My Life in Vignettes - The Master Bathroom

I am not much for before & after pictures... I really should have done that with this room. This was my second attempt at designing a room (I'll present the dining room another time)... which really required some major work - like moving a plumbing stack, a reinforced floor, etc. It was a challenge for my old-school contractor to see my vision, but the end result is super cool. And hats off to my plumber who understood where I was going & made his own artistic contribution with the bathtub faucetry straight from England - the crowning glory of this fun & funky room.

I wanted the traditional 1950's style black/white hexagonal tile flooring & the beautiful tile walls that you see pictured...courtesy of a wonderful free-style tile guy... who did all that by hand with no spacers! The tub, toilet & pedestal sink are Kohler Ironworks Historical Series. The paint on the 1/4 wall matches the claws & pedestal. My house had no linen closets... so where you now see a bench and cabinetry is where there used to be a tub. And where the toilet closet resides, once was a free-standing shower.

The cabinet artistry was done by the daughter of a friend who was in art school at the time. Giving a feel of art noveau and gothic nuance. The rocket style lighting, bark cloth cushions, punched metal table, magazine stand & garbage can, combined with the eames style clock & vintage lucite seahorses give this room a more atomic feel.

Probably the most bold & talked about place in my home. People visit & go into the bathroom on purpose just to see what can be done....if you dare!

Until next time.....lisa

My Life In Vignettes - The Foyer

We own a little 1928 Queen Anne... bought it about 10 years ago & I told my husband that it had all kinds of character. Well, it did - but it was also a bit of a fixer upper. I didn't really find my inner artist or know what I really liked for decor until we moved here. I remember returning from Germany 20+ years ago with all this crystal, porcelain, huge massive oak furniture, paintings & a friend saying to me; "It's really lovely, if you were maybe 35 or 40. I really don't think you know what your style is yet." And boy was she right!

I didn't realize what a texture girl I was...that I loved colors... dimensionality & grouping treasures together that people wouldn't expect. Dare to be bold! I was finding that out about myself in my jewelry design, but I had only just hit the tip of the iceberg in my home.

I made it my mission...."out with the new, in with the old." Ten years later, I am pretty content with the colors in my home even still & I tweak a little bit on finding old treasures. There is no area that I wont collect...from rugs to glass, pottery to wall art - anything is fair game. The more unique, the better. I also believe that because I adore doing non-traditional visual display of my jewelry with vintage props, that it has trickled down into my home life. Thus, "My Life In Vignettes," because I really do feel this is how it has evolved.

From time to time, I will be photographing other parts of the house. I am totally interested in learning about those of you who have allowed your art & creativity to kind of spill out into your home decor.

Until next time...