I simply love mosaics–from the earliest ones I’ve seen at Ephesus, Herculaneum, St. Mark’s and other Venetian churches, to the charming creations in the foyer of early 20th century Paris apartment buildings as well as modern interpretations of any of these designs. I always look for elegant cuts, artful arrangements and placement of the tesserae, the tonal value of the palette and the skill of the artisans. The beauty of mosaics is in the detail. Whether simple black and white or multi colored, mosaics use thousands upon thousands of small and precious tiles to tell their stories, assessing the effect of light and shade or exploiting complementary colors.

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The word “backsplash” has become synonymous with renovating, remodeling or creating a new kitchen.  It is part of the essential elements of the design. In fact, it can become the defining moment for the ubiquitous white kitchen. However, I have been thinking that tiling the backsplash is not enough in a space that should be easily maintained with a quick wash down. The solution is to tile the entire kitchen.

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There is something so charming and eclectic about this space. There is the unusual combination of the modern .25  Waterworks tub with reclaimed floors, a rustic Moroccan stool and a large-scale Venetian mirror sitting on the floor. Even the window treatments are a little askew. It takes vision and skill to create a room with so many different styles and make it feel whole, warm and inviting. The designer of this space seems to have accomplished that easily with the help of a serene view.

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The 4th of July is about fireworks, friends, family, fabulous finger food, the beach and being outdoors. I hope some or all of this is part of your weekend. ENJOY and HAPPY 4th!!

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