Bath: Color and Drama

/ June 1, 2012
bat-ecl-chocolate-435

Slideshow

The chocolate walls, diaphanous curtains, gold accents and the sparkling and glamorous bubble chandelier create a dramatic space.  This relatively small but very tall bath looks especially crisp when its dark walls are paired with the white tub and tile. It is the contrast, reminiscent of continental decoration, that has the greatest impact. This contrast delineates positive and negative fields and flattens the dimensional surfaces. This is a bold bath and it announces the space as confident.

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Books: Steven Gambrel: Time and Place

/ May 30, 2012
bathroom shelves

Slideshow

Bright blue tufted chairs, modern art and a vintage fireplace are quintessential Steven Gambrel. Beautiful materials, color, texture and are the hallmarks of his interiors.
dressing room
Large scale dressing rooms should always have a packing/storage island with good light so that your outfits are color coordinated.
Steven often uses tile to clad the entire kitchen. It adds texture, pattern and is easy to clean.
I love the very active surface of the marble floor and counter top. Combined with simple panels and quiet colored paint, the rooms seems very much in balance.
master bath_tub
Beautiful, layered silver travertine is rich and elegant and looks particularly good with nickel fittings. The small fireplace is not visible in this photo but adds warmth and charm to this great space with with useful accessories like a small table and bench. The tall slab baseboards add some drama to the room and the proportion of the medicine cabinets makes the room feel very tall.
I have used this photo in another post because I love the countless small pieces of art on the walls. The turquoise tiles against the white wall are a perfect background for the dark fames on the art.
Open storage, dramatic marble counters, and large scale wood frames on small mirrors create a room of great contrast and interesting materials.
cover (2)_NOT
Inspired by Flemish facades, these headboards are compatible but different and very bold.

Steven Gambrel, friend and influential interior designer, is trained as an architect and brings a skilled eye for architectural details and a deliberate approach to composition in every room he creates. His interiors are stunning and feature his signature mix of modern and traditional, expertly layered with texture, color, objects and anything that captivates his eye. He finds beauty in old things, from weathered painted doors to hardware, and repurposes them in unexpected places for that remarkable added patina. His new book, STEVEN GAMBREL: TIME AND PLACE demonstrates his commitment  to authenticity, his passion for salvage yards, and his keen eye for proportion and scale.

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Care of Fittings

/ May 23, 2012
Three textures of soft Elements cleaning cloths should be part of your cleaning ritual for your fitting. Wiping them down after every use will stop hard water from damaging the finish.

Three textures of soft Elements cleaning cloths should be part of your cleaning ritual for your fitting. Wiping them down after every use will stop hard water from damaging the finish. Slideshow

A light coat of Carnuba car wax applied with a soft Elements Cloth will protect your fitting. When water drops no longer form on the surface, it is time to reapply another light coat of wax.
The use of ammonia based and abrasive products are a sure way to SCRATCH and RUIN your fitting. You must advise anyone cleaning your bath that use of these products will end in disaster.
Dishwashing liquid and a soft cloth are the perfect products for the long term maintenance of your fitting. Just wipe off and wipe dry!
A single package of Elements Cloths is the best and most efficient tool for keeping your fittings clean and polished. Start wiping the water off from the first day of use and the life of the fitting will be extended by years.

The expectation is that the original lustrous finish on beautifully crafted fittings will last at least 20 years. This is essentially true unless the finish meets with some calamity such as an ammonia based or abrasive cleaner or poor air quality.  In fact, the fitting should be treated with the same care as one would devote to the finish of a fine piece of furniture or a well-loved car. Improper cleaning can damage the surface of the fitting and careless upkeep is a sure way to allow air, water and harsh chemicals to ravage the plating.

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Another White Bath

/ May 18, 2012
Another White Bath_5.4.12_(2)

Slideshow

I simply can’t help myself.  I am constantly tearing pictures of white baths out of magazines. What I love the most about these white baths is that they are susceptible to changes of light and shade because white is actually tinged with other colors. Additionally, as I have said before, white is a powerful color. It reflects light and transforms all the colors around it. It is a real color that projects an image of a crisp, clean and airy interior. It is timeless and always in style.

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