Designed for Living

Drawn to the elegant simplicity inherent to most Colonial Revival homes, the new owners were eager to modify the small third floor bathroom to accommodate the daily needs of a young child and the occasional guest.  Due to its size, it was imperative to design a space that efficiently utilized every inch of the small bathroom without sacrificing period style.  The overall installation of a shed dormer and squaring off the awkward room helped in gaining the necessary square footage to create a floor plan that increased mobility, both vertically and horizontally.  In its infancy, the design hope was to include the cast iron claw foot tub that was currently housed in the bathroom.  We soon realized that the tub was not in any shape for continued use.  With a clean slate, we were then able to create a nicely sized custom Carrera Marble tiled shower stall, closing off the shower with a frameless sliding shower door.  The added space also allowed for the installation of a 30 inch, period specific sink and base and custom heavy gauge baked on enamel radiator cover for extra table top space.

http://www.northjersey.com/community-news/home-and-gardening/a-colonial-revival-bath-1.1566993

http://www.northjersey.com/community-news/home-and-gardening/a-colonial-revival-bath-1.1566993

Design NJ: Trimming Tips

Table Top Trees are a great way to showcase something unique, something festive during the holiday season.  The Dec./Jan. 2016 Issue of Design NJ highlights a few creative options from NJ ASID members, including The Repurposed Home, and other Trimming Tips.

Green Demolitions

As touched upon in a previous post, nothing is more important than finding talented, reliable, trustworthy, and skilled collaborators.  Since its innovative inception in 2005, Green Demolitions has worked to carve out a creative niche in the recycling goods market, becoming the premier luxury recycler for kitchens, high-end renovation items, showroom displays, and new-in-box overstocks.  Because of their ability to stand out in the area of creative cost effective solutions, for the last three years, I have been referring clients to their Fairfield, NJ showroom.

I take tremendous pride in the deepening partnership I've built with Green Demolitions, including the opportunity to collaborate in the renovation of their client showroom.

Looking to capitalize on the variety of items available, repurposing the Kohler Sink Showroom Displays into Client Kiosk Stations, as well as repurposing the Library Cabinet into a Coffee/Beverage Bar, produced about a certain sense of accomplishment.  Additionally, with the removal of the dated carpet being a necessity, the exposed, professionally polished concrete floor provided a fitting showroom foundation.  In the end, the entire picture encapsulates so much that is amazing about this business.  

Refurbished Bed Sets

Featured are two bed sets incorporated into room designs for children.  The bed sets were pieces handed down from relatives, of quality solid wood construction and in good condition.  Each added an element of mix 'n' match to their respective rooms.

This set was stripped using nontoxic soy gel stripper then resurfaced with nontoxic and eco-friendly pigmented milk paint.

This set was stripped then resurfaced using a multi-colored paint technique to create this unique finish.

Both were dressed in vintage fabric finds that correlate with the larger room designs.

Making A Statement

An aspect of interior design, an element interwoven into the art of home decor, is the incorporation of a statement piece.  A statement piece does just that, it makes a definite or clear expression, offers a perspective, that enhances a space.  In most cases, this occurs through the use of bold color, unique shape, and/or material.

The Gehry Cross Check Armchair (http://www.dwr.com/product/gehry-cross-check-armchair.do?gclid+CLLviZz_iL0CFaN9OgodUHEA4Q) featured was designed as part of the Gehry Collection by the critically acclaimed, award winning architect Frank Gehry and was commissioned by Knoll - a retail company committed to the philosophy of presenting customers with modern furniture that complements an architectural space, but does not compete with it (http://www.knoll.com/discover-knoll/our-story).  Bold in its form, color, and material this chair easily functions as a piece of art; making it a beautiful statement piece within any room.