Who doesn't love taking a ride to go foraging for fabulous home design finds? NECTAR in High Falls, NY, is one of those "secret" addresses where the design savvy go to shop. We want all our readers to know about this fantastic design resource destination!

From the organic tea salon to the furniture to jewelry, almost everything in the inviting store reflects the principles of socially and economically responsible business by offering many fair trade items and furniture made from reclaimed "green" wood.

Looking for the perfect brass tub? Directly across the street from the main NECTAR store is the NECTAR FURNITURE ANNEX, and you will find it there. Two floors of unique furniture, antique urns, shrines, statuary, art, and architectural items each styled with Jenny Wonderling's perfect eye. World music, decadent candles and body products. NECTAR is a feast for all your senses.

The palette may be nude, but by mixing a collection of these sleek shades together, adding a little sparkle and shine, a stylish room that flatters and looks fabulous comes to life! This palette is for those of you who desire natural definition but still want the perks of a designer palette. It is the ideal color palette for creating chic rooms without looking like you are trying too hard. Simple, yet genius designs.

How do you make this palette work?

• Stick to tone-on-tone for a soft and feminine look.
• Begin by mixing and matching prints and patterns within the nude palette.
• Add a few accents of lace and painted or bleached French furniture.
• For sparkle, add some luminescent accents or soft matte gold accents.

For a more urban feel accent, you can change up the look.

• Incorporate dark woods or even black mill work and case goods.
• For punch, add a touch of black current or even Asian red.
• The sizzle will come when you finish the room off with a couple of fresh plants and silver or stainless accessories.

Two completely different looks, both using a palette of nudes, and both will give you some stunning results. Isn’t it time you went naked – at least in your own home?

This article was reprinted with the permission of casaGURU. casaGURU is an everyday, everywhere, anytime homeowner website built on the premise that every home deserves a house expert.

• If you have an older kitchen, it may need to be brought into today’s trend of incorporating more of a “living room” experience into the traditional kitchen footprint. Plan for a bigger hangout area to accommodate conversation, homework, playing games, watching TV, and working on the computer—as well as food storage, meal prep, and eating.

• An island is a useful addition to any kitchen. It can be used for meal preparation and, if large enough, can incorporate counter seating for informal meals and snacks. Many islands feature a small sink for rinsing off fresh foods and washing hands, a cooking surface with exhaust (some exhaust systems pop up from the countertop rather than require a hooded unit and ceiling extraction), a durable and practical countertop for meal prep and serving, under-counter storage drawers, under-counter appliances, and a bookshelf for cookbooks and décor items.

• Plan for incorporating new appliances into your new kitchen, and try to get energy-efficient models whenever possible (they'll have high Energy Star ratings). Two-drawer dishwashers make life easier. You can run double loads when you’re entertaining or clean only the drawer that you fill. Consider adding a plate warming drawer, cigar humidor drawer, under-counter beverage center (great for kids to pull out their favorite snacks and beverages without grownup help), wine cabinet, trash compactor, and refrigerator/freezer drawer units.

• Look at Valcucine for inspiration on the latest modular kitchen systems. They’re made with eco-friendly materials in processes that minimize environmental impact, and their fantastic designs include cabinetry that hides appliances when not in use and creates a living room feel.

• For remodeling your kitchen with the environment in mind (and that’s great for your family’s health and safety, too), there’s a great How to Go Green in the Kitchen guide with helpful articles on the Planet Green website.                                                                

• Great cabinetry can make a great kitchen. Cheap cabinetry will cost you more money in the long run, so invest in good work. Absolute Kitchen and Bath Marketplace in Surrey, Maine has a Superior Construction Checklist to help you select or build quality cabinets that will stand up to time and heavy use.                                                                 

If you aspire to living in a luxurious home, most everyone will need to either design the latest kitchen in their new construction home or undertake an ambitious kitchen remodeling job in their existing home. Either way, we think we have a book that will help you out as you try to balance luxe with practicality.

Many design books wow readers with inspirational projects, but Kitchen Design for the 21st Century is far more a practical advice guide for homeowners. The book is filled with "news you can use" by author John Driemen, former editor and publisher of Best Kitchens & Baths Magazine, and good kitchen photos by Nancy Elizabeth Hill.

This book deals head-on with kitchen design issues for today's busy, multi-tasking family. Too many kitchen books are far too luxe, and it was refreshing to see photos of kitchens with fixtures you can easily find at your local Lowes or Home Depot. While some of the photos are a bit dated, many will inspire families to create the kitchen of their dreams.

The book convincingly makes the case for going back to the original modern kitchen research done in 1947 at Cornell University. This groundbreaking study used test kitchens to find out how life could be made easier for the family, and the researchers (and this book) address three key questions you should ask yourself when you're planning your own new kitchen or kitchen remodeling project:

1. How can you arrange your kitchen to make your work easier?
2. What are the things your family wants to do most in the kitchen?
3. Do you want your kitchen to be a living room, a room that is the shared activity center of the home?

Use Kitchen Design for the 21st Century to learn more about and plan for the various Work Center elements that make up today's contemporary kitchen:

• Food Storage Center
• Snack Center
• Casual Eating Area
• Cooking Center
• Baking Center
• Fresh Food Prep Center
• Clean-up Center
• Counters

There is solid advice on all the practical and luxury angles surrounding kitchen design, including pantry planning and general kitchen storage tips, color color guidance, and surveys of new appliances (such as dual-fuel cooktops and all the appliances now available in drawers -- microwaves, refrigerators, freezers, warming drawers, and dishwashers).

Particularly interesting to us was the section on green kitchen design, with environmentally-friendly suggestions on installing the "right" wood products and efficient appliances, using eco-friendly adhesives, incorporating recycled materials, using linoleum and bamboo, and choosing alternative countertops. Don't expect to find floor plans or elevation drawings -- it's not that kind of book. The bulk of the book covers 20 homeowners' kitchen projects. You're sure to find a kitchen style and set of challenges that fit your own situation. In Kitchen Design for the 21st Century, you'll get enough inspiration, design history and theory, and practical advice to make your kitchen project a pleasure.

Here are some links to stylish pet decor options for your little pooch or pussycat (and enjoy our photos of some of the fun things we found:

• MacKenzie-Childs Pet Palace
• Retro Lounge Sofa for Pets
• These Creatures Designer Hanging Pet Feeders
• Luxury Pet Sofa with 2 Drawers

• Like Kittysville Retro Modern Pet Bed
• Petbitat designer acrylic pet beds and feeders from their Invisible Collection
• Luxurious Camelot Pet Tent
• Fancy Teacup Pet Bed
• Deco Doggy Faux Gray Leather Sofa for Pets
• Smooth Zebra Print Open-Back Sofa for Pets
• Peter's Woven Grass Pet Bed
• Chew Leg Cover Dog Toy from Gaia and Gino
• Boat Dog Bed with Anchor Toy
  

How to Approach Working with an Architect

We recently ran into a husband and wife team who weren't sure how to choose an architect. They bought five acres of waterfront property blessed with interesting topography. They envisioned a small, green home using water reclamation technology and solar energy, and incorporating local materials. But other than this vision, they didn't know how they should approach working with a professional.

While we couldn't recommend a specific architect, we offered advice discovered by watching lots of other folks tackle projects just like this one. This advice includes both a caution and a recommendation. But let's begin with a question.

If you wanted to buy new clothes for yourself, would you ask a fashion professional to buy something for you, sight unseen? Probably not. Most of us have particular tastes when it comes to clothes, and we want to exercise those tastes whenever we stock our closets. But somehow, when it comes to custom home design, people often turn over complete creative leadership to an architect, somehow believing that the pro knows us better than we do. More than a few people we know end up regretting the expense and inefficiency of this process, and it’s easy to see why. These clients pay thousands of dollars for an initial concept, only to find out that they don’t share the same aesthetic sensibilities as the architect they’ve stumbled upon. The design gets filed on a shelf, never to be used.

Just because someone is a skilled designer doesn't mean they have the same ideas of beauty that you do. In fact, they probably don't. How could they? Architects are great, but you can’t expect them to pluck a pleasing design out of thin air if you can’t give them a tangible starting point. That’s why you need to take a leadership role during the design phase, and this means working out broad-stroke concepts before calling on a design professional. It’s so much cheaper this way and more fun.

From time to time we advise people building their own custom homes, and we always start by getting them to create a simple scale model of their ideas. Few people believe they can do it at first, but almost everyone has great fun once they get rolling. Just rekindle your kindergarten mindset and you’ll amaze yourself. And the outcome is so valuable, too. For 10 or 20 hours of time and $30 worth of foam board, you'll get an excellent sense of what you really want in a new home. Don’t know where to begin?

• Buy a stack of homes magazines and discover what you like.
• Experiment with different footprints, roof shapes, and window locations.
• Have fun, make mistakes, then take your best version of the scale model to various architects until you find one who's on the same aesthetic and philosophical wavelength that you are.

This article was reprinted with the permission of casaGURU. casaGURU is an everyday, everywhere, anytime homeowner website built on the premise that every home deserves a house expert.

For information on hiring an architect in your area, go to the Architect Finder service from The American Institute of Architrects. Look at their The Value of an Architect section for valuable tips on what to expect when working with an architect. You can also go to sites that research and recommend local professionals, like Los Angeles Remodeling Pros, Angie's List, or casaGURU. 

Get Your Life Organized

This video was reprinted with the permission of casaGURU. casaGURU is an everyday, everywhere, anytime homeowner website built on the premise that every home deserves a house expert.

For information on U.S. viewers who are interested in hiring a professional organizer, visit the National Association of Professional Organizers. 

New Standards of Bathroom Luxury

The stylish 1920s Art Deco period meets the urban renewal movement head-on in Studio, a furniture collection from American Standard that takes its cue from the lofty influence of the Art Deco age.

Characterized by bold, clean lines, the Studio bath furniture collection’s style is simple and geometric, highlighted by a mixture of wood, metal, and glass to bring depth and beauty to each piece. The wood is finished in a classic espresso, complemented with brushed lines in the steel base and accents.

"This collection offers a geometric motif with exacting details and an inspired finish to add character and finesse to any décor," says Jennifer Neilson, product manager for American Standard Canada. "One of the hallmarks of this collection is its versatility; it works just as beautifully in a modern setting as it does in a traditional bath."

The Studio bathroom furniture collection contains 13 coordinating pieces. Constructed in birch wood veneers for durability, shine, and longevity, each piece in the Studio collection is finished in that aforementioned luxurious deep brown espresso.

The vanity comes in two sizes, 24-inches and 30-inches, to accommodate most bathrooms.

• The 30-inch vanity (pictured in this photo) opens to a wealth of storage, with generous shelving uniquely designed on the inner doors. The piece also features a beautiful travertine marble top that is custom-cut for the Studio under-mount sink.
• The 24-inch vanity is perfect for any powder room or main bathroom. This vanity is designed to accompany one of American Standard’s vessel sinks, and its marble top is available in various designs and colors.

The Studio collection includes a medicine cabinet and wall mirror, as well as a demi-apothecary for additional storage and can be complemented by a wide range of American Standard basin faucets.

The Studio Collection is available at plumbing retailers nationwide. For more information on these products, visit the American Standard website.

This article was reprinted with the permission of casaGURU. casaGURU is an everyday, everywhere, anytime homeowner website built on the premise that every home deserves a house expert.

Photo credits: American Standard

Talk about fireworks! I would love to show you outstanding high-end residences, Luxies. If you are confident that you can benefit from the prices in the market, then now is a good time to buy. Please contact me today at 1-203-247-7500 for more information on how we can work together. Wouldn't it be great to celebrate this wonderful season with a new home?

This month, I'd like to talk about how you might literally be able to lock your doors and throw away the key; key-less systems are worth looking into and are a big trend for home security. Steve Maxwell, the home improvement expert on casaGURU, Canada's favorite home improvement website, brings us some great tips . . . .

A Key-Free Lock System Worth Looking Into

Most afternoons when I stepped off the school bus during my junior high years, Mom was home, but every so often she was away for some reason and that was always a good thing. It meant another chance to secretly sneak a chunk or two of Baker’s semi-sweet chocolate out of the white paper wrapper and into my mouth. It got to be a kind of Pavlovian thing.

Then one day the doorknob didn’t turn. All I had to do was reach for the hidden key and then enjoy a forbidden feast. Much to my surprise, the key wasn’t where it was supposed to be in the garage!

I guess I could have waited patiently in the backyard, but that option never occurred to me. There was chocolate at stake, a fact that I still maintain clouded my judgment beyond culpability. That’s why I tried wiggling in through the tiny hatch next to the back door that was built for milk deliveries. No luck there (too many chocolate raids in the past, I suppose).

Raised as I was on prime-time police adventure shows (arguably the only worthwhile cultural development to come out of the 1970s), breaking down the door seemed like the next best option. And it only took two attempts to bust the lock through the door frame, reducing a neat, 6-inch section of trim to smithereens. All I have to say about the event is that Dad was really pretty good about it all. So was the chocolate.

Key-Free Solution

As the father of a high school youth myself now, I applaud technical developments that render chocolate-induced household damage a thing of the past. Key-free lock systems are popping up in reliable, reasonably priced versions for residential use and that’s a good thing for several reasons. All the people in your household need to remember are four single-digit numbers punched into the keypad and the door opens. Keys work, too.

• Weiser is one of the pioneers of key-free technology and you can look into their Powerbolt System.
• They started in the lock game 100 years ago with hardware used on Hollywood movie sets.

Reliable Design

While I must admit that my natural tendency is to shun electronic gizmo's that have push buttons, looking under the hood on a key-free system proved more impressive than I expected. All electronic components sit on the inside face of the door, underneath a molded cover that includes the battery holder. The design proved reliable and easy to install for anyone who can use a screwdriver.

• Key-free systems make more practical sense than ever in a world where members of most households come and go to the rhythm of their own drummer.
• I’m sure key-free hardware will be standard equipment on homes within 10 years.
• The system I’ve been looking at uses four AA batteries that operate a small electric motor that activates the deadbolt mechanism.
• Keys work, too, just in case someone can’t remember their numbers or they fail to heed the low-battery warning signal. In normal use, a set of alkalines lasts about a year.
• Although the keypad hardware measures 9 inches long, it’s designed to replace standard deadbolts that fit into the usual 2 1/8-inch diameter door hole.

If you ever find yourself needing to change locks because of a problem with lost or stolen keys, then a key-free system makes the most sense. If the access numbers ever get into the wrong hands in the future, reprogram the hardware for new ones. Just make sure that the chocolate lovers in your house are the first to learn the new numbers.

This article was reprinted with the permission of casaGURU. casaGURU is an everyday, everywhere, anytime homeowner website built on the premise that every home deserves a house expert.

Photo credit: casaGuru

I would love to show you outstanding high-end residences, Luxies! If you are confident that you can benefit from the prices in the market, then now is a good time to buy. Please contact me today at 1-203-247-7500 for more information on how we can work together. Wouldn't it be great to celebrate this wonderful season with a new home?

This month, I'd like to talk about how you can make some important changes in your bathroom to make it extra luxe and lovely. Some of these changes don't cost a luxe amount, but the results will be worth it. For example, look at this Colorado powder room, showing off art and beautifully lavish handmade materials. Go wild in a small space!

Even though the bathroom is often the smallest room in the house, it's a place that almost every guest who visits your home will stop by. Make it look great.

I went to Cheryll Gillespie, the vivacious host of Let's Shop TV. She advises that your bathroom makeover should begin from the ground up:

• Begin bathroom projects with the floor.
• Since the bathroom is usually a smaller space compared to other rooms in the home, it's often affordable to indulge in a few flooring luxuries.
• "Radiant heating under ceramic tiled floors is one of my favorite indulgences," says Cheryll. "Stepping from the shower or bath onto warm ceramics is heavenly."
• Luxurious chenille or thick terry bathmats are also great indulgences for the feet. When selecting a mat for the floors, remember your style. Sea grass or bamboo mats in a Zen-styled bath, traditional-patterned carpets for the elegant formal bath, plush faux sheepskin mats for the minimalist modern spa-inspired bath.

Cheryll has these bathroom lighting tips:

• Lighting in a bath is one of the most important design elements of the room.
• It's imperative to have good lighting for the functional aspects of the space such as shaving and make-up application. Good grooming demands adequate lighting. Plan for lighting from above and from the sides of the mirror area.
• "Mood lighting is also necessary for those quite times when we need comfort and tranquility," Cheryll adds. "Put your overhead lights on a dimmer switch and be sure to accessorize with candlelight."

And what about the walls?

• Changing the wall texture and color is one of the easiest changes you can make in a room.
• In a small powder room, go for drama! Since this space is usually used for short, functional visits, you can be especially daring and creative.
• Here's a great tip from Cheryll: "The size of the space also allows us to use materials that may otherwise be too pricey for larger rooms: expensive wallpapers, custom-painted faux walls, or even fabric or metal-paneled walls."
• Darker colors add personality and create impact.
• A bathroom used for daily grooming, makeup application, and shaving needs a carefully selected paint color. We need our skin color to look as real as possible in this room, so consider that wall color will reflect onto your skin. Neutrals, peach, mango, taupe, gray, and soft yellows are good choices to maintain "real" skin tones. The bathroom in the photo above is a great example of a room color that will be flattering on the face, with lots of mirrors for putting on your face and looking fabulous. Use additional dramatic or vibrant colors as accents, like the punchy green leaves in the bathroom shower curtain above. 
• "The next step in your bathroom makeover is the detailing: small touches that provide efficient storage and a feel of luxury. Think beyond the ‘traditional’ bath product scope. The bathroom is a room for living - it needs furniture and accessory items like all other living spaces."
• Is there room in your bath for a bench or chair? A seat provides a place to sit to remove socks and shoes as well as a place to lay clothing. Think creative upholstery coverings for your seat - terry or chenille toweling, plush wild animal prints, or Egyptian cottons.
• If you enjoy lounging in the tub, but hate to miss the morning news, install a wall-mounted television set or a shower radio.
• "A clock is also an important and often overlooked bathroom detail. How many times have we been in the tub and wondered how much time we have left before we need to leave for work?"
• Warming drawers and heated towel bars are other pampering additions for the bath.
• Indulging your scent sense is easy in the bath with baskets of scented soaps, sachets, bath crystals, and oils.
• Natural sea sponges displayed on shelves, in baskets, and bowls or laid to rest on the side of the tub are not only functional, but also visually interesting. Cheryll advises, "They also make great scent holders. Drop a few drops of your favorite scented oil directly onto the sponge for lingering aromatic effect."
• Use baskets, glass shelves installed above the toilet, or wine bottle holders to store extra towels and bottles of shampoos, conditioners, and bath oils.

Create a luxe bathroom sanctuary with a little style, imagination, creativity, and a few simply sensational ideas!

This article was made possible with the help of casaGURU. casaGURU is an everyday, everywhere, anytime homeowner website built on the premise that every home deserves a house expert.