After Photos – Rustic Bathroom

I just realized tonight that I never posted the after pictures of this Rustic Schoolhouse Bathroom I designed for the Farmhouse. I was so in love with this little space. It seemed so new then, the idea of tile that looked like wood, gray cabinetry...yawn. But I still love the way it turned out. I designed it in 2013, finished up construction in 2014. So at my usual timely pace, I thought I'd share. BTW, Happy 2016!

Remember the board and the sketch:

I was off site when the materials were delivered. The contractors made my supervising designer call me because they were sure there had been a mistake. Actually, many. The very seasoned tile setter got on the phone and tried to talk me out of the "white Caesarstone with that brown tile," especially with the gray cabinets, and "tile up the walls?!" According to my junior designer, the subs had a good laugh about our whole design concept. Mr. Tile Setter later told me it turned out to be his favorite room in the whole 10,000sf house. The only thing I love more than a man who admits he was wrong is a man who admits I was right. And one who can cook.

The final bath with that feel of an old shed.


The rustic (gray and brown!) pebbles in the shower mimic the nearby riverbank. Plus they feel like a great morning foot massage.



This is the kitchen in the Schoolhouse/Guesthouse.


To see more of this whole project check out my site or better yet Houzz. 

Happy New Year and God bless you in 2016! 

My resolutions are to stop swearing, eat organic and blog again. So far I've managed one out of three.

Rustic Schoolhouse and Bathroom

One of the buildings on the Napa Farmhouse project is a stone schoolhouse where my clients will homeschool their kids. Someday it will transition to a beautiful guest apartment. Here was my exterior inspiration photo for the building:

She even looks like a school girl.

The look I'm going for is a rustic, post-industrial, Thomas Edison-esque greenhouse. I plan to fill it with scientific artifacts like old anatomy and botanical prints, natural curiosities, and tons of greenery. Greenery = Science. Greenery is also a must in all my projects. Check out the mood boards:

I've had fun sourcing cool elements to fit my theme, like the antique "serres," which are mini French greenhouses once used to germinate hothouse plants. I got them from Frederick P Victoria and Sons. We had them wired to make the perfect classroom light fixtures. 

Here are the Inspiration Boards for the full bath with walk-in shower:

The whole space will have the feel of a watershed, with crisp, clean accents of bright white enamel and polished nickel.

Faux wood ceramic planks from Ann Sacks will cover the floor and walls. The ceiling will be white plaster with hand hewn beams and the cabinetry is a warm gray (Farrow and Ball Charleston Gray), which brings out the gray tones in the faux wood tile. All of these elements are pulled together with the pebble shower floor.

My rough sketch

Ready for their close-ups..

Ralph Lauren Fulton Sconce

Here is how it will look against that Ann Sacks Rustico tile.

Rohl Faucet. So schoolhouse-chic.

Ann Sacks Bali tile on the shower floor pulls warm grays and browns together.

Ann Sacks Rustico

Burnished steel medicine cabinet with a polished nickel handle.

How amazing is that sink, in the photo with the boys! Because we couldn't do that sort of trough sink, I'm taking a slight risk and having the fabricator bring our white stone countertop up the wall, like a giant backsplash. Sort of a modern take on the trough sink. The faucet will be wall-mounted on the stone. (Fingers crossed.) 

I'll be sure to share when we get a little further past this... 

Have a great weekend!

Hail Caesarstone

As I've said, I think Carrera marble is currently the law here in Los Angeles. But I am forever trying to convince people Caesarstone is the way to go! That's why I was so happy to see their newest products (via Amber's blog) this week. The stuff is virtually indestructable. I once had a rep scribble all over it with a Sharpie, four year-old style, then remove it. Oh wait, that was Corian. Anyway, Caesarstone is still heat, scratch and stain resistant, and five time stronger than granite. Plus they're always coming up with beautiful new products. Gorgeous in the kitchen or the bath! (I'm loving  "Ocean Palace" and "Fair Lady.")

Check out their site.

Vanity Fit for a King

'Pretty' perfected. That's what I'd call these images from a gorgeous home in Greenwich, Connecticut. Juxtaposed this way, they really speak to me: silvery reflective surfaces, blue + white/beige with that kiss of pink, and De Gournay papers. 

Okay, just as I was posting this, my client, to whom I forwarded the picture at upper right, phoned to weigh in on the vanity. I was giddy when I found it! Its lines are remarkably similar to a delicate Louis XVI style vanity she'd been considering in dark walnut. However, she thinks this more unique silver cased version is too formal for her taste. My heart is broken, but not discouraged. I think she's just reacting to the antique sconces. I shall keep you posted....

Images: Veranda, Suzanne Kasler

Mirrored Panels

Love, lust or just sort of ehh? Personally, I find them Greta Garbo glamourous. They can go Deco chic or Newport Cottage clean. (Yes, I know, most true Newport "cottages" were actually built during the Deco period). I just love the way they throw light (and glam) all around the room, any room. Thoughts? 

(Sources: Windsor Smith, Traditional Home, Better Homes Kitchen and Bath)