Bathroom Reno on a Dime!

A client recently asked me to redesign her dated 1990's bathroom on a small budget. It wasn't completely terrible but it certainly needed to be brought up to par with the rest of the condo which is a mixture of contemporary with hits of traditional.

Our first stop was Home Depot where we found a beautiful faux onyx floor for only $60 a box. The space was fairly small so it only took 3 boxes. Next, we spotted a gorgeous one piece contemporary vanity for $499. I like this because it has drawers as opposed to doors which makes for more organized storage as well as a cleaner look.

The chrome trough style faucet was $149. Finally, the lighting was a steal and was on sale for $110 from Lighting World (on Blackmarsh rd). We found a luxurious mirror-on-mirror at Homesense for $79 as well as 2 white shower curtains in terrycloth for $29 each. The client had existing artwork so we saved money by reusing.

I chose a deep gray paint color from Benjamin Moore to contrast the white fixtures. One gallon of Aura paint was $80 and already had primer built in so we saved a step.

Voila the reno is complete!

BEFORE



AFTER

Powder Room Drama

The powder room is a great space to add drama and punches of the unexpected. This is usually the smallest space in the home and therefore the least expensive when it comes to a new home build budget or a reno. I always recommend that my clients go dramatic in this room so they can impress guests during dinner parties and add that element of atmosphere.

Choosing the right mirror, sink, faucet and lighting are all keys in the design process. Paint, wallpaper and art play a huge role as they set the feeling of the space.

A 3D image of a powder room design is always helpful in helping my clients visualize concepts.

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The Art of Kitchen Design

For me, kitchen design is an art. I consider the floorplan a blank canvas from which I create an original piece that will last the test of time. I combine inspiration, in the form of existing and new ideas, working with the client to determine wants and needs and the addition of color, texture and detail.







Lighting, faucets and hardware are considered the jewelry of the kitchen. The addition of chromes and glass creates an essence of formality and sparkle whereas nickels and stainless steel contrast to create a more casual feeling.




Hard surfaces like granite, marble and quartz offer a feeling of luxury as well provide a virtually indestructible work surface.

The backsplash is not to be overlooked as it lends a finishing touch to the space by bridging color and texture. Finally, appliances are very important. The scale as well as style play an important role in setting the tone of the room.

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Summer of Love

Brian Bowen Photography

"Vibrant bouquets filled with exhilarating combinations of flowers" is how I would sum up this past summers' wedding flower designs! Each client's personality is mirrored through their choice of flowers, both color and texture wise... Here's a snapshot of my unforgettable season as an event designer-courtesy of various talented photographers in St. John's!

Rustic Elegance

Pink and cream with hints of green ensures that bouquets looked freshly picked.

Rustic pots filled with creamy roses added a touch of elegance to a country setting!

Lori Moss Photography

Contemporary Meets Traditional

A luscious bouquet of off-white garden roses, pure white spider mums and bold red roses make a huge statement of style.

Not to be outdone by punches of turquoise and scarlet ranunculus.

Nate Gates Photography

Aubergine- What More Can I Say?

A striking bouquet of cool water roses, calla lilies, purple tulips and a hint of hydrangea make for an invigorating combination!

Brian Bowen Photography

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Peonies- Bouquets & Centerpieces!

Peonies are a favorite flower of mine for a multitude of reasons. I absolutely love the way the large blooms are so delicate yet so full. The way the pedals are presented with layer upon layer of gorgeous texture and full body that adds to an heir of sophistication unlike any other flower I have seen or worked with; not to be outdone by the opulent fragrances they hold.

One reason peonies are making a large resurgence is their Hollywood glam factor- remember Carrie’s bouquet from Sex and the City? This bouquet incorporated some of the Gardenia variety as well as some varieties of cream and white roses. This bouquet was an exaggerated example of richness combined with simplicity.




I was recently asked by a client if I could incorporate peonies and hydrangea into a wedding design. This made me revisit suppliers and inquire about affordable varieties. I have to say that this revisit has been a successful one and I am planning on bringing peonies to the island and by doing so offering brides more choice! I love taking flower design to the next level and pushing the envelope in all my designs and so this is the perfect opportunity to get the creative juices flowing once again!


Peonies have been celebrated throughout the ages in the orient and later Europe and were the subject of many fine art pieces including porcelain works as well as paintings by Renoir. The variety of flower has also captured the attention of celebrities including Martha Stewart who grows her own peonies as well as Oprah Winfrey.


Representation of peonies by Lang Shih-ning (Giuseppe Castiglione, 1688 - 1766) from the Ch'ing Dynasty. The Italian Jesuit, painter and architect lived and worked at the court of Emperor Ch'ien Lung.



Peonies, Auguste Renoir, 1879

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Unlikely Color Inspiration

Going to another country can have a profound effect on one’s perception of color. While I was in Cuba this past April, I was reminded of exactly how many colors there are to choose from and how underutilized color is in North America. Perhaps it’s the colder climate and what seems like never ending winters that make neutrals so appealing. Whatever the cause, it is my belief that we all could use some color in our lives.

I was constantly inspired by countless hue combinations and diverse textures and architectural details and how they played off each other to create visually stimulating yet not overpowering areas.

This made me think of client interactions and just how many people are afraid of color and tend to stick to safe 'run-of-the mill' shades like beige's and browns (yes brown is a neutral!). I have always tried to sway my clients in neutral opposite directions by focusing on the type of mood they expect from a space which quite frequently is “energy.” Once this is established, then I draw inspiration from photographs not unlike the ones posted here; and finally, I implement these ideas into a functional and client specific design plan.

People are always amazed by the way color looks once applied to walls and how it is harmonized with the use of fabrics such as drapery, throw pillows, duvet covers and even throws and how this affects their overall mood and turns once uninhabited rooms into everyday spaces.

I know I’ve done a good job when a client comes to me and says something along the lines of “thank you for injecting color into my space, this is exactly what I wanted but I was afraid it would be too bright and didn’t know how to put it all together.”

In a world where time is unplentiful and people are frequently exhausted, why not come home to a refreshing pallet of blues, corals and overall punches of color to revitalize the soul?

I was truly inspired by this colonial style building, mainly because of the sheer scale of color usage. The gorgeous cool blue brings out the richness of the wood door and it all works so well to highlight the architectural detailing of the moldings. I love how the ironwork and lighitng don’t draw you away from the overall feel but add to a feeling of grandeur.

Who would have thought pink could look so beautiful.

I love the way the peacock feathers meld deep blue with turquoise for a fabulous punch of the unexpected!

This grand statue of Columbus is highlighted by a fabulous punch of color not to mention the ironwork and tall palm trees!

Punches of red are good for the soul and remind us that red goes with virtually anything.

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Flower Design- Contemporary or Traditional?

What can I say about flowers except that I absolutely love the color, texture and vibrancy that they add to any space, big or small, fancy or basic. It’s my opinion, that without flowers, a wedding or event is unfinished and can come off looking flat. Flowers bring life to a room and are a fabulous way to tie in color schemes and add drama to beautiful linens and luxurious gowns, oh yes and don’t forget the tux! As a designer, I never limit myself and always push the envelope when it comes to creating new and interesting designs- and flowers are no exception.

I love to draw inspiration from other designers and gain new perspectives by seeking out talented people and seeing what they have to offer the world. On a recent episode of Oprah, she featured flower designer Jeff Leatham. Before this show aired, I had never heard of him and as the show progressed I really started to get inspired by his contemporary style of work. He takes seemingly ordinary flowers and transforms them into works of art using beautiful glass vases and nouveau ways of arranging flowers.

Using one color and variety of flower per vase, Leatham creates a thing of beauty by stretching the imagination with his many uses of flowers. In fact, he turned the Oprah show set into a luxurious floral wonderland by placing thousands of stems over existing structures like a pergola and what seemed like endless yards of lattice. The end result was a colorful floral marvel that was unrivaled by any set design I had ever seen.



Like Jeff Leatham, I order all of my flowers from Europe and Asia. This means that they are the highest quality and the freshest flowers available. It also means that I order in bulk which gives me more creative freedom when it comes to thinking up ideas and working with the client to achieve perfection for their special day. When the room is full of flowers it really adds that sense of romance and magic!


If traditional flower design is more your style, then look no further than Colin Cowie. Cowie is a world renowned interior and event designer and has catered to many famous people including Oprah Winfrey herself. With designs that spare nothing, Cowie incorporates fine linens and extravagant flowers as well as high end accessories into all designs. He drapes incredible fabric from ceilings and groups flowers together in exquisite arrangements.






Like Cowie, I love the traditional side of event design. I have been surrounded by this genre of décor for my entire life, so it only seems natural to draw from that experience and incorporate it into the craft. When I began event design last year (2009), I knew I wanted to use large amounts of flowers as well as good quality linens and accessories as the backdrop to my service. Obviously, most budgets are not going to be able to afford yards and yards of silk as a ceiling treatment and unlimited vases of flowers, however I feel it can be done to a tasteful degree and still be affordable for almost any couple.

Check out my full Weddings Portfolio by following this link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=123108&id=11602276205#!/album.php?aid=123108&id=11602276205&op=12

Check out my full Events Portfolio by following this link:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=123108&id=11602276205#!/album.php?aid=155512&id=11602276205&op=12