RUB-A-DUB-TUB

Are you planning on replacing the old bathtub? Before tearing down walls, here are a few tips. I can provide week’s worth of information on Bath Tubs but let’s simplify it to the two most popular options: cast iron and acrylic.

Round 1: Cast Iron

Cast iron bathtubs are expensive and heavy. This sounds like a bad date but no worries because this one is safe to take home. Cast Iron is heavy duty making it durable to any abrasions. It’s made with boiling ferrous alloy, carbon, and steel and then set solid. If you are living in NYC and climbing five flights of stairs, think twice and consider the weight. I will warn you this is contractor's biggest complain. 

How gorgeous is this clawfoot from Cheviot

Devon & Devon

Round 2: Acrylic bathtubs

The fat-free options are acrylic bath tubs. The acrylic material is a type of hard reinforced plastic. These bath tubs are becoming more popular as it comes in many different styles, it’s comfortable and cost efficient.  

Duravit's Happy D

Aquatic's soaking tub

I've had many clients use acrylic and are really happy. I knew an architect who refused to specify acrylic bathtubs he would break out in hives. Ok I'm exaggerating. Times have changed and acrylic is not what it use to be 20 years ago. I think its definitely a comparable option.
Here's an inexpensive cast iron option;

Hope Depot's Kohler Villager is exceptionally priced and best bang for your buck. The only comment I have is that its only 14" tall, I like deep bathtubs.

Deal of the week visit Home Depot

Staying Cool

We are right in the middle of summer here in the Metro DC area. I'm not going to complain because this week has been fabulous. For those of you out west that are feeling the heat I wanted to post some cool ceiling fans that you ought to know about.
Selecting a ceiling fan can be a little overwhelming. What size fan? Why? Hows a 3 blade from a 5 blade? Light or not light? Control on wall or remote or both? I've heard them all.
Here's my quick guide to taking it easy and staying cool this summer.
Make sure you consider the area room and ceiling height. The size of the fan helps circulate the air efficiently. I always say if you have a small bedroom let's say 10x10 or less. You want to stay with a 44" fan width or smaller.

This fan from Modern Fan Co. looks great and its affordable

For bigger rooms a 52" fan width is a common size and for those two story family rooms and bedrooms I recommend two ceiling fans or a bigger fan. Check out Big Ass Fans Haiku series.

Big Ass Fans is customizable, modern, and streamlined

The ceiling height is also important when selecting a fan you want to have at least a 7 foot clearance to walk under. Hugger fans are great option for lower ceilings but they are not as powerful. Most fans will have options on down rod poles for those high ceilings.

I am a Casablanca girl. They are quality fans. I have some clients tell me how much they love their fans... for the last 30 years!! This one is the Casablanca Isotope Series Hugger and light kit.

Ceiling fans have so many options for controls it really boils down to what you are comfortable using. Some people enjoy sitting in bed and controlling their fan while others freak and lose their remote. You want to look for fans that allow you to reverse the blades easily. Reversing the blades during winter circulates the hot air. So you can use your ceiling fan all year long.
I can go on forever on this topic but these are the general ideas to consider.
 

It Gets Personal

Interior design may not be Chinese rocket science, but if you ask any of my clients they will tell you its more important than that! This was my “ah hah moment.”
A large portion of the population is in the dark. They don’t understand a designer’s role or think designers are expensive and unattainable and or they want to do it themselves. 
Interior designers deal with intimate rooms and spaces. I remember having a discussion about a client's daily bowel routines. No worries bowel movements are not on the top of my list. If its important to select the right toilet for a specific need, its good to talk about it. This may seem cringe worthy but necessary at times.

I recommend looking into Toto's G-Max toilets for those Thanksgiving kind of days. 

Toto's Drake series is your best bang for your buck deal.

  
Wall hung toilets will save space. The tank is concealed behind the wall and will require additional plumbing work so contact your local plumber for details. 
Duravit's  Starck toilet is unique and fashionable.  

Mr. & Mrs.

A good designer will have creative solutions using the latest products and trends.  
This image shows how corner toilets open save space and increase leg room. 

You can find this from Eljer

I borrowed this picture from Renovator's Supply

Turning Point

I’m in a little Chinese restaurant in Flatbush on a date. This man was as exciting as a door knob. This is probably a bad reference, since I'm a designer, and I love decorative knobs. 
By the way these crystal knobs from Topex are the perfect accents for any cabinet.

  

These are real Swarovski crystal.  We had a client's girlfriend use these for their master bath.

Do you think this is a subtle hint?

Round door knobs are not necessarily functional but these are so beautiful. This is modern and fun for closets and bedrooms. This one is from Emtek

 

2013 color of the year:
Emerald Green

Fortunately the highlight of my dinner was the gyrating dragon struggling through the aisles of the restaurant. It was obvious that we had very little chemistry.  

However sparks are flying with these knobs. Out of the Blue Design Studio carries more art glass designs.