Reclaimed Hardwood

Heeeelllo! I don't know about you guys, but the 4th falling on a Monday has really made this a crazy-busy week me, crazy-busy in a good way. I had a productive trip to Ann Sacks with one client this week and then this morning I met another client at my new favorite place, Longleaf Lumber. She recently decided she wanted to use a reclaimed hardwood for her bathroom renovation in lieu of floor tile. After a little internet searching, I found an awesome resource right across the river.

They have tons of options and the best part, they are soooooo friendly and helpful. I think I've told you guys before, and I'm sure many of you can relate, snobby sales people are the worst. If at all possible I try to avoid specifying anything from anyone who has a bad attitude or acts like they do not have time to work with me or my client. Hello, is it your job to sell things or to make people feel uncomfortable and inferior?  This was new to me when I started doing residential design. In the commercial, particularly the hospitality world, reps treat you like gold...knowing if they get their product in a 250 key hotel tower, their commission will be gold. I don't care if we are only looking for 20 square feet of something, we should get the same treatment as if it were 2,000, because next time it might be. One day I would love to pull a Pretty Woman on snobby showroom people...ala "big mistake....huuuuuuge mistake."

And Longleaf is no small potatoes. They have an installation in the upstairs portion of the new Starbucks in Harvard Square, if you want to check it out. I was also pleasantly surprised that the products ranged from $5-$11/sf.

Here are some images that motivated her to change paths.

I've blogged about Amy Butler's home (below) and honestly didn't even notice the reclaimed, wide plank on the floor. Probably because I was too focused on the wallpaper. Have I mentioned I love Amy Butler:)

I'm also pretty obsessed with it in a herringbone pattern.

Even though this is 180 degrees different from what we have been working on for the past 5 months, I'm pretty excited about the new direction.

In other news, that might also contribute to me a bad blogger this month, we are officially moving...again! I told Mr. Sabbe that we are turning into small radius gypsies. And speaking of hardwood floors, I need a moment of silence....the new place is carpeted. Sad right? The idea of used carpet, especially with my little nugget eventually crawling around, really gives me the willies. I will tell you more about the positives later. Have a great weekend!

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Grab the Green Towel Today

Wouldn't want to get pinched right out of the tub...

Isn't this space so simple, yet so perfect?
image: emmasdesign blog

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Recent Work {bathroom}

It's snowing here again, which really does not make me excited to venture out to the tile showroom today. I am working on a master bath renovation in Arlington, which is right outside of Boston. My client has a very eclectic personal style, she likes orange, and is a huge outdoors woman. This is my abstract spin on a modern bathroom in the woods.

And, as most projects do, it has evolved quite a bit from the first go round above.

Did you notice it got bigger!? We decided to move a wall out 3 feet to make it more of a "master bath" feel. The house was built in the 20's, when there was no such thing as a master anything.

We tackled some major decisions this past week, but there are still more to be made. I'm keeping my fingers crossed I can get it all documented and off to the contractor before this baby comes. Construction administration wearing a Baby Bjorn should be interesting. Just kidding.

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The Claw

I am in the midst of working on a bathroom reno for a client outside of Boston and before I left for the holidays I stuck these images in a folder (source unknown). My client has a clawfoot tub that I would like to have refinished and paint the underside a darker color. Do these images not make you swoon?

Clawfoot tubs are so much better when you don't have to use them as a shower, ala the Sabbe tub. Have you ever had to clean a full tub perimeter of shower curtain? Not fun.

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Neutral Nelly

I'm not one to shy away from color, but every now and then I have a project where sticking to a neutral palette just feels right. There is something fresh and calm feeling about each of these tonal spaces.

  How about the window behind the cabinet above? Pretty creative use of existing space.

 What about you? Do you crave color or are you a neutral nelly?

images Traditional Home

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Happy St. Patty's Day

Hope you remembered your green! I pinch.

Images: Milk Decor, Interior Design Magazine, Unknown

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Toile

As much as I love modern interiors, I will always love toile. My first major, adult sewing project was a toile duvet cover for my college apartment. It was wonky and uneven, but I loved that duvet cover.

Maybe it's the southerner in me, but toile will always be on my love list.

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