Family Room Tour

This expansive space is made dramatic using a monochromatic scheme with just a hint of color in the artwork. White is difficult to pull off, but I love it when it works!!!!!!



Floor-to-ceiling draperies and a dramatic stone fireplace draw the eye upward in this handsome hearth room. The granite-topped cocktail table is a great-looking piece that will hold up to frequent use, and the oversized curved Henredon sectional is sure to become a favorite spot for watching a movie and entertaining friends. This cozy and comfortable setting is a smash in my opinion.

This stunning room is enhanced with round furniture in a soft, inviting Alcantara suede that complements the architecture of the home.



A black linen wrapped cocktail table contrasts with a light velvet sofa, silk pillows and ancient Asian objects. The 12-foot-long Japanese antique screen is a unique and beautiful focal piece, around which the design is built. Photo by Ralph Alswang.



This frequently used room with high ceilings required substantial furnishings that were practical and stylish. Oversized chenille sofas and a distressed-wood cocktail table "that you could put your feet up on" were the first order of the day. Casement draperies with stainless steel grommets let in light and views and offer privacy and softness. Tall banana plants and ethnic accessories round out the look and feel of this comfortable and well-used space. Photo by Ralph Alswang.

Traditional Living

Sheer drapes and a silk chaise work well in this space together. Tip: Look for a uniquely designed lamp, which can add character and style to a room.



Dramatic art provides life in this space with its bold colors. Modern furniture and classically designed draperies work well together.



This home theater has an art deco look fused with a modern touch. Luxurious silk upholstered sofas and chairs against velvet upholstered acoustical wall panels combine well with a unique deco patterned wool rug. Tip: Add wall sconces to give surround lighting that can be dimmed for viewing the movie.



This is totally my favorite, the room is conversational, comfortable and cozy!!



In this modern living room, furnishings alternately blend and contrast with the darker flooring, and rugs are purposefully unembellished to ensure maximum attention to the cosmopolitan furnishings and rich, textured fabrics. Walls are blank slates to serve as backdrops for bold artwork, which is highlighted with gallery lighting. Another favorite design of mine, they didn't forget to warm things up with plants.



If you follow my design style and blog you know black is a basic for me and I love this arrangment and the accent pillows.

The family room incorporates traditionally styled furnishings with slightly modern lines for an updated look. The mirror treatment on the wall mimics the design of the ceiling and cleverly hides the flat screen.



You get a warm and comfy feel with this room.

Cool blues and retro styles create a chic retreat in this small living space. The few accessories were selected with care. Designer tip: Modern interiors rely on clean lines and statement pieces to achieve the look.

Islands

This island is located adjacent to where meals are prepared and can be utilized for dining, for homework, as a buffet or for additional workspace. Design by Don Raney and Jaymes Richardson.



Think outside of the box when deciding on the shape of an island. This custom six-sided island is ideal for a contemporary rectangular kitchen. Design by Troy Adams. Although, I don't agree with the island choice, I like
the shape and style. I would have chosen a top with blues, tans and the wood color to tie the room together more softly.



Pull a chair up to this weighty island or take a seat at the table with a view. Both are painted black and provide a striking contrast to the rest of the cabinetry. Design by Beth Haley.



This island houses both a cooktop and a prep sink as well as ample storage in the form of drawers and open shelves. When space allows, always try to add a ledge and seating around an island. It appears this kitchen may have not had the extra room to do this.



LOVE THIS!!!
Don't feel penned in by having to choose one material for your island's surface; this design incorporates both tile and butcher block. Design by Didier Michot.



The colors blend well in this design.
This proportionately sized island is painted in the kitchen's soft green accent color for a lovely, finished look with plenty of function. Design by Jean Alan. Photo by Patty Carroll.

Sexy/Romantic Master Baths

Couples Retreat

Sleek, modern lines and a view of the Potomac River set this master bath apart from the pack. Andreas Charalambous' his-and-hers mirrors are made of sandblasted glass, which allows ample natural light to flow into the room.

What a Flirt

Play peekaboo behind a translucent glass shower with flirty polka-dot cutouts. Design by Andreas Charalambous.

Venus and Mars

This master bath by Gail Drury is the perfect combination of masculine and feminine. Neutral colors are pleasing to both sexes. A balance is struck by softening square lines by using curved glass blocks and a double vanity.

Open Air

This airy bathroom has its own balcony — perfect for stargazing after a romantic shower for two. The unique stone tub adds to the fresh and clean design. Room by Christopher J. Grubb.

Romantic Age

Dark wood, translucent screens and tiled walls create a rich and inviting spa setting. Proper lighting sets the tone for a romantic rendezvous.

Glamour for Two

Take your bathing up a notch by doing it in a raised stage complete with an open-air shower and candelabra. This romantic tiled masterpiece comes from Shelly Riehl David.

Heavenly Escape

Embrace a little danger by having your shower open to the heavens and only partially enclosed. Dave Stimmel keeps his design flirty in this master bath.

Float On

A few floating candles and a mirror turn this monochromatic area into the perfect place for a sexy soak.

Mindful Steam

Multicolored blue and gold tiles cover the benches and ceiling in this Zen-inspired steam room. LED lighting and relaxing fountain complete this design by Shelly Riehl David.

Backsplash Ideas

Incorporating one material throughout a room is a great way to unify the design and establish a distinct focal point. For this contemporary kitchen, Herzlinger used large slabs of marble to create a monolithic look, thus allowing the dark cabinetry and floors to pop.



A backsplash can also be used to separate one area of a room from another. In this modern home, Herzlinger brought in stainless tile to designate a butler's bar within the oversized kitchen.
A smaller budget doesn't have to mean a sacrifice in style. Graphic designer Jen Ramos selected honed Carrara marble for her backsplash, which she found at Home Depot and installed via independent contractor.



For designer Jamie Herzlinger, a backsplash is the finishing touch that can make or break the room. "So often I come across backsplashes that aren't in sync with the rest of the kitchen," laments Herzlinger, "and that's a missed opportunity to make a big statement." For this space, Herzlinger chose a mustard yellow and oxblood red pattern to accent the Mediterranean decor.



Design blogger and fine artist Nicole Cohen had her work cut out for her when she took on a gut renovation of her apartment. She selected miniature stainless steel tiles for the backsplash, which gave an industrial edge to the Calcutta countertops and white lacquer cabinetry in her kitchen. A twist on traditional subway tile, the metal is modern and easy to keep clean.

Design Ideas

The Moroccan-inspired greeting room makes a powerful statement and sets the tone for the rest of the home. This home is done in good taste, colors and comfort.



This library is filled with deep chocolate fabrics, leather, dark wood and orange accents. It’s a place to relax, watch TV and read a book. Always remember to have varied light sources in a room that serve many purposes, including lamps for reading, accent lights for art and candles to set the mood.



The wall entering the kitchen is a hand painted cartoon waiter pointing to the dining room that guests can sign as they leave. The tabletop is a French door that pulls out to seat up to six people. The mix of black and white patterns make this room pop with personality!!!



The fireplace wall is designed to be the focal point of the living room. The built-in benches that flank the fireplace allow for additional seating. Two of SPI's signature U Chairs from the SPI Line are perched perfectly in front of the fire. The U Chair is available in rosewood, white, green and black lacquer.

 

Calgon, take me away!!!!!

SPI commissioned this sculptural solid stone, oversized tub in France. Weighing over three tons, the tub had to be lowered into the bathroom with a crane via the skylight since it would not fit through the bathroom door.

Geometrics 101

Show Your Soft Side

"To ensure your patterns don't become too harsh or rigid, remember to add patterns with curves, such as concentric circles or waves, to patterns that are more structured, such as chevrons." In this small living room  a curvy zebra rug and circle-like honeycomb pillow was added to offset the sharp diamond pattern on the wall.

Size Things Up

"Scale is the most important part to keep in mind when introducing a geometric, or really any pattern, into a room."  If you pair, say, a large pillow pattern with a small one, the larger pattern will certainly overshadow the small. An easy rule of thumb: pair geometric shapes with the next largest or smallest pattern, matching the large stripes in a vintage print with slightly smaller ones in a pair of chevron stools.

Stay Neutral

This tiny powder room, designed by San Francisco-based Niche Interiors, is a study in bold design.  A slightly metallic ogee trellis wallpaper gives the space an element of surprise. When working with this much pattern, however, you'll want the palette and other elements to remain neutral. "It works because we kept the rest of the bathroom neutral — white moldings, wood floor and a mirror tie it all together.

Ground Your Graphics

Bold prints may win your attention when you enter a room, but your eyes inevitably need a place to rest. Create a few spots in between using a solid color. They'll help ground the geometric patterns and keep it from feeling overly busy, like in this tiled kid's room.

Advanced Geometry

Ready to take your geometric game to another level? Layer it on with other patterns. "I'm a huge fan of layering patterns, but it does take practice."  Blending and layering adds depth, as in the case of this floral window treatment and graphic pillow combo.  Plus, it's much softer and easier on the eyes than two geometric patterns paired together. The trick for making sure two patterns are complementary, "Imagine the pattern in black and white. How much contrast would the pattern have? Is it entirely mid-range or lots of very deep saturated colors contrasted against bright white? When layering, look for some of each."

Keep Your Balance

A common trick of the trade is to juxtapose modern shapes with more classic ones. This adds to a counterbalance of the elegant sophistication to this bathroom's carrera marble countertops. The mirror works as a mix between the two styles — mod with sophisticated lines.

 

Wood Flooring

The economy may be keeping a lid on spending, but when it comes to flooring, it’s driving trends. That’s because today’s cost-conscious consumer is more demanding of value than ever.

“There’s definitely been a shift from spending to savings, “ says Chris Davis, the president and CEO of the World Floor Covering Association. “But that doesn’t mean consumers aren’t buying flooring: it means they’re looking for value and comfort. They might not be moving up right now, but they’re still into feathering the nest.”

Flooring manufacturers are getting the message. As a result, they’re keen on providing more bang for the buck — reining in high-end marketing and concentrating on products that are sensible, low-maintenance and easy on the budget.
 

 

Tools and Materials:
measuring tape
level
paint roller
paint tray
paint
paintbrush
steel wool
paint extender
Steps:

1. Prepare the area. Select paints, keeping your color scheme and the surfaces in mind. The surface you will paint on will determine the paint sheen for your project.

Clean your surface, then measure off the area for your rug and place painter's tape to keep paints from mixing.

To keep paint lines crisp, we used a utility knife and a level to cut straight lines through the painter's tape.

2. Paint the base coat. With your borders laid out, pour your base paint into a paint tray.

Load the roller with your base paint. Remove any excess paint from the roller onto the ribbed tray.

Begin rolling base paint in your designated area, continuing until the area is completely painted. Touch up any necessary areas, and let the base coat dry.

3. Add the second layer. For the next layer of our rug, measure for placement.

Put down painter's tape to mark the boundaries and paint within the original borders.

After the second layer is dry, take up the painter's tape and lay more down to protect the layers and prepare for the faux fabric finish.
4. Add the faux fabric technique. Mix one part paint extender with four parts paint, and mix well. Pour the extended paint into a tray, remove excess and begin rolling onto the area in small sections.

Before the paint dries, have a partner follow behind with a steel wool pad, dragging it lightly over the paint, creating the faux fabric finishing touch. Continue painting and dragging the steel wool pads until you feel the faux finish looks complete.

5. Finish the rug. Once you've covered the entire rug area, remove the painter's tape.

Consider using a design stencil to add a final decorative finish, and a border design intended to mimic a rug fringe. Allow the paint to dry fully.