Back 2 Basics: White Subway Tile

I can't tell you how many bathrooms I use a simple white subway tile in & I have been thinking...it is time to use this for a kitchen again. I always get caught up in the stunning stone, glass, mosaic, VERY expensive tiles for the backsplashes. Why not go back to the basic and the well priced item?

via De Giulio Kitchens

You can mix it up a bit by running one row vertically along the bottom, an easy way to jazz things up.

via MidWest Living

Even though this detail (that I am loving) is out of painted brick you could easily get the same effect with tile.

via My Ideal Home

Carry it throughout, even the hood. This allows the windows and amazing lighting to take center stage.

via Kitchen Lab

Love the use of the tile on this massive wall in the Kitchen of the Year by House Beautiful. The contrast to the cabinets and those killer Visual Comfort French Library Double Wall Lights...adore.

via House Beautiful

Again, so many things going on in this kitchen, this is a great example of how the simplicity of the backsplash helps to pull it all together. Anything else would have been a distraction.

via House Beautiful

Going up, up, up to the ceilings. Also, take a good look and notice the small square tiles that they used every 5 rows to add some character.

via Tumbler

If you want to have fun...use black grout, not white or grey.

via Pinterest

And this one, I just love everything about this image...L-O-V-E

via La Dolce Vita

I am keeping this in mind for Altadore, this might help those killer vibrant brushed bronze faucets by Kohler (which killed the budget) take center stage. Hope your weekend was wonderful!! Mel xo

Pinterest finds this week...

Here are some of my favorite things I found while cruising the 'Discussions' pages on Pinterest this week.

{Chevron Here & Chevron There}

Dying over this tray. Someone pinned it from Etsy and yes, it is sold. *sigh*

How fun is this door design?! Such a great way to jazz up those bland plat panel doors. I think it would be perfect for a rental since you could easily do it out of tape so the landlord will stay happy. 

{Altadore Ideas}

Thinking that maybe this would be a great idea above one of the islands. Remember, I have 3 homes to do up in Altadore and I want them all to be individual.

Check out this vanity design, pretty fabtastic (yes, fab, not fan) if you ask me. Thinking Altadore I master bathroom?

{Party Hardy}

Brilliant! Why are the simplest things so amazing?! Love this for a larger cheese tray, no more guest wondering what they are munching on.

This is a MUST remember for future birthday parties.

{Decorating for the Seasons}

How funny is this? Supper excited around here for pumpkin carving time. These would also be fun for place card holders if you are hosting a dinner party around Halloween.

I am so doing this!

If you want to see some more fun things check out all of my boards HERE. Happy pinning & happy weekend! Mel xo

Around this house...

A few antlers have been added to the great room, matching ones on each side of the day bed.

A massive art piece I picked up, still not sure on it's final home.

 W is thrilled is marquee light is finally in, now if the hubs would just hang it up (hint hint). You can find them HERE.

 W also got a chair for his desk, a great lil' purchase from good old Ikea.

 I'll share more next week if the hubs gets around to my list that seems to be growing day after day. I need to do something with the 3,629 frames I bought at Ikea! Mel xo

My Missoni loot...

Yep, I'm in Canada. Yep, Target doesn't ship to Canada. Yep, I am having this shipped to my parents. Yep, I am having my parents ship it to me. I'm not going to let shipping get in my way of some pretties. Here is what I scored after trying to get on the website for over 3 hours.

8 of these...

 8 of these...

 and 16 of these...

There was a lot more I wanted but by 11am there was a long list of great items with 'out of stock' attached to the pic. Oh well, I guess I will just have to have a little party once the pretties above arrive, that will make up for it! Mel xo

Project Updates

Remember these? Yeah, it has been awhile. Let me get all of you caught up on what is going on in our world.

{Altadore I}

I posted my inspiration for this home HERE the other day and I am so excited about the decisions that have been made so far. On the site the framing has started and they should be starring the second level of the home this week. Not sure on the exterior colors yet, I think I am going to go more grey not as poop brown like you see below.

For the faucets, I decided on the Kohler Purist in Vibrant Brushed Bronze, they are the starting point for me...this one is going to be fun!

{Altadore II}

Drawings are done and we have submitted them into the city for approval. SUPER excited for the kitchen layout that we came up with, it is large and in charge! While the exterior is similar to Altadore I the interior will be quite different, a bit more traditional with the finishing.

{Hillhurst}

This is a custom single family home that we are building for a younger family. So far we have tackled the plumbing selections and the preliminary kitchen drawings. The framers are cracking away and will be ready for the roof tomorrow...excited to help these clients make this their dream home!

The bath faucets that were selected, the Delta Dryden.

{Lynx Ridge}

The Lynx home is trucking along. This has been a fun home to do since the clients wanted a very traditional feel to the home. Lots of wood, dark stain, dark marble and granite. I will admit it has been a bit of a challenge since we have been working on such contemporary homes as of late but that is why I love what I do...I am challenged each and every day. I want every home to reflect the owner not myself. 

The wet bar in the lower level is getting the finishing touched on the curved bulk-head.

 The main great room has 27' vaulted ceilings, custom alder built-ins, & alder beams.

 One of the offices on the main level has a custom built-in, but it is the flooring and ceiling that are going to be the features in this room...that will be revealed when it is done.

 The railing is being installed on the main staircase in the home, curved alder stringer, & open maple riser treads. All of the wood work throughout the home is alder, even the mud room lockers below.

The kitchen is quite large, with an island that is over 10' long and 5' wide.

So that is where we are at. I am starting the design for Altadore III this week and we are working on a few more things as well...there will be lots coming your way very soon!! Hope you have a lovely weekend. Mel xo

ten years

It is hard to believe that it has been 10 years, it feels like yesterday doesn't it? I still remember the call from my mother telling me a plane had hit the building. Like everyone I was completely overrun with emotions, paralyzed in-front of the televisions hoping in one way or another that everything would be OK...I spent hours, days in fact glued to the coverage, it is something that I will never forget.

 via laughing squid

I had left the city 5 months prior to 9/11, it was my home for a few years. I loved living there, it was home. The people made it, the vibe kept me going, the life, oh the life, the possibilities it offered, the fact that I was living the dream. I recall standing on 5th ave & 16th street outside of the Banana Republic I worked at when I first moved there, looking down I would see the World Trade Center and looking up the street I would see the Empire State building, I would say to myself, and to others at times, 'I can't believe I live here, me, Melissa from Missouri is living in Manhattan!'

via Flicker

I have only been back once since I moved. When I was visiting I went down to Ground Zero and it was overwhelming to say the least, the raw emotions I felt and those of the people that surrounded me made the experience that much more. NYC is a city that cannot and will not be broken, no matter what others will try to do this city is strong, alive, and a force. I love you NYC. Mel xo

Altadore I insperation

Working on getting this home put together. It is at framing stage so let the creativity run. Here are a few of the things going into the home...

Dark rooms here & there

via DecorPad

Black Interior Doors

via Holly Mathis

2 Tone Windows

via Tumbler

Mitered Island Wrap

via RueMag

Open Shelving

via my own

Brass Accents

via Kohler, Delta, Visual Comfort, & Hickory

Open Riser Stairs

via Boston Lofts

I'm pretty excited about this project & I can't wait to share the updates with you. Oh, and the best part? There is going to be an Altadore II & Altadore III, all individual and unique, I love inner city living! Mel xo

Recipe: Quick pasta salad

Here is a great quick, easy, and tasty recipe. Lately I have been all about ease since we have had company, tons of work to catch up on, and the house to deal with. Needless to say this has been a staple in the fridge for a quick side dish.

1 lb bow tie pasta

4 C. fresh baby arugula

2 C. grape tomatoes cut in half

1/2 C. toasted walnuts

1/2 C. crumbled blue cheese

3 T. good extra virgin olive oil

3 T. white wine vinegar

1/2 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

Boil pasta to instructions. Once it is cooked add to a bowl with the fresh arugula, mix well, cover with plastic wrap. After the arugula is wilted (about 5 min.) add in the tomatoes & walnuts and toss well. Mix the olive oil with the vinegar and add the salt & pepper, drizzle over salad and mix in the blue cheese. Serve at room temp or chilled.

Seriously, how easy is that?! Hope you enjoy!! Mel xo

Who's gonna get a new VC light??

So who is going to get a new Visual Comfort light?

The winner of the $200 credit towards any Visual Comfort light is...drum-roll please!

Who is #3 you ask, it is Cara from Lilac & Grey! Congratulations my dear, I am so excited to see what lovely you pick for your place!!

And remember, if any of you want help selecting and ordering up some wonderful lights from Visual Comfort drop me a line. I would love to help you!! Have a great weekend! Mel xo