Bath Windows Remembered

The Obvious Jewel  

Windows tend to be an afterthought in DIY designing. These images show you that windows are as important as the tile, sinks, and counters you choose.

Picture Perfect

A contemporary take on a classic - the picture window.  This is a serene and inviting beauty.

Classic Tub Window with Roman Shade and Chandelier

Vintage Bath Reimagined with Opulent Roman Balloon Drapes

Who said glass block was passé?

Sunken Luxury

Uninhibited

If you are lucky enough to have this view, the choice is simple - floor to ceiling windows. Every day you go to your bathroom retreat and say, "Wow!" 

Peekaboo

This window is a study in restraint.  It obscures and concentrates rays.  You will not get sunblasted nor need blinds.  Then, there's the romance.  Yes, romance.  Can you see these cubbies filled with votive candles at night? 

Green

I would be remiss if I did not add a "green" selection.  I love this simple innovative design.

Living and Entertaining

Home Media Entertaining

A Cozy Home Theater Niche

Contemporary Entertainment with a View Living Room

Ultra Modern Home Entertainment Living Room

A Modern Living Room Worthy of Superbowl XLIV

Thematic Drama in Minimalism!

Consistent Dramatic Theme

Soaring cathedral ceilings with dramatic feature walls are the theme in this minimalist home. The lines are also a major component. Look at the windows with the thick black divinders, the hearth, and the white ceiling beam. All emphasize lines. Your eyes cannot help but to to follow them.

Living Room Hearth Feature Wall

Master Bedroom Headboard Feature Wall

The wood flooring and feature wall warm each space. Additionally, the wood feature walls add texture and dimension that paint could not achieve quite the same effect.

Ah... This is Telecommuting

Office @ Home vs Cube @ Work

These offices are uncomplicated yet beautiful designs. There's a style for everyone from traditional to whimiscal.

Traditional Style Office at Top of Staircase Landing



Contemporary Hideaway Multi-Purpose Office



Hideaway Open



New Perspective on a Contemporary Corner Office



Bright, Airy, and Whimsical Office

Contemporary-Modern Office

A Trekkie Bar

A Bar to Beam Me In

This bar needs no introduction if you live on planet Earth. I do believe avid fans make the best theme inspired designs. This Star Trek themed bar is an outstanding example.

Mounting TV in Form & Style

Mounting Your Tube Looks Better and Better

Early Style of Mount... Looks scary now.

Modern Multi-function TV Mount

Modern Simplicity (Has an architectural feel.)

Beautiful A/V System Mount

(The river rocks look pretty but will soon be dust collectors.)

Swivel Mount

Design 101 - Man Caves

Cave Man Cometh

We have entered a new ear of male sanctdom - the man cave. It's a virile sounding title that reincarnates these traditional favorites: the basement, media/entertainment room, den, and garage. "Man Cave" conjures up fairly distinct images: rugged, manly, private, haven.

The reinvigoration of this "manly" space earned a closer study. Here's the decomposition of what makes a Man Cave, from the good to the great.

Necessities

1. The Space
2. Very Big TV
3. Surround Sound System
4. Excellent Speakers
5. ALL walls painted with a Rich Earth Color.
6. Very comfortable sofa and chairs with at least one permitting the alpha to recline.
7. A Bar (doesn't have to be huge) with a frig.
8. Games/Sports Gear
9. Your Hobby/Interest equipment or materials (e.g. race cars, instruments, planes)
10. Task and accent lighting

Knocking It Out of the Park

1. Design Theme (i.e. cocktail, marine/submarine, football, hockey, poker, Star Wars, etc.)
2. Mega Theater Room
3. Chic Bar
4. High End Cabinetry and Finishes
5. Pool Table or other dedicated entertainment venue
6. Black Out window treatment
7. Plush carpeting
8. Mood lighting - LED wall washers that change colors or Fiber Optic starry night designs
9. WOW Factor Art

Lounge

• Wall color is warm and wraps you. Nice lighting plan.
• TV size inappropriate for space (too small).
• Like the guitars hanging on the wall. They personalize the space.
• Sofa and loveseat color is bland.

Bar

• This is a very sweet bar. It's large with fine minimalist detail with under counter lighting.
• Dark acoustic ceiling tiles with recessed lighting throughout are perfect.
• Bar outfitted with traditional equipment: dart board, video game, neon signage, and sports paraphernalia.
  
  

The Stage

This is just fun. Good Bye pool table. Hello, entertainment for the 21st century. I bet it's a she-cave when the man is away and a private show when he stays.

My Redesign Plan

1. Acquire a BIG screen TV, 50" or greater. The TV shown in this room is way too small. If you are lucky enough to get a cave, go large and indulge. Do not put severe limitations on the necessities.

2. A man needs to stretch out.

a. Lose the loveseat and add 2 comfortable yet stylish recliner in leather or faux suede fabric.

OR

b. Lose the glass top coffee table. Replace with a long rectangular leather ottoman to either place serving trays on it or prop your feet up.

3. Change the color of the sofa from cream to a rich taupe or nutty brown.

4. Install blackout curtains for watching those intense action flicks without getting sunlight glare.

Modern Vintage Style on Wheels

An American Tradition with Radical Air

There are many avid Airstreamers out in the universe. You can read all the bloggers that talk about owning or refubishing their 1970s era Airstream. Read all about 70% of Airstreams that have EVER been built since the 1960s are still on the road. That's not this post.

This post is about how hot Airstreams are.

We quasi got into the RV scene through a friend. His whole family RVs and that is roughing it to them. Our roughing it - tenting. The price is fantastic. The storage is a breeze.

However, there is something to be said about not getting up in the middle of the night, searching for a flashlight, having the hawk slap your face and then your ass as you exit your tent to plod up to the public restroom.

We went to the RV Show yesterday (Saturday, January 23rd). Once again, what rang true before, rang true once more. Nothing compares to Airstream (and their cost). We've attended RV Shows for 4 years now. We've seen many new models and advances in RV trailers.

Yet, every time we strolled over to the Airstream section, we got that buzz all over again.

Consistently this happens.

The design, aerodynamic shape, construction, material, and finish are superior to every trailer out their.

By the way, KOA is striking agreements with Airstream to use trailers instead of those shacks called cabins. We rented an Airstream at the Circus Circus KOA in Las Vegas. We LOVED it. LOVED it. LOVED it.

This baby goes on our future investment list.

Note: Remember, an RV with a bathroom is a tax write-off. ;-) It is considered a second home.

I believe Airstream should have a new slogan, "Airstream = Excellence."

Cool, huh?

Of course, their slogan is sweet. "Adventure inspired by Airstream."

Visit their site here.

Ethereal Glass Jellyfish

The Unforgettable Work of Satava

Moon Jellyfish

Richard Satava's art needs no flowery description. His art speaks volumes for itself. I guarentee if you see it in person, it will mesmerize you.

I learned about Satava visiting an open house. I was so struck by the art that I made a point to speak to the owner to find out the creator. I repeated the name and still had no idea what she said. Several months later for my birthday, my thoughtful beloved found a glass gallery and took me there.

That was 6 years ago. I remember that day better than the previous lapsed 6 hours. I floated in the sky that day. The glass gallery (defunct in 2009) had a dazzling glass art collection. Satava was prominently and properly featured. I was ga-ga all over again. We vowed to some day purchase one. It took us 3 years, but we acquired one of his masterpieces.

We're still ga-ga over his work today.

Gold Ruby Jellyfish illuminated by a spotlight

Moon Jellyfish illuminated by a spotlight

Gold Ruby Jellyfish Close-up

Trio of spotlighted Gold Ruby Jellyfish

A Russian Morning

A Transcendent Painter

A Cold Winters Night

Some years ago, I happened on painter Alexei Butirskiy while day tripping in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. I always pop in art galleries when I visit there. You are treated to a smorgasbord of fine art. In fact, the City of Carmel is 1.1 square miles and has about 100 art galleries. That's almost 1 gallery every 53 feet. Impressive.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is known for its:

• Natural Rugged Beauty,
• Cottage & Gingerbread Homes,
• Art, and
• Gourmet Dining.

Butirskiy paints urban life in a compeling and reflective way. His work imbues a sense of tranquility, and he has mastered creating luminescent lights.

Secret Place

A Proud Past


Golden Sunset


Night in White Satin

Voyeur's Dream Closet

A Modern Peep Closet

Spazzi Walk-in Glass Walls Closet

I think Spazzi aims for the woman client, but this closet seriously appeals to a man.

I do like this closet.

However, when I look at it, I see what every woman from the bargain binge shopper to the designer bulk diva sees.

1. Why in the world are there two walls free of storage?! What a waste of great space!!!

2. Two double doors? What is the meaning of this? Is it to point out that you have an extra large closet that can accomodate 2 double wide doors? Give me the racks. I want extra shelving. I want more dress, shirt, and skirt bars. I need more shoe storage bins. Can we talk about chests for my scarves?! (Okay. The last one is mine. Yes, I have an extensive collection. Everyone has a thing. Please don't judge.)

Looks like Men's clothing staged in this ad. Very telling.

3. I'm totally dumbstruck on this one. Four benches? Why would any woman need 4 benches to park boxes? I know this picture is staged, but whoever staged the picture seriuosly needs to stick with staging boxes in a FedEx Office display window.

A woman needs closet gear for holding, storing, and hiding banned purchases from her significant other. This leads to my next critique.

4. Provided you are not a man. A man's viewpoint on this closet is obvious. It's a peepfest.

Thus, unless you're vain and like looking at all your stuff from two angles, two walls of clear glass is a huge mistake. A woman's closet is generally filled to the brim. It never starts out that way. The more space available. The more space mandated to fill. Cannot explain it. It just is.

Therefore, after 6 months, do you really want your unnecessary recurring replacement acquisitions, which BTW will not replace anything other than suck up available space, visible? I don't think sooooo.

This closet is a MOD beauty but lacks a woman's sensibilities.

Spazzi you need to redesign and consider how women hoard.

My Redesign Plan

1. 1/4 wall of glass, please!

2. If you must have two walls of glass, make it two-way mirror. Thank You.

3. Load me up with closet gear. I want the the works! More racks. More bars. More shelves. More drawers.

4. Don't stop with the works either! I want a runway with theatrical lights and a sumptuous velvet chaise lounge. (If you're going to go big, go Herculean.)

5. Where is my swanky modern chandelier?

Let's face facts. There is one place that all women intersect no matter color, religion, location, country, and means. Every woman is Queen of the closet. There is no King. A man visits and sometimes is permitted to stay at court. If he's lucky, his title will be elevated to Closet Consort.

Spazzi please take note.

The Kitchen is Closed!

A Kitchen with a Closed Mind

When I see a design like this, I am reminded of the great ideas that come from the people (us non-professional designers).

This homeowner either:

a. loves rolltops,

b. needs to hide the kitchen mess, or

c. wants to make a statement to the other residents.

If it's the latter (my favorite), I'm guessing they are teenagers. Boys in particular.

Well, I'm certainly going to remember this design for future implementation. File this under "Teen Barricade" or from the other side of the counter "Parental Border Defense."

Rolltop Pass-thru

My Redesign Plan

1. Move the table from under counter. Recommend buying a slightly smaller table that has leaves.

2. Relocate the TV/Entertainment unit.

3. Paint the walls a rich steel gray. Provided the rest of the colors in that room support it.

4. Hang a cool wrought iron plaque over the rolltop window that says, "Guests Welcome. Teenagers by Appointment!"