Over the past few weeks I’ve been helping my friends’ mother design her outdated bathroom. After seeing this bathroom with pink tiles (very similar to the bathroom in the house where I grew up!) I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it! The design goal was to update it with modern, durable finishes at a modest price point. This is the main bathroom primarily used by three young, active children so I knew everything needed to withstand the test of time. Having nephews (and a sweet baby niece) I know how easily children can destruct something you thought could never break. The shower tiles are classic white subway tiles that will never look dated, and the flooring we installed is a beautiful linen porcelain tile similar to this. Choosing beautiful materials is the easy part! The biggest challenge was finding a quality vanity that was about 14″ deep with enough counter space. The space is very, very narrow and I needed something to free up floor space to make the bathroom visually appear larger. The toilet location is staying as is because if we flipped it your knees would hit the tub when you sat down. Not the most comfortable seat!

Below are some cell phone progress shots so I apologize if they’re blurry. Once the project is completed I’ll take some proper after shots!

BEFORE:

AFTER DEMO / AFTER NEW SHEETROCK INSTALLED: (What a HUGE difference already, don’t you think!?)

AFTER THE TILES WERE INSTALLED / BEFORE TILES WERE GROUTED:

Phew! I am so excited to see the final result. Now if only my parents would let me remodel their bathroom already…. :)

What I love most about my “job” is the amazing people I meet on a daily basis. With every new project I get to learn about how the client uses the space, or what their individual needs are and you’d be surprised how different each and every story is. Last month I met with a new client and we ended up talking for hours about everything from textured wall paper to parenting techniques. Somehow my conversations are always very random. :) I am designing a home office for an incredible family right outside of Manhattan and I am so, so excited about it! Below is the inspiration my client sent to me via pinterest. It’s amazing how technology is changing how we communicate and develop relationships, don’t you think? Anywho, how amazing is this space?!

via.

If you follow me on Pinterest, you may notice that I’ve been bathroom obsessed lately! I’ve been designing quite a few lately and have had bathrooms on the brain! With each new project, I start a mental file of what I need for my personal dream bathroom: Natural materials, warm wood tones, and deep soaking tubs leave me needing a long, cold shower! :)

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5

(decor pad.)

I can’t believe August is almost over and I’ve only crossed two things off my summer to-do list! Planning a move and minor renovation wasn’t in the plans so I’m extending my deadline for the fall. (Phew!) Since the east coast is expecting a hurricane tonight, I’m going to spend my weekend (inside) crossing some things off my list: reading, drinking wine and creating some art. Below are some beautiful pieces that I’ve had saved that are modern, abstract and so inspiring.

(Artist Jill Moser, Artist Rob Nadeau, Interior Design Steven Gambrel, West Elm Artist Uknown, Yolanda Sanchez via Lonny.)

After designing numerous New York apartments, there’s one thing that everyone wants. Storage, storage and more storage. Living in an active city, this bike rack serves double duty as a beautiful shelf!

via remodelista.

The bright blue skies and white architecture of this resort in Greece are making me anxious for Summer to get here! Imagine curling up with a book (and margarita) on that outdoor sofa! Is it me (or my pretzel snack) or can you almost taste the salt in the air?

a life more fabulous via zege architects.

How adorable are these thank you notes from ampersandity?! The scalloped edge and fabric kite are just so sweet!

I think most people use their cell phone as their main contact phone number, but because our door bell is hooked up to a land line we need to have one. (lame.) Ryan recently bought the ooma to hook up to our existing phone and I’m really impressed with the service and quality of phone calls. The initial cost for the unit is more expensive than I would have like to have spent, but we won’t have a monthly phone bill ever again. Click here to learn more about it.

I’m not one to keep books after reading them. I usually give them to my friends, sister, or whoever will take them. But, my design books are a different story. After tagging my favorite rooms with post-it’s, I often find myself referring back to them for inspiration. These books are currently on my design library wish list.

Julius Shulman: Modernism Rediscovered

Victoria Hagan: Interior Portraits

La Maison De Verre: Pierre Chareau’s Modernist Masterwork

Jean- Michel Frank: The Strange and Subtle Luxury of the Parisian Haute-Monde in the Art Deco Period

Thad Hayes: The Tailored Interior

Thomas O’Brien: American Modern

Room for Children: Stylish Spaces for Sleep and Play

Metropolitan Home: Glamour

Darryl Carter: The New Traditional

How beautiful is this guesthouse nestled on an ancient olive tree hillside?! The home has an enormous amount of character and charm, it looks as though it’s from a classic fairy tale. An afternoon nap on that antique settee sounds like heaven!

(owi.)

I have pretty much everything planned for our wedding except the save the date. It seems like everything is cutsie and girly and that’s not me… or us. I’m debating whether or not we should put our photo on it, because I highly doubt people want to stare at us for 6 months! I like the handmade feel of these, but they still look modern and interesting. What do you think?

(I can’t remember where these are from! If you know, please let me know so I can credit original source.)

I feel like I haven’t had much time to do anything lately, but I’ve suddenly gotten an urge to make cupcakes. But, only in these beauties! I need to make this happen soon!

(image via elephantine.)

While we were in Atlantic City, we decided to take a road trip to Cape May, NJ. It’s a quaint little beach town at the most southern tip of the state. They have sweet antique stores, ice cream shops and streets filled with mom and pop shops. Needless to say, this is a beautiful town with history. We didn’t do our research and, unfortunately, it was pretty much a ghost town and everything seemed to be closed until Memorial Day. Ryan and I drove around and enjoyed the city typically known for it’s Victorian architecture.

The photos aren’t the most artful because they were taken as we were driving by. I found it interesting that most of the homes had pathways of broken seashells, instead of gravel. Isn’t that a great idea?

Last week Ryan and I took a trip to Atlantic City to celebrate my birthday and spend some time together before I started my new job. We played some blackjack, drank too much and enjoyed savory foods. (I won more than Ryan, just for the record.) My favorite restaurant we went to was The Continental at the Pier designed by Richard Stokes. The 9,000 square feet features nostalgic California architecture with a fun and futuristic environment. Inspired by mid-century designs, the restaurant has two main areas – an area that looks like a 50′s style patio, and an warm interior with golds, and deep burgundy’s. If you’re ever in the area, be sure to check this place out. (They also have a location in Philly!)

Maybe it’s my love for painting, but I love how Club Monaco displayed jewelry in canvas “baskets”! They even place the necklace over a blank canvas as if it’s a piece of art. Very creative keeping in their staple monochromatic theme!

Who says you can’t have an indoor playground?! Why not add a bit of whimsy and fun to interiors?!

(the style files. remodelista. )

I love the details from this SMP wedding! The Malibu wedding perfectly reflected the style of this young, modern couple. This asymmetrically tiered cake perfectly reflects the architectural background of the groom. How beautiful is that?!

I love how the “alter” is created by simple flowers on pedestals. I’m thinking of doing something like this for our wedding.

How much fun would it be to come home to this pink door every day? Even after the longest day, I think this pop of color would bring a smile to my face.

(a life more fabulous.)

I need one of these! These bottle openers are designed so beautifully they look like an interesting table accessory. I’d love either of the ones on the bottom to place on top of all my design books!

Being a designer, I feel like I spend even more time paying attention to small details like these amazingly cute escort cards. They are an introduction to the party for the guests, and I think when someone gets something special and handmade they feel appreciated. I adore these ideas!

All images from the amazing style me pretty

One of my favorite brooklyn design shops, Scandinavian Grace, opened up a cafe just outside of Woodstock, NY last year and I’ve been dying to go! I love the modern mom-and-pop shop look of the cafe with all the amazing housewares simply displayed. You can munch on yummy swedish crackers, and cloudberry jam while sitting on their fabulous collection of furniture… or so I hear!

Don’t forget to check out the abc home winter tag sale ending 1/24! If I could have any store furnish my home, this would definitely be it. I’m obsessed with all their interesting dishing and accessories on the first floor… sigh.

images via apartment therapy.

Locations:

Manhattan, Broadway at E. 19 Street, 212.473.3000
Bronx Outlet, 1055 Bronx River Avenue, 718.842.8772
Delray Beach, Florida, 777 South Congress Avenue, 561.279.7777
Hackensack, New Jersey, 400 Huyler Street, 201.641.3400
www.abchome.com

How beautiful is this apartment of handbag designer, Anya Hindmarch?! The walls are the perfect shade of white!

vanityfair.com