Molten Gold - Mad for Plaid

I love patterns in decor: Animal prints, florals, stripes, paisleys, checks and, of course, plaids. My own home is full of patterned elements, but it’s rare that I get to design them into client projects. 

This is not because my clientele is resistant, but because you seldom find patterns in the kind of built-in elements I typically specify. 

Well, that just changed. Big time.  Thank you, Sara Baldwin and New Ravenna Mosaics. (New Ravenna happens to be one of my favorite tile companies, too, so their latest release was a double-header for me!) 

McIntyre by New Ravenna

About the Collection 

Sara’s new Plaid and Gingham Collection is comprised of five classic designs -- Rory, Hamish, Bonnie, Conner, and McIntyre -- all inspired by her Scottish ancestors and rendered in jewel glass and natural stone mosaics. 

Each of the five designs was created by hand-cutting and assembling the individual pieces into mosaics. They are then customized for every installation. 

Rory by New Ravenna

Hamish by New Ravenna

About the Tile 

After being assembled, the tessarae, (individual pieces), are held together with clear tape. The mosaic is cut like a jigsaw puzzle with each section numbered. When it arrives at the destination, the tile setter applies it to the surface and then grouts it in place. This creates a seamless design, one of the hallmarks of a mosaic. In glass, the mosaics can be used for any interior vertical surface application. In stone, the mosaics can be applied to floors and walls, indoors or out. 

Bonnie by New Ravenna

About Sara Baldwin and New Ravenna Mosaics 

The mosaics are hand-crafted in Virginia, where Sara grew up, established her company and trained a team of more than 100 artisans in the ancient art of mosaic. In the process, she has provided job training, economic development and employment in her local community. 

More than 200 Sara Baldwin designs can be found in tile showrooms throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Dubai. More than likely, one or more of those designs will find their way into my next “forever” home, too. 

Named for the epicenter of Italian-Byzantine tile work, New Ravenna Mosaics are sold through exclusive designer showrooms across the country and internationally. The company also provides design services and on-site installation supervision. 

Hamish by New Ravenna

The Facts 

Specifications: On website 

Web site:  www.newravenna.com 

Price: 

Starts at... 
Connor Glass: $58/SF 
Hamish Glass $ 104/SF 
McIntyre Stone: $86 SF 
Rory Glass: $ 91 SF 
Bonnie Glass: $48 SF 
Bonnie stone: $55 SF

SENSIBLE STYLE - Pet-friendly Kitchens

Curiosity actually can kill your cat. And an old dog's new tricks may leave messes around your kitchen. So how do you make this hard-working space friendly for both four and two-legged occupants? That's what this edition of Sensible Style is all about.

Since this is an area in which I have blissfully little experience-being happily pet-free for the past nine years-I decided to bring in some experts for this post. They include a veterinarian, a custom cabinetmaker and a professional organizer.


About that killer first line...

I asked Dr. Holly Trief, VMD, of San Francisco, a veterinarian for 24 years and my older sister for, well, longer than that, what kitchen-related injuries she sees most often in her patients.

These are the first three on her list, and all are preventable with some changes to your kitchen:

• "Burns to cat paws from jumping on stoves.


• "Digestive upset/obstructions from [eating] items in the trash, such as chicken bones, plastic wrappers, sponges, Brillo pads, and [eating] items off table and counter tops, most commonly seen in dogs but occasionally in cats too.


• "Electric cord injuries, especially in kittens. Dogs will also chew on electrical cords.

Burn free

You can reduce the chance of your cat burning its paws by changing from gas or electric cooking to induction. An induction burner will only heat up when there's a pot covering it. It will also cool faster than an electric or gas burner.

If changing your range or cooktop is not an option right now, and you have a curious cat, you can keep the burners covered when they're not in use.

Protect your pet's paws from burning with a Burner Kover from Range Kleen

Doggone it, Fido's gotten into the trash again

Our childhood German shepherd would do this. So did my lab stepdog, on occasion. What both dogs' kitchens had in common was a tall, open trash can. It was an invitation to mayhem, if you think about it. You can minimize the likelihood of this happening in your kitchen by moving the trash to a closed cabinet. Even if Fido smells something yummy inside, chances are he can't get to it.

Consider a trash pull-out for a base cabinet as a solution. Often, they'll fit in the open space below the sink, which happens to be a very convenient spot. Pull-outs come in various sizes and configurations. A two-can model will hold both recyclables and trash. They're available online and at many home centers.

Stop your dog from trashing your kitchen with a cabinet accessory like this Rev-A-Shelf pull-out

Shockingly-simple solutions

The simplest way to save your pets from electrocution is to unplug your countertop appliances when they're not in use. This will also help save money and the planet by using less electricity. However, that won't solve everyone's problems, especially if the pet chews an appliance cord when it's in use.

Dr. Trief recommends a baby gate to keep pets out of the kitchen while you're cooking. That would greatly reduce the chance of an electric cord mishap, or a cooking burn, for that matter.

If your kitchen entrance doesn't lend itself to being closed off, (as is the case in some open plan layouts), an appliance garage could be an alternate solution. Keeping the toaster oven out-of-sight can keep your pet from hurting itself. (Just be careful not to forget about the appliance yourself if it's in use, and read the manuals for ventilation requirements!) Garages are most often installed during a remodel, and can be factored into your next update.

An appliance garage, like this one from Armstrong, can keep your cat from chewing appliance cords

More vet cautions

Dr. Trief shares these additional pet hazards:

• "Some people bathe their pets in the sink. Be careful about drain traps that have holes that claws can get caught in.
  


• "Open dishwashers can be a hazard, especially if people load them with the knife blade pointed upwards, (particularly for dogs).
  


• "Fumes from overheating non-stick pans produce chemicals (polytetrafluoroethylene) can be toxic to birds. Smoke and fumes from other burnt items in the kitchen are also dangerous for birds.
  


• "Cleaning products and dishwasher detergents can cause chemical burns and digestive upset, (diarrhea and vomiting). This is seen mostly in dogs.

All of these, in my opinion, speak to exercising a level of caution with your pets that you'd give to a toddler. In fact, this experienced vet points out that pet-proofing your home is not unlike baby-proofing it.

Planning around your pet

Pets, like babies, come with a lot of gear and their own set of nature calls. Some, like St. Bernards and Newfoundlands, slobber quite a bit. Others, especially pups, chew like crazy. Cats jump onto whatever they can reach. (We won't even tackle claw sharpening!) Aging pets and cuddly young ones have accidents. How do you factor all this into your kitchen redesign?

If you're planning a remodel, you just build it in. In addition to the components listed above, you have numerous other options available to you. Let me share a few off the top of my own head.

I'd select Corian for its repairability, or engineered stone countertops for their durability and non-porousness as a hedge against jumping cats and large bird claws. After all, you don't want whatever they've eaten on the top to seep into it. Nor do you want permanent damage from their claws.

I'd specify rectified porcelain tile flooring for its durability against large dog claws, and for its minimal grout lines, which also makes clean-up easier.

I would design in a place for pet food, pet bowls and other pet gear you need to keep handy, maybe even a bed if the kitchen is where you want your precious pet to sleep. More about this in the next section.

I'd also choose a scrubbable paint for your walls to easily remove pet marks.

Choosing the right paint, like Sherwin-Williams' Duration Home Interior Latex, can make pet marks so much more cleanable.

Satin and Semi-gloss are both great kitchen paint finishes. Semi-gloss, in particular, is perfect for frequently-cleaned areas like kitchens. It can also be used on cabinets, as well as walls, for an affordable update.

Designing around your pet

Just as you create spaces for your dishware, cookware and glassware, consider creating spaces in your kitchen for your pet and petware. You can achieve this with the help of a professional kitchen designer in your area--find one on NKBA.org--along with good space planning and the right cabinetry configurations.

First, consider which pet products you want to keep in the kitchen, and which pet needs you want to meet there. (Hint: I wouldn't place the litter box within sniffing distance!) Your designer can help you determine the optimum space allowance and location for your pet station. That's going to vary widely from one household to another.

You don't need a custom cabinet line to achieve your pet center either. A skilled designer can weave together elements from a stock or semi-custom cabinet line to create the storage you need.

A talented designer can create an affordable pet center, like this one using Merillat cabinets

Building around your pet

If you are using custom cabinetry, you'll have more options in creating a pet center tailored to your home and animal.

Nadja Pentic of Case 540 in Alameda, Cal. recommends MDF core with a melamine finish for the cabinet's construction. (MDF stands for Medium Density Fiberboard, a very durable, non-warping wood composite.) "I think MDF would be more resilient than particle board to constant spills and messes and give the cabinets more longevity.. Melamine is also very easy to clean."

Pentic suggests glossy laminates for a contemporary kitchen's cabinet exteriors. While laminate can be damaged by pet claws, it's affordable to replace, she notes. She also believes the glossy exterior will have less scratch-appeal. (It's also very 'in' right now for Euro-style, I might add!)
I asked her to design a pet center for Sensible Style readers, which you can see below.

Pentic-designed cat center by Case 540, with space for feeding and storage

Here's a large dog center design by Pentic, as well.

Organizing around your pet

Professional organizer Jessica Barna of Kitchens Resolved in San Diego suggests organizing your pet cabinet to hold medicines and vitamins, toothbrushes and paste, flea and tick medicines, waste bags, grooming tools, treats, food and even your pet's medical records. Locate their food and water dish nearby, too, she suggests.

Barna also suggests:

• "Inside of your pet cabinet, group like items with like. Also, group items together that you use at the same time.
  


• "Traveling supplies can be in a small box in the back of your pet area - they are needed rarely, and they need to be grouped for easy grab-and-go.
  


• "Have a "vet kit" that you can grab when you are headed to the vet (or in case of an emergency). This can be a small folder or accordion file with pet history, list of meds, a few treats, etc.


• "Are you your own pet's groomer? Have a grooming container: store brushes, nail clips and files, toothbrush, toothpaste, etc. It will be very easy to pull out your grooming container, groom, and put it away."

Final thoughts from a pet-free blogger

Even though I may never need these tips myself, I'm grateful to my editor for suggesting this topic, and to animal lovers Dr. Holly Trief, Nadja Pentic and Jessica Barna for their invaluable insights.

If you're an animal lover, too, and want to honor your pet with a beautiful personalized kitchen element, consider a custom wood carving or mosaic to celebrate your beastly beloved's fine, furry, finned or feathered self.

A fish lover's stunning mosaic aquarium by New Ravenna

If you have pet-friendly kitchen insights to share, please feel free to comment below. Also enjoy my other Sensible Style posts by clicking on one of the links on the right column of this blog.

***

If you enjoyed this post, please check out more pet-friendly kitchen ideas at Kitchen Views, which included quotes from me and other professionals on their informative blog.

Designer's Wish List - Bathroom

Ever wonder what designers choose for their own homes? Here's a sneak preview of what I plan to incorporate into my next place -- and why. As I mentioned in the first wish list posting last week covering my next kitchen, I plan on buying a house or condo in need of updating, so that I can put my own stamp on it.

This post covers the wish list for my next bath. I actually plan on having two in my next home. One will be for my primary use, another for guests. I will probably set up the master suite as my guest room, with double sinks, since many of my overnight guests will be couples.

The smaller second bedroom and guest bath will work for my primary use, since putting a single sink in a master bath would hurt resale. (I doubt that this next place will be my last. It will probably be home for the next two to five years.)


All is vanity

Shakespeare wasn't wrong. Your vanity sets the tone for the bath. Here are some that I particularly like.

I like this traditionally-styled Newport vanity from Pottery Barn for several reasons. One, it will carry the white cabinet/black countertop combination from my kitchen. Two I like the openness at the bottom, both with the legs and basket shelf. This makes the space feel larger and lighter.

This British Cane Extra-Wide Single Vanity from Restoration Hardware offers six drawers for extra storage and a beautiful marble top. It also matches the dark wood of my armoire and planned bed. The caned doors are dreamy, and I like the legs, as well.

I may dispense with a cabinet altogether and go with a pedestal sink. I particularly like the neo-traditional styling on Kohler's Memoirs Pedestal Lavatory, and would get the matching toilet, too. This would necessitate a small storage cabinet nearby to hold all those girly things one needs to keep close at hand.

Here's another cabinet-less variation from Pottery Barn. Their Apothecary Single Sink Console's styling also makes a small bath feel more open and spacious. It needs a storage supplement, as well. What's nice about both of these models is having a nice amount of counter space for soap, toothbrush and the like.


Storage style

Bathrooms, especially small ones, often lack storage. This is particularly true for baths served by pedestal or console sinks, as shown above. Here are a couple of options for keeping your necessities close at hand when there's no cabinet below your sink, (or even if there is).


A great medicine cabinet, like this Cartright model from Restoration Hardware, can hold a number of personal items.


So can a small floor cabinet, like this Newport Sundry Cabinet from Pottery Barn. (It matches the vanity I like, above.)


A towel shelf, like this Paris style from Amazon.com, is another storage option. It can hold robes and in-use-towels on the hooks below, and folded towels on the shelf above.


Tile style

As you've already deduced, I like traditional and transitional styling, and that carries through to my tile choices. I may opt for simple white subway tile if I'm short on funds. If money is no object in this space, here are a couple of options I'm considering.


This is the Esmeralda floor from New Ravenna Mosaics, an award-winning tile company. I would carry the detailing into the shower and around the room as a wainscot. Beautiful!


I absolutely adore the Studio Moderne series from Walker Zanger. It comes in various colors and shapes, but the tone-on-tone geometry is gorgeous throughout the line. It's both modern and traditional at the same time, and absolutely fabulous!

On a quieter note, I could opt for the softer tones of Trikeenan Tile's Weave series. It's soft and beautiful and would work really well with the fixtures I have in mind.


Fixture fancy

I'm hoping that by the time I'm ready to remodel my next bath, Kohler would have added dual-flush capability to its elegant Memoirs toilet, shown here.


If you're not familiar with the dual-flush concept, you're missing out on a great water-saving opportunity. As the name implies, the toilet offers two flushing options. One uses far less water and for the majority of bathroom visits, that's all that's needed. The boost is there for just when you need it. I prefer the newer comfort-height commodes that tend to be a few inches taller in the seat than standard builder-grade toilets. (Caution: We learned a couple of years ago that some space saver storage units won't work with the taller tank!)

One aspect of my current master bath that I really enjoy is its hand-held, massaging shower head. That's a must-have for my next bath, too.


Shown here is the Kohler Forte Multi-Function Handshower, wall-mounted on a matching bracket with its own controls. That's the configuration I would opt for. The master bath would also have a stationery head. It would probably be a Forte, as well. I used that at a Ritz Carlton and it was divine!

For sink faucets, I like a few different models, all with easy-to-operate lever handles.


This beautiful Art Deco faucet just crossed my in-box, and may very well find its way into my next bathroom. It comes from a company called THG, not a household name, but deserving of recognition, don't you think!


I like this South Seas Collection faucet from Danze quite a bit, too. Very kitsch, don't you think!


If funds are tight, I'll head to my nearest Home Depot and pick up the Archer Faucet by Kohler. It's got nice clean transitional lines that would work with many of the looks I like. Since it's an in-stock item, it's easy on the budget, as well as the eyes.


Shedding light

Lighting is essential for the bathroom and comes in some good-looking varieties. Typically, a small bath will have lighting at the sink and over the shower. Here are a couple of fixtures I wouldn't mind seeing above my mirror. (There's usually not room for side sconces in small baths, though each of these comes in that preferred configuration if space allows.)


This Strande Triple Sconce is available at Restoration Hardware, one of my favorite home stores. There are also nifty Strande hooks and cabinet knobs if you want to extend the look.


This Portland fixture from Home Depot's Eco Options series has nice styling and offers energy efficiency, too! Not a bad combination.


... And beyond

More goes into a bath than the stationery items above. There are accessories, towels, paint and even artwork. One of the items I'll be bringing to my next place from my current one is my favorite Macy's Hotel Collection towel set. They are plush, incredibly soft and absolutely yummy against wet skin. The add-on sets will probably be white. I've never found a towel I like more!


I have fun picking accessory sets like other women have fun shopping for jewelry. Here are a few I have my eye on...


This animal print is by Labrazel for Horchow. I love the markings, but will only go for this pattern if I get a solid black vanity top.


Look closely at this white Isaac Mizrahi for Target set and you'll see the mod embossing. It's a pretty cool look at a pretty cool price, given the Target connection. If the budget doesn't allow for Jonathan Adler accessories, these could do in a pinch!


If I go with the South Seas faucet, I'd likely opt for these Tava pieces from Pottery Barn.


I like this Hampstead Mirror from Williams Sonoma Home, too. It comes in white, if I opt for the white/black look in one of the baths.


I like the idea of using environmentally-friendly, low VOC paints like Benjamin Moore's Aura. I'll probably go for this Amorous hue, or something close to it, for my bath. It will work with either the darker wood tones or the white cabinetry.


This Soleil shade, also in Aura, will probably cover the master suite. The master bedroom will have a lot of black furniture and white bedding in it; this will tie in very well.

Guest Post: Susan Palmer Design Blogs

Gold Notes celebrates its one-year anniversary this month, and I invited some of my favorite design bloggers to the party! So... For the rest of the month, this space will be mostly filled with their brilliance, not my usual banter!

I'm so grateful for their contributions.

I hope you're as excited as I am about these design celebrity cameos. Guest posts give readers the chance to discover voices, resources and talent that may be new to you. Each of these bloggers is also an incredibly-talented designer who could be of tremendous service to you, your friends or your family. In each posts are links to their blogs and their design sites. Please take the opportunity to browse both. You'll discover a wealth of ideas from Hawaii to the Northeast, Florida to Canada. It's like traveling the design world without jet lag!


Introducing Susan and Adrienne Palmer...

Today, we'll start our anniversary guest post series with the phenomenal mother-daughter team of Susan and Adrienne Palmer of Susan Palmer Designs, Inc. The Palmers live and design in Honolulu, Hawaii, and publish the Susan Palmer Design Blog. Susan is a Certified Kitchen Designer and Certified Bath Designer, a multiple design award winner and a college design lecturer. Adrienne is working toward her AKBD certification and is a product specialist, blogger and partner in the firm.

When I asked my contributors to tackle one of five questions for their guest post, this dynamic duo leaped in and tackled all five. Over-achievers!!! That earned the Palmers the first posting of the anniversary-edition guest series. Thanks, ladies!


Favorite design find of the past year

Sara Baldwin / New Ravenna Mosaics -- New Ravenna Mosaics, headed by the über-talented Sara Baldwin, not only revives, but takes mosaic tile art to the next level. Every single item and design theme offered by New Ravenna is simply amazing, from the field patterns such as Thatch, to the glass fields such as Brighton Wave. All are just beautiful. Commissioned works and larger mosaics such as Twiggy, and the complex Peacock or Paisley designs, truly show off what Sara and her talented team's expert use of color, materials, and design combine to create beautiful works of art in tile form. We think we will be seeing a lot more of her work in the future and that is really exciting!

Brighton Wave by Sara Baldwin for
New Ravenna Mosaics

Prediction for next year's top design trends

* I think we will continue to see the addition of alternative finishes like oil rubbed bronze, platinum, and distressed nickel in fixtures for both the kitchen and the bath from manufacturers.

* For the clients who want modern style kitchens and baths, I see a trend moving more towards kitchen cabinetry as furniture integrating with other rooms, utilizing horizontal wood grains, and a focus on White Oak and Teak woods.

* For clients who want a more traditional style of kitchen, I see them moving more towards rustic, natural finishes on woods like Knotty Cherry, paired with interesting toe kicks and furniture style legs and details.

* In general, I expect to see more ethnic or vintage materials and techniques revived and used in modern applications, such as mosaics that utilize stained glass in abstract styling, or regional textiles from Africa used in poly-resin architectural panels.

This Susan Palmer-designed kitchen showcases
many of the latest design trends!

Favorite Gold Notes post of the past year

Definitely had to be Top 3 Kitchen Remodeling Mistakes. It's simple, straight forward advice that so easily answers and explains some of the more complex questions and issues facing clients when remodeling their kitchens.

We also loved reading all of your new product finds from KBIS. Since we don't always get the chance to go, it's great to read Gold Notes and find out first hand from someone who has the knowledge and the experience to help filter out the good from the bland!


Favorite post from your own blog

This one: Rustic Asian Modern Faucets and Plumbing Fixtures Here in Hawaii, we have so many different cultures that overlap and blend into each other, it is a true melting pot that yields to a particular style of design. The Japanese furo style bath tubs made of concrete are a perfect example of east meets west and old meets new! We were really happy to see the positive response locally, and that the post excited other design bloggers as well.

Oil Rubbed Bronze faucet and Furo Tubs
by Sonoma Forge

Coming next... Guest posts from these top design bloggers

Paul Anater - Kitchen & Residential Design Blog
Joni Webb - Cote de Texas
Kelly James - Design Ties
Amir Ilin - European-Kitchen-Design

Color Notes: The White Album

Welcome to the second Color Notes posting. The purpose of this series is to share inspiring products and helpful ideas for the many hues you might want to incorporate into your home's design scheme.

Given America's 233rd birthday this coming Saturday, I thought I'd kick off this new feature with Red, White and Blue. Yesterday brought you Red. Tomorrow will bring you Blue. Today, we focus on White.

There are hundreds -- maybe even thousands -- of shades of white you can design into your home. There are whites lightly tinged with yellow, gray, green, brown, blue, pink or orange. I'm probably leaving out a few, but it's important to identify the right tone when selecting paint. Shown above right is Benjamin Moore's basic 01 White.


Why white?

White is often associated with purity, cleanliness and innocence in American culture. It's a wonderful hue for a kitchen or bath, lending a crisp brightness to those spaces. It's also a perfect color - and commonly used - for moldings, window trim, shutters and fireplace mantels. White enhances whatever color is put next to it, as sparkling teeth enhance a gloss-lipped smile.


Where not to go white

I try to avoid white in kitchen tile grout, as it can be a maintenance headache. I also like to see ceilings painted something other than white, as they so commonly are, so that the room looks more finished, and the crown molding stands out against it better. There are many, many wonderful all-white bedrooms and living rooms. What makes those succeed as welcoming havens, rather than feeling institutional or sterile, is a warm blending of textures and tints.


I love white with...

Green shutters on Cape Code homes or, as shown here, in summery prints
This one is Pierre Deux's Aventine - Herb for Kravet

Metallics, especially in tile designs, fabric or wallpaper
Shown here is Robert Kuo Cloisonne tile for Ann Sacks


Soft blues, shown here on
Pottery Barn's luscious Lucca Single Sink Console


Crisp borders in black or red contrasting with the creamy background

The White Album - Side One:
Icons and Updates

There are so many iconic white design objects that we've all grown up with, and I'm delighted to share them here. I'm also sharing some interesting updates that those of you who enjoy a more contemporary style may enjoy.

Iconic

White subway tile, shown here with Kohler fixtures

Update

Convesso series from Nemo Tile C0mpany

Iconic

Pedestal Sink
This one is Kohler's Memoirs

Update

Also by Kohler,
The new Reve in Honed White

Iconic

Classic Clawfoot Slipper Tub being sold on E-Bay

Update

Eloise Tub by MTI Whirlpools

Iconic

Apron-front Shaw Sink by Rohl

Update

Alcott Sink by Kohler

The White Album - Side Two:

Great Whites

CB2's Big Dipper Arc Lamp is on my "Must Have" List

I've always loved the casual cottage style of
Rachel Ashwell's Shabby Chic

I consider Jonathan Adler's white pottery to be new classics...
These are his Helix Bath Accessories

Here's another nifty white light from Ballard Designs
This one is their Coral Chandelier

'The White Bed' is so crisp and welcoming!
This one lives at the Goodstone Inn & Estate in Middleburg, Virginia

Can't wait to use this beautiful white and gray tile in a bath design!
Marabel by New Ravenna Mosaics and Stone

I'm a sucker for schoolhouse-style pendants, especially in vintage kitchens
This one comes from Schoolhouse Electric

My Mid-Century Mom always admired the Barcelona Chair
This reproduction is at DesignerSeating.com

Enjoy the entire Color Notes series...

Color Notes: A Red-time Story
Color Notes: A Room Full of Blues
Color Notes: The White Album
Color Notes: Purple Haze
Color Notes: Orange Crush
Color Notes: Green Day