Fornasetti’s second scent collection features a signature blend of thyme, lavender, cedarwood, and balsam in each candle. The ceramic pots feature orange-eyed owls and ruby lips, among other signature motifs, all of which make for chic keepsake objects once the wax has melted away. The full collection is available at www.barneys.com. LOVE, LOVE LOVE!
Fornasetti Candles!
I have been getting a lot of requests for DIY kitchen backsplash guidelines. I found this easy to follow guideline that anyone can use!
Materials and Tools:
bucket
bleach
sponges
laundry detergent
rubber gloves
level
tape measure
grout floats
putty knife
wide trowel
toothed trowel
wet saw or tile cutter
safety glasses
grout
tiles
pre-mixed tile adhesive
caulk and caulking gun
grout sealer
paintbrush
Steps:
1. Clean the surface thoroughly first to remove all grease and residue. Mix together 1/4-cup laundry powder, 1/2-cup bleach and one gallon of water and scrub the wall with a sponge. Wear rubber gloves when scrubbing.
2. Use a putty knife to scrape off stubborn, built-up grease stains
3. Measure the length of the wall and mark the midpoint.
4. Dry-fit the tiles, starting in the middle to get an idea of how things will fit. If you’re fitting tiles in below a window, bring tiles up to the bottom of the window. Use a level to extend the window line along the wall.
5. Since the row just below the window will be made up of full tiles, measure the remaining space to the counter to determine how wide to cut the tiles.
6. Put on safety glasses and cut smaller tiles using a wet saw.
7. Spread grout along a section of the wall using a wide trowel. Go back over the grout with a toothed trowel to smooth everything out.
8. Start sticking tiles to the wall. Press and twist just a bit to set each tile in the adhesive. Stagger the tiles to make the pattern more interesting.
9. Once the last piece is in place let the adhesive cure overnight. Come back the next day for a grout party.
10. Apply the grout with a rubber grout float. Hold the float at an angle and force grout into the joints.
11. Don’t worry about smearing grout all over the tiles. Come back with a clean grout float and sponge and remove as much as you can.
12. Once all the joints are nice and full of grout, use a damp sponge to remove any remaining grout from the surface of the tiles.
13. Let the grout dry and polish tiles with clean, soft cloth to buff away any remaining haze.
14. Rub a damp sponge along the grout lines for the next few days so the grout cures properly. Also run a bead of caulk along the bottom and top of the tile backsplash.
15. After another week or so, paint the joints with grout sealer.
Tigerwood Porcelain is the newest addition to our already distinctive Porcelain Collection. If you have not seen these tiles, be prepared to fall in love! The first thing you need to know about this tile is that it is through-body, making them perfect not only for residential projects but also for commercial projects! The Tigerwood Porcelain comes in a 12″ x 24″ rectangular configuration, with a really cool striped pattern throughout. The best part? Prices start at $8.00 per sq ft delivered! I have attached the 4 colors it is available in and a couple of installation images below!
Birch Tigerwood
Ash Tigerwood
Almond Tigerwood
Black Tigerwood
Birch Tigerwood Installation
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 Backsplash
Frosted Blanco 3" x 6" Subway Backsplash
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!
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, 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)
We would like to send a shout out to Ashley from Edible Perspective! Ashley runs a great blog on healthy food & recipes that is pretty cool. Accompanied by amazing photography this blog is not only informative but fun! Ashley contacted us a couple of months ago regarding her kitchen remodel, she wanted 3×6 subway tile for her backsplash. After sending us a couple of pictures of her space, we sent her some 3×6 samples. Ashley decided to install the Ocean Grey 3×6, and it looks amazing! Congrats Ashley, we love to see DIY projects that turn out this good!
Edible Perspective Kitchen Remodel
Edible Perspective Kitchen Remodel
Edible Perspective Kitchen Remodel
Delicious!
I am totally inspired by this unique color combination for Spring. The gray is so soothing and modern, the yellow is a pop of color that adds life to any room.The combination is modern, chic and contemporary. If you are looking to jazz up a new area in your house, this is the perfect combination. Here are a few images of this color combo + accessories to get you inspired!
Bedroom Inspiration
Amy Butler Fabric
Large Painting for a Pop of Color
Circular Stainless Steel Tile
Gray & Yellow Kitchen
Kimura Wallpaper From Romo Fabrics
Safari Cypress Glass Tile
For those of you who haven’t heard of Young House Love, here is a little bit about the addictive home-improvement blog. Young House Love is a DIY blog created by John and Sherry Petersik which is dedicated to the adventures of their first home renovation project. After moving from New York City to Richmond, Va., Sherry and John faced a 54-year-old home in desperate need of a makeover. Since the start of their blog, they have renovated their first home inside and out documenting every project on their site. If you are embarking on your first home renovation project, make sure to check out Young House Love for inexpensive and unique ideas! There are tutorials on projects from the renovation, as well as lots of before & after photos for your viewing pleasure. It’s a great resource if you’re thinking of tackling any DIY work. Check out their blog at www.younghouselove.com. Here are some of our favorite projects:
John & Sherry
Headboard Upholstering Project
Headboard Upholstering Project
Built-In Project
Built-In Project
Refinishing A Veneer Dresser
Refinishing A Veneer Dresser
PS: Shout out to Burger, John & Sherry’s dog……So adorable!
Burger 
Shout out to Abbe Fenimore from Studio Ten 25. Its always nice when someone appreciates our products and sales because that what we are trying to do, give people great materials at low prices for their renovations. A little bit about the company: Studio Ten 25 was founded by interior designer Abbe Fenimore in 2007. Abbe’s style is an eclectic balance of vibrant color, a mix of rich materials and a true sense of space. Makes sure to check out her blog which is full of interesting ideas and beautiful color combinations at http://studioten25.com/blog/. Also make sure to check out Shop Ten 25, the shop carries everything from accessories to designer furniture. Here is a link to the blog she posted on “Easy Kitchen Updates” where she mentions Design 4 Less products.
http://studioten25.com/blog/?tag=mosaic-glass-back-splash
Studio Ten 25
There appears to be great debate about which type of countertop is right for today’s kitchens. This comes from the fact that the function of the kitchen has definitely changed. Before kitchens used to be solely for preparing the meal, the presentation of the menu was actually made to guests in the dining room. Nowadays, kitchens are designed with the idea that guests will interact with the host as he or she prepares the menu. This is why the open kitchen concept has become so popular. The countertops in the kitchen have gone from bland to beautiful in most homes. There are a few very important factors that should be considered when choosing a countertop for your kitchen. The 3 most important factors to consider are the maintenance, cost and durability of the specific material. It is very important to find a material that compliments your lifestyle, if there are kids involved then definitely don’t choose a light soapstone that requires delicate use and greater care. There are thousands of choices available that will surely be the perfect fit for your kitchen and lifestyle.
Here are a few of my favorite choices:
-Granite
Granite is the most popular choice in countertops, this material is not only beautiful but it is also timeless. Granite is available in two finishes, polished and honed. The most popular of the two is the polished finish which results in a darker shiny look, while the honed finish results in a lighter matte look. Granite is available in a large variety of colors such as white, beige, brown, gray, black, green, etc. The choices are infinite, so you are bound to find the perfect granite slab for your project. Costs for this material depend on a couple of factors, including origin of the stone, color and finish. Remember to pick a granite that is relatively easy to get if you are on a budget. Remember to seal granite periodically.
Granite Countertop
-Marble
Marble is another natural stone that simply looks stunning in a kitchen, it has been a coveted decorating material since the time of the Greek Empire. A warm and soft stone, marble is beautiful and luxurious. Marble is durable and long-lasting, and offers subtle color choices and veining patterns to create unique designs. It is very important to keep in mind that marble requires delicate use and greater care. While marble is strong, it is also sensitive to many substances, including cleaning chemicals, juices that contain citric acid and oils. These substances can erode marble over time or make its appearance cloudy. You’ll need to select a cleaning solution that is made specifically for cleaning marble. Similar to other natural stones, marble can be a more expensive choice.
Marble Countertop
-Quartz
Quartz countertops have quickly become the favorite choice amongst interior designers and homeowners. Not only is this material contemporary and beautiful, it is so easy to maintain and durable. Quartz countertops come in countless colors, everything from a pure white to a lime green or hot pink (so cool!). The finish is polished and the best thing about this material is that it is seamless when it is installed. The best thing about quartz is that it resist stains and any scratches can be buffed out. Cost depends on the thickness and color slab you select, it is very comparable to a nice granite slab in cost.
Quartz Countertop
-Concrete
Concrete countertops have been gaining popularity in the past couple of years. Concrete countertops will give you a very industrial / contemporary look. The best thing about a concrete countertop is that it is so easy to customize to your taste, you can customize the color with pigments and even add metal or glass accents to the surface. Concrete is available in several different finishes: Trowel (smooth), Pressed (marble like veining), and Ground (sand aggregate is exposed). There are a few things to consider in regards to maintenance: Extreme changes in temperature may cause concrete to warp, and if you leave a damp material on the surface it can cause discoloration. It is advisable to seal this countertop four times per year, and wax every three months to keep it looking its best.
Concrete Countertop
-Stainless Steel
The benefit of using stainless steel countertops is that they will last indefinitely and look very sleek. Stainless steel not only offers a unique look and feel with reflective qualities, but it is also nonporous, resistant to water and heat, flexible, doesn’t chip and requires minimal maintenance. Special finishes can also be used to hide fingerprints, scratches and other unpleasant marks. When it comes to cleaning stainless steel, a quick wipe down with warm water and soap should do the trick. However, avoid using abrasive pads because they will scratch the surface. Also, do not use any cleaner that contains chlorine. Stainless steel is competitively priced compared to solid surface materials and is less expensive than marble and granite.
Stainless Countertop
Mix and match
Can’t decide on just one material? Then mix and match surfaces. A popular choice when mixing and matching is using a different material on the island than for the rest of the countertops to differentiate the space.
Mix: Granite Counter & Marble on Island
The most important factor to remember when selecting the perfect kitchen countertop is to understand what look you want to achieve. The good news is if you have your heart set on a certain look, but the material just doesn’t match with your lifestyle, odds are there’s another material that does. Before making a decision on countertop material, see the surface in person, whether that means visiting a showroom or viewing samples at your home.
