Best Kitchen Paint Colors: February 2012

Monday, February 27, 2012

LOVING BOOKS

AND LIVING WITH THEM

"A room without books is like a body without a soul." Cicero

via

I admit I have a problem

I love books

classic literature - diy - art and design, gardening, craft,

photography, travel and cook books

to name a few....

An Artist’s Sculpture Studio

One of my dreams is to have a studio. I love to paint, dabble in sculpture and of course, it would be wonderful to have a dedicated space for my interior design business.

Designer David Coote took a small garden shed and created the most amazing Artist’s Sculpture Studio and Retreat.

Though not very large in scale, it is enormous in charm and function. As you enter you can see a daybed to the right and straight on you can see the studio area. Notice the skylights and windows. There is literally light from almost every angle.

Here is a closer look at the studio. I love that the back wall is covered in old barn board and the floors are stunning!

A small pot belly stove keeps the studio toasty warm in the cooler months.

And there is even a small hot plate when you need to re-charge and have a bit of tea!

To the right is another bed in a bit of alcove. Notice the lovely window and beautiful open beamed ceiling

A close up shows old brackets and barn wood shelves for storing old casts and an antique wash tub to hold towels and cleaning supplies.

The alcove also has wonderful skylights. I expect the light floods this studio and changes all day creating the most interesting patterns.

There is even a wash basin and water to freshen up – so charming!!

Notice the old re-purposed closet doors which hide all the sculpture supplies.

And these doors swing open to let even more light and the lovely gardens in.

Could you ask for a more inspiring place to work?! So readers, here is one of my dreams – an Artist Studio!

To see more of David Coote’s work click HERE. To see two other fabulous Artist Studios click HERE and HERE.

(All content copyrighted and property of Willow Décor, all photos David Coote)

Monday, February 20, 2012

EVERYBODY'S CRAZY ABOUT A SHARP DRESSED MAN

AMEN, SISTER

Cary Grant

"what lingerie is to men, suits are to women"

admit it, girls...

there is class to dark gray flannel with slip of white cuff showing

there is power in a navy blue pinstripe with a deep red tie

there is elegance in an impeccably tailored suit

there is nothing more masculine than herringbone, houndstooth and harris tweed

why not add a little sex appeal to your home decor?

REFRESH

TIME FOR CHANGE!

HGTV

It may just be that a brand new year is here, but I have a tremendous itch to feather my nest

a little. Everywhere I look I see things I want to change - for instance the interior paint I've been living with for about 10 years. (This is where my sweetie looks up and rolls his eyes).

I find that making a list helps me focus my priorities. It's more just the act of making a list - putting thought to paper - sometimes I don't even look at it again until months later. (Sometimes that's because when I look at it I hyperventilate a little) - who knew a list could get so looooong.

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

Wishing you all a special Valentine’s Day!! May you love an be loved….

xox Gina

(All content copyrighted by Willow Décor – photo Houzz)

Monday, February 13, 2012

Advise/Discussion and Tadelakt

This is regarding a query which was addressed by my Blog Reader.He is building a house and he looks for some advise on IPS oxide which he plans to use it on the bathroom walls.He would like to know how to get a light but rich colour.He is also curious to know if anyone in our country uses the Tadelakt method of sealing using olive soap and any other prodcuts to get anew shine.If any one could give me valuable information regarding, would be appreciated.

Anyway the queries posed where nice and he introduces me to a method called"tadelakt"I am always excited to learn about the new methods and procedures.A basic researcher would always want to know..

to tell you all about "Tadelakt"

How do you think you get rustic and simple walls that outshine the others?An exciting technique to be learnt and understood and do you all know how the Traditional Moroccan colours get their beauty from?They have been a range of warm ,sunny and burnt brown and yellow oches of the deserts,the vermillion of Marrakech,cobalt blues of Essaouira coast and the saffron yellows of the souk,thus echoing the beauty of the Moroccan landscape?Arent you all aware of those bright colours?..This technique can be tinted to produce deep colours,with subtle nuances.

Tadelakt is a completely waterproof, polished plaster made from lime and finished with olive oil soap.The history of this highly specialized plastering technique dates back thousands of years. It has its origins in and around the ancient city of Marrakech in Morocco at the foot of the High Atlas mountains. There the Berbers, some of the original people to inhabit North Africa, discovered the magical water resistant chemistry of lime combined with olive soap.In the beginning, tadelakt was used as technique to waterproof earthen cisterns, the ability to effectiely and hygenically store water was a major development. It was not long before tadelakt became recognized as an unbelievably beautiful finish technique that could be pigmented and applied on any surface. Tadelakt became a highly prized surface treatment that was widely applied in the traditional north African hammams, and royal palaces. To this day in Morocco, the tadelakt technique is passed down as an oral tradition from master to apprentice in an unbroken lineage that dates back several thousand yearsThe word “Tadelakt” comes from the Arabic verb “dlek” which means to rub, knead or perhaps most appropriately, “to caress”. This describes the final step of finishing where a smooth stone is used to burnish the lime.

The allure of tadelakt is not easily described in words or pictures. It is only through touching it that you can fully appreciate this unique finish. A tadelakt surface is at once hard as stone and soft as silk. The combination of the soap and lime creates a living breathing surface that appears to be part stone, part leather, velvety smooth.Unlike some other plasters, tadelakt is not a standardized finish. Walls look hand crafted. Tadelakt has a shiny, slightly wavy appearance and is colored with the same mineral pigments that have been used since antiquity. Over time, the lime develops a patina that creates a subtle ever changing lumination. Properly applied, tadelakt develops very fine hairline cracks that add to the ancient appearance of the finish. Because of it's unique characteristics, tadelakt can be made to seamlessly cover walls, ceilings, floors, sinks, showers, even bathtubs.(@here)

Images credit:flickr.com,google.co.uk,style-files.com,remodelista.com,jhinteriordesign.com

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Cape Ann Beach Cottage Before and After

I love renovation –moving walls and raising ceilings! Perhaps that is why I am so drawn to architects and spatial design versus fabrics and rugs. Most of my friends and colleagues think I am crazy, but nothing is more enjoyable to me than tearing out old walls and transforming rooms into a new and wonderful spaces. So when the the right architect/build firm comes along the results can be magic! Here is a wonderful before and after by Howell Custom Building Group who also did the architectural plan. The gorgeous After pictures were shot by the famous interior photographer, Eric Roth.

The 800 square foot cottage was part of an Inn, which consisted of the main house and cottages. When the Inn closed the homeowner purchased the cottage as a weekend retreat because of its spectacular location and views. The goal of the project was to increase the living area with out changing the footprint due to zoning restrictions. Above is the Living area/Kitchen Before.

Here is another Before from the opposite angle.The homeowner also wanted to add more windows to capture more of the spectacular ocean views.

Howell Custom Building Group provided a fabulous solution. They opened the ceiling with steel cable trusses to create cathedral ceilings and sleeping/play loft.

Here is the dramatic After. You can see that Howell Custom Building Group is outstanding at transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary!

Also notice their amazing attention to detail. I love the curved loft design which echoes a ship bow, as well as the ships ladder and hatch, that leads up to the play loft! So creative!!

The kitchen was cramped and cabinet space needed to be increased.

Curved mahogany kitchen counters were added and sealed with marine varnish. The design was inspired by the homeowner’s love of the famous Boston’s Union Oyster House Bar.

The bedroom before did not provide very good views

A glass slider was added and now the homeowners wake up views of the sparkling sea.

Usually in renovation the first thought is tear out the old stone and start again, but this stone fireplace was given new life.

They flanked the fireplace on either side with bookcases to add much needed storage and display space.

They also added a window seat for additional seating and a wall of sliders out to a new deck. The new sliders create an impactful and dramatic view of the ocean beyond. For more amazing photos of this cottage transformation to and to see more stunning properties by Howell Custom Building Group click HERE. To see more of interior photographer Eric Roth’s gorgeous work click HERE.

(All content property of Willow Décor, All Photos property of Howell Custom Building Group and Eric Roth)

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

THE FAVORITES

PINTEREST FAVORITES

Have you joined the addicted? If you haven't discovered Pinterest - you are missing out on an amazing resource. If you have, you know just how addicting it can be. Personally, I wish I owned stock.

I love adding images to my boards on Pinterest. It keeps me focused on what I love, what I'm looking for and color choices. It's also a great way to keep my finger on the pulse of what is important to my

readers and clients. Join me there: http://pinterest.com/yournest/. Let me know if you need an invitation.

Indian Architecture and Art-Vishala,Ahmedabad,Gujarat

On our way back from Sarkhej Roza,we were at the ‘Vishalla', the traditionally typical village type designed restaurant,by Mr. Surendra Patel.Vishalla adds to its pride of presenting the typical Indian culture through its village-like environment with its old utensils museum named as ‘Vechaar'.

A walk around the hut-like museum makes one's heart skip a beat watching at the absolute beauty of the utensils. These utensils have been through the changing seasons and times over years. They speak of the unmatchable art-genius of man kind during the old days.The designer has taken effort in preserving the rich heritage and not let it pass away with these vessels being lost under the smoldering fire! He was determined to preserve them, and today his dream is a reality in the form of Vechaar.