A grey + orange affair ...

Designer Bath Sparkles by designvignettes

I have been planning a party and it’s a good one! It will take place this upcoming week at the Designer Bath showroom in Beverly. Local interior designers and design bloggers have been invited to attend our 1st soon-to-be-annual Designers Shine with Designer Bath Award Party.

Back in January, designers were notified that we were hosting a contest to find a designer bath that we could feature in one of our full page ads in Design New England Magazine and have their space shot by Michael J. Lee Photography. They were encouraged to submit scouting photos of a space they had designed and completed with products from the Designer Bath showroom. We received a lot of submissions! We had judges take a look. A winner was chosen!

On the evening of our petite soiree we will be honoring the winner, plus recognizing all the talented entrants to the contest. We will be serving some delicious summer fare from our talented neighbors, the women at Chive Events. Flowers are being arranged by my favorite floral designer, Laura Thomson. There will be an effervescent drink. And gift bags.

This is a little more than a festive occasion ... it is an opportunity to tour our showroom after hours. To see some of the new lines we are carrying like Kallista and Zucchetti. To try out a sparkling drink from the Everpure Exubera or test drive the SmartTouch Technology faucet from Brizo that designers have been raving about. We will have lots of manufacturers representatives in the showroom to answer questions about their products, including our event sponsors Dornbracht, Bain Ultra and Maax. If you are in the business of designing luxury baths for some of your best clients, these are just some of the brands that should be on your list of fixtures worth specifying.

If you would like to be notified of upcoming showroom events, send me an email at yblacker@designerbath.com.

Our Designer Bath logo colors are grey and orange. Am I taking my role as brand ambassador too far if I dress accordingly?

  

York Decorator Show House 2012

The Master Suite: Meredith Bohn Interior Design

photo courtesy Meredith Bohn

Saturday, July 14th is opening day at one of my favorite annual design events: The Old York Decorator Show House in York, Maine and I have a couple sneak peek photos for you! Designer Meredith Bohn of Hollis, NH sent me these fabulous pics ... how did she know I have a thing for designer baths? ; )

I’m loving the modern chevron patterned rug with the traditional clawfoot tub

in Meredith Bohn’s York Decorator Show House master bath.

I can’t wait to see the spaces in real life! Last year Meredith’s room was a french country inspired kitchen. It was featured in the Autumn issue of New England Finery Magazine along with my other favorite “designer focal points” from the show.

Meredith Bohn Interiors for the 22nd Annual Old York Decorator Show House

New England Finery Magazine: Autumn 2011 p. 20-21

photo by Michael J. Lee

There are always a number of special events tied in with this summer show which happens to take place in the town where my family has vacationed for decades. Next year I will plan to go up for the Friday night Preview Party and stay on through the weekend at my mom’s summer cottage. The first night of a show is always so exciting, with all the designers finally able to breathe a sigh of relief that the hard work is done and they can relax and simply enjoy the pretty scenery.

Another great event worth saving the date for is the Designer Luncheon. A panel of designers share their behind-the-scenes stories along with trends and tips. I attended a few years ago and since then, have become friends with the designers on the panel (Nicole Yee, Frank Hodge, and Joyce Jordan to name a few). Gerald Pomeroy will be on the panel this year. I highly recommend sitting in on this one to hear what Gerald has to share. He is so talented and such a genuine soul!

Below are just a few happenings, but do check out the Museums of Old York website for more.

July 18 - Stonewall Kitchen Cooking School luncheon program, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. -- Price: $60 includes Museums of Old York Decorator Show House Ticket. 

July 19 - Behind the Scenes at the Antiques Road Show with appraiser Don Cresswell, cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, York Harbor Inn, 6 – 8:30 p.m. -- Price: $60 includes Museums of Old York Decorator Show House Ticket.  

August 8 - Luncheon at York Harbor Reading Room with a Designer Panel Discussion. Find out what really happens behind the scenes at the Decorator Show House from four of this year’s outstanding designers: Sue Bartlett, Gerald Pomeroy, Michael Engelhardt and Linda Zukas. York Harbor Reading Room, 491 York Street, York Harbor, 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. $60 includes lecture, lunch and Show House Ticket.


For all events, order tickets online or call 207-363-4974.

Barbara Vaughn and Marianne Mooers of American Traditions, Inc.

 for the 22nd Annual Old York Decorator Show House

New England Finery Magazine: Autumn 2011 p. 32-33

photo by Michael J. Lee

Let me know if you are planning to attend the show, and please share any favorite design tips you took away from it. I plan to go up very soon. I wouldn’t miss it!   

After work snapshots ...

I think our bunny Shadow is spending more time outdoors this summer then I am. The boys let him run in the yard every night when the sun is low and the air is cool. I join them after work.

Herding a bunny is serious business. On the one hand I am happy to see him outside hopping about freely, but I would hate to lose him to the wilderness (although he certainly deserves a chance at bunny love). We each watch him from a different angle. Bunnies are known to change direction without notice, often turning in the air as they leap for joy.

After hearing a dog bark somewhere nearby, we quickly scoop Shadow up and leave him to rest in the safety of his hutch. I go inside to pour myself a glass of wine and contemplate how little attention I have given to my garden. Succulents, however, require minimal care so my hens and chicks appear to be surviving, but surely could use some liquid refreshment as well.   

Sunday snapshot ...

Our backyard used to be a small farm. At one time there were cows, and the owners before us had sheep. We just have one bunny plus four boys. If we were to grow rows of corn, we would have the perfect plot since there is full sun most of the day. But usually we just like to throw a ball around or grill a meal. I had to walk way out back to find this shady spot. I am thinking some major landscaping is in order. Perhaps a pergola where the grapevine arbor used to be or an allee of trees. Follow me on Pinterest to see what I imagine this property could look like.