Mud Rooms

Mud Rooms



I keep coming across images with dogs in them. They’re everywhere. Granted, I’m also pretty aware of every little friend I come across these days. We need another dog. Dogs and kids need mud rooms. Check out these beauties.




I love the beauty and simplicity of this design. And of course, the dog.




One day I will have a room with these blue milk paint-like cabinets. They’re classic. And I loooove that little doggie door.





This is a pretty practical mud room. My favorite part is the dog shower, which can clearly be used for kids and muddy boots too. Now this is a great set up.

Built-In Seating

Built-In Seating


Built-in seating is making a comeback. I’ve had a few clients request help getting kitchen booths built. I happen to like the warmth that they bring to a kitchen, not to mention the efficient use of space. Somehow I feel like a built-in style booth encourages people to linger. One tip: make sure the person who builds and upholsters this type of piece is a professional. The last thing you want is an uncomfortable booth. (Note: I have clipped images from many shelter magazines for years. I wish I could go back an identify all of the genius designers and their publishers, but I never expected to post these images one day. I will always give credit when I possibly can.)




Madden created this quaint country nook. I had to include the photo of the dogs enjoying it too. I like the idea of matching the upholstered chairs to the fabric on the bench. Photo courtesy House Beautiful July 04





This built in designed by Tres McKinney fits neatly underneath the window sill. This set up is slightly more formal than the others I’ve shown. The wooden legs that match the chairs add to the formality, as do the channels designed in the upholstery and the fabric itself.





I love the styling in this image. It looks comfortable… but truth be told, built-in seating typically works best with pedestal tables. Photo courtesy Traditional Home Oct 07




This is a built-in we designed and had built for a client. It really helped to warm up the space and make it feel more cozy. Photo Jenny Bova Associates, Inc.

Pink

Pink


I love a dash of pink now and then. Especially hot pink. I did have a male client who purchased a home that was entirely pink- top to bottom. Needless to say, it was our first order of business to paint. Perhaps a little pink can be a good thing though…Check out these rooms.





Pink always looks good with a touch of black. I love the color combinations in this bedding ensemble. Photo Courtesy Traditional Home Sept 06





Designer Mary McDonald adds dash to this entry with pink in a very traditional sense.... and a touch of zebra to keep it fresh.




Designer Fiona Newell Weeks brings sophistication to hot pink by grounding it with chocolate brown. Photo Courtesy Southern Accents

Tile

Tile


Creative use of tile can make a bathroom or kitchen design. Today I’m looking at bathrooms and the particular tile work in these images is exquisite. Just about all of it is Ann Sacks Tile ingeniously put together in amazing designs. I’ll admit, none of it is inexpensive. That being said, it’s important to use some creativity when you design with tiles. Sometimes small changes with inexpensive tiles can make them look very high-end. In the meantime, we can dream. The above image shows Moroccan tile, which I typically think of in a more busy fashion. I liked that this has depth of color, but is only blue. I love what the tile shape does for a field of all of the same tile. Image courtesy Elle Décor





Wow. This is simply a work of art. Image courtesy House & Garden Magazine.




This image isn’t as easy to see, but the top half of this bathroom is designed with glass tile. If you look carefully, you can see that it looks like a forest. David Mann, Designer. Image courtesy House & Garden October 04.





This image is from House & Garden, October 04. I don’t have designer notes, but the tile in the right hand corner of this image caught my eye. I love the various textures and finishes in this bathroom. Also notice the tile design on the floor that runs from the door in front of the shower. That’s nice detail…




Lastly, this bathroom is a beautiful fresh mix of marble and tile. I really like the very long, horizontal tile emphasizing the verticallity of the tub and the shelving niche. A nice touch of color, but not too much. Makes you want to dive right in.

Picture Hanging

Picture Hanging


Picture hanging is always a challenge. Here are a few creative examples that will make you think before you eyeball that hook and hang with reckless abandon. I love the above example of hanging a group of pictures. It really illustrates to me the power of symmetry. Notice that the frames and the sizes don’t all match one another, but they are symmetrical to one another in the layout. It also helps that the beds and lamps are perfect reflections of each other.




This is a beautiful example of a modified academy style hanging. Most people would be reluctant to hang all of these paintings on the same wall thinking that they would detract from one another, but look at how well they work together and anchor the room. Designer: Mimi Williams photo courtesy of Veranda Magazine Nov 04





Above is a vignette done by Ralph Lauren with House Beautiful. I love the scale and proportion of the artwork in this image. The piece on the easel sitting on the tabletop is just as important as the image hanging. The layering is great.





I’ve looked at this photo multiple times. I love the idea that there is a painting hung in the middle of the mirror. I’d love to see the depth and space this creates in the room.





This image is a great example of using scale to create atmosphere. The triptych dominates the wall and becomes the headboard. Notice that it also extends well beyond the bed and fully behind each night stand.

Amazing Grace

Harley Bova
August 31, 1997 - February 1, 2008

I haven't been able to get back in the swing without my best bud... I'll be back to regular posts in a few days. Thanks for all the kind thoughts you've all sent my way. Promise to be back soon.