no rule that says the fireplace has to be under a patio or on a porch.

Low lying. Forgo the traditional fireplace for a modern in-ground version instead. Use it to border the pool, hot tub, or a side of the porch for nighttime drama and elegance, but consider your family's needs. Although this fireplace is beautiful, it isn't particularly kid-friendly.

Architectural element. Integrate a built-in fireplace into your home’s exterior from the blueprint stage. If you don't want to focus on the classic look of brick or the rustic look of stone, consider painting your fireplace. If you ever decide to sell, this outdoor space will have potential buyers running for their checkbooks.

Double-sided. Light and airy, this fireplace style typically has an enlarged opening that makes it seem barely there. This allows you to enjoy the fire's heat from both sides. A large opening and clear views like this mean you can sit by the fire while watching your kids in the pool.

Top Trends for Fireplace Surrounds

Whether industrial steel or classic brick speaks to your style, one of these materials is sure to set your heart aglow.

The fireplace has been one of the most prominent architectural elements in homes for centuries. It can be designed in just about any configuration using a world of materials. Take a look at some of the most popular materials designers currently are using for fireplace surrounds, then check out Parrish & Co.’s working showroom displays for the latest fireplace styles.

Concrete. A favorite of eclectic and industrial styles, raw concrete is durable and different. Aim for this sturdy solution when you want an edgy, outside-the-box look.

Steel. An entire fireplace wall clad in steel has a commanding presence. The industrial feel goes hand-in-hand with minimalism for those who love the less-is-more look.

Brick with Wood. Exposed brick with surrounding millwork looks timeless and can be a great way to update an older brick fireplace. Consider painting the wood a bold color.

Tile. Glass or ceramic tile can create peaceful or brash statements. Considering the range of color, size, pattern and price, design possibilities with this material are limitless.

Metal. Metal firebox surrounds can incorporate an old-world material in a modern environment. Consider mixing and matching finishes in the room – a raw wood plank mantel, for instance — for an eclectic look.

Wood. Floor-to-ceiling millwork in neutral tones is a true classic style. Update the look with large, bold accessories in contrasting colors and rich textures on the mantel.

Slab material. A single piece of stone with a hole cut out for the firebox can deliver smooth lines and casual elegance. Select a remnant slab to complete your project at a lower cost.

Marble. The modern living room is perfectly defined by a dramatic all-white marble fireplace. Should you desire a touch more flair, the mill can book-match your stone to form a design.

Plaster. Common in the American Southwest, plaster fireplace surrounds are traditional in design but very cozy. Eliminating a protruding hearth also can free up floor space.