My Atlanta client flew in for a few days of unabashed shopping this week and we had fuuuuunnn! The house scheme was nearly down pat, but it was time to refresh, define and refine, and that we did.

Lighting was our big challenge. We have many great options, but I think we have honed in on our best and final. In addition, we completely nailed 2 baths (complete with tile and vanities) as well as and kitchen specs such as hardware, plumbing supplies and fittings. If you recall, this is the “House of Pink”. It will be such a breath of fresh air, but one thing I want to make sure is that it isn’t “cute”.

No Lilly Pulitzer here (sorry, KHN!)– I feel strongly that all this pink needs to be anchored in strong neutrals, other off colors like mustard, malachite and turquoise and perhaps even deep browns. Otherwise the result could end up cartoonish, which would be a major design mishap. So, when using colors with such personality such as pink, how do you create calm and sophistication and avoid “adorable”?

My thought is to ground everything in neutrals for most walls and rugs and throw many curve balls into the palette using lamps, pillows, lighting and accessories that will keep your eye guessing. Avoid matching too much. To some degree this is tricky, because you need to match on some level, but not on everything. Use vintage liberally. Add both classic and quirky lighting and accessories. Use classic timeless rugs in most common spaces that allow you to bring in any other colors you want. Don’t overdecorate. Here are some of the grounding materials we chose for all that hot pink:

Stark Bargello Carpet in Neutral for all stairs:

Missoni Tuscany Carpet in Sunset allows me to use olives, turquoises and mustards liberally:

Cool neutrals with clean finishes and no yellow will ground the walls:

We agreed to use this on her staircase, but all around it will be kept classic, streamlined and simple so as not to compete:

Think of classic shapes in modern forms like these:

But we won’t forget the fun altogether:

And, even more importantly, keep everyone guessing using vintage shapes and 70′s inspired pieces like this:

When each room has gorgeous color and pattern like this, keeping the balance can be tricky:

Enter the Dragons:

Especially if your client likes to keep it sparkly

But, rest assured, it will be a careful balance or crazy, color, fun and restraint. I can not WAIT to show you later this winter.

I came across this image today while surfing Pinterest and was immediately drawn to it’s utter simple perfectness. Simple Regency Dining Table, plain Frenchy style chairs upholstered in timeless Brunschwig animal print cotton, solid drapery and valances. There is no rug, chinese red old sideboard, and what appears to be either a vintage or Nierman Weeks Empire style chandelier with sparkly vintage sconces.

Bryan Batt

Each piece in and of itself is pretty, classic and beautiful. Not complicated whatsoever. The room is not overdone. It is also not necessarily innovative. But, not every space has to be a breakthrough. It can just be plain pretty. The fact that there is no rug may attribute to why there is a certain casual vibe in such a formal setting. Or maybe it’s the fresh print on the formal chairs. Could be the crusty beat up Ming sideboard paired with the European classics.

Maybe it’s all of these things. It’s certainly not rocket science or out of the box, it’s just done well and with the right amount of restraint. Simple = Classic.

I have a client doing a couple of bath renovations, and she is keeping the old cast iron tubs (good choice) and having them re-glazed. Her hope is to have the bathrooms feel vintage still, but fresh and updated. The floors will most likely be in marble mosaics, in different patterns perhaps with accents of a color interspersed, but nothing out of the box– timeless and classic. Think herringbone, penny tiles, basket weaves.

Walls will either be wallpapered or partially tiled and papered in quiet marble subway tiles or good quality ceramic subway tiles. Again, very very simple. The only way, except wallpaper and lighting, to inject any whimsey into these baths is to play with the vanities, which play, we plan to do. The main question is what to use for vanities? Do we find vintage case pieces like the ones below and retrofit them or build them from scratch? I think we need to explore both options and see which looks more original and has the best price value.

If this is the look you want, the is is better to build it or buy it? It’s not that tough to retrofit a cabinet or dresser into a vanity, assuming you have a good carpenter, furniture refinisher and plumber. Especially if you get a good deal.

Of course, you lose the top portion of storage, but you get a one of a kind vintage vanity. If that doesn’t work, and you have access to a great cannot maker, copy it and make a new version. Or, show your builders picture of a piece of furniture you like and translate it into a vanity. Your bath storage does not have to be cookie cutter; it is just as easy to build something fabulous as it is to build something run-of-the-mill, so seize the opportunity to do something original. Why not? It will be interesting to see how we fare– which option she chooses. I will let you know!

1. Pinterest 2. C. Bell 3. Circa Who 4. Williams Sonoma 5. Kohler 6. Rohl 7. Furniture Guild 8. Furniture Guild 9. Furniture Guild 10. Furniture Guild

I don’t know why I am telling you this secret trade source I have, other than I would love to help my friend Ginger (the owner) out and give her a much deserved plug! For a while, her shop has been an amazing source for all sorts of things, from name brand lines to one of a kind elm and Asian rustic case pieces. However, for me, the best thing about Oasis is the unbelievable customer service and attention they place on each and every order, no matter the size. These are good people.

If you are lucky enough to be able to visit her and her adorable husband in Jacksonville, FL, please hop over and tell her I said “hi”. Or, if you are a designer, shop online, as I do. You are SURE to find something you want. Dial her up and and ka-ching– it’s yours. She ships anywhere in the US. Here is what I am obsessing over lately:

I would use this as a media unit or even in a dining room with lamps on top. I love the patina and crustiness:

You can never go wrong with an Altar table. Short on depth but long on style:

Lacquer these babies if you wish, although I like them just as they are– or stick a vessel sink inside for a great powder room vanity:

I would love to do a home in all Verellen upholstery:

Stool? More like a chair with long legs. Love it:

Ginger’s real love is rugs: She has a huge collection, -tons more than she shows on the site: