A little "Retail Therapy" helps the psyche, don'tcha' think?

Once in a while, we all need a little Retail Therapy to help make our lives a little brighter (said Retail Therapy works, by-the-way, when you buy a new sofa, a new bed, or have me re-decorate a whole room......HINT-HINT).  After an uber-productive day of antiquing, errand-running, and stops at ADAC, I stopped at my Barnes & Noble on Peachtree Road and treated myself to these five new (to me) CDs.  

I'm not your "download via iTunes" kinda guy; I like to hear the ENTIRE album, and enjoy listening to new tunes for a month or so, then put them away in the custom-drawers my cabinet-maker made for me when I built my new kitchen 10 years ago (photo later in the blog).

Here's what I bought today:

Mumford & Sons: Babel (see them on TV all the time; wanted to try them)

David Bowie: The Next Day (Bowie is one of my favourites; I have many of his albums).

Yeah Yeah Yeahs: Mosquito (my 3rd of 4th of theirs; GREAT road music!)

Sarah Brightman: Dreamchaser (Sis Jill and I LOVE her voice!  Saw her on Broadway).

And Depeche Mode: Delta Machine (another of my favourite groups).

As you can see, my taste in music goes in many directions; perhaps yours does as well.  Let me know if any of my choices appeal to you,.....and give me an idea of which albums I should add to my library.

Only problem IS:  as you can see, I've run out of drawer space!

Keep Calm and Keep The Music Business Alive!

...Music-Mark.

Patio: Before and After

These days, people are not only remodeling their kitchens and bathrooms, but adding wonderful patios, decks, and gazebos to their homes.

Outdoor Entertaining is certainly fun for everyone,....just when was the last time you had a FORMAL, sit-down dinner party?

A few weeks ago, I blogged about the new collection of OUTDOOR furniture from Brown Jordan.  As promised, here are some Before and After photos of my client's patio.  

Let me know what you think; I'll be happy to send fabric memo samples in the colours of your choice.

Keep Calm and Decorate Your Patio!

...Mark.

Renovation 101

I LOVE hearing from a client who wants my help on a kitchen or bathroom renovation.  Recently, I consulted on a "make-over" on a 3-bedroom townhouse in Brookhaven that had that "early-90s" look,...okay,..but dated nonetheless.  I actually found the perfect contractor for my clients, and, with his help and expertise, proposed a FABULOUS renovation, staying WITHIN-BUDGET (the most-important part!).

The clients got involved, and visited the marble/granite yard, the bathroom-fixture showroom, and the lighting store (AFTER I had already-visited and pre-selected the right product......too many choices just gets overwhelming to clients)....they actually really liked the selection-process (they thought they wouldn't)....

A little French (Haute and froid) thrown in.....

 

I came up with a custom colour of pistachio-green for the Master Bath cabinetry.

I used a Ralph Lauren grass cloth wallpaper, Sudan Earth, for the renovated Powder Room. Changed the pedestal sink to a new model from Kohler.

 it's all in the details......I could have used brown plastic outlets, but, since we only needed 4, I proposed an oiled-rubbed bronze.  Fabulous.

One of my "tricks,"....using wallpaper in built-in bookcases.  Ralph Lauren's Sudan Earth.

 

 

Original art from Catherine Kelleghan Galleries, Atlanta.

End of story: they LOVE their "new" home,...and trust me, it really does look brand-new.  They especially like the paint colours I used, the new stain colour for their hardwood floors, the new door knobs I chose,....every little detail.

I'm proud of the final result; here are some photos to share with y'all......

Mark.