Please come in ...

<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPscDTGzumOhHsABP65vVc8HFcxS43Gtz8a1v8d8BCuAkqAZMfwax9sPUrfTT31spz-_-aV5qVAVuowEy7SvptNzbcBrOTn1eHPOyZFvviU8zkfIm-ZujaTWIP3NVKDTM3W4bzaHLxVP2i/s1600/bunnyhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPscDTGzumOhHsABP65vVc8HFcxS43Gtz8a1v8d8BCuAkqAZMfwax9sPUrfTT31spz-_-aV5qVAVuowEy7SvptNzbcBrOTn1eHPOyZFvviU8zkfIm-ZujaTWIP3NVKDTM3W4bzaHLxVP2i/s800/bunnyhouse.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The inside of this home is decorated very much like a magical garden party. See it for</i><br /><i>yourself </i><i>at the 5th Annual Heart of the Home Kitchen Tour on October 13th!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Do you ever drive by someone’s home and just wish you could see what it was like on the inside? House tours are a great antidote to satisfy our how-do-other-people-live curiosity. Late this summer I had the opportunity to visit some amazing homes in the Wenham area along with special event coordinator Cynthia Novotny of the <a href="http://wenhammuseum.org/">Wenham Museum.</a> Part of my duty as co-chair of their upcoming Heart of the Home Kitchen Tour included checking out some of the homes that will be opening up their doors on Saturday, October 13th to share an insider’s view of their newly renovated kitchens. Homeowners, designers and design/build professionals will be on-hand at various locations (9 total) to answer questions on how the end result was achieved. I have been on the <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-makes-kitchen-beautiful.html">tour in years past,</a> and have really enjoyed seeing these magazine-worthy spaces in person. In fact, some have since been published. </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br />Below are a few sneak peeks of what you will discover on this year’s tour of distinctive kitchens ...</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_03cMmQQ4knkH45KFOOmnDfJi11qyAnEAknhhXTQtl9X41Tj1DGatOMIhV3hSqZP5UisYKvIYGRWLYGuaob6efBi6fgvgQ0kHoFILVXBVVm8JU9YURSXnPTWyc4-kcXNBqZcRiRY52Yq/s1600/Cat's+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq_03cMmQQ4knkH45KFOOmnDfJi11qyAnEAknhhXTQtl9X41Tj1DGatOMIhV3hSqZP5UisYKvIYGRWLYGuaob6efBi6fgvgQ0kHoFILVXBVVm8JU9YURSXnPTWyc4-kcXNBqZcRiRY52Yq/s800/Cat's+garden.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This bountiful kitchen garden is just outside of a vintage American home designed and renovated with energy efficiency in mind. The family is very mindful of their carbon-footprint, resisting the urge to use a clothes dryer and living without air conditioning (yet the house was very cool even in August when we visited). The homeowner, Kat, actually dug up a handful of red-bliss potatoes from her kitchen garden for Cynthia and myself to take home. I have to say, they were the best potatoes I ever had! I took them home, boiled them, then mashed them with a bit of real butter plus sea salt. They were so good!!! Inside the home is very welcoming and well planned, with a “boot room” as she calls it at the entry (or a mudroom for some of us), counters from <a href="http://cumar.com/">Cumar Marble and Granite,</a> and kitchen faucet from <a href="http://designerbath.com/">Designer Bath/Salem Plumbing Supply.</a> After the tour, I will share some photos from inside, but I don’t want to give it all away yet. You really have to feel this house for yourself ... it has that quality that older homes possess that cannot be recreated in new homes, regardless of how well they are built.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSP7eJyBA6YzmR4Y9WBmZlizCk7GB9RvAMX6wGvKyM3_OAQMfdQFoaXV2Ic069YWxh4TP-eQ_RCybXNhJCm1Dz0rB2LITa0t-6JuxLHnwd7FJo-wFA9xIr0V9-M0xcfJOTTQXvEPaSSnC/s1600/artichocke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSP7eJyBA6YzmR4Y9WBmZlizCk7GB9RvAMX6wGvKyM3_OAQMfdQFoaXV2Ic069YWxh4TP-eQ_RCybXNhJCm1Dz0rB2LITa0t-6JuxLHnwd7FJo-wFA9xIr0V9-M0xcfJOTTQXvEPaSSnC/s800/artichocke.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Also in Kat’s garden: artichokes and brussel sprouts.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSvdDo7AF3UxzRJ3wG1LMSox1_25lBj7vyy-EnmJsefH-IrgiRgmckJkUIhMzLZy6Mh0n3HxwSBB7ZKyd-FEzeRCzVyF9ZFPcgfS4_67FBlO2oXiCjAUjfq6A1mgGL2-hPKamVRLBm_FQ/s1600/potato+vine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHSvdDo7AF3UxzRJ3wG1LMSox1_25lBj7vyy-EnmJsefH-IrgiRgmckJkUIhMzLZy6Mh0n3HxwSBB7ZKyd-FEzeRCzVyF9ZFPcgfS4_67FBlO2oXiCjAUjfq6A1mgGL2-hPKamVRLBm_FQ/s800/potato+vine.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>At her front door: sweet potato vine</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9taDmpdomsjWWGTaT8T6jr5uOXfCQqSa4SM2VH9rNtW2_m0M1OUBWTIHVPAgDIqfm_ax9ABvvZhK0SQJPWRGMPRMtr136xB1NgLGgPK6CIk-M23MxGazYHdeQS9zoJn1t7efrW1kSQZp/s1600/karen+in+kitchen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ9taDmpdomsjWWGTaT8T6jr5uOXfCQqSa4SM2VH9rNtW2_m0M1OUBWTIHVPAgDIqfm_ax9ABvvZhK0SQJPWRGMPRMtr136xB1NgLGgPK6CIk-M23MxGazYHdeQS9zoJn1t7efrW1kSQZp/s800/karen+in+kitchen.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Another home that I got to view was the work-in-progress of kitchen designer Karen Swanson. I took this photo of her standing in the kitchen that she wanted on the tour! This was also in early August. Checking in with her recently I was told she is almost finished (why can’t my renovations go this quickly??!!) While we were there, she showed us her plans and described how she envisioned her new kitchen to be. Below is an updated photo from the space. I love it already! And wait until you see her butler’s pantry. It has a surprising punch of color not to be missed! If you want to read a bit of her background story on her design process, <a href="http://www.cultivate.com/projects/new-england-design-works/my-kitchen-renovation">follow along on her renovation blog.</a> She has been very busy with her design work, so the posts aren’t as frequent as she would like, but anyone going through the decision making ups-and-downs of a kitchen project will appreciate reading what even a seasoned designer has to go through to achieve her heart-of-the-home vision. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF_k8a6dGAE7qQLTvkxetZCXKSSv-kxKq4j_mh_e5X74qh7436O47n5120TGedAyeVbgRF7f1V_sX1-vL_pZfocrwBi7OAq5yawwTGczbI2CYEfzuQU7adq8C_bep2dnkAWn_GhTG2Dl0/s1600/swanson+kitchen" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAF_k8a6dGAE7qQLTvkxetZCXKSSv-kxKq4j_mh_e5X74qh7436O47n5120TGedAyeVbgRF7f1V_sX1-vL_pZfocrwBi7OAq5yawwTGczbI2CYEfzuQU7adq8C_bep2dnkAWn_GhTG2Dl0/s800/swanson+kitchen" width="350" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>photo credit: Karen Swanson</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCpinK0z28RQnhT303Wo2BV5rxmZucjN0VDf6Rlyt5UM098dQ4lMSf8KO9rn6Ftiz3PB-lgsb8acUvR06EJiOHvzZ7dEboAXyBN494Io3ZblA2sD-p8_w53dmKnh5YhEszadCVinI2J1q/s1600/LMK+Interiors+kitchen.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwCpinK0z28RQnhT303Wo2BV5rxmZucjN0VDf6Rlyt5UM098dQ4lMSf8KO9rn6Ftiz3PB-lgsb8acUvR06EJiOHvzZ7dEboAXyBN494Io3ZblA2sD-p8_w53dmKnh5YhEszadCVinI2J1q/s800/LMK+Interiors+kitchen.png" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>photo courtesy Lisa Kawski</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Blue and white kitchens will always be a New England favorite. This open floor plan kitchen designed by Lisa Kawski of <a href="http://www.lmkinteriorsltd.com/">LMK Interiors</a> is a beautiful example of a space geared toward spending time with family, guests and pups in an environment that is comfortable for all. I really like the placement of the TV by the island. Great spot to watch <a href="http://www.fox.com/masterchef/">Master Chef,</a> <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/cupcake-wars/index.html">Cupcake Wars</a> or <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/chefs/ina-garten/index.html">Ina Garten.</a> I am looking forward to seeing this charming space in real life.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlYjM3xjxpvoU0MyR9YbhKjST3T8-RoJn6PiAY2fZPY6X0jArgNGUiS2CwkaBRYL2N0IIDx_aX0uAm5ijoY8Z3fz9sGjYe0Qxkz9LRduln27GD3YeTNWbnhjQxlUJ9pTQnCvgc_AY6w1Y/s1600/WenhamKitchenTour_MichelleBailey.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMlYjM3xjxpvoU0MyR9YbhKjST3T8-RoJn6PiAY2fZPY6X0jArgNGUiS2CwkaBRYL2N0IIDx_aX0uAm5ijoY8Z3fz9sGjYe0Qxkz9LRduln27GD3YeTNWbnhjQxlUJ9pTQnCvgc_AY6w1Y/s800/WenhamKitchenTour_MichelleBailey.jpeg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>photo credit: Michelle Bailey</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">A few other friends of mine have kitchens on the tour. Visit the facebook pages of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Wilson-Kelsey-Design/114837171881750">Wilson Kelsey Design</a>, <a href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4601501991076&set=o.28844302220&type=3&theater">Meadowview Construction,</a> and the blog of <a href="http://www.howellcustombuild.com/wenham-kitchen-tour">Howell Custom Building Group</a> to see their sneak peeks. Viewing the spaces in person, however, is a great way to get a feel for what makes a kitchen design work both aesthetically and functionally, so I highly advise taking the tour. <a href="http://www.wenhammuseum.org/northshoredesignshow.html">Tickets are on sale now</a> ($15 in advance, $23 on October 13th). I also recommend packing a boxed lunch to eat while traveling during the day long journey (doors open at 11am and tour ends at 4pm) from one incredible kitchen to the next. </span><span style="font-size: large;">I will be visting the kitchens with a group of friends so maybe I will see you en route?</span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>

Please come in ...

The inside of this home is decorated very much like a magical garden party. See it for yourself  at the 5th Annual Heart of the Home Kitchen...

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Have you seen ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ou9s52MVYRM2VKhoG_OKMnha1Y_CKlZJbM5Gu8zb2R_ncRfOsLujSkbbtLs1_kYP8ZWBjPkw4tgYfamKVODLIEkqGQZ3GwEgs3Qj5G77TZsooEL7Hxo9WNs7y6KIK5PustZNDE1LzPFl/s1600/CarpenterMacneille-Terhune-Bilo-Shine-s.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ou9s52MVYRM2VKhoG_OKMnha1Y_CKlZJbM5Gu8zb2R_ncRfOsLujSkbbtLs1_kYP8ZWBjPkw4tgYfamKVODLIEkqGQZ3GwEgs3Qj5G77TZsooEL7Hxo9WNs7y6KIK5PustZNDE1LzPFl/s800/CarpenterMacneille-Terhune-Bilo-Shine-s.jpeg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Merriweather; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><i>Master bath designed by Ian Mentasti of Stephen Terhune Woodworking</i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Merriweather; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><i>photo: <a href="http://www.michaeljleephotography.com/www.michaeljleephotography.com/HOME.html">Michael J. Lee</a> // Design New England Magazine Sept./Oct. 2012</i></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Merriweather; line-height: 18px; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; color: #222222; font-family: Merriweather; line-height: 18px; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size: large;">Don’t you LOVE this bathroom? This is just one view of the award-winning master bath from the <a href="http://designerbath.blogspot.com/2012/01/contest-shine-with-designer-bath.html">“</a></span><a href="http://designerbath.blogspot.com/2012/01/contest-shine-with-designer-bath.html"><span style="font-size: large;">Designers Shine with Designer Bath</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span></a><span style="font-size: large;"> 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 <a href="http://digital.designnewengland.com/designnewengland/20120910#pg76">Design New England Magazine.</a> 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 <a href="http://www.stephenterhune.com/">Stephen Terhune Woodworking.</a></span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b>Styling the space ...</b></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Pops of <a href="http://www.designerbath.com/">Designer Bath</a> 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 <a href="http://www.landryandarcari.com/GalleryFocus.php?f=Kilim-Rugs-Dhurries&pic=44&max=51">Landry and Arcari</a> in Salem. <a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod20380&cm_ps=modal_add_to_cart-_-none-_-other_items_you_may_like&categoryId=cat780015">Frosted glass pharmacy bottles,</a> bath salts, a natural sea sponge, and plush <a href="http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1214123&categoryId=search">slippers</a> 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!</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">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.   </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">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 <a href="http://designerbath.blogspot.com/2012/09/an-award-winning-master-bath.html">the Designer Bath blog.</a></span><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>

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Master bath designed by Ian Mentasti of Stephen Terhune Woodworking photo: Michael J. Lee // Design New England Magazine Sept./Oct. 2012 Do...

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Designers Shine Re-cap

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kBE8y-3ZvREOutqYmUiEcyiGFBcMXs6vBQQ3sDuKWpzo3rBdFLhFKDs_Fa_bHWu4_H_plDwMqGFRelKghu66ihfWTi6qe_JegD3T5kHWdEoHSWUvNog1YBdu-tbpT4JFSGmyN0xxgIvd/s1600/Yvonne-Ann-Linda-NancyFaye-Laura.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9kBE8y-3ZvREOutqYmUiEcyiGFBcMXs6vBQQ3sDuKWpzo3rBdFLhFKDs_Fa_bHWu4_H_plDwMqGFRelKghu66ihfWTi6qe_JegD3T5kHWdEoHSWUvNog1YBdu-tbpT4JFSGmyN0xxgIvd/s800/Yvonne-Ann-Linda-NancyFaye-Laura.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>At the Designer Bath showroom with Ann Murdock and Linda Hentschel</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>of <a href="http://renaissanceinteriors.com/">Renaissance Interiors</a>, Nancy Faye Glass of Glass House Designs</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>and Laura Gifford of <a href="http://www.giffordevents.com/">Gifford Events</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAjdVQajyVQ0Vjx47AZs17wCNEg1BBwmaY5UvDI1E0CkbADy2adhgjWBeWMwooHLYt2-8_-O9mMswNLsMbABULRp7zcUWfsTCx6WMW7eatFfqVoq6xzZ3Z4sUtTM3VhqG_vy4GucjXUW1/s1600/ChiveEvents+tending+bar@DB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnAjdVQajyVQ0Vjx47AZs17wCNEg1BBwmaY5UvDI1E0CkbADy2adhgjWBeWMwooHLYt2-8_-O9mMswNLsMbABULRp7zcUWfsTCx6WMW7eatFfqVoq6xzZ3Z4sUtTM3VhqG_vy4GucjXUW1/s800/ChiveEvents+tending+bar@DB.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Lindsey Wishart and Julia Frost of <a href="http://chiveevents.com/ChiveEvents/home.html">Chive Events</a>  </i><i>serving up designer cocktails </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojAi6v8uVYzp_CBDmwQCH5f6XouSnYoCc9nMNJPkrW01Yd4QPPn7Vsfct57F1uecRfOHPvkilrXeZNgLUxdgAwLl0U4S2TMZ4Sk0MPJI4-3t2coA30C-mG91JaNcMmpi62CKhD3gI5bcd/s1600/Shine+Awards+gift+bags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojAi6v8uVYzp_CBDmwQCH5f6XouSnYoCc9nMNJPkrW01Yd4QPPn7Vsfct57F1uecRfOHPvkilrXeZNgLUxdgAwLl0U4S2TMZ4Sk0MPJI4-3t2coA30C-mG91JaNcMmpi62CKhD3gI5bcd/s800/Shine+Awards+gift+bags.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>A swag bag of goodies for each of our Shine Award Party guests</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">My summer has been a busy one. I am just getting caught up with posts that detail events that took place in July! The “Designers Shine with Designer Bath” award party was certainly a highlight of my one year anniversary as the marketing director at <a href="http://designerbath.com/">Designer Bath</a> (officially on the calendar last week, but technically started with them around mid-July of last year on a freelance basis). This was a special opportunity to celebrate the relationships our showroom has with the interior professionals that use Designer Bath and Salem Plumbing Supply as a resource on their kitchen and bath projects. It was also a fun way for me to combine work and pleasure. How great was it to host a party at work and have so many of my design friends on the invitation list? To see more photos from the event – along with the announcement of the winning designer who will be featured in the next issue of Design New England Magazine – see <a href="http://designerbath.blogspot.com/2012/08/designers-shine-at-designer-bath.html">my Designer Bath blog post.</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvJsw1H7zKPeKyAmEQHlsfDl0tNebQmwnwRJhQJ_hCxBFHMLNvzwdbXPCfwjMzEj0XIUHpCnjwrf5zE1rXA0OZrmEmMasngtIeAd-ZgA7nmgv1UKsL6MlCVqA3qEwP8By4pMuczjSN5rt/s1600/NEF+Summer+Issue+part2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvJsw1H7zKPeKyAmEQHlsfDl0tNebQmwnwRJhQJ_hCxBFHMLNvzwdbXPCfwjMzEj0XIUHpCnjwrf5zE1rXA0OZrmEmMasngtIeAd-ZgA7nmgv1UKsL6MlCVqA3qEwP8By4pMuczjSN5rt/s800/NEF+Summer+Issue+part2.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>photo by Cassandra Charest</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Speaking of magazines, I am extremely happy to announce that part two of the summer issue of <a href="http://newenglandfinery.com/">New England Finery</a> is now online! I have a lot to say about how much this issue means to me, but before I start another long blog post, I will leave you with this photo by Cassandra Charest, a Lawrence high school student whose work really moved me while sourcing content for our follow-up to the Habitat for Humanity Home Builders Blitz that took place in early June. Along with <a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef6_habitat_issue/65">her photo essay</a>, there are some great tips on achieving <a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef6_habitat_issue/87">designer style for less</a> plus a <a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef6_habitat_issue/87">scrapbook of photos</a> that highlight the five days that it took to build a home from the ground up for two deserving families in Lawrence. It was an amazing process to witness – get a glimpse of it by checking out the <a href="http://issuu.com/nefinery/docs/nef6_habitat_issue/59">time-lapse video on page 59.</a> Wouldn’</span><span style="font-size: large;">t it be nice if all of our home renovation projects were completed as quickly? </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

Designers Shine Re-cap

At the Designer Bath showroom with Ann Murdock and Linda Hentschel of Renaissance Interiors , Nancy Faye Glass of Glass House Designs and La...

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Another NY roadtrip

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmtnDX_jw7cYKcgiPOS4WcAvmhuDb7fYW1DGGrYpKRQKiWfr2Di_VkFnnJgpFJcyOxAaFbzhh1nR2o4H44l32_JDdPyBj6ZgyA3ivaek545SLnVLqUOoOJL622SaSSyb1eD_KEmSrl4P4/s1600/NewYorkCabs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmtnDX_jw7cYKcgiPOS4WcAvmhuDb7fYW1DGGrYpKRQKiWfr2Di_VkFnnJgpFJcyOxAaFbzhh1nR2o4H44l32_JDdPyBj6ZgyA3ivaek545SLnVLqUOoOJL622SaSSyb1eD_KEmSrl4P4/s800/NewYorkCabs.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>My last visit to New York with <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2012/03/mad-men-style-adhomeshow.html">Roseanne and Katherine</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">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 “</span><span style="font-size: large;">ooh</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> and </span><span style="font-size: large;">“</span><span style="font-size: large;">ahh</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> over design goodness.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlIQKPLCODbUVYfoim7a6ZWD99_9EsDXhJBIdzfX4pSEQCCHsT4f5lcGUigCHZzq8E-vt87Fp-LBd143NsBT1U0BsDFyxebm-ygZut0F1H9BfacGVkYVgn6wJJVF0HQYvi0qmVWD__6OB/s1600/Eataly+plate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlIQKPLCODbUVYfoim7a6ZWD99_9EsDXhJBIdzfX4pSEQCCHsT4f5lcGUigCHZzq8E-vt87Fp-LBd143NsBT1U0BsDFyxebm-ygZut0F1H9BfacGVkYVgn6wJJVF0HQYvi0qmVWD__6OB/s800/Eataly+plate.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Dining at <a href="http://eatalyny.com/eat/birreria">Eataly</a>: Don’t all bloggers photograph their meals before they eat?</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">And then go out to eat at renowned restaurants owned by people I went to college with ... Master Chef <a href="http://www.joebastianich.com/">Joe Bastianich</a> lived in my dorm senior year at BC, literally next door. While last in NY, my girlfriends and I dined at <a href="http://eatalyny.com/eat/birreria">Bierreria</a> (a cool spot a la rooftop) and I fell in love with <a href="http://eatalyny.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Summer-Group-Dining-Menu_Dinner-Weekend-Lunch.pdf">Insalata di Mela</a>. I think it is time to go back ...  </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIufFUBQAIcanSzEBCerm63nq7FNNdbB3iCGIhOxlk4Frt1gLMZs9wvoYNgf0qVBepTENRugtCTpDNHsbkFZcXpI1GbprckWhGMKlYORjYsdH07V5FwFNqXSbds_O5HJG0njTBBZSldnrg/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-08-21+at+12.38.09+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIufFUBQAIcanSzEBCerm63nq7FNNdbB3iCGIhOxlk4Frt1gLMZs9wvoYNgf0qVBepTENRugtCTpDNHsbkFZcXpI1GbprckWhGMKlYORjYsdH07V5FwFNqXSbds_O5HJG0njTBBZSldnrg/s400/Screen+shot+2012-08-21+at+12.38.09+AM.png" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Lots of people just enjoyed – and have been blogging about – the <a href="http://www.nyigf.com/">New York International Gift Fair</a>. I’ve <a href="http://designvignettes.blogspot.com/2011/01/what-i-loved-at-nyigf.html">been before</a>, 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 <a href="http://www.mbfashionweek.com/home">Mercedes Benz Fashion Week</a> in NY in September. “</span><span style="font-size: large;">Hello, <a href="http://www.jasonwustudio.com/">Jason Wu</a>? I am a big fan of your work as well as your collections designed for <a href="http://www.brizo.com/jasonwu/index.html">Brizo</a>. I would do some great promoting of your brand if given the chance ... oh, wait a minute, I already do.</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJfxD4KArqnYzigpRM5RTZswN1o5ji5WRNvCH5PSQRpo4Xhr1JDpRBZ37PSFf8QsERFumQ0EhMNnV5qKVKOgyMNf6CRAWTxzdGleokBaeWemDF7Y-9KEZ5y5c2lSOowY915S7uJ0KNOE8/s1600/DNE_BrizoST_DesignerBath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyJfxD4KArqnYzigpRM5RTZswN1o5ji5WRNvCH5PSQRpo4Xhr1JDpRBZ37PSFf8QsERFumQ0EhMNnV5qKVKOgyMNf6CRAWTxzdGleokBaeWemDF7Y-9KEZ5y5c2lSOowY915S7uJ0KNOE8/s800/DNE_BrizoST_DesignerBath.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ad I put together for <a href="http://designerbath.com/nef">Designer Bath</a> that </i><i>ran in <a href="http://services.bostonglobe.com/consumer/dne/default.aspx">Design New England Magazine</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">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. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8HB1qFYVjZCrTmYCmS8ZZtJcXEyt1CCVkbeNYNgxicEvFtILHlzXACuui92kZN-kumM1jf-CixVtcgqTH4gevi4I0XbYjw4HYgOQsIjKnc6uFGtoycl9NpRWOdDIgDx_gY7ksB_4Cakn/s1600/AndreaMihalik_WildChairy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8HB1qFYVjZCrTmYCmS8ZZtJcXEyt1CCVkbeNYNgxicEvFtILHlzXACuui92kZN-kumM1jf-CixVtcgqTH4gevi4I0XbYjw4HYgOQsIjKnc6uFGtoycl9NpRWOdDIgDx_gY7ksB_4Cakn/s800/AndreaMihalik_WildChairy.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>I met Andrea at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show last winter.</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">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 <a href="http://www.wildchairy.com/">Wild Chairy</a> 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 <a href="http://blog.nehomemag.com/2012/08/yvonne-blacker-seating-with-soul/#comments">(read it here)</a>. Below are some more of her stylish pieces that I consider best dressed.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCuHTpykQbriw1D8VpnrKNpyMQH4QeNDW9neX578jd5gISqftkZvEp_Go2i43DztoMeZdcLgjtpm3SRmD6qyiGcYF2AGd5IZB1t_-gldyVoEy9SKtDzlAbRUhqYJ_jR161KTcqEB3_WPm/s1600/Wild+Chairy+Lulu_OKL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHCuHTpykQbriw1D8VpnrKNpyMQH4QeNDW9neX578jd5gISqftkZvEp_Go2i43DztoMeZdcLgjtpm3SRmD6qyiGcYF2AGd5IZB1t_-gldyVoEy9SKtDzlAbRUhqYJ_jR161KTcqEB3_WPm/s800/Wild+Chairy+Lulu_OKL.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Red Hot: confident, bold, cheerful {photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglIe7SBn4UyMm3TTe_zx2GYpkCrEEg6JVnS5FoEbwBz3wnKFmv5Ujtln1ECrQQ38U1YwNr6uOu2j44BjuviT7iY2S2mujBQ1k-bPIWmDY99lc7lDojIIrV4gKKXJu8LQ1pHtNs2VBEneT/s1600/Wild+Chairy+Grayson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjglIe7SBn4UyMm3TTe_zx2GYpkCrEEg6JVnS5FoEbwBz3wnKFmv5Ujtln1ECrQQ38U1YwNr6uOu2j44BjuviT7iY2S2mujBQ1k-bPIWmDY99lc7lDojIIrV4gKKXJu8LQ1pHtNs2VBEneT/s800/Wild+Chairy+Grayson.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Winter Forecast: bare tree branches paired with icy blue and warm tweed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QBxZB2ZIjhgKZ3nvUe0c4sRzsBPTrj-SmbH5qWHZFW4lYfKZqu2dd_17N0iFiXMeYbeVFOx4son7zIxQsErOdQHxara9-Or0r1eV9_vJ3VD1tn8Kgi5w0OIBetiO1KjI1pu-zumnsr_I/s1600/Wild+Chairy+madeline_OKLjpg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QBxZB2ZIjhgKZ3nvUe0c4sRzsBPTrj-SmbH5qWHZFW4lYfKZqu2dd_17N0iFiXMeYbeVFOx4son7zIxQsErOdQHxara9-Or0r1eV9_vJ3VD1tn8Kgi5w0OIBetiO1KjI1pu-zumnsr_I/s800/Wild+Chairy+madeline_OKLjpg.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trend-worthy: who doesn't love zigs and zags?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68uaJr4jiolikLmw0BAiqyQy9nZeYmtidlsurdSkc-Yt0FUC518nxLBhxTg4PIlSypdm4tgIvB8PcGolkB28atdipaGUNDpqw1NO2xkzHuXuRQeXISngaYfZmMpbdeHQjhFGiaQ0QuRMg/s1600/Wild+Chairy+sandy+grid.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh68uaJr4jiolikLmw0BAiqyQy9nZeYmtidlsurdSkc-Yt0FUC518nxLBhxTg4PIlSypdm4tgIvB8PcGolkB28atdipaGUNDpqw1NO2xkzHuXuRQeXISngaYfZmMpbdeHQjhFGiaQ0QuRMg/s800/Wild+Chairy+sandy+grid.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fall Fashion: burnt umber plus golden oak</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMBI7k0QNW0W3BjqwboUwFHa8gE_Zb5NVHOhHmFjNsjRsO4_HxRWA99N1OW5zm4z7O6ab4zy1Wyvb9nUPxuWB1akOutKrqWZFnQLv-P0RIKviXLv1988ksF_pgCV6iFPr9zhfUQdYVQC9/s1600/Wild+Chairy_WR_Zeppelin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzMBI7k0QNW0W3BjqwboUwFHa8gE_Zb5NVHOhHmFjNsjRsO4_HxRWA99N1OW5zm4z7O6ab4zy1Wyvb9nUPxuWB1akOutKrqWZFnQLv-P0RIKviXLv1988ksF_pgCV6iFPr9zhfUQdYVQC9/s800/Wild+Chairy_WR_Zeppelin.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yellow with black always gets attention</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgCkyg5mD6EoeZl0obRnbeHx2eTlx3nwi8o-v_dp2zjpuSaWzpUn6iqKNOfnKNxXKxu-JzYWRQQaDfo1rK2L6ej3TcN56WF6fi-cMEMypgSx3ZjJHJ33X9IwCx1UawZGHjll0RB31twJS/s1600/Wild+Chairy_paradise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimgCkyg5mD6EoeZl0obRnbeHx2eTlx3nwi8o-v_dp2zjpuSaWzpUn6iqKNOfnKNxXKxu-JzYWRQQaDfo1rK2L6ej3TcN56WF6fi-cMEMypgSx3ZjJHJ33X9IwCx1UawZGHjll0RB31twJS/s800/Wild+Chairy_paradise.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Although orange and pink is also worth a second glance</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">{photo courtesy Andrea Mihalik}</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Excuse me now while I visit Pinterest for awhile to daydream about <a href="http://pinterest.com/yblacker/getaway/">suitcases, taxi cabs, and Jason Wu fashions</a>.</span></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />

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 schoo...

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Summer arrangements ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq07XE6NNNBHMMrgRZF0H35-GMGyc9U0tG9dnh2Kpx2ccgPTYSPHcQj8DCqbaaSc6x8HSy98BnJGzEXw_fsN0_cB4MDOo_Oj4u8NA-wj5aeSYsZEoiMVjntKyPphZJ3qr4Sfj-Y1jV312K/s1600/driftwood+by+LauraThomson.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq07XE6NNNBHMMrgRZF0H35-GMGyc9U0tG9dnh2Kpx2ccgPTYSPHcQj8DCqbaaSc6x8HSy98BnJGzEXw_fsN0_cB4MDOo_Oj4u8NA-wj5aeSYsZEoiMVjntKyPphZJ3qr4Sfj-Y1jV312K/s800/driftwood+by+LauraThomson.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Driftwood with succulents and summer accessories by <a href="http://designing44.blogspot.com/2012/07/floral-designs-that-shine.html">Laura Thomson</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">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</span><span style="font-size: large;">”</span><span style="font-size: large;"> 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 <a href="http://www.facebook.com/DesignerBathMA">our facebook page</a> and read about <span id="goog_1001991121"></span>Laura’</span><span style="font-size: large;">s <a href="http://designing44.blogspot.com/2012/07/floral-designs-that-shine.html">design process here</a><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1001991122"></span></a>.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUwpTStPbkDCRrn2b31JQdv4WdRpYAQlzGMmN60G7c4cmU-9bUqQ89kIV-fbT57XwHGcvNzOPPTjgz5KG8D3JfWz-gNgT1v5LOBgiNAL5HcL4TUyppY24s4nIKImsX1TI4qccXzmm55cv/s1600/hydrangeas-low.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUwpTStPbkDCRrn2b31JQdv4WdRpYAQlzGMmN60G7c4cmU-9bUqQ89kIV-fbT57XwHGcvNzOPPTjgz5KG8D3JfWz-gNgT1v5LOBgiNAL5HcL4TUyppY24s4nIKImsX1TI4qccXzmm55cv/s800/hydrangeas-low.jpg" width="450" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Yard snipped hydrangeas in a low glass vase with pebbles </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">This past week, the winning space of the Shine contest was photographed by <a href="http://www.michaeljleephotography.com/">Michael J. Lee</a>. Ian Mentasti of <a href="http://www.stephenterhune.com/">Stephen Terhune Woodworking</a>, a division of <a href="http://www.carpentermacneille.com/">Carpenter and MacNeille</a>, 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 <a href="http://services.bostonglobe.com/consumer/dne/default.aspx">Design New England Magazine</a> as it will be featured in a full page ad for <a href="http://designerbath.com/">Designer Bath</a>. The entire house was stunning! I really wish we could have stayed to photograph more of it.     </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniwgXbA7WSM1CfA-yxvmBO6dIr8LfWamwec37fjzsf0hA86_fuH_qR5zT38_ZY-jTWq2dy39YiCEGeNbXTk45OkOzF7g0fCKaehtLhj_AYf_cfunT8JN54js0_a0XDmwbQxh-AcRJZfR-/s1600/fernsinYork.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjniwgXbA7WSM1CfA-yxvmBO6dIr8LfWamwec37fjzsf0hA86_fuH_qR5zT38_ZY-jTWq2dy39YiCEGeNbXTk45OkOzF7g0fCKaehtLhj_AYf_cfunT8JN54js0_a0XDmwbQxh-AcRJZfR-/s800/fernsinYork.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><i>Ferns, ivy and peace lily in a large black urn by <a href="http://www.churchillsgardens.com/">Churchills Garden Center</a></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">I took a trip to visit the <a href="http://www.oldyork.org/visit/showhouse.html">York Decorator Show House</a> today. Designer <a href="http://www.geraldpomeroydesigngroup.com/">Gerald Pomeroy</a> 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 <a href="http://www.boston.com/lifestyle/house/blog/dne/2012/07/york_show_house.html">Design New England blog</a>. 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. <a href="http://charleshugo.com/">Charles C. Hugo Landscape Design</a> created an outside kitchen set against the backdrop of the York Harbor that looks like the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><br />

Summer arrangements ...

Driftwood with succulents and summer accessories by Laura Thomson Even with the wealth of flowers outside our windows in the summer months t...

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On vacation ...

<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfI7bnchjEiKoAHj793p2vL0DsesbiXJ_7fFsMDGj5M6HnQUNK7JAnzbso9AdmHyzlB4UT6y3QR2sOwQw0ohF1o3j2nXg5bVPVSJbVEMnHKplVemOf34_D8hyjacX2dwB6vwkQ6KWfvTVY/s1600/coat+rack_hats.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfI7bnchjEiKoAHj793p2vL0DsesbiXJ_7fFsMDGj5M6HnQUNK7JAnzbso9AdmHyzlB4UT6y3QR2sOwQw0ohF1o3j2nXg5bVPVSJbVEMnHKplVemOf34_D8hyjacX2dwB6vwkQ6KWfvTVY/s800/coat+rack_hats.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">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 <a href="http://blog.nehomemag.com/2012/07/yvonne-blacker-getting-out-the-door/">New England Home Magazine</a>. Then go outside – if you can – and enjoy some fresh air and sunshine!</span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>

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...

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A grey + orange affair ...

<br /><div style="margin: 0 auto; width: 500px;"><div style="position: relative;"><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/designer_bath_sparkles/set?.embedder=971780&.svc=copypaste&id=53888818"><img alt="Designer Bath Sparkles" border="0" height="649" src="http://cfc.polyvoreimg.com/cgi/img-set/.sig/FEiV6uA68FvIDdjeuJ4fgw/cid/53888818/id/Rgi4bZbJSDmKmkDIE_TswQ/size/c500x649.jpg" title="Designer Bath Sparkles" width="500" /></a></div></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><small><a href="http://www.polyvore.com/designer_bath_sparkles/set?.embedder=971780&.svc=copypaste&id=53888818">Designer Bath Sparkles</a> by <a href="http://designvignettes.polyvore.com/?.embedder=971780&.svc=copypaste">designvignettes</a></small><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">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 <a href="http://designerbath.blogspot.com/2012/01/contest-shine-with-designer-bath.html">Designers Shine with Designer Bath</a> Award Party.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">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 <a href="http://services.bostonglobe.com/consumer/dne/default.aspx">Design New England Magazine</a> and have their space shot by <a href="http://www.michaeljleephotography.com/www.michaeljleephotography.com/HOME.html">Michael J. Lee Photography</a>. They were encouraged to submit scouting photos of a space they had designed and completed with products from the <a href="http://designerbath.com/">Designer Bath</a> showroom. We received a lot of submissions! We had judges take a look. A winner was chosen!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">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 <a href="http://chiveevents.com/ChiveEvents/home.html">Chive Events</a>. Flowers are being arranged by my favorite floral designer, <a href="http://designing44.blogspot.com/">Laura Thomson</a>. There will be an effervescent drink. And gift bags.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">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 <a href="http://www.kallista.com/home.kls">Kallista</a> and <a href="http://www.zucchettikos.com/tool/home.php?l=it&s=0,1">Zucchetti</a>. To try out a sparkling drink from the <a href="http://residential.everpure.com/en-US/news/release/34/">Everpure Exubera</a> or test drive the SmartTouch Technology faucet from <a href="http://www.brizo.com/technology/smart-touch.html#video">Brizo</a> that designers have been raving about. <span style="background-color: white;">We will have lots of manufacturers representatives in the showroom to answer questions about their products, including our event sponsors </span><a href="http://www.dornbracht.com/" style="background-color: white;">Dornbracht</a><span style="background-color: white;">, </span><a href="http://bainultra.com/" style="background-color: white;">Bain Ultra</a><span style="background-color: white;"> and </span><a href="http://www.maax.com/" style="background-color: white;">Maax</a><span style="background-color: white;">. </span><span style="background-color: white;">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.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">If you would like to be notified of upcoming showroom events, send me an email at yblacker@designerbath.com.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;">Our Designer Bath logo colors are grey and orange. Am I taking my role as brand ambassador too far if I dress accordingly?</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: large;">  </span></div></div>

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 De...

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