Category: Interior Design

Last week we had a great time in New York City spending time with family and friends.  I got to visit Kips Bay Decorators Showhouse and loved seeing all the well-decorated rooms.  As much as I enjoy spending time with my family in New York, it felt good to be back in our home ready to get back to our routine and start working.  Here in Dublin, Ohio, schools close and open about a month earlier than in the East Coast, so a lot of exciting summer camps are starting in a few days.

Every mother knows how convenient summer camps are, especially when all kids nowadays want to be on the Ipad.  In the meantime, regular posts are back to regular schedule, and I’m glad it starts right on a Monday’s Special Deals of the Week post.  Today is all about summer style furniture on sale that is hard to resist.  If you are looking for a rustic cocktail table that is unique and chic or a bamboo style chair as well as other ideal summer accessories, we’ve got you covered.

 

summer style furniture on sale

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After Memorial Day weekend it is ”officially” summer.  White clothes are allowed, and sunscreens are but an everyday essential.  While all that is great, the most exciting part of the summer is spending time away at our favorite summer destinations where everyone smells like sunscreen.  When I saw this SoCal beach bungalow with a very California cozy style, my first thought was how great it would be to own a beach cottage where to spend the long summer weekends.  As this charming 480 SF bungalow proves, charm and coziness have nothing to do with space, so it won’t need to be that big as long as it has plenty of windows where light can come in, cozy outdoor spaces and a light palette indoor.

Beach bungalow, California style Living room

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If you are considering using patterned cement tiles in your home, whether as a kitchen backsplash or as floor tiles, in your bathroom, and are doubting whether or not cement tiles will stand the test of time.  It’s good to remember that few other tiles have been around for so long and still keep coming back strong every now and then.  They are super popular right now, especially in kitchens and bathrooms.  They quickly transform any blah room into a wow one.  Another excellent characteristic of cement tiles is that because they are handmade no two tiles look exactly the same.  This characteristic makes them authentic and gives them a feeling of originality.

There are so many patterns available by different manufacturers that is almost overwhelming.  I’m sharing a few sources at the bottom of this post.  Whatever patterned tile you decide on,
one thing to keep in mind is that you should follow installation instructions to the T, especially when it comes to the final sealing step.  Cement tiles are incredibly tricky, and they can be damaged very easily.  They can get stained, not precisely a beautiful patina and these ugly
stains are very difficult to fix.  Manufacturers are usually not responsible for any stain developed after improper installation because they stand behind the fact that due to the nature of the cement tiles being made by hand they are prepared to look imperfect.  The truth is that a beautiful patina on a tile is not exactly a stain, that’s why it’s so important to make sure that your installer is doing the installation correctly.

cement tiles, encaustic tiles, bathroom with cement tiles

If you are installing them on the floor as in this beautiful bathroom above, make sure the floor is level; otherwise, the tiles can chip off with usage over time.  The chipping may be due to the way the tile is manufactured in sort of layering.   Another widespread use of encaustic tiles is on patio floors,  and they can look great in the right kind of architecture.

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Townhouse, interior design, contrast
Townhouse, interior design, contrast

Classic elements are combined in an unconventional way in the entryway of this Upper East side apartment.  The carpet on the staircase is a hand-patched antique runner.

When I saw this house a couple of months ago in Veranda, I knew I was going to post it one day.  Its full of contrast, glam, creativity, and elegance.  The latter is done in a very subdued manner, not over the top but with an evident refinement.  The house was fully renovated by architect Nate McBride in collaboration with Interior Designer Alecia Stevens.  Among the significant structural changes is the fantastic row of steel casement-windows which open onto a terrace on each floor of the house overlooking the beautiful garden in the backyard.  The townhouse shows a great balance between classic, modern and glamour.

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2018 Kips Bay Decorators Showhouse,

If you are a design enthusiast, then you already know that the 2018 Kips Bay Decorators Showhouse opened last week in New York City.  The anticipated Showhouse is the most prominent showhouse in the country, attracting 15,000 visitors every year.  The showhouse runs for the entire month of May closing its door on May 30th.  Lucky for me my niece is graduating on May 30th precisely so I’ll be in New York City during that week and for sure I’ll be absorbing and admiring all these rooms in person.  This year the Showhouse is located at 110 East 76th Street, inside a spacious townhouse at walking distance from the best museums New York has to offer.

Every year established and newer designers get to present their most daring creations that represent their perspective as much as their style.  This time is no different, the creativity on display ranges from traditional to avant-garde design with more than one thing in common, color, a more is more approach, and daring design.  Although the subject in focus is design the good cause behind the Showhouse is what’s most important.  The Showhouse raises funds for afterschool and enrichment programs for New York City children.  I only included the main rooms otherwise this post would have no end.  To see the rest of the rooms visit Architectural Digest.

2018 Kips Bay Decorators Showhouse, Jun Montoya

Foyer by Michael Herold Interior Design

The foyer by Michael Herold Interior Design sure sets the tone for the rest of the showhouse.  The stunning wallpaper is by Iksel and creates a striking background for the modern touch of the black and white fabric on the Louis XVI chairs.  A Juan Miro lithograph greets visitors.  The wall of mirror reflects the beautiful wallpaper.

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Misha Nonoo's home

Fashion Designer Misha Nonoo and her former husband bought her Greenwich Village duplex apartment in New York City from Interior Designer Nate Berkus.  Misha kept some of the already beautiful features of the previous apartment, such as the closet, and the chevron floors,  a type of parquet floor that Berkus uses a lot in his interiors, for all the good reasons.  My favorite room in Misha Nonoo’s home is the library.  It’s cozy, elegant, done in beautiful neutrals and the slipcovered sofas look super comfortable.

Misha Nonoo's home, Misha Nonoo

An Andy Warhol portrait of Queen Elizabeth in the library.

The fashion designer enlisted decorator Andre Mellone to redesign the apartment.  He converted one of the two previous living rooms into the library and relocated the dining room along the kitchen.

Misha Nonoo's home, Misha Nonoo

In the living room, we can appreciate a global chic atmosphere with mid-century chairs and modern art.

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