Re: Bathroom Inspiration

Melissa -

It looks like you had so much fun with your friends! And your clam bake looked delicious! I love the idea of a big bunch of friends gathered around a table loaded with food (this should be on 'garden proud' too!!). You can just sit for awhile and eat and talk and drink. It sounds divine...and yes, last week I was MIA :) It was my birthday week! I did not get anything off my wish list, but still - it was great. And next year is a BIG one (it rhymes with 'flirty'), so we'll have to plan something amazing.

So, I love talking about bathrooms, so I was so glad when you asked for additional bathroom inspiration (so then I don't have to do the embarssing thing and give you unsolicited suggestions!). I looked through my inspiration notebook and noticed something - not many bathrooms are featured in my fav magazines. Mostly it's living rooms, kitches and bedrooms. Do none of these people have to pee?? Anyway, have no fear - I turned to my Decorating Idol to send some inspiration your way.

First and foremost - I loved everything you sent me. I love all the white cabinets and trim work - it just looks so crisp, which I think is perfect for a bathroom. I think lots of wainscoting is ideal in a bathroom as well. Keeping all the fixed elements (tile, cabinets, etc.) neutral will allow you more flexibility with changing out the looks when you get bored just by switching up paint color, rugs (loved your suggestions!) and towels - but you already knew all that!

So, without further ado, here are some pictures from my #1 lady - Sarah Richardson of Sarah's House:



Okay, so in these two pictures I love how she used non-bathroom furniture and converted them into vanities. The wood might be a little too rustic for the look you are going for, but you get what I am saying. I think they even make vanities now that look like pieces of furniture, just to save you the trouble of retro-fitting some antique to accomodate pipes and a sink.

I also love when she incorporates fabric into bathrooms by way of curtain panels:


It's so unexpected and looks so fun and vibrant, I think. And finally:

In this picture and the one above you can see how amazing she is with creating showers. She uses expensive/interesting tile on just one wall to save on money AND to make a bigger impact, which I think is genius. I love how she used tiles of different tones to make the stripes, which is such an interesting idea. She is a pro at mixing expensive and cheap(er) materials to create a custom look that is actually affordable.

For lighting I think you should stay away from the traditional bathroom lighting and instead go with a statement piece in the middle of the room - like a gorgeous chandelier to reflect all the white. Or this could even be an interesting place to use the Edison Chandelier, which I know you are a fan of:


And then over the vanity, maybe do a pendant over each mirror (I love your idea of doing two mirrors). Pottery Barn has some great inspiration, but this is my favorite:

I feel like this summer I too have been taking a break from home projects. Maybe it's our version of 'summer vacation'? What will talk about in the mean time? All our inspiration of course - duh!

Subject: Bathroom Inspiration

Hey K - 

I take it this is the week you are MIA?!?  :)  

Since my best buds visited on the 4th of July...

...Hubs and I have not done ANY house work.  We've been relaxing and enjoying our home, and both of us have not picked up a paintbrush, caulk, hammer or nail.  I plan on staying on a hiatus for the next few weeks as well...at least until after Labor Day.  However, one of the next big projects we are planning is a bathroom makeover.  Here's my inspiration thus far...

I especially want to do two large mirrors, instead of the one big one we have now.  I think something like this could be beautiful. 

Pottery Barn Vintage Recessed Medicine Cabinet

 Or maybe even something like this...

Restoration Hardware Pharmacy Wall Mount Medicine Cabinet

I'm also thinking instead of the traditional bathmats, a big rug could be fun and add the perfect punch of color.

Pottery Barn - Gianna Kilim Recycled Yarn Rug

Flutter Pattern Rug

Anthropologie Tan-Tan Rug

And while we are on the subject of rugs, if I wasn't going for a pop of color, I would consider designing an entire room or bathroom around this rug which I LOVE!!!  I actually think I may have a crush on it.  I even recommended it to my little brother for his hip LA pad, and while at first he turned his nose up to it, he ended up purchasing it in the long run.

West Elm - Rajasthan-Stripe Printed Dhurrie

Well, that's it for now.  If you come across any fun bathroom inspiration, I'd love to see it.  We are still in the process of saving up for this big remodel.  Based on my calculations, we will be ready to break ground very late this year or early 2012!

Subject: Catching Up

Melissa! My long-lost friend!

I am so, SO sorry for my silence. Last week I literally needed a few days to recover from the big party (which was perfect, BTW, and I cannot wait to share pictures when I get them!) and then on Wednesday I got hit with a head cold/sinus funk thing thanks to every tree and flower in town bearing pollen! So that carried me into the weekend, and now this week Suz has decided she no longer needs her morning nap. I don't know how I am going to deal with this! Good thing I painted my kitchen and stained my grout when I had the chance! So now I am figuring out life with a once-a-day napper. It's a new experience and season for us, but I'm kind of excited about it too. I'm also banking on a really long afternoon nap now, which hopefully will afford me enough to time get everything done that I can't do when she's up and crawling around in the morning. So, yeah. Here I am - finally!

First, I love your new bedside tables! They are exactly what you were looking for! Ours also have a drawer with a little shelf underneath. It's nice because you can hide stuff you don't want people to see in the drawers, and then do a nice display of books or boxes or whatever below. Excellent choice! I'm not looking to get anything new for our room anytime soon, but if I was, I would consider these night stands from Pottery Barn:



I think they look really light (vs. the black wood we have now) and would reflect so much light. Of course, from a purely practical standpoint, they would be impossible to keep clean. Suz is way into seeing herself in the mirror right now, so I am picturing all the baby handprints on them!

Your curtains are perfect too! I am thinking about doing curtain panels in my room as well and have been trying to locate some fabric with gray in it - or bed sheets, per Jenny's suggestion. I will show you pictures soon of everything I am talking about one day, but I am still concentrating on my downstairs until June, so nothing until then!

Also, your laundry room turned out amazing! I just saw the episode of Sarah's House where she created her laundry room. She used a tray to corral all the detergent and soap bottles. It's hard to see from this picture, but here is the 'after':

Maybe you could find a low basket or something for your detergent and other bottles? Maybe a wicker tray? Or something clear? Just a thought. I also loved your art selection. I love pictures that elevate everyday homemaking chores into something beautiful and artistic. It makes me feel like the mundane task I am doing is actually really beautiful...which I guess in a way it is? Have you ever seen the prints on Smitten Kitchen? They do the same thing with cooking and everyday ingredients.

And lastly, I love your new bedding inspiration. Describing it as something you found at a market in another country is the perfect way to describe that fabric! Let me ask you: is this your house, or a picture of the bedding from the Internet?

Whatever it is, I love the composition of pictures above the bed! I am trying to figure out something to so above our bed (not 'til June!) and pictures like that would be an interesting idea. I have also thought about doing different sizes of plates and platters in varying shades of white and cream, but I haven't really looked at all, so that is a discussion for the summer!

Okay, I think I am all caught up. Look forward to a post from me tomorrow with all the treasures I found at one of our favorite craft stores!

'Til then,

Kara

Subject: No Need to Dwell in the Past

WHERE ARE YOU?!?  You better write back with the world's longest post on Suz's birthday!!  :)

Anyway, while you are away, I have a number of things to write/post about.  Today, Master Bedroom Linens.  This weekend I had an epiphany.  We are in the process of looking for a mattress for the guest room.  I always assumed that I would decorate the room with my Pottery Barn Diamond Matelasse Duvet.  The style has been discontinued for a while now, but it looks like this.  I barely had used the set because pretty much right after I bought it Hubby and I decided to move in together and we got a king bed.  Anyway, I only have the duvet and two standard shams, so I've been debating what the heck to do for euro shams and a bed skirt.  Then the epiphany occurred.  

Why not move our Dwell bedding into the guest room and get something new for our room?  Unfortunately after the washing and the drying of our beloved Chinoiserie bedding from Anthropologie, the duvet actually shrunk a bit on the sides.  The positive is it will be perfect for the guest room queen bed!!  And the even bigger positive is new fun stuff for our room.  

I'm thinking white - because I just love having white bedding - and throwing in fun throw pillows.  I picked up this one at the Pottery Barn outlet this weekend and am using it for inspiration.

Pottery Barn - Kilim Pillow

I love love love the look of Kilim.  The hand woven wool makes the pillow look like I picked it up at a market in another country.  I think it plays nicely off of the curtains I bought from West Elm and looks great with all the furniture.  Can't wait to show you what it all turns out like.  

Hope to hear from you soon!!

Subject: Master Bedroom Shopping Spree

It was like a domino effect.  First, I found the perfect nightstands...

Pottery Barn Sofia Bedside Table

My mom and I agree they have a European flair.  I love the details and how they look like a flea market find.  I think they fit the look I am going for perfectly.  Plus, with my 10% off Pottery Barn coupon plus a gift card I had, the price was MUCH better than the other nightstands I have been in love with for the past few months.

Next came the window panels... 

West Elm - Tribal Zig Zag Window Panel

 I was always looking for something really colorful, but these in person are so cool.  The material is muslin-esq and the color of the zig zags matches one of the colors in my bedding perfectly.  Plus, I love how they are a little more masculine compared to the nightstands.

The finishing touch...

Target - Clear Accent Lamp Base

I have always wanted matching nightstands with matching lamps.  Now I just need to find the perfect shade.

The nightstands were Catalog/Internet only so as soon as they arrive, I will snap a few pictures of the final look!!  Woo Hoo...an entire room is almost done!!

Can't wait to hear about Suz's party!

Re: A Very Grown Up Purchase

Oh my blog, Melissa! I love your new dresser! And I totally get what you mean about "investment" pieces of furniture. Something that is classic that you love now and know you will love forever is worth a little splurge. It's like investing in a classic pencil skirt or trench coat...I love comparing home decor to clothes shopping :)

That is the experience we had when purchasing our coffee, pictured below. It is the Rhys Coffee Table by Pottery Barn. I loved that it had storage drawers AND an open display area. We use it to show off our coffee table books and the drawers are the perfect size for VHS tapes (we still have a few left) and other odds & ends that needed a home. It was pricey, but we bought it in-store and brought it home ourselves, so we saved on shipping, plus we had some money on a gift card, which didn't make a huge dent in the purchase total...in fact, I think it only covered the tax, but whatever! It was totally worth it and I can't imagine us ever getting rid of it. And, after 3+ years of daily use, it still looks great.

I wish you and your new dresser all the best and hope you have a long and happy life together.

Love,
Kara

Subject: A Very Grown Up Purchase

So, Hubby and I just made a very important, and very grown up purchase.  While we know that I am not one to shy away from thrifty finds, (I mean, I still own those chairs that I once found on the side of the street.  More on those in the near future!) we decided that there were certain pieces of furniture in our house that we were willing to spend some money on as they would be "investment pieces." Our thinking is we will have them forever as we will always find a place for them no matter where we live.  Besides that, we were very fortunate to end up with some wedding money, so that is helping to pay for the investments.  :)

Today, I decided to stop into Restoration Hardware after seeing this beautiful dresser in the massive catalog I recently received.  I wasn't sure if they were going to have the piece in the store, but since it was on my way to the mall, (where I purchased these amazingly soft towels during Bloomingdale's Friends & Family sale) I took the chance.  Of course, it was there, and lucky for me they, too, were having a Friends & Family Sale, which meant 20% off!!!!  

And without further ado, here is our brand new dresser, which will be making an appearance in our bedroom in 2 - 4 weeks.  I will be sure to take pictures and send them to you once it's in.

Restoration Hardware - Printmaker's Sideboard

Detailed Shot

How's the master bath revamp coming along?  Can't wait to hear all about it.  Have a great week!!!

Mel