Attention Grabbing Classic Bath…

When I saw this bathroom by Studio Marler on Houzz,  it immediately grabbed my attention…

Why?

Overall  – this bathroom is a wonderful example of harmonious design.

Details –  first of all — the Kohler Purist Faucet !  The Purist line has become my all time favorite plumbing fixture. ( Shown in this bathroom  with the  lever handle, but I love the cross handles as well – see  below)

And then…..in brass!*  I have also developed a love affair with brass in the past few years  – Don’t groan!! – this is not your 80’s and 90’s shiny brass finish that flakes off! We are talking quality brass here… a timeless finish that can be used to warm up a space (vs. the use of  chrome or brushed nickel).  *Kohler actually refers to this finish as Brushed Gold.

Next in this room are some classic elements – the stained glass window and the basket weave marble mosaic floor tile – mixed with rustic – the walnut stained barn board used for the tub apron.

The key to mixing styles is to have a balance of the mix.  In this room that balance  is achieved with the use of the (oh so very versatile ) Purist faucet – with its’ clean (yet soft circular) lines it can pull off the industrial look–while the brass finish lends an ultra classic touch, juxtaposing warm with the cooler monochromatic  colour scheme  – and partnering  with the rustic barn board, to balance the traditional floor and window.

And that monochromatic colour scheme  is the final touch that makes it all work so very  well together… keeping  it quiet – not too busy – a great  backdrop when mixing styles.

Overall this bathroom is a wonderful example of a room that is current and elegant ,  with a bit of spirit (achieved by the mix of styles and  a touch of unexpected) – and something I believe you would  not  tire of for a long, long time!

Harmonious design. Ahhh….can’t you just see yourself soaking in that tub – for years to come (note the grab bar… a little ergonomics thrown in as well)!

Excessive – or Investment?

LOVE this table by Internationally renowned Vancouver artist, Martha Sturdy. I realize
that at almost $9,000 it will not fit into many budgets, but if it did, could you consider it
an investment instead of an excessive splurge? After all, it is a furniture piece of art that
is guaranteed to increase in price. Might it be a better place to invest your money than
stocks these days? And much prettier to look at…

~Audrey

Design Principles Explained – Balance

Last May I wrote about the Five Principles of Design and promised to elaborate on each one. Well, it’s been 10 months so it’s probably time we got that. The first principle we’re going to discuss is balance.

There are three kinds of balance: Symmetrical, Asymmetrical, and Radial.

1. Symmetrical Balance – One side mirrors the other.

2. Asymmetrical Balance – Different elements achieve a sense of similar visual weight on each side.

3. Radial – Elements are equally distributed around a centre point or line.

This room from Elle Decor is a perfect example of all three types of balance.

1. Symmetrical balance in the furniture arrangement, yellow pillows, lamps, and artwork.

2. Asymmetrical balance in the throw, tablescape behind the sofa, pillow on the right chair, artwork on the left and opening on the right.

3. Radial balance in the furniture arrangement around the coffee table.

Although each of the five principles are unique in definition, it’s important to remember that they must work together as a whole to be successful. It this case, balance cannot be achieved without the proper use of rhythm, harmony, emphasis and proportion. Can you see how the other principles have been used in this room?

If not, stay tuned and soon you’ll be able to!

~Jen

Unexpected Thursdays – A Romantic Kitchen

housetohome

An eat-in kitchen rarely looks so elegant. White slab doors and clean stainless accents stand out against intricate moulding and dark rustic floors. I love the Eiffel chairs paired with a metal table on casters.

~Jen

Good Design + Budget = Sustainability

We’ve probably all seen Mike Holmes rip out enough drywall, flooring, and other construction materials that are sometimes less than a year old, to realize that good construction is imperative to sustainability. It is very hard to watch all that new material ripped out and end up in the landfill!

Well, good design runs right alongside good construction in sustainability. In our business, we have seen homes of less than 5 years of age, having materials ripped out, inside and/or out – reasons being – to either bring the exterior up to par with the rest of the homes in the area or to bring the interior up to par with the architecture of the exterior and design of the home. The culprit for the finishing falling short is often because the budget has been exceeded and there are not enough funds to properly complete the project…

Therefore, I think we can say that good design starts with a well thought out, proper budget. Design and build only what you can afford (contingency included) … and build it right. Design/Build a “smart” house. A future addition can always be incorporated in the original design, but then, with a smart design, who knows, you may discover that you don’t even need the extra space after all!

Take this beautiful dining space – with built-in seating, the table can be placed closer to the wall, thereby saving space, creating a coziness for everyday dining that is often found in smaller kitchen eating areas. Good planning combined with timeless finishes…no one is going to feel the need to renovate this space any time soon! If this room was open to another space, the table could be turned lengthwise and extended for larger gatherings, providing even more space than many large formal dining rooms offer.

~Audrey

Unexpected Thursdays – An Iconic Home Theatre Room

I came across this theatre room filled with Eames Loungers over at Desire to Inspire this morning and finally have a chance to share it. If you think about it, what better chair for a theatre room than this iconic man chair?

Good Night!

~Jen

Seven Incredible Houses. In Merritt.

Last weekend we went camping to Monck Provincial Park on Nicola lake just past Merritt. We saw a sign for Nicola Estates and, as real estate addicts, had to check it out. Now Merritt is not known for its architectural achievements so we a little were shocked to drive past the following houses…

This place was designed by Willson Design Group in Abbotsford. I love the simple architecture but the obvious attention to detail. It nicely blends into the hillside (or will when the plywood railings are replaced with glass) and takes full advantage of the view.

It’s a little hard to tell from the photo but this place has corrugated metal siding with wood trim. The lower roof (behind the truck) looked like a breezeway or covered deck. This lake gets windy so that would be a great place to sit outside, protected from the elements.

Love the roofline on this place.

This shows the back of the garage and side of the house.

The architect, Peter Rose, had a sign outside so I stalked him when I got home and found a couple other places he designed on Nicola lake.

Peter Rose is a Vancouver architect but I learned from his website that he was actually born in the Nicola Valley.  His designs respectfully compliment the surrounding natural beauty, as all good architecture should.

Now for some real estate listings…

See more pictures on the listing while it lasts.

Have $1,380,000? Check out this listing for more info.

What a nice surprise to find stunning architecture in the Nicola Valley.

~Jen

Reese Witherspoon’s Beautiful California Home

The September 2012 issue of Elle Decor features the 1923 Wallace Neff ranch home Reese Witherspoon bought five years ago. “Libbey Ranch” is so full of history and she has lovingly made it her own with the help of designer Kristen Buckingham.

Wallace Neff was a California architect who played a huge roll in the introduction of what we now consider “California” style. This property was one of his earliest projects and was originally designed as stables for Edward Drummond Libbey (hence the name “Libbey Ranch”) and converted to a home in the 40’s by Architect Austen Pierpoint.

One of the previous owners was interior designer Kathryn Ireland. If you’re curious to see what it looked like when she owned it you can take the House Beautiful tour.

   “When you buy a beautiful piece of art, you don’t really own it, you’re just the caretaker.” -Reese Witherspoon

This attitude towards architecture makes me think that Reese and I could be good friends.

The home is so inviting and unassuming. Ironically, it takes a lot of work to pull off this effortless look.

With a  bedroom like this, I’m convinced this boy will grow up to be a real man. 

Her daughter’s room is brilliantly pulled together. There is a lot of pattern mixing going on here and yet it remains calm, girly and sophisticated.

We’ll end our tour with the perfect California patio.

Reese Witherspoon has always seemed sweet but doesn’t her home make you like her even more?

~Jen

Unexpected Thursdays – Grown Up Polka Dots

A fun and elegant foyer.

Style Edition

 Don’t you love all the pattern mixing?

 

Unexpected Thursdays – Conversation Pits

I don’t know about you but I love a good conversation pit. I casually mentioned dropping the floor in our living room during our reno to create one but somethings just can’t be forced. Some things just aren’t practical either. Like loosing even more headroom in the basement. Somethings are practical though… like adding a baby gate and having the most awesome play pen in town. To think our house could have been THE place for infants to hang out. How fun.

Anyways, let’s move on to places where conversation pits are a reality.

You may want to check out the rest of the Miller House. It’s worth a look.

Desire to Inspire

Design Attractor

An outdoor conversation pit does the trick when an indoor one just isn’t possible.

I realize I’m very much alone in my love of octagon houses but maybe I can sell you on one with a conversation pit?

Enjoy your Thursday!