Kitchens~Baths~Interiors
Brizo Faucets + 20 Designers + Fashion Week + Jason Wu=WOO HOO!
Feb 7th
One belongs to New York instantly. One belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years~~~Thomas Wolfe
Brizo RSVP Faucet. Bath designed by In Detail
Brizo RSVP Faucet. Bath designed by In Detail
It is no longer a big secret that award winning and innovative BRIZO Faucets is flying, housing, and hosting 20 designers who also write top design blogs to NY for Fashion week; highlighted by attending Designer Jason Wu’s Fashion show. Truthfully, I am not sure I will believe I am included in this awesome opportunity until I land at La Guardia! I cannot wait to write all about it here!
Not only is it a chance to get to know the folks at Brizo and learn more about the Brizo Fashion Connection and their products (which I love to do…remember the great stories from last summer’s trip to Subzero/Wolf facility in Madison!) but equally as important is getting to meet some of the other designers whom I admire. I feel like I know some of these folks already but it will be a rush of excitement to meet face to face. And to think I will be a part of it all makes me swoon!
I would like to take a moment and formally make an intro to my readers these other fine people in the design world. Most are to the left on my blog roll already but take a minute and check out their profile and blogs!
I have to start with Paul Anater as he is the person who introduced me to Charlie whose firm works with Brizo! ( take a bow Paul!)
Paul is a St. Petersburg, Florida based kitchen and bath designer, freelance writer and founder of the popular kitchen and bath design blog Kitchen and Residential Design. Check out a very cool site; Decorating Diva to read a great profile on Paul. Paul’s posts are informative, sometimes irreverent and always entertaining.
This is Kelly Morisseau and she is a second-generation CMKBD and a CID working for a residential design/build firm in Northern California. We have traded stories for awhile and I feel like a know her! Her blog is Kitchen Sync and you must read it for great insight into the business.
This lovely lady is Sarah Lloyd. She is an Interior Designer specializing in kitchens and baths, based in Los Altos in the San Francisco Bay Area. You must check out her blog; Kitchen Clarity. Sarah is funny and her posts are always good.
Ann Porter is a kitchen and bath designer in Naples, Florida. Her blog Kitch Ann Style is a great source for new products and great information. I have found some really cool products myself from reading Ann’s blog! She also has a website at Kitchen Studio of Naples.
This guy here, Johnny Grey is probably my favorite designer of all time. I will be star struck when I meet him. I own all his books and have given them as gifts to other designers. He is a British kitchen designer born in London. In the 1980s, he pioneered the concept of the “unfitted kitchen” before establishing Johnny Grey Studios. WOW is all I can say here! I am going to do the happy dance!! His blog is Grey Matters.
Chuck Wheelock also works with Johnny Grey as the Design Director in the USA. Prior to working with Johnny Grey, he has worked in the US and Middle East with high-rise, corporate, educational, mixed-use and residential projects, with award-winning design projects in Egypt and Jordan. Looking forward to meeting this interesting guy as well!!
Jamie Goldberg is a designer recently relocated to San Diego ( my hometown!). She is a certified kitchen designer from the NKBA as well as CAPS certified. She frequently writes wonderful articles on design for local, regional and many national publications. You can find great posts and links to her articles at her blog Gold Notes and she also has a portfolio website at JG Kitchens.
Adrienne Palmer is the Product Specialist for Susan Palmer Designs and a partner in the company. She is a terrific blogger and I particularly enjoy reading her posts on celebrity kitchens! Click on link above to take you to Cher’s kitchen!
Another lady I am looking forward to meet is Andie Day . She is an award winning interior designer who promotes sustainable design and is CAPS certified. Her blog is filled with excellent information and stunning photos and the blog itself is well put together and has a beautiful layout.
Susan Serra is a certified kitchen designer and also is CAPS certified. She has been writing her blog The Kitchen Designer for 3 years now! Her posts are a great read and contain all sorts of informative info for both consumers and designers. I look forward to meeting her in person!
Laurie Burke has another must read design blog called Kitchen Design Notes. Laurie is a full service kitchen and bath designer and a graduate of UCLA. I have been reading her blog for almost a year now and have thoroughly enjoyed her posts!
Aston Smith hosts a blog at Kitchen Design Trends. I just started reading her blog but I like what I see! She has 20 years of experience in Home Furnishings and Interior Design and has specialized in Kitchen and Bath Design since ‘02.Take a look at her posts!
Carmen Natschke is an award winning designer and the woman behind The Decorating Diva. This blog is chock full of great information. I have to get myself a cup of coffee and put my feet up to begin reading! IT covers the latest trends in home design, Green design, color, home decor and healthy home living, as well as, reviews of a variety of home decorating products. Not to be missed blog!
Leslie Claggett hosts a blog called KB Culture. Leslie is a seasoned observer of the international kitchen and bath industries. An editor at publications ranging from Arts + Architecture to Kitchens & Baths, she is also the author of The New City Home among other books. Her blog is FULL of great product finds and insights but the best part is her commentary along with it!
Saxon Henry has been a design writer for 13 years. She has written for a wide variety of national and regional publications. She wanted to bring her own view of design forward so she created an e-zine. Design Commotion Blog . I just started reading it…and reading it..and reading it! Love her style!
Here is another woman I am dying to meet. Pam Rodriguez hosts a blog at Pam Designs. She has worked for the past 9 years on completing kitchen and bath projects. She currently has a cool internet design service. Check out her blog and website to view some gorgeous drawings and 3d renderings.
I am so looking forward to meeting all these talented people and will keep you posted on the trip, the beautiful designs of Brizo Faucets and Jason Wu ! Stay tuned!
The Bright…of White
Feb 3rd
It is no secret around our shop that I have a “thing” for white lately. (and grays too but that is for another day and post) I want to do my own bathroom redo in white on white. Now, I know about little dark things showing up on a white floor. Like hairs. And dirt.
But when you consider this sort of impact, who cares?
Of course, it is not for everyone nor every place but I think that white can be an incredibly bright and rich look. Think white with layers of texture. That is what most of these rooms have in common. I favor modern design but in these photos it is the textural layering of whites that makes the rooms work. White on white in a modern setting sometimes gets to be “too” sleek.
Admittedly, there is one area I don’t favor white. Ceilings. I prefer a painted ceiling….but not white…a strking color on the ceiling could set some serious drama into action! ( I am just woozy with the thought of a BM Branchport Brown ceiling and all white walls, floors and furnishings)
If you get cold feet at the thought of all that drama then use a white that is not “deocrator white” or worse, “ceiling white” but a white tinged with a hue that gives a nod to the contrast of the white room. Subtle, but definitive.
Coco Cozy
I want to jump right in!
Not all white but affect is awesome!
Love the texture
Thanks to Design Manifest for above photo
Truth or Dare:
Makes me sad to see poorly executed design
To me, this is white not done right. Busy Busy Busy. Apparently they did not read post from a few weeks ago about just saying no to 4×4 tumbled marble either.
A round island could be an interesting element but I have only seen Johnny Grey do round islands and make them work. This one does not work.
And the little cubby hole created by the appliance garage sitting on the counter and the “too too” skinny columns on range hood is at BEST wasted counter space, at WORST, really unattractive. This is about execution. Poorly done.
Note the crown and how the ins and outs are visually tough to watch…at least for me. I want to just shake some sense into someone. Heavy sigh.
Master Bath Combo Suite
Feb 2nd
A view showing the foyer, his bath, her bath
Full Disclosure:This is a somewhat self serving post as it features a bath we just completed for the most wonderful client!!( got to love those kind!) But heck, it is a pretty bathroom! It was badly in need of an updated look and we wanted to integrate the two bathrooms together so that it became more of a suite.
To keep unity throughout and a classic look that would work for both HE and SHE, we opted for striking brushed and honed statuary. We kept floors and shower walls the same and accented with dark river rock on the shower floor. I am not a fan of accents in a shower usually…like to let the architecture of the material speak for itself. Not to say I do not ever do accents…but usually if I do, it is a bolder look such as a a 40 % accent relationship to the the field tile below. Or, I will accent niches but in this case, we stuck with the same statuary.
These niches are functional and do not interrupt the flow of the shower
To help bring the two spaces together visually,we moved back a wall to his closet and reframed the entrance to hers…this created a nifty foyer where there is additional storage.
Silestone Eco countertops and Santec Edo Faucet
His Bath
In this bath, we redid the closets also but in an inexpensive natural maple wood. The closets are closed typically. I love the Ametys tub from Neptune Baths and the Santec faucetry in the shower and on the lavatories. The lights in her bath are from Ogetti and the lights in his are from Hudson Valley.
Simple in design, tasteful in execution. There is a tranquil aura about the space that envelopes you the minute you enter.
View from her closet
Walls that speak
Feb 1st
We are moving our studio to a new (and larger) location in a few months. This is very exciting news for us as we are cramped now in two small buildings where you must take out an insurance policy to simply walk in amongst the tile, wood samples, binders and the trunks I evacuated with oh..like 4 years ago. ( I am using as a table..give me a break!)
I was hoping it would be ready when I was conveniently in NY with other blogging buddy designers so I would come back and magic would have occurred but sadly it not to be. There are a plethora of delays. But, the good news is that it gives me more time to really plan some of the decorative elements going into the building.
This is the outside before doing much to it.
The interior walls are old brick. We have sandblasted them and got off some of the old paint and what is left is going to stay as I like the way it looks. But I want to find some good ideas for other walls that will be built. Mostly, it is staying open but the resource/conference area will have large doors on two sides to close when necessary. I have some loud employees and designers working for me! We embrace loud!
The "before" with exposed triple brick walls
So, I am going back to my hidey hole of cool ideas and trying to find ones that will work…that I can actually afford to do. Creativity will be key here. One of my favorite cool wall coverings is from Modular Arts. I cannot afford huge expanses of this product at 16.00 or so a square foot but am thinking of some ways to use it. My thought is now to use on the bathroom ceiling…then the texure will not interfere with such things as light swithches and the like!
Definitely makes the most impact when large expanse is available
These panels are interlocking and have steel reinforced joints for seamless integration.They contain no plastics, no VOC’s, and no urea-formaldehyde.
Here it is used in a kitchen. Thanks to HGTV.com for pix
Here it is used in a kitchen. Thanks to HGTV.com for pix
This is my favorite of their designs and I have the samples at the shop already. It is just like durock only….awesome. I also LOVE tile in all shapes and sizes and plan to use tile on the walls in the bathroom so I need to work on making the two elements mix. And since I am all about modern, it will be a something sleek and clean. I like some of the looks at Trend USA that fellow designer and blogger wrote about today on his blog. Check it out! Kitchen and Residential Design.
My favorite design
So, here we are in the final throes of making decisions on the building and I am definitely flying by the seat of my pants! Over the next few weeks, I will share with you some of the things we are planning and walk you through the process. I am not sure if this is for my reader’s benefit or my own cheap therapy!
A Budget Mid-Century Modern Remodel in Kitchen Trends Magazine!
Jan 30th
Oh yeah, don’t think I am not excited! Kitchen Trends Magazine is a primo magazine for a designer to be in so I consider myself very lucky!
(click on the link to take you to the actual magazine pix)
It is a great kitchen for a lot of reasons, most of which have to do with the small budget and the smaller space. The clients are young working professionals and they were adding onto the house in the back for a master bath/bedroom addition. (note to self and to readers:This bath will be in next issue of Bathroom Trends…so they say! With magazines…you believe it when you see it!) This addition took most of the budget but we were able to get creative with the costs. For the record: The table and chairs that the mag prominently displayed were temporary left overs and we all hated it.
There was no great place to position the cooktop. The wall where the Ref/ovens/pantry is located is not as long as it seems. The pantry really is only 16 in deep due to obstructions behind it. And this area is right where the door from carport is located so not so great for a cooking area.
I wanted to keep from closing in the space so we designed a “table” to be home to the Jennair cooktop. The cool thing is this “table” is not made of stainless as it looks to be but Chemetal laminate. Savings Cha Ching! We wrapped it around a plywood substrate and chased the wires into the corner cabinet where we were able to put the electrical. Since the house was on a slab, this kept us from having to trench concrete. Savings Cha-Ching!
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Chemetal laminate legs and apron.A Futuro Hood is a great selection for modern design.
Chemetal laminate legs and apron.A Futuro Hood is a great selection for modern design.
We also encountered issues with getting new wiring to the hood, light in kitchen and the very cool and quite affordable George Kovacs aluminum pendant over the table. We ended up chasing wires along side the existing beams and then covering them. This was contractor’s idea and I thought it worked very well! Savings Cha Ching!
The countertop is Caesarstone blizzard and the backsplash is Artistic Tile \”Shimmer\” We exhausted the budget by this point and could not do the full splash originally discussed. But thanks to the wonderful talent of our tile guy John Hale/Flat Rock Tile, we were able to install the 12×24 shimmer in a vertical pattern to minimize the cuts for the most seamless look. And it worked great….at a substantial savings over the full splash of blizzard. Savings Cha Ching!
The tile goes behind the floating shelves as well.
The cabinets also have an aluminum toekick and are crafted from walnut. We applied a dark stain for almost an eggplant black hue. This works well with the purple walls the homeowner said was a “must”. But the darker cabinetry, simple white on the tops and the minimal backsplash really help the bold colors hit the high notes.
The other wall consists of a nice pantry with pullouts, Refrigerator, microwave, oven and a large but shallow dish pantry for all their “stuffs” ….That was a problem with limited wall space for any upper storage. This great pantry space houses almost all of their day to day dishware, bakeware and serving pieces thus leaving the 4 upper cabinets for glassware.
The utility walll.
Granted the dark cabinets/light counter combo could be considered played out. (we finished this job in mid 2008) But, the truth is the design fit the feel of the retro modern house, played well with the modern aesthetic the young couple favored, and most importantly fit into their pocketbook with some room to spare for the oh-so-cool light fixtures! We utilized existing where we could…dishwasher, moldings, and faucet. Savings Cha Ching!
Truth or Dare:
I would take one more dark coffee bean kitchen over the oh-so-overdone “smokers haze with a glaze” kitchen any day. To those of you who do not know me yet, that means the yellowy white painted cabinets with “chocolate” glaze that were so popular a few (dozen) years ago.
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A bit much for me. I keep expecting a curtain to drop from the tray ceiling soffit and someone to step out and take a bow. I wonder if they have to pack a sack lunch to get from the sink to the refrig to avoid going hungry on the trek?
A bit much for me. I keep expecting a curtain to drop from the tray ceiling soffit and someone to step out and take a bow. I wonder if they have to pack a sack lunch to get from the sink to the refrig to avoid going hungry on the trek?
Ok Ok..lighten up… I am just kidding here. Mostly. It is a pretty kitchen with some nice details. I am sure the Stepford Wives will love it.
Would you…. use wood?
Jan 28th
Wenge wood top and Wolf Steamer
Personally, I love wood countertops. We try and find a way to add wood to almost every kitchen we design. From a designer’s perspective, a wood top adds an organic feel to a kitchen that is comforting, easy on the eyes and functional. Well, that is if your spouse lets you use it functionally….as a chopping surface. I have a 3 inch thick wenge wood top from Craft Art and I love it. However, my husband, even after 6 years fusses at me if I try to cut on it. For pete’s sake it is a edge grain top! Meant for cutting!
My top has withstood several hurricanes and resulting lack of A/C for months on end and still looks almost new. Maybe better than new. I oil it with tung oil roughly every 3 months. After all these years of specifying wood tops, I have yet to have a client come back and be disappointed.
And, it does not have to be ALL of your countertop space…wood tops can be worked into even small 2ft by 2ft sections. And, you do not have to cut on it or even get end grain and really, the best for cutting would be edge grain anyway…but be prepared to pay a good deal more. Many of my clients like the plank ( table) style as well…especially if you want a decorative edge on it such as roman ogee or french baroque.
Below is a kitchen we designed with a black distressed walnut top on a very long island. I can tell you we sweated this one out until it was installed!
Distressed black walnut with french baroque edge...and yes that is a sink in it! Craft Art
Below is a small bamboo island top that is end grain. It is supported on stainless stand offs.
Bamboo End Grain top from GL Lumber
Most designers are savvy to the properties and advantages of wood countertops but many homeowners still fret and worry about using them. I will say that typically they are not a “bargain” choice. Often, they can be as much or more than granite or quartz depending on the type of wood chosen, the thickness and the construction method.
Wenge wood on island. GL Lumber
There are other companies of course. I just have used both GL Lumber and Craft Art for years so am most comfortable recommending them.
Here are a few tidbits of info to chew on.
~~Studies show that wood is actually safer to use than plastic. Research indicates that bacteria, such as salmonella will thrive and multiply on plastic (laminate). On both new and used wood cutting surfaces, the bacteria dies off within 3 minutes.(GL lumber uses a Durata finish which is incredible and food safe. Craft Art uses a tung oil treatment also food safe)
~~Don’t put hot dishes or pans on your wood top. Don’t put them on granite or quartz either. Really, can we not just get trivets? Even though with granite/quartz probably nothing will happen..I have seen thermal shock make minor cracks in stone. If you want to put hot things on your wood, both of these manufacturers will install “set down” rods of stainless steel. Even if you do not need them, they look way cool.
~~Water near wood is fine. Yes, you need to wipe it up. Do not let it sit there for a period of time. Duh, it is wood. However GL Lumber’s durata finish is water resistant. They illustrate this at shows by continuously running water over the top. Impressive. Again, trust me I have installed plenty of wood tops and sinks and over the years no one has ever regretted it. But, there is maintenance. It is a matter of being an informed buyer.
~~Forget maple. Well, not really…maple is great but oh boy…there are some really awesome species out there that you might never have even thought of …including reclaimed woods that make incredible statements. And I love a statement.
~~Wood has wow factor. Work it in somewhere. You will not be sorry.
One of our designs. This is a end grain top with walnut and cherry checkerboard.
Raised maple bar from Craft Art
Classic.
This says happy to me
And…then there is always that one…..that does not quite “get it”. This is that one.
- Sorry. It just does not work.
I am in love with tile but just say no to 4×4 tumbled marble
Jan 26th
I have recently used the large “wood” looking tile 8″x47″. Very little waste with tight grout joints. I love it! Porcelanosa
I have recently used the large “wood” looking tile 8″x47″. Very little waste with tight grout joints. I love it! Porcelanosa
I am in love with tile. stone, porcelain, mosaics, large format, tiny 1/2 x1/2 bitsy pieces….all of it. Really not sure how you can design a bath well without having a love affair with tile of some sort since it is usually an integral player in bath design. I enjoy coming up with tile layouts and unusual ways to use awesome pieces. I think the key to good tile design is thinking through all the transitions ..and there are many….and knowing the product well enough to know if there are trim pieces available or schluter or other metal trim that will work on corners of ledges, thresholds and any other area where the vertical surface meets the horizontal. With stone, this is easy as any competent tile setter can bullnose the stone to work with almost any transition.
But the key element is just simply thinking creatively! I get inspired by all sorts of odd things and much of it can then be related back to how I might incoporate tile in a design. At our studio, we sometimes just take a break and start putting together pieces and parts to get a great look..then later find a client for it!! Here are some of my favorites continued from Porcelanosa Tile.
Cubica Blanco
I also really like Artistic Tile. We specify this line often and often use the same tile in a multitude of different projects with a different look each time.
You have to love any company who has great advertising!
You have to love any company who has great advertising!
Thanks Artistic for the eye candy.
Sonoma TilemakersVihara accent tile with mirrored bar liner and Artistic tile "mezzanine mink" 6x12 glass set in offset pattern
Don't you love the bubbles here? Pratt and Larson Ceramics
Unusual mix of marble, travertine and black granite...love the size of the sticks!
Walker Zanger is another favorite. You can mix and match tile from various manufacturers and create your own line!
Sonoma TilemakersVihara accent tile with mirrored bar liner and Artistic tile "mezzanine mink" 6x12 glass set in offset pattern
Don't you love the bubbles here? Pratt and Larson Ceramics
Unusual mix of marble, travertine and black granite...love the size of the sticks!
Walker Zanger
I say there are infinite possibilities with tile and should be a designers dream! But, just go easy on the honed and filled beige travertine and the 4×4 tumbled marbles…they are so over used that I cringe every time I see it. Let me know what are some of your favorite tile lines!
Are you a tub person or a shower person?
Jan 24th
The Neptune Wind tub
Ok, I know this is probably NOT the most exciting blog topic I have ever come up with but the truth is that the tub in your bath, or lack thereof, is an important decision in the design process. First question I ask is, “Do you actually use the tub? Are you a “tub person” or a “shower person”. Most people are shower people but if you run across a tub person….boy, are they serious about it! I have several clients who are most definitely “tub people” so the decision on what sort of tub to use was critical. Many factors go into this decision, most importantly, what size can the bathroom hold?
A small tub with tiled face. This bath was designed for a "tubbie" yet was very small so had to be creative.
Here we have a small 5 ft tub but designed for someone who likes to take baths!
I decided in my own bathroom remodel, post Ivan, to do away with the tub. Yes, in my master bath! And I have never looked back. Here is the deal. We live in a small house on the beach. We are not “tub people” and in fact, love long luxurious showers….or as long as the undersized water heater holds out. I have two teens. Need I say more? So, for us, the decision was made to forgo the tub as we have one in another bathroom for the rare times we might need it. Or, for resale. If you believe in that theory.
Read more about the pros/cons of having a tub in the master here at Homesavvi.
I personally find that if you have the space for a great tub, let’s do it. But, I do not think a very well done bathroom sans tub will cost you the sale of the house IF you have tub(s) elsewhere. I know this is a radical thought but think it is true. In our case, it did not matter as according to my husband we will never sell this house no matter how many hurricanes bare down on us for no matter how many years. I do not always see eye to eye with him on this subject but that is another post entirely.
Back to tubs. Let’s look at some great options and some unusual tubs that meet specific needs. And, please do not get me wrong. I design baths all the time around tubs but I hate to give up valuable real estate in a small bath for a tub IF THE CLIENT IS NOT TUB BATHING BUT ONCE PER YEAR! That is all.
And, while I am on it, here is a preview of the next post on “absurdities in design” for bathrooms. Why oh why are the tubs almost always placed directly underneath a window?? Or worse, under glass blocks? For my money, glass blocks are out, out, out. And, I prefer the windows to be near the vanities where many women need the natural light. Have you seen someone at the market who apparently had little to no natural light while putting on makeup??
Whoa! Perhaps no natural OR unatural light at all going on here...
This reminds me of 6th grade when my mom said "NO you may not wear makeup" And we tried it anyway.
So, why put the tub under the window? IF you have a great view and you can lounge in the tub without being seen nekkid, good for you. But for most people, they must lower the window treatments in order to bathe. So, what is the point? I love windows…but can we not consider putting them somewhere else in the bath? It works so much better and I think is simply a matter of challenging the status quo on good design. And, I do so love challenging the status quo.
Great Duravit tub "Blue Moon" for those baths that have LOTS of space!
Thanks to Apartment Therapy. You can read more about this tub if you click the link. I love Duravit tubs. They really make some of the most unique ones on the market. Another manufacturer I really like and specify often is Neptune Tubs. I have used their Wind tub several times and it is one of the most versatile and good looking 5ft tubs around.
The Neptune Saphyr tub. Bath Designed by In Detail.
Here is an example of putting the vanity near natural light and I like the way they put mirror behind the tub to act as the "window"
Stone Forest papillion tub is a knock out
Stone Forest is one cool company. We use their sinks all the time. I have not had a client yet willing to part with some cool cash to get one of their stone tubs but I can only hope for that client to be around the corner! You can read more about their tubs on the Bathonista Blog post here. Enjoy!
Baths of color
Jan 21st
Regia vanities. This is pretty cool looking but I wonder if I would tire of it?
Regia vanities. This is pretty cool looking but I wonder if I would tire of it?
A client asked me the other day why no one ever used color in their baths anymore? She liked the 50’s idea of bold color in tiles etc in bath design but not necessarily the retro feel.
Interesting color in a monochromatic sort of way. Thanks to www.roxxn.com
I assured her that people did indeed use color in their baths and that she could as well! So we planned a taupe and aqua color scheme for the little bath. Before she got to me, she put down a cobbled travertine on the floor …but at least it is neutral and we are working with it. In her case, we decided to use the color in the tiles in the shower and on the wall behind the vanity and then add simple color on the countertops with a Vetrostone top that has bits of aqua and green it. I think it is going to be a colorful beach bath for her condo!
Here are some other colorful baths I have found around the web as well as from my own portfolio! Enjoy!
From Eddie Ross portfolio. Like the soft pinks set off by the white.
well of course I love green!
Typically blue is not for me except in small doses but something about this I like!
More green...love the 3 locker cabinets!
uh huh....loving the orange....not sure could live day to day with both though!
Pantone might be wrong...may be the year of orange!
This is a great bath! I wish we could have gotten closer pix but tough in such small space!
One of my faves...this bath designed by In Detail will be out in Bath Trends Magazine before too long!
Designed by In Detail
Bloomingdale’s Big Window Challenge 2010
Jan 21st
Three designers have been challenged to create the most beautiful room in the NYC flagship Bloomingdales! They are all beautiful but I am partial to the Elle Decor room designed by Eddie Ross. Check out his site for his rationale on the design. I guess that is why I like it so much…is designed for the “Modern Woman” and that has gotta be me!
Really though, is such good example of creative design! You be the judge! You can vote here: Big Window Challenge . I have weighed in with my own comments and observations and yours are welcome too!
I hoping to see in person myself with a upcoming trip to NYC. Stay tuned!
The "Naked" window
Eddie Ross for Elle Decor
And the hot pink! Pink and orange combo...yet so classic.
Eddie Ross for Elle Decor
What I love: The Kendall lounge chairs from Palacek ( which we are now carrying!), the Bernhardt sofa and the energy of the splash of orange. I think the mix of modern and classic design is evident throughout the space and this is what makes IT WORK! I love the neutrals in the main pieces…chairs and sofa so that the color harmonizes with all the pattern. A busy sofa would have meant the rest had to fight for your eye. As busy as this may seem at first blush, it really does flow as a unit. I really love the molding picture framed on the wall. This is a simple trick to add drama anywhere but so often used in the dining room alone..but why?? And, why not use molding in unusual ways to add drama …..hold your breath….where it is least expected??? What?? Am I crazy?
Eddie Ross' sketch
Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan for Apartment Therapy
Note the wallpaper and the casual art
What I love: The wallpaper! Yes, Ok, I am outed! I like wallpaper..done well. Sorry but it is just simply not true that wallpaper cannot have a place in good design. Look at it here! Works! I also love the old wrapped canvas paintings. They are not a “focal” point as much as a lived in accent. Could be relatives, maybe not. I have a similiar painting that I bought at a garage sale a million years ago that I love…it has a tear in it..is wrapped canvas and hangs proudly in my somewhat eclectic stairway of art. ( small house you understand so I have to be creative as to where I put things) Oh yes, and the books. Love books. No kindle for me….well, ok maybe just for my electronics fix…but will never give up buying books! Note to friends and husband: please bury me amongst my books….or in this room!
Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan for Apartment Therapy
Eileen Joyce for Bloomingdales
Eileen Joyce for Bloomingdales
Ok, not so much to love here for me. No offense meant Ms. Joyce! I think the blue sofa is too washed out for the surrounding tones. I think grass cloth is classic but looks dated here. Paintings behind sofa are B O R I N G. I am just sayin….the large lamp on left side is well, just large. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE large and overscaled but this is just…large. And, are we not a bit over Asian for Asian’s sake? I think a little goes a long way. I like her sketch better than real thing.
See, in sketch blue sofa more vivid and works better. Also patterns mix here but not in "real life" window...if you can call it that!
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