Calacatta Gold marble & Raven CaesarStone Kitchen from MGS by Design

Last year we did the countertops in this beautiful remodel done by Tiek Built Homes.
I'm excited to finally show you the pictures!

Photo by Meikel Reece via Tiek Built Homes

Isn't it gorgeous?!?
Here's a Before picture to show you how dramatic the transformation was....

Photo: Tiek Built Homes

They used polished Calacatta Gold marble on the countertops and for the full height backsplash.  When you have such a stunning marble I really do think you should just carry it on up to the backsplash.  It really shows off the marble, it's a great look.  Plus, it's easy to clean.....no grout!

Photo by Meikel Reece via Tiek Built Homes

The edge detail is a laminated Ogee Square.  I love this edge on marble.

Photo by Meikel Reece via Tiek Built Homes

Photo by Meikel Reece via Tiek Built Homes

For the peninsula the homeowner wanted to use a material that was more durable than the marble, plus they were looking for a contrast.  They decided on CaesarStone quartz in the color Raven.  I love how it turned out!  The Raven is a dark grey, it works really well with the Calacatta Gold.

Photo by Meikel Reece via Tiek Built Homes

The Interior Designer on this job was Caitlin Creer. 
Check out Tiek Built Homes blog for more pictures of this home.  Caitlin & Tiek Built Homes really did such a great job, everything turned out beautifully.

5 Fun Kid's Baths

I personally am not a huge fan of the over-the-top themed Kid's Baths.  You know, the bathroom that once the child is 16 he looks ridiculous showering in a rubber ducky tiled shower. 
I guess if you have all the money and patience in the world to redo your bathroom every five years to keep up with the growing child that's fine. 
Most people don't have that kind of money, time or patience though. I suggest designing the bathroom so that it can grow with the child.  If you really want to get your rubber duckies in there maybe keep it with the shower curtain instead of the tile.  :)
Below are 5 baths that I think would work great as Kid's Baths....or as Guest Baths once the kids are grown.

Traditional Bathroom by Toronto Interior Designers & Decorators Carey Mudford Interior Design

eclectic bathroom design by los angeles interior designer Abbott Moon.

These flowers are vinyl and just stick on.  They are from Pottery Barn Kids.  I wonder how well they stick in a steamy shower though...

Photo source.

Photo: House of Turquoise

Photo source.

Whiteout Wednesday: 5 White Bathrooms with Marble

White kitchens and baths are definitely the hottest trend I am seeing right now. It's also the subject I get asked about the most. From white Carrara marble to white quartz there is a lot to consider when using white countertops.
Whiteout Wednesday is a weekly feature where I show five kitchens and/ or baths that have used white in a beautiful way.
If you have a white kitchen or bath that you would like to see featured here please email me.
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Photo: Home Bunch

Photo: decor pad

Traditional Bathroom by Greenville Interior Designers & Decorators Linda McDougald Design | Postcard from Paris Home

Photo: P2 Design

Photo: Mix and Chic

Whiteout Wednesday: Five White Powder Bathrooms

White kitchens and baths are definitely the hottest trend I am seeing right now. It's also the subject I get asked about the most. From white Carrara marble to white quartz there is a lot to consider when using white countertops.
Whiteout Wednesday is a weekly feature where I show five kitchens and/ or baths that have used white in a beautiful way.
If you have a white kitchen or bath that you would like to see featured here please email me.
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Usually on Whiteout Wednesday I show white kitchens and sometimes I show white bathrooms (which are usually master bathrooms). This week I'm changing it up a bit and am featuring five beautifully white Powder Bathrooms.
I love how people went bold with the walls in all five of these baths, whether it was the wallpaper, black trim or Carrara marble. 
Enjoy!

Photo: House Beautiful

modern powder room design by austin architect Hugh Jefferson Randolph Architects

Photo: Design Chat with Kim Lemmon

contemporary powder room design

 Photo: Decor Pad

Does the Bathtub Belong in the Middle of the Room?

Julianne Moore's home in New York.  Photo: www.home-designing.com

Recently I used the photo above as a reference when showing a client some ideas for her upcoming bathroom remodel.
I was showing her the photo as inspiration for colors and that this bathroom doesn't look too bathroom-y.  (Yes, that's a word, I just decided).
Anyway, her first question was "Does a bathtub belong in the middle of a room?"
Even though there's no way we'd put her bathtub in the middle of her bathroom (because her room doesn't have the layout for it), we proceeded to look at pictures of bathrooms with bathtubs in the middle for 30 minutes.
In the end I convinced her that yes, a bathtub could go in the middle of a room!

Here are a four of our favorite photos that we came across....

Contemporary Bathroom by Calgary Design-Build Firms Prominent Homes Ltd
 

Traditional Bathroom by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Matthew MacCaul Turner

Modern Bathroom by Glen Ellyn Kitchen & Bath Remodelers The Kitchen Studio of Glen Ellyn

Contemporary Bathroom by Red Deer Carpet & Flooring Carpet Colour Centre - Carpet One

So tell me, would you design a bathroom so that the tub was in the middle?  Do you like this layout or hate it?

Whiteout Wednesday: 5 White Kitchens

White kitchens and baths are definitely the hottest trend I am seeing right now. It's also the subject I get asked about the most. From white Carrara marble to white quartz there is a lot to consider when using white countertops.
Whiteout Wednesday is a weekly feature where I show five kitchens and/ or baths that have used white in a beautiful way.
If you have a white kitchen or bath that you would like to see featured here please email me.
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I've got five really great white kitchens for you this week!

This first kitchen I actually saw on last week's episode of Selling New York.  (I ridiculously love that show.)  The 5th Avenue Penthouse was designed by the architect Joseph Dirand.  The entire Penthouse was amazing.  If I had 12 million to spend on my home, I'd totally consider spending it on this place.
You can see more photos of this Penthouse here.
The countertops in the kitchen are Carrara marble.  Look closely at the island, the marble wraps the entire thing.  Gorgeous!

Photo: Joseph Dirand Architecture

Photo: Design Shuffle

 contemporary kitchen design by other metros interior designer Atmosphere Interior Design Inc.

traditional spaces design by philadelphia kitchen and bath Tim Kriebel - KRIEBELDESIGN

Contemporary Kitchen by Edina Design-Build Firms Great Neighborhood Homes

Whiteout Wednesday: 5 White Kitchens with Farmhouse Sinks

White kitchens and baths are definitely the hottest trend I am seeing right now. It's also the subject I get asked about the most. From white Carrara marble to white quartz there is a lot to consider when using white countertops.
Whiteout Wednesday is a weekly feature where I show five kitchens and/ or baths that have used white in a beautiful way.
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It seems like we are doing more and more kitchens with Farmhouse sinks. 
Especially white kitchens.

Farmhouse sinks (aka: apron front sinks) have become an increasingly popular sink option in the past couple of years for traditional and even contemporary style kitchens.

Farmhouse Sinks are generally selected for two main reasons.  

1) The look.  A lot of people like the look of Farmhouse Sinks and want them to be a focal point in their kitchen.

2) They are so dang practical!  If you are an avid cook and use your kitchen a lot you'll love a Farmhouse Sink.  It's low maintenance and easy to clean.  They are large enough for your big baking sheets and stock pots. 

Today I have five really beautiful white kitchens with Farmhouse Sinks.  Enjoy!

Photo: House & Home.  Sink is from Kohler.

Photo: Molly Frey Design

Photo: Better Homes & Gardens

Traditional Kitchen by Excelsior Design-Build Firms Lake Country Builders

Traditional Kitchen by San Francisco Interior Designers & Decorators Fiorella Design

I found this fun article on Kludgy Mom blog with tips on what to look for when buying a Farmhouse Sink.  She speaks from experience, check it out here.

Behind the Scenes on Instagram

We've been on Instagram for about 6 months now and we're loving it!
It's been so fun to "meet" people from around the world that are a part of the stone industry.    Everyone from stone masons, stone quarry owners, kitchen designers, stone fabricators and more.  I love seeing other people's amazing work!
I also really love following diy-ers, other interior designers and local businesses.  I'm kind of addicted.  :)

I like to share our "behind the scenes" photos on Instagram.

I share LOTS of shop photos....

I think it's fun to see our work in progress...

I'm always taking pictures of beautiful slabs, whether they are in our shop or out at the slab yards...

And, because I'm one of "those people", I also occassionally share pictures of my adorable dogs...   :)

If you are on Instagram please follow us!

@mgsbydesign

Whiteout Wednesday: 5 White Kitchens with Beautiful & Unique Backsplash Tile

White kitchens and baths are definitely the hottest trend I am seeing right now. It's also the subject I get asked about the most. From white Carrara marble to white quartz there is a lot to consider when using white countertops.
Whiteout Wednesday is a weekly feature where I show five kitchens and/ or baths that have used white in a beautiful way.
If you have a white kitchen or bath that you would like to see featured here please email me.
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All-white kitchens are beautiful & definitely have their place.  If you are looking to add color  to your white kitchen though, using a fun tile backsplash is a great way to accomplish that.
Today I have five really beautiful kitchens that all have unique & fun backsplash tile.

Source

Tile from Ann Sacks.  Photo: Decor Pad via Palmer Weiss

Photo: Better Homes & Gardens

Photo: House of Turquoise

Photo: Better Homes & Gardens