Liver mush. Cleveland County is famous for its liver mush and the festival that has celebrated it for the past 30 years. Due to COVID-19, however, our community had to do some quick thinking to enjoy our yearly tradition still safely. This is how the first-ever virtual liver mush festival was born, and we at Greenbrook Design are honored to be one of the sponsors. Individuals were invited to share a video of themselves preparing their favorite way to enjoy liver mush for a chance to win cash and prizes valued at over $1,000.

The goal was to have fun, encourage creativity, and find out how people enjoy their liver mush. The idea took off and generated numerous entries from individuals from around the area and even garnered the attention of Charlotte’s own QC@3, a segment dedicated to featuring a variety of local lifestyle content designed to “empower, engage, entertain and educate.”. They reached out to us, asking if we would share how we made our Charcuterie board that had a beautiful spread of cheeses, deli meats, fruit, crackers, and, of course, liver mush.

We thought it would be fun to share this elegant, entertaining dish with you so you can enjoy it with your friends at your next gathering.

What you will need:

  • A serving board – our serving board is crafted from reclaimed European pine and hand finished with plant-based, food-safe beeswax. These are beautiful as serving boards or displayed as decor in your kitchen. Visit our showroom to purchase your very own & we can ship to your home.
  • Mack’s liver mush – the key ingredient can be prepared ahead of time, fried in a pan, deep-fried, baked, and cut in a variety of shapes and sizes (we did some in pumpkins and leaves). It can also be served cold since this is a ready-to-eat product.
  • Additional meats you can add – Pepperoni, Salami, Capicola, and Prosciutto. We added a little extra touch by creating some elegant roses from slices of pepperoni.
  • Additional cheeses – Pimento cheese, applewood smoked cheddar cheese, blue cheese, artisan cheddar cheese with rubbed hatch chiles, cranberry cinnamon goat cheese, and artisan cheese with garden vegetable and sweet basil flavor. Truly, any cheese you want to add will be fine.
  • Fruit – while we chose to use pears, figs, strawberries, grapes, and kiwis, you can add whatever you wish. Adding fresh fruit adds a beautiful pop of color to your board.
  • Vegetables – sweet garden peppers, pickled okra, mixed bell peppers that were hollowed out to hold some dipping sauces, jalapeño or banana peppers were what we used, but again, feel free to add what you like.
  • Dipping Sauces – We had fun using colorful peppers as bowls for our sweet and hot pepper onion jelly, spicy brown mustard, and pimento cheese.
  • Nuts – roasted almonds with sea salt and pumpkin seeds added a nice crunch to the tray, but cashews and pecans are great options too.
  • Bread – we used organic, seriously seeded, thin-sliced bread that was cut into triangles to add some geometric flair to the tray, but any bread of your choice will do.
  • Crackers – adding some additional crunch were these three types of crackers: Asiago and cheddar cheese crisps, melting Romano cheese crisps, and rosemary artisan crackers.
  • Sweet treats – for those who enjoy something a little sweet, we included some small pumpkin cupcakes. You can add any little sweets you think your friends and family would enjoy.
  • Fresh Basil – using some basil fresh from Stacey’s herb garden gave a nice pop of greenery to the tray.

When space is limited, it is valuable and greater thought is invested in creating a design that maximizes square footage to provide a functional space for the homeowner. Both manufacturers and designers alike are continuously thinking of new ways to give their clients the things they need, but using less space. One such item is the Murphy bed, yes, the one used in multiple comedy routines, but it has evolved into a stylish piece, yet remains as functional as ever. It is also comparable in price point to a traditional bed. Could the Murphy bed be the solution to your limited space problem? Let’s unpack exactly what it is and how it can help give you additional room in your home.

What to do when you don’t have the luxury of square footage? How can you create storage when there is not a lot of room, to begin with? Can you make small spaces work for you? These are good questions that we have helped our clients answer numerous times. While it may present more challenges than a larger home, it is possible to have the necessary storage for you to keep everything you need on hand. Small is not bad; in fact, it comes with multiple benefits, and a good design can help you maximize the space you do have to build a home that is exactly right for you. Let’s talk about some creative storage solutions for small spaces.

We always say details matter, and that goes beyond a project. Your home is filled with details that tell your guests who you are and what matters to you. Artwork, pottery pieces, and furniture are just a few things that give homeowners a chance to show off their style. Another area is hosting, and tablescapes have become a beautiful, fun way to share your own unique design choices with family and friends. Whether it is for a small gathering to enjoy time with those you love or to celebrate a special occasion, there are many ways to create the perfect look. By combining different colors, patterns, or materials, you can create a tablescape that will dazzle your guests, whether you prefer an elaborate or simple design.

Window treatments have made an interesting journey through the years in interior design. From floor to ceiling and mere window length, they have travelled the full circle of style. Today, window treatments can come in a variety of forms and options, plus they do more than just block out the sun; they can finish the look of a room and add the necessary touch that brings out the homeowner’s personality. Windows are our connection to nature and are an essential part of the home, which means they deserve proper consideration and care. They are also an area of the room that naturally draws the eye of the homeowner and guest alike. Most of the time, however, windows tend to be overlooked.

There’s nothing quite like the warm weather and smell of blooming flowers that come with springtime. While you may have grown used to cozying up indoors during the colder months, now you can start spending more time tending to your garden, playing with your kids in the yard, and kicking back on the patio while enjoying the sun.

But in order to fully enjoy your time outside (and potentially save yourself from having to pay for expensive home repairs in the future), you will need to perform some basic home maintenance. To help you get started, here are some key areas to tackle this spring, brought to you by Greenbrook Design.