Sink into your sink

Today I want to introduce you to some of the more interesting sinks I have found.  These are not your standard vessel, under mount, or self rimming sinks.  The ones below have a personality all their own.

This Shell Sink is by High Tech and was designed based on a shell print that the company found on the beach next to their building.   This is such a great way to add a little bit of interest to a guest bath.  I also think it would be fun in a kids bathroom because they would likely love to watch the water spiral down the sink.




This Sink by Lago looks like the sink is literally peeled up off the wall.  This would absolutely make a statement and cause guests to take a second look to make sure they weren't imagining it.  This sink is best suited in a contemporary bathroom where it can take center stage and shine.



This modern sink is showcased on Interior Complex.  This expands the shell idea from the top and travels down the entire wall to the drain in the floor.  Personally, I don't think I could handle the idea that my sink was going to drip on the floor on purpose.  That being said I DO love it for someone who is bold and brave. The bright white of this sink is a perfect balance to the fire engine red subway tiles.



This sink is designed by Philip Watts.  This pedestal sink has gone on an extreme diet and I love that about it. The very sleek base opens gracefully into the large sink area that refuses to let the user mar its elegance in any way.  This means that you would have to store your toothbrush and soap somewhere else because there is no counter on this one.




This  Ebb Bathroom design has many different layouts but I loved how in this set  up the sink and tub mirrored each other.  My favorite part however was the clear fronts that made the sink cooler and the tub a little more risky.



Here is another layout from the Ebb Bathroom.

Kitchen Art

A cool trend these days is large letter art in the kitchen.  I think using these letter in a bold colors like red or blue.  It is also really chic if it is done in a glossy black paint.  

For words consider "EAT", "FAMILY" "LAUGHTER", "HOME"

Make your shower smile with tile!

One of my favorite aspects of designing is working with tile.  There are so many possibilities and options that there is never a limit to the ideas that I can create.

This shower shows how tile can be used on the floor of a shower.  This metallic mosaic tile creates a sort of mat or sense of space in an open shower.  The shower also shows how much texture can add interest in a shower with only one color.




Adding a tile inset is a simple way to add interest to a shower.  It creates a window-like feel without actually adding one in. (Money-saver)  If this inset hadn't be here this shower could have easily turned tepid with just the mosaic border around the middle.



Now this bathroom uses tones of tile on the walls and floor.  Don't forget to notice the smaller tiles that create lines behind the mirrors and vanities.  The white wall, ceiling, and dull white tile on the shower floor help the bathroom from becoming too dark.  I like that this tile has natural variations and creates it's own random pattern without having to work at it.



This shower was on Houzz.  This may be too much for some people but I love the overall graphic that the small glass tiles create.  To me it looks like a computer image that has been blow up to large and became pixelated.   I love that the color tiles get less dense as it goes up the wall.


This image from Flickr is another take on the inset tile panel from above.  This is a collection of mosaic tiles that create a shape with varying square sizes.  I hadn't seen this idea before I let me just say... I dig it.  If you use your imagination like I do, you can see the whale or fish.

Attack Your Life Like This Guy Does...

Head On and With Your Eyes Wide Open!

Kitchens that Spark

I believe that every room should have a spark... not an actual electrical spark that create fires, but something that catches and holds your attention.  This can be with an appliance, wall color, counter tops, or even small accessories.

Sparks will be different for everyone  so it doesn't matter if someone else doesn't see your room's spark, as long as you see it and smile.


This Kitchen comes from Big Chill, a company that was founded in Boulder, Colorado.  This uncle and nephew team transform 50's mid-century modern appliances into something that is updated and fresh for the new millennium.
I love that the Tiffany blue walls match all the appliances and range hood.  This is one of those sparks that will not appeal to everyone.   For me I would love to visit a house with this kitchen but I don't know about actually working and cooking in this kitchen everyday... it might be a little bright.





  The Decorologist found this photo and focused on the white cabinets, that was her spark... the spark for me in this kitchen is definitely the pop of fresh green walls.  I also really like the white accents in the cabinets and the wood detail over the window.





This kitchen from Art Factory, a made by hand company that does everything from cabinets to entry doors to pool tables.  This is a very rustic kitchen that to me sparks with the island counter top, both with its material and it's baseball diamond shape.  Does anyone else see the baseball influence in the chandelier? or is it just me?





This is an image from Campbells Refinishing.  To me this kitchen is sparking all over the place.
I am in love with the high gloss cabinetry.  This is a finish that most people are afraid to use almost anywhere. Kudos to these guys for being brave!

The second spark I love is the square island that has a small ledge surrounding it.  This is a unique touch that I haven't seen before.



Hello Sparking graphic art in the tile and surrounding the oven.  Though I am not a modern style person in my own home I am definitely having a huge spark attack in this kitchen.Thank you Deviant Art.com! You just made my day.

Island Paradise

When it comes to kitchens most people have an island on their wish list. 

So here are some inspiring islands that I wish I had in my kitchen.

 

 

This multi-tiered island comes from McClurg Remodeling & Construction Services. 

Adding multiple tiers to an island adds both visual interest and establishes different work areas on the counter.  In this one there is plenty of space for the cook to chop or set pans he's using during the cooking process.  At the same time guests can either be sitting across from him enjoying an appitiser while others gather on the sides with a drink or glass of wine.

This island idea comes from another remodeling company in Lancaster, PA.

I know eating at an island is not a new idea but sitting with your back to the island is.  It combines the cozyness of bankett seating with the high style of the island.  I imagine this island being used to make breakfast every morning and the a easy twist to bring it to the table. 

For the lucky owners of this kitchen from Kitchen World.

A person would need a really large kitchen to have enough room to have two islands.  I really like that the center island uses a darker wood tone and the contrasting countertop.  It is kind of hard to tell in the picture but I believe there is a sink in every island for quick clean-up.  The closer island is perfect for casual dining with an curvered countertop and a stool with a back.  Don't forget to notice the details in the center island's turned legs and the front ones carved grape details on the corners.

This island set-up comes from Medallion Cabinetry. 

To be honest I am not entirely sure how this island is staying upright but I don't really care. So onto what I really love about this island.  The mixture of textures is intriquing going between solid wood and stainless steel to solid glass.  This is not a combination I would have thought would work but I think it blends the sleekness of modern design with the more laid back style of wood.  The simple country cabinets with stainless steel hardware helps to blend the styles also.

This island is a creation of Grapeseed Kitchen that even though it is in a purely country kitchen I can imagine something similar in all styles.  Imagine this being a statement in a clean white contemporary kitchen that would instantly attract your attention. Or maybe a sleeker stone with more detailed cabinetry around it.

Did you find your Island Paradise? 

I know I found a few!

Who says lights are only for illumination...

These lights exist in the land of art only.

This piece is known as Scheisse.  It is from Norway's Northern Lighting Company.
According to their website it symbolizes where the classic incandescent bulb is going in the future.  I can see that but is it just me or does anyone else see an abstract globe in the lower half?



This one from Kurt is of a gallery space.  To me, it looks like a ton of small alien space ships are descending from the ceiling.  I also like that it creates a totally new ceiling line and makes the ceiling what you look at instead of the walls.

 

Tim Grosch developed and designed this Light Wave 3D lighting platform.  That sounds really complicated and confusing but in plain English it is just multiple wavy squares connected together to make a hanging piece of art.  It is designed to have an unlimited size and shape.  My dumb question is why is it a platform if it hangs from the ceiling.  Despite that annoying word choice I am purely amazed at this piece.



I have to hand it to the Philips Lighting Headquarters in the Middle East, this is AMAZING.  When if first saw it I thought it was a lit fountain like they have in Las Vegas.  On the second look, I thought it was a roller coaster at night.  Turns out, its Philips Lighting showing off the attributes of LED lights and how they can be used in new ways.

 

This art installation known as "A Cloud of Bags Visit the Prado" This piece was sort of like a flash mob.  It was near the Prado Museum in Madrid, Spain for only four hours.  The piece is comprised of 80 plastic bags that blew and inflated in the wind.  Who knew plastic  bags could make such a statement?



Who wants a GIANT LIGHT BRIGHT?
This is a design by Ben Rousseau that he calls a DIY modular lighting design or Light Brix.  It would be really cool as an interactive art piece but is really hard to imagine in any other space.

It's amazing what you can find at a local park!

This weekend the weather was so nice that I just had to go out and enjoy it.  Josh and I decided a nice relaxing walk through Vander Veer Park would be just the way to do it.  

The Municipal Rose Garden has a simple little fountain that doesn't really attract a lot of attention because of the large one that "dances" and has lights.  I tend to favor this one because it is less crowded and has beautiful roses surrounding it when they are in bloom.

On a side note,

This flower (sorry I don't know what it is for sure)

caught my eye and I just had to save

it for later when  I might need a pick-me-up.  

If you didn't happen to know Vander Veer Park has some hidden sculptures/features that I convinced Josh to go and find.  The one below we found has a trio of children enjoying the park. I tried to get Josh to pose with them but he was a little camera shy.  I think this would make a cool fountain with water coming out of the top boys watering can.  

Anybody else think so? 

On a second side note,

These were in the girl's basket and it made 

me wish I could smell them.  And I really 

liked the way the light created the shadows.

This is the statue that really started my statue search.

Josh and I decided that every critter needed a name so to us he is 

now and forever Freddy the Grasshopper.

He hides in the trees on the way into the park.  I've seen him every time we visit but I have never stopped to take notice.  Josh had his first introduction this weekend... he was AMAZED. 

(and don't let him tell you any different)

From the front Freddy looks more like an alien than a grasshopper but I think hes cool anyway.

My favorite part of Freddy is that he is made of metal and will stand against the weather while 

he continues to age and change colors with the park around it.

I managed to get a pic of Josh because to him the most fascinating thing 

about Freddy was how he was made. 

Before you say anything I know this is not technically a statue but it is permanent part of this park.

I always wondered why they would put a bridge in the middle of a grassy area with no water.  

The answer according to Josh is that there used to be a playground here and this bridge was the only part they decided to keep.

Even though there is nothing truly exciting about the stones on this bridge but to me this type of stonework always make me think of an old log cabin fireplace where families hang out together. 

Granted graffiti is frowned upon in most states (if not all) I was drawn to the simple heart on this stone.

A heart is one of the universal symbols of love and family. 

Now for a little game of find the park animal...

The bundle of geese on the left scare me a little to be honest and when I took this picture the geese were in a stare-down with a small dog.  Personally, I think the geese would have won.  When Josh and I walked back by the pond we went really quietly and slowly three very scary and intimidating geese.  Needless to say we were unharmed.

Everyone has seen a squirrel before but I was amazed at how long this one stayed on the ground before seeking safety in the trees.

To continue both the find the animal game and the statue search I challenge you to find the bird looking toward the sky.

This wood statue is the staple of this park and has been replaced at least twice that I know of when it became cracked due to the rain and weather of Iowa.

Now I challenge you to go find something amazing in your local park too! 

Light the way to an Invigorating Bathroom

Normally when people go to the bathroom its in and out and they ignore all the boring lighting.

Don't let them ignore yours, give them a something exciting to look and talk about.


When I visited Shoji Tabuchi's show in Branson, Missouri (He's an AMAZING violinist by the way) the only thing that really stuck in my head was the bathrooms.  Below is the women's restroom complete with an enormous purple crystal chandelier in the center and matching sconces between each of the mirrors.

                

Now I know that not very many people can actually have a huge chandelier in their bathroom but just adding a little bit of glamour can interest many people.


I found this bathroom on Excellent Decoration.



I love the bold graphic that surrounds the Jacuzzi tub.  The only problem that I have with this space is that it would be hard to actually use the mirror.  I think this would be really cool under a sink in a modern home's half bath with very simple and sleek wall sconces on either side of the mirror.



This bathroom has a cave-like feel to it with the stone/rock like texture on the wall as well as the curvilinear walls, counter top, and sink.  The lighting in this space truly makes this cave welcoming.  I'm in love with the back-lit mirror that both lights up the wall and space.  
             


Here is an interesting idea that I found on Decorpad.  It is a Mark Williams Design.  I never thought about actually putting the sconces on the mirror instead of next to it.  This instantly doubles the light around the vanity.  I also like that they kept it very crisp and white so that it calm and collected.


And how about just for fun a lighted bathroom...

Vanity Counter top

Tub  (I really love this one!)




 and of course a Toilet



I'm not sure how I would feel about using this toilet.  Personally, it gives me the idea that an alien is going to climb out and get me... not really a feeling I want to get from a toilet.

The Lamp Revamp

Finally the conclusion to the lamp revamp that started with this...

First step sand the porcelain part...

Second step:  Primer the lamp base...

Third Step:  Watch paint dry... 

( I really like how the sun makes shadows on the spiral!)

Step four: Spray the lamp a shiny black...

Watch it dry some more and repaint where you miss.

And waa laa the finished lamp!

Hope I inspired you to create your own lamp.