Mixed Up Metals

Remember when all the metals had to match in your kitchen and baths?

If you had polished chrome cabinet hardware, then you probably matched the light fixtures and doorknobs too!


I threw that all out the window when I designed this kitchen.


There are gilded light fixtures...

...copper pots and polished nickel cabinet hardware, and of course the stainless steel appliances.

I chose polished nickel for the faucet, but did consider aged brass for a minute.

I think it seems more interesting mixing it all up.

After all, we mix our textiles and fabrics to create a cohesive design, so why not the metals in our home too?

 

Sheltering In Place

 We've been ordered to shelter in place, here in the San Francisco Bay Area.

It's day three and I'm still wandering around the house aimlessly trying to process this new normal.

There are so many questions....

How long will we be quarantined?  

Is it safe to go to the store if we run out of supplies?   

What's going to happen with my hair?  

Will I go gray now?  

What the heck are we going to do while shut in?

Well, after thinking for three days about this, I made a to do list.

Catch up with all the Netflix shows.

Sit by the fire and read.

Take the dog for a walk at least twice a day.

Putter in the garden.

Turn off the news and spend time together with the pets.

Take our time to cook nutritious meals.
(Mr. A's specialty.)

Sit at my desk to study and be inspired.

It's especially important to practice self care at this time.

Light candles.

Listen to music.

Take a walk.

Eat a balanced diet.

Meditate.

Write a blog post about sheltering in place.

I feel better already!

Are you sheltering in place or self quarantining?

Please let me know how you are coping.

We're all in this together.

The Guest Bathroom Reveal

The hallway bathroom, or the guest bathroom also got a complete remodel during the renovation.

Not just replacing tile, but relocating all the fixtures, as well as the doorway entrance.

Here is the before photo.  

The vanity is now where the tub was, the toilet is now where the sink was and the shower is where the toilet was.

 

I sacrificed a bathtub for a larger shower with a built in bench, using the same Carrara marble subway tile as the master.
I chose a simple hexagon floor tile in marble as well.

Here is the in progress photo.


We ended up also replacing the window with a smaller window with obscure glass.

I only had 57 inches to work with for the vanity.

I chose a navy blue 49 inch vanity from Signature Hardware, complete with marble top and sink.

I really wanted to give a nod to the nautical theme in here.

Hence, the seashell mirror and ship painting over the toilet...

...and a rope mirror over the vanity.

Ideally, this bathroom would be an ensuite to the guest bedroom, but there was no way we could make that happen.

The guest bedroom is just across the hall from the bathroom, so I made sure to coordinate them.

Navy walls, ship painting and paisley bedding create an illusion of an ensuite guest quarters.

I call it ensuite-ish.

Sources:

Vanity:  Signature Hardware

Bath and Sink Faucets:  Newport Brass

Toilet:  Kohler

Marble Tile:  Carraramarble.com

Sconces:  Circa Lighting

Mirror:  Homegoods

Bedroom Wall Color:  BM Van Deusen Blue

Duvet:  One Kings Lane

Bed, Rug and Nightstands:  Pottery Barn

Lamps, Paintings and Shell Art:  Vintage

Dog:  Maltese Terrier Mix

The Powder Room Reveal

  I was bound and determined to carve out a powder room when we bought this house.

I dreamed of creating a little jewel box room with fabulous wallpaper and a marble sink.


This is a difficult room to photograph which is why I have't shared it yet.
So here is the big reveal!
The marble sink came from RH and fits perfectly between the 36 inch wide wall.

 Of course the wallpaper was my jumping off point.

It's called Raphael from Sanderson.

I mounted the sconces on the side walls, so it's nice that they have half shades.

I already had the mirror!

 Opposite the sink is the toilet.

I found the floral print at a little shop in the wine country and love how it contrasts with the wallpaper.

I had so much fun designing this little jewel box room!

To see how this space began, all the way down to the studs and plans:

"The Open Concept Plan"

Sources:

Sink:  Restoration Hardware
Faucet:  Newport Brass

Mirror:  Ballard Designs

Wallpaper:  Sanderson, "Raphael"

Sconces:  Perigold

New Curtains In The Kitchen

 When the kitchen/family room curtains were installed last week, it was like Christmas!

I love how they finish the room and bring everything together.

Here is the same wall without the curtains.

As you can see, something is missing.

I chose off white linen for the custom made drapes because the white picks up the background of the botanical series in the room.

It's also a nice contrast to the grasscloth.

With the drapes finally installed, the kitchen remodel is complete which is a nice feeling!