Luxe Living

A day at the spa is a luxury we all can appreciate. We all, however, can't afford the time and/or the cost on a regular basis, so why not bring the spa home?

Many retailers offer a combination of elements that enable individuals to transform their bathrooms into luxurious custom spa rooms right in their own homes. One retailer that I love and highly recommend is Kohler. They have a broad range of style, price, and selection that makes it hard to not find something you'll fall in love with. Check out their DTV™ system here. "A totally sensory experience at the touch of a button" ...I can only imagine how Heavenly a shower like that would be... a girl can dream! ;)

Check out these beautiful baths from Kohler, most of which incorporate the DTV™ system.


This bathtub actually fills up from a faucet in the ceiling. If you look closely you can see the water running down.




This next one is the shower of all showers! Read more about the inspiration behind it here.



I also came across these stunning LED lit rain showers from the Italian company, Gessi. "Featuring a hydro massage system and fixed or changing chromatherapy lights... You can choose how the water falls – do you crave the drenching power of a waterfall or the lightness of a summer shower? The spray selections include rainfall, water blades and atomisation... Gorgeous and good for you – [it] will leave you feeling cleansed and refreshed." -Trendir.com


If you are more adventurous and want to try something really BOLD you will appreciate this bathroom from Delpha. It's definitely not the relaxing spa environment but it is a pretty sweet bathroom nonetheless!


"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style." ~Billy Baldwin

Have you ever found yourself having some trouble using color in a space? A good rule of thumb to follow is the 60-30-10 concept. This is something you will find in a lot of professionally designed rooms and something that I tend to follow. I did not, however, pinpoint it to these specific percentages myself. I recently came across an article from HGTV.com that pointed out the system and gave a great comparison that I thought you all might enjoy. Check it out:

"Why this works is anybody's guess. Perhaps it is the human tendency to see an overall theme in the 60 percent hue, unifying the coloration. The 30 percent provides visual interest and the 10 percent, not unlike jewelry, provides that little spark of sparkle." - Mark McCauley, ASID

When you think about it, this color breakdown is similar to a man's business suit:
60% of the outfit's color is the slacks and jacket
30% of the outfit's color is the shirt
10% of the outfit's color is the tie


Translated to a room setting, it typically means:
60% of the room's color is the walls
30% of the room's color is the upholstery
10% of the room's color is, say, an accent piece or a floral arrangement


You should be pretty safe if you follow this rule, as long as you have chosen colors that compliment eachother. ;)

"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style." ~Billy Baldwin

Your private residence is often your sanctuary and taking the time to furnish it with the finest furniture, draperies, and artwork is an effort to take pride in. After all, you most likely invested a pretty penny to get it just right. A lot of times, though, all of this hard work and careful selection goes unnoticed or perhaps unappreciated by guests if you fail to invest in proper lighting; the most important interior element of all.

The proper use of lighting is extremely powerful in transforming a space from a cold, boring atmosphere to a warm and inviting one. Take a large, open, industrial loft for example. Sticking one floor lamp in the corner isn’t going to cut it. Your space will feel very empty and awkward. Every home needs a unique combination of the four different types of lighting fixtures: pendant, floor, table, and wall. My favorite interior lighting fixtures are chandeliers (I am borderline obsessed with them).

I could shop for chandeliers for hours if I had the time. There are some really unique options out there today that you may not expect but when you incorporate them into your space the effect is incredible. They are an instant focal point and great pieces to inspire the design of the rest of the space. A chandelier doesn’t always have to be an extremely extravagant crystal fixture like you may be used to traditionally. It doesn’t always have to be used only over the dining room table, either. It is becoming very popular to use decorative chandeliers in large walk-in closets, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Get creative and have fun with it! Stick with crystal or white, or venture out a bit and go with a solid black or even a colored chandelier to create an even more eye-catching focal point.

Some of my personal favorites…


I love the black version of this Garland pendant- $75

"Spring traditionally evokes a sense of freshness and new beginnings, with sprouting shoots and blossoming flowers that inspire designers to breakout of the winter doldrums. Bright colors return to the top 10 list for spring ’09, as designers incorporate vibrant pops into their collections, yet temper the vibrancy with deeper, translucent or neutral tones... 'New York’s fashion designers encourage hopeful attitudes with lively colors, while sophisticated, grounded hues address the need for stability in times of economic uncertainty'..." -Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®.

I have always been fascinated with the power of color. The way it evokes feelings and moods in people while we typically don't even realize it is happening. Spring and Summer are my favorite times of year not only because of the sunny blue skies and warm weather they bring, but also because of all the fun, bright and energetic colors associated with them.

This season, the professionals at the Pantone Color Institute did a great job as usual, by choosing colors that will have a positive and uplifting impact on everyone during this rough period of our economy. The fact that the use of color can create a feeling of hope and stability in a person is amazing to me.

I am a huge fan of color and my favorite is always changing. Currently I am on a purple kick! I love all the different shades of purple that are out right now. Interior design often follows the trends of fashion design, so you can imagine that both my apartment and my wardrobe are freshly stocked with some new purple pieces. :)

Another interesting color that caught my eye recently was "Mimosa" (makes me a little thirsty). It was named "Color of the Year for 2009" by Pantone. The reason they gave for choosing this shade was what caught my attention the most:

"Mimosa Embodies Hopefulness and Reassurance in a Climate of Change... The color yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we as humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance," explains Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "Mimosa also speaks to enlightenment, as it is a hue that sparks imagination and innovation."

So, if you're thinking of re-painting or redecorating, mimosa seems to be the way to go right now. You have to be careful to not overuse it though because too much yellow can cause feelings of anxiety, which is the last thing we all need right now!


Keep in mind...
"Be faithful to your own taste because nothing you really like is ever out of style." ~Billy Baldwin