Make The Switch

Here is something we all have, and other than some slight variation, they all look about the same.....It's the light switch.

What England has known about for 20 years thanks to Forbes & Lomax, is now in America....Virtually invisible light switches or at least a more aesthetically pleasing light switch. ;)

It's basically a simple/transparent acrylic plate which allows paint or wallpaper to show through with a stylish metal toggle to actually turn the light on and off.

Here is the fun part of their site. In here you can play with different backgrounds and choosing between the toggle switches and push buttons and all the finishes they come in as well.

I am sure your burning question after all of this, is the same one I had...Where is the dimmer?

Let's face it the BEST way to add ambience to any room is adding a dimmer to all lights.  Well they have that too.  I love the Antique Bronze and Nickel so had to show those.  Oh and of course you can still get the acrylic too.  I think these faceplates are sooo sexy don't you?

And lastly it wouldn't be complete without invisible plates for electric outlets.  Look at all their choices here for that.

On remodels you are probably thinking, "well even if I wanted these, what am I supposed to do with the big hole in my existing wall?".  They got that covered too....

For a designer, I love all of the customization I can get with these and I am very much looking forward to adding them to my next job.

Now my question to you...Would you consider these for your own home?  If so, do you have a favorite combo?  It's a toss up for me....

Up On The Roof Top

A couple of months ago we went to the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina.  It truly was an awe inspiring mansion to say the least.

Because of my love for architecture, we took the rooftop tour to see up close the details that were put into the rooftop alone.  They were amazing!

Fun fact:  This particular rooftop was surrounded by copper...Other than it being gorgeous do you know why?  When it rains the slow release of copper prevents the growth of moss, lichens and algae so in essence it keeps the roof clean.

Oh and yes that "brassy" shine you see in this photo is gilded gold, it's still there after 115 years of standing...

I always assumed the little faces you see on buildings were called gargoyles, but they are actually called grotesques....

Gargoyles are a carved stone grotesque with a spout designed to convey water from a roof and away from the side of a building so as to keep the water from running down the walls which over time would cause erosion.  In this particular picture you see both, a grotesque guarding over the gargoyle, pretty cool huh?

Here's another fun fact....The architect of the Biltmore had the foresight to get enough tiles for the roof to repair or replace the entire roof at least one more time and do you know that over 100 years has gone by and the roof hasn't needed to be replaced yet?  Who knew? ;)  They are actually still stored under the mansion.  They don't make many roofs like that anymore do they?

The views up here didn't suck but that coollllldddd wind sort of did, the day we were up there it was 11 degrees and I had no jacket.  I get the chills just thinking about it.

Have any of you been to the Biltmore Estate?

Please share your thoughts when you first turned that corner on the road and entered through the gates and saw this....

Film Star

Not this kind of film star....

But this kind....

This is the coolest, NEW, innovative window film by 3-Form that I have seen in a while. It's called the Gecko by Creation Baumann. It's actually fabric and available in lots of patterns and colors too.  It can be cut to custom shape as long as you have a great pair of scissors and have an idea of what you want.

They are designed to be movable and you can reposition them if you need to....In other words, they easily peel off and can be restuck, so no gooey mess.

I think on a home with a more contemporary feel, think loft, how cool would these be for privacy but still get the light in...

Ohhh I just had another idea...How about these cut in some privacy shape for your glass shower door....

Don't be afraid by their commercial feel on their website....They sell to anyone and because it is made for commercial usage as well it just means to me that they are better made. :)

This Isn't Your Grandmother's Rocking Chair

As you all may know, I am really picky about promoting contests and/or raffles.  But I wanted to help out the good people at Contemporary Art Center of Virginia, so I thought I would do a blog posting for them.

For all of you savvy design enthusiasts, here is your chance to win a piece of classic mid century furniture....

5 iconic Eames rockers have been re-imagined by 5 contemporary artists and are being raffled ($5.00 per ticket) for a good cause.....All proceeds benefit exhibitions and educational programs of the Contemporary Art Center of Virginia.

Now through February 25th, please visit Art Rocks and consider buying a raffle ticket to not only help them out, but to possibly win one of these as cool chairs as well.

I think it would be awesome if one of my readers won one.  If so, you'll definitely have to share the good news with me. :)

Soo of these 5 rockers do you have a favorite?  It's a toss up for me between the turquoise one by Ragan McManus and the purple one by the Levesque's...I love rich colors can you tell?

Mirrors Need Love Too...

I recently worked with 2 clients who needed to add some "love" to their bathrooms. Obviously color and accessories are no brainers for quick changes but have you considered what you can do to your mirrors?

Here are some "before" the love and "after" the love bathrooms....

Master Bath: Before

Master Bath: After (Client is in the process of replacing her builder grade lights)

Guest Bath: Before and After (client is in the process of painting her walls)

Mirror Mate has some gorgeous frames, easy ordering instructions (I promise you can't screw it up), installation is a breeze and you get the immediate "AHH" effect.

Both of my out of town clients were definitely intimidated about ordering these because I wasn't there to measure and make sure they would work.  But I got to tell you they fit perfectly and they both had them up within moments and they both sent me pictures immediately afterwards they were sooo excited.

Master Bath: Before & After (Even a cleaner counter) :)))

Guest Bath: Before

Guest Bath: After (Client is in the process of replacing these lights as well)

So have you seen these and have you given your mirrors any love yet?  I think they deserve it don't you?

A Finished Look

This is a new concept that I think is a perfect fit for an added "wow" to any room.  It's called the V-Sconce drapery sconce by Whispar Innovations.

It's the only sconce out there where your window treatment may be draped through the top and/or bottom, (while still leaving the side openings free to support a rod or additional fabric) as well as from side to side or all openings can be used at the same time.  So lots of options needless to say.

You can use these with or without a rod too.  Do you see the side covers?  They cover the side holes if not in use, giving the sconce a more custom look.  And they are magnetic so you can change the appearance in mere seconds.

I just love what you can do with them, don't you?

Oh and best of all these are lightweight and easy to install.

On a personal note, vacay is almost here so I thought it would be a good time to take off some time from blogging and so I will be back on July 6th with some "befores" and "afters" that you are going to want to see, well I hope anyway.

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe 4th of July.

Buffalo Gals Won't You Come Out Tonight....

Do you remember that song?  I don't know where I know it from but when I found out about  Scenic Mesa which is run by a "buffalo gal" by the name of Julie Littlefield  I couldn't get it out of my head.

I saw this gorgeous applique-back chair from a mailer they had sent out.  Smart of them to have that on there, don't you think?  Did you know this is a handmade buffalo leather chair and check out the close up detail on it....

Absolutely beautiful! It also comes in different colors, see below, but the creamy one above is my favorite.

Leather pieces can be a little on the boring side sometimes, but I just love how these POP.  Could you find a home for any one of these in your house, if so which color?

Too Revealing?

Can a tub be too revealing?  I don't think so....I love the look of these transparent tubs, they are sooo exciting and sexy too!  :)  If you are lucky enough to have enough room in your bathroom for a stand alone tub you may want to consider one like this.

I love the lightness of the tub too.....I can just imagine how great it looks full of water and bubbles....

I must like tubs, I can't believe this is my 3rd blog on tubs.....Here are some more gorgeous tubs (that aren't transparent)  Splish Splash  and here are some that are not for looks but for a great soak if you have problems getting in and out of tubs Solution Soak.

I could care less how I look in the tub I think my main question would be water spots.  Unless it was like the red one below do you think you would get them and if so would they bother you too? 

After finding all of these photos, we may have spotted an emerging trend......

What do you think, thumbs up or thumbs down?