Mix Master

It feels like it's been a long week and it's only Monday. I needed some inspiration and came across this beauty. I love the simplicity of this room and it's eclectic nature. A little french, a little modern, a little metal. Best of all is the unexpected color palette - so serene yet fresh.

Of course it's from the mix master himself, Nate Berkus. His work is always refreshing and inspiring.

Nate Berkus Associates - Lauren Gold

Lauren Gold and Sasha Adler's project in the premier issue of TradHOME was one of my favorite projects this year. I'm still dying over their casual chic beach inspired dining room.

This months Lonny magazine features Lauren's Chicago apartment and a glimpse into their office space at Nate Berkus Associates. She has a great down-to-earth yet traditional style. You can see the influence of Nate in her work and in her own space.

I love how collected her space is - a mix of unexpected modern and vintage. She believes that if you buy what you love, you will find a place for it and make it work. The mirror, contemporary art and Milo Baughman chairs are a great juxtaposition. They make you want to soak in every detail to make sure you don't miss anything.

Dying over the monochromatic styled bookcases (black, white and cream) and the wheat table with the Ballard Louis chairs. They add the perfect balance to the gold table and relate to the color story of the bookcases.

Love the dark walls in her home office and bathroom. Unexpected, dramatic and cozy all at the same time.

And if her apartment wasn't enough, their workspace at Nate Berkus Associates has me envious.

She is a star in my book. I look forward to seeing more of her projects.

Market Report: Soaking Tubs

I got a great email from a reader yesterday urging me to do a tub post, because she's considering remodeling her bathroom -- thank you for your email, it's a great idea. Her question to me was specifically about soaking tubs and the advantages or disadvantages of various styles, as well as materials that retained heat. Jets aren't her thing because of how much of a pain they are to clean, and frankly, I've never liked the idea of jetted tubs. It's just never the look I go for if I'm starting with a clean slate -- save it for the backyard and wine coolers ;)

I pulled a few images that are always my go-to's when concepting. To me, they are all timeless and upscale from top to bottom, and all of them have awesome tubs.

Brooke Gianetti

Decor Pad

Brooke Gianetti

Also, what a great treatment with the panel moulding-esque treatment to the tub. A really inexpensive trick with pencil that makes the shower/tub area feel very custom and elegant.

M. Elle Designs

Like you're surprised to see this one. I think it is on every designer's brain permanently. The tub from Lefroy Brooks is insane. I would die to even be in the same room with that tub. And what do you know, Kohler is making a verrry similar one.

This is how I like to do drop-in tubs. I prefer to incorporate them with a wainscotting-type surround and top it with stone. The same goes for "unincorporated" free standings: make it a statement of it's own if for some reason a traditional soaker doesn't work for you. For ideas, Michael Smith's Kallista tubs are all shown on the website like this.

Turner Davis Interiors

I think this is a great example of an amazing tub in a small bathroom. This tub is probably up against a corner, but it still feels luxurious because we get the wonderful shape and it was probably a creative solution for a small bath. Kohler, I believe, has corner tubs in this style.

Nate Berkus

Another silver tub, I know, but it's a great shape so indulge me. The bottom is more contemporary and the sides have a more severe angle to them. To me, it's a more masculine tub, almost industrial, and it would still be beautiful done in a monochromatic scheme.

On to options. I have to come clean, I love Faucetdirect.com. I think it's an awesome resource and their pricing is consistently great. I buy fixtures, fittings, the whole lot right from them because I've had great luck and their inventory on high-end items is extensive. Most of the tubs from below are from them and even on sale.

Porcher - $1000.05 (on sale)

Cast iron drop-in, I'm not as crazy about the shape, but overall it's a good looking tub that still incorporates cast iron at around the 1k mark. Because, of course, cast-iron is out there, but the challenge was to find them at the lower price range. In a traditional bathroom with high-end finishes, I think this shape would work well.

Porcher - $882.05 (on sale)

It's acrylic, but personally, I think that unless you upgrade to a radiant or inline heat system, you're never going to win the battle against cooling water. Cast iron will help, but if bath time is your only "me time" you probably are hiding out in there for awhile... it's not just me... right?

Kohler - $768.72

Another acrylic tub, but by Kohler and a great shape and an amazing price.

One of my first stops for cast iron tubs are always the salvage yards. This cast iron tub happens to already be in great condition and is gigantic - it's a two person coming in at 75". But because this one is already near perfect, you'll pay for it. I've found tubs in terrible shape and had them re-furbished at a cost that doesn't even compare to what I would have paid for one in good condition. To find a salvage yard near you, try searching for terms similar to "architectural building salvage (insert your city)." You will be surprised at the hole-in-the-wall places that pop up near you. Craigslist too -- I've driven way too far to pick up tubs, but for $150 bucks, it's worth it!

Cheviot

I also couldn't resist this cast iron beauty. It's beautiful and while it's not in the cheap and cheerful category, I don't think it's unreasonable for a freestanding soaker made from cast iron.

And while it's definitely not in the inexpensive category, for serious bathers who don't want to lose heat, MTI makes a large assortment of tubs with "Thermaltherapy" options. They have a number of patents out there so to a certain extent, they have got bathtub heating cornered. Their inline heating system is operated with on/off switching and does not necessitate jets in order to work. It gently recirculates the water -- no disruptions and no cooling off. Additionally, they have a "Radiance" heat system that can heat the tub itself, much like a radiant flooring. No chilly tubs and cold metal when you put your shoulders against it.

Good luck on the remodel, Katerina! Go for it, it's always worth it.

Before & After: The Truth, Ruth

The truth was, it was all awful:

"For the last several years, since the death of her husband, Dr. Ruth has been so self-conscious about the three-bedroom upper Manhattan apartment — where she has lived for over 50 years and where she raised two children — that she has rarely entertained... If you had walked into this apartment, you would have had me committed to Bellevue."

Gotta love Dr. Ruth -- she's hysterical, but I ran across the NYT article highlighting her recent apartment re-do with Nate Berkus and, WOW, I was shocked. What must have been going through Nate's head when he walked in, I don't know. But, what was great to read about was how accepting she was of the change. It's hard to go through that, and in a place that held so many memories too of times past.

The good news is that she went from this:

To this:

Amazing. I love it.

What makes it so great is how much they embraced the feminine (do I sound like a disciple of the good Doctor?) Nate brought in the pink and balanced it with the blues, and the positioning of the sofa in front of the bookcases is genius. It's such a huge transformation, but he was willing to go with it and as a designer, Nate didn't forget the things she really cared about, and in fact, he was able to bring them back to life for her.

Design well done.

Nate strikes again

I'm not usually into the makeovers done on the morning shows, but this one from Nate Berkus and the Today Show was terrific.
He transformed a bedroom/office of one of their newlywed couples into a beautiful and functional master bedroom. He also used one of my favorite items from his HSN collection - the dhurrie zigzag rug.

Check it out here.

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What would your space say about you?

I think I almost ran my cart into an unsuspecting customer at the grocery store when I saw the new cover of the March Elle Decor. It knocked my socks off. Of course it's the work of Nate Berkus and Anne Coyle.

I love the juxtaposition of the dark walls with the modern art and eclectic, french furniture. This room is young and hip, yet so comfortable and inviting. I'd love to retire to this room to catch up on T.V. viewing.

I love the whole vibe of the whole house. It's so personal and looks like it was decorated over multiple years - not 20 months. I loved that the owner, the executive producer of the Oprah show, wanted a very personal space. She didn't want a house that looked like a showroom or a designers signature look. She wanted a space that was one part Babe Paley, one part Ralph Lauren and one part Twiggy. Now that's a woman I'd like to meet.

She turned her guest bedroom into a basketball court for her two boys. What a great idea if you have the space and the money. I made the mistake of showing this to my oldest son and he is determined to turn our guest bedroom into a basketball court as well. I don't think that's going to happen anytime soon.

I also loved their approach to the boy's bedroom. It's not overly designed and the space is usable and cool for a teenager. They can customize it any way they want so the room grows with them as their likes & dislikes change. Now, a wall of cork will be happening in my sons room. It's the least I can do since I can't do the basketball court.

Amazing closet door in the master bedroom. Dreamy. I could almost cry.

The dreamy closet. I could hide from my kids in here. Unfortunately, knowing them, I wouldn't be able to get them out of my closet. I think they would convert it into their bedroom. They love beautiful spaces.

The office space is another example of great design. A custom desk with space for two computers and separate drawers. Not over the top but beautiful and functional. The vintage Chippendale chairs and burlap covered bulletin board are a great contrast to the stainless steel counter top.

Elegant master bath. Again, so timeless. The paneled marble floor based on their stay at Claridge's in London adds a modern touch and reminds them of their travels.

Master bedroom. Classic and serene. The vintage chandelier is the star of the room .

Living room. This is the room that is the epitome of the blended styles that the owner wanted. I think Nate Berkus and Anne Coyle nailed it.

Dining Room. Definitely Ms. Paley walls, with RL table and Twiggy chairs.

Clean, modern kitchen. Great usable space. Love the modern table and chairs paired with the built in nook. A great place for families to connect. And in this digital age - we could all use a space like this.

So, while the cover of Elle Decor stopped me in my tracks - the rest of the house made an impression on me. I love that the owner could have had anything she wanted based on her position, and she wanted a personal and eclectic space that reminded her of family and her travels.

Isn't that what your house should say about you.

What do you want your space to say about you? What personalities would you design your house around? I'll have to think about that one as I think mine would change on a daily basis.

Today I'd be on part Suzanne Kasler, one part Kelly Wearstler, and one part ????