Outdoor Oasis: Outdoor living at its finest!

If you're looking for some backyard envy.... you've found the right place!  A returning client was ready to convert their simple backyard into the perfect place to entertain.  They had several goals in mind while working through the designs; fireplace, summer kitchen, lots of seating areas, and access to the second floor of the home. Employing Wamhoff Development to help with design and construction, the project is finally coming to life!

 Just imagine, as you look through the photos below.... the only thing that existed before was the pool!

Here's a detail shot of the tile and stone work on the fireplace. On the covered portion of the patio, there's room for some comfy chairs and a sofa. On the exterior side of the fireplace, is a stone semi-circle perfect for a cool night around the fire. 

Close up of the tile design within the stone above the fireplace.  The inspiration for this tile accent was a sink the couple had purchased years ago while on vacation... you'll see it in a few moments :) The blue in the tile adds some cheerful color to the warm space. 

Here's a view from the seating area near the fireplace over to the summer kitchen.  The wall stone coordinates well with the existing brick and siding color of the home. 

Here's looking from the summer kitchen over to the fireplace. There's still some minor work being finished like the custom metal staircase!

The tile seen in above the fireplace also makes an appearance in the back splash in the kitchen.  On the other side of the summer kitchen is a spot for the amazing smoker.... I am really hoping to get invited to some of these parties! 

The couple had purchased a beautiful hand-painted sink from a trip to Mexico which works perfectly as their outdoor kitchen sink and looks amazing next to the deco tiles!

The space should be done within a few days.... just in time for some cooler weather!  Outdoor living is becoming such an important aspect of home design here in the south. Special thanks to Wamhoff Development for making this amazing space a reality!

Sneak Peak: Stunning Master Bathroom

If you've known me during my design career, you probably have had at least one heated discussion with me about tile/stone.  Throughout my time as a designer, I have become obsessed (maybe to an unhealthy degree) with these amazing products..... 

There is so much you can do with tile far FAR beyond a standard 12x12 in a grid pattern.  Mixing and matching, creating beautiful patterns, inlays, accents. Tile can completely transform an otherwise boring space into the stunning, drop-dead gorgeous, spa-like retreat it deserves to be!

So, when I walked into one master bathroom I have designed that finally has its tile installed, my heart skipped a beat! The bathroom is 90% complete and takes your breath away!

Above the tub, I created a little tile frame using a mix of travertine field tile, Light Emperador liners, and a beautiful crackled glass and stone mosaic. The Light Emperador tub deck is not only stunning and rich, but coordinates with the liners in the frame. 

The crackled glass tile is so beautiful that I used it in several areas including creating this tile pattern within the floor in front of the shower.

The furniture-like vanities add to the richness of this space. The deep stain color adds beautiful contrast to the light colored travertine and Light Emperador counter tops.  In order to not overwhelm the bathroom with too much glass mosaic, I only did two rows as the back splash lined with the same chair rail liner as the tub tile frame. 

Here was my "angels signing heavenly notes" moment... The shower focal wall will be seen through the glass shower door (not yet installed) and is also visible at almost every angle in the bathroom. The tile frame coordinates with the frame above the tub while not being exactly the same.   I used the glass mosaic to help create the frame this time and used a travertine set in a herringbone pattern inside the frame. 

"Her" vanity, reflective of his vanity but a little larger and with a cute spot perfect for getting ready in the mornings.  The amazing natural light makes these materials look even more rich and beautiful. 

While I can pick materials and draw out exactly where they should go, I most certainly can not lay the tile, build and finish cabinetry, install lighting, or even paint well.  So, a huge thank you to Monte with Flair Homes (check them out here!) and Ronnie with Buffaloe Flooring (check them out here!). Without them.... such a space wouldn't exist.

So looking forward to placing some final touches and taking some beautiful photographs!

Watching the tile come together

I use the computer a lot for my job.... a lot!  Every remodel requires to-scale drawings, product information, images, presentations, etc. Every tile design I create, is drawn to-scale for clients to see before giving the go-ahead. And it's quite common to walk onto a job site during the tiling phase and see my drawings taped up on a wall and the tile setter following the designs.

Here's a recent project where you can see the tiling is almost finished!

The simple travertine backsplash coordinates with any style/color and lets the beautiful cabinetry really shine in this kitchen.  The client called herself the 'anti-decorator' and wanted really clean design throughout her new home.

The same simple design was carried into the wine room/butler's pantry. 

There are three secondary bathrooms in this home; one on the first floor and two on the second floor. The one on the first floor got it's own special design and materials to give it a little personal flair.

The two bathrooms on the second floor are finished with the same materials, but they are installed and accented differently.  This unifies the spaces but also gives them a little individual personality.  

Walking into the master bathroom, the tub is easily the central focus of the space.  Tiling the walls not only will protect them from water splashes, but also creates a beautiful backdrop to the space.