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Book Review :: Decorating The Way I See It by Markham Roberts

Book Review // Decorating The Way I See It // Markham Roberts #design #book #interiors

New York-based interior designer, Markham Roberts is bringing a fresh and modern approach to traditional and contemporary styles alike. Known for his ability to work in any design vernacular, Roberts trained with legendary decorator Mark Hampton for six years before launching his own design firm in 1997. Since then his career has skyrocketed. His work has been described as “the very definition of chic” and published in Architectural Digest, Domino, House Beautiful, and House & Garden – just to name a few. Roberts was also named to the elite AD100 earlier this year. For these reasons you can imagine how eager I was to get me hands on his newly released book, Decorating: The Way I See It. Simply put, it’s extraordinary.

First, I love how the book is organized. Rather than dishing out decorating advice, Roberts takes us step-by-step as he would a design project – from the floor plan to the color and pattern scheme to the furnishings and accessories. The 250+ pages showcases his work ranging from New York City apartments to sprawling country homes. The diversity, sophistication and exceptional personable touch he delivers project after project is truly outstanding. With over 300 stunning images, selecting ones to share with you was the hardest part of of this review, however here are a few of my favorites:

velvet turquoise walls // formal living room // markham robertsdecorating advice // Markham Roberts #designblue bedroom // designed by markham roberts #designblue formal living room // designed by markham roberts #blueformal dining room // markham roberts #interiors #dining

Markham, with his unflinching ease, his assured eye, his natural understanding of how a house should function, and his total lack of pretense, creates rooms that age well and are timeless. – Senga Mortimer – Editor at Large at House Beautiful

family room in earth tones // beams and wood plank wallsgreen velvet sofa // library // markham robertsgreen velvet settee // great room // markham roberts #design #greendaybed reading nook // home office // design by markham roberts

 

This last image with cozy daybed in a rich velvet is perhaps my favorite. Roberts designed the colorful office for a mom with four children, three dogs and a husband that works from home. The inviting niche sits is directly across from her desk and provides a quiet place of her own. I long for such a space!

I know you will adore this book and fall in love with Roberts’ work like I have. It’s an absolute must have for any design library. Don’t pass on this one!

happy decorating,

cristin

*photo credit: Nelson Hancock and courtesy of Vendome Press

 

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Read full story By on September 30, 2014 in Bedroom, bedrooms, book, book review, bookshelves, color, dining rooms, interior design, Interiors, Living Room, living rooms, patio furniture, upholstery, wallpaper, window treatments

Get the Look :: Home Office Decor for Her

disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links, which means Simplified Bee receives commission if you make a purchase using these links.

chic home office // Domino Mag

My home office has moved to a new room in the house and needs to be updated (just need to find the time!). I’ve been searching for inspiration and I love this colorful, fresh and airy workspace I spotted in Domino Magazine. The bright artwork, colorful ikat chairs and crisp clean lines are what drew me in. If you like this style too, here’s some home office decor and similar items to help you recreate the look:

get the lookfresh & bright // home office designproduct links:

navy lamp // abstract art // nail polish // desk // acrylic tape dispenser // fiddle fig tree // upholstered chair // trinket tray

happy weekend!

cristin

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Read full story By on September 26, 2014 in Features, Get The Look, interior design, Interiors, office/study, original artwork

Design Reveal :: Marble Bathroom

disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links, which means Simplified Bee receives commission if you make a purchase using these links.

After months of planning, designing and building, our home addition is complete. 🙂 Although I’m enjoying all of the new space, my favorite is the new master bathroom. At 6′ x 7′ its certainly isn’t big, but it has what we need. Come take a peek.

white bathroom vanity with gray countertop // cristin priest // www.simplifiedbee.com #bathrooms

The white and gray carrera tile was my starting point for the crisp, clean color scheme. The honeycomb pattern floor tiles are paired with 6″ x 18″ honed white carrera field tiles in a subway pattern for the shower and walls. Both were ordered through my friends at the Tile Bar. For maximum storage I designed the custom white vanity with a tower and a single sink (we needed the storage more than a second sink).  For contrast and durability it was topped with a charcoal quartz. The hardware gives it a little mix of chinoiserie and mid-century modern style. I love the result.

designer marble bathroom // custom vanity // cristin priest of simplified bee #bathroomsdesigner marble bathroom with chrome faucet // cristin priest of simplified bee #bathrooms #chrome

It was hard to resist the brass trend and instead selected polished chrome finishes for all of the fixtures and hardware. I wanted the new addition to feel like it was always part of the home, so didn’t change up the finishes. I selected a beautiful traditional faucet by California Faucets that is perfect for my 1940s ranch style home. This particular style of widespread faucet (shown above) is available through Belmont Hardware. Ask for Ron in the Belmont store and he can hook you up! I also love that California Faucets allows you to design your own faucet in over 30 decorative finishes!

designer marble bathroom with steam shower // cristin priest of simplified bee #bathrooms

The shower also features California Faucets’ hand-shower, thermostatic system and drain. Not only do I love the look and feel, but all of these products comply with strict water conservation building codes. According to the California law, all shower heads must flow no more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute, interior faucets must emit no more than 2.2 gallons of water per minute and all toilets must use no more than 1.6 gallons of water per flush.

shower thermostatic system by California Faucets // www.simplifiedbee.com #showers

Here’s a closer look at California Faucets’ StyleTherm Thermostatic System. We selected a round chrome plate with a single volume control. Even though we have two shower heads, the control will only allow us to run one at a time to comply with the new water conservation rules. Anything to help the drought and save water is okay by me!

marble hexagon tiled floor // bathroom design // cristin priest of simplified bee #tile #marbledesigner marble bathroom with square shower drain // cristin priest of simplified bee #bathrooms

The Neo Style drain is so chic too! Love it. You have to check out all of the other luxe drains at California Faucets!

designer marble bathroom // steam shower // cristin priest of simplified bee #bathrooms

Do you remember my Mr. Steam article? Well, I fell in love with the product so much I had to get one for the new shower. In addition to the Mr. Steam unit we selected a fold-down teak bench and a sleek iTempo control system. The control system is housed inside the shower which is the best. We are loving our new steam bath!

marble bathroom // mirror with scones // simplified bee design #bathrooms

There are also some smaller design details in the bathroom that make the space functional and beautiful including the light sconestowel rack, acrylic tray, tassel hand towels, cement succulentenamel bath accessories and simple banded Roman shade. The scone shades have a silver trim which I was drawn to.

designer marble bathroom // cristin priest of simplified bee #bathroomsdesigner marble bathroom // acrylic tray // cristin priest of simplified bee #bathroomsdesigner marble bathroom // chrome towel rack // cristin priest of simplified bee #bathrooms

A big thank you to California Faucets, Mr. Steam and TileBar for helping me create the perfect bathroom. Loved working with you on the design and thrilled with the result.

happy decorating,

cristin

 *all photography by Cristin Priest and property of Simplified Bee

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Read full story By on September 17, 2014 in Bathroom, bathrooms, chinoiserie, decorative hardware, interior design, Interiors, lighting, mirrors, pattern, simplified bee portfolio, storage, tile, window treatments

Five Favorites :: Fabulous Entryways

Entryways offer us first glimpses into a home. It’s where we welcome guests and in some cases store such things as coats, purses, keys  and mail.  Entryway design takes planning if you want to it to be both beautiful and functional, so I’ve rounded up a few fabulous entryways that do both.  

fabulous entryways // Erin Gates Design

Loving this elegant entryway by Erin Gates Design of Elements of Style. The linen wrapped dresser with nailhead detailing is a head turner!

fabulous entryway ideas // smitten studio

Sarah Sherman Samuel of Smitten Studio (say that 5 times!) nails it here with modern and contemporary elements – console table, geometric mirror, stool and basket storage. Love!

fabulous entryways // Anisa DarnellSimple, yet sophisticated entry. Love the use of white. Design by Anisa Darnell via HGTV.

fabulous entryways // round table with chinoiserie touches

Perhaps one of my favorite entryways of the bunch. This one I spotted on Pinterest – I was drawn it’s elegance and chinoiserie touches.

fabulous entryways // Chloe Warner #chinoiserie #entryways

Speaking of chinoiserie touches, here’s another fabulous entryway by Chloe Warner via Lonny. It’s on the small side, but so chic and functional! Love the mix of masculine and feminine, pattern and color too.

Need more entryway design ideas?

happy decorating,

cristin

 

 

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Read full story By on September 10, 2014 in chinoiserie, contemporary decor, foyers, interior design, Interiors, mirrors, pinterest, wallpaper