Month: June 2011

“Develop interest in life as you see it; in people, things, literature, music – the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself.” Henry Miller

image found at  from

 

 


One of my favorite type of marble is Calacatta gold marble, yes because of the golden tones in it.  Remember what I said about buying what you like even when you don’t know when you’ll be using it.  Of course I mean only if it’s a deal!  I found this Calacatta gold sink top, above, at a vintage store.  When I found it, it did not look this nice; the poor thing had seen better days.  The opening of the sink was only 8″ by 6″, it was (dingy and stained) and it was deeper than the size I needed it.  My bathroom is narrow, so this ugly ducky lived alone in the cold in our garage for about a year but he trusted me.  He knew that one day I was going make him look like Cinderella.  So I took him to the marble shop ( I love everything about that place by the way, the smell, the sound, the different stones even the white dust that lies around) So, back to my point, the ugly ducky got lipo-suction in the back and mid-section to fit the space along with a bigger sink and got laser and microdermabration and now he could not be happier!! Anxious to come back home, he’s still in the marble hospital waiting to be picked up by her proud mommy.  But the sink legs (more on that below) need to be extended and attached to it, so the poor thing is not done yet.

hj
On the floor we installed a heating mat, something I think is very useful due to how cold stones can get.  For tiles I selected calacatta gold marble in hexagon mosaic (below) with a 1 inch diameter and for the walls I opted for bigger slabs with a chair rail.  I decided to install the slabs in a vertical way because of their length at 7″h x 18″w.  If I were to install them vertically it would only help emphasize the narrowness of the room.

 

I wanted to use sink legs with more character than the ones normally found in stores so I went to Demolition Depot and I found this rare and elaborate figure bronze legs (below right), a little freaky but very elaborate but for whatever reason they only had one.  I guess there is a one-legged sink somewhere.  Since the heavens had another plan for me,  I walked out of there with a shorter than normal pair of legs (17″ H below left, mine is in nickle) are you serious?  I understand they’re were reproducing something from the 18th ct. but shouldn’t they adapt them to the regular standard size (33″H) of today.  I’m glad I can have them extended!  The legs are very classic French style, below is how they were originally used.  I’m not using them like this though.  I think that style would look great if you’re looking for a more country vibe.

 

Below are the same hexagon marble tiles but in two different directions.  I decided to use the pattern on the right side to be installed on the shower floor and the pattern on the left side to be installed on the main floor to differentiate them a bit.   As you can see they look completely different, the one on the right has some movement in it, like they’re going up the walls and the one on the left is more relaxed and balanced.  As you can see my lovely readers, I went for a classic bathroom.  A bathroom I or anyone can live with for a long time without getting tired or annoyed by it.

images taken by BV for BV.

Thank you to all of you who keep coming back!  Even if you don’t leave your mark in the comment section…thank you for being here and have a fantastic weekend!
P.S.  I’ll be posting more images, over the weekend, of our master bath process.

With this deliciously beautiful weather finally here, I can’t think of a better way to spend time with  family and friends than enjoying a long meal between laughter and great conversation in a communal table;  Especially if you happen to have a view like the top image or inviting and welcoming settings like in the rest of these images.  Whichever environment you find yourself to be in, enjoy and love what you have.

 

 

  

 

 

 

1,  4, 5, 6, 79

 

The weekend is around the corner!  With that in mind I wanted to imagine having a weekend home like this in the woods, a place to disconnect from everything and just enjoy leisure time surrounded by family and friends.  It’s good to dream, right?  It keeps you going and also makes you work harder.  Up until I saw this barn that was moved from Canada to Connecticut I had the belief that only certain houses can be moved. Never thought that something in this size and structure was possible.  Not even by pieces.  Russel Groves, the designer and architect responsible for the modern update of this barn, describes himself and firm as modernists.  But in this case, and because of the owners’ lifestyle, he decided to preserve the warmth and charm of the space.  I think he nailed it!In the stunning living room (top image) sculptural chairs, slick ottomans and a over sized sofa with pillows juxtapose exceptionally well due to the muted colors.  Notice the column covered with rope- a very nautical and country touch?

An oversized Capiz-shell globe chandelier welcomes visitors from the double-height ceiling.
Love those windows.  This entire room is very inviting.  Right?
This barn must be huge judging by the different sitting areas. 
The set of flowers on top of that table looks like it’s been naturally bloomed there.

 

That free standing pedestal tub looks like a cloud in an Autumn ski to me.
The staircase is a sculpture on its own, with glass and a modern bench that offset the massive use of wood.
images from here.