Another NY roadtrip

My last visit to New York with Roseanne and Katherine

Yes, summer vacation is just about coming to a close for us (the boys go back to school next week) but I find myself longing for a quick getaway to the city. Let me clarify ... an ADULT getaway. One where I get to “ooh” and “ahh” over design goodness.

Dining at Eataly: Don’t all bloggers photograph their meals before they eat?

And then go out to eat at renowned restaurants owned by people I went to college with ... Master Chef Joe Bastianich lived in my dorm senior year at BC, literally next door. While last in NY, my girlfriends and I dined at Bierreria (a cool spot a la rooftop) and I fell in love with Insalata di Mela. I think it is time to go back ...  

Lots of people just enjoyed – and have been blogging about – the New York International Gift Fair. I’ve been before, and it’s a lot of eye candy to be sure. Since I couldn’t make it this time around, I would settle for an invitation to the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week in NY in September. “Hello, Jason Wu? I am a big fan of your work as well as your collections designed for Brizo. I would do some great promoting of your brand if given the chance ... oh, wait a minute, I already do.”

Ad I put together for Designer Bath that ran in Design New England Magazine

We all know fashion and design are kissing cousins these days. We dress our homes by looking in our closets for inspiration ... what colors do we look good in? What fabrics do we like? What patterns  make us happy? What translates across the board: usually what feels good to the touch will end up being the most comfortable in the long run. 

I met Andrea at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show last winter.

Often times, an eye-catching piece of furniture can even inspire a new confidence to combine prints that we might not have considered wearing all at once. Andrea Mihalik of Wild Chairy is an expert at this type of pattern pairing. With a background in professional photography, she knows what reads well both on film (can we still call it that?) and up close in real life. I recently showcased samples of her work in a post I wrote as a guest blogger for New England Home Magazine (read it here). Below are some more of her stylish pieces that I consider best dressed.

Red Hot: confident, bold, cheerful {photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}

Winter Forecast: bare tree branches paired with icy blue and warm tweed

{photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}

Trend-worthy: who doesn't love zigs and zags?

{photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}

Fall Fashion: burnt umber plus golden oak

{photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}

Yellow with black always gets attention

{photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}

Although orange and pink is also worth a second glance

{photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}

Excuse me now while I visit Pinterest for awhile to daydream about suitcases, taxi cabs, and Jason Wu fashions.

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.

On vacation ...

I apologize ... it may appear as if I am not around much lately, however, I have been taking care of a lot of business related to my day job while tending to the activities of summer along with other design related commitments. I promise I will be back with updates. In the meantime, please stop by and visit this recent guest post I wrote for New England Home Magazine. Then go outside – if you can – and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine!

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.