The Ultimte Bath

Custom floating millwork and concrete countertops help support the floating his and hers mirrors in this master bath facing the Potomac River. Sandblasted glass sheets have some areas mirrored and some clear to allow for the sunlight to stream in during the day, while allowing for a mirrored surface for shaving or brushing.



The uniform pebbled floor help unite all the areas in the spa-like master bathroom, with uninterrupted views of the Potomac River. The double vanity and bathtub-for-two are separated from the shower stall and the toilet area by a wall of translucent film with playful bubble cutouts of different diameters.



A spa room designed for a couple's relaxing experience was Zen-inspired. Multi-color blue glass tiles surrounds the grand Jacuzzi tub that is filled harmoniously by water from a ceiling fixture. Hand blown glass fixtures imported from Italy were paired with candleight and wall sconces to provide ample lighting to the space. A hand carved chair and bamboo inlayed dresser was provided for stylish storage and seating.



A custom steam room in a Zen-inspired space was created using multi-colored blue and gold glass tiles covering the ceiling and benches. Complementary earth tone tiles on the floor and walls help give the space a grounded feel. A soothing fountain and LED lighting in the ceiling completely this elegant Hammam bath.



This easy-to-care-for bathroom combines glass block, slate and mirrors for a glamorous look. The glass block inside the sliding window eliminated the need for HOA approvals.



Asian simplicity is the theme of this bathroom. A vessel glass sink with wall-mounted, brushed nickel plumbing fixtures is set among an artistic slate backsplash.

I could stay on this subject forever, hope this gives you a few ideas for adding serenity to your home bath areas.

Sea Side Themes

Subtle Accents

Designer Kathy Hoffman offers a subtle nod to coastal living in this traditional great room. A sandy, neutral color palette is accented with light blues and nautical stripes. And if a home can't be on the water, why not bring the comfort of waterfront living to the interior? An oversize harbor painting above the mantel brings that feeling straight home.

Waterfront Surroundings

Designer Sarah Richardson brings the comfort of the sea indoors through this cozy living space overlooking the water. To create that comfortable at-home look, she effortlessly mixes various patterns in a blue and sandy palette with whitewashed accents. Using minimal accessories, Sarah allows the wall-to-wall windows and outside views to take over as the room's focal point.

Nautical Focal Point

Nothing appeals to coastal living quite like this vintage model ship in designer Sarah Richardson's summer home. She uses the piece as a welcoming focal point for guests as they enter the dining room/sitting area. This simple incorporation of nautical decor makes the boldest statement within the space.

Island Breezes

With windows swung open and a cool coastal breeze whisking through, designer Trent Hultgren has brought a true island feel to this tranquil living space. He brings the feel of seaside living inside through the room's all-white palette accented by seagrass furnishings, bamboo and nature-inspired pops of yellow-green.

Neutral hues and seashell decor to create a chic sea-inspired living space. A mix of distressed furniture and white accents showcases the casual elegance of a refined yet rustic space.

Natural Comfort

Designer Layla Palmer uses an assortment of thrifted and handmade accessories to create a rustic, coastal feel in her cottage-style living room. Beadboard walls and wood accents create a sense of comfort and coziness you can only find in a room covered in natural textures and materials.

Contemporary Retreat

Designer Darci Goodman infuses the homeowners' love for the ocean and their passion for modernism when designing this contemporary seaside retreat. Using traditional hues of white and navy blue as the primary palette, Darci also pulls in vibrant splashes of coral to create a sophisticated, summer-inspired space. However, it's the seashells and oversize coral accessories that really pull in that coastal feel.

Elegant Living

This stylish Nantucket-style home is the definition of sophisticated oceanfront living. Although the room features waves of sea blue for classic appeal, a subdued shade of coral creates an air of warmth and serves as the primary palette. And, of course, no coastal digs are complete without marine life decor. Here, designer Bruce Palmer integrates elegant sea-inspired patterns onto the window treatments, throw pillows, window seat cushions and artwork. Design by Bruce Palmer; construction by Dewson Construction Company; architecture by Olivieri, Shousky & Kiss, PA; photography by John Jenkins

Oceanic Details

Designer Allison Rejeanne wants this living room/entryway to feature a wavy, oceanic feel through its architectural and decorative details. The rails on the stairs are used to represent waves of the ocean, along with the slight curve of the staircase. The marble mosaic medallion at the base of the stairs features a shell and wave pattern in shades of sea green and gray to add color to the floor. In the living room, Allison coordinates rattan, sisal and weathered furnishings for a relaxed coastal look.

Wake Up your Tables Southern Style

Make a Mocktail Option

In the heat of the summer, give guests a tasty nonalcoholic beverage to drink. Float slices of fresh fruit such as limes and kumquats for extra color and flavor. Set out assorted liquors on the side for guests to add as they please.

Pay Attention to Presentation

A letterpress menu with a beet on it from Yee-Haw Industries plays off the borscht theme and outlines the meal. Create a striking spot for finger foods on a large breadboard. Edge the cheeses with galax leaves (available at local florists) and cover with a cake topper for drama.

Suspend Your Centerpiece

Draw eyes up with a hanging arrangement rather than a large centerpiece on the table. Here an assortment of pink and orange Ikea baskets filled with summery green hellebores hangs lengthwise over the table. Tack different lengths of twine into the ceiling to vary the basket heights.

Let Bold Colors Pop

A mix of natural materials – sturdy antique breadboards layered with shallow marble bowls and bamboo-handled flatware paired with smoke colored glassware – provides the perfect backdrop to let nearly neon pink borscht (a chilled, summer beet soup) stand out. Coral monogrammed napkins and fuchsia anemones make a strong and simple color statement.

Design Inspiration from Resorts

Viceroy Miami, Miami, Fla.

Designed by tastemaker Kelly Wearstler, the hotel's suites are certainly cosmopolitan, blending her signature Hollywood regency style with a watery color palette and a touch of Asian influence.

Viceroy Santa Monica, Santa Monica Calif.

Definitely a spot to see and be seen, the hotel's pool area is as renowned for celebrity sightings as it is for its timeless Old Hollywood look.

Four Seasons Maui, Maui, Hawaii

Sitting oceanfront on calm Wailea beach, this impeccably landscaped 15-acre resort has become a favorite getaway for celebs and well-to-do families alike.

The Setai, Miami, Fla.

This award-winning hotel blends Asian Zen principles with a decidedly modern aesthetic.

W South Beach, Miami, Fla.

Unlike South Beach's glitzy art deco hotels, the design aesthetic at the W is thoroughly modern.

Viceroy Santa Monica, Santa Monica, Calif.

Mirrored panels behind the bed create a decorative architectural element that functions to make the room appear both larger and brighter.

Viceroy Santa Monica, Santa Monica Calif.

Guests of the hotel can enjoy a romantic dinner alfresco at one of the private cabanas located outside the hotel's restaurant, Whist. Cast-iron horsehead hitching posts stand sentinel while the cabana's black-and-white color scheme, massive shield mirror and Chinese Chippendale chairs evoke the glamour of Hollywood regency style.

Pergola's and Patios

This is simply breathtaking, the setting is so serene and the view isn't bad either!!! With its warm earth tones and luxurious fabrics, this covered patio allows the comforts of a living room to expand into the outdoors. The heavy outdoor curtains provide privacy and shade.



Designed by Jamie Durie, this stunning sunken outdoor dining room offers the best views of the surrounding countryside and cozy seating that invites lingering at the table long after dinner.

Built by architect Thom Oppelt, the design of this stunning patio and home was inspired by the expanded estates of the Tuscan countryside. Image courtesy of Gene Northup, Synergy Sotheby's International Realty

 

Colorful layers of sandstone serve as a divider between undulating hardscape and landscape and also provide durable built-in seating. Design by Jamie Durie

A Moroccan-style pergola creates a relaxing, shady spot for this Florida yard.

Bluegirl Art/Apartment Therapy

Hand Painted Custom Designed Fabrics

Suzanne Pistorius showcases custom designs as apparel, she does not make or sell apparel, the fabrics are draped to give a suggestion of how they can be used to make your one of a kind designer gown.


I introduced you to Bluegirl Art in 2009 on my site and am happy to see her in the Apartment Therapy Design Competition 2010

The Betsy Sofa by Suzanne Meyer Pistorius
Design Showcase 2010

Design: The Betsy Sofa
Materials: Cotton, fabric paint

Designer: Suzanne Meyer Pistorius



"The Betsy, showcases my hand painted upholstery, bold and original. My clients love the uniqueness of my hand painted upholstery,I call it art to sit on ! I am working with a manufacturer to duplicate the frame." Suzanne remarks.


Suzanne, is a friend of mine and has entered this designer competition on Apartment Therapy, please VOTE for her, she will be awarded 20K in advertising on Apartment Therapy.


Here is the link to vote and comment, 3 stars will be great, only vote once otherwise she will be hacked, that's not good. Also, tweet #ATshowcase. VOTE

Kitchen Designs

The galley, or corridor, kitchen has two straight runs on either side. Typically the sink is on one side and the range is on the other. The drawback to this design is traffic flow.




The U-shape evolved as storage needs increased. It provides a massive expanse of counter and storage space as well as great flexibility. The G-shape is the basic U with another little leg.



To really break up the different areas of the kitchen, consider a zone design. In this kitchen, a separate work station exists for cooking, eating and even cleaning, allowing space for several helpers.



The three points of the frequently mentioned work triangle are the range, sink and refrigerator. Appliances can be broken up with the classic shapes.



For more privacy when cooking, choose an L-shaped layout which forces the traffic out of the work area. For more interaction with family and guests, try an L-shape with an island.

Mood Changing Color

Also known as ochre, this shade is warm and welcoming. With just a hint more orange than mustard yellow, it's a nurturing tone that is commonly used in gathering areas such as kitchens and dining rooms.



Red-violet tones are a bit less serious than violet and blue-violet hues and are excellent for informal or playful spaces. The red undertones make this color somewhat feminine and youthful.



Red, the color which the eye most recognizes, is associated with movement, speed and excitement. Studies have proven that viewing red results in an increased heartbeat.



Of all the colors in the color wheel, orange is often considered the most flamboyant. Orange spaces are fun, happy and unapologetic. People who use this color for their interiors can be characterized as warm.



Often used by designers and architects to capitalize on the availability of a home's natural light, white also symbolizes purity.




Although black symbolizes both power and authority, it's usually the color east likely to be used on interior walls. This stems from the fact that black also implies submission. By the way, my favorite color is black.



Associated with romance, pink has long been a preferred color of women and girls everywhere. Certain shades of pink, when paired with otherwise masculine colors, can create a gender-neutral space.



Many men choose brown as a favorite color. It's also a go-to choice for designers looking to create an organic or earthy aesthetic.



Gray is often thought of as timeless and practical; however, too much gray leads to a feeling of old age or nothingness. Add bright colored accessories to make the gray pop.



This color combines the dependability and wisdom of blue with the royal richness of violet.