Bathrooms worth boasting about

Posted by Mr Wong at 4:05 AM 0

Good morning! Can you believe July 4th has come and gone? Where is the summer going? I need it to slow down and start moving in slow motion! Anyone else feel this way?  With life's often frantic pace, indulging in a bubble bath is a huge huge luxury. I love a beautiful bathroom and love the idea of closing the door to the chaos and taking some time to relax, take a deep breath and truly decompress. Whether its a gorgeous master bath in someones home or in a luxurious pampering hotel....show me the way to a gorgeous bathroom where I can luxuriate in all its splendor and I am one happy camper! 
When traveling..... along wtih a sumptuous and luxurious hotel goes a beautiful room and an equally luxurious bathroom. So today is all about incredible bathrooms whether in the home or in a gorgeous hotel suite...a beautiful bathroom is something to take notice of. Just how spectacular are these amazing bathrooms!! These show you how exotic you can go, and if you are lucky enough to have a bathroom "with a view" then that is most definitely the crowning touch. Could you possibly pick a fave? Allow me to set the tone, soft music (will let you pick your genre) is playing, someone has drawn a perfectly hot bath filled with softly scented bubbles, a glass of bubbly awaits you along with a book you can't wait to dive into and the icing on the cake, you are guaranteed NO interruptions for a solid hour, just total down time, bliss and peace!  NOW you get to choose your favorite........so which is it?

Love this elegant all white bathroom really like the luxury of having full length drapes in bathroom too, Bear Hill interiors

Love the full paneled drapes and concrete tub....quite decadent!

Love the old fashioned plumbing, very elegant

Wow......talk about luxury! The Raffles hotel in Tianjin, China

Rozanne Jackson designed this elegant oasis......

How about this gorgeous powder puff of a bathroom? A vision in pink! Brian J McCarthy

Blanket Bay, New Zealand....with a view like that it would be hard to get out!

Love having a patterned floor to add interest to an all white bathroom

Love this European influenced bath, how great is the armoire here! Charles Faudree

Check out that wall of glass overlooking Macau, The Wynn in Macau, China

This is just spectacular in every way from the decor to the view! Singita Grumeti Reserves, Tanzania

A floating marble oasis high in the sky, Mardarin Oriental, Tokyo, Japan

Spectacular panoramic view at the Andara Resort in Thailand

Love how the antiqued mirror is inset into the panels on the wall, so luxurious! Clive Christian

A regal looking bathroom, Timothy Corrigan

Wow this is really something! Miraval bathroom in Arizona

Love the vintage feel to this elegant master bath, Sherill Canet

The One and Only Reethi in the Maldives.....fabulous and luxurious simplicity

Gorgeous timeless elegance, Barry Dixon

Wow! The sunken tub that feels like its one with nature at the Singita Sweni Lodge, South Africa

Is this amazing! The Elsa's Kopji Private home in Kenya.....just unreal!

I like the way the cool blues work with the soft gray marble, Arch Digest

Barry Dixon works his magic again in this splendid bathroom!

A modern beauty, Southern Ocean Lodge in Australia

Dark calming room with a view, Silavadee Resort, Thailand

This takes "outdoor living" to new heights! The Tongabezi in Zambia....oh the things you will see!

Whew! So much bathroom beauty........do you have a favorite? While I favor clean, classic creamy bathrooms with marble, I am definitely loving some of these more exotic bathrooms, particularly those that are partially outdoors, whats more luxurious and exotic than bathing under a canopy of trees in a jungle? Would love to know what you think! Enjoy your day........

happy belated 4th

Posted by Mr Wong at 4:05 PM 0

I have been busy enjoying family and beautiful weather!  Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July!  More pictures to come next week.  In the meantime, I think I'll keep enjoying over here...

Behind the blogger...meet Stacy from Conspicuous Style

Posted by Mr Wong at 4:21 AM 0

Good morning! Hope everyone had a happy, enjoyable and safe July 4th weekend. I feel suddenly like summer is starting to go by very fast....a little too fast and that makes me nervous, I better not see back to school supplies anytime soon, that is always a very dreaded sight and a sign that summer is far too short lived. I feel like the fun has just begun!
 I am so excited to present a new series to my blog, "Behind the blogger". I am fascinated by what makes people "tick" and love getting to know more about the people whose blogs I enjoy reading on a daily basis (a growing list every day). Figured it would be fun to not only get to know them a bit better but to share it with you, my readers! One of the huge perks of blogging has been getting to know others who are like minded not only about home decor, but architecture, art, fashion, cooking,culture, the list goes on and on and on.......it is a special group of people and I feel lucky to be part of this "exclusive club". There is truly something for every one and its a thrill to get to know new people through this vast and wonderful online world! So once a week or so, I am going to start posting a "behind the blogger" post about some of my favorite bloggers. Today we meet Stacy from Conspicuous Style. She is newer to the blogging world but you would think shes been at this for much longer, her posts are always beautifully presented, extensive, filled with lots of pictures (a girl after my own heart) and there is always something interesting to discover and learn. Stacy is a former lawyer turned decorator....very impressive I know! Gotta love someone who can cross examine like no ones business AND put fabrics and paint together with unparalleled expertise! Do visit if you aren't already familiar with her blog...it is so worth the trip!
Thank you Stacy for participating!Click on the header below to visit Stacy's wonderful blog......

So....... what inspired you to start blogging in the first place? You know, I'm not totally sure.  That's a weird answer, but it's the truth. I think once I decided to do it, it was such a blur that I can't remember. My personality is slightly obsessive (OK, a LOT obsessive). So, once I made the decision, I had to have a domain name, a website, a design layout, a blogroll, a unique header, etc, RIGHT NOW. So I worked compulsively on all of that for the first month, and it is such a blur that I can't even remember what made me want to do it in the first place. However, I'm so glad I did and wouldn't change anything. If you asked me why I blog now, it is because I love researching, looking at rooms on line, writing, and communicating with others who enjoy the same, so it's a perfect fit.  I guess I had some vague notion that blogging might help drive new clients to my site, but it isn't now and I don't think it ever was my main motivation. 

How did you come up with your blog name?  Oh my gosh, I went through SO many names before I settled on Conspicuous Style.  My favorite was Esprit Decor (I thought it up and was so pleased with how clever I was ), until I saw that someone thought of it before me and already had the domain name!  After that, it was taking design related words (home, decor, style, etc) and seeing   which domains were available. I had a list of 10 or so, and while I was in the Bahamas with my family I read them all out loud. Everyone reacted immediately and positively to Conspicuous Style (unlike many of the others!), so that was it.

Do you have a favorite all time movie? Yes, for some reason my husband and I were both spellbound by Finding Neverland with Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet.  It was such a romantic and beautiful movie. I think the connection I felt with him (my husband, not Johnny :) is part of the reason I love that movie so much.   Shakespeare in Love and The English Patient are close  seconds, pretty much for the same reasons.

You get to spend a month in the European  countryside.....is it Italy or France? Having never been to either, that's a tough one.  I guess I'll pick France. When do I leave?

Favorite meal ?Anything Mexican, and very, very spicy.

Tell us as little or as much as you want to about your family. I met my husband when I was 19 years old in college, and we knew almost immediately that we would get married someday.  We got married seven years later, which was almost 15 years ago.  We have two amazing children, a boy (10) and a girl (6). They are the loves of our lives!

If you could have any career what would it be? The one I'm in! Although instead of working directly with clients (even though I love hem), sometimes I think it would be fun to work for a retailer like Neiman Marcus or Horchow and do their sourcing, buying, catalog design, etc.

Favorite design style? Transitional. I like traditional, but updated. Think mirrored pieces, more modern lines on the furniture, graphic rugs. Not so far as modern or contemporary though.

If you could only live in one color what would it be? Oh, that's a hard one, too. I guess white. I love color, but I would get sick of the same color forever, whereas I never get sick of white.

Favorite season and why?Summer. I'm a night owl, so the longer days and shorter nights are good for me (so I'm not awake for as many dark hours). The morning sun helps me get out of bed, too.  And of course, living on the coast, I love the beach, especially when we do bonfires at night.

Design icon? Phoebe Howard.  I love every single room she has ever done.  I would hand her my house and say "do whatever you want," which is NOT my personality at all. 

One place you haven't been that you want to visit- Europe...Can you believe it? Sometimes I just cannot believe that I have never made the trip.

What's your number one pet peeve? Mean spirited competition. People who badmouth others, whether design-related or not.

What are the two best things about blogging?    1. The other bloggers I meet (I never imagined that so many people, competitors  really, would be so nice and supportive. 2. How it has made me so much more creative. For example, I never would have paneled the walls in my kitchen myself if I didn't draw courage (and instructions) from  others who have ventured into the DIY world before me.

You get to have a private dinner with any two people in the world, they can be from the fashion, design world, literary world, Hollywood, politics,etc....your choice. Who are the lucky two? Mary McDonald (I'm dying to know if her personality is accurately portrayed on Million Dollar Decorators) and Jon Stewart (for the laughs).

Do you have a favorite saying or quote? "Where there's a will there's a way."  I usually find a way to get what i want. If it is a material object and I can't afford it, I make it (or at least I try).

Most overrated trend right now?   Chevron! I'm really sick of it, and really, it's just stripes going back and forth. This was the easiest question for me to answer!  Oh, and subway tile.

Reading anything interesting that you want to share?  I'm reading Seabiscuit for the second time. I adore that book! I fought the pressure to read it for so, so long because I had zero interest in horse racing. Finally, after  every single person I knew told me it was the best book they ever read, I decided to give it a try. It really is one of the best books I've ever read. I almost never read  books twice, but this one and a few others are exceptions (Pride & Prejudice, God Knows, The Red Tent, Life of Pi, and All the Pretty Horses).

You are 18 again. What do you do? I would study harder in college, pay more attention in my art history classes, not take some of the silly classes, and go in to design instead of the law (I went to law  school and practiced for 8 years in the Enforcement Division of the Securities & Exchange Commission in Washington, DC before I switched over to interior design).

What are your plans for the summer? Work, of course, but also to spend a lot of time with my children. I want to give them a great summer that they will remember forever. So, that means more cookouts,  more beach nights, more day trips, and more friends over for dinner and swimming.

In ten years I will be...................50! Ok, 51. Yuck.  But, I will still have a daughter at home and a son in college, and I will still love my family, friends, and work, so I'll be happy.

If you could live anywhere on earth and money was no object where would you go? I think I would stay right where I am, on the coast of Massachusetts, but would move to a house on the water. I would build it myself, and would drive the architect  absolutely crazy in the process.

Best tip or two for any new bloggers reading this....... Spend more time networking than writing (it helps your blog, but more importantly, you make amazing new friends), and blog only about what you like (if you're not  enjoying it, hey do it?)

Blogging to me is necessary and rewarding.

Give me four words that describe your personality. Creative, obsessive, determined, sensitive.


Thank you Stacy!! It was fun getting to know you better and do visit her wonderful blog, its definitely worth the trip! Wishing everyone a happy and enjoyable day!

A little recap of what makes Stacy tick.........

Wicker vs Cement

Posted by Mr Wong at 1:36 PM 0

I was antiquing the other day and saw something that made my heart go pitter pat.

It was this fabulous planter, that looks like a wicker basket, but is is really made of cement!!

I mean seriously, does this not look like old weathered wicker?

I filled it with succulents, because that what it seemed to call for.

A little garden note....look at the very first picture again.  Look past the table to the garden.  See in the top left of the picture a little orange/red?  You can click on the picture to make it larger.

It is my first tomatoes, turning red!  I can't wait to have a Caprese salad, with my tomatoes and basil!

Welcome Home,

Penny

A tribute to an old fashioned July 4th.....

Posted by Mr Wong at 4:29 AM 0

Happy July 4th! Have been gone since late late night as  I normally feature my "Sunday showhouse"on Sunday morning so will be back with it next Sunday.  Hope everyone is well, happy and relaxed. Whatever your plans are and have been over this holiday weekend...hope the weather is cooperating. So far, so beautiful over this way. We are going to two parties later today, but I will take the earlier part of the day to "veg out" which I am so looking forward to!

When I think of July 4th I cannot help but think about old fashioned July 4th parades in a small quaint town, beautiful white clapboard homes draped in their red white and blue best,  homemade fruit pies from this seasons best fruits, family togetherness, cute kids in red chipped wagons waving their little American flags with a dog by their side and of course the quintessential July 4th BBQ!!  I think the words old fashioned and July 4th are synonymous, at least to me and its an ideal I want to hang onto. Life today moves so fast that I get great pleasure as  I would suspect many of you do too, in reliving things from the past, as they once were, a time where time did stand still and life was simpler.  So this post is all about an old fashioned tribute to July 4th....enjoy! 

This is to me the poster child for a beautiful and patriotic home on July 4th

Delicious time to take advantage of the seasons freshest fruits!

Even the youngest revelers can show their July 4th spirit!

Just love this gorgeous and very festive party tent!

Love the idea of making a flag out of cupcakes, so clever!

Love how nostalgic looking this old fashioned setting is...so charming!

Whats more American than a mixed berry pie?

Love the idea of creating an old fashioned party pail!

Makes a fun and festive party  table.....

Love the vintage looking "sweater" flag pillow

A pretty Victorian homes proudly waves its flag

Cute idea and easy to do with cupcakes, Kaboose

July 4th is a time for every age (and every vehicle) to celebrate!

And if you are just "hanging" get a little festive in the backyard! Ashley Whittaker

An old fashioned school house shows its patriotism

Patriotic pancakes, anyone?

A lone flag at the beach, a place many will be on this holiday

Gotta have those fireworks!!

Just love this idea!!

Why not show your patriotism on your bed? Love this little RL flag pillow

July 4th is synonymous with BBQ...lets eat!

Love this image, a charming home in all its red white and blue glory!

A great way to end this post.......

So whats in store for your July 4th holiday? Hope whatever you are doing is wonderful, relaxing and enjoyable! Happy July 4th.....see you on Tuesday!!

Whimsy in the Garden

Posted by Mr Wong at 2:33 PM 0

Hello everyone,

     I hope you all enjoyed your long weekend. We had beautiful weather and enjoyed having a few garden tours but also visiting with some of our children and grandchildren who were camping at a lovely campground. They had beautiful fireworks there to celebrate Canada Day.

    I did steal a little time out to do a little makeover of an old iron baby crib that I bought for $10. and I enjoyed taking some photos to share with you.

There is so much going on in the garden right now-that I don't want to miss capturing any of it.

I gathered together some fabric,pillows and an old foam mattress and did a little whimsical vignette.

Some bunnies and an old doll carriage and doll added just the right touch of whiimsy.

Now ,it is a charming spot for a cup of tea.

You can enjoy the fragrance of the roses and the pink beautybush behind you while you linger.

This is what I started with.  I didn't paint it because I like the shabby look.

I think a little whimsy in the garden adds a bit of charm-don't you?

As many of you know Prince William and Lady Catherine are visiting our little Island tonight and tomorrow and my sister and I are planning to go into Charlottetown in the morning to see them. My sister has just arrived home from Vancouver for a visit so we will be busy enjoying ourselves!

I am joining Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday-you should see Susan's patriotic porch makeover but of course, there is always lots to see there.I am also joining Cielo for Show off your Cottage Monday at the beautiful house in the roses.

Thank you for visiting,

Carolyn

Happy 4th Weekend All

Posted by Mr Wong at 9:49 AM 0

Just a quick post to wish you all a Happy 4th Weekend.  Enjoy your barbeques and fireworks.


I also wanted to pass on to you that Shabby Apple is having a huge summer sale!  20% off store wide.

The only exclusion is Amalfi Coast Swim Wear. This is our biggest sale EVER because EVERY dress is on sale! And the best news? The sale runs entire month of July!  Use coupon code SUMMER20

Click on the button above to check it out!