SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: QUALITY BATH

I'm proud to welcome Quality Bath as one of the newest BLB sponsors! Specializing in kitchen and bathroom fixtures as well as hardware and lighting, Quality Bath touts over 25 years of plumbing experience and has a reputation for stellar customer service. They have the testimonials to prove it.

Taking full advantage of the expertise that awaits you at Quality Bath puts you a step ahead in making an educated decision regarding kitchen and bath upgrades in your home. Even a small change to your space, i.e. replacing an old vanity, or installing a contemporary faucet, increases the value of your home whether you are looking to sell or completing a remodel for your family to enjoy. Let's take a look at the selection:

luxurious soaker tubs

furniture inspired vanities



indoor and outdoor lighting

towel warmers and much, much more!

These items are only the beginning of the endless, well-sorted selection you expect to find at Quality Bath. Check out the site today for inspiration and great deals for your next home improvement project!

7 WAYS TO EMBRACE YOUR SMALL SPACE

Itty bitty kitchens and bathrooms are hardly thought of as a desirable quality in a home. Personally I believe it has everything to do with perspective. My first place was a mere 365 square feet, but it was mine! The narrow galley kitchen stretched my imagination regarding storage solutions and was super easy to clean. The bathroom was equally tiny and as a self professed product junkie, I can say it really forced me to edit my stuff and only keep what I favored most.

In a recent article for houzz, I provided readers with 7 smart ideas for making each square foot count. Whether you live in 700 square feet or 7000, each tip is equally effective. Let's take a look!

Stonebreaker Builders & Remodelers

#1: Raise the ceiling and a few eyebrows with a bold graphic stripe.
A simple scheme of black and white brings big drama to this small bath. The stripes give the illusion of more height, while the feature wall adds interest and style.

via ADEENI DESIGN GROUP

#2 Take advantage of every nook and cranny.
Slim and stunning, mosaic tile and a sculptural sink take this bath from practical to polished.

via Frisson

#3 Outfit your kitchen with attractive cookware.
Proving to be as functional as the next, this petite kitchen allows everyday items to become part of the decor. A fiery red tea kettle and set of cookware adds spice to this modest kitchen. A simple spice rack above the stove top makes it convenient to cook a flavorful meal.

Love these tips? Click here to get the other 4 tips to help you embrace your small space! Have a great weekend!

HUES YOU CAN USE: OFF-BLACK

From clothing to interiors, dark hues continue to move me this season. What else can I say except for...Bring on the drama.  A high contrast array of dark walls, honey colored floors, and white cabinetry [featured in 25 Beautiful Homes, August 2006] seem to have come full circle to next year's list of hottest decor trends.

Black makes the greatest impact when paired with white. Think a black tuxedo worn with a crisp white shirt. There's nothing sexier, don't you agree? Go a step further and add a pop of color, like chartreuse, and go from traditional to trendsetting.

[via Living, Etc. February 2009]

Are you brave enough to venture to the dark side?

HOUZZ IDEABOOK: 7 STEPS TO A FAT FREE KITCHEN

Imagine the hesitancy I had in writing this article so close to the holidays...and who do I think I am dropping a double f-bomb in the headline? I know describing a kitchen as "fat free" sounds both boring and tasteless. Before you dismiss the notion, check out these 7 kitchen design ideas that are sure to give you a winning edge in the battle of the bulge.

eclectic kitchen design by portland interior designer Garrison Hullinger Interior Design Inc.

The color green is a top color choice for a diet-friendly kitchen. Green symbolizes life, vitality, and longevity and encourages an active and healthy lifestyle.

For more simple changes and healthful diet tips click here to read more >>

SMITTEN BY: PAINTED KITCHEN CABINETS

Last weekend I visited a client who found my blog while preforming a google search for bungalow furniture arrangement. Interesting, right? What's even more interesting is that when she saw my photo, she realized that she already knew me via a mutual friend. I cannot say enough about what having a blog has done for me both personally and professionally. I've had the opportunity to become a part of an online design community, meet some very talented design bloggers, receive new business from blog readers and now from google searches! But I digressed...

Back to the story... She and her family recently purchased a 1930's brick bungalow in a highly sought after East Atlanta neighborhood. The purpose of the visit was to formally introduce myself, tell her about my services, and to tour her new home. The interior is quite spacious and boasts arched entryways, heavy moldings and trim, and gorgeous wood floors. It was love at first sight. I rattled off a few ideas and thoughts on updating the space. I described the space to her just as I envisioned it in my head and she too became excited. So excited that she hired me on the spot for a paint consultation. Gotta love when that happens!

My thoughts lingered in the kitchen. I wanted to paint those cabinets so bad that I had to refrain from pulling a bottle of White Out from my bag. There's something about painted cabinets that just turns me on. Don't worry, this post isn't headed into forbidden territory but you are in for some lusty kitchen design porn...

 Alice Lane

Isabella and Max Rooms

Cottage Living Magazine

Coastal Living

Coastal Living

When I first introduced the idea of painting the kitchen cabinets, I thought my client would object. Surprisingly, she was open to the suggestion. It's not that she's closed-minded in any way it's just that I encounter more people (like my husband) who want to preserve the natural wood finish.  

What are your thoughts on painted cabinets? Do you prefer the look of exposed wood or do you fancy the painted variety?

Are you looking to greatly improve the look and feel of your home? Need assistance in selecting paint colors? Contact me to schedule an online or in-home design consultation (Metro Atlanta Area  404.507.6110).

IKEA DONE RIGHT

There apparently seems to be a love-hate relationship in the design community regarding Ikea products. We hear various stories about quality issues, difficulty in understanding the instructions, and the list goes on...Ironically, now more than ever, people are giving Ikea a second try. Is it because of its affordability or is it because of improvements made in product development. Who knows? What I do know is that there many examples of Ikea done right. Here are a few of my favorites...

LaKeitha of Home to Three Duncan Boys recently completed a awesome nautical-themed design for her son's room. Among the wonderfully creative DIY projects she completed, such as the wood palette headboard in the above image, she also gave the IKEA Melodi pendant light an extreme makeover!

Brian Patrick Flynn of Decor Demon is ruthless when it comes to hacking Ikea products. He customized IKEA Billy Bookcases by painting the units the same color as the wall to give them a built in look. He then adding back the fun by painting the backing a punchy green.

In the above image, Brian demonstrated to his client how "budget" and splurge items can coexist in the same space. A pair of orange IKEA Karlstad swivel chairs (budget) are accented with pillows in the pricey David Hicks La Fiorentina fabric (splurge). You would never guess that the curtains are IKEA Ritva panels that have been lined, pleated, and trimmed in chocolate brown fabric all done by his seamstress!


Janell of Isabella and Max Rooms did a remarkable job of giving her son a big boy's room to be proud of. The bedding, rug, desk, curtain panels, and overhead lighting were all sourced from Ikea. She offers a plethora of DIY projects including a redesign of the Melodi pendant as well as using Ikea fabric to cover a lampshade.

Sarah Richardson of Sarah Richardson Design is hands down one of the best televised Interior Designers out there. One of the many lessons she teaches to her viewers is that Ikea does have a place in great design. She was able to design and entire house, with dollars to spare, by sourcing Ikea products in the above office as well as in the kitchen below.

Sarah integrated both high and low products in this custom kitchen.  The cabinets, countertops, shelves, and dishes are all Ikea products. She had the cabinets professionally sprayed and varied the colors of the top and bottom cabinets for a custom look that can't be beat!

Erika Ward of BluLabel Bungalow **please excuse the shameless plug** I completed a bedroom design for my two sons using furniture, window treatments, lighting, and a rug all designed by Ikea.  I saved even more money by purchasing the beds on Craigslist!

Hopefully this post has done a little to help revive Ikea's lukewarm reputation in the design world...and I should probably add that this post is not sponsored by Ikea.

Where else have you seen Ikea done right? Do you have any Ikea products in your home?

SPECIAL GUEST: ABCD DESIGN

Hello! My name is Amy Beth Cupp Dragoo. Believe it or not, my initials are ABCD! For the last 3 years, I have written a blog called ABCD Design. I just want to thank Erika for inviting me hold down the fort on the beautiful Blu Label Bungalow while she is enjoying some time on vacation. I'm not sure how many of you know me from the ABCD Design sketchbook, but for the last 11 years I have called New York City my home. About a year ago, we sold our apartment in the heart of Soho. At that time, everything we owned went into storage while we waited for our next step to present itself.

Back in early May, we decided to keep roots on the East Coast. The Mr. and I are renting an itsy-bitsy apartment in the City and just recently purchased a home in the hills of Connecticut. We're going to try to enjoy the best of both worlds. The Country House is going to be our primary residence, but we're keeping the little rental for nights where we work late, or have early morning obligations in NYC.

I can't wait to liberate all my belongings from storage, but first... we're doing a country house renovation! For this post, Erika asked me to pick a room in our house and share my interior design inspiration for it.

I know this might seem crazy, but the Laundry/Kitchen Pantry is the room I am most excited about. It's a little spot in the house - but for me, it packs a big punch. Never in my entire adult life have I had the luxury of dedicating an entire room to the act of storage or laundry! City apartments just are NOT built that way. One would be lucky if there is a closet dedicated to it, otherwise you have to schlep it to the laundry room in the basement, or worse yet, down the street. (Which is NO FUN in the dead of winter!)

In the new house we have three large, built-in shelves that are going to provide ample storage. I love the lighting in the room - it's quite industrial. The question is: How can I make it my own without blowing the budget?

The house is Shaker style, but has contemporary and ultra modern elements that I would like to preserve. My aesthetic is transitional and I have an appreciation for vintage, industrial antiques and even a little bit of country flair. I always refer to my husband as Mr. DWR. (Enough said!) Together, the house we selected suits us to a T.

I have long been a fan of Cole and Son wallpaper. Malabar (From The Contemporary Collection) is my favorite pattern. I purchased three rolls of it on a trip to London a few years ago and never found a place for it in the Soho apartment. Good thing I didn't - I think I might line the back of the shelves in our new laundry room with it. Besides storing extra food and kitchen items in the laundry/kitchen pantry room, I also hope to use the shelves over the washer and dryer to store my vast collection of cook books.

So what do you think, am I on the right track to a dreamy laundry/kitchen pantry room? Fingers crossed, (once the renovation is complete) perhaps Erika will have me back in the Fall to show you the finished product?! {ABSOLUTELY... xoErika}

STYLISH COUPLE FINDS DOMESTIC BLISS

"We want a design that reflects who we are as a couple." was the request I received when asked to decorate the home of a stylish, Atlanta couple. And though the couple moved into this Buckhead apartment only this past October, the space has been personalized to look like the single family home they will eventually purchase together. Before they moved in I toured the unit and was pleased to find a generous floorplan, high ceilings, and the contemporary finishes in the kitchen and bathrooms. But it wasn't until the clean-lined furniture, vibrant wall colors, and contemporary accents were added that the house became a home.

MASTER SUITE

Upholstered in rich Espresso Velvet, the bed's color and construction lends to the masculine side while the softness of the velvet appeals to feminine side.

LIVING ROOM

KITCHEN

GUEST SUITE

It's natural that couples run into design challenges when combining households. Each person has their own design sensibility (or lack of) and need help in finding a decor style that suits them both. With the help of Erika Ward Interiors, this couple found domestic bliss and created a beautiful, welcoming place to call home and to host their guests.

Love what you see? Need assistance? Schedule an online or in-home design consultation (Metro Atlanta area) to discuss your design dilemma and learn how I can help. Please email me at info{at}erikaward.com or call (404) 507-6110.

Delectable Kitchen Ideas and Inspiration

I'm a bit short on words today, but this post is chocked full of ideas, inspiration, and a must see event.  On Saturday, March 20th and Sunday March 21st, the Junior League of Atlanta is hosting their 13th Annual Tour of Kitchens. They were gracious enough to offer sneak peeks via Atlanta Homes & Lifestyle Magazine of the 14 kitchens featured this year.  I instantly went into panic mode because of a major scheduling conflict which may threaten my chances of attending, but I've got one more week to pull some strings...This comes just in time as I am making my kitchen decor wish list.  If you too are brainstorming ideas or just daydreaming, grab a pen and pad before you read this post.  I'll be interested in knowing which kitchen tickles your fancy.   

 

Leave the number of your favorite kitchen in the comments section!