Gatehouse Loves Local Celebrates Small Businesses

This February, the team at Gatehouse No. 1 is spreading the love to their favorite local businesses. Inspired by North Carolina-based furniture maker Lee Industries, the Gatehouse Loves Local event celebrates small businesses from across the state featuring their products and demonstrating their services in Gatehouse’s showroom. Every part of the event, from the marquee letter sign (Alpha Lit) to the A/V team (BW Productions) to the box of doughnuts each guest took home (Provo Bakery) were provided by Utah businesses and creators. Plus, Gatehouse Loves Local lives on with the store’s February sale, including a special discount on Lee Industries custom upholstery, and their annual Instagram giveaway.

If you missed this event, don’t worry. We have all of the best details to share from Gatehouse’s special guests: Ashley Klaja of Living BeUTAHfully, Matt and Chrisi Hammer of Mend Design and interior designer Rachel Folkman. 

Sweet Idea: Choc-uterie Boards

Ashley Klaja, the dessert expert behind Living BeUTAHfully shared her tips for creating her favorite punny treat: a “choc”-uterie board. Klaja ditched the meats and cheeses traditionally featured on this popular platter with chocolates and sweets. Here are five ideas to use when creating your own sugary charcuterie board:

1. Consider your color palette. Decide on a few colors to highlight, then use the food and added decorations to create a cohesive color combination. Klaja used red, pink and white for a romantic Valentine’s-themed display. 
2. Add levels to create visual interest on your board. Paper bowls, cardboard pedestals and stacked chocolates bring height and unique shapes to the display, preventing the dessert from appearing flat or stale.
3. When adding food to your board, start by adding the largest items to the border of your tray and then fill in the space with smaller treats. Klaja says that the board should appear like a “river of food,” with visually pleasing textures and colors spread throughout the tray.
4. For her choc-uterie board, Klaja chose a mouthwatering assortment of brownies, truffles and chocolate-covered fruit, but she says that mixing in store-bought treats is a simple way to lighten the workload.
5. Adding sliced strawberries brings a pop of color to the board’s chocolate brown hues, plus the fruit’s fresh sweetness is a welcome flavor addition to the tray.

The Family Hammer

Husband-and-wife duo Matt and Chrisi Hammer co-own the Provo-based design and home renovation business Mend Design. Now, they are sharing their expertise on the new HGTV series The Family Hammer. Developing the series has been a two year process for the couple, who filmed the pilot episode in 2020. In just 10 weeks, the Mend Design team demolished and renovated a Provo home, transforming its outdated spaces with contemporary casual style. The Hammers, who used furnishings and accessories from Gatehouse No. 1, said that producers wanted to highlight Utah’s awe-inspiring mountain views and the state’s tight-knit community of designers and builders. Plus, Utah’s unusually high number of split level homes provides a golden opportunity for eye-catching remodels. Get updates on The Family Hammer by following the show’s Instagram page.

Ring in Spring with Faux Florals

Completing the afternoon celebration of local creators, designer Rachel Folkman shared her advice on creating refreshing faux floral arrangements. 

1. With Christmas decorations packed away and spring just around the corner, Folkman recommends using flowers to make bold statements with bright colors. The best floral arrangements build a striking contrast, like light, delicate cherry apple blossoms paired with peonies’ summery pops of color.
2. Eucalyptus picks are one of the biggest current trends in floral arrangements, and it’s not hard to see why—an organic touch of green fits in any season. Before adding picks to your bouquet, Folkman recommends sticking with odd numbers, folding the bottom wire to reach your desired height and fluffing leaves to make the picks appear more natural.
3. Looking for a palette that is both current and classic? Pairing blush tones with tried-and-true neutrals feels both contemporary and timeless. Muted pinks are a particularly apropos choice for spring, but the shades are so gorgeous you may want to keep them out all year long.
4. Citrus stems and branches bring fresh colors to all arrangements. Gatehouse sells picks with realistic textures and colors for a more organic, natural look.
5. Don’t be afraid of volume. Tall, showstopping arrangements are currently en vogue, especially in entryways. Long green picks can add height and drama to a bouquet. For coffee tables, open shelves and side tables, smaller-scale arrangements can be a refreshing, welcome addition.

Read more places and faces here.

Sources

Event Partner: LEE Industries; @leeindustries
Photography: @rebekahwestoverphotography
Event: @gatehouseno1
Hand Lettering: @typeaffiliated 
Balloon Arch: @popparkcity
Light Up Letters: @alphalitslc
Big Balloons: @my_big_balloon
Audio/Visual: @bwproductions
Choc-uterie Board Presenter: @livingbeautahfully
Floral Arrangement: @rachelfolkman and @gatehouseno1
Special Guests: Matt & Chrisi Hammer; @hgtv, @thefamilyhammer, @mend_design, @chrisihammer and @matthammertime
Donuts: @provobakery