Some Inspiring Images

As an interior designer, I am constantly looking for things that inspire my designs. Often times it’s a fabric or a painting. Sometimes it is a homeowner’s treasure or a colorful area rug. I also travel a lot to get inspired and take in different cultures, styles and architecture when I am there. Visiting design centers in other cities has been a great source of ideas too. But over the past year, I have found a completely different source for my inspiration. The internet! I follow a lot of different blogs and read many magazines on-line that feature incredible work by other designers from across the world. These projects are a great source of ideas for interior design renovations and custom furniture for our Calgary clients. Here are a few images that have recently caught my eye and may become the inspiration for some up and coming projects.

Kitchen design by Matthew Quinn photo via Things That Inspire

Recently this kitchen photograph was posted by Things That Inspire. It is in designer’s showhouse in Atlanta, and not something that I would have ever seen if it wasn’t for the brilliant writer of this blog. I find that the kitchens she features in particular are stunning. This kitchen has some incredibly beautiful details, like the curved paneled doors on the cabinets, double islands, sculptural metal hood fan, rich wood island countertops and simple but dramatic marble backsplash. When I saw this kitchen it took my breath away. Perhaps a design element featured in this kitchen will make its way into a future project of ours. There are so many lovely details featured!

Interior design by Warner Massucco Miller via House Beautiful Magazine

The work of the up and coming design team Warner Massucco Miller based in California was recently showcased on the cover of House Beautiful Magazine. I was completely taken with the above living room. The light palette, and combination of pale blue and bright coral really caught my attention. This room is youthful, fresh and still sophisticated. If I were to suggest this color scheme to a client they might not fully be able to picture the final outcome. Showing this photograph would help them visualize how a small bit of bright color and light walls still feels warm and inviting.

Interior design by Tobi Fairley Interior Design

One of my favorite blogs to follow is by the very talented interior designer Tobi Fairley. Often I have featured photographs of her work because I find her style to be very appealing, current and inspiring. What I like so much about this room is the pop of yellow accents and the fabulous geometric pattern on the furniture. Normally, I would select a solid or a textured fabric for a large upholstered piece like this and leave the pattern for the pillow. I adore how she has done the exact opposite, and it looks incredible. It reminds me to think outside of the box and that going bold usually results in an amazing space!

Interior design by Amanda Nisbet

Another interior designer whose work I find irresistible is Amanda Nisbet. If memory serves me correctly, I first learned about her work from the first blog I started to follow, All The Best which happens to be an incredible source of information on the design scene. This lovely little bathroom is high on style even though it is short on space. The shelf hung above the tiny sink is the perfect solution providing a place for display or storage and the damask wallpaper is a show stopper! I am currently working on a renovation in Calgary where the powder room is miniscule, and this photograph helped my client to visualize the design I was suggesting. Now, I think it is important to note that although I often show these photographs to our clients, we NEVER copy what is in the photograph! For instance, the bathroom I am working on will have a different sink and faucet, instead of wallpaper we will use vertically laid, large-scale marble subway tile, the shelf will be painted white with a glass countertop, and the lights and mirrors are completely different. The only thing that is the same is the idea of a shelf mounted above a wall hung sink. This photo enabled my client to understand what that could look like.

Interior design by Victoria Hagan via the blog Habitually Chic

This incredibly gorgeous bathroom is simple and serene. I can picture it in a Victorian house in Elbow Park or Mount Royal – two very picturesque neighborhoods in Calgary. The small-scale hex tile on the floor has lovely texture, the narrow cabinets flanking the tub are ingenious for storage and the vanities are simple and that chrome adds a touch of sparkle. Then there’s that glorious tub with lots of space around it. This bathroom was featured on the blog Habitually Chic written by the fabulous Heather Clawson of NYC. She always showcases the most elegant rooms and her blog is a constant source of information and inspiration.

I constantly find myself studying architectural and design details everywhere I go. I think of it as part of my job – keeping current on what is happening on the design scene and analysing what works and what doesn’t.  Having incredible images like these from blogs and magazines readily available for me to examine and learn from has been a wonderful resource for our projects at Corea Sotropa Interior Design. If you are considering renovating or remodeling, I highly suggest that you check out these blogs and designers or some of the other incredible images available on the internet so that you can compile some ideas and concepts. It’s inspiring seeing what is happening in interiors today!

Cheers!

Jacqueline

Freestanding Bathtubs

Bathroom design by Brian Gluckstein Design

A freestanding bathtub is like a sculpture. There is nothing that commands more attention in a bathroom more then a gorgeously placed tub. A freestanding bathtub makes the room seem larger, opening up the floor space behind the tub. It gives you an opportunity to create a beautiful feature beckoning you to take a moment to refresh your spirit. Here are a few tips and products to consider if you are thinking about a freestanding tub in your bathroom.

Bathroom design by Steve Gianetti photo via Velvet and Linen

Freestanding tubs may come in jetted or soaker options. More and more I am finding that our clients prefer the soaker tub variety because the noise of the air jet does not create the tranquil atmosphere they crave. Keep in mind that if you want a freestanding tub with air jets that you need to have a compressor hidden nearby in a closet for instance.

Bathroom design by Sarah Richardson Design

Freestanding tubs may be made of a variety of materials. Cast iron and acrylic is most common. If you go with a cast iron version, run the water to fill your tub hotter then you normally would. The cast iron needs to be heated up before it will retain the temperature of your water. Acrylic tubs tend to cool down faster, but there is a larger variety of styles and sizes to choose from.

Kohler manufactures this lovely bathtub called Vintage. It is designed to accommodate bathing for two people and has a simple but graceful line. Keep in mind that you will need a beautiful tub filler to go along with your freestanding tub. Handheld shower sprays are always practical for cleaning the tub. They are also handy for washing the hair of your little ones!

Bathroom design by Corea Sotropa Interior Design

We installed this tub which is very similar to the Kohler model above in a recent renovation we completed. This bathroom is in the same house that was featured in an earlier post called French Country Kitchen.

The unique furniture legs of this tub make it an interesting choice. The Iron Works tub is also by Kohler.

Bain Ultra specializes in bubble jet tubs, but their models are also available as soakers only. The simple clean lines of this tub, the Sanos make it a lovely choice.

Photo via Everything Bathtubs

This ultra modern tub from Duravit was designed by French designer extraordinaire Phillip Stark. It features a water channel that runs around its base that is covered in either a wood deck (shown) or a stone base. I love the Zen feel of this tub.

Bathtub by Flaminia

A shelf has been incorporated into the design of this tub. It’s very interesting, but I wonder if it would be too gimmicky after a while. One of the negatives about a free standing tub is that there is not a convenient spot to put items you may need while bathing. The great thing about this tub is that problem has been solved!

Bathroom design by Sarah Richardson Design

Another way of handling storage near a freestanding tub is to have a small table next to the tub. Sarah Richardson has done this beautifully in this bathroom.

Photo via Kitchen and Bath Ideas

The classic footed tub is always a winner! This version has the classic high back and gorgeous silver feet. Not all footed tubs are cast iron. Some are available in acrylic.

Bathroom design by Corea Sotropa Interior Design

For this project in the Calgary neighborhood of Lake MacKenzie a claw footed tub was a natural choice to complement the traditional taste of our client. Originally, this bathroom had a very large deck mounted tub under the window. Removing the enormous platform and making way for this pretty freestanding tub opened up this room and made it feel much larger then it is.

How about a little bit of nature in your bathroom? This tub carved from stone by Stone Forest is dramatic! I would imagine that the stone would behave in much the same way that cast iron would by retaining the water temperature.

Photo courtesy of Treasures D’ Old Mexico

Copper tubs are also another choice. This one has an old world feel. It would be smashing paired with a natural stone floor. This one looks like it has fairly steep sides, and it might not be the most comfortable for soaking. When shopping for a tub at a bathroom showroom don’t be afraid to get into the tub to see if it is comfortable. I know this sounds a little crazy, but if you are planning on taking long hot baths then you’ve got to be comfortable! You won’t know unless you try it out!

Bathroom design by Corea Sotropa Interior Design

We designed this freestanding copper Japanese soaker tub for one of our clients living in the Calgary neighborhood of Mount Royal. The styling works perfectly in their Arts and Crafts inspired home. It is not very common that we design bathtubs, so this was an exciting and rewarding part of this project!

Freestanding bathtubs are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, styles and materials. There is truly something out there for every project, from ultra modern to traditional bathrooms. I hope that this post has encouraged you to think of a freestanding tub in your bathrooms.

Cheers!