Modern Vanity Sinks

I've chosen a wall-mounted vanity for the master bathroom and I considered doing a simple counter top with under-mounted sinks, but it was seeming a little too boring. At the same time I didn't want to use the now ubiquitous vessel style sinks, because I couldn't quite imagine having to wash my face in one every day (and splashing water everywhere). I've found some larger, lower vessel sinks though, that are the perfect balance between practical and cool.

I would have loved to use Duravit's Puravida above counter basin (above left), but it was a little too big to fit two in the space I have.

Kraus makes some very nice sinks in all sizes and shapes. At left is their rectangular ceramic sink.

I ended up going with the Kohler Vox square vessel sink at left. It's a generous 16"x16" and is only 3" high above the counter. It's competitively priced at $214 list.

Celys Ceiling Light by B.Lux

I am using the Celys ceiling light fixture by B.Lux in the master bath dressing area, closets, and toilet room. It is a very diminutive 4" in diameter by 7" high and ships with its own eco-friendly fluorescent bulb. My electrician pronounced it "very cute", which sums it up nicely.

Pebble Tile Flooring

The master bathroom, shower, and toilet room floors are all done in pebble tile. Pebble tiles are made from actual river stones that have been smoothed and flattened somewhat, and then attached to a mesh backing. I chose stones with a natural, tumbled finish, but they are also available polished. These are also pretty flat (compared to some) - I love the way they feel on bare feet.

The photo above shows them grouted and un-grouted.

The pebble tiles will flow into the toilet room from the bathroom in a free-form, natural way.

Exterior Progress

Things are really starting to look finished on the exterior. The new shingles are almost done, and there's some trim to finish, too. Then the steps down to the yard will need to be installed, although in the future we plan to add a deck.

Interior Progress

At left is a "before" picture, and below is a photo from almost the same vantage point taken Friday. The new archways are located at what was the original exterior wall, and the big sliding door was moved to the new exterior wall. The next step is to remove the old kitchen, install the flooring in the addition, and then install the new kitchen cabinets.

The new see-through glass fireplace will be installed in the wall (photo above) between the casement window and archway pilaster.

Internet Shopping Resources - Modern Light Fixtures, Furniture & Accessories

I've found a lot of great websites for purchasing lighting fixtures, furniture and accessories online - look no further:

Lumens Light + Living has lighting fixtures as well as furnishings and accessories. They have a nice feature which suggests fixtures similar to the one you are looking at- I found a lot of fixtures I liked using this tool. Free shipping on orders of $50 or more.

YLighting is the premier source for contemporary and modern lighting with free shipping.

2Modern sells lighting fixtures, furniture, accessories and gifts. Great prices and free shipping on orders of $50 or more.

Form + Function has contemporary lighting at very competitive prices and free shipping on orders of $50 or more.

Stardust is the website of a Sonoma, California modern design retail showroom. They sell light fixtures, furniture, accessories and gifts, and offer low prices and free shipping.

Pendant Light Runners Up and Alternates

These Isla pendant lights from LBL Lighting are an economic alternative to the Niche Modern pendants shown in the previous post. They only come in the round shape shown below, but it's not a true sphere so is a little eclectic. The glass is hand blown with a seeded texture, and comes in five colors. There's also a choice of hardware color, which is nice. The Niche Modern pendants start at $475, but these only cost about $260-$280. They also come in a smaller "mini pendant" size.

I also love these Soft Collection pendant lights from George Kovacs (at right and below left). They cost $600-$750 and are 17" diameter, so would make a beautiful dining table fixture.

At left and above right is the Ilu pendant from Viso, a very cool lighting manufacturer. It comes in three sizes and six colors, and costs $360-$630.

At left is the Bel Occhio pendant by Pablo Designs. It comes in orange or white and costs $380.

Pendant Lights - Again!

I've decided to use these hand blown pendants from Niche Modern in the kitchen. Instead of using five smaller pendants as I previously planned, I'm going to install three larger fixtures in three different shapes (but all the same color). I love the way these fixtures are modern and classic both, a bit like my house. I've also found it's not so easy to find light fixtures in red - my favorite color - and these come in a beautiful shade of crimson.

At left is the Pharos pendant light. Below left is the Oculo pendant light and below right is the Stargazer pendant light. These are the three shapes I am using over the kitchen island.

Below is the Minaret pendant light. I plan to use this fixture over the dining room table in the effervescent glass color (shown on the right). Because the kitchen and dining area are open to each other, I want the light fixtures to work with each other and tie the spaces together.

Progress!

I haven't posted in a while, but that doesn't mean things haven't been progressing. Most of the windows are in, the drywall is in, the painting and tile work has started, the exterior shingles are going up, and most importantly of all- the AC in the upstairs works!