Barbara Barry Chair

While browing the internet recently looking for dining chairs for a client I came across this chair designed by Barbara Barry. It was love at first site. Every now and then a piece of furniture catchs my eye and I can't get the image out of my mind. That's what happened with this chair. It has classic lines, but, Barbara Barry has refined it to give it an updated modern look without sacrificing the traditional feel of the chair. The soft blue grey color works well with the soft lines of the chair. The tufting and the way the fabric wraps around the top of the legs gives the chair a feminine look. It would look great paired with a lady's writing desk.
I'm keeping this picture on file and hope that one day soon I'll find a place to use it in my home.

Chandeliers in the Bathroom

Browsing through magazines recently I've noticed a lot of photos of bathrooms with chandeliers. The bathrooms showcased are usually opulent and large in size. I started to think about the bathrooms in my friends and clients homes and the lighting fixtures they have used. The majority of the bathrooms have the standard lighting that is specified by a contractor or what is shown under bath lighting in catalogs.

I'd like for homeowners to start thinking outside the box and be a little creative. Adding a chandelier to your bathroom or dressing room is an easy way to add some elegance to an otherwise generic space. There are many beautiful mini chandeliers that measure under 20" long. Mounted close to the ceiling they are perfect for a standard 8' ceiling and can be placed over a tub or in the center of the room.

I love the idea of starting or ending my day with a sparkling chandelier overhead.


These gorgeous bathrooms are to die for, but, a simple chandelier in a small bathrooms would be so pretty.
The bathroom on the right was designed by Nate Berkus. The other two photos are from Developing Design blog.

Bathroom Update, end of week 4

We've reached the end of week four and the end is in sight. All of the tile has been installed and grouted. The vanities are set and the counter tops will be installed next week. The week didn't go by without a glitch or two, but, everything worked out. At least we didn't lose a cat.
What does a cat have to do with remodeling, you ask. The contractor told me today that he had been working on another bathroom while the owner was away. He tore up the floor, replaced pipes, etc., and replaced the floor. When the homeowner returned from vacation he asked if the contractor had seen the cat, the answer was no. To make a long story short the contractor left the door to the bathroom open when he left the home and before he closed up the floor. The cat entered the bathroom and crawled under the floor. So when the flooring was put back into place the cat was trapped in the walls. He was so quiet they had no idea where he was so they just punched a big hole in the ceiling below and eventually the cat got out.
Moral of this story....when you're remodeling keep an eye on your cat.




This is the dressing room/closet area that will have a closet system installed.



Vanity is set in place and the shower stall is ready for the glass enclosure.



Wall tile finished.




Floor done and grouted.

Bathroom Update

It's the end of week two of the bathroom remodel and it hasn't been as smooth as week one. One day the contractor put a nail through a water pipe. The fortunate part is that the water rain down through a framed doorway so there wasn't any wall damage and it was a relatively small amount of water that was left in a pipe. Also, the leak was easily accessible so it could be fixed without disturbing anything else.

A few days later one of his helpers drilled through a water pipe and released a gush of water that soaked through a small section of the ceiling of the family room below, ran down the wall and soaked a section of carpet and padding! This leak was not accessible and a section of the living room wall had to be removed to get to the pipe.

Yes, these things happen and are the downside of any remodeling. I think that's why some people don't like to do home improvements because no matter how much planning go into it there are always the unknowns and the unexpected. That's why it's so important to work with a reliable contractor and one who communicates well and takes responsibility for his mistakes.

The drywall guys are working this weekend so things are progressing. Hopefully, next week will go smoother.

Stair Runners

Hardwood floors are beautiful, but can look a little bare without any type of rug. Stairs, especially, can benefit from a runner. Unlike when wall to wall carpeting is used on stairs dust is easy to clean out of the corners.

Outdated Bathroom

This 9' x 7' master bathroom hasn't been remodeled in over thirty years. With another bathroom being back to back with this one, there is not room to expand. There is an adjacent dressing area with a sink/vanity and two small closets that adjoins the bedroom. Without encroaching on the bedroom space there is nowhere to add more closets.

Most homes being build today have very large bathrooms and huge walk in closets. I can understand the large closets (women never have enough closet space), but how much space do you really need in a bathroom. We're going to turn this small bathroom into one that will serve all the homeowners needs and add some luxury items to make it feel like a mini spa.

Here are some pictures of day one of demolition.






Shower as it previously existed and shower last thing standing after first day of demolition. In the demolition photo you can see the pipes on the left where the dressing room vanity was located.








Vanity and tub removed








Tub gone and wall to linen closet being removed. The door to the linen closet was on the dressing room side.








Vanity and toilet removed

Making Your Patio Special

When decorating your home you probably thought of it as a whole entity rather than isolating each room creating a flow of colors and unity throughout the home. Think of your porch, patio or deck as an another room of your home. it just happens to be exposed to outside elements. Because the area is outside you need to create boundaries and special areas to create a feeling of intimacy.
It's easier than ever to "decorate" your outdoor space. Just browse lawn and garden centers to see the endless choices of furniture and accessories.


Photo courtesy of www.hgtv.com/Traditional sponsored by Target


Coordinate the furniture. It doesn't have to match, but, should have some cohesive element such as style or color. You'll also want to have adequate seating. How big your patio is and how many people, on average, will be using it. Try grouping several small areas if the space is large.
What colors are in your home, particularly in the room adjacent to your outdoor space. Use these colors outside in a lighter, brighter shade or use a bold contrasting color. Have custom pillows made to help coordinate the look. Every year more and more patterns are being introduced for outdoor use and now there are even trims and fringes that are weather resistant.
When purchasing pillows from a retail store make sure the tags specify they're for outdoor use.

Photo courtesy of www.Frontgate.com

I love using garden accessories around the patio. Also, rugs are being see more and more outdoors. Why use a boring trash can when you can use an interesting looking trash recepticle.








Another one of my favorite looks is a climbing vine. I love the look of a vine growing up and extending to the eves of a house and around windows, but, it's a lot of work keeping those vines under control. Instead I opt for a clematis vine which comes in several sizes. Planting in a large pot keeps the growth under control. A clematis vine doesn't have "fingers" to attach to surfaces so you need to provide some type of trellis for it to grow on. Since it won't attach to the column, when sections of the vine get long enough I wrap them around the column and intertwine them.






Plant shrubs to create a natural boundary and give a feeling of intimacy to make your outdoor space feel like an outdoor room.

Photo courtesy of hgtv


I love creating moods and using themes for dining and being outside is not an excuse for abandoning that practice. In a recent blog post I talked about how I change my table settings according to the season.



And, of course, you have to have a centerpiece. Instead of the usual flower, use a bowl of fresh tomatoes from your garden, a lantern or several small pots of herbs.





Photo courtesy of hgtv Linda Applewhite

Even the smallest spaces can be inviting with carefully selected items. A small table with a couple of great looking chairs is a nice spot for an intimate dinner with a loved one or a casual lunch with a special friend.



Mosaic topped tables are a decorative and beautiful addition to your outdoor space. They come in all sizes from small accent tables to large dining sized ones.












Photo courtesy of www.Frontgate.com

Torches and fire pits are yet another element and can be used in all kinds of weather. In the winter we bundle up and have "weiner & marshmallow roasts" over our firepit. Fire pits come in all sizes and cost from hundreds to thousands of dollars, but, if you have some bricks and a half hour of time, you can construct your own.

Did you know that you can now buy TVs that are water proof and specified for outdoor use?

Photo courtesy of www.backyardstuff.com





Photo courtesy of www.hgtv.com

Balance the furniture, colors, textures, flowers and any accessories you may use. Think of it as a room and use the same guidelines as you would if you were decorating an interior room.
I love being outside when the weather is warm. My day just seems to feel better when it's started outside drinking my first cup of coffee in the warm morning sun. I hope you enjoy your outdoor space even if it's just a blanket placed on the ground under your favorite tree.

Wild Flowering Vines & Bushes

Honeysuckle vines & wild rose bushes grow along the edge of the woods on our property. This time of year they give off strong, yet delecate, sweet scents which add a lovely touch of spring to our yard.


The flower of the wild rose bush doesn't look like a rose. The stems, though, do have the recognizeable thorns. The scent now is almost gone, but, a few weeks ago the sweetness was smelled throughout the yard. I think they smell much sweeter than a regular rose or it might just be because the bush produces so many small flowers.















The honeysuckle vine has been a favorite of mine since I was a child. The scent permeates through the whole yard and I inhale deeply to get the full effect. In my opinion it is one of the most intoxicating scents I have ever smelled.