Patina Paradise

I'm a huge fan of patina and antiqued mirrors.  I took a look at the products provided by Garay Artisans and had to share! 

Patinas add so much depth and interest to a room.  I love the application on cabinets!

 

Take a look at the website for more great photos.

Images from Garay Artisans

A Trip To Tahoe

I was able to get away this last week with my husband to celebrate our 5 year anniversary.  We never expected to have to put on chains to go over the pass in the middle of May, but once we arrived it was a beautiful sight.  Everything was lightly dusted in powdery snow. 

 The snow melted away as the sun came out over the next few days in time for us to rent some bikes to ride around part of the lake.  There were some breathtaking views! 

It was a perfect retreat in the middle of a busy month and now it's back to work.  I have a presentation this weekend, so you may be getting a sneak peak of that soon.

Photos by Rebecca Ward

Big Design, Minimal Space

Today we have a guest post from Arcadian Lighting on how to design for smaller spaces and get the most out of them:
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Minimal space doesn't mean you have to skimp on design. Design is so important for small spaces where every element down to the light fixtures must be perfect in order not to waste precious space. Small bedrooms, studio apartments, powder rooms, and galley kitchens all benefit from big design ideas. Even small outdoor spaces can be transformed with expansive interior design ideas. A well designed small space can feel larger than its actual square footage.

Here are some ideas for using big design ideas in minimal spaces:

Interior Decorating Guide (via)

This outdoor room is small in space but large on design. Picking a theme, Moroccan in this case, can give the room a cohesive feeling. Lanterns, natural materials and accents complete the space.

Design Concepts/Interiors (via)

For a small bedroom, minimal furniture pieces make the space feel larger. Draped fabric on the wall or colorful curtains and accents add elegance and drama.

Marie Burgos Design (via)

A tiny bedroom benefits from tons of built in storage, under the bed, on the walls and concealed by closet doors. Love the drawers under the bed.

Material Girls Blog (via)

We often neglect to design our laundry rooms. Crisp white built-ins (with even a flat screen TV), bright floral wallpaper and interesting lighting fixtures make us almost want to do laundry. Almost.

Porter House Designs (via)

A small entry benefits from strong patterns and bold color. Small spaces are a great place to use bold color or patterns like the chain link pattern on the carpet, table lamps and framed art, with deep green walls.

Apartment Therapy (via)

Powder rooms can be the jewel boxes of big design elements. Traditional wallpaper and dark colors add elegance to this small bathroom. The complete the entire look, make sure to add bathroom lights to liven it up.

Apartment Therapy (via)

Furniture designed for small spaces, like the MisoSoup Design's K Workstation, is big on design. It has to be to fit multiple functions into a small footprint.

Furniture for Small Spaces (via)

Terence Conran's How to Live in Small Spaces is a fantastic resource for design ideas for minimal spaces.

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Content provided by Arcadian Lighting, a site that specializes in top quality lighting fixtures at extremely affordable prices. Come visit us today!

Thank you Arcadian Lighting!

Arcadian Lighting is the best source for home lighting accessories at discount prices. Founded in 2002, Arcadian Lighting started selling decorative home lighting fixtures and lamps online, and has become one of the top Internet retailers for home lighting products

A Relaxing Retreat.... At Home

A bathroom I worked on has recently been completed and the owner is so excited to enjoy her spa-like retreat without having to leave her house. This project was a joint effort with architectural designer Ted Smith. I was called in to select finishes and design the cabinets. I think this bathroom achieved its goal! Take a look:

 

Photos by Rebecca Ward

Show Me Your Best

I thought it would be nice to have my own Best of KBIS in the form of blog posts.  I know that a lot of you have attended and written about your experiences.  I would love for you to link them here, using LinkyTools.  Show me your best!

Sleek Showers

I discovered this product at KBIS called Lustrolite that is a fabulous find for sleek looking showers.  I already have a project in mind that it may be good for!  This high gloss panel that has superior hardness with an integrated color. I love the red and blue colors.  The panels have a high scratch chemical and stain resistance.  Lustrolite was highlighted at KBIS for being a Best of Bath gold award winner.  I'm definitely filing these guy under my "products to use" folder.

Images from Lustrolite.com

Bringing Surfaces to Life

One of the booths I stopped at in the KBIS exhibit hall was Hanwha Surfaces.  Thay had a great display of their quartz material, Hanstone, and solid surface, Hanex.  They displayed a variety of new colors and eco friendly surfaces.

Some of the solid surface test colors they were asking feedback on, with a reward of a starbucks giftcard on the spot! Among the new trendy they had a solid red, orange and yellow in a rubik's cube display and frosty translucent blues pinks and greens in an interior lit cube.  I thought they were fun but probably best applied in commercial settings.  I could orange and see red being used but the primary orange and yellow just reminded me of a fast food chain.

The main draw to their booth besides the ipad drawing and 49 new earthy colors were the the live models dressed in bodysuits that blended with the quartz slab in the background. 

It was a great photo op and many stopped to have their pictures taken with the models.  You can see all the fun on their flicker site.  I thought walking around the exhibits was tiring but I'm sure standing in one place all day may have been worse!

Happy Friday!

Images by Rebecca Ward and Hanwha

Inside The Light

The Bellagio

While in Las Vegas, my designer friends and I naturally had to "ooh" and "aahh"-- and maybe even drool a bit-- over the fabulous hotel and restaurant designs. It's a hospitality designer's paradise!

The Palazzo

Dos Caminos Restaurant at the Palazzo

Dos Caminos Restaurant at the Palazzo

What we wouldn't give to have a project like that!  

The Cosmopolitan

We stopped in the newest hotel to the strip, The Cosmopolitan. 

The Cosmopolitan

The main shopping and dining area consists of a humungous chandelier installation that is quite breathtaking!  

The Cosmopolitan

 The chandelier loops around the 4 stories of the atrium, enveloping a few bars.  Very classy!

The Cosmopolitan

The Cosmopolitan

Who wouldn't want to be a VIP guest and check in at this VIP lounge?

The Cosmopolitan

Do you have a favorite hotel on the strip?


Photos by Rebecca Ward

Summers In France

Simultaneously occurring with KBIS was the International Window Coverings Expo that I attended as well.  One of the luncheons was with acclaimed decorator Kathryn M. Ireland (not the swimsuit model).  She gave a presentation covering her career in decorating.  Her natural talent combined with great opportunity and connections her husband had working on Saturday Night Live, she has done many of Hollywood's homes, including the one Reese Witherspoon bought from her, turn-key!

Kathryn has recently published her book entitled Summer In France detailing the restoration of her house near Toulouse. 

The estate is called La Castellane. 

The book is a fabulous mixture of decorating, travel and even food!  If you have a love for France (like I do) you will not regret getting this book. 

I got mine signed, of course.

More great KBIS and IWCE info to come!