Updating a Bathtub

 

 

We recently did a master bath renovation and a very interesting question was raised when we were deciding on what to do with the tile step outside  the built-in tub.  We were re-doing the floor and had some tile work to do in the adjoining shower, so it was a feasible option to remove the step altogether. We just needed to answer the question…would it be the right thing to do?

Since the client is disabled and generally only uses the shower it was in her best interest to remove the step so she had more room in the bathroom.   Even if she did use the tub wouldn’t it be safer to sit on the edge to get in than it would be to maneuver a small, potentially slick, tile step?  Really, no matter whom we are dealing with whether children or adults aren’t we all better off sitting on the edge to enter the tub instead of taking our lives in our hands to climb a cumbersome and potentially dangerous step? Adding on the fact that they are not always attractive and take up valuable space it does give you something to think about if you have this style of tub in your bath.

 

More Furniture to Customize

LOVE the newest additions from F. Schumacher.  They definitely are not just about fabrics any longer!  Using updated lines on chairs and finishes on wood pieces, their new line will add style to your home for years to come.

The Wilshire Wingback chair is shown here in a linen with brushed nickle nailheads and antique walnut finish but is customizable.  It requires 5 yards of fabric.

The Barclay Chest is shown here in a hot new (yet not…) finish – cerused  black oak.  The chest is 38″ wide by 21″ deep by 33″ high and features brushed nickle hardware and dovetailed drawers.  It is available in bleached cerused oak and gray cerused oak also.  Other custom options can be quoted.  A matching nightstand can be ordered.

So much style in this chair!  The Casablanca armchair has a match in a side chair to update any dining room.  It measures 23 x 23, is 42″ high and requires 1 yard of fabric.

The Sonoma bench is a statement piece all on its own.  Use it anywhere.  Shown here in brindle hair on hide with a black waxed wrought iron base.

We have many options for your furniture needs.  Feel free to give us a call at 855-544-0778.

How to Deal with the Difficult Colors in Your Home

Have you ever purchased a home you basically love but couldn’t figure out how to deal with a busy granite pattern, perhaps pink and black tiles in the bath or a room full of wood paneling in a unflattering color?  How could these factors be neutralized you wondered. Turn to the next most dominating factor in the room.  Kitchen cabinets next to the granite, the carpeting in the paneled room or the stone fireplace, the cabinetry in the bath.  What do they have in common?  And what era do they come from.  Did someone throw a dazzling granite countertop  in a 80′s oak cabinet kitchen thinking it would sell better?  Sometimes that is the case and you have to then go to the third element such as the floor.  Paint can do a world of wonders.  Go to a paint deck and find three colors (doing this in your room) that you think would tie the space together better than what it is and neutralize the room bully! As in the case of granite, if it is not black, try the lightest, most subtle color in the stone.  Often you have to resort to whites or creams with granite and just allow them to be a diva. Then go to the paint store and buy the samples of these colors, a brush or two and a roll of painters masking tape.  After that go to the office supply store and get three pieces of white foam core board or poster board that you can cut into nice large samples, 11″ x 14″ or so.  Mask off the edges of the  boards for a 1 ” or more border with painter’s masking tape.  Give each board two coats of paint, drying in between (save time, use a hair dryer). Stand them in your space and look at them at the various times of the day, with morning light, brighter afternoon light, in the dimness of evening and in artificial light. Does one sing to you more than the others? Does one seem to tie the “dominatrix” in the room to the next most pronounced room feature? The paint samples will also tell you if you will  just have to give in and paint the oak cabinets or the room full of paneling. Remodeling is a process. Put thought and effort into it.  What will bring you peace in the room short of a demolition?  Get the basics under control and then you can get to the fun part: fixtures, fabrics, furniture, accessories.

Clutter, Clutter, Clutter!

Everyone is talking about clutter…”clear your clutter, clear your mind”…

 

Coming home to a messy house, stacks of mail and dishes the kids left in the sink,  after an exhausting day at work can cause one to go straight for a glass of wine and put off cleaning up until tomorrow.

Hence the brilliance of this label

But what if you could come home to an environment that feels safe, supportive and inspiring?

Imagine a place of peace, a place to recharge, a place to dream?

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This is the goal of Feng Shui.

 

I think sometimes we feel we don’t have enough time or money to change the place we live.  But often, small inexpensive changes can generate moving results.

 

Start by just doing a little something everyday.  Start throwing away or giving away:

 

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    Anything you don’t use

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Anything that is broken

Anything that you just don’t like

 

 

 

Give yourself permission to toss unfinished projects, things that bring back unhappy memories and things you don’t use regularly…. like that exercise thing in the corner of your bedroom – all of these just bring bad feelings of guilt and  drain us of our positive energy.

 

The space you open up in your atmosphere, creates internal space for new prospects and people to come into your life.

 

 

Creating environments where every possession brings us joy-  Tracy

 

 

sheknows.com, polyvore.com, booksdofurnisharoom.typepad.com

Feng Shui – Discovering and Ancient Art

 

Energy is a part of everything we are and everything we do.  Sometimes we can actually feel it and sometimes we just “know” that things are not as they should be, be we are not sure why.

 

All of us have walked into a house, or perhaps another building and we know that it just doesn’t feel right.  Perhaps the space feels gloomy, heavy or even creepy.  That feeling is energy.  When you think about it doesn’t everything in your outer surroundings affect you?

Over the next few months I am going to give you simple clues to change the energy in your environment that will affect your health, career and relationships. This ancient art is the practice of Feng Shui.

Together, let’s learn how to lighten your load and lift your spirits-  Tracy

What’s New In Contemporary Decor

With the growth leaps in technology, interior design will be incorporating new ways of living beyond what to do with that black flat screen over the fireplace.  Savant showrooms in New York City has layered Apple ingenuity with Lutron electronics in amazing ways both for commercial applications and home ambiance and entertainment.

Swimming fish on screen in your coffee table anyone?

Set the screen themes for your next party in a home entertainment center

The ultimate in "man tools" - it controls ambient wall lights, ceiling lights, all screens, music, .......

From Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House - lots of "organic gilt"

More gilt at Kips Bay Show House

Another touch of Midas in the Missoni Bedroom by Coffinier Ku

Luxe outdoor living at the Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House - with a little gilt

Abundant shots of full on color also seen at the Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House

Another feature that showed up in both Kips Bay Show House and Elle Decor’s was large scale wall art that was more for the room’s sake as for art’s sake.

Loved the lamp covered in oyster shells also -

Art becomes a window into another world

A wall filled with texture, light and metallic

This architectural view becomes part of the fireplace and makes you look twice if you are looking at a mirror's reflection of a space behind you or through a window

Exciting and new concepts for stimulating the creativity in home design!

 

Designers and Design Ideas

New York City always has plenty to fuel the imagination of an interior designer, whether it be people, places or events.  Last week was especially exciting for us as designers.  Attending the Blogfest 2012 hosted by Kravet Fabric,  we were treated to a tour of the Kips Bay Design Show House, The  Elle Decor Modern Life Concept House and hearing from top tier designers and magazine editors.  We were transported to the D&D building to the Kravet, Brunschwig & Fils, and Baccarat Showrooms.  Also included was the Savant showroom with its latest out of this world Apple based electronics in a space designed by Thom Filicia, a party at Savoir Beds, a tour of Kravet’s studio and a talk at the Museum of the City of New York by Benjamin Moore.  The following is some more highlights  of the Kips Bay Show House…

The hallway leading to a living room designed by Charlotte Moss

The picture that inspired the Charlotte Moss living room, "Behind the Hedge"

The Charlotte Moss living room with its "Behind the Hedge" theme

An owl on a bookcase in front of the topiary wall which included a mirror in the center

A chair and menswear style plaid drape with silk borders by Thom Filicia with sketches by Albert Hadley on the wall

Walls and ceilings were especially intriguing with their highly lacquered or metal leaf finishes as in this room by Lynne Scalo Design. Also note the art piece done with mechanically brushing aluminum

The nursery by Zoya B featured a tufted crib and rose motif bedding

The walls in the nursery were hand painted by Gabriel Blanco. Each floral center was accented by a jewel.

 

The walls by Brush Tile in this kids room are texturally soft, colorful and designed acoustically to absorb sound by Laura Bohn Design Associates.

The opposite side of the kid's bedroom with paper mache animal heads, blackboard and sheer metallic drapery

The Master Bedroom and Bath featured Missoni Home by Stark fabrics used in the bedding and draperies

Alexa Hampton created a bedroom with a contrasting masculine/feminine appeal. The sumptuous bedding and canopy and floral fragrance was balanced with an ebonized desk and Chinese black lacquer and gilt screen.

The underside of the Hampton canopy

The opposite wall of the Hampton bedroom

A wall conducive to family activities was created by Andrew Tedesco Studios with chalkboard paint and fine florals and calligraphy

James Rixner designed a kitchen with an accompanying lounge area. A small shelf instead of a simple tile backsplash ran the perimeter of the counters providing extra display space

The lounge space in the Rixner kitchen bathed in magical colors and wrapped with views of patio and citiscapes.

Next up we’ll show highlights of the Designer discussion panels and the Elle Decor Show House.

 

 

 

It’s Not Your Grandmother’s Wallpaper

Wallpaper is back and in bigger and more dramatic  ways!  It definitely is not your grandmother’s flowery wallpaper.  One of the big indications that wall coverings are hot is their use in recent runway shows during Fashion Week in NYC.

Gracie custom wallpaper at the Fall 2012 Tory Burch show during NYC Fashion Week

Wall coverings are coming out in bigger and bolder prints than ever.  New looks with sparkle and metallics will flood your mind with creative thoughts of where you could add them to your home.

Modern print techniques create depth of color and texture that instantly warm a room, taking it to the next level of WOW!

Whether your tastes run with the classics  or serious rock and roll, there is a wall covering for you.  Let us help you find your look and coordinate it with your furnishings.  It could give you a whole new perspective!