Bathroom: Before & After by ibby

You may remember my DC Design House post onTJ Monahan and ibby - a division of Case/Design Remodeling.  TJ is an architect who knows the challenges of cost-effective, bathroom remodeling with houses built during various decades.   He created ibby - which lets you design and price your bathroom remodel using custom software that gives a cost estimate as you add in elements.  One of the interesting features is that you choose when your home was built, which lets them factor in the type of remodeling you'll need.  After you design it, you can order free samples, buy the design, or schedule a consultation to have the space built.

Recently he sent me some before & afters of just completed projects.  Love what they've done with this  bathroom.  Isn't that sink amazing!

and here's another:

For more on how ibby works - head here. 

*Please note, this post is not sponsored.

Winner - $100 certificate to Lewis & Sheron!

Congratulations Janie - You've won the $100 gift certificate to Lewis & Sheron!  I'm sure you'll find some great fabrics for your porch makeover :)

As a consolation for the rest of us, we can shop online and save 15% these last few days of July by entering the code FabricFever.

Also - be sure to check out their furniture collection too!

A Two-Story, Incredible Library

When I was in Boston a few weeks ago I picked up a copy of Design New England and was wowed by this 2-story library in a Maine house by architect Sam Van Dam of Van Dam Architecture and Design.  The above image captures the view-point looking down from an intimate seating area.   You can check out the whole space in the digital July/Aug 2013 issue of Design New England here.  (photography by Rob Karosis)

Anna Spiro's Book - Absolutely Beautiful Things

Just saw on Anna Spiro's instagram that her book, Absolutely Beautiful Things, will be out October 22nd.  Hers was the first blog I ever read - she is such an original and incredible talent with a mastery of color and pattern that few can come close to.  Can not wait for her book!!  (fingers crossed the release date from Penguin Books Australia will be the same as on Amazon)

p.s. Don't forget about the $100 gift card giveaway to Lewis & Sheron - 

comment here for a chance to win

Lewis & Sheron: New Sponsor and Giveaway!

I'm very excited to welcome Lewis & Sheron Textiles as a new sponsor of this blog (be sure to check out the giveaway at the end).  I've been a fan of since 2008 when I ordered this floral outdoor fabric,  In 2009 I had a chance to visit the Atlanta store to see their amazing selection of fabrics and trims and ended up stuffing a few yards into an already full suitcase.   Luckily for those of us outside of Atlanta, their easy to use website makes these fabulous fabrics readily available.

You can order swatches and the online displays, with the corresponding measurements, give you a good sense of the scale.  Here's just a few that caught my eye:

Fabrics above from John Robshaw, my favorite is Prasana, and fabrics from Thom Filicia

Now for the giveaway - one lucky commenter is going to receive a $100 gift card!!  To be eligible, like Lewis & Sheron on Facebook and Pinterest and then leave a comment on this post by Sunday, July 27th at 11pm EST.  The winner will be announced Monday July 28th.

In the meantime, shop online and save 15% the month of July by entering the code FabricFever.

Chippendale at Great Prices!

You can't go wrong with classic pieces like these Chippendale chairs and Charlotte & Ivy has some of the best pricing I've seen.  For an interesting twist, check out these  Gray Toned Swedish Chippendale Side Chair ($269) and Arm Chair ($289) - with free shipping, as always.

The Charlotte Chippendale Dining chair  is currently on sale for $389, add $85 for the arm chair.

Greek Interior Design - Inspiration

The village of Oia in Santorini is a bit dreamy, cave houses carved into cliffs and everywhere you look, smooth white walls and stone work.  The villa I'm featuring here is from another island, Antiparos, and it has a similar look and feel to those in Oia.

Oia sunset

Antiparos villa - Love the built in benches - so simple and elegant in their look.

I have this book by John Stefanidis' home on the island of Skala - An Island Sanctuary: A House in Greece.  Bought it back in 2010 when I first started dreaming about going to a Greek island. Full of beautiful images w/lots of inspiration, including a section on outdoor living and gardening. 

Now I've come across this new one, Living in Greece (25) - adding it to my book wish list. 

Amoudi Bay -  Oia, Santorini

Closing Sale! Haute Fabrics Marshall Location

The Marshall location of Haute is closing. My first visit there was years ago and it had me returning often for great finds.  If you've ever visited, you know that this location is stocked to the brim with fabrics.  If you're hunting for fabric deals,  here's your chance!

After the close-out sale, the Arlington Ballston location will be the place to go, 730 N. Glebe Arlington VA

Back from Europe & Life Changes

We're back from an amazing 16 days in London, Oia-Santorini, Rome, Florence & Venice - a trip the four of us will long remember for all that we saw and did!  Have to admit - it's very hard adjusting back to real life. Which only makes me think that I'm not interested in returning to it exactly as it was.

I like to think of a vacation as vacating your life as you know it;  leaving behind old routines and opening new doors.  On this trip I really noticed the routines and habits of my back-at-home life that are more of a burden than a joy and the things that matter more to me now that I'm close to turning 50 :)

Here's a few of the changes I'm making:

- a lot less time on the internet
- saying yes to opportunities  that just pop up.  Just said yes to a  week up in the Thousand Islands, the pre-vacation me would have turned it down
- focusing more on staying in touch with extended family and friends
- returning to the book project I started this winter.  It has nothing to do w/design or this blog but it's something I'm really excited about it.  More on it in August.


Hope you're been having a great summer.  Curious, has your vacation time got you thinking about any life changes?

Oia  Santorini 

Rome

Florence

Venice 

London

Charleston Exteriors

Here's some eye candy from a long ago trip to Charleston.  Is there anyplace like it in the US?








Above is one of my favorite houses. You can see the garage off to the right. Take a close look at the picture below - it's an interior close-up of the garage.

My picture only shows 2 but there were 3 wall mounted tables with the metal branches w/birds and candle votives. What a garage interior!!





A gated path that connects King Street and Archdale Street. It brings you into the churchyard of the Unitarian Universalist Church.
Formal gardens.



Love the pig featured on the plaque above the fountain.