The all-white kitchen – cabinets, back splash, counters – set the style for the first decade of the 21st century. It’s the “manor house” look modernized and marketed by English kitchen designer Christopher Peacock [above], which draws directly from English kitchens of 100 years earlier. Usually described as “classic,” “timeless,” or “elegant,” it crawled from [...]

Clue: Paper
Until the camera was invented, silhouettes were the best way to capture a likeness. What are these items?  Post your best guess and I’ll return on Tuesday to reveal the answer. Good luck!

Answer: PopMat Paper Placemats
JaneT was > < close!  Designer Lian Ng was inspired by children’s pop-up books when she created PopMat Paper [...]

Grohe Minta, our expert’s top faucet pick. (Photo via grohecatalog.com)
During the past five years and two kitchen renovations, I’ve come to appreciate certain truths. Chief among them: your main sink faucet is the most important fixture in the kitchen – because — arguably, it is used more than anything else but the floor.
With thousands of [...]

I have been feeling nostalgic this week as my husband brought the crib all three children slept in to our house.  My parents have been storing it for us… how long?  Then I realized our youngest is turning twenty-two a week from today.   “The baby.”  How is that possible?!  I still remember driving to the [...]

Lately, it seems a number of my customers have been traveling to Turkey.  Rug purchasing is usually on their agenda since Turkey is well known for its carpet weaving.  If you are a rug or textile enthusiast, I have discovered a travel package to Turkey that might interest you.
A branch of Turkish Heritage Travel, Kilimtours.com [...]

The entry to a house makes a powerful first impression because it’s like a screen-grab of taste that telegraphs what’s to come in terms of style. Together with color, this creates a mood. Of course entries, or foyers, vary. In extremely modern, open-plan spaces such as these lofts by New York architect and designer [...]

A couple of weeks ago I heard noises outside.  A rustling sort of sound I couldn’t quite distinguish.  I peeked outside and saw nothing.  A few minutes later there was no doubt in my mind what I had heard. The house had the distinct aroma of eau de skunk.  The little critter had gotten underneath [...]

Clue: 12″ diameter
Form often accentuates function.  What is this item designed to do? Post your best guess and I’ll return on Tuesday to reveal the answer.
Answer: Humidifier
I hate to see a room cluttered with unattractive necessities, especially when visually pleasing designs are available.  The motto of Japanese design house Plusminuszero is “turn everyday objects into [...]

Occasionally, I come across smart idea that so easy and inexpensive to do, it’s surprising not to see it all over.
That would be the illusion headboards English color guru, Joa Studholme, painted right on the walls in her London home using Farrow & Ball paint colors she develops. Joa created one in her master bedroom [...]

I first noticed Suzani textiles in magazines three years ago, and purchased a pair of pillow covers on eBay.  A month later they arrived wrapped in handmade brown paper.  The rolled customs form traveled safely tucked under twine held by a brown wax seal nearly 7,000 miles to reach my doorstep.  Intrigued,  I was hesitant [...]

Who said closet doors have to be white?  Or boring?

All photos via Florida based Armadi Closets

An exquisite example of artistry awaits visitors in the loggia [above] of  The Adamson House, a California historic landmark built in 1929 and located in the beachfront town of Malibu. At first glance the 18-foot-long Persian style runner, original to the house and designed by ceramic artist William Handly of Malibu Potteries, might be mistaken [...]