What Are Some Popular Tiles Out There?

Watch Shosh of LoveYourRoom Discuss Tile Options In This Fun Video

Are you planning to use tile in a room inside your home?  

If you did not catch my decorating segment on 69 News at Sunrise, check it out HERE...it's all about TILE!  I have included the latest and popular choices for tile.  Also CLICK HERE to see my blog post on it to see where to get these tiles and even more tips!

Updates On Projects & A Cozy Passover Setting

Hello again decorating lovers!

It has been a while since I wrote on my blog.  I took this week off from work to spend time with my daughter who is off from school.  But I have missed blogging;  Missed staying up late with a glass of wine to throw out ideas, bs, and share quirky tid bits about my design projects.  How is your SDI (spring decorating itch)?  Mine is out of control.  With the very warm weather, I have shed my winter woes and ready to rock it for my clients.  I am going to tease you with a quick shot of the bath reno I have been blogging about (click here to see last update).  Johnathan finally stopped 'thinking about tiling' and began tiling!  I am not complaining at all. See there is so much prep involved in a bath reno that must be done right before the fun part.  My client is happy so far (I hope he likes the rest of the plans I have up my sleeve). 

The tiles were SO shimmery, I had to put my shades on.

A Cozy Passover Setting

Next up, I want to officially thank my #1 sis who hosted Passover for 18 people and did it in her signature 'delicously fabulous' way.  I love gatherings at her place.  You feel like you are at an intimate dinner no matter how big the crowd- its warm, simple and full of laughter.  Her secret is to surround her dining table with color and furnishings that sets a comfy cozy mood-she extends her table (made up of a few tables and mdf boards) into her living room that is full of french country charm in warm golds, deep greens and rich reds.  Then she turns on lights in different parts of the space which make the whole area glow-perfect for evening sit down dinners.  Good lighting (I encourage dimmers) is key to increasing or decreasing drama in any room.   

My sister shares a great tip for inexpensive table settings- buy a neutral table cloth that you can wash (hers is a burlap brown) that can be used for all occasions.  On her table she added small bud vases down the center filled with white hydrangeas that have been hanging around her home all week (not pictured because I was busy assisting in the kitchen).  She also added some beautifully colored and shaped platters of matzahs.  You can add your own drama and colors, using accessories from around your home, like bowls and vases, and fill them with fresh fruit, candles, or fresh flowers.  You can break up a long set table, using table runners set vertically or horizontally down the table, and if you find a good sale on gold or silver chargers, pick up a few sets.  They look great under plain plates and can be used over and over. 

For Passover my sister uses gold and clear plastic plates for easy clean up (and because you need quite a few plates throughout the Sedar).  The entire table was filled with delicous food, and after, an array of chocolate goodies that included double dipped chocolate covered matzah (even if you aren't a fan of matzah you will gobble up this stuff!).  I am still stuffed!

Adding Art To A Botanical Library Is All In The Family
I have been working on a living room-turned library-that is almost complete (click here for the last update of the space).  The floors are in, the fireplace and designer alcove have been installed, the paint is up, and most of the furniture has arrived, including two funky floral printed wing back chairs.  We still needed art work though, and it had to fit the look of the space.  That's when Linda, the homeowner, showed me some photos her daughter snapped of flowers.  They were so vibrant and juicy that we thought they would look super great on the wall as a gallery.  So Linda commissioned her daughter for eight botanical photos.  We just hung them and I am so very proud of this mother-daughter team (see pic of them below).  They are just breathetaking!  Can't wait to snap my own pics of this Botanical Library when done and share with you. 

My Split Personality - A Tropical Eclectic Living Room & Modern Glam Bath

I have a split personality lately and loving it! I began work on two totally different spaces, two totally different clients, who want two totally different looks.  One is a living room in Bethlehem and one is a bathroom in Allentown.  I thought I would share the progress so far.

A TROPICAL LIVING ROOM WITH A TWIST OF ECLECTIC WORLDLY PERSONALITY

Aren't these fabrics fun-so full of texture and curves! This couple's design style is truly a reflection of their passion for life and bright personalities.  Their living room, which opens into their dining room, will get a creamy coat of Convivial Yellow (SW6393) on the walls.  A nice warm backdrop glow for introducing the tropical flavored fabrics above on the windows and furniture.  We bring on deep finished woods and furniture pieces, which are, to say the least,  one-of-a-kind and shapely!!  And the lighting will make you 'EEEP'.  We've just begun and I can't wait to see the vision in my head-in person!

 

MODERN GLAM BATH

This full bathroom is the size of a six foot person in length and five foot person in width.  It is tiny, to say the least.  BUT the new reno will make it feel big and G-E-O-R-G-O-U-S!  This space does not represent my contemporary client at all.  The bathroom has a stand up shower that takes up way too much space, little room for anything else, dark wood paneling everywhere, and a vanity, that has me shutting one eye in distress.  We will be replacing it all!

  

We will install a smaller shower that is all glass and add built-in shelves on one side to hold towels and essentials. We will wrap pure white subway tiles around the space, halfway up the walls and completly around the shower. It will be very minimal- then comes the bling! Adding sleek and sexy tile down the center of the floor and all the way up the shower wall. Yes, like a runway. And also around the walls as a border above the subway tiles. With the Hep Green (SW6704) paint, new lighting, new vanity, niche, and accents I have planned-it will be a show stopper!

I will show the before and after pics when I have finished the projects so stay tuned! I am also working on a very cool master bedroom with a rustic lodge theme, a fun library, and contemporary asian style family room.

My Glamy Lounge Around Basement In Progress

I think my favorite show of the season is Million Dollar Listing.  I realize now after laughing through each episode, that I need to expand my own property so its value increases.  So I am full steam ahead on finishing my own basement.  After creating a design plan, and after my talented husband framed it out, added a  million lights in the ceiling, the walls and cabinetry (sorry Paul), sheet rock went up, it was primed and painted, and well, here we are now:

1. A large plasma will be tucked into the recessed wall, a custom media cabinet will be built below it.  A lot of trim and precise cuts will be involved in this project. 

And this area wouldn't be complete without a big comfy tightback sectional covered in, I think, this pear green upholstry and fun tree leaf shapes and houndstooth pillows.

2. Our bar is built in right under the stairs to save space.  The glass tiles will sparkle under the recessed spotlight above it.  The cabinets will be painted a shade of white and topped with a deep dark chocolate brown countertop.  Opposite the bar will be a 7 foot counter with a few chairs and pendant lighting above it. And a fun ping pong table will take center stage (do they make pink tables?). 

3. The built-ins to the left is a perfect catch all and, now finally, a place to hold all of our books and albums. 

4. We kept a small space available for a gym so we can pass by it every day and think 'Oh I should do a leg lift or push up right after I eat this bowl of popcorn'.

5. There is also a separate playroom for my little girl to go crazy in because every kid needs to let loose (I hope the magic eraser can get footprints off the ceiling). 

6. I am really excited to add the dark wood flooring, and of course the glitzy fun lighting.  Here are a few lights I am thinking of adding:

The lights are, from left, IKEA Lunta, Quoizel Downtown sconce, these cute IKEA Tallvik blingy colorful table lamps, and IKEA Fillsta round pendant, and That's it so far!