This master suite’s bathroom glows with confident femininity and elegance. Photographs by Margot Hartford. (Click on the photos for more detail.) As I shared in Part I of the Master Retreat story, Jo Ann Hartley and Jennifer Hershon started this master bath design with an innovative material. The designers chose Caesarstone’s new Motivo in the ‘Lace’ pattern (detail right) for the shower surround and vanity […] Read more »

Small spaces in our homes are often treated like afterthoughts. Not so for this dressing room and bath worthy of an up-and-coming fashionista. These were favorites of the spaces we saw at this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase. Photographs by David Duncan Livingston We loved how the designers—George Brazil and Cecilia Sagrera of SagreraBrazilDesign—brought light and a soft, fresh color scheme into the space. And […] Read more »

Parents of triplets can use any shred of tranquility they can get their diaper-strapping, baby-bouncing hands on. What if the nursery could be designed to relax? That’s what Stephanie Marsh Fillbrandt and her team at Marsh & Clark Design accomplished with their Nursery Design for Triplets, at this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase. Photographs by Elisabeth Fall The subdued color palette isn’t what you typically […] Read more »

This bathroom could turn me into a morning person – the graphic and sunny space that De Meza + Architecture + Interiors designers Gregg De Meza, Jennifer Gustafson and Michelle Nelson created for this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase. The fresh colors and crisp cabinetry enticed. But it was the dance of a black-and-white pixelated mosaic that drew us in like fish to a sparkly […] Read more »

Great ideas can come even out of the most difficult periods in life. Listen to the story Mark McGrath recently told me about an inspiration sparked during precious time spent with his mother, Rose Marie. “In early 2004, my Mom was fighting cancer,” said Mark. “The hospital had done all they could for her and she was moved to a care facility in San Mateo, […] Read more »

Here’s a real, live, high-end design for less. We got fantastic feedback on the story about Marsh & Clark’s elegant and contemporary powder room design for the 2009 San Francisco Decorator Showcase. I was thrilled when Stephanie Marsh Fillbrandt wrote me about another version of the room they recently completed. Here’s the new room: Photographs by Elisabeth Fall As you’ll recall, the original room featured […] Read more »

Color is powerful. Even if you prefer your rooms anchored in neutral tones, you can achieve an enormous impact with colorful accessories. Bath After See what Dallas Designer Cristie Schlosser, ASID, did with this kitchen and bath renovation. First, check out the Before and Afters of the striking transformation. Bath Before Kitchen Before In the resulting contemporary spaces, Cristie used neutral-toned finishes, accented with pops […] Read more »

by Leona Gaita Today we are joined by Leona Gaita, HomeWorkshop.com Interior Design Expert and Contributor. Leona shares with us her inspiring ideas and advice to help us enrich our homes and lives with beauty and elegance. — It’s that time of year! Friends and family will be coming over, sharing good food, good cheer and good times… AND THEY’LL BE USING YOUR BATHROOM! Of […] Read more »

One way to add graphic punch and sparkle to a space is by creating simple grid and block patterns in glass tile, like these in bathrooms by designer Valerie Borden of Chimera Interior Design. Recently, Valerie and I discussed how she developed the designs and how you might get a similar impact in your space. HomeWorkshop (HW): What inspired the tile colors and design in […] Read more »

Artist Profile — Joan Rosen Sometimes a change for the worse ends up for the better. Northern Californian Joan Rosen was a dedicated white-collar worker for years. “I worked in the corporate world all of my life and when I started having health issues I couldn’t do the 9-5 thing any longer,” said Joan. Joan said it was a blessing in disguise. “I went to […] Read more »

The bath is a perfect spot for a surprising pop of color and whimsy. Case in point: Designer Rods. Beach addict and obsessive beach-glass hunter, Nancy Boughton, created the prismatic accessories to display her growing beach glass collection. “As an interior designer, I have a special fondness for unique, distinctive and innovative accessories that make a home come alive,” says Nancy. “Beach glass is one […] Read more »

I was thumbing through a sourcebook the other day when this designer’s eye candy popped off the page. It’s the Mother of Pearl Mosaic Sink, from Linkasink. So sophisticated in these dark colors, “Dusk” and “Midnight.” Just lustrous. Here’s a nice neutral mosaic in onyx, and its sister vessel in travertine. Linkasink also offers these yummy and unusual vessels: The Bronze Sink with Botanical Pattern, […] Read more »

Enter a powder room and be transported into another world? Not usually. But that’s how it felt when I stepped into the multimedia space that Faiella Design created for the San Francisco Decorator Showcase. Photographs by Chi Fang. A dark, moody hue enveloped me. Calming, spa-like chimes wafted through the air. And what’s this? A dance of color and light on the ceiling. The small […] Read more »

Luminous. Innovative. Extraordinary Craftsmanship. Stephanie Marsh Fillbrant transformed a narrow, classic San Francisco powder room into an airy and artful space. Photographs by Elisabeth Fall At this year’s San Francisco Decorator Showcase, Marsh and Clark’s elegant powder room wowed visitors. “This room embodies the Marsh and Clark philosophy of uniting traditional craftsmanship and innovative design,” said designer and principal Fillbrandt. “I wanted to explore how […] Read more »

Here’s some design eye candy for you today from Textile Arts, a great source for fabrics and home decor in retro, Mid-Century Modern and contemporary Scandinavian designs from Marimekko and Ljungbergs. Add some city flair to your bath with the Hetkia shower curtain. Choose one of Textile Arts’ variety of Wall Hanging Kits and make an instant art statement in your space: Terttu Wall Hanging […] Read more »