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Bond Street Social!

November 18th, 2011

A couple of months ago I was contacted by a well know restauranteur from Baltimore, MD. He was working on a new restaurant / bar called Bond Street Social and was interested in some of our materials. The overall feeling they wanted to achieve in the space was a warm, contemporary industrial vibe. By combining natural elements such as wood, rich leathers, natural stones, stainless, ceramic and glass mosaics, they achieved a perfect balance of earthy & sleek. Bond Street Social specializes in “high end comfort food” and specialty 80 ounce infusion jars. Served in a glass jar on a wooden stand, the cocktails are a unique blend of infused fruits and liquors. Bond Street Social combines an original, upscale dining experience with a hip, lively social scene. With cozy fireplaces throughout the lounge and such a cool atmosphere, who wouldn’t want to “socialize” here? Thank you Bond Street Social for letting us be part of this cool project! Here are some images of the space:

PS: How cool are the Natural Stone walls with the wire retainers? LOVE!

Bond Street Social

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Frosted Blanco Kitchen Installation!

November 16th, 2011

Thank you to my good client Chappy from Corte Madera, CA for sending me these beautiful shots of his kitchen remodel. Chappy used the Frosted Blanco 3″ x 6″ Subway Tile as a backsplash and it looks so chic! This project is one of our finalists for the quarterly installation contest, have you submitted your pictures yet? Time is running out!

Frosted Blanco 3" x 6" Subway Tile Backsplash

Frosted Blanco 3" x 6" Subway Backsplash

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Daily Design Find! 11/07/11

November 7th, 2011

Loving the Silver Pebbles Rug by CB2! Abstract rocks ring round red zen depths. Tonal wash of cement/oat/linen illusions shine on lobster tide. While holidaying in Hawaii, artist Matthew Lew gathered pebbles beachside in Kauai…and inspiration surfaced.

$399

Silver Pebbles Rug

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Unique Bathroom Installation!

November 3rd, 2011

Check out this unique bathroom installation by our client David B! Such a creative combination of the Ocean Pebble Tile (shower pan), Standing Spring Rain (wall border) and the IPE Wood Deck Tile as the edging! By combining all of these natural elements David not only created a serene atmosphere but really proved that eco friendly does not = boring design. Using the larger rectangular ceramic in white on the walls gave the space a contemporary twist. The wood vanity with the copper sink is to die for! Great job David, we love your bathroom!

Unique Bathroom Installation

Unique Bathroom Installation!

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Daily Design Find: Aluminum Hexagon Side Table!

October 27th, 2011

The Aluminum Hexagon Side Table from West Elm is so unique! A polished, highly reflective finish and geometric design let this cast aluminum side table play all the angles, in settings from ultramod to ethnic eclectic.

Best part? It’s on sale for $119.00!

Aluminum Hexagon Side Table

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Malkus Residence, Encinitas CA

October 25th, 2011

This contemporary and harmonious home is located in Encinitas CA. This house incorporates the best of contemporary design to create a informal, casual, comfortable and welcoming space. It’s the perfect place for relaxing and enjoying life. The house is designed in modern style and is both a quaint coastal property and a chic contemporary dwelling. I had the opportunity to work with the owner of this beautiful property one on one, together we meticulously hand selected every single surface in the home, from the porcelain used on the floors and walls, glass mosaic backsplahes, Compac Quartz Countertops, stainless steel & glass mosiacs, and the various light fixtures. We wanted to create a simple, streamline design in every space. The interior design is white and clean with subtle blue hues, which is pleasing to the eyes. There is a lot of natural light inside that in combination with a selective amount of furniture makes rooms very airy. We used modern materials, furniture and personal art to make this home a real urban oasis. I have to say it is great working with clients like these, who know exactly what they want but give you creative freedom as a designer. With a contemporary atmosphere that is refined yet down to earth, this property is one of the best projects I have been involved in. The result? A beautiful, modern, calm, contemporary space that is truly breathtaking! Enjoy!

*A second home of similar design is currently under construction on the same property in Encinitas on Neptune Avenue. The house is for sale with an estimated completion date of Spring 2012. For more details, please visit www.1501neptune.com

Mlakus Residence, Dining Room

Malkus Residence, Guest Bathroom (Sage Green 1x2 Glass / Broadway White Porcelain)

Malkus Residence, Jack & Jill Bathroom (Stainless Steel 1x2)

Malkus Residence, Master Bathroom (Otago Black Marble)

Malkus Residence, Kitchen (Ocean Grey 3x6 Subway)

Malkus Residence, Living Room

Malkus Residence, Fireplace (Linear Broadway White Porcelain)

Malkus Residence, Hall Bathroom (Otago Black Marble)

Malkus Residence, Hallway ( Linear Broadway White Porcelain)

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Alexander Estates II

October 13th, 2011

If you have a sweet spot for mid century architecture like we do, the you will love Alexander Estates II in Palm Springs, CA. Alexander Estates II stays true to it’s mid century roots in design while delivering a new generation of dwelling better suited for a 21st century lifestyle. This magnificent development is inspired by the original template introduced by The Alexander Building Company in the early 1950’s. This intimate enclave of homes boasting distinctive exteriors & contemporary floorplans, will truly transport you to the 50’s era in a heartbeat. Reinterpreted by renowned architect James Cioffi and the team at Dos Palmas Development, the homes gracefully blend vintage details with contemporary touches. Dos Palmas Development gave us the opportunity to be part of this amazing project. Together we have created amazing kitchen and bathroom installations that boast floor to ceiling glass tile work. Exterior elevations showcase the classic roof lines of Butterfly, Center view, Long Gable and Single Slope. All are complemented with front, side and rear landscape including private saltwater pool and spa. All of this is reason enough to be on the next flight to Palm Springs right? Well, you haven’t even read the best part….Prices start at $400k!!! There are still some properties available, don’t miss a chance to be part of this historical development.
Check out some images of Alexander Estates II below.

Alexander Estates II

Kitchen: Contempo Spa Blend

Kitchen: Stainless 1x1 Mosaic

Master Bath: Manchester Blend

Walk In Shower: Fahrenheit Glass Blend

Master Bath: Smoke Glass & Stainless Blend

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Eco Friendly Countertops!

October 6th, 2011

If you are thinking of changing your kitchen countertops, you might consider going green. Green materials honor the Earth and leave a lighter imprint they also acknowledge that the earth is a living organism with finite resources and must be protected and honored as such. The benefit of going green in your kitchen? When you look at these lovely counter tops you will be reminded that your decision to use these products made a positive impact on our environment. With so many eco friendly choices available, what are the best options? Here’s a list of some of the best eco-friendly and sustainable kitchen countertops currently on the market.

ICE STONE

PROS: One of the most sought after eco friendly brands. Ice Stone has earned multiple awards for their commitment to mother nature, including a Cradle to Cradle Gold. Popular for their amazing color range (21 colors!) and unique names like “Purple Haze”.

CONS: Ice Stone is porous, so watch out! This countertop has to be sealed at least twice a year.

PRICE: $49 – $64 Sq Ft / $115 per Sq Ft (installed)

IceStone

CAESARSTONE (Recycled)

PROS: Greenguard certified. Nonporous surface. Lifetime warranty to all residential customers.

CONS: Some colors contain more recycled content than others, some can be as low as 15% and go as high as 40%.

PRICE: $12 – $18 Sq Ft / $65 per Sq Ft (installed)

CaesarStone Recycled

ECO by COSENTINO

PROS: Composed on 75% postindustrial / postconsumer materials. Greenguard certified, Cradle to Cradle Silver. Non porous, low maintenance. Does not need to be sealed!

CONS: Color selection isn’t too varied, it is available in very neutral colors: greys, tans, whites and blacks.

PRICE: $68 – $118 Sq Ft

Eco by Cosentino

PaperStone

PROS: 100% postconsumer paper fused with petroleum free resin (derived from cashew liquids). Very easy to work with, some savvy DIYers have even installed the surface themselves!

CONS: Bleach will be your worst enemy! If you happen to drop a little bit, it will leave a ghostlike impression on the surface.

PRICE: $24 Sq Ft / $75 – $90 Sq Ft (installed)

PaperStone

Bio Glass

PROS: 100% recycled glass. Each shade represents a single waste stream, flat glass, water bottles, wine bottles, beer bottles. Does not need to be sealed! It is so beautiful, unlike anything you have ever seen!

CONS: Not very cheap, you are looking at $100 per sq ft just for the material!

PRICE: $90 – $ 100 Sq Ft (materials only)

Bio-Glass

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Experience Music Project Museum!

September 30th, 2011

The EMP Museum (formerly known as Experience Music Project and Science Fiction Museum and Hall of Fame )is a museum dedicated to the history and exploration of music and science fiction. The Frank Gehry designed museum is located in Seattle Washington.

The museum contains mostly rock memorabilia and technology-intensive multimedia displays. The EMP Museum showcases rare artifacts from popular music history and allows the visitor to experience music through interactive exhibitions like Sound Lab and On Stage. The Northwest passage was dedicated to the history of Seattle music, including Jimi Hendrix, Heart and the Grunge Music Genre.

The structure itself was designed by Frank Gehry, and resembles many of his other works in its sheet-metal construction. Much of the building material is exposed in the building’s interior. The central “Sky Church” room pays homage to Jimi Hendrix and other rock ‘n’ roll icons using a 40-foot (12 m) high, 70-foot (21 m) wide video screen and an 18-panel montage of images. In true Gehry fashion, this building is not only unique but visually stunning!

EMP Museum

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The Riviera Residence: Modern & Eco-Friendly!

September 9th, 2011

The Riviera Residence is modern, eco-friendly and so gorgeous! The home designed by Shubin + Donaldson, is located in Santa Barbara California. Situated on a ridge, the near-perfect location commands a 270-degree view of the Pacific Ocean, a dramatic canyon, and the Santa Ynez mountains. This relatively small house has all of the elements of a 5,000- or 6,000-square-foot house in a tidy, 3,200-square-foot package. The three-level home and two-car garage include open living/dining area, kitchen, master bedroom and bath, guest bedroom and bath, home gym, powder room, two home offices with office bath, outdoor dining area, outdoor lounge areas, lap pool, and 1,400 square feet of lower-level storage. Though not immediately obvious, this house embraces several characteristics of environmentally sustainable design. The basic design strategy is to site the house based on solar orientation, resulting in passive solar gains throughout the year. Photovoltaic power generates household electricity through a 2.8kw system (when power is not needed, it feeds back into the grid). A passive roof-top solar heating system provides for domestic hot water and a passive solar ground-level hot-water system is used to heat the pool. The natural flow of hot and cool air is fortified by the use of radiant hot-water floor heating and separate central air conditioning in the ceilings. Although these systems are in place, they are rarely used because of the solar orientation of the home and the natural ventilation. Shubin + Donaldson re-used the existing foundation and caissons. During construction, the existing house was taken apart piece-by-piece, with all usable elements donated to Habitat for Humanity. Other energy-saving systems include double-pane windows, UV-resistant glass, ample insulation, and energy-efficient appliances. Deep exterior overhangs are designed to provide shade in the summer, and let in sun during the winter. STUNNING!