Amy Butler at Bed Bath & Beyond

Strolling through Bed Bath & Beyond last night I stumbled upon the most pretty little set of towels....only to look at the tag and see they were the chic designs of Amy Butler! At $12.99 per bath towel they are steal...and a great way to brighten up your bath in the upcoming dreary months of winter!

They also carry a bedding line by her at a very reasonable price. I love the grey for a neutral bedroom....masculine in tone but the paisley pattern throws a bit of "girly girl" in there (what a compromise!) I would LOVE to see the pink & green combination in a little girls room....oh so sweet

GREY....but not gloomy

{Monochromatic spaces are a great way to make a space feel relaxed, sophisticated & organized}



















I love the open storage of the island in this kitchen and the hanging pots above. While there is a lot going on the monochromatic palette help keep all the items cohesive. Everyday items such as fruits, vegetables, pitcher etc add a pop of color without feeling out of place




















Texture & Layers help this monochromatic living room feel warm and cozy




















I love the sophistication of this breakfast room! Mixing the 3 chairs with the settee keeps it inviting - need some color? Add some fresh cut flowers for a simple yet elegant centerpiece




















{Layers of grey!}




















Add some pattern for a punch...





















The combination of greys, texture and metals gives this bathroom it's polished look

GO GREEN

HAPPY St. PATRICK'S DAY!!!

{The job of an Interior Designer is to improve the quality of life, increase productivity, and to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the public within the spaces they design}

With all the new products out lately helping to promote GREEN DESIGN I thought I would would post some simple alternatives that can help to make SUBSTANTIAL changes in our environment

Many fabric companies are offering "Eco Friendly" fabrics made from recycled and renewable resources. Brentano offers a great line of green products such as there organic cottons, bamboo fabrics, and eco- wool. I also came across a company called Iron Age Grates which make heating registers from recycled cast iron and environmentally friendly oil or powder coat finishes (not to mention some really cool designs). Your typically shower head probably uses 2.5 gallons of water a minute but switching to an aerated shower head that uses 1.5 GPM one person can save 2,500 gallons of water a year! Check out Kohlers Eco - Friendly shower heads, faucets, and toilets. Yolo Paints makes one of the only completely VOC free interior & exterior paints out there. VOC's are those awful smelling toxins that are released into the air every time we paint a space. Many other paint companies also make "Low VOC Paints" as well

Waterfall Bath carries a GREAT line on bath vanities made from formaldehyde free FCS certified woods and finished in low VOC paints. The offer Cesar Stone counter tops or 3-Forms 100%. 100% is a new product from ASI made from 100% post consumer recycled materials. Over 1,000 milk bottles going into making each panel of the material!

Thinking of refinishing your floors? Opt for Bamboo flooring over other wood choices. Bamboo is a rapidly renewing material as Bamboo trees regrow in only a few years. Check ASI for a variety of options. Ripple Products offers fun timers that are water and steam resistant - stick one in your shower to remind you when your 7 minute time limit is up!

Do yo use a wood a pellet stove during the never ending New England winters to heat your home? Gaiam offer an "Eco-Fan" to circulate the warmth throughout your home. The Eco-Fan generates its own electricity using the temperature from the stove. It then draws the cool air from behind the stove to circulate the heat.

Take A Break From Manic Mondays

{Serene Scenes}
Need a break from the work week already? These spaces are all about relaxation!

I love the clean/soft look of this bedroom. The pattern on the drapes is just enough to add visual interest as well as a pop of soft yellow. The Lucite legs of the benches and the clear glass table lamp bring an elegant feel














Everything about this bath is relaxing!I love the tub being placed in front of the large picture window, allowing a ton of natural light to pour in. Also the cool Calcutta tiles are balanced really well with the warm wood floors












Lunch break in this backyard anyone?







































A few more examples of how strong of a component natural light can be! I think the greatest thing about these two images is they are load with layers! The chunky texture of the rattan chairs sitting on top of the sisal rug give a ton of dimension to the room without the feel of clutter. The petrified wood side table adds another natural texture - and the Lucite cocktail table relates the floor to ceiling windows that lay beyond the seating arrangement