A sneak preview of a newly completed project – a master bathroom renovation

Of all of the areas in a home, I do believe that designing new bathrooms is my favorite.  It’s quite a challenge to work within the parameters of a limited area and and create both beautiful and functional spaces to be used and enjoyed.  There are so many extraordinary materials and plumbing fixtures and many luxury amenities to consider.

Here are some shots of a fabulous master bathroom that I recently completed.  The clients had an outdated bathroom with a poor layout.  The shower was tiny and the large (unused) soaking tub took up too much space. Their goals were to have a very large shower (with body sprays, rainheads, etc.) as well as a double sink vanity with a separate make up area.  They wanted a very serene, spa- like environment.

By turning a walk in closet into a large shower, we were able to reconfigure the space to achieve the desired floor plan.

We used beautiful green glass tiles in various sizes from Waterworks halfway up the walls throughout the room as well as on the shower walls; Ann Sacks river stone was used on the shower floor. Large white Glassos tiles were used on the bathroom floor and Glassos slab material was used on the vanity tops, shower curb and seat.  The walls above the white vanities were outfitted with alternating clear and sandblasted mirror.

Here are some snapshots of the space:

Sleek, contemporary and certainly spa-like!  A success!  Thank you to FBN Construction for a job well done.

Feel Cool

July proved to be one of the hottest on record here in Boston, and August is off to a very warm start. When things are feeling oppressive outside, try to make your home feel as airy and cool as possible.  I like to refresh my home for the summer by de-cluttering, organizing and changing out a few things.  Here are a few summer tips:

• Remove decorative throws.  These blankets are wonderful in the colder months, but ditch them for the spring and summer.  It’s a good time to send them off to the dry cleaners!
• Switch up your decorative pillows.  Brighten up some of your spaces with brighter colors and lighter fabrics.
• Eliminate extra knick-knacks.  You will be amazed how much better you feel if there are fewer things around the house. (You might even like it so much you’ll decide to keep it this way all year round!)
• If you really want to go for a refreshing summer look,  switch out your heavy rugs for lightweight natural fibers or even bare wood.
• Piles of books and stuffed bookcases definitely have a certain charm, but try boxing up a few for the summer. You will instantly change the feel of your home.
• Bring the outside in.  Vases with fresh flowers and bowls of seasonal fruit will bring in some bright color.

Here are some photos of Architect/Designer Deborah Berke’s Manhattan apartment that were recently published in the Wall Street Journal. Deborah is passionate about eliminating clutter and keeping her home highly organized.  The result is quite streamlined  - perhaps a bit too uncluttered and unrealistic for most of us, but it certainly does look airy and cool!

What is your Bedding Style?

There are few design decisions as personal as selecting a bed, a mattress and bedding.  There are so many options available for creating a bed that is comfortable, fits your lifestyle and also projects your design aesthetic.   In terms of how one prefers their bed to look when it is “made”, I find that people generally fall into two categories:  minimalists and those who think that “more is more”.

Minimalists don’t want to bother with fussy bedding and extras.  A simple coverlet or duvet, high quality sheets and sleeping pillows are adequate.  In some cases,  simple pillow shams with a large bolster pillow are the perfect accents for this clean lined bed.  This minimalism can be luxurious as long as the each piece is selected with care.

On the other hand, some people just don’t think  a bed is complete without layers of bedding and pillows.  For this group, a bed isn’t cozy without several pillows and shams to prop up against or layers of  blankets, duvets and bedspreads to add or subtract depending on the season. Decorative pillows, in various sizes, shapes and fabrics are a must.  The people in this group don’t mind removing and stacking decorative pillows when it is time for bed or reorganizing them on the bed in the morning – it’s a pleasure.

What is your bedding style?  In my younger days, I had a bed with loads of decorative pillows, pillow shams and such.  But these days, I’m definitely a minimalist.  My own serene, simple and clean lined bedroom retreat is pictured here.

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