A SUCCESSFUL BATHROOM RENOVATION

People always ask me what goes into renovating a full bathroom, so I will explain in very simple terms the steps that are involved... First, hire an Interior Designer. Even if all the plumbing is staying in the same place you will need to select every surface, plus plumbing fixtures and hardware... Next hire a Contractor, most of the time your designer will recommend someone trustworthy and reliable . Make sure you have great photos of the "before" bathroom. You will also need a floor plan of what the bathroom looks like now, and if you are changing any square footage or moving plumbing you need a floor plan of the new intended space.  My personal inspiration comes from the trade market, there is always something new and cutting edge . Next, it is time to go shopping! I like to start with selecting the floor and wall tile first. There are wonderful new products out there, things that were unimaginable a few years back.  Texture is the newest trend! I usually do tile or marble all the way up to the ceiling in a master or kids bathroom. (tile half way up the wall is out of style) I also will use wallcovering in master baths, and powder rooms. If wallpaper is applied correctly in a bathroom it will not come down as some people believe...  If for example there is enough pattern on the floor with a gorgeous marble, sometimes only paint is needed on the walls. Just like with everything else in this industry, every bathroom has different parameters , design visions and budgets.

After you know what palette your floors and walls will be you need to shop for all of your plumbing supplies. Having your designer take you to reliable sources is key. Otherwise you could wait a LONG time for items that never ship... You need to select your shower body first, there are decisions to be made such as temperature control and pressure balanced  systems.. You need to select your bathtub, and your toilet. All these items have many details that your designer will explain. All the faucets in the bathroom will follow suit with the shower body. Are you selecting the new modern brass? (which is my favorite) Satin nickel ? or polished chrome? Remember that warranties are given in reliable showrooms with proven track records, the internet is NOT a good place to shop for these products.

Most important advice: PLAN AHEAD, HAVE ALL TILE, MARBLE, FIXTURES, VANITIES, MEDICINE CABINETS, FAUCETS, DRAINS, LIGHTING, ACCESSORIES (toilet paper holder, towel bars or hooks) DELIVERED TO YOUR HOME BEFORE the DEMOLITION BEGINS!!! This way your contractor can be in and out of your home quickly!!! If all products are there, and if your contractor shows up EVERY day as he or she should, all work should be complete in about three weeks... unless there are unforeseen complications.  USE Professionals!!!

So plan that new spa, that place to relax and unwind in , that special oasis especially for YOU!  If you hire the right people everything should flow just like cascading water.. The following "Before"and "After" photos are of my latest bathroom project. ENJOY!

BEFORE PHOTOS

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 IN PROGRESS

AFTER PHOTOS

Photo Credit: Beckerman Photography

BE MINE

Be Mine Design

presented byAccess to Design™

"For the month of February, the New York Design Center’s Access to Design™ designers have curated a collection of products from their most adored New York Design Center resources. Travel the 16 floors to discover what these tastemakers have selected for Be Mine Design and find something to make yours. Pick up a handout in the lobby to navigate Be Mine Design at 200 Lex and visit the Access to Design™ office in Suite 424 for more information on how to work with a designer." I am honored to have been selected to participate in this fun endeavour. I choose Profiles at the NYDC ( http://www.nydc.com/) as one of my favorite showrooms. I also was asked to select some of my favorite items. The following photos show some of them, for the real impact you must visit the showroom with a designer.  http://www.nydc.com/news/be-mine-design/Thank you so much Jim Druckman!  I truly enjoyed our beautiful breakfast in the Christopher Guy showroom. Come experience this wonderful building with 16 floors of new and cutting edge style, trends and fabulous merchandise and people. This is NYC at it's finest!

ARTS & CRAFTS STYLE

This home is an architectural dream, a truly special place. It's dwellers are just as special and delightful. Built in 1938 in Roslyn Estates I can say without knowing him that Frank Lloyd Wright would have admired this house. In design it is always a treat to work on something out of the box, something unique and not run of the mill, that was this house. All decorating and designing aside, her bones spoke for herself in every part, in every corner. The detail, the architecture was flawless and just simply left us in awe. Over the year we worked on this, the beauty just seemed to unfold before our eyes at every step of the way. This to me is design at its best, when you walk into a home and not everything hits you in the face all at once. Its slow and subtle, and takes your breath away slowly. We just enhanced what was already existing inside the home. It's almost like the house spoke to us and told us what it needed. Some places it screamed for movement on the walls while in others it was dying for african themed sculptures...While this is definitely a specific style, it may not be for everyone and thats just fine. We just ask that you observe, take in and appreciate the beauty that lives here, because it is here and it is something to look at. These walls tell a story, one that this family will be able to tell over for years to come.

ANTIQUE SHOPPING STAMFORD STYLE

Stamford Connecticut is one of the best place to antique shop. I always love going there for clients. When you find incredible, one of a kind pieces for someones home it's a feeling like no other. Not only are you bringing elements into their homes that are rare and special, you are also bringing in something old that tells a story. I love finding out what period each find is from and knowing the background behind them all. I usually have a rule that I never shop for myself when I am out with a client, however there were such amazing things this time that I just could not help myself and snagged some incredible pieces:)...

BLUE DOORS OF PARIS

I just returned from the most fabulous trip to Paris. Something that really struck me was these bright cobalt blue doorways and doors. Everywhere I looked there was another one. Paris seems to be ahead of the trends that's for sure. The Cobalt color has been around there for years, in many different ways and is only now making its debut here in the states as the "it" color of the season. It is such a gorgeous, energetic color. Clearly Europeans are not afraid of color, and maybe we can take a tip from them. Embrace life, embrace the blue!

THE BAL HARBOUR SHOPS

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One of my favorite things to do when I am lucky enough to get down to Miami is to visit the Bal Harbour Shops in Bal Harbour Miami, Florida. http://balharbourshops.com/ I live in cold gray dreary New York in the winter. Just getting off the plane into the sun changes everything. Bal Harbour is rich in every sense of the word. For me it is rich in inspiration. Just when I think this winter is never going to end, there is color, beauty and shopping, shopping, shopping. I love looking into almost very shop. The Bal Harbour Shops are so bright and beautiful . Only the best lighting, flooring, and fixtures are used. I have always gotten great inspiration from fashion. Spring 2013 here we come!!!!

"THE DORILTON" BEAUX-ART AT ITS FINEST

One of our favorite clients just moved from one apartment on the Upper West Side to a new apartment in the same area.  The Dorilton, wow what a building! It was built in 1902, restored in 1998, and the Beaux-Art style stands out in comparison to the minimalist style of later architecture.  In a Manhattan increasingly characterized by faceless skyscrapers, the Dorilton really makes a statement. The detail and durability of the materials used are exquisite.

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The interior of the building is just as extravagant as the exterior. The foyer holds angelic cherubs surrounded by carefully constructed framework that reads more like art. Upon turning the corner, you’re met with a unique railing that speaks to the structure’s French history. There was no holding back when it came to detailing the interior, and it makes an impression.

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The interior space has stained glass windows, very intricate crown moulding and heavy doors that are all solid wood. The interior wood floors are the finest walnut in a herringbone pattern. Once again, it is ALL IN THE DETAILS!!!! Now starts the fun part, making this new apartment feel like a warm and cozy home to our clients and their three children.

ANKASA

People always ask me "where are your favorite places to shop?"  One of my favorite places is Ankasa, www.anaska.com . They just opened a new retail store on Madison Ave. between 87th & 88th streets. They carry mostly high-end  accessories, pillows, lighting and small pieces of furniture.. They have a very glamorous look, their merchandise always intrigues me. Ankasa's pillows always look handmade. They use wonderful textiles, like cashmere and lace, skins and embroidery... Their products would help finish off any room in your house, check them out the next time you are in the Upper East side of Manhattan.. Happy Holidays!!!! Enjoy!! 

ART NOUVEAU AT THE MET

Here is a great example of Art Nouveau (French for 'New Art') used in Interior Design. What you're looking at is a fireplace surround that is capturing the true essence of nature itself. The beautiful ceramic glass uses colors that are found outdoors. Unlike most fireplaces that are characterized by harsh 90 degree angles, this surround only uses soft curves -- just like you'd find in a natural environment. Personally, I find it amazing that an artist can take a hard material, like ceramic, and imbue it with such flowing lines, reminding us of waves -- the tide coming in. Most importantly, the focal point is a mask representing humanity.  Art Nouveau celebrates the relationship between humanity and her environment.

This style is best used in rooms that are meant to make us feel welcome.  Although this piece looks harsh standing on a bare wall, it would be right at home in an Bohemian hotel with young Parisians sitting nearby arguing passionately, wine glasses in hand. Perhaps a beautiful accent to this grand surround could be a classic candelabra (Beauty and the Beast style) with a piece of art by Gustav Klimt --perfect for above the mantle. If this is the taste you desire, then Art Nouveau is exactly what you're looking for!

Attributed to: Desire Muller( French, 1877-1952) French Luneville, ca.1900 Glazed Stoneware

Alexander McQueen Exhibit

“You’ve got to know the rules to break them. That’s what I’m here for, to demolish the rules but to keep the tradition.”

-Alexander McQueen

I was lucky enough to find myself at the Alexander McQueen Exhibit in New York last week. “Savage Beauty” was the theme of the show and it definitely lived up to its name. Of course the always fabulous Metropolitan Museum of Art is where the exhibit was shown. A show that features pieces entitled “Jack the Ripper Stalks His Victims” and “It’s a Jungle Out There” is sure to raise a few eyebrows

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and that it did! It was definitely a “savage” show, but it was undoubtedly beautiful as well.  

Each gallery of McQueen’s collection had its own room and corresponding theme — giving each room its own unique ambiance. The overall purpose of the exhibit was to celebrate McQueen’s life and productions through the years. The designer always pushed the envelope when it came to his art and that was evident last week at the Met. There were about one hundred outfits and over seventy accessories on display that he created throughout his career. It was a great opportunity for me to see each and every ensemble up close. Luckily I got a chance to snap a few photos, as well.

The show runs until August 7. Be sure to check it out!

ANN GISH IN THE FLATIRON DISTRICT

      I was lucky enough to know about Ann Gish bedding for a long time. I always introduced my clients to Ann's exceptional bedding line. In the past I had to drag my clients all the way up to her warehouse  or just show them the website. Now Ann Gish has opened a retail store at 4 West 20th Street, in the Flatiron District. Ann is a very talented lady with a super incredible eye for style and quality. She has stocked the store with the most gorgeous bedding, pillows, lingerie and even some furniture and lighting... All ARE TO DIE FOR.....

Images by New York Interior Design