Chandeliers……Brightening Up the Bathroom

In the desire to create the mood for a luxurious and romantic style bathroom, what could add more elegance or glamour than a beautiful chandelier over a sensational soaking tub?

This alluring space gives it a feeling that is both classic and modern. Rozanne Jackson Interiors.

Bathrooms that I have done in the past, where some were remodeled completely and others with just a couple of touches here and there to give a fresh look to the space usually included a chandelier over the tub. If the space allows, adding a chandelier can create a huge impact without a lot of cost …

So imagine my dismay……when my bubbles  ……and by that I don’t mean the relaxing ones that surround you while you are soaking in the tub.  I mean the kind that burst when you hear something you don’t want to, when I met with a contractor recently and he was the first one that ever said to me “that it is a really dumb idea and he “prefers NOT to install them over the tub…..ever”.  Thankfully (insert huge sigh of relief),  the disappointment was short lived, for I spoke with another contractor (who was still not overly thrilled about the idea) said there can be an alternative solution (see Safety tips below) in allowing this to be a safer installation.  He did mention that he does still hesitate about the idea because of the thought of how homeowners can be quite irresponsible.  IE: They might “fill the tub, stand in the water and decide to change the light bulbs”. Who does that?!  Scary! No one would be that clueless……would they?  Luckily not the clients I have had the pleasure working with.

At this point, I have to admit my curiosity is now peaked to know I’m not alone to see if anyone else likes the glamorous look and feel of chandeliers over tubs. So……I decide to check my files/images/Google/magazines/blogs to confirm the answer…. and well, of course they do! Actually, there are many that seem too, especially in southern bathrooms, where they are not uncommon due to having fabulous architecture and high ceilings they are blessed with.   Atlanta designer Amy Morris, created a sophisticated sanctuary by adding a 19th-century French mirror and the show-stopping amethyst-embellished French chandelier from Edgar-Reeves.  The chandelier sparkles like fine jewelry.

Many desire their bathrooms to be turned into luxurious rooms where they can recharge, indulge or have a place to escape to. Can you blame others for craving some lavishness in their life by adding an exquisite chandelier to their private retreat?  I certainly can not.

  
The very talented Barry Dixon chooses different styles of fixtures in creating refreshing spaces with unique style.   

This opulent chandelier in a room designed by Nate Berkus makes this space feel like the perfect space to escape to.  

Clean, sleek and sophisticated with elegance all rolled into one. Met Home Sept. 2009 

  Renovation Style Magazine Page 62 Summer 2009  The original vintage chandelier was relocated in this house from the foyer to over the vintage claw and foot tub. Pure Perfection.

The right light fixture, whether it be a chandelier or perhaps a pendant, cannot only add to the style of your room, but it can also make all of your other special details in your bathroom truly stand out.
If you’re thinking about having a chandelier in a bathroom, but don’t want it directly over the tub, consider putting it at one end of the tub, or in front of.  Also, you don’t have to use it in the traditional way, with one large chandelier hanging in the middle of the room you could use two chandeliers over a vanity or one of medium size.

Designer Elaine Griffin Juxtaposing materials and styles adds interest to this sophisticated space.

Safety First
Attention to aesthetics in the bathroom doesn't diminish the importance of safety. Electricity and water are still lethal companions, and nowhere do they mingle more closely than in the bathroom. Always consult a certified electrician before tackling even the simplest lighting project.
   The National Electric Code requires all new outlets to have GFCIs, (ground-fault circuit interrupters).  Even fixtures that are going to be within a certain distance of the tub or shower (usually extends 3ft  horizontally, and 8ft  vertically from the bathtub top rim and the shower stall threshold, though local codes vary) should be "wet" or "shower-location" rated. 
   Put any of the light fixtures located above the bathtub and / or shower stall on a GFCI protected circuit…
   A circuit breaker GFCI (installed in a panel box to give protection to selected circuits) serves a dual purpose - not only will it shut off electricity in the event of a "ground-fault," but it will also trip when a short circuit or an over-load occurs.

So……we ask ourselves…….
Would you be willing to break the rules (if there are any) to create your enchanting retreat?

Inspiration

Inspiration is all around us, everywhere we go, everywhere we look, the trick is opening your eyes and your mind to see it all, embrace it, and enjoy.

Here are a  few things in my travels that I took photographs of, whether for the beauty, the texture, the color, the history, the meaning….or, ok, maybe because I enjoyed the moment and wanted to capture it.  All in their unique way, they were inspiring to me, for reasons maybe understood, and for other’s maybe not a clue :)

    I could have stared at this guy all day, one of a pair, he was was simply breathtaking. These bronze lions stand guard on Michigan Avenue at the Chicago Art Institute by animal sculptor Edward Kerneys and unveiled in May of 1894.         A an amazing glass bottle for wine (or some sort of booze) displayed at the Chicago Art Institute at the exhibit: A Case for Wine: From King Tut to Today

A lonely dangling leaf on a path during a glorious walk through Seashore State Park in Virginia Beach. 

While driving around the Eastern Shore of Virginia in and around the back roads of Cape Charles, I was struck (as was my sister who was with me at the time and “gets” the I gotta take a picture of odd things moment) by this run down house. The old place had so much character, and the stories those walls must hold that they could share must truly be a treat to hear. There was a gentle breeze blowing the curtain in the wind as if it wanted to fly away. It truly was an amazing sight to behold. 

   One of my favorite places to visit is my Mom’s farm located in Lovingston Virginia in Nelson County. It is one of the most beautiful relaxing places to be, and of course always a treat to spend time with the family. 

 

 

 

No words necessary for this last one. Whenever I see the sight of the American flag (especially when the soft light of the setting sun sets it a glow) and how much it represents.  Our country, our freedom, and how truly blessed we all are, I admit I get emotional. God Bless America!!

May you find yourself surrounded by beauty today and everyday.

xo

Southern Accents no more…….say it isn’t so!

It’s devastating news, Southern Accents September/October 2009 is their last issue! 

Southern Progress’ parent company, Time Inc., announced Thursday, August 6, 2009 that it will close the Birmingham publisher’s Southern Accents magazine.

Southern Accents, a luxury southern lifestyle title has been around for 32 years featuring homes and gardens, entertaining, travel, arts and antiques.  They will be sorely missed.

The magazine published six times a year and had a circulation of around 400,000.

Southern Accents’ closure follows a line of other Southern Progress products to close in the last year as the publisher struggles with lower advertising revenue and sales.

Sadly other magazines  such as Domino, Cottage Living, Country Home and O at Home have folded since November 2007, when Condé Nast shocked many in the industry by shuttering another of its home magazines, the 106-year-old House & Garden

SouthernAccents.com will continue to operate. Not quite the same…….but is at least something.

Let us hope that there will be no more upsets and that all the other home magazines prosper so they may continue to bring their readers enjoyment with each issue.

Which is your favorite home magazine that you would be disheartened to see no longer published?

Re-Design for a Good Cause

My dear friend Gloria Blalock of Blalock Interiors LLC and I donated our services to an event for a charity benefiting  A-SPAN (Arlington Street People’s Assistance Network). A-SPAN is a wonderful charity that is dedicated to supporting people who are homeless, living in the streets or facing homelessness in the Arlington, Virginia area by providing supportive services that include Outreach, Employment Counseling, Case Management, Permanent Supportive Housing, Opportunity Place and The Homeless Bagged Meal Program.

The winning bidder would receive:
Gloria Blalock of Blalock Interiors and Laura Jens of Interior View, two fabulous designers are teaming up to offer a Re-Design of a room.  They will come to your residence for 2-3 hours where they will be selecting, arranging existing furnishings, artwork and accessories to recreate a living space to enhance the style and functionality of your space. In addition, they’ll provide color consultation and make a list of recommended items for purchase if needed. 

We arrived and met Mr. & Mrs. J. the most wonderful warm loving couple and their three young beautiful adopted children.  After sitting down to ask the family how they live, we then surveyed the room(s) and agreed to re-design their living room and dining area where most of their activities take place.  This is where the children do their homework, the family sits together to watch movies (& oodles of them :)), have sleep over parties and play together.

We realized we certainly had our work cut out for us…..and it was time to get busy. :)

The room as when we arrived…...

The process: 
To create functioning but yet cozy sitting groups, create an organized area for homework, and accessorize the many trinkets that have been collected over the years in a unified manner.

BeforeAfter

The lovely (extremely heavy) piano was moved under the window to take center stage, wall units were separated and moved to the opposite side near the entry, the main seating pieces pulled in and centered with the fireplace (focal point), and the TV pulled in and angled closer for better viewing. *Phew* I’m tired again just thinking about it all :) After: from the other end

Before (all items had to be removed prior to the furniture being moved) 

 After:
In the Dining Area, art re-arranged, the bookcase was removed, the hutch and buffet were switched and the small bookcase placed under the window to store kids supplies and homework. All of this helped to open up the space and created a place that works well to share a yummy home cooked meal…….after everyone’s homework is completed that is :)

 

 

A few items that were removed from a couple pieces of furniture.

 

 

There was lots & lots & lots of stuff that was removed from cabinets and shelves, oodles to clean, sort, and organize. Gloria is the Queen of grouping, arranging, and displaying all the treasures in a cohesive thoughtful way. There was such a huge impact made in the way she arranged the cabinets & shelves in displaying some of their most treasured pieces.

 

 

An example below of the bookshelf:

         
                       Before                                         After

The globe we found downstairs and immediately both fell in love with it, then came to find out the owners had been trying to figure a way to display it for quite some time. The stand, a repurposed beautiful hand carved wooden piece made by his father now has a prominent place. The large leather bound book on the top shelf under the globe is a precious old beautiful bible that belonged to Mr. J’s mother.

Sorted & Re-arranged:
       

 

 

I’m sorry that I didn’t take close up pictures of the items newly displayed. Thanks to Gloria it was truly an amazing difference. But at this point I was so brain fried :) but I really should have listened to my friend who suggested that I take those pictures. Sorry Gloria.   :(            
                                                                                   
 

 

 

 

 

Before

 
After
The owners were given a task of finding open baskets to put on the shelves on the bookcase behind the TV to house the hundreds thousands of DVDs that they own and that they love to watch together. Though not in this picture, I am happy to report they had success in their mission. Good job guys.

 

 

 

 

And speaking of, the lovely Mr. & Mrs. J, here they are sitting and enjoying the newly transformed space.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2-3 hours seemed like such little time…..and, well, as we learned it was!  We spent a solid non stop exhausting but rewarding 8 hours working on the transformation. Most homeowners watch HGTV and are under the assumption that this process is quick and easy, not so! Due to a little misunderstanding the family was home during the process (which we  recommend against). It can be hard to sit back and watch strangers go through your prized possessions, your life, and watch the intense work that goes on. They are happy with the results, but I think would agree, it is better to come in and see the “reveal” than watch every little step of it along the way.

Thank you to Mr. & Mrs. J. for allowing us to do this for them, and donating to a wonderful charity.

If you are interested in volunteering or donating to A-SPAN, please visit their site to learn more.

We also recommended they paint the existing dark green walls in the dining area to something a little softer like a sage green.

A color that will compliment the existing living room color for in the dining area:
Element from Benjamin Moore’s Aura line:

  

SMITH AND HAWKEN

In the Garden since 1979, no more.

While looking for a few things for a project I am working on I went over to one of my favorite sites Smith and Hawken this morning and was saddened (I can’t say in this economy I am shocked) to see:

Smith and Hawken is closing all of their stores.

The company was sold in 2004 to the largest pesticide supplier, Scotts Miracle Gro Co. Both Dave Smith and Paul Hawken said the company that bears their name had long since veered away from being a gardening company and seem quite relieved to have their names no longer be associated with the company. The original Smith & Hawken focused on high-end English gardening tools with a lifetime guarantee.

"Scotts couldn't have been a worse corporate owner," said Hawken, who lives in Mill Valley. "Smith & Hawken had become just a ghost of itself."

"How could you possibly have a gardening store in this economy and go wrong?" Hawken said. "I'll tell you why. This wasn't a gardening store anymore.

It seems funny, that my absolute coveted gift, a favorite shovel from Smith and Hawken just 2 weeks ago broke. It was a very sad day for me, it still leans up against the shed for the fond memories of all the earth that was dug up and the plants it helped to plant. Maybe a gardener might be able to relate to that, and all you others well, you just go ahead and roll your eyes :) For the gardeners out there, hold on, for there may still be hope yet for the chance for some great gardening tools…….

Gardeners might soon have a new place to find the premium gardening tools from around the world, from a surprising source. Hawken, who already wears many hats as an author, environmental activist and entrepreneur, is planning to launch an Web-based store for garden tools, in conjunction with Marin Roots Farm owner Jesse Kuhn.

To read the complete article go here.

What is your favorite gardening tool?

Eco Logical, functional & beautiful

Perusing through a recent issue of Metropolitan Home (May 2009) I came across an Eco Friendly house in Colorado with a few design elements worth sharing. A style that I am not normally attracted to, but there is something about the simplicity of this house has me drawn to it.

The eco friendly house designed by architect Jim Logan from Boulder, is set on a pristine acre just beyond Boulder’s city limits was designed for a pair uprooted New Yorkers.

The view from the back: A quartet of identical archetypal attached dwellings are aimed toward the creek with light coming in through the roof. The repeating rooftops also conceal solar thermal panels. Each of the four pods are all the same size and each house a separate function.

Then…..here is one of my favorite elements: This is one of those things that I fell in love with (I know it’s an odd thing to get excited about :) ). A very functional and attractive custom made steel drain spout (placed in between the adjoining structures).

On the exterior, the structural wing walls are clad in brick, the faces are covered with beautiful, lovely ipê, a Brazilian hardwood. The trellises, are recycled composite deck material made from sawdust and plastic garbage bags, they will one day be covered with trumpet vine, clematis and honeysuckle. How sweet, literally that will be to enjoy.

The living room hearth is made of local sandstone. “Using a local resource that is normally thrown away is about as sustainable as you can get,” Logan says.

And, last by not least, here is a dream come true for all of you avid readers, book loving people. I know I can’t be alone in this feeling. I giggle when I think back to when my sisters were gracious enough to help me pack, and telling me to “NEVER buy another book, I had enough!” Seriously, can you really have too many books?

At the homeowners’ request, the central hallway that links the living spaces is defined by wall-to-wall bookcases. “Despite our lawyer/Wall Street lifestyle, we were both English majors in college and we wanted something to commemorate that,” says Gallop. The sanded and black-stained shelves are concrete forms the architect salvaged from a downtown excavation project.

May the owners have many years of enjoyment in their beautiful, eco friendly, wonderful home.

The Outdoors…the Deck, and the Design

As we somehow have suddenly jumped into summer, the warmth of it invites, pulls and gravitates us to the outdoors. Interior design certainly does not have to stop with the interior of your home. The surrounding gardens and outdoor living spaces can be designed to compliment the interior spaces. Creating a comfortable extension of usable living space outdoors which is enticing enough so you will want to spend more time outside enjoying the simple pleasures in life. Perhaps with some reading, or entertaining a few friends, sipping home made ice tea  wine, and watching kids play.

I have the opportunity to work with wonderful clients who desire just that type of space. The challenge is to create their odd sized outdoor deck that has an amazing view where they can do all those things in life we wish we found the time to do more often.

The view

The challenge area:

The inspiration:

Jacques Garcia for McGuire Sleek and inviting, this bench entices with a deep seat cushion, gently curved arms and bolster pillows at either end. Long, lean and wide, it is the ultimate in relaxation.

The plan:
 
Good food to be enjoyed here:
Raymond Waites Vintage Garden Collection.  Elegant custom hand finished aluminum frame with graceful arms with acanthus leaf casting and scroll backs with rosette details.

The details:

Underfoot: 

And of course, there will be a touch of animal thrown in:

The process of finding all the perfect elements for this concept were a bit of a daunting. The options for tasteful, durable, attractive, functional outdoor pieces were hard to find. But with much perseverance, I do believe the end result will turn out to be a stunning, pleasant place to enjoy.  But for that…….you will have to wait till it is all done. Stay tuned :)

 

What makes an outdoor space livable for you?

URBAN ELEGANCE

2009 Spring Design House at the Washington DC Design Center

Now through–June 27, 2009

The spring Washington Design Center Design House, is comprised of eight of the industry’s leading designers who created eight fabulous spaces in “Urban Elegance” style, which gives you a taste of luxurious city living. Each room features urban life with sophistication and style filled with distinct character.

The rooms are filled with so much inspiration you may just find yourself craving a stylish urban space designed just for yourself.

A little taste of what you will find at the Design House:

GRAND SALON:

Designed by Gloria de Lourdes Blalock of Blalock Interiors, LLC

The large expansive living room, at the heart of the home imbues a modern setting with an Old World vibe that feels gracious and intimate with a variety of vignettes that are set into conversational groupings. Filled with a collection of 19^th-20^th century tea caddies, an extensive collection of “found” objects with natural elements, along with high end materials all sit on top of a beautiful Oriental Agra antique rug from Stark. The warm rich patina to the walls, painted by Lauren Bruce of Lauren B Gallery, creates a fresh inviting and welcoming room.

Some of Gloria’s favorite elements of the room are:

CABINET OF NATURAL CURIOSITIES

An extensive collection of “found” objects are displayed in a cohesive way within a unique cabinet with a warm patina, doors wrapped in leather accented with ornate strap hinges and nail head trim. With the richness of rock crystals set along side coral and other formations imbues a powerful sensation when in its presence.

CEILING MEDALLION

The inspiration for the medallion derived from two cherished pieces, an antique clock and compass. Elements were borrowed from each of the items to create an extraordinary compass-clock ceiling medallion painted by Lauren Bruce of Lauren B. Gallery. Along one perimeter of the medallion are distressed elaborate hooks which casts pleasing shadows onto the ceiling.

ART

The original oil painting over the love seat which evokes a serene tone is very special to Gloria, for her talented dear brother, Rolando Mendez is the artist. The painting, aptly named “My Sister’s Happiness” since for Gloria it conveys a feeling of having a wonderful place to get away to.

For further articles and pictures of other rooms in the Design Center please visit:

Leah at Apartment Therapy who did an extensive blog Also, another great blog by Jennifer Seargent over at Washington Spaces.

To visit: The Design House is opened through June 27, 2009 Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.–3p.m.

The Washington Design Center 300 D Street S.W. Washington, D.C. 20024

Free admission and open to the public.