Have you seen ...

Master bath designed by Ian Mentasti of Stephen Terhune Woodworking

photo: Michael J. Lee // Design New England Magazine Sept./Oct. 2012

Don’t you LOVE this bathroom? This is just one view of the award-winning master bath from the “Designers Shine with Designer Bath” contest that we announced at our last showroom event in July. In August, I got to see the entire space (it is the size of a small bedroom!) in person and style it for this image photographed for our September/October ad in Design New England Magazine. I arrived at the stately seaside home with a van full of design props that were later artfully arranged to complement the thoughtful design work of our contest winner, Ian Mentasti of Stephen Terhune Woodworking.


Styling the space ...

Pops of Designer Bath orange were sourced from within the home itself to go along with the visual identity that I have established for our current ad campaigns (have you seen some of our ads with orange backgrounds?) The zigzag gray and white Dhurrie carpet was selected at Landry and Arcari in Salem. Frosted glass pharmacy bottles, bath salts, a natural sea sponge, and plush slippers from Restoration Hardware set the stage for a spa-like retreat. A stack of fluffy white towels from Home Goods, some borrowed items from our showroom, and an arrangement of pretty green and white hydrangea blossoms freshly snipped from my friend’s front yard and this designer bath was photo-ready!

Of course, before we even arrived the space was looking pretty amazing because of the gorgeous fixtures specified from Designer Bath, elegant tile selections, serene color palette and expert craftsmanship that combined to create this luxurious master bath retreat.   

For additional views of the space along with details on the fixtures chosen and the team who worked on this project, check out my post on the Designer Bath blog.

Summer arrangements ...

Driftwood with succulents and summer accessories by Laura Thomson

Even with the wealth of flowers outside our windows in the summer months there is still much to be appreciated in the gathered variety. For the “Designers Shine with Designer Bath” award event that I planned for the showroom in July, we hired Laura Thomson to create arrangements to add a bit of nature-inspired beauty to our designer celebration. She really came through with her thoughtful designs. See them posted on our facebook page and read about Laura’s design process here.

Yard snipped hydrangeas in a low glass vase with pebbles 

This past week, the winning space of the Shine contest was photographed by Michael J. Lee. Ian Mentasti of Stephen Terhune Woodworking, a division of Carpenter and MacNeille, was our award-winning designer and his master bath project was amazingly beautiful. I brought lots of luxurious bath items to style the space for our professional photo shoot including hydrangeas from a friend’s front yard. The leftover blooms came home with me and I put them in a low vase to enjoy for awhile. Look for the winning space in next issue of Design New England Magazine as it will be featured in a full page ad for Designer Bath. The entire house was stunning! I really wish we could have stayed to photograph more of it.     

Ferns, ivy and peace lily in a large black urn by Churchills Garden Center

I took a trip to visit the York Decorator Show House today. Designer Gerald Pomeroy was a shining star at this year’s show. His living room, dining room, kitchen and sun porch were elegantly designed with lots of rich textures and subtle patterns. I wasn’t there to photograph the show, but I was able to capture the above urn on the grounds surrounding Harmon House. There is only one day left to view the 19 decorated spaces ... if you can’t make it in person, there are a few photos of Pomeroy’s work on the Design New England blog. If you do plan to visit, you’ll see lots more designer flower arrangements inside (along with some fabulous decorated living spaces), plus gorgeous gardens and plantings outside. Charles C. Hugo Landscape Design created an outside kitchen set against the backdrop of the York Harbor that looks like the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon.

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?

  

A green point-of-view

Designer: Lisa Kauffman Tharp : Window Treatments: Acorn Interiors

Photo by Eric Roth: Design New England Magazine Jan./Feb. 2012 p.82

Have you seen the latest issue of Design New England Magazine? This lovely space designed by Concord, Massachusetts designer Lisa Kauffman Tharp was featured inside, plus the equally gorgeous bath from this eco-friendly home made the cover.

Lisa, an expert on incorporating green choices into her interior designs, was one of our eco-links in the April issue of New England Finery Magazine. She was actually brought to my attention by Paula Bakies of Acorn Interiors, who has done window treatments for my own design projects. Paula did the treatments in the above photo. I love the clean, quiet, textured look of the space.

Enjoy reading the entire article by clicking here. 

A contest for my design friends ...

Would you like to see your design project on the pages of a design magazine?

If you know me at all, you know how much I appreciate good design. If you grew up with me, you might say I am competitive (thanks, sis, for always reminding me!) Well, FYI, I don’t have to be the center of attention ... I like to shine a spotlight on others. So as the new marketing director at Designer Bath in Beverly, I came up with a little competition (which I cannot enter, BTW) for my friends in the design biz. 


“Interior Designers Shine with Designer Bath”


Who can enter? An interior design professional who has completed a design project with products purchased at Designer Bath. What is required? Submit a photo of the end result (plus fill out a wee bit of paperwork). What is at stake? The chance to have your designed space (bath or kitchen) photographed by professional photographer Michael J. Lee which will then be used in a full page Designer Bath ad that will be placed in Design New England Magazine. In addition, there will be an event planned to announce the winner who will also receive a $500 gift certificate to Designer Bath. 


Deadline for entry is May 31, 2012. In the meantime, I will be blogging about this contest for Designer Bath, and will be talking this up on twitter. Follow along and consider entering -- it is a great opportunity to get published and get noticed! 

Mentoring others in design

Ted and Kim Goodnow of Woodmeister Master Builders receive

their Cumar Marble & Granite designed award from publisher of
Design New England, Steve Twombly, and editor Gail Ravgiala

While the design/build field may appear to be a competitive arena, it actually is very much about creative collaboration and the sharing of information. Every feature story that is shown in a major shelter magazine has been touched by teams of professionals who bring to the table their specific set of talents. When these industry experts take what they know and share it with those around them, encouraging others to do the same, the design community as a whole benefits. Last Thursday evening, at the Cyclorama in Boston, a number of design field professionals – who by their very nature make a point of mentoring others – were celebrated and honored with Mentors in Design Awards presented by Design New England Magazine.

Read about the honorees here
Distinguished Mentors: Lynda Onthank, Steve Durkee, Estelle Bond Guralnick Mentors of the Year: Ted & Kim Goodnow

Annabelle’s Garden, oil on linen, John C. Traynor
Fine art and flowers at the 15th Annual
Boston International Fine Art Show

Linda Merrill, Estelle Bond Guralnick, Michael J. Lee, Eric Roth
(Click on links above for their reviews of this event)

Design New England chose to pair this award ceremony with the celebration of their 5th Anniversary in print and hosted it during the gala preview of the Boston International Fine Art Show. Writers, photographers, designers, architects, builders, artists, and editors mingled amidst a backdrop of eye-catching, conversation-starting works of contemporary and traditional art. While networking and socializing with my friends and sometimes co-workers was the highlight of the evening, my only regret is not taking more time to really study the impressive galleries at this show. One of the comments made during the awards presentation was that all of us there were artists in some respect. Whether that art involves dedication to a craft, creation or appreciation, the words rang true.

While I do have a background in fine arts, I haven’t produced an oil painting since college (and they weren’t anything like this one!) At one point in the evening, I was told by Robert Brown and Eliza Tan that I should have my photo taken in front of it since my sweater complimented the colors so nicely. They know what they are talking about, so I obliged : )

Design New England, Nov./Dec. 2011
Cover photo: Jim Westphalen

Design New England, Nov./Dec. 2011, p. 47

If you haven’t seen the 5th Anniversary issue of Design New England yet, it is now available online. Turn to page 47 and you will see one of the first ads I designed as the new marketing director for Designer Bath in Beverly, MA. In this role, I handle all of their ad placements, the design of the ads, plus social media engagement like twitter, facebook and their new design blog.

How does a decorator/magazine editor end up as a full-time marketing director? When I was researching ad sponsorship for the summer issue of New England Finery Magazine, I visited the website for Designer Bath since they were incorporated by designer Pat Finn in her vignette for the Wenham Museum North Shore Design Show last May – one of my feature stories.

Segment produced by America’s Best TV

On their home page Designer Bath posted that they were looking for someone to coordinate photo shoots of high-end baths, design advertising materials, oversee production and placement of television and print media ... I thought to myself “I would love to do that!” When I met with them and shared my background in advertising and design, along with the fact that my husband is a trade professional, it just seemed like the perfect fit at the right time. But rest assured, I am still dedicated to my creative projects including this blog, decorating consultations and the direction of New England Finery. It is the sum of all these related parts that make up my creative whole, and each is essential to who I am as a designer, and an artist.

Modern Love: Sebastian Carpenter Designs

A sun room set for inspired conversation.

Dragonfly Club Chairs, Deco FL-A Floor Lamp, Cube Ottomans in Zebra, Bamboo Coffee Table, Dragonfly Sofa in Raffia

Ahh .... serenity! I was recently invited to view the studio line of furnishings by Sebastian Carpenter at his Wenham home and studio “Dragonfly.” The property itself, one of those breathtaking sites securely rooted in history, is quietly ensconced atop a wooded hill overlooking the Wenham Lake. Modern sculptures that combine welded metal and used farm equipment designed by his late father (and renowned modernist sculptor) Harlow Carpenter, line the long curving drive and herald a display of inherited creativity to come.

Modern vignette inside the front entrance,
with antique farm-tool sculpture on top
of Kinko Chest inspired by modernist
Charles Rennie Mackintosh

Moderne T. Deco Console Table
paired with Deco T-A Lamp

This completely renovated and restored property is uniquely modern while surrounded by a setting of mature trees and gardens (the property dates back to 1916). Both the interior and the back “yard” views look like something straight out of a magazine ... oh, yeah, they were featured in a magazine article or two.

Out of the Woodwork by Regina Cole for Boston Home Fall 2007
Local designer creates new look in old house ... by Natalie Miller
for the Hamilton-Wenham Chronicle Fall 2007



While enjoying a cocktail reception/studio tour hosted by the architect-designer and his wife, Elisabeth, I was able to take a few snapshots for my blog (thank you!). The fact that another guest was my favorite high-end interior photographer *EVER* Eric Roth made me a little shy behind my pocket-size Nikon lens, but I couldn’t let the opportunity pass to show off these great pieces.


Cow Skin/Mahogany Cubes

Dragonfly Sofa (image from SC website)

The clean, streamlined look of Carpenter’s pieces are stylishly-symmetrical while being warm and inviting. The club chairs were very comfortable seating, and I loved the built-in ledge behind the luxe sofas ... ideal to perch a reading lamp/book/etc. on. The only drawback? When my husband and I returned home, I was ready to take all of our mostly traditional pieces and put them out on the curb! Although, to be fair, these modern beauties would mix very nicely with vintage pieces and would add a nice contrast to traditional settings. No need to start over, just add a piece here and there to achieve your own touch of “modern love.”



The super-stylish lamps would be a great place to start ...

Or how about this gorgeous chair that combines a modern aluminum
frame with sleek walnut and supple leather ...

EC1 Chair (image from SC website)


Love the shoji screen room dividers ...

Moderne T3 Dining Table/Desk
with EC1 Chair and Deco-T-A Lamp


The pieces look great from every angle and the materials used – ash, bamboo, white oak, aluminum, and natural fabrics – are visually sumptuous with the various elements combined in a thoughtful zen-like fashion. Fabulous lamps, custom tables and designer-y cube-shaped ottomans complete the collection. I wasn’t able to photograph all of the pieces, but look for them soon on scdfurniture.com or at the Boston Design Center.

(Lamps available at Blanche P. Field,
Desk available through EcoModern Design)



For more information on prices and availability
contact Sebastian Carpenter at 617.470.6060
info@sebastiancarpenter.com
sebastiancarpenterdesign.com

And if you love amazing photos of interior design ...

Be sure to check out the website for Eric Roth Photography to see some professionally-posh photos of Dragonfly (look for the “snooker” table beneath large scale white paper lanterns in a room with red leather walls, or the exterior shot of the glass-walled sun room at the end of a walkway covered with a wisteria-trellis canopy). While you are there, take a virtual tour of Roth’s extensive and impressive portfolio ... be prepared to sigh! Then look for his work on Sunday mornings when you sit down with a cup of coffee to skim the pages of Boston Globe Magazine (in which he was recently featured as the subject of an interview) or when you are looking at just about any important shelter magazine (Design New England, New England Home Magazine and Metropolitan Home to name a few). Roth’s photography showcases the best in architecture and interior design. For me, looking at it is like a visual escape/small slice of heaven. Enjoy the view!