Mme. Lanvin

/ February 10, 2012
Mme Lanvin Bath_2.6.12

Slideshow

By the time you read this I will be in Paris with my husband, Robert, celebrating his milestone birthday. Of course, we will visit our favorite Paris bathroom, that of Mme. Lanvin at Muse des Arts Decoratifs. Additionally, we are going to Maison de Verre, Pierre Chareau’s masterpiece, and the flea markets. Good meals in some famous and not so famous bistros are part of our plans, as well as exploring new streets and neighborhoods. Camera in hand, and a warm scarf around my neck, we are so looking forward to this visit.

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Mosaic Inspiration: Metropolitan Museum of Art

/ February 8, 2012
Celtic Knots

Slideshow

Celtic Knots
Celtic Knots
Celtic knots are the most significant design element in this rug.

Several weeks ago we were on our way to see the new installation of Islamic art at MMA when we lost our way, if only temporarily. This detour turned out to be a bonus because I stumbled upon the beautiful black and white mosaics in the great hall of the Greek and Roman Department that I had forgotten about. Not only are the rugs elegant and graceful, but rendering them in black and white, set in a nearly solid black field, makes them feel both modern and traditional and classically timeless. We discovered they were installed in the 1920′s.

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Empire Bathtub Inspiration

/ February 3, 2012
A page from the French Empire style. A bathtub for Napoleon.

A page from the French Empire style. A bathtub for Napoleon.Slideshow

This bathtub falls in the category of “work of art”. It has a tin lining with a carved stone exterior. The base is a wood molding with great patina and the gold decoration Napoleonic. In fact, this tub was designed for Napoleon himself. He was a fanatic about his personal hygiene and was devoted to cleanliness at a time (1850′s) when the average Parisian bathed 2.25 times per year. History tells us that Napoleon had a passion for hot baths and often spent more than an hour in the steamy atmosphere.

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Trends for 2012

/ February 1, 2012
Small houses and small rooms are so managable, family friendly and warm. 2012 should be a year of houses and rooms scaled for family living.

Small houses and small rooms are so managable, family friendly and warm. 2012 should be a year of houses and rooms scaled for family living.Slideshow

Rooms of 'human scale' with furniture that is comfortable, covered in a nice mix of materials and beautiful accessories for 2012.
Shaker style drawers and simple raised panels are all the architectural decoration needed in this beautiful bath by Thomas O'Brien.
Elegant, simple moldings surround a traditional fireplace. This simplicity allows you to focus not only on the fireplace but on the other objects in the room.
Thomas O'Brien is a master of organization. A clost like this should be a goal for all of us this year.
More extraordinary organization. I want to go home now and reorganize my own closet (which is half this size).
I hope to see more of this beautiful mix of materials and metals. Iron and polished brass unlacquered are a great combination.
Another great material mix. Here are Islamic iron bowls against rich, dark wood softened by fabric behind the doors. ( Dwellngs by Sill and Hunniford)
Craftsman skilled in the handling of tools and materials create extraordinary objects that should be valued for generations.
Handmade tile fabricated exactly the same way for at least 100 years by artisans and craftsmen who work with their hands, and touch each piece of tile 35 times before it goes into a box.

A good beginning for the New Year and the newly re-launched THE PERFECT BATH is to think about what trends the year might yield. While I am most certainly not a trend forecaster and usually march to my own drummer, I thought I might attempt some predictions.

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