Cool looks, new finds or what I love today.

Always on the hunt for fabulous finds, check out what is catching my eye. 

Backsplashes

 

I discovered a great new kitchen website called Beautiful Kitchens where I first found this funky glass back splash designed with red circles. It is from www.funkysplashbacks.com.

 

Heath Ceramics, dimensional tile was just what this kitchen needed.

The tile pattern wakes up an austere kitchen with flat one dimensional surfaces.

Photo credit: Kitchen at the 2009 Decorator's Showcase house by J. Weiss Design

 

Here is the same pattern by Heath Ceramics, shown in a matte brown. I have always loved this pattern.

Installation by Ann Sacks at KBIS in Matte Brown using oval shaped tiles. Photo: © Ann Sacks 

The same tile takes on a whole new appearance with a theatrical look. Almost as if a curtain is rising, using 3x9 shaped oval tiles in a custom color. Photo: © Annie Schlechter. 

This is in the Maritime Hotel, (Matsuri Restaurant), New York City in the Meat Packing District.  

Bathtubs

 

 

  

The clean contemporary lines of The Cube collection appear to have no visible seams. 

Found at Wetstyle.com

Are you ready to submerge? As in, get ready to get your body submerged in a deep tub. 

The BC09 from the Cube Collection is 30" wide, 60" in length and 24" deep. 67 gallons. Comes with a Wenge tray.    A drop in tub available in a 1, 2 or 3 wall configuration. Glossy or matte finish.  

Designer note: I do not recommend this as a tub/shower application.  A 24" depth is awkward to climb in and out of for a shower, especially for people with mobility problems or small children. 

The BC11, from The Cube Collection. 

10 possible configurations available. 

60" x 32" x 17 3/4", 70 gallons.

 

The BOV02, from The Ove Collection from Wetstyle. 

It's great that it has a wider ledge to lean sit on and swing your legs over and into the tub. 

72" x 36", 65 Gallon capacity to overflow. 

S 1978 Also from the Niche Collection from Wetstyle. 

Clever storage ideas for the tub collections.

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Kitchens and Baths in Hotel Residences

More on the lawsuit of the ugly kitchen: I must tell you that I am intrigued. Since I cannot bring you photos (yet) of the Ikea Kitchen that has become the center of a lawsuit at the Gramercy Park Hotel, whereby an Icelandic couple is being sued for putting IKEA kitchen cabinets in their swank co-op located at 50 Gramercy Park North I decided to take you on a photo tour of hotel bathrooms that were voted best hotel bathrooms by Oyster Hotel Reviews.  Tacky or Tasteful: You decide.

The Loft Room at the Gramercy Park Hotel, New York City

The bathroom vanity area, decorated in black marble, dark wood and retro 70's accent lighting. An ode to Studio 54 perhaps? Careful with that first step into the shower. I think I may get a headache looking at those lamps. Rates: $389.00 per night

Gramercy Park Hotel

Did somebody say luxury? I don't care how luxurious the toiletries are with their ginger infused soy milk shampoo and shea rice-milk conditioner. Note to traveler, bring flip flops to use in shower. I would not want to put my bare feet on this shower floor. 

Affinia Shelburne Hotel

There is nothing really spectacular here other than the vanity looking clean and updated. Good lighting. If it weren't for the backlit round mirror and magnifying mirror, this bathroom ranks as an average updated bath. 

Rates: $256.00 per night

Bathroom at The Deluxe Room, The Peninsula,  Beverly Hills

Better. An older suite, classic lines. Lighting is good. But wait...is that a mirror in the shower??? Good heavens, ugly bodies need not book this room unless you don't mind being confronted with your own nakedness in the mirror while showering.
Rates: $506.00 per night. 

Good to see they have a separate room for the loo. But wait...is that a phone right above the TP holder? If ever you want to call me from the loo, I will put you on hold. Indefinitely.

Clean shower. Flip flops not required. 

Rate: $506 per night. 

Note: Oyster.com has to say that the Peninsula is "One of the best hotels -- if not the best hotel -- in the entire L.A. area, much less Beverly Hills, the Peninsula bills itself, accurately, as an "exclusive oasis."

 

Bathroom in the Deluxe Double Room at the Mandarin Oriental, New York

This is a jazzy bathroom space. Flat screen tv. Big walk in shower with multiple shower heads. Rain head, body jets, hand-held shower. A little small, but young, fresh & swanky.

Bathroom in the Deluxe Double Room at the Mandarin Oriental, New York

Rates: $710.00 per night

 

The Plaza  Midtown East, New York City

The Plaza's bathrooms have enough space for twin 24-karat-gold-plated sinks and a partitioned-off toilet with its own window.

 A full-size soaking tub and shower have intricate mosaic walls, and the thick Mascioni Turkish cotton towels and robes (available in both adult's and children's sizes) don't disappoint. Do you feel pretty? 
Rates: $677 per night.

Bryant Park Hotel  Midtown West, New York City

This bathroom has the edge. Outfitted in a combination of white and tan marble, with a minimalist rectangular sink, a large soaking tub, and a wonderful rainfall showerhead.
Rates: $300 per night. 

Trump International Hotel And Tower  Upper West Side, New York City

Red marble and gold fixtures. Tasteless. This is when less would have been more.   Rates: $556.00 per night

 

The Alex Hotel  Midtown East, New York City

Jail Cell or Bathroom. If it wasn't for the LCD TV, I wouldn't have known the difference. 

The Standard New York  West Village, New York City

Oh no you didn't...separate the tub/shower with a clear pane glass window from the seating area.

A voyeurs delight. Rates: $322 per night.     

The Standard New York  West Village, New York City

Freestanding tub in the middle of the room. The views of the Hudson are the thing. 

Rates: $322 per night.  

Photo below from 101 hotel, a boutique hotel, situated in the heart of Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland.  The owners of the hotel,  Designer Ingibjörg S. Pálmadottir and Jon Asgeir Johannesson are the same couple who are at the center of the lawsuit for installing an “ugly” IKEA kitchen in their Gramercy Park apartment..

Double Room, 101 Hotel, Reykjavik  

Eclectic mix of materials. Claw foot tub and Modern furnishings.  A little cluttered and lived in looking for a hotel room.

Standard Room. 101 Hotel, Reykjavik, Iceland.  

 This room is bright and has warmth to it. Good mix of materials. 

101 Hotel, Reykjavik, Iceland.  

Nordic coolness. Modern, light, fresh. 

Young. Daring. Fun. 

What's wrong with this? Is there any Ikea in here?

 

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New Product Watch: Grab Bars in Plain Sight:

Grab bars or Safety Bars, what ever you call them, when you think of grab bars, what comes to mind? Utilitarian? Ugly, even? Well the folks at Health Craft Products came out with a new line called the Invisia Collection.

The Invisia™ Collection is based on a simple concept; GRAB BARS SHOULD NOT LOOK LIKE GRAB BARS.

In keeping with this concept, Health Craft Products has designed a series of luxurious bathroom accessories that also happen to be grab bars hidden in plain sight. Great ideas for "Aging in Place" Design.

WTRH-CRP, Wall Toilet Roll Holder, Bright Polish Chrome Plate

Add a touch of elegance and just the right amount of support with the Accent Ring. Corian® shelves provide ample space for toilet roll storage or other items while the discrete hand rail offers trustworthy support.

 ACR-CRP, Accent Ring, Bright Polish Chrome Plate

 A unique and incredibly solid handrail designed to contour circular shower fixtures and provide support when accessing controls.

  CS-CRP, Corner Shelf, Bright Polish Chrome Plate

The Corian® shelf provides a generous surface that can be removed for easy cleaning. The reliable support rail is always within reach to offer a helping hand. 

TB-24-CRP, Towel Bar, 24"/61cm, Polish Chrome Plate

Add a simple yet elegant touch to any bathing area. The 16" or 24" towel bar provides ample space to display virtually any towel set while the graceful arc of the integrated support rail creates a functionally superb design element.


For more information visit, http://healthcraftproducts.com/invisiacollection.htm

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Houzz

A great new resource for design inspiration. Houzz is your online source for finding a design style for your kitchen, patio, living spaces, baths, bedrooms, exterior architecture and more.

Pretty cool source.

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Inspirational Vanities

Native Trails introduces a new alternative for a small space vanity console in rustic finishes with a contemporary base. The Cuzco Vanity Base with options in sizes from 24", 30", and 36" wide and in two finishes: antique and brushed nickel, they are a wonderful artistic alternative to a standard vanity cabinet or pedestal sink.

Pair it with the Sedona Vanity Top for a complete ensemble.

Sedona Vanity Top

• 3.5" Backsplash
• Basin: 12.25" x 17.25" x 5.25"
• 16 Gauge Copper
• 1.5" Drain use DR120, DR140 or DR160
• Faucet holes pre-drilled for 8" spread
• (faucet not included)

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Inexpensive Bathroom Update. Love this!

Anyone who has a plain mirror with unsightly plastic clips knows that a bare mirror can make a bathroom look downright dowdy. New mirrors with beautiful frames and beveled edged can be over the top expensive. Don't despair, bare mirrors can be transformed with beautiful new frames available from MirrorMate.com.

Great product if you are on a budget and need a quick and inexpensive bathroom makeover. We love this!

Watch the video for more information at Mirror Mate.com.

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The Ahhh Tub

There is nothing like a deep soaking tub.
At a height if 24" don't even think of using this for a tub/shower combination.
This is the ultimate in soaking tubs. Simple & Pure Luxury. The height to the overflow is 19.5". The interior length 70 1/4", plenty of room to luxuriate in a tub. It does come in alternate sizes and shapes.
Here is one of my favorites tubs.
The Elise by the brand MTI Whirlpools.

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Allowances

Tales from remodeling. As I review remodel proposal with clients, I explain this: I do not include allowances for plumbing fixtures, cabinet hardware or tile. The reason is simple, there is a false sense of security built into a proposal, a security bubble that is easily burst when the homeowner visits the plumbing store and starts pricing the fixtures they want on the project. The shock and frustration sets in after one realizes the contractor allowances are not close to being realistic. It can add up to thousands more than what the contractor allowed.

Here is one example from the blog, Dream Home Diaries.

Our builder, John, does not have cheap taste. Quality materials were included in the budget: granite counter tops, composite decking and Hardie Plank siding. Then why, oh why, did he allow such paltry amounts for sinks and faucets?

Paul and I were shocked to learn that John had budgeted only $20 for each bathroom sink —thinking that we would be pleased to use the kind of ugly drop-in sink one finds in spec houses.

Lesson learned: when comparing bids, request the contracting firms bidding on your project to leave out allowances for fixtures. A fixture allowance will never be realistic. Notice that John the contractor allocated funds for quality building materials because he knows his materials. This is what he does day in and day out. On the other hand, he couldn't possibly guess what every client's taste level will dictate. In addition, when bidding against other contractors, why would he inflate his proposal with fixture allowances for $250 sinks when a $20 sink will get the job done just the same. Even though the more expensive sink is probably closer to what you may desire.

"Do $20 sinks really exist?"

There was a time when a sink was a sink and that was it! This is not the case today. I suggest you go forth to the plumbing stores, shop, compare and get a sense of your style. Also, what is invaluable is to find a knowledgeable plumbing sales person to work with. Ask your contractor or designer who they recommend. Seasoned plumbing sales people can be a wealth of information on setting you on the right path.

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Virtual Faucet Creator

"Ta da"! Exactly what I needed and I created it."

Here’s an example of what you can do with the Virtual Faucet Creator... Start with the original BELMONT in a Weathered Copper finish, and then swap the handles for CAMARILLO in Satin Nickel for a new look.

California Faucets launched the new Virtual Faucet Creator at www.calfaucets.com. This new web based tool provides anyone with the ability to design their own custom bathroom faucet or kitchen faucet by combining any spout style with any handle, in any of over 25 decorative finishes.

Interior designers, architects and homeowners alike can enjoy creating unique custom faucet designs for their home, clients and friends. You can design your custom faucet and share it via email, online or printed in Adobe PDF format. California Faucets’ uniquely flexible product line allows you to create over two million custom faucet combinations quickly and easily.

“Our new Virtual Faucet Creator has revolutionized custom faucet design. With the ability to customize instantly - you don’t have to limit your choices to rigidly mass produced faucets any longer,” says Noah Taft, California Faucets’ Vice President of Marketing.

"Just like Starbucks allows you to customize your coffee, the Virtual Faucet Creator allows you to customize your faucet by pairing any spout with any handle in any of over 25 decorative finishes," says Jeff Silverstein, President of California Faucets. "You can experiment to your heart's content until you find the exact faucet that satisfies your unique vision."

Virtual Faucet Creator’s Key Features

• Thousands of Custom Faucet Configurations Possible

• Select Custom Spouts, Handles and Finishes

• Custom bathroom faucet and kitchen faucet designs may be printed, emailed or saved on-line

California Faucets Virtual Faucet Creator™: www.calfaucets.com/vfcpress

California Faucets Press Room: www.calfaucets.com/frame.asp?main=prssroom.html

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And now finally: A stylish shower drain

A pet peeve of mine is cheap shower drains. You may think I have too much time on my hands to worry about the state of drains. Being in the business, I have seen way too many ugly drains and by ugly I mean the corroded powder coated type with the screw holes showing, usually with a screw missing or a bent drain cover.

Finally, a faucet manufacture has addressed the state of drains.
ABSORBING STYLE
Introducing the StyleDrain™ from California Faucets—the First “Decorative” Shower Drain with fast-flow efficiency
Form and function fuse in the world’s first decorative, highly proficient shower drain. California Faucets’ groundbreaking StyleDrain™ boasts style previously unseen in a shower drain. Indeed, StyleDrain™ is the alternative to the run-of-the-mill, plain-Jane industrial drain.

Whether a complex shower system with multiple water spray applications or simple shower with a single head, StyleDrain™ delivers deluxe style in tune with the most luxurious bath decors.

“Consumers are frustrated with the limited selection of lackluster, industrial-style drains available,” explains Jeff Silverstein, president of California Faucets. “A gorgeous, richly designed shower with an unattractive and clunky commercial drain didn’t sit well with us. Our patent-pending, groundbreaking StyleDrain™ couples a streamlined, stylish design with extraordinarily fast draining capability. We believe style should flow from beginning to end.”

A Shower of Complements
Available in a variety of 30 finishes, this new decorative drain offers an unadorned simplicity. Unlike today’s typical, industrial-style drains with their bulky, unsightly screws on display, StyleDrain™ boasts California Faucets’ patent-pending design with no visible screws and flush grill plate for smooth styling and ultimate foot comfort.

StyleDrain™ perfectly complements California Faucets’ wide range of designs, from custom faucets to shower systems. The two debuting StyleDrain™ designs are square shaped and feature patterns that blend seamlessly with any bathroom motif, traditional to art deco to contemporary.

Fast-flow Efficiency
But it’s not just a pretty drain that’s all show and no work—you won’t be left standing in a puddle. Whether you have a beautiful shower with one showerhead or a spa-inspired system customized with multiple fittings including body sprays, rain bars, multiple shower heads and more, StyleDrain™ handles water flow at the highest level of efficiency.

Adding to the sense of style is the unique square shape. In contrast to typical round shaped drains, StyleDrain™ is a dream for bathroom remodeling. It allows hassle-free installation simply because it’s much easier and cost effective to cut tile to accommodate a square drain than a round drain.

About California Faucets
California Faucets has been providing its customers with the very best customer service and delivery of the finest selection of decorative fittings in the industry since 1988. With over 25 styles and more than 34 decorative finishes, California Faucets’ Custom Faucetry™ allows you to combine any spout with any handle in any finish to create a design uniquely yours. Design choices now exceed two million, and offerings range from traditional and transitional to contemporary and art deco.

As part of Custom Faucetry™, California Faucets offers Thermostatic Shower Systems, Tub and Shower Sets, Trim, and Bathroom Accessories. California Faucets’ products are sold at prominent decorative hardware and plumbing showrooms and at select kitchen and bath dealers nationwide. For more information, call 1-800-822-8855 or log on to www.calfaucets.com

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Taking the "Dis" out of Disabled

I love this! I was tooling around the web, (I have given up my Sunday Times), in favor of searching my favorite blogs when I found this at KitchAnn Style.
As designers, Universal Design, is something we all need to incorporate into our daily vocabulary. This unique toilet is revolutionary in concept and design. It would be nice to see this become available.

The Universal Toilet, designed by Changduk Kim and Youngki Hong Changduk Kim and Youngki Hong, is a flexible toilet design usable by both individuals with disabilities and the general population that removes the social stigma of handicapped facilities. For users with disabilities, even a dedicated handicapped toilet requires maneuvering, especially when in a wheelchair. With the Universal Toilet users don’t need to turn or twist but can simply slide forward off the wheelchair directly onto the toilet. There is even a chest board to lean against for added stability and comfort. Handles on the chest board can also be of use when standing or transferring between the wheelchair. For other users, the chest board becomes a backboard to lean against. The Universal Toilet is also very space efficient,requiring only a quarter of the space of existing handicapped toilets. And since the toilet’s sleek, curving forms are like nothing seen before, users with disabilities need no longer feel self-conscious.

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Keep your Bathroom Mold Free

What is a bathroom topic doing in a Kitchen Blog you may be asking yourself. Occasionally, I venture into designing bathrooms for clients. One client asked me lately about controlling mold growth. Here is a link to an article I found, "Keep Your Bathroom Mold Free", that offers simple tips anyone can follow. These are simple and sound tips I find myself sharing with clients all the time. I find it interesting that most people don't run the vent fan in the bathroom at all, a very useful piece of equipment to evacuate steam and moisture from a bathroom. Check out the the link is to The Daily Tubber, a fun and useful website on claw foot tubs and other interesting bathroom facts.

Keep in mind, nothing can be 100% bullet proof, mold needs food and water to grow. Any wet environment can become a breeding ground if left untreated and neglected from day to day maintenance.

You can specify materials that will act as preventive measures in building your project but don't forget to keep up the maintenance once the contractors are gone. For instance, epoxy grouts are gaining popularity in residential applications. Custom Building Products has a product called 100% Epoxy. It contains a product called MoldGard^® Technology — Custom Building Products’ effective and environmentally sound approach designed to inhibit moisture intrusion and neutralize the food source that mold and mildew thrive on. It Combines with any Polyblend^® Sanded Tile Grout to produce a highly stain-resistant and chemical-resistant epoxy grout. Laticrete has a product called SpectraLOCK, an epoxy based grout that utilizes a revolutionary breakthrough in technology. Its unique cross-linking system performs like an epoxy with respect to color uniformity, durability, and stain resistance and it is easy to use like a Portland cement base grout.

There are disclaimers with these products you should be aware of:
1. Some soft polished marble or delicate glazed or glass tile might be scratched. Laticrete recommends applying a small test area to determine results before grouting entire installation.
2. Epoxy resins may affect the color of porous stone. Verify results with a test area.
3. LATICRETE SpectraLOCK Grout is resistant to staining when exposed to most household products and cleaners (e.g. ketchup). However, long term exposure to any material without
proper cleaning and maintenance will increase the probability of staining.
4. Custom Building products cautions when used on exterior installations, color variations may occur over time, especially with lighter shades. May stain light colored marble or stone. Test a small area and check for staining prior to grouting the entire installation.


Another day: I'll come back to talk about paperless drywall.

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Coining a phrase

I was having a conversation yesterday with a client about a particular design aesthetic where by styles are co mingled: old world and modern technology. This seems to be what many consumers are after. Manufacturer's are attuned to this. came a cross Grohe's new product , Relaxa Rustic, where by they coin the phrase ‘Ameropean’ – the point where modern European design and engineering meets the authenticity and classic styling of American interiors. I like it.

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Bath Inspirations

Fabulous bath concepts from around the globe. Here are my favorites and I pay to homage to the Designers and Architects who built outside the box.

To create a dramatic entrance to the bathroom, interior designer Brandi Hagen placed an antique bench seat in front of a large Botanical Beach Grass Lumicor panel. Colors and materials were chosen to create a zen-like simplicity.





Creating a fun space that children actually look forward to using is surely a bath time winner, by Richard Behr architect and Jolie Korek, Interior Designer. Good color choices with Jerusalem Gold Stone and Mosaiac Glass Pebble Accents.
As seen in Trends Ideas

For the art collector. The freestanding Napoli is not just a functional tub - it's a sculptural installation. Edward Taylor, the president of Victoria & Albert's US headquarters, says the Napoli's ultra-contemporary design is the result of more than a decade of freestanding bath development, and is inspired by the pure organic form of an egg. The tub is a 75-inch-long, low-slung ovoid shape that provides ergonomic comfort and cocoons the bather.



Rationing hot water is a thing of the past with the Noritz tankless hot water system. Water is heated as it is used, so there is no chance it will run out. This house was designed by Dick Clark Architecture featured in Trends.

Trends volume 2205
The mixture of limestone tiles creates a light and bright bathroom that is rich in soft textures.

Architect : Robert Baum, LLP, Baum Thornley Architects (San Francisco, CA)

A translucent glass wall provides the central feature of both bathroom and bedroom. The shape of the mirrors was important, given their proximity to the glass, and this form is echoed in the stainless steel basins beneath. Soft focus from Bathroom Trends volume 2205

This bathroom by David Howell Design is created almost exclusively out of Jerusalem Gold limestone.

An entire wall of this bathroom, designed by architect Lindy Leuschke, is tiled in purple, blue and gray glass mosaics. These mosaic tiles add a strong, rich element to the otherwise simple decorative scheme.




This master bathroom, designed by architect Mark Singer of Laguna Beach, California, looks out onto a private courtyard. As well as the shower, the bathroom also features a 3ft-deep, Japanese-style soaking tub that is mirrored by a spa pool in the courtyard.

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