Spring Entertaining

Thought you could use a little inspiration for your Easter or Passover table.  

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Whether you are hosting a crowd or having a marvelous brunch for your immediate family this weekend, make it special! 

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Happy Weekend.  M.

Inspiration for small bathrooms

Since people seem to become more and more interested in smaller homes, whether for downsizing reasons, keeping utility costs low, etc., it's also becoming important to decorate your space in a way that maximizes your square footage.  As my fiance and I are looking at homes, all of which are teeny tiny (about 2 bedroom, and 1 full bath), we've noticed clever ways some people are putting all the amenities of a full bath into what was traditionally the powder room.  These small, full-amenity baths, or Cloakroom suites, as they're referred to in the UK have become an increasingly popular bathroom trend in recent years, with more and more people keen to create a smaller second bathroom.

Keep in mind it's not actually light colors that make a space look larger - it's a lack of contrast that keeps a space looking airy...

There are a number of techniques available to ensure that you do not have to sacrifice the luxuriousness of your bathroom due to the lack of space on offer. Many of these choices revolve around bathing options, with shower baths a particularly popular option for those with a smaller bathroom.

A shower bath ensures that every bathing option remains available to you, while freeing up enough space in the suite for other essentials such as the toilet and a bathroom basin. There are several different choices of shower baths available, meaning you can be sure that your shower bath matches the overall style of your bathroom suite.

This tub is narrow, but deep (which I think is actually better than the shallow, wide tub most of us have...), and it saves space!

I am an avid bath taker, so I can't imagine only having a shower.  Even if it meant my toilet would only have an inch between the sides of it and the sides of the tub!

If you are planning on a small downstairs bathroom, cloakroom suites could be the ideal choice. A cloakroom suite is a bathroom significantly reduced in size, usually containing only the absolute essentials. While you would not usually include any form of bathing option in a cloakroom suite, they can ensure that your main bathroom is left free, ideal for busy households where several people live together.

A cloakroom suite is also ideal if you often have guests over, providing them with access to a bathroom without the need for them to feel like they are intruding by venturing upstairs. Cloakroom suites are therefore the ideal accompaniment to your main bathroom, with many extremely helpful functions.

Not only does this small bathroom have a shower, it also has a mini soaking tub!

In addition to a shower bath, a corner bath can also help to save a great deal of space within a bathroom. By dedicating your bath to a single corner of the bathroom, a significant amount of space is saved and can be filled with additional bathroom necessities. As with shower baths, these corner baths come in a range of different styles and designs, meaning the overall theme of your bathroom will not be impacted.

Bathroom furniture can also help to create the illusion of space and prevent your bathroom from appearing cluttered and untidy. As well as covering up unsightly pipework which may be present, this bathroom furniture also creates a great deal of additional storage space. This can be used to store deodorants, shower gel, makeup and the various other items which are traditionally stored within the bathroom.

Wall hung toilets are another way to maximise the space in the bathroom, especially when combined with the above recommendations. With these aforementioned techniques and many more, it is no wonder that the popularity of small bathrooms continues to expand. Whether you are replacing a small bathroom or are contemplating the creation of a cloakroom suite, there are a number of trends which can be employed to ensure that the result is not only functional, but extremely aesthetically pleasing.

1,2,3,6 Houzz, 4,5 Fresh Home

disclosure: this post in partnership with screwfixbathrooms.com

Turkish Bath Towels

These have been popular outside the U.S. for some time now; but I'm beginning to see more and more of them popping up here.  Are you familiar with these?  They are a very large, thin super absorbent bath sheet made of linen.  

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They can be used like a beach towel (or even a blanket) or in the bathroom as a large body towel.  

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I'm such a sucker for textiles so these are right up my alley.  After a short search, I've discovered the prices for these cover a huge range.  So, buyer beware!  Here are just a few that are priced right! 

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Since Spring is upon us, I'm beginning to think about warmer weather and the beach (thank heavens swimsuit weather is still a few months out for me).  In the meantime,  I can always stock up on some key items for the beach bag!  So where do you line up on these?  Do you love or hate them? M.

Bedrooms from glamorous to sweet

It snowed yesterday in Maryland. snowed! {displeased face}

Such a gorgeous balance of glamor and ease.

gold+ aqua+peach=♥

Too much red and pink for me, but a younger me would have woken up smiling every morning!

Perfect pretty spot for little ones to read...

So maybe not a bedroom, but still a beautiful place to dream.

1,2 via This Is Glamorous, 3,4,5,7 Sweet Home Style, 6 Roco Mag

The Mirror Rule

Sometimes a rule gets jumbled.  I had a client say to me, "I know your rule on not putting a mirror over the fireplace because so and so said you wouldn't let her put a mirror over her fireplace."  The truth is - I don't have any set rules on these kinds of things!  But, I do have specific reasons for why I place things (or recommend to my clients to place things) in certain places.

For the record, here's my thoughts on mirrors.  First, I adore them.  They are truly necessary for your space to feel interesting and varied (you shouldn't have a room full of oil paintings - too much of one note).  But you MUST think about what the mirror is reflecting when you put it in your space - it's just that simple.  Often, if you place a mirror over your mantel, it will reflect a bare white (or even worse, popcorn) ceiling.  Or, heaven forbid, a ceiling fan! (here's the inside joke on the Ceiling Fans).  So, this is the main reason, that over the fireplace is usually the last place I will consider for mirror placement.

Caveat: If I'm in a pinch and need something large over a fireplace, and the client does not have the right size painting, I will place a mirror over the fireplace.  But, I always try to layer something over the mirror to distract from the reflection (if it's of the ceiling).  Here is an example of just that (in a very stunning room I might add).

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With that said, here is the perfect example of how to use a mirror to get that Wow factor.  Look at all the yumminess this mirror is reflecting.

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When the mirror itself becomes art - you've placed it in the right place! M. 

Quietly stunning: Dining rooms with glowing repose

I've been having a huge dining room crush lately, and I think it's because I don't have one, and it's not likely that our first home will have one either. These dining rooms also reflect the style I've been loving lately - not too shabby, not too chic, but a lovely mix of clean, sensible design with a touch or two of glamor.

This dining room is quiet and peaceful, but the pink sofa adds a little wink.

A sunny spot to eat breakfast is the best!

I want those chairs so bad!!! Anyone know of something similar thats affordable?

The white "leather" bench is actually faux leather vinyl - great for kids (or me!).  This owner recommends Grain de Cuir by Nobillis.


1. via BHG, 2. via Lonny, 3. via Laura Ashley Advertisement, 4. via Interiors Porn, 5. via Lonny, 6. via Southern Living.

How to easily mix decorating styles

Whether because you and your partner have different styles, or because you love furnishing and decor from all eras, mixing styles does not need to be a battle.  In fact, I often find transitional and mixed interiors to create the most satisfying "oooohhhhh" moments in someone's home.

There are a few guidelines to keep in mind though, when mixing styles.

A. Choose sides.  Don't give styles equal love.  If you have an equal amount of mid-century mod pieces mixed in with your Victorian antiques, the space will not look harmonious, but rather just poorly designed.  Pick one style to have more presence in your space, and use the other style for accent furnishings or accessories.

I believe the dining room above is by SFGirlByBay

3 images above via Houzz

This dining room is a perfect example of the perfect "imbalance." The room is predominately mid century modern, with what appears to be a Japanese antique buffet, and Japanese prints on the wall.

How cool is this Arne Jacobsen Egg Chair Ægget Stol in an otherwise traditional/country room?
image via Houzz

Different styles can get along!
(the tufted club chair is on sale at  Joss & Main)

B.  Change.  An unusual paint or reupholstery job can transform a drap victorian antique into a truly stunning contemporary piece.  That doesn't mean you need to go kitschy with hot-pink for the wooden legs and arms or your wingback, but a glossy coat of lacquer and a more modern, bright fabric can make more traditional pieces a wonderful addition to a room dominated by modern furniture.

image via Houzz


How gorgeous is that settee and wingback?  The modern lucite coffee table and modern lamp don't distract because they aren't fighting for attention with the traditional elements of the room.  While the picture frames are traditional in shape, the presentation and color is modern.

C. EDIT and KEEP IT SIMPLE Some adages and rules stick because the work! Too much clutter and too many knick knacks are going to have your space looking dustier and mustier than a cat lady's, no matter how beautiful your accessories and furnishings.  If you want one of your favorite antique lamps to shine, the worst thing you could do would be suffocate it with too many other accessories, especially of mixed styles.

image via Apartment Therapy

image via Apartment Therapy *disclosure: this post in partnership with Interioraddict.com

Crystal stair railings, handrails and crystal stair columns

Latest stair railings and handrails design ideas of crystal and crystal bubbles - contain stylish crystal stair columns with many column shapes for luxury houses and hotels interior crystal stair railings and handrails designs.

Always we see the crystal stair railings and crystal handrails in the palaces of the rich also we see it in the luxurious places such as 5 stars hotels and luxury houses.

Although it's expensive but i like it because it's give us gorgeous look and luxury touch in the stairs, there are many peoples want to buy crystal stair railings and crystal handrails but they don't able because lack of funds, but today you can use the glass stair railings columns for your interior staircase, it's similar crystal stair railings and crystal handrails and will give you the same shape, but of course the crystal stair railings and crystal columns is second to none.

I will provide some of exclusive ideas for stairs and interior staircase designs beside the crystal stair railings and crystal columns may be you like to use other stair railings shapes.

For who want to use the crystal stair railings and handrails or crystal stair columns i don't advice you to put it in the exterior stairs but you can use it for interior stairs to give you luxury look inside your house, i let you see the crystal stairs railings photos and crystal stair column shapes, if you like any one you can search for it at Alibaba site and similar site which you always buy from it.

Crystal stair railings, handrails and crystal columns photos:

Crystal stair railings, handrails and crystal stair columns interior

Crystal stair railings, handrails and crystal stair columns interior

Crystal stair railings, handrails and crystal stair columns interior

Crystal stair railings, handrails and crystal stair columns interior hotels

Crystal stair railings, handrails and crystal stair columns interior luxury houses

Crystal stair railings, handrails and crystal stair columns interior

Crystal stair railings, handrails and crystal stair columns interior

Crystal stair railings, handrails and crystal stair columns interior villas

Crystal stair columns shapes photos:

Crystal stair railings, handrails and crystal stair columns interior