Thursday, August 29, 2013

Friday's Eye Candy!



simply stunning!

image via elle decor


enjoy your weekend!

next week I will be sharing a few reveals!

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Feeling Inspired by Ralph Lauren For My Home!

            "What began 40 years ago with a collection of ties has grown into an entire world, redefining American style. Ralph Lauren has always stood for providing quality products, creating worlds and inviting people to take part in our dream. We were the innovators of lifestyle advertisements that tell a story and the first to create stores that encourage customers to participate in that lifestyle."





Wednesday, August 7, 2013

M&W Plastering of NJ, Is Ornamental Plastering A Lost Art?

I have been wanting to write about the beautiful craftsmanship of ornamental plastering. Two of my brothers happen to be in the business and one is the owner of M&W Plasteringof NY/NJ, Martin Skrivanich. I wanted to feature some of the amazing work he has completed and also shed light on this beautiful art.

A reference work on the web had this to say on the history of ornamental plastering:

As builders and architects were hired by an increasingly affluent clientele, ornamental plaster shops developed from the single artisan operations of the 18th century into the complex establishments of the early 20th century. American plaster studios employed immigrant and, later, native craftsmen. Plasterers' guilds were in existence in Philadelphia in the 1790s. In 1864, a plasterers' union was organized in the United States with members from the British Isles whose work there had been limited to palaces and churches. English and European craftsmen came to America where the demand for their skills had increased by the decade, offering them the unparalleled opportunity to open their own shops. Over the years, plaster elements became so popular in decorating interior spaces that a major industry was established. By the 1880s, catalogs were available from which property owners could select ornamentation for their splendid new buildings.

Here is some images of M&W Plastering's recent work! Please contact him with an inquiries at mskrivanich@gmail.com. Sorry the pictures are not the best quality:(








PS Sorry the before and after dining room photos are not just ready, hopefully within the week!

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Bold Headboard Inspiration!

I recently acquired a new upholstered headboard and love it! It is very neutral but suits our bedroom and overall design scheme. So I am really happy with it. While I was browsing may styles and prints, I saved these files and wanted to share them with you. I would love to help one of my readers re-design their oasis using something similar to these great prints and colors!









Stay tuned for tomorrow, I am sharing a before and after dining room reveal I recently finished!

Have a great day my readers!

Thursday, August 1, 2013

A Little Antique Brass!

I am working on a new design plan for a mudroom in Summit NJ that will look something like this!



If our plan of brick flooring comes through, my design was to incorporate some antique brass lighting and hardware for the space. Something like this!





I have found some amazing options and the client loves them. That is always a concern, when you present something and wondering if they are going to love it as much as you! Here are some the options we are considering:









Do you have a preference? I would love to hear, leave me a comment below! Thanks and have a good day in spite of the rain here in the northeast:(