Time For A Modern Bathroom?

You know your bathroom needs a remodel if you have a spa-tub with jets, or if your bathroom has small, eight-sided tiles anywhere. You know your savings will decline if your toilets and showers use lots of water. When you and your mate see what Modern Bathroom offers in new eco-friendly bathroom fixtures, featuring dual-flush toilets and bidets; and when you learn that you can have low-flow showers, yet receive a high, water pressure feel through air injection, then you know you are ready for bathroom renovations that will significantly enhance daily living and quality of life for you and your entire family.

Someday, soon, we intend to rip out our bathroom linoleum flooring and have new marble floors installed. Our house was built in 1929, so you might imagine the old tub and shower system could use an upgrade. A new glass enclosure for the tub and shower would be a handsome addition. In the finished basement (lower level as we now call it), the bathroom could use new tile and a bidet. With a bidet, we could live like the French, seen on those House Hunter TV shows. While it takes money to upgrade a bathroom, most renovations are so much cheaper than the cost of a new house.

When we are ready, we will investigate Modern Bathroom, headquartered in Southern California. Originally, they only sold their Modern Bathroom fixtures, but now have added such quality brands as Wyndham Collection®, Christopher Grubb, Americh, Avanity, Bath Authority DreamLine, Cole & Co, Design Element, Fluid, Fresca, HANSA, Hansgrohe, Hydro Systems, JADO, Jason, Madeli, mr. steam, MTI, Ronbow, Stufurhome, Victoria & Albert, Vigo Industries, Virtu USA, and many more. In addition to the showrooms in the Greater Los Angeles area and the low-price guarantee, you can save even more with free shipping, when you order on line.

This sponsored post for Modern Bathroom was paid for by our friends at Modern Bathroom.

Emerald Is Color Of 2013

It's official. Pantone has chosen Emerald as the color of 2013:

“Green is the most abundant hue in nature – the human eye sees more green than any other color in the spectrum. As it has throughout history, multifaceted Emerald continues to sparkle and fascinate. Symbolically, Emerald brings a sense of clarity, renewal and rejuvenation, which is so important in today’s complex world. This powerful and universally appealing tone translates easily to both fashion and home interiors.” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.

Woman Humor

In a dark and hazy room, peering into a crystal ball, the Mystic delivered grave news:

"There's no easy way to tell you this, so I'll just be blunt. Prepare yourself to be a widow. Your husband will die a violent and horrible death this year."

Visibly shaken, Laura stared at the woman's lined face, then at the single flickering candle, then down at her hands.

She took a few deep breaths to compose herself and to stop her mind racing. She simply had to know.

She met the Fortune Teller's gaze, steadied her voice and asked, "Will I be acquitted?"

For some reason, women tend to like this joke........

Best of 2012 Interior Design Trends

Here's a quick survey for you on interior design trends, do you love or not.



Love It or Leave it?

What Is A Juju Hat?

Juju hats are large, feathered, circular hats traditionally worn by village chiefs and "prominent members of society" in Cameroon.

Now they are being used in interior design says Mother/Daughter Design Interest blog. Maddi and Alex are seeing the use of Juju Hats in Image, The Decorista, Wick Design, Lonny Magazine, In Style Magazine, Heart Home magazine, Elle Decor and many more.

Bridget Otto On Saturday

Who knew that a meeting at the White Eagle Tavern would result in Pratt & Larson Ceramics? Bridget A Otto tells us the story of the formation of one of the first "...first artisanal tiles to come back and be made in America." in Portland tile-makers Pratt & Larson keep stay true to the craft

We Have Guests Coming From America!

Guest post from Our friends in the UK:

For six months, we trained every other day, walking ten kilometers breaking in our new hiking boots. We had heard the stories of incredible friendships made during the month-long pilgrimage named the Camino de Santiago in Spain. We made the walk, traveling 20 to 30 kilometers each day, completing the 800K hike at the end of September. We began in late August. Each night in a different town, we would dine with fellow travelers from around the world, laughing, commiserating about our sore feet, talk about getting lost, and marveling at the rich scenery along the way.

We struck up a close friendship with one couple about our age from the U.S. and invited them to stay with us and explore London the next time they were in Europe. They called last month and announced they would be in the U.K. over the Christmas holiday and wanted to see us. We were overjoyed, but immediately assessed our spare bedding. We decided this was a great opportunity to do an update. After all, most of what we considered spare was given to us as wedding gifts 20 years ago.

We decided to go to Dunelm Mill to look at Dorma bedding. Dunelm Mill is UK’s largest homewares retailer. Founded in 1979, one of their premier brands is sumptuous Dorma bedlinen. None other than Her Majesty the Queen is amongst Dorma’s most satisfied customers having granted Dorma two prestigious royal warrants. That’s better than saying the Beatles slept here. One reason Dorma bedding has such high regard is the thread count of their linens. They don't produce any bedding below 200 thread count, and the 300 thread count bedding creates an incredibly soft touch against your skin. Our guests will love it and will enjoy their sleep after days of tourist walks. The best part is, we can get what we need at Dunelm Mill before our guests arrive.

Canopy Beds: The Enduring Allure

Posted by savannahcollections in Bedroom, Craftsmanship, Design Tips, Featured Collections



There’s an immediate sense of luxury and decadence conveyed when one mentions canopy beds.  It is common to find richly carved designs on the wooden frame of canopy beds, making them a dramatic centerpiece to any bedroom.

During the medieval period, canopy beds gained popularity with both peasants and royalty alike.  For nobles and peasants, canopies had a utilitarian purpose of protecting one from outside elements, where thatched-roofs may have not sufficed. Sheets were traditionally used to drape over the bed posts to protect one from bugs and bug droppings that fell through the roof.  The prestigious and rich, however, enjoyed the warmth, comfort and privacy that canopy beds provided.

Over time, canopy beds took on a more romantic notion as elaborate carvings, richly decorated tapestries and accessories were added to the overall designs.

Gilded with gold-accent over intricate wood carvings throughout, the Greenwich Bed shown above is just one example of how canopy beds create a cozy yet luxurious setting.  A simple light canopy sheet was draped above and within the wooden frame to compliment the solid wood and lend it a softer, more romantic touch.  Elegant touches such as these prove why the allure of canopy beds has endured throughout the ages.

5 Myths About White Kitchens

Bridget A Otto directs our attention to an article in Cultivate: 5 Myths About White Kitchens.

• Myth #1: White is hard to keep clean 
• Myth #2: White makes a kitchen feel cold 
• Myth #3: White is too traditional 
• Myth #4: White is cookie-cutter 
• Myth #5: White only works for small kitchens

New From Uttermost

Anesio, Armless Chair
Item #23603




Frame is solid, carved mango wood with antique bone finish and ivory woven cotton cover. Seat height is 21".
Designer: Matthew Williams
Dimensions: 28 W X 44 H X 26 D (in)

Design Inspirations For Your Home

Posted by savannahcollections in Accent Items, Bedroom, Design Tips, Dining Room, Featured Collections, Living Room

The stately, traditional dining table seen on the British series, 

Downton Abbey.

Choosing timeless furniture in today’s ever-evolving design world can prove to be as paralyzing as standing in a grocery store in search for the ideal salad dressing. There are simply too many options making it a challenge to know where to begin. Unlike salad dressing however, you will have to live with your furniture for many years. For some, it will be a lifetime commitment.  Luxury furniture shopping doesn’t have to be an overwhelming ordeal, however.  Knowing what you like and what suits you and your family’s lifestyle and taste is the key to finding the perfect elements when furnishing your home.

Look Around You
First, look around to see what you find beautiful. Fashion and trends matter little if you don’t find something pleasing to your senses. Your muse can be a period drama showcasing grand, ornate decor, while your spouse and family might prefer sleek, modern homes displayed on every interior design show on cable. Beauty is a matter of personal preference, but it is possible to blend different tastes with a little research and a lot of inspiration.

Inspiration can stem from a variety of sources, and we’re happy to point you to some trends we currently find inspiring, which can in turn help stir up ideas of your own. Not a trend-follower? No worries, we’ll also fill you in on furniture and design ideas which are as timeless and classic as they are up-to-date. No need to compromise one way or another. We believe you can have the best of both worlds. The latest design movements in furniture combine both traditional as well as modern styles. This is also known as transitional-style furniture, or you may have heard the term, “classic with a contemporary twist”.

Create your own 21st-century version of this Downton Abbey 

saloon with a few key accent items.

Traditional vs Transitional

A tufted sofa exudes a contemporary aesthetic, while retaining a classic, timeless elegance.

If you lean towards a more traditional style a la Downton Abbey, but don’t want to take a huge leap by purchasing larger pieces, look to accent your home with stand-alone luxury accents such as occasional chairs, small luxe tables, and ornate dressers and chests. While not all of us may hold a title as Earl or Countess and live in a grand, 19th century English estate, key accent pieces can give a home that additional bit of character, which can lend an air of majesty to your abode. Pieces with a slight modern twist keeps things interesting, or at least from feeling a bit too much like great-grandma’s house. This marriage of traditional and transitional worlds can work beautifully as seen in the image below of the Franklin Occasional Chair.

This Franklin Occasional Chair and ottoman displays an effortless 

combination of traditional style with modern details such as the 

nail-head trim.

Mix and Match


Mixing and matching not only styles, but types of furniture in unconventional ways has also been gaining popularity. For example, you can choose two or three different sets of chairs for your dining table to compose a unique, one-of-a-kind ensemble as seen pictured here. Mixing furniture allows one to exercise some creative muscle in selecting pieces that will accent as well as complement each other. A personalized touch to furnishing your space adds a certain charm and depth that can differentiate a house from a home.



Another popular trend is the use of bench-style seating instead of common chairs at dining tables.  Benches can create an inviting gesture, as the extra seating suggests that sharing a space is welcome and encouraged. Alternatively, you may forgo using a dining table altogether and use a large coffee table for your dining experience. Whether you enjoy standing up to eat or sitting down around the television for a meal, don’t hesitate to draw inspiration from your lifestyle when selecting your furniture.

Color and Texture


Your choice of color and texture plays a huge role in the ambiance of a room. It can brighten a space up, alerting and attracting eyes, or create a more calming, subdued atmosphere. The latest tendency for color seems to range from earth-tones in gray, gray-browns to bright shades of tangerine and green. Consider what tone you’d like to create for you, your family and visitors when entering a given room. Texture can also set subtle, yet important tones within a space. Fabric color and texture found on sofas, chairs, pillows and rugs can add a palpable warmth and energy to a room.



A Meaningful Environment


Considering modern trends is a good start when looking for the furniture you want to buy. But to really designate a place as your own, look to what inspires you. You don’t have to be an interior designer to know exactly what looks good and feels good to you. To quote the well-respected interior designer, Albert Hadley:
“The essence of interior design will always be about people and how they live. It is about the realities of what makes for an attractive, civilized, meaningful environment, not about fashion or what’s in or what’s out…”

Tags
chaise, decor, Downton Abbey, furniture trends, inspiration, interior design, luxury furniture, occasional chair, ottoman, traditional, transitional furniture, transitional-style, tufted sofa

Henredon

Luxury furniture

High end furniture

A Time For Candles

I love candles! I love the flickering light, light that makes every woman more beautiful. I love dining table candles, candles placed on the mantle, outdoor candles on the deck under the stars, with friends and good conversation.

I love the word “guttering” as it relates to candles. Candles seem to inspire the poet in us.  Geraldine Brooks said, "His spirit is like a guttering candle”.  Guttering refers to a candle that is barely staying lit. A guttering human would be indecisive, vacillating between staying or leaving, yin and yang. It congers up the images from Elton John’s “Candle In The Wind.”

And it seems to me you lived your life
Like a candle in the wind
Never knowing who to cling to
When the rain set in

In 2009, I discovered flameless candles. They are battery operated and rechargeable; have the soft light of a candle, but not the disadvantages of melted wax on the tablecloth, smoke or the danger of a candle catching a blowing curtain on fire. Best of all, flameless candles are kid-safe.

Three years after my discovery, flameless candles now come in many varieties.  One variety gives off a soft light. Another looks like a melted candle or taper, yet flickers and comes in colors that complement any décor. There are scented candles of cinnamon, vanilla, sea breeze, sandalwood, forest or floral spice.

The flameless candles with timer or remote may be a must own.  Imagine the convenience of a timer to light your candles before you come home or automatically light each nigh fooling others to think you are home while on vacation.  Choosing a candle with a remote allows you to change the candle from flickering to steady on or dim or brighten the candlelight from across the room.

I love the look of lanterns around a pool in the evening. Now you can have battery powered candles, shimmering through beveled glass in metal lanterns. Now you can have battery operated Christmas wreaths and lights and branches and outdoor wall sconces. All have LEDs that last up to 450 hours.

Candles have always been special. Why not light a candle tonight for a loved one who has passed, or soak in a tub with a calming candle and a glass of wine, or light a candle in the window to see your spouse home to safety?

Drawn To A Mediterranean-Style Home

Except for a brief mention by Bridget Otto, I would have missed this mention by Houzz of Jessica Helgerson and her design of a Mediterranean home in the Portland area.

Don't you just love the entry and the arched openings on each side of the entry?







Well done!

Jessica Helgerson owns
Jessica Helgerson Interior Design

723 NW 18th Avenue
Portland, OR 97209
T 503-548-4984
interior@jhinteriordesign.com

Nanotechnology In Textiles

A fabric that can be washed by the sun? That's soon to be possible and will work especially well in places where water is scarce.

Scientists from IIT Delhi and other institutes are working on textiles that wouldn't pick up dirt, and even if they do after prolonged use, the clothes could be "washed" in sunlight . In short, detergents are out!

At the heart of the revolutionary changes is nanotechnology.

Nano technology deals with materials at nano size (1-100 nm) level where the properties of material alter dramatically as their size and shape is changed in the nanometer range.  

The coating of nano titanium dioxide particles in clothes has 'photocatalytic properties' which can break dirt particles in the presence of sun light. 

Other possible uses for nano technology are textiles that are antibacterial, UV (Ultraviolet light) protective and water repellent breathable fabrics. A range of anti-microbial textile finishes and products based on nanosilver have already been commercialized and are finding use in the medical sector such as sutures and wound dressings and other health and hygiene textiles.

Reclaimed Great Salt Lake History At Trestlewood

The Great Salt Lake blocked the Central Pacific Railway from reaching California. The solution was a 145-mile route through the mountainous northern shore from Lucin to Ogden, Utah.  The journey had many steep grades and sharp curves. As traffic picked up, railroad engineers looked for a more direct route that would be faster and save wear and tear on their engines.

   

The engineers mapped out a straight path from Ogden to the lake, over the water to a tongue of land, known as the Promontory, then on to the opposite shore for an easy run into Lucin. In 1902, 3,000 men gathered to build the longest trestle in the world over the water to save time and 41 miles. 38,256 trees, representing two square miles of forest, were cut down for the pilings. In the 1950s, a causeway was built that replaced the trestle and the whole structure was abandoned. Then, in 1993, Cannon Structures Inc. (dba Trestlewood) of Blackfoot, Idaho, acquired rights to salvage the wood.

  

The wood that is salvaged has character. It braved great storms that generated four to eight foot waves of dense salt water. It may have nail stains, and saw marks and old growth grain patterns not seen on new lumber. Today, our friends at Trestlewood use the recycled wood for flooring, siding, timbers and Trestlewood mantels. 

I visit friends in and around Bend, Oregon that have mantels over fireplaces made from the timbers steeped in salt and history. I wonder on a quiet, chill evening with a fire roaring, if we will see movement in the grain, hear the voices of those 3,000 men working and locomotives crossing the trestle bound for California.  I wonder, as I place a candle on the mantel, if we will experience the trestle’s history. Will we faintly smell the Great Salt Lake and coal fired engines? I wonder if the salvaged wood from pickle vats and water tanks, barns, corncribs and stables could fill a large book with stories.

Why not contact Trestlewood to receive a story for your home at 877-375-2779 (toll free) or

Email Them

New From Uttermost

Fielding, Armchair
Item #23610

Ornately carved, solid mango wood in mocha gray heavily mottled with black and tea-stained undertones and cushioned in steel gray with antique brass nail accents. Seat height is 20".
Designer: Matthew Williams
Dimensions: 23 W X 38 H X 23 D (in) (in)
Weight (lbs): 22



Tandy, Pet Bed
Item #23087

Antiqued, medium walnut hardwood frame with plush, quilted sage polyester covering and tufted cushion.
Designer: Matthew Williams
Dimensions: 28 W X 13 H X 22 D (in) (in)
Weight (lbs): 28



Camdon, Armchair
Item #23604

Carved in solid mango wood and finished by hand in antique red with black undertones, with steel gray woven seat cushion. Seat height is 19".
Designer: Matthew Williams
Dimensions: 25 W X 36 H X 24 D (in) (in)
Weight (lbs): 26

8 Tips for Buying Your First Area Rug

Jessica Ashley offers 8 tips to buy an area rug like an adult.

1. Set a budget  (I've read recently that an area rug in front of a sofa should be 1/3 the price of the sofa)
2. Assess the room - Write down WHY you want an area rug
3. Measure the space  
4. Get honest about wear and tear- What kind of rug does your room really need?
5. Consider color, light and pattern  
6. Choose a fiber  - Choose the quality that is the best fit for your wallet, room and needs. 
7. Determine density - density measures the amount of yarn packed per square yard. 
8. Don't put off the padding 

Design Trends For 2013

The popularity of Downton Abbey has led some designers to see a hankering by customers for the traditional.

House Beautiful has ten trends predicted by interior designers:

• Peter Dunham says warm modern materials that look vintage
• Stephen Shubel thinks rooms will be filled with bright, more saturated hues.
• Leta Austin Foster says enough with the plain.
• Melissa Rufty - BRASS!
• Meg Braff James Mont and his over- the-top, theatrical furniture.
• Jeffrey Bilhuber - High Gloss!
• Tom Scheerer - computer-generated photorealist fabrics.

For more, be sure to pick up the House Beautiful’s December issue on stands November 20th.

Brad Pitt Furniture

"Brad Pitt is used to a life of glitz and glamor and now the actor and architecture buff is on the cusp of launching his own new high-end furniture collection, designed with Art Deco furniture maker Frank Pollaro. The collection launched Nov. 13th to 15th under the Pitt Pollaro label and includes about a dozen pieces, comprised of tables, chairs, a bed, and even a two-person marble bathtub all made in the U.S.A.

We Will Do Anything For Our Pets

A recent experience with our dog, Ralph, reinforced this conclusion. Three separate trips to the vet for Ralph who couldn't move.  He just laid on the floor and hours later, hadn't moved.  I thought we would have to put him down. Finally, after $300 per visit, the doctor found some meds that had him up a frolicking again and greeting Mike at the back door.

Then there's South Korean designer Seungji Mun who has designed pet-friendly furniture.  First we have the Cat Tunnel Sofa.“For humans, the cat tunnel sofa is just a comfortable sofa, but for the cats, it is their playground and a comfortable bed.”

Then Seungji Mun designed the Dog House Sofa. He hopes his creation "...will raise awareness about the issue of abandoned dogs."

We all know that we treat our pets like kids. In Ralph's case he's now 70 in dog years. No kid, he!

Gift For Life Honors Global Views

Gift for Life, the gift, stationery and home decor industries' charitable organization, will honor Global Views and Whereoware at its Jan. 27 Party For Life in New York.

Global Views, Dallas, Texas, will receive Gift For Life’s “Design for Life Award,” which recognizes excellence in product design and sustained impact on the gift and home décor industries. Global Views is a home decor wholesale company with collections that blend various styles to make pieces that are elegant, exotic, refined and casual, offering an assortment of fashion-forward products from furniture to accessories that fit every price range.

Fololow Up On Stainless Steel

Recently I asked the question, Do You Have Stainless Fatigue?

On Monday, Whirlpool introduced a new premium exterior finish that they call “White Ice.” With clean lines, silver accents and streamlined controls, the new collection’s refrigerator, range, dishwasher, and microwave are a departure from the flash and glitz of stainless steel and its many lookalikes. In fact, the combination of a white finish, stainless handles and mirrored glass appear to have a lot in common with Apple’s popular design language.

Opening A New Restaurant?

 OX – Clams.
Photo ©Dina Vaila Photography

We love to dine out and my wife, Beverly, is usually up on the latest restaurants.  I don’t know how she finds them. It could be by word of mouth, from the newspaper or on the web, but she learns about them.  In fact, she recently told me that residents of Portland have more restaurants to choose from than residents of New York.  I find that hard to believe.

I Googled “New Restaurants Portland, Oregon” and I’m amazed how many open each year. I often think that owning a restaurant must be a good business, if you can turn the tables several times a night. My wife thinks owning a restaurant would be grueling; long hours, late nights, all the prep, and then cleanup after the customers are gone.

I discovered one company, PeachSuite Hotel Supply, which offers a comprehensive array of hotel supplies and restaurant supplies. This hotel amenities supplier offers all you need for dining room supplies; china, flatware, and glassware for example. It has a catalog for the bar, kitchen, janitorial supplies, and furniture that you would need if you were to join the movement and open your dream restaurant.

If you do open that restaurant make sure the staff know what to do and make sure the food is excellent. Then call Beverly.

I keep mentioning one of our favorite shows, House Hunters International.  We love to see the variety of homes that are in sunny climates and are beach side or come with a water view.  In many of the homes, we see "plantation shutters."

I didn't know much about plantation shutters until I read this article, Plantation Shutters: Window Treatments that Increase Your Home Value.

Plantation shutters are multi-purpose interior window coverings. They allow for an adjustable flow of air, and an adjustable amount of light, entering a room. They provide privacy. They provide shade, which helps keep interiors cool when outside temperatures climb. Additionally, they add an additional layer of insulation against outside cold. They are a versatile and highly desirable decorative touch.

The article lists five tips for the selection of plantation shutters. Aside from those tips, installation of plantation shutters greatly increase your home's curb appeal.

Seven Rules Made To Be Broken

As we find in writing poetry, "Smart designers break lots of rules."

Marni Jameson writes,

No wonder so many do-it-yourself home decorators are stuck at their thresholds, afraid to make a move. If they do conjure the courage, they make design choices so wimpy even their pets will yawn.

Syndicated columnist and speaker Marni Jameson and author of “House of Havoc” and “The House Always Wins” (Da Capo Press) lists seven rules that are made to be broken. Still afraid? Call a local interior designer and tell her you want to be bad! You want to break the rules.

UPDATE: I received this email from Marni Jameson: Please change the sentence in the article to read:

I didn't realize how strongly I felt about this until last week, when a refreshing message arrived in my inbox, from the folks at Lou Hammond & Associates,// SHOULD BE Hunter Douglas, a leading maker of window-coverings.

Do You Have Stainless Fatigue?

Do you have an opinion you'd like to share on this topic? MSN asks "What comes after stainless steel?" For 25 years stainless has been the leader in kitchen appliances, but manufacturers are looking for a replacement.

The appliance industry has tried to promote new looks before. In recent years, manufacturers have pitched "oiled bronze," "antique copper" and a gray hue called "meteorite," as well as aluminum and other look-alikes, but none has been able to unseat stainless steel.

We know a look doesn't last forever, but I am not tired of stainless because it's so clean and forward looking.  I have a feeling that some form of Gold finish is on the horizon, because it's been out of favor for so long.

So the question is: Do you have stainless fatigue? If so what would you like to see as a replacement?