The Bath. A time to relax and rejuvenate. There is nothing quite as soothing. It is small wonder that this time tested ritual has become a focus of beautiful design. I was reminded of how important a bathtub can be when enjoying the latest issue of Elle Decor and seeing this brilliant example of a "bathing room":

Elle Decor, September 2008, Photo by Grey Crawford

What struck me about this space was not just the beautiful tub (Waterworks Candide tub), but the very beautiful and witty tub filler dreamed up by the home owners/designers Fisher Weisman. A stream of water flows down from a shell encrusted "chandelier" reminiscent of the unique creations of Tony Duquette. Question....just where does one turn it on? No matter...this is my idea of luxury.

Another master of the bath is Axel Vervoordt. Bringing that European sensibility, he never fails to bring a certain sophistication and fresh simplicity to this kind of space. Here he has placed a nineteenth century zinc tub in a bedroom. Heaven.

Another of my favorite bath spaces was created by Vicente Wolf. I think that combining different styles and periods will always make a space more interesting, and Mr. Wolf accomplishes this with great style. His Baccarat sconces and English eighteenth century mirror are the perfect foil for the blue glass walls and contemporary concrete tub.

Another designer who never disappoints is Michael Smith. This example of his authentic style takes me to another time.... one where things were slower. And isn't that what one would want when trying to unwind in the tub? Look at the details: the basket of magazines, reading glasses on the stool, the fresh towels, slippers at the side of the tub. And of course Rover waiting patiently. Perfection. (All bath fittings and fixtures designed by Smith for Kohler).

House and Garden, December 2000, Photo by Melanie Acevedo

This bathroom was created by Juan Pablo Molyneux for jewelry designer John Landrum Bryant. The bath here is adorned by Bryant's signature tiger heads on the tub face as well as the filler (Custom created by Bryant). The fantasy comes through, but in a way that is not overstated. Very "chic" I think!

Veranda, January-February 2005, Photo by Hickey-Robertson

This bathroom has all of the elements necessary for a long relaxing soak. Designers, art dealers and home owners Cynthia Cage McClain and Robert McClain thought of everything: candles, reading material, a little wine, flowers. Mix these with such personal, beautiful art and photography, and one feels like this is really home.

House and Garden, October 2005, Photo by Francois Halard

Milan based designer Roberto Peregalli created this amazing Master Bath for Claudio and Maria Luti of the famous family firm Kartell, most well known today for the production of the Philippe Starck Ghost Chair. I love the Robust-patterned marble flooring with the striped Venetian stucco walls. The dramatic Carrara marble tub surround contrasts so wonderfully with the Kartell Eros chair here.

Veranda, September-October 2006, Photo by Alec Hemmer

This bathroom just says "California" to me. Designed by Napa Valley designer Barbara Colvin this space is beautifully done. I love the French Doors off the garden and the stone floors. The simple elegance and connection to the outdoors creates such a wonderful spa-like atmosphere.

House Beautiful, July 2006, Photo by Karyn R. Millet

One of designers I am following lately is Ken Fulk. This California designer created such a pleasing space here using the Vintage Bath form Kohler, the owner's leaded glass pendant, and the Greek Key trimmed Roman Shade. Victorian side chair from Swallowtail. Very pretty!

Southern Accents, September October 2008, Photo by Pieter Estersohn

I love this bath with it's Loius XIV mirror and antique Swedish chandelier. Designed by Amelia Handegan for a couple in Charleston, it has a very European flavor. The pale gray-blue and white palette with the pewter and gold metal colors seems to be something I am drawn to time and again.

Southern Accents, July-August 2008, Photo by Roger Davies

Phoebe Howard decorated this beautiful bathroom for a vacation house in Ponte Verde Beach, Florida. A custom mosaic floor and hand-painted mural are what make this bathroom unique. So very pretty. The tub in this room seems to show up quite often in bathrooms that catch my eye. It's classic style works in so many places. Like in this all white bathroom:

House Beautiful, November 2006. Photo by Pieter Estersohn

Sally Markham created this vision in white for a couple in Connecticut. White glass mosaic tile line the walls and the floor creating quite an ethereal effect. One could float away to dreamland here. The heart shaped chair becomes an exclamation point against this white palette. Lovely.

House and Garden, July 2005, Photo by William Abranowicz

In contrast to the more traditional western aesthetic, this bathroom incorporates a decidedly Eastern influence. The architect William McDonough creates a sanctuary in the style of a Japanese country house. One could sit forever in this custom tub from Concrete Works looking out at the meadow of native grasses on South Carolina coastal island.

House and Garden, July 2005, Photo by Jonn Coolidge

The Master Bath in this Spanish Colonial Revival home takes on the California Craftsman flavor through the artful use of custom tile by Ann Sacks. Designer Jarrett Hedborg created a wonderful, cozy bathtub alcove here. I love the arched window echoed on the interior with the tiled arch. Beautifully done!

Elle Decor, July-August 2005, Photo by William Waldron

This is such a fun loving design for a bathroom by designer Robert Couturier. He combines glass tile and mosaic pebble floors with fresh and vibrant colors. This tub is is the Paris tub by Water Monopoly.

Elle Decor, July 2003, Photo by Dominique Vorillon

Then we have the classic claw foot tub. There is a nostalgia about it that cannot be put aside. This beach house bathroom in Malibu designed by Kerry Joyce is brightened by the sunny yellow-painted tub. I love the mosaic floor with the label identifying it as the "boys" bathroom. The surfboard is a fun touch.

Elle Decor, August-September 2003, Photo by Simon Upton

Another example of the classic claw foot provides quite a contrast to the way it is used above. This elegant New Orleans bathroom was designed by Ann Holden of the two Ann's of New Orleans: Holden and Dupuy. I love the New Orleans feeling here of the rustic painted wood plank floors paired with the silk drapery panels. The claw foot here was found at a salvage shop. The sink and fittings were original to the house. I love the photo reflecting the room through the antique mirror.

This is a round-up of some of my favorite tubs and the spaces they occupy. To get going with your own private sanctuary, you can start by looking at the Waterworks website. Many of the tubs can be found there. And for those on a budget, salvage shops are a great way to go. I hope this room, one of the most often used, can become a place for more than just the everyday chore of getting "ready". I hope it can become a place to relax and spend some down time.

We've been super busy preparing for the Modern Economy multi-designer sample sale coming up in less than two weeks in Portland, Oregon. If you live there or happening to be visiting, please come to the sale. (Prices will be marked down up to 75% off retail!) Here are the details:

Modern Economy Sample Sale
10:30am to 3pm
Saturday, July 19, 2008
The Cleaners at the Ace Hotel
403 SW 10th and Stark
Portland, OR

Also, here's an update on some of the new designers and stores that will be participating this sale.

Danish-designed patterns and designs for your wall from Ferm Living.

Clothpony's hip, adorable girl's clothing.

Olio United, a local Portland shop, will be bringing a variety of clothes and home accessories.

Gorgeous cards and notebooks from Nantaka Joy.

Tina Frey's home accesories and jewelry made of resin.

Well-designed, eco goods from Josh Jakus.

Nature-inspired notebooks from Jill Bliss.

Unique pottery for plants from Portland store, Life + Limb.

Emma Gardner's luxurious wool throws.

Plant and sea life-inspired wall art from Jefdesigns.

I love the description for this product: "a cheerful ode to urethane".
Soft Gems are squishy faux gems, originally used for costume jewelry, but now utilized for interior treatments. How cool is this panel from Philadelphia's Pod Restaurant? Has anyone been here? The site looks very futuristic and artsy.
What I like is the versatility of the product; here it is used for lamp columns.

My question, as a color fanatic, is: are the gem hues customizable to your specific needs? Not that I don't love the orange, pink, yellow and green palette. But what if someone wanted a cool blue palette, or all purple and reds?

How would you use these flexible panels full of colorful orbs?

images source

1. The web is a wonderful tool to lend a helping contribution when needed. Julie left a comment on our post about the Nie Nie benefit to tell us of her own fund raising call to action. She wrote: “The tragedy that has happened to Stephanie and Christian has turned into a beautiful wellspring of hope and love…. Unfortunately, I know first-hand of the cost of extensive medical bills. My daughter, Alyson, is three years old and has been diagnosed with Leukemia. A friend, Marina, is an Etsy vendor and has put together a shop to help us pay for her three-year-long treatments… If anyone would be kind enough to visit the shop at alysonscure.etsy.com or leave Alyson a little “Love Noteâ€� via her blog at alyson.mystyl.us. Any support, whether financial or emotional is always greatly appreciated.” Be sure to check out Alyson’s Cure on Etsy. There’s some lovely artwork and jewelry up for grabs.

2. A lot of you are happy to be homeowners, especially during this economic crisis, though all the money talk does get ya down. seanSF says: “I’m really tired of having my home evaluated by a dollar amount. Yes, it is an investment. Yes, I want to get my money’s worth. But we didn’t buy our house with either of those thoughts primarily in our mind. It was a home, first and foremost. A place to live, get to know each other better, raise a family, have family and friends over for dinners and vacations and whenever they’re in need.” See what others have to say about the current housing crisis and leave your own comments here.

3. Halloween is not the only time of year to appreciate creepy design. As Katherine says of these skeleton serving forks: “Be bold enough to use them year-round! I love creepy stuff like this. It works well when in contrast to an otherwise bright & beautiful place. Love it!”

4. You know some great online resources for buying fabrics. Lanny T. shares one suggestion: “The best place (and I have done a lot of looking) to buy fabrics is an online fabric store called iluvfabrix.com. They have incredibly beautiful fabrics on their site all the time, and there always seems to be some sort of sale going on.” Click here to see more suggestions for upholstery fabric stores.

5. When trying to decide a new paint color for room, trying looking in your closet for inspiration. As J recommends: “What colors do you wear a lot? That has always been a good starting point for me. Actually it was what color does my husband wear a lot: he had an affection for the bland until I painted a wall a deep blue-gray that he wore, and now he’s totally into color.” See more ideas for choosing a paint color here.

I love the modern creativity of Exclamation Point Jewelry. You will find work in both metal and fiber at her site but I'm featuring the fiber jewelry. It's also quite affordable. I was pleased to see that she is from Pittsburgh as am I. There's a lot of creativity in the Burgh.

From Modernity comes this stunning collection of mid-century neckware. These are some of the most eye-popping pieces I've seen in a while. See the Modernity site for more great vintage modern jewelry and design.

Designed by Bodo Sperlein for Lladro, the magic forest re-cyclos series combines classic Lladro birds in a new setting of gold plating and silver.

Every once in a while I find a jewelry designer whose work I wish I had created. It pains me that I didn't and I know that is when I've found something I love. That is the case with Elisabetta Dupre's work. It is so stunningly modern and organic at the same time and her minimal approach is beautifully executed in silver and gold. Enjoy!

Today these little twins had their first official social engagement: a baptism followed by a special luncheon. This reminded me of my own godmother and the countless presents she's sent me over the years following that first christening gift, which was a porringer.

In the image above, it looks like Ruthie Sommers' daughter Eloise has a porringer in her nursery (Domino, October 2008). These modest shallow dishes with flat handles were originally used centuries ago by adults and children to hold porridge. (Pewter and silver versions were often saved and passed down in families.) In the modern era they continued to be used as practical bowls for babies, and in Vogue's Book of Etiquette from 1969, porringers are mentioned as a useful, enduring, and elegant baby present for godparents to give a godchild.

The idea is that the dishes are easily washable, can be engraved, and can be used throughout one's life to hold jewelry or odds and ends. Tiffany's sells the sleek style also shown above, and the 18th-century piece below is from the Brooklyn Museum.


Sippy cups are far more practical than traditional sterling baby cups, but I still think the silver versions are nice keepsakes that make pretty holders for Q-tips or flowers. Other timeless christening gift suggestions from my old Vogue book include forks and spoons, and combs and brushes. Lasting value is the key, so clothes are not traditional presents in this instance -- although fun for godmothers to give later. Piggy banks and classic picture frames can be more affordable, yet wonderful, options.


Anything that the recipient will hopefully save and use one day on a desk or shelf, or for her own children, is nice. The banks shown at the top of this post and below happen to be from Tiffany's. But consider browsing estate sales and antique shops for other similar items. The vintage and antique silver cups are from Beverly Bremer and start at around $100.


BTW: If you are a goddaughter and wondering what to give your godmother, Vogue 1969 recommended the following. I think they've stood the test of time.


Classic, good-looking stationery (G. Lalo.)
Books with general appeal
White guest towels
"Go-with-anything" home accessories such as a letter opener, simple highball glasses, a clear glass vase or a stamp box.


And finally, while we are vaguely on the subject of nurseries, look at this pretty turtle hardware from Anthropologie. I'm not usually the biggest fan of novelty knobs but these might be perfect on a simple two-door cabinet. Wonder if they could be made into magnets for an inspiration board?