June Design Favorites
The Design Industry Gathers
If you're a design industry professional or student, you'll want to attend the big June 14-17 trade show at Chicago's Merchandise Mart. You'll find the latest resources, products, and services for the built environment from over 1,200 showrooms and exhibitors. Click on the logo above for more information on this big event and plan to see the latest
International Art Lovers Gather: Art Basel 2009, June 10-13
Flush with Success
Contrary to the doom and gloom around us, Gail Shields-Miller debuts with shimmer at this year’s Kips Bay Decorator Show House in New York City, arguably the most prestigious home design showcase in the U.S. “Her Bath” exudes the designer's penchant for the unexpected with a stunning, much-needed flight of fantasy.
This popular Show House is filled with beautifully decorated rooms, but we thought Gail's bathroom was one of the top inspirations. Her work outshone many of the more-senior design icons.
Shields-Miller employed serpentine-like lines to evoke femininity and movement throughout a 13’ x 13’ space. Outrageously wonderful glass mosaic tile “Dahlia” from Sicis, contain real 24-carat white gold leaf. The wall tile pattern, surely “a la glam,” was Gail’s inspirational spark for the bath. As counterpoint to the feminine wall mosaic, she used a luxurious chocolate brown tile interspersed with platinum for the flooring.
Adding drama above is a four-tiered drop ceiling with undulating soffits in a high-gloss aubergine lacquer. Recessed lighting and an eye-catching brass “sputnik” chandelier ca. 1960s from John Salibello Antiques add a touch of theater.
The floating vanity, which slices through the free-form shower enclosure, is an original design by Shields & Company. Note the white marble table from Odegard Gail uses as a shower bench. Echoing the ceiling, she faced the vanity with wavy tile panels by Diane Paparo Studio, finished in an iridescent white satin lacquer. It's topped with a deep-lavender, reverse-painted glass counter top, as is the oval tub. The oval tub is surrounded by an enclosure upholstered in Maharam silver vinyl tufted with antique crystal facets. Tub, vessel sink, and an iconic hatbox toilet are by Kohler. The vanity is accessorized with sleek vintage Italian-cased glass from the 1950s and 1960s from VM Glasshouse. Adorning the wall above is a classic mid-century mirror from John Salibello with three Buddah paintings by Arianna Caroli with 24k gold leaf finish and semi-precious stones.
Two outstanding pieces in the room are the Max Ingrand Fontana Arte mirror on the counter and the marvelously sexy Silla Mariposa chair by Pedro Friedeberg from Sebastian + Barquet. Note how the TV is discretely hidden behind the mirror panel behind the tub, visible only when on.
If you're going to remodel your bathroom, take a page from Gail Shields-Miller and go for incredibly bold style statements.
June is Mildew Begone Month
Mildew is a common household problem on exterior walls and indoors, particularly in areas like kitchens and bathrooms where there's a lot of moisture in the air. Watch this Howcast video on how to clean mildew the right way from your bathroom.
Z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z-z
We like much of the stylish, well priced urban furniture designs from BoConcept. Click here to read some of their good tips on Sleeping Well and bedroom design (and it's also fun to take their global sleeping styles survey and see how singles and couples around the world sleep and their average amount of shuteye).
Designer Favorites
D2S friend and designer Oskar Torres was featured in an Ethan Allen print ad, touting his favorites from their various lines. Congratulations, Oskar!