Velvet & Linen

powder room design - part five and video!

I'm trying something new, so be patient with me! Steve and I went up to our home in Channel Islands Harbor to check out our Powder Room. The sink was installed this week, and I was really nervous to see how it turned out. I thought you might like to see my reaction, so I asked Steve to take some video. Let's see how what happened...

I was thrilled with the installation of my antique marble sink! Tom, my general contractor, did exactly what I wanted. The sink was imbedded into the wall, making it feel like a fountain. Here is another short video of how our Powder Room looked when we hung my gilded mirror...

For those of you who can't watch the video, here are a couple of images of my Powder Room now...

Most of the pieces in my Powder Room are fairly inexpensive. My console is a reproduction from Chelsea Textiles, and I purchased my marble sink from my friend Shane (aka Big Daddy). The spout that we finally chose was actually the spout from my fountain in my back yard (I guess I'll have to find another one for my fountain!). My general contractor, Tom dipped my new brass lever in draino for a weekend. It aged the heck out of it. The only splurge was my gorgeous mirror. She is the Queen in the room. 

 

I'll be spending part of my holiday doing the finishing touches to this room and planting around the shutters that are the focal point outside of the window.

 

 A couple close ups!

 

Next week I'll be able to show you the lights in place!

I'd love to hear what you think! For those of you who subscribe to my blog via e-mail, you can leave a comment here.  I'd also like your feedback on the video. Do you like having video on the blog? 
Steve and I are off to Ohio tomorrow for a couple of days (I can't wait to share with you what we're working on!), but I will be checking my e-mails to read your comments. I'll be back on tuesday!

xo

Brooke

 

steve is in veranda!

Thank you to Lisa and Leslie Newsom for asking Steve to be a part of the "Defining Design" feature in the new January-February 2010 issue of Veranda! 

 

Steve was honored to be in the company of two of the most distinguished interior designers in the business, Darryl Carter and Nancy Corzine.

 

xo

Brooke
 
 

the $250 one kings lane giveaway

Most of you already know how much I love C Magazine. Design and Style Editor Andrea Stanford fills the magazine with everything that is wonderful about California. So when Andrea sent me an e-mail introducing me to the premier home sample sale site One Kings Lane I immediately had to checked it out. 

 

One Kings Lane did not disappoint! I couldn't believe that so many of my favorite brands, like Roost, John Robshaw, Missoni Home and Madeline Weinrib have had sales on the site. One Kings Lane was going to make my holiday shopping a breeze and cut my budget in half! 

I was really impressed by the quality of the merchandise they were selling, so I was thrilled when I received an e-mail from Ali Pincus, one of the co-founders of One Kings Lane asking if I would be willing to tell my readers about her site. Of course I would! To make it more fun, Ali and I decided to do a $250 One Kings Lane Shopping Spree. To enter in the give away all you have to do is become a One Kings Lane Member here. Membership is free, and once you become a member you'll get e-mails letting you know about all of their fabulous sales!

So, what can you buy for $250? 

You could get this Jardins en Fleur "Turquoise Tea Box Lamp" for $169.00 (retails for $390.00!), or....

 

the "Snow Leopard Pagoda Mirror" for $239.00 (retails for $510.00), or...

 

What about a "Celadon Green Ming Accent Side Table" for $179.00 (retails for $390.00)
 
 Loved it in pink too!

Do you need to buy some gifts? Archipelago is having a sale until tomorrow. Their "Lemon Grass Gift Set" is only $35.00 (retails for $70.00)

 

The "Lindenwood Signature Diffuser" is $18.00 (retails for $33.00)

 

Do you have someone on your gift list who loves to cook?
The CulinHome sale ends on the 19th. I think their 8 piece "Nouveaux Knife Set" is beautiful, and it's only $79.00 (retails for $160.00)!

 

Their "Hibiscus Board with Chef's Knife" would make a wonderful gift for only $39.00 (retails for $90.00)
 
 Some amazing sales start tomorrow!

Anichini...

"Violet  Giedre Linen Placemats" $109 for a set of 4 (retails for $220.00)

 

and hemstitched napkins, set of four for $109 (retail for $220.00)

  

Plus Calvin Klein, Brenda Houston, Mulholland Bros., and E J Victor sales all start tomorrow.

You have until December 31st to sign up for the give away here!

I'd love to hear what you think about One Kings Lane. Do you love their sales as much as I do? 

xo

Brooke

scientific beakers

Whenever I am in Los Angeles for the weekend I try to go to the flea market early on Sunday mornings. I love getting there early enough to watch the vendors unpack their treasures. Most Sundays I come home empty handed, but I must admit that I did particularly well yesterday.

Armed with my iphone to send pictures to Steve (my wonderful husband who stayed home to figure out how to make french toast with little Leila), I arrived at the flea market at 7:00 am. The first treasures I found were the light fixtures for my powder room! It doesn't look like much now, but wait until you see it (and it's mini sister) in place. They came out of an old 1940's home, and they only cost $100 each. A little re-wiring and you'll love them.

 

I also found these great mini Japanese floats. I think they would be great rustic Holiday decorations in a bowl.

Once I sent Steve a picture of this 1940's projector, I knew it would be coming home with me.

  

 After walking up and down the isles for another hour I saw something that I knew Steve would love.... 150 various scientific beakers.  I bought all 150 of them plus the 60 test tubes that the vendor threw in for free.

 Well, as the saying goes "No good deed goes unpunished!" I am now living with beakers in every room....

Steve's mouthwash and Q-tips now look like a science experiment in our bathroom.

 More beakers are drying by my kitchen sink...

 So, I finally decided to join in on the fun. Inspired by my friend Lauren of Pure Style Home, I have created floral arrangements for the store and as holiday gifts for a couple of my clients...

 

I love combining opposing designs, like the feminine flowers in scientific beakers in front of a backdrop of British bus signs.

 The hap hazard feeling of this arrangement is perfection. A rustic metal stand with assorted vials leaning to and fro filled randomly with white roses. 

  

 I'd love to hear what you think. Are scientific paraphernalia the new trend? Are you loving them as much as Steve? Do you have any and if so, how do you use them?

You can see Lauren's beaker love here.

xo

Brooke