BEFORE AND AFTER: JULIE SGARZI DOES A DOUBLE TAKE ON HER CLASSIC L.A. DUPLEX!

Julie Sgarzi's Craftsman/Mediterranean Southern California duplex - photo from Julie's iPhone (above)

This is the house Julie Sgarzi remodeled!

Our long-time very very dear family friend, Julie, recently took on a project of a lifetime when she decided to transform the 1932 duplex she's owned and has been living in for years. She wanted to maintain the charm of this Craftsman/Mediterranean duplex but also wanted to update, open up and modernize her living space. As with most major home remodels, Julie was literally put out of house and home for weeks and weeks...but judging by this wonderful before and after house tour, the temporary displacement was well worth the wait!


The maize (pale yellow) colored exterior of Julie's duplex hints of a Mediterranean influence with the red clay tiled roof, iron trim and arched entryway (above)

DINING ROOM WITH VIEW INTO KITCHEN - BEFORE (below)


As you can see by this photo above...before the kitchen was the furthest thing from an open modern kitchen overlooking a communal dining area. Before remodel, a wall blocked kitchen from dining room view making

DINING ROOM VIEW FROM KITCHEN - DURING CONSTRUCTION (below)

Standing inside kitchen looking out towards dining room during remodel (above)

KITCHEN/DINING ROOM VIEW -AFTER

The small kitchen doorway was moved a bit and widened in order to create an arched pass-through into the dining room. The kitchen was transformed from a closed area to an open convivial space which now flows seamlessly with the other living spaces in the home. (above)

KITCHEN - BEFORE

Kitchen was a small space with limited cabinet storage, tile countertop and older appliances (above).

KITCHEN - DURING CONSTRUCTION

Julie gutted her entire kitchen (down to the studs) for a completely fresh start which included relocating major appliances. (above)

KITCHEN - AFTER


Ahhh! The kitchen is open and airy now! This cooking space is a perfect blend of classic with modern conveniences. Julie says her contractor/builder - Bryan Castille - was terrific to work with and had a great design sense. The kitchen now includes mahogany cabinets(the same wood that frames all of the windows in the house), an island for eating and prep work, stainless appliance including a professional grade range and granite countertops! Creating symmetry and balance also seemed to be a goal - notice below the arched hood area over the stove is an exact mirror to the arched pass-through to the dining room.



The design element Julie seems most proud of in her brand new kitchen is the tile backsplash. She commissioned custom artist-designed tiles for the kitchen. Artist Craig Antrim of San Pedro, CA hand made 50 separate original tiles plus the medallion series of 4 larger tiles over the stove. Each of the beautiful tiles are artfully placed in the backsplash that surrounds the kitchen.


Custom artist designed tiles in Julie's kitchen. (above and below)



More on Julie's fantastic home makeover to come...including the how she managed to remodel and refresh her living room while keeping all of the fabulous craftsman detail.

Thank you Julie for these amazing photos! Your house is AMAZING!

A VINTAGE INDEX CARD FILE CABINET

Twenty Gauge Vintage American Steel Furniture - Green steel card file cabinet -$3420

Don't know what I would use this for...but found this 1920s vintage steel card file cabinet at HD Buttercup.

Love the worn almost rusty bright green paint. Feels like something intriguing was filed in the 24 file drawers.

Maybe a great accent piece for a dining room, a large kitchen or an outdoor space. I might use this to store cutlery and other small kitchen items! Food for thought...!

THE HD BUTTERCUP SALE - IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR FURNITURE, YOU WILL FIND IT CHEAP!

Inside HD Buttercup during half year sale. (above)

Everything is on sale at self described "manutailer" HD Buttercup. HD Buttercup is a 150,000 square foot warehouse occupied by over 50 individual furniture and home accessory manufacturers selling directly to the public. HD Buttercup is housed in the old Helms Bakery building - a landmark in Los Angeles zigzag architecture and is full of home furnishing finds.

Until July 13th, most everything in the store is 20-70% off. From beds, linens, sofas, lighting, furniture, antiques and accessories...this is what you would call a real sale. The furnishings and quality are solid mid to high end pieces....and if you are on the market...there are some great steals!


Exterior HD Buttercup store in Los Angeles (above)


Allister mirrored chest in white shown as a nightstand by Michael Weiss - original $1695, on sale $1355


Square glass and wire vintage looking chandelier - original $495, on sale for $295 (above and below)

This glass and wire vintage looking chandelier shown above is a total steal...considering I saw the EXACT same chandelier at Shabby Chic in Santa Monica for $850.


Price tag from glass vintage chandelier!


Upholstered dusty blue suede Queen nail head trim headboard - original $1395, on sale $1115 (above and below)




Arteriors Home section of HD Buttercup featuring a wide range of table lamps, floor lamps, pendants and chandeliers (above)


Dark caramel colored Barcelona style x-bench stool with polished chrome metal legs in HD Buttercup's Backroom - original $630, on sale $315 (above and below)




A cream colored velvet sofa with piping on sale...original price $1895 on sale for $1495 (above and below)




A crystal diamond cut table lamp at Michael Weiss ...original $285, on sale for $222 (above and below)






Exterior of the HD Buttercup Store in Culver City



HD Buttercup
3225 Helms Avenue(at the corner of Venice)
Los Angeles, CA 90034
310-558-8900
Hours are Monday- Saturday 10am to 7pm and Sunday 11am to 6pm.

METAL WALLS - HOW STAINLESS STEEL CAN ADD SOME GLAM TO OTHERWISE GLUM WALLS!

Ann Sacks - Alloy Mosaic Tile (alloy brushed stainless steel 3/4" x 3/4" mosaic shown with KALLISTA laura kirar vir stil kitchen faucet with side spray and soap dispenser) (above)

Love this kitchen scene with the glimmering stainless steel mosaic tile backsplash...it is light, airy, clean, functional and has sparkle. Sparkle is courtesy of the shiny stainless mosaic tiles. Need to add dazzle to a wall in a kitchen, dining room, bathroom or even bedroom? Ever consider putting stainless steel on your walls?!!

Ann Sacks - Alloy Mosaic Tile (brushed stainless steel tile cover a fireplace chimney of a very modern looking pizza oven)

A GOOD HARD LOOK AT A MODERN WOODEN LAMP!

Pom Pom Interiors - Wood Lamps with Green Shades - $450 each - 323-851-1342

Found this lamp at Pom Pom Interiors in Los Angeles on La Brea Ave. - a carved wood urn shaped lamp with squared edges. The medium toned wood makes for an interesting material for a lamp base. The green shade gives the lamp an earthy modern feel. This lamp could blend well in a living room or dining room with a cream, tan and chocolate color scheme.

COLOR WATCH: LET THE YELLOW SHINE IN - A SUMMER TIME COLOR COMES HOME!

Photo: Jonn Coolidge

Here is a white entry hall with stark white walls and furnishings...but this entry does have a splash of invigorating color...an electric yellow door.

I had a yellow front door for years before I painted it dark brown. I loved my yellow door. When I came home after a long days work bleary eyed and tired, my yellow door always made me smile. The vibrant yellow was always warm and welcoming...it signified home. Hmmm..I wonder why I painted my front door brown...I may have to rethink that decision!



Viceroy Hotel, library, Santa Monica, CA. Photo: Grey Crawford

Last year yellow was the "in" color on fashion runways. This year and every year, however, it seems that yellow in some way, shape, form or shade is always "in" fashion in home decor.

Above, in a public space at the Viceroy Santa Monica Hotel, yellow livens up a classic library making the room bright and cheery (much like white). The shock of yellow in the Hollywood Regency decor contrasts and blends with the rich dark wood of the built in book case.

Below, a warm yellow illuminates an outdoor dining area at Alys Beach in Florida.


Alys Beach Caliza Pool dining area. Photo: Fionuala McGlinchey sent from her iPhone (sunflower yellow on the walls of an outdoor dining area)

Amber, corn, canary, gold, lemon and mustard - just to name a few shades of yellow - now here are furniture pieces and home accents in different shades of yellow.



Weego Home - Florence Broadhurst Circles & Squares Pillow - $100 (17"x17" hand printed on cotton with down stuffer) (above)


Woodson & Rummerfield's - Florence Broadhurst Romanesque Champagne and Canary Wallpaper - $448 per roll (above)



William Sonoma Home - Abbott Corner Chair - from $995 (upholstered corner chair with tapered hardwood legs nickel caps) - photo by Cococozy - (above)



Mitchell Gold & Bob Williams - Francine Chair - approx. $1400 (pale yellow linen fabric)

GREAT BALL OF FLOWER - A ROUND CHANDELIER WITH LOTS OF FLOWER POWER!

The Empty Vase - Round Glass Flower Chandelier - $1595

While at The Empty Vase in West Hollywood, in the home furnishing wing, I found this glass chandelier in the form of a floral ball (or maybe in the form of the top part of a bouquet)...perfect place for this chandelier considering The Empty Vase is known for its wonderful flower arrangements.

Love the sparkle and the flower detail. A fun twist on round chandeliers!

FLOWERING THINGS - THE BUDDING STORY ON FLORAL RELIEF VASES, POTS AND JARS

Silver metallic floral relief pots from The Empty Vase, 310.278.1988, $69 (above) (photo by Cococozy)

Favorite fabulous friend JLF turned me onto these flower bud relief vases, pots and jars.

See the two vases below. They are both JLF finds. JLF was in Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills (her home away from home) when she stumbled upon the blue and white porcelain vase with floral relief pattern on it. She fell in love but the vase was hundreds of dollars (not too much for JLF but probably not a purchasing priority when faced with vast array of shoes, purses and accessories upstairs in this luxe department store). Low and behold, just a bit later with her blue and white inspiration vase from Neiman in mind, JLF then happened upon this white vase (directly below) at Z Gallerie. It was a fraction of the price of the Neiman Marcus version...JLF snatched it up and it now sits in her home.


JLF's flower bud relief ceramic white vase from Z Gallerie(above) (photo sent from JLF's iPhone)


JLF's inspiration vase from Neiman Marcus in Beverly Hills (above) (photo sent from JLF's iPhone)

Just this weekend I had my own encounter with flowering vases, pots and jars at a flower shop in West Hollywood called The Empty Vase. As I was browsing through the furniture and home accessories wing of this floral haven, I found not one but two vases/pots budding with flowers!

Who knew that vases could actually grow flowers!


White ceramic flower relief ceramic bud vase, The Empty Vase, 310.278.1988, $135 (above) (photo by Cococozy)

COCOCOZY FIND: MILK GLASS - HOW SOME GLASS ACCENTS HAVE A PERFECT MILKY WAY ABOUT THEM!

Pottery Barn - Milk Glass Table Lamp with Natural Fiber Tapered Drum Shade - $90 lamp base + $29 lamp shade (above)


I am obsessed with anything made of milk glass - the white or colored opaque glass. I am partial to anything in white milk glass because I think the milky white reads true in color - pure white. I also love the high gloss texture...has the look of high sheen lacquer but feels more substantive for some reason.

I found this canister below at Restoration and bought four of them for the garden window in my kitchen. I needed to store items but wanted a nice looking simple jar that matched the white glass cabinets in my kitchen - and voila!


Cococozy's milk glass large canister with lid from Restoration Hardware ($33.99 on sale) (above)


Milk glass was first developed in about the 1920's and then popular hobnail milk glass items were designed by Fenton Art Glass Company in the 1950's. Ebay has many of these nubby white glass vases, pitchers, bowls, goblets and more for sale - very cheap and very popular with avid vintage item collectors. I am not a huge fan of the old-school milk glass but do like what I am seeing by way of new milk glass home accents and dishware.

Yesterday, I was walking through Pottery Barn and came across these milk glass table lamps which come in a variety of hues including orange, green, espresso (brown), white and yellow. Love them! White is my favorite! Finding these little lamps confirmed my obsession with all things new milk glass.



Milk Glass lamps at Pottery Barn store in Beverly Hills (above and below)



Have you seen anything made of milk glass? If so, comment below.

Do you even like milk glass?

A COLORFUL & SPICY INDOOR OUTDOOR POOLSIDE LOUNGE SPACE

Photo of Alys Beach lounge from Fionuala's, sent via her iPhone (above)

Friend and blog reader Fionuala McGlinchey sent in these amazing photos from her visit earlier this year to Alys Beach - a GORGEOUS planned community on the panhandle of Florida. Alys Beach's property includes luxury private homes, vacation rentals and exquisitely planned and designed communal spaces.

This covered patio space or open-air loggia features rich spice colored walls in exactly the right tone not too bright and not too dark burnt orange...just right enough to make this space colorful, fresh and summer-like.

Along with the vibrant colored walls, the dark wood beamed ceilings and the deep brown rattan/wicker sofas and love seats provide a perfect blend of orange and brown tones. Yellow throw pillow add a wonderful pop of color.

The main wall features art in the form of a simple wood panel triptych which is delicately painted with white birds and a leafy tree.

Wish I could be at Alys Beach right now!


Exterior of the open-air loggia at Alys Beach which overlooks the Caliza Pool area(above)


Caliza Pool at Alys Beach - photo thrown in just because it is summer and most of us could use a bit of rest and relaxation poolside! (above and below)




Poolside bar featuring modern white barstools and an open-air bar (above)

Thank you so very much Fionuala (and Lucy) for these beautiful photos! Glad you figured out your iPhone.

Will post a few more of Fionuala's Alys Beach photos a little later.

DESIGNER ROOM RECREATE: BLUE ROOM - THE BEDROOM THAT SINGS WITH BEDTIME BLISS!

Photo: Reid Rolls. Design: Craig Wright.

Love this bedroom. The blue walls, concrete ceiling, white trim and shiny dark wood floors make a great foundation for a classic but modern bedroom. The robin's egg blue wall, bed linens and rug paired with the white upholstered headboard and white ceramic (or milk glass lamps) tie together fantastically - just like a bow on a Tiffany & Co. gift box. The mahogany colored bed frame and night tables are classic in material but modern in design sporting a no frills straight edge box shape standing on block legs.

I would definitely want to hang out in this blue room!

Here's how you can recreate this look:

Plantation - Collette Table Lamp - $295 (hand blown glass lamp base in white opal; shade is white with grey trim) (above)

West Elm - Nickel Inlay Storage Collection Two-Drawer Nightstand - $259 (hardwood construction with nickel pulls, chocolate color) (above)


West Elm - Wood Bed Frame (in chocolate) - $249 for Queen size (above)



William Sonoma Home - Newport Headboard - $925 Queen headboard in white muslin, $199 (above)



Brocade Home - Bent Wood Chair in White - $199 (side chair oak hardwood construction with white high gloss finish) (above)


Madeline Weinrib - Olivia Robins Egg (cotton flatweave rug) (above)


Inhabit - RAS Rain in Sky stretched wall art - $328 for 60"x34" (made from 100% sustainable recycled polyester. Handprinted and handmade in the USA with environmentally-friendly inks with no chemical waste or disposal generated. ) (above)

FIRING UP PORCELAIN - FLORAL TEA LIGHT HOLDERS SPARKLE AND SHINE!

Persimmon - Porcelain Flower Tea Light holders ($20) and Porcelain Tulip Vases ($24) on display (above).

I've mentioned one of my favorite stores in Los Angeles in passing in previous posts...and now I will mention it again. My friend JS owns Persimmon - a lovely store on Flores right off Beverly Boulevard in Los Angeles. The store's decor is a wonderful balance between modern clean lines featured in the streamline white built-in cabinetry juxtaposed with the rustic woodsy accents of the display tables, antique/vintage display cases and the twig/tree branches used to show off the items for sale. This artsy modern feel of the store's decor also is reflected in all of what the store has to offer a shopper.

The mainstay of Persimmon is an exquisitely chosen selection of fine jewelry from artists like Jamie Joseph, Melissa Joy Manning, Sarah Perlis and Rosanne Pugliese. Each time I go in, there is some new amazing piece of jewelry to discover.

Persimmon is also host to a selection of wonderful home accessories and housewares including Jeff Benroth vases and R & Y Augousti leather boxes/jewelry cases.

I was just in the store on Saturday and once again noticed these lovely tea light holders featured in this post (above). These metallic porcelain candle holders are so very festive...perfect for any summer table setting or just for adding a bit of mood lighting to a room.

Persimmon - Store interior (above)

If you are ever in L.A. (or even just online), this is a store I wouldn't want to miss!

Persimmon Handpicked Objects

310 N. Flores Street

Los Angeles, CA 90048USA

323.951.9540

WEEKEND FIND - A PLYWOOD SIDE CHAIR?

White Orchid - Macrame Chair - $450 (white oak plywood chair) (above)

I stopped into a furniture store called White Orchid on Saturday. It is on Robertson Blvd. just north of Beverly Blvd. here in L.A. I pass this store on the way to work on the days when I am doing my artful zigzag through the city in order to avoid traffic in my consistently stressed out efforts to make it to work in a timely fashion!!

Anyway, went inside the store on Saturday after the weekend pedicure and on my way to an art opening at my friend JS's store, Persimmon. White Orchid is filled with colorful modern furniture for the home. Lots of interesting and bold pieces for the bedroom, living room, dining room. In the end, however, overall, the furnishings there are way too modern for my taste and to me definitely has an appeal for the high-end modern bachelor (I noticed quite a few men in the store checking out the furniture and getting advice on how to revamp their spaces - I believe I even heard one man say "let's go ahead and order it all" - very smart to appeal to men, many seem to have less patience with decorating/interior design and tend to want to buy furniture in one place...hassle free).

In this modern masculine furniture haven, I did find something for me - a piece that stood out as a flirty and feminine home accent - the Macrame chair.


This chair is made of layers of oak plywood that have been cut, shaped and formed into a chair. It is Italian made by a company called PSM-a company that takes pride in the making of and crafting of chairs. The chair can be stained in a variety colors and tones from this light natural white oak look to a dark brown mahogany-like color. The web-like macrame pattern makes these chairs visually intriguing.

I imagined using two of these chairs as accents in a living room or dining room. Fantastic conversation pieces at a minimum!

SMART DESIGN: A HOME SOLUTION IS A TOTAL SUCKER FOR NOT DRILLING HOLES INTO WALLS!

Twentieth - Sucker - $17 each (above)

Los Angeles based Twentieth has found an ingenious solution to wall hooks. These silicone suckers designed by Jan Hoekstra & Leon Ramaker come in white, purple or aquamarine. They are simple in design but the solve the problem of what to do when you need a hook in a hard to drill surface like tile, glass or any other smooth surfaces. Apparently the experience of actually attaching the Sucker to the wall is the fun part because they literally suck themselves right into place!

Think I am going to buy one now for my bathroom door!

COCOCOZY FIND: BAMBOO ECO-FRIENDLY TEXTURED WALL COVERING - FANTASTIC NOT SO FLAT EMBOSSED WALL FLATS!

Inhabit - BRA-Braille embossed wall flat - $86 for a box of 10 18"x 18" panels which cover 22.5 sq.ft. per box (above)


Today, made an amazing find of a retailer named Inhabit (found from reading the blog of a commenter/reader of one of my posts, Ann of Mom's Turf).

Inhabit has a wonderful website featuring fantastic home accessories and furnishings. From pillows, bedding, build your own lamps and stretched wall art, this company has a bevy of elegant and modern home decor products.

What caught my eye immediately from Inhabit were these embossed wall flats pictured here in this post. Inhabit's wall flats are large tiles made of bamboo pulp that can be applied to any wall surface to give a stylized texture and design. The tiles are eco-friendly because they are made of the bamboo material (no trees harmed because made from 100% molded bamboo paper pulp) and they come unpainted in an off-white color so a homeowner can prime and paint any color. The website says the panels or tiles feel like hardwood.

I love these wall flats. Imagine if you have a wall that needs some covering up or if you just want to have some fun with a blank wall in a room, it seems these wall flats can make any wall a visual point of great interest!



Inhabit - SHAN-Shangri La Wall Flats - $86 for box of 10 18"x18" panels (above)



Inhabit - BUD-Bud embossed wall flat -$86 for box of 10 18"x18" panels (above)

What might you use these wall flats for? ...Please add suggestions to comments below!

AM DECO: A FLORAL GUIDING LIGHT - A MYSTERY CEILING PENDANT...DO YOU KNOW WHERE IT IS FROM?

AM sent this photo (above) she took of a mystery round ceiling pendant light fixture aglow at night in a mystery location.

I'll start this post by saying I am thankful for AM and her AM DECO segment for the following reasons: she has great style, a fantastic eye for decor, readers have commented to me that they LOVE her design sense (as do I ) and overall she is being a fantastic friend for contributing to this blog and suggesting that I even do a blog.

Now AM has taken her AM DECO section to new heights.

Just yesterday, she sent me these two photos of this fantastic round ceiling light fixture with little white flowers affiixed to the entire pendant...a light fixture she knows I would love...and she didn't send me any information on it. So now her deco segment has morphed into a mystery solving segment!

AM...hello...it is AM DECO...not AM UNSOLVED DECO MYSTERIES!

Does anyone know where AM found this ceiling pendant? Please comment below by clicking on comments link. Maybe AM herself would care to comment. Hee hee.

Needless to say....I LOVE this floral round chandelier or pendant light. It is eye catching, whimsical and stylish. Way to go AM on spotting another fabulous find. A guiding light in design!!!

CATALOGUE SNEAK PEEK: REAL HOMES DECKED OUT BY ROOM & BOARD!

Room & Board summer catalogue pages (above) feature a dining room with the Andover dining table ($1379), Studio Pendant light fixture ($429), Ansel side chair ($569), Andover bench at dining table ($599) and a Hutton sofa ($2599).


Just got these images from Room & Board. The images are of several pages from this season's Room & Board catalogue which will be mailed out in about two weeks. This catalogue features homes of real people who have decided to furnish their living spaces almost entirely with Room & Board furniture and accessories. Three homes are featured in this catalogue...from New York, California and Colorado.


Catalogue pages (above) feature an Orange County, California couple's loft work space entirely furnished at Room & Board, including living room, bedroom and sitting areas.

Here's what Room & Board's p.r. company has to say about this season's catalogue offerings:

"Room & Board is proud to be a part of so many beautiful and inviting homes across the nation… so much so that we’ve decided to once again feature three of them in this season’s mailer! Our customers have a very keen eye for design and we're happy to profile them for fresh ideas and inspiration. After all, it's their world; we only furnish it! From a vacation home in Steamboat Springs, CO to an apartment in Queens to an artists loft in Santa Ana, CA...Room & Board serves up 50 pages of timeless design at affordable prices."

Room & Board catalogue pages (above) showcase three sofas under $1000: Harley Sofa ($899), Melrose Sofa ($899) and Brooke Sofa ($700)


These pages (above) feature a story about a British couple who called a Room & Board designer to help them furnish their Colorado vacation home.


Finally (above), Room & Board gives us a glimpse of their selection of 100% wool rugs.

Hope you enjoyed this catalogue sneak peek!

AD'S DESK DILEMMA - PUT PEN TO PAPER ON WHICH DESK IS BEST? - WEIGH IN ON 5 LITTLE WHITE DESKS!

1. West Elm - Jay Desk - $149 on sale (above) (wood desk with wheels/roll out extension)

Time for you to weigh in...please comment on which of these small white desks you like best. (click on comment tab at bottom of post)

Friend and blog reader AD is looking for a small white desk for her condo. She wants something white, small and functional...something that won't take up too much space in her modern Hollywood condominium and something that blends in really easily to her living area's current decor. She plans on pairing a white desk with a white wood file cabinet that she'll use to store all of her important papers.

AD needs help on picking the best desk...here are some of the options she has found...please weigh in.

2. Pottery Barn - Meredith Vanity Desk - $499 (above) (hardwood frame, tapered legs, molded drawer fronts, antique white ...this desk doubles as a dressing table or vanity with a built in power strip in the back)

3. Pottery Barn - Bedford Small Desk Set - $499 on sale (above) (wood desktop with three drawer cabinet base)

4. West Elm - Parsons Desk with drawers - $299 in polished white (clean line wood desk with polished white surface)

Friends AM, AZ and RB have already weighed in - they ALL like this polished Parsons Desk from West Elm best (above). AM saw a picture someplace where someone had actually put wallpaper on the front of this simple desk to add a bit of frill and design to it. The desk has the look of shiny lacquer (very popular in the Hollywood Regency and modern designs featured in many stores now). RB actually already owns this Parsons desk and loves it.

5. CB2 - Graph Desk - $299 (above) (a drawing table style desk white desk with wood composite top and powder coat metal legs)

Please help AD by clicking on comments below...please weigh in...she needs your help!!!

Also if you have any other desk ideas, let me know and I'll post those too.

TILE FILE - MODERNIZED MOSAICS - AN OLD WORLD TILE TECHNIQUE HAS A NEW DAY!

Photo: Eric Striffler. Designer: Kimberly Hall

A gorgeous glass mosaic tile backsplash and marble countertops. The shimmering glass mosaic tiles in this photo come from SICIS, a company specializing in mosaic tiles of all kinds including glass, marble and metal. The SICIS website features gorgeous photos showing how mosaic tiles can be used in so many ways in home decor. Some of the cool installations include a bar area with small metal mosaic tiles covering the wall, a restaurant vaulted ceiling of yellow and gold glass mosaic tile, intricately designed mosaic tile rugs and even bathtubs covered in shiny glass and metal mosaic tiles.

This vignette above features white, turquoise and orange mosaic tiles laid in a circular pattern. Hmmm...have seen this color combination before (see below in a Designer Room Recreate). I like it.

PHOTO OF THE WEEK: OPEN LIVING

Photo: Reid Rolls (home of architect Price Harrison)

I am posting this Photo of the Week by Nashville photographer Reid Rolls. Reid is a versatile photographer who takes amazing photos of people and places. He is the first photographer who agreed to allow me to use his photos on this blog...and coincidentally enough his work is my favorite. Either his clients chose him because of his eye for design or he chooses his clients because of their eye for design....either way...his interior design, decor and architecture photos always work brilliantly!

The reason I am