POOL TABLES

No matter what your style, no matter what your taste, somewhere out there  a pool table is waiting for your game room.

The fact that we can custom make, design and create any style we want, makes pool tables the ultimate conversation pieces and the funnest piece of furniture in a home. If you can dream it, someone can make it and there are some wild ones out there.

I don't play pool.  So why this blog entry today?  Because I am doing research and selecting a table for an interior design client and I came upon these fun pieces that made me smile.

http://www.mitchell-custom.com

WHITE KITCHENS

I am completely into white kitchen this year.

Some people feel white is bland, or cold or not appropriate for carpentry.  But I love white cabinets in a kitchen.  I think it's clean color that reflects light and makes any food stand out and look better.  For centuries white marble has been used in European kitchens.  And today it looks just as good.  A classic touch and a great alternative to boring builder "granite".  White cabinets look incredible in cottages, traditional homes and beach homes in combination with wood floors.  You can continue the white theme by also having your doors and baseboards painted white and add color in the surrounding rooms.

No matter is your style is modern or traditional. white is an amazing pop of brightness that will make your kitchen timeless.

 

Wooden Bath Tubs

Some people don't have the luxury of taking a bath every day.  But for some, the ultimate luxury of a wooden tub awaits anytime.

Wood is a natural material that works beautifully as a bath tub.  Most commonly used are prefabricated molded tubs or marble tubs.  But the warmth of wood is actually the best heat retention material for a bath.    Like a wooden boat, a wooden bath tub will require some finishing maintenance and a good finish on it.  

I stayed a great hotel in Nha Trang, Vietman called Six Senses.  I had an incredible old wooden tub that overlooked the ocean and I used it every day.  And I promise, once you have used one, you will never like the feel of cast iron again.

 

Cabana Curtains

I love cabana curtains and I use them quite often.

There is something fun and relaxing about bringing the indoors out and creating an open feeling in your terrace.  It may seem decadent to some.  But its a practical way to expand your living space and enjoy the summer weather. You can buy ready made packs of outdoor cabana curtains and simply hang them on a rod for the summer.  They can be in sheer or in solid Sunbrella fabrics and they are washable.

Create an outdoor living room where you can relax for the next few months while the weather is hot. The beauty is that when the fall comes, you can just remove them, wash them and put them away until next summer.  They are not expensive.  As a matter of fact, many retailers such as Pottery Barn and Restoration Hardware sell cabana curtains ready made.

It's summer! Hang your cabana curtains and enjoy the outdoors!

WORLD'S MOST EXPENSIVE GRILL

I know...it's kind of silly...but it's out there in the planet.  The world's most expensive BBQ grill?

BeefEater has introduced a new realm of grilling by creating the most expensive grill in the world, priced at $150,000.  The grill sports numerous unique elements including a wok burner, a viewing window on its roasting hood, six super charged barbecue burners, a warming rack, vaporizer grid and a reflector system. To top it all off it's completely covered in 24 karat gold by hand, minus the cooking surfaces of course.

Talk about the ultimate backyard boy toy!

http://www.beefeaterbbq.comhttp://www.beefeaterbbq.com

 

 

 

JT FURNITURE

We know Justin Timberlake has got the voice and the moves, but does he have home decor style?

The word is out that Justin is collaborating with celebrity interior designer Estee Stanley on a new members only E commerce company HomeMint, similar to One Kings Lane.

They designed a collection of home goods and accessories, and will also offer one of a kind items as well as art.  JT was quoted as saying, "HomeMint combines my love of interior design with my passion for technology and innovation to create a brand that not only offers quality products, but also a personalized shopping experience."  

If he is as successful at this as he is as everything else the home decor market better watch out!

https://launch.homemint.com/

LA Roof Top Bars

Coolest place to be in LA on a summer night?  A roof top bar.

One of my favorites intimate roof top bars is the "Petite Ermitage" in West Hollywood.  But I also like the "Thompson Hotel" roof top  and the "Soho House" in Beverly Hills.  If you are looking for high drama, party scene roof tops, then  the "Standard Hotel" roof top downtown LA and the "W" Hollywood are going to be your best choices.

The best part about LA is the weather and there is no better way to enjoy being outside than having drinks and lounging on a roof top bar. But even if it's at a friends roof top in Venice Beach over looking the ocean, make sure and get outside with a mojito and enjoy the summer nights.

Church Doors

Churches are designed to impress.  They are usually strong buildings that stir up the souls of men.

And the first part you see is the entry door.  They are much grander than a regular home door, obviously because they tell a bigger story.  All throughout Europe, carvings of saints and biblical stories can be seen on church doors.  But even small village churches have interesting doors.  They may be a bit more rustic, but they still reflect the importance of the building.

Did you go to church yesterday?  If you didn't ... here are some pretty church doors that might inspire you to go next  weekend!

Yellow Doors

 Yellow is not your everyday color for a door.  But it's such a bold, statement and looks so dramatic.  

People in tropical environments use bright colors on doors to offset the typical white homes. It might be more common to see a yellow door in the Bahamas, Key West or in Bermuda.  But when you see a yellow door in other locations it becomes so interesting and really stands out. 

Some forms of architecture such as Victorian wood homes, Bungalows, and Cottage Lake Homes are easier to envision in yellow.  They are whimsical and flirt with color.  But old Haciendas throughout Latin America and old churches have also used yellow as a way to make an entry statement.

 Would you take a chance and paint your front door yellow?

Barn Doors

Everyone loves sliding barn doors.

They are cool, fun and can create art of out the hanging panels that you use.  A hinged track or heavy duty rail hold the doors on the exterior of an entry.   Unlike pocket doors which hide inside of a wall and disappear, sliding barn doors are part of the design and part of your overall look. They are also an architectural solution to tight spaces that may not have the space for a swinging door.

You can find beautiful old painted doors or antique carved doors and hang them on a track or you can have new ones custom made to the size of your opening.  Either way, they are a very creative way to add another layer of dimension to a room.

Here are some photos showing great examples of designs by other designers.

MARTHA'S MUSE

Ok....I may be embellishing....but could I be Martha Stewart's muse?

A newspaper article quoted yesterday that the fabulous queen of design, Martha Stewart, was inspired by the colors of "Sandra Espinet " ( yeah me) for her new rug line.  And I could not be happier to know that all of my hard work and designing in the trenches could inspire the amazing Martha.  The admiration is mutual because every time I do a Martha Stewart Living Sirius Radio Show I am inspired by her business skills and success. So what an honor to know that Martha likes my work.  

I wish Martha Stewart all of the luck in the world on her new rug collection and I hope to keep on inspiring color and beauty to all. Because as a designer that's what its all about.  Inspiration and beautification.  Making the world a prettier place.

Smiles!

http://www.bakersfieldvoice.com/content/differing-types-oriental-martha-stewart-rugs-sale-ideal-place-decor

The Stair Riser

We often forget about the stair risers.  

But what a lovely detail to tile or paint them. And how simple to do.  Once you have figured out your home color palette, you can buy tiles that match to create a unique and colorful walk up to the next level.  Tiled stair risers are a very traditional detail used commonly in Moorish architecture. 

One of my favorite architectural styles that embraces painted stair risers is the Spanish American Santa Barabara style which combines white stucco and lots of colored tiles.   But it can work in many other applications and designs.

 Take a second look at your stair risers.  They may be calling out for some color!