Tile File

Mosaic tile backsplash that provides a glamorous shimmer;
I also love the chandelier and Hollywood regency cabinetry
(decorpad.com)

Below is an old piece of tile displayed in my kitchen came from my Dutch relatives in Rotterdam.  My grandfather on my dad's side was first generation American and his family is from this major shipping city in The Netherlands.  My aunt brought the tile back for me when she visited our relatives and I cherish it as a reminder of my heritage. I'd like to use the white and blue colors as inspiration for my first kitchen.

I plan to write more about tile and the process of tiling when we move into our new house and hopefully have a chance to role up our sleeves, source some tiles, and tackle a DIY project.  Until then, I find myself tear-sheeting different types of tiles for my inspiration book.  From kitchen backsplashes to fireplace frames to bathroom floors, I have begun to educate myself about the various types of tiles and how they can truly transform a space.  I'm drawn to both symmetrical graphics (mainly for bathrooms) and intricate mosaics (most often for outside spaces such as lining a walkway or for an outdoor bar or terrace).  Here are a few that in my binder for future reference.

(elementsofstyle)

Ann Sacks blue mosaic
(cococozy)

(housebeautiful.com)

(housebeautiful.com)

Tiles by Ann Sacks

(white haven interiors)

engraved terra cotta; I love this for outdoor flooring
(thisnext.com)

Secrets of a Stylist

Since beginning the house search in Norfolk I've become a self professed HGTV addict.  I can't go more than a day without watching at least one episode of "House Hunters," "Selling New York," or "Design Star."  This Saturday night debuted Design Star winner Emily Henderson's new show "Secrets from a Stylist" (Saturdays 9pm ET).  Emily really listens to her clients and then pinpoints their individual tastes.  Armed with an acute understanding of what her clients want, she sources unusual pieces and shares her secrets for repurposing, refinishing and rethinking to create original spaces.  In the first episode, Emily effortlessly marries two styles: "Hollywood regency with country club chic" to update a 1920's LA living room.  Personally, I prefer the singular Hollywood regency look, but I really admire the way she pulled it all together and blended the couple's design tastes.  Emily posses such authentic artistry; it's a fun and fresh way to decorate.  Here are some pictures of the room transformed in the first episode.  My DVR is ready to capture the entire season of Emily's design innovation.

The "Before" picture: Emily's eye is MUCH needed



I love this room, especially the Lucite chandelier and the mocha
velvet wing chairs; this was "layer 1" (the Hollywood regency look)

 

Then Emily added "Layer 2" (the country club chic style).
She repainted the walls with a gold okra, re tiled the fireplace and replaced
the wing chairs, among other alterations, but she did keep the chandelier
and the Chinese silk prints on the walls

 

The final accent pieces on the coffee table; her clients loved it

 All photos from HGTV's website.