Search results for "Knowingly accept" in Home Design Ideas

Updated Spec Home: The Bathrooms
The last stop on the main level of this Updated Spec Home are the Bathrooms. Every surface of the Guest Bath and Master Bath was touched- even some renovations in the Master bedroom. All I can say is thank goodness these two love wallpaper – we selected classic patterns for each bath that will stand the test of time!
Guest Bathroom
The Guest Bath also doubles as my mom’s bath. The footprint remained the same but we updated everything. A new vanity was chosen to give her that furniture look while still providing some storage – although there is a linen closet located just outside the bath. We topped it off with a beautiful mirror with great detail and an equally great light fixture. Also, we mixed the finishes in the bath between nickel and champagne, i.e., gold/silver mix. Mixing metals is perfectly acceptable and quite frankly way more interesting the everything matching. Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
We found this amazing wallpaper with its subtle colors and pattern and selected a large square tile to coordinate for the floor. Yes, you can do a large tile in a small bath because it actually makes the space feel larger. For finishing touches, we had this gorgeous shower curtain made. Above the new toilet, we added interesting abstract artwork framed in a large mat so it would not clash with the wallpaper.
Master Bathroom
Originally, the Master Bath had a large garden tub as the focal point and a tiny stand up shower in the corner. We removed the garden tub, moved the shower to this area as the focal point and turned the tiny shower into a much needed linen closet. At this point, I know you are thinking, what about resale with no tub? There is a tub in the Guest Bath so the house will still be appealing to young families or bath lovers alike.
© 2016 RealTourCast | Tim Furlong Jr.
Tile selections came first – my sister fell in love with this gorgeous dark greige glass tile. We used it in the upper half of the shower while keeping the lower half light with this plank tile in a striated pattern. We carried the plank tile onto the floor for a seamless look.
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
We replaced the two vanities with stock cabinetry that looks custom in a rich wood stain. Also, we found a gorgeous granite remnant for the countertop and finished off the vanity area with oversized mirrors, sleek lighting, and striking hardware.Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
The wallpaper is absolutely perfect for this space – it adds an interesting backdrop without overpowering the room. Her fantastic artwork was able to fit in the niche next to the new toilet. This is one gorgeous bath!
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
Coming Soon
Spoiler Alert – my mom and sister have decided to update their Basement Family Room and add a small Powder Bath so look for Season 2 of the Updated Spec Home series!
See the rest of this house through these links! Foyer & Great Room, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, Bedrooms, Guest Bedroom.
Photo by Tim Furlong Jr.

We love when our clients trust us enough to do a second project for them. In the case of this couple looking for a NYC Pied-a-Terre – this was our 4th! After designing their homes in Bernardsville, NJ and San Diego, CA and a home for their daughter in Orange County, CA, we were called up for duty on the search for a NYC apartment which would accommodate this couple with room enough for their four children as well!
What we cherish most about working with clients is the trust that develops over time. In this case, not only were we asked to come on board for design and project coordination, but we also helped with the actual apartment selection decision between locations in TriBeCa, Upper West Side and the West Village. The TriBeCa building didn’t have enough services in the building; the Upper West Side neighborhood was too busy and impersonal; and, the West Village apartment was just right.
Our work on this apartment was to oversee the design and build-out of the combination of a 3,000 square foot 3-bedroom unit with a 1,000 square foot 1-bedroom unit. We reorganized the space to accommodate this family of 6. The living room in the 1 bedroom became the media room; the kitchen became a bar; and the bedroom became a guest suite.
The most amazing feature of this apartment are its views – uptown to the Empire State Building, downtown to the Statue of Liberty and west for the most vibrant sunsets. We opened up the space to create view lines through the apartment all the way back into the home office.
Customizing New York City apartments takes creativity and patience. In order to install recessed lighting, Ray devised a floating ceiling situated below the existing concrete ceiling to accept the wiring and housing.
In the design of the space, we wanted to create a flow and continuity between the public spaces. To do this, we designed walnut panels which run from the center hall through the media room into the office and on to the sitting room. The richness of the wood helps ground the space and draws your eye to the lightness of the gorgeous views. For additional light capture, we designed a 9 foot by 10 foot metal and mirror wall treatment in the living room. The purpose is to catch the light and reflect it back into the living space creating expansiveness and brightness.
Adding unique and meaningful art pieces is the critical final stage of design. For the master bedroom, we commissioned Ira Lohan, a Santa Fe, NM artist we know, to create a totem with glass feathers. This piece was inspired by folklore from his Native American roots which says home is defined by where an eagle’s feathers land. Ira drove this piece across the country and delivered and installed it himself!!

Updated Spec Home: The Bathrooms
The last stop on the main level of this Updated Spec Home are the Bathrooms. Every surface of the Guest Bath and Master Bath was touched- even some renovations in the Master bedroom. All I can say is thank goodness these two love wallpaper – we selected classic patterns for each bath that will stand the test of time!
Guest Bathroom
The Guest Bath also doubles as my mom’s bath. The footprint remained the same but we updated everything. A new vanity was chosen to give her that furniture look while still providing some storage – although there is a linen closet located just outside the bath. We topped it off with a beautiful mirror with great detail and an equally great light fixture. Also, we mixed the finishes in the bath between nickel and champagne, i.e., gold/silver mix. Mixing metals is perfectly acceptable and quite frankly way more interesting the everything matching. Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
We found this amazing wallpaper with its subtle colors and pattern and selected a large square tile to coordinate for the floor. Yes, you can do a large tile in a small bath because it actually makes the space feel larger. For finishing touches, we had this gorgeous shower curtain made. Above the new toilet, we added interesting abstract artwork framed in a large mat so it would not clash with the wallpaper.
Master Bathroom
Originally, the Master Bath had a large garden tub as the focal point and a tiny stand up shower in the corner. We removed the garden tub, moved the shower to this area as the focal point and turned the tiny shower into a much needed linen closet. At this point, I know you are thinking, what about resale with no tub? There is a tub in the Guest Bath so the house will still be appealing to young families or bath lovers alike.
© 2016 RealTourCast | Tim Furlong Jr.
Tile selections came first – my sister fell in love with this gorgeous dark greige glass tile. We used it in the upper half of the shower while keeping the lower half light with this plank tile in a striated pattern. We carried the plank tile onto the floor for a seamless look.
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
We replaced the two vanities with stock cabinetry that looks custom in a rich wood stain. Also, we found a gorgeous granite remnant for the countertop and finished off the vanity area with oversized mirrors, sleek lighting, and striking hardware.Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
The wallpaper is absolutely perfect for this space – it adds an interesting backdrop without overpowering the room. Her fantastic artwork was able to fit in the niche next to the new toilet. This is one gorgeous bath!
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
Coming Soon
Spoiler Alert – my mom and sister have decided to update their Basement Family Room and add a small Powder Bath so look for Season 2 of the Updated Spec Home series!
See the rest of this house through these links! Foyer & Great Room, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, Bedrooms, Guest Bedroom.
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We love when our clients trust us enough to do a second project for them. In the case of this couple looking for a NYC Pied-a-Terre – this was our 4th! After designing their homes in Bernardsville, NJ and San Diego, CA and a home for their daughter in Orange County, CA, we were called up for duty on the search for a NYC apartment which would accommodate this couple with room enough for their four children as well!
What we cherish most about working with clients is the trust that develops over time. In this case, not only were we asked to come on board for design and project coordination, but we also helped with the actual apartment selection decision between locations in TriBeCa, Upper West Side and the West Village. The TriBeCa building didn’t have enough services in the building; the Upper West Side neighborhood was too busy and impersonal; and, the West Village apartment was just right.
Our work on this apartment was to oversee the design and build-out of the combination of a 3,000 square foot 3-bedroom unit with a 1,000 square foot 1-bedroom unit. We reorganized the space to accommodate this family of 6. The living room in the 1 bedroom became the media room; the kitchen became a bar; and the bedroom became a guest suite.
The most amazing feature of this apartment are its views – uptown to the Empire State Building, downtown to the Statue of Liberty and west for the most vibrant sunsets. We opened up the space to create view lines through the apartment all the way back into the home office.
Customizing New York City apartments takes creativity and patience. In order to install recessed lighting, Ray devised a floating ceiling situated below the existing concrete ceiling to accept the wiring and housing.
In the design of the space, we wanted to create a flow and continuity between the public spaces. To do this, we designed walnut panels which run from the center hall through the media room into the office and on to the sitting room. The richness of the wood helps ground the space and draws your eye to the lightness of the gorgeous views. For additional light capture, we designed a 9 foot by 10 foot metal and mirror wall treatment in the living room. The purpose is to catch the light and reflect it back into the living space creating expansiveness and brightness.
Adding unique and meaningful art pieces is the critical final stage of design. For the master bedroom, we commissioned Ira Lohan, a Santa Fe, NM artist we know, to create a totem with glass feathers. This piece was inspired by folklore from his Native American roots which says home is defined by where an eagle’s feathers land. Ira drove this piece across the country and delivered and installed it himself!!

We love when our clients trust us enough to do a second project for them. In the case of this couple looking for a NYC Pied-a-Terre – this was our 4th! After designing their homes in Bernardsville, NJ and San Diego, CA and a home for their daughter in Orange County, CA, we were called up for duty on the search for a NYC apartment which would accommodate this couple with room enough for their four children as well!
What we cherish most about working with clients is the trust that develops over time. In this case, not only were we asked to come on board for design and project coordination, but we also helped with the actual apartment selection decision between locations in TriBeCa, Upper West Side and the West Village. The TriBeCa building didn’t have enough services in the building; the Upper West Side neighborhood was too busy and impersonal; and, the West Village apartment was just right.
Our work on this apartment was to oversee the design and build-out of the combination of a 3,000 square foot 3-bedroom unit with a 1,000 square foot 1-bedroom unit. We reorganized the space to accommodate this family of 6. The living room in the 1 bedroom became the media room; the kitchen became a bar; and the bedroom became a guest suite.
The most amazing feature of this apartment are its views – uptown to the Empire State Building, downtown to the Statue of Liberty and west for the most vibrant sunsets. We opened up the space to create view lines through the apartment all the way back into the home office.
Customizing New York City apartments takes creativity and patience. In order to install recessed lighting, Ray devised a floating ceiling situated below the existing concrete ceiling to accept the wiring and housing.
In the design of the space, we wanted to create a flow and continuity between the public spaces. To do this, we designed walnut panels which run from the center hall through the media room into the office and on to the sitting room. The richness of the wood helps ground the space and draws your eye to the lightness of the gorgeous views. For additional light capture, we designed a 9 foot by 10 foot metal and mirror wall treatment in the living room. The purpose is to catch the light and reflect it back into the living space creating expansiveness and brightness.
Adding unique and meaningful art pieces is the critical final stage of design. For the master bedroom, we commissioned Ira Lohan, a Santa Fe, NM artist we know, to create a totem with glass feathers. This piece was inspired by folklore from his Native American roots which says home is defined by where an eagle’s feathers land. Ira drove this piece across the country and delivered and installed it himself!!

Updated Spec Home: The Bathrooms
The last stop on the main level of this Updated Spec Home are the Bathrooms. Every surface of the Guest Bath and Master Bath was touched- even some renovations in the Master bedroom. All I can say is thank goodness these two love wallpaper – we selected classic patterns for each bath that will stand the test of time!
Guest Bathroom
The Guest Bath also doubles as my mom’s bath. The footprint remained the same but we updated everything. A new vanity was chosen to give her that furniture look while still providing some storage – although there is a linen closet located just outside the bath. We topped it off with a beautiful mirror with great detail and an equally great light fixture. Also, we mixed the finishes in the bath between nickel and champagne, i.e., gold/silver mix. Mixing metals is perfectly acceptable and quite frankly way more interesting the everything matching. Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
We found this amazing wallpaper with its subtle colors and pattern and selected a large square tile to coordinate for the floor. Yes, you can do a large tile in a small bath because it actually makes the space feel larger. For finishing touches, we had this gorgeous shower curtain made. Above the new toilet, we added interesting abstract artwork framed in a large mat so it would not clash with the wallpaper.
Master Bathroom
Originally, the Master Bath had a large garden tub as the focal point and a tiny stand up shower in the corner. We removed the garden tub, moved the shower to this area as the focal point and turned the tiny shower into a much needed linen closet. At this point, I know you are thinking, what about resale with no tub? There is a tub in the Guest Bath so the house will still be appealing to young families or bath lovers alike.
© 2016 RealTourCast | Tim Furlong Jr.
Tile selections came first – my sister fell in love with this gorgeous dark greige glass tile. We used it in the upper half of the shower while keeping the lower half light with this plank tile in a striated pattern. We carried the plank tile onto the floor for a seamless look.
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
We replaced the two vanities with stock cabinetry that looks custom in a rich wood stain. Also, we found a gorgeous granite remnant for the countertop and finished off the vanity area with oversized mirrors, sleek lighting, and striking hardware.Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
The wallpaper is absolutely perfect for this space – it adds an interesting backdrop without overpowering the room. Her fantastic artwork was able to fit in the niche next to the new toilet. This is one gorgeous bath!
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
Coming Soon
Spoiler Alert – my mom and sister have decided to update their Basement Family Room and add a small Powder Bath so look for Season 2 of the Updated Spec Home series!
See the rest of this house through these links! Foyer & Great Room, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, Bedrooms, Guest Bedroom.

Updated Spec Home: The Bathrooms
The last stop on the main level of this Updated Spec Home are the Bathrooms. Every surface of the Guest Bath and Master Bath was touched- even some renovations in the Master bedroom. All I can say is thank goodness these two love wallpaper – we selected classic patterns for each bath that will stand the test of time!
Guest Bathroom
The Guest Bath also doubles as my mom’s bath. The footprint remained the same but we updated everything. A new vanity was chosen to give her that furniture look while still providing some storage – although there is a linen closet located just outside the bath. We topped it off with a beautiful mirror with great detail and an equally great light fixture. Also, we mixed the finishes in the bath between nickel and champagne, i.e., gold/silver mix. Mixing metals is perfectly acceptable and quite frankly way more interesting the everything matching. Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
We found this amazing wallpaper with its subtle colors and pattern and selected a large square tile to coordinate for the floor. Yes, you can do a large tile in a small bath because it actually makes the space feel larger. For finishing touches, we had this gorgeous shower curtain made. Above the new toilet, we added interesting abstract artwork framed in a large mat so it would not clash with the wallpaper.
Master Bathroom
Originally, the Master Bath had a large garden tub as the focal point and a tiny stand up shower in the corner. We removed the garden tub, moved the shower to this area as the focal point and turned the tiny shower into a much needed linen closet. At this point, I know you are thinking, what about resale with no tub? There is a tub in the Guest Bath so the house will still be appealing to young families or bath lovers alike.
© 2016 RealTourCast | Tim Furlong Jr.
Tile selections came first – my sister fell in love with this gorgeous dark greige glass tile. We used it in the upper half of the shower while keeping the lower half light with this plank tile in a striated pattern. We carried the plank tile onto the floor for a seamless look.
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
We replaced the two vanities with stock cabinetry that looks custom in a rich wood stain. Also, we found a gorgeous granite remnant for the countertop and finished off the vanity area with oversized mirrors, sleek lighting, and striking hardware.Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
The wallpaper is absolutely perfect for this space – it adds an interesting backdrop without overpowering the room. Her fantastic artwork was able to fit in the niche next to the new toilet. This is one gorgeous bath!
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
Coming Soon
Spoiler Alert – my mom and sister have decided to update their Basement Family Room and add a small Powder Bath so look for Season 2 of the Updated Spec Home series!
See the rest of this house through these links! Foyer & Great Room, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, Bedrooms, Guest Bedroom.

Updated Spec Home: The Bathrooms
The last stop on the main level of this Updated Spec Home are the Bathrooms. Every surface of the Guest Bath and Master Bath was touched- even some renovations in the Master bedroom. All I can say is thank goodness these two love wallpaper – we selected classic patterns for each bath that will stand the test of time!
Guest Bathroom
The Guest Bath also doubles as my mom’s bath. The footprint remained the same but we updated everything. A new vanity was chosen to give her that furniture look while still providing some storage – although there is a linen closet located just outside the bath. We topped it off with a beautiful mirror with great detail and an equally great light fixture. Also, we mixed the finishes in the bath between nickel and champagne, i.e., gold/silver mix. Mixing metals is perfectly acceptable and quite frankly way more interesting the everything matching. Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
We found this amazing wallpaper with its subtle colors and pattern and selected a large square tile to coordinate for the floor. Yes, you can do a large tile in a small bath because it actually makes the space feel larger. For finishing touches, we had this gorgeous shower curtain made. Above the new toilet, we added interesting abstract artwork framed in a large mat so it would not clash with the wallpaper.
Master Bathroom
Originally, the Master Bath had a large garden tub as the focal point and a tiny stand up shower in the corner. We removed the garden tub, moved the shower to this area as the focal point and turned the tiny shower into a much needed linen closet. At this point, I know you are thinking, what about resale with no tub? There is a tub in the Guest Bath so the house will still be appealing to young families or bath lovers alike.
© 2016 RealTourCast | Tim Furlong Jr.
Tile selections came first – my sister fell in love with this gorgeous dark greige glass tile. We used it in the upper half of the shower while keeping the lower half light with this plank tile in a striated pattern. We carried the plank tile onto the floor for a seamless look.
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
We replaced the two vanities with stock cabinetry that looks custom in a rich wood stain. Also, we found a gorgeous granite remnant for the countertop and finished off the vanity area with oversized mirrors, sleek lighting, and striking hardware.Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
The wallpaper is absolutely perfect for this space – it adds an interesting backdrop without overpowering the room. Her fantastic artwork was able to fit in the niche next to the new toilet. This is one gorgeous bath!
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
Coming Soon
Spoiler Alert – my mom and sister have decided to update their Basement Family Room and add a small Powder Bath so look for Season 2 of the Updated Spec Home series!
See the rest of this house through these links! Foyer & Great Room, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, Bedrooms, Guest Bedroom.

We love when our clients trust us enough to do a second project for them. In the case of this couple looking for a NYC Pied-a-Terre – this was our 4th! After designing their homes in Bernardsville, NJ and San Diego, CA and a home for their daughter in Orange County, CA, we were called up for duty on the search for a NYC apartment which would accommodate this couple with room enough for their four children as well!
What we cherish most about working with clients is the trust that develops over time. In this case, not only were we asked to come on board for design and project coordination, but we also helped with the actual apartment selection decision between locations in TriBeCa, Upper West Side and the West Village. The TriBeCa building didn’t have enough services in the building; the Upper West Side neighborhood was too busy and impersonal; and, the West Village apartment was just right.
Our work on this apartment was to oversee the design and build-out of the combination of a 3,000 square foot 3-bedroom unit with a 1,000 square foot 1-bedroom unit. We reorganized the space to accommodate this family of 6. The living room in the 1 bedroom became the media room; the kitchen became a bar; and the bedroom became a guest suite.
The most amazing feature of this apartment are its views – uptown to the Empire State Building, downtown to the Statue of Liberty and west for the most vibrant sunsets. We opened up the space to create view lines through the apartment all the way back into the home office.
Customizing New York City apartments takes creativity and patience. In order to install recessed lighting, Ray devised a floating ceiling situated below the existing concrete ceiling to accept the wiring and housing.
In the design of the space, we wanted to create a flow and continuity between the public spaces. To do this, we designed walnut panels which run from the center hall through the media room into the office and on to the sitting room. The richness of the wood helps ground the space and draws your eye to the lightness of the gorgeous views. For additional light capture, we designed a 9 foot by 10 foot metal and mirror wall treatment in the living room. The purpose is to catch the light and reflect it back into the living space creating expansiveness and brightness.
Adding unique and meaningful art pieces is the critical final stage of design. For the master bedroom, we commissioned Ira Lohan, a Santa Fe, NM artist we know, to create a totem with glass feathers. This piece was inspired by folklore from his Native American roots which says home is defined by where an eagle’s feathers land. Ira drove this piece across the country and delivered and installed it himself!!

Updated Spec Home: The Bathrooms
The last stop on the main level of this Updated Spec Home are the Bathrooms. Every surface of the Guest Bath and Master Bath was touched- even some renovations in the Master bedroom. All I can say is thank goodness these two love wallpaper – we selected classic patterns for each bath that will stand the test of time!
Guest Bathroom
The Guest Bath also doubles as my mom’s bath. The footprint remained the same but we updated everything. A new vanity was chosen to give her that furniture look while still providing some storage – although there is a linen closet located just outside the bath. We topped it off with a beautiful mirror with great detail and an equally great light fixture. Also, we mixed the finishes in the bath between nickel and champagne, i.e., gold/silver mix. Mixing metals is perfectly acceptable and quite frankly way more interesting the everything matching. Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
We found this amazing wallpaper with its subtle colors and pattern and selected a large square tile to coordinate for the floor. Yes, you can do a large tile in a small bath because it actually makes the space feel larger. For finishing touches, we had this gorgeous shower curtain made. Above the new toilet, we added interesting abstract artwork framed in a large mat so it would not clash with the wallpaper.
Master Bathroom
Originally, the Master Bath had a large garden tub as the focal point and a tiny stand up shower in the corner. We removed the garden tub, moved the shower to this area as the focal point and turned the tiny shower into a much needed linen closet. At this point, I know you are thinking, what about resale with no tub? There is a tub in the Guest Bath so the house will still be appealing to young families or bath lovers alike.
© 2016 RealTourCast | Tim Furlong Jr.
Tile selections came first – my sister fell in love with this gorgeous dark greige glass tile. We used it in the upper half of the shower while keeping the lower half light with this plank tile in a striated pattern. We carried the plank tile onto the floor for a seamless look.
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
We replaced the two vanities with stock cabinetry that looks custom in a rich wood stain. Also, we found a gorgeous granite remnant for the countertop and finished off the vanity area with oversized mirrors, sleek lighting, and striking hardware.Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
The wallpaper is absolutely perfect for this space – it adds an interesting backdrop without overpowering the room. Her fantastic artwork was able to fit in the niche next to the new toilet. This is one gorgeous bath!
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
Coming Soon
Spoiler Alert – my mom and sister have decided to update their Basement Family Room and add a small Powder Bath so look for Season 2 of the Updated Spec Home series!
See the rest of this house through these links! Foyer & Great Room, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, Bedrooms, Guest Bedroom.

This customer had just moved into a property in Chesham around eighteen months ago. During that time, they had completely renovated the property and in the process had pulled up the hallway carpet to discover a lovely Victorian tiled floor which appeared to be in good condition but very dirty. Period features like these can add a lot of value to a house these days and so they decided to investigate having it professionally cleaned and contacted me for a quote.
Although I can give some indication of price over the phone you never know exactly what to expect so my preference is to visit the property a conduct a test clean. It’s a little trickier to do this now due to COVID-19 but using a combination of PPE, maximum ventilation and social distancing measures I was able to work on the floor. The tiles were in good order with no replacements needed so my focus would be removing carpet adhesive and ingrained dirt. The test went well, and I followed up with a quotation which was accepted, and a date arranged to do the work.
I had worked out previously that the quickest was to deep clean the floor and remove the glue and any old seal was to apply Tile Doctor Remove and Go which as its name suggests is a coatings removed designed for Tiled floors. My method was to spray strong a dilution of Remove and Go onto the Victorian tiles and leave it to soak in for fifteen minutes. Then it was scrubbed in with a black scrubbing pad fitted to a rotary machine. The soil was rinsed off using a minimal of water and extracted with a wet vacuum.
Once the floor had dried, I inspected the tiles and could see more work would be needed to get the white tiles really sparkling. For this I went over the floor using a 200-grit resurfacing pad using water to lubricate the process, I also used handheld burnishing blocks of different grits to do the edges. With this extra effort and another rinse with water to remove the soil the floor looked great, and so I left for the day so it could dry out ready for sealing.
I came back the next day and started by taking moisture readings with a damp meter to ensure the tiles were dry and ready for sealing. This is important as you don’t want to apply sealer to a damp tile and old floors can suffer from damp issues due to the lack of a damp proof membrane.
All was well with the floor, so I was able to move straight onto sealing which started with the application of a single coat of Tile Doctor Colour Grow. This is an impregnating sealer that soaks into the pores of the tile enhancing colour and adding protection. Once this had dried, I followed up with another seven coats of Tile Doctor Seal and Go which adds further protection and leaves a nice subtle sheen to the tiles. This product works really well on old Victorian Tiles like these and being water based it doesn’t leave a smell as it dries.
Andrew Newstead
South Buckinghamshire Tile Doctor

Updated Spec Home: The Bathrooms
The last stop on the main level of this Updated Spec Home are the Bathrooms. Every surface of the Guest Bath and Master Bath was touched- even some renovations in the Master bedroom. All I can say is thank goodness these two love wallpaper – we selected classic patterns for each bath that will stand the test of time!
Guest Bathroom
The Guest Bath also doubles as my mom’s bath. The footprint remained the same but we updated everything. A new vanity was chosen to give her that furniture look while still providing some storage – although there is a linen closet located just outside the bath. We topped it off with a beautiful mirror with great detail and an equally great light fixture. Also, we mixed the finishes in the bath between nickel and champagne, i.e., gold/silver mix. Mixing metals is perfectly acceptable and quite frankly way more interesting the everything matching. Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
We found this amazing wallpaper with its subtle colors and pattern and selected a large square tile to coordinate for the floor. Yes, you can do a large tile in a small bath because it actually makes the space feel larger. For finishing touches, we had this gorgeous shower curtain made. Above the new toilet, we added interesting abstract artwork framed in a large mat so it would not clash with the wallpaper.
Master Bathroom
Originally, the Master Bath had a large garden tub as the focal point and a tiny stand up shower in the corner. We removed the garden tub, moved the shower to this area as the focal point and turned the tiny shower into a much needed linen closet. At this point, I know you are thinking, what about resale with no tub? There is a tub in the Guest Bath so the house will still be appealing to young families or bath lovers alike.
© 2016 RealTourCast | Tim Furlong Jr.
Tile selections came first – my sister fell in love with this gorgeous dark greige glass tile. We used it in the upper half of the shower while keeping the lower half light with this plank tile in a striated pattern. We carried the plank tile onto the floor for a seamless look.
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
We replaced the two vanities with stock cabinetry that looks custom in a rich wood stain. Also, we found a gorgeous granite remnant for the countertop and finished off the vanity area with oversized mirrors, sleek lighting, and striking hardware.Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
The wallpaper is absolutely perfect for this space – it adds an interesting backdrop without overpowering the room. Her fantastic artwork was able to fit in the niche next to the new toilet. This is one gorgeous bath!
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
Coming Soon
Spoiler Alert – my mom and sister have decided to update their Basement Family Room and add a small Powder Bath so look for Season 2 of the Updated Spec Home series!
See the rest of this house through these links! Foyer & Great Room, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, Bedrooms, Guest Bedroom.

Updated Spec Home: The Bathrooms
The last stop on the main level of this Updated Spec Home are the Bathrooms. Every surface of the Guest Bath and Master Bath was touched- even some renovations in the Master bedroom. All I can say is thank goodness these two love wallpaper – we selected classic patterns for each bath that will stand the test of time!
Guest Bathroom
The Guest Bath also doubles as my mom’s bath. The footprint remained the same but we updated everything. A new vanity was chosen to give her that furniture look while still providing some storage – although there is a linen closet located just outside the bath. We topped it off with a beautiful mirror with great detail and an equally great light fixture. Also, we mixed the finishes in the bath between nickel and champagne, i.e., gold/silver mix. Mixing metals is perfectly acceptable and quite frankly way more interesting the everything matching. Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
We found this amazing wallpaper with its subtle colors and pattern and selected a large square tile to coordinate for the floor. Yes, you can do a large tile in a small bath because it actually makes the space feel larger. For finishing touches, we had this gorgeous shower curtain made. Above the new toilet, we added interesting abstract artwork framed in a large mat so it would not clash with the wallpaper.
Master Bathroom
Originally, the Master Bath had a large garden tub as the focal point and a tiny stand up shower in the corner. We removed the garden tub, moved the shower to this area as the focal point and turned the tiny shower into a much needed linen closet. At this point, I know you are thinking, what about resale with no tub? There is a tub in the Guest Bath so the house will still be appealing to young families or bath lovers alike.
© 2016 RealTourCast | Tim Furlong Jr.
Tile selections came first – my sister fell in love with this gorgeous dark greige glass tile. We used it in the upper half of the shower while keeping the lower half light with this plank tile in a striated pattern. We carried the plank tile onto the floor for a seamless look.
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
We replaced the two vanities with stock cabinetry that looks custom in a rich wood stain. Also, we found a gorgeous granite remnant for the countertop and finished off the vanity area with oversized mirrors, sleek lighting, and striking hardware.Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
The wallpaper is absolutely perfect for this space – it adds an interesting backdrop without overpowering the room. Her fantastic artwork was able to fit in the niche next to the new toilet. This is one gorgeous bath!
Updated Spec Home Bathrooms - Robin's Nest Interiors
Coming Soon
Spoiler Alert – my mom and sister have decided to update their Basement Family Room and add a small Powder Bath so look for Season 2 of the Updated Spec Home series!
See the rest of this house through these links! Foyer & Great Room, Kitchen & Breakfast Area, Bedrooms, Guest Bedroom.

We love when our clients trust us enough to do a second project for them. In the case of this couple looking for a NYC Pied-a-Terre – this was our 4th! After designing their homes in Bernardsville, NJ and San Diego, CA and a home for their daughter in Orange County, CA, we were called up for duty on the search for a NYC apartment which would accommodate this couple with room enough for their four children as well!
What we cherish most about working with clients is the trust that develops over time. In this case, not only were we asked to come on board for design and project coordination, but we also helped with the actual apartment selection decision between locations in TriBeCa, Upper West Side and the West Village. The TriBeCa building didn’t have enough services in the building; the Upper West Side neighborhood was too busy and impersonal; and, the West Village apartment was just right.
Our work on this apartment was to oversee the design and build-out of the combination of a 3,000 square foot 3-bedroom unit with a 1,000 square foot 1-bedroom unit. We reorganized the space to accommodate this family of 6. The living room in the 1 bedroom became the media room; the kitchen became a bar; and the bedroom became a guest suite.
The most amazing feature of this apartment are its views – uptown to the Empire State Building, downtown to the Statue of Liberty and west for the most vibrant sunsets. We opened up the space to create view lines through the apartment all the way back into the home office.
Customizing New York City apartments takes creativity and patience. In order to install recessed lighting, Ray devised a floating ceiling situated below the existing concrete ceiling to accept the wiring and housing.
In the design of the space, we wanted to create a flow and continuity between the public spaces. To do this, we designed walnut panels which run from the center hall through the media room into the office and on to the sitting room. The richness of the wood helps ground the space and draws your eye to the lightness of the gorgeous views. For additional light capture, we designed a 9 foot by 10 foot metal and mirror wall treatment in the living room. The purpose is to catch the light and reflect it back into the living space creating expansiveness and brightness.
Adding unique and meaningful art pieces is the critical final stage of design. For the master bedroom, we commissioned Ira Lohan, a Santa Fe, NM artist we know, to create a totem with glass feathers. This piece was inspired by folklore from his Native American roots which says home is defined by where an eagle’s feathers land. Ira drove this piece across the country and delivered and installed it himself!!

Project by Studio H:T principal in charge Brad Tomecek (now with Tomecek Studio Architecture). This project tests the theory of bringing high quality design to a prefabricated factory setting. Enrolled in the LEED-Home Pilot, this residence completed certification. The modular home was conceived as two boxes that slide above one another to create outdoor living space and a lower covered rear entry. The passive solar design invites large amounts of light from the south while minimizing openings to the east and west. Factory construction saves both time and costs while reducing waste and using a controlled labor force.
Built in a factory north of Denver, the home arrived by flatbed truck in two pieces and was craned into place in about 4 hours providing a fast, sustainable, cost effective alternative to traditional homebuilding techniques. Upgraded lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, doors, door hardware, windows, tile and bamboo flooring were incorporated into the design. 80% of the residence was completed in the factory in less than 3 weeks and other items were finished on site including the exterior stucco, garage, metal railing and stair.
Stack-Slide-Stitch describes the conceptual process of how to tie together two distinct modular boxes. Stack refers to setting one modular directly on top of the other. Slide refers to the action that creates an upper southern deck area while simultaneously providing a covered rear entry area. The stitching or interlocking occurs with the upward extension of the lower volume with the front deck walls and with the rear two story vertical.

Mahonia aquifolium / Oregon grape
Photo: born1945, via Flickr, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-2.0 Generic.

Great glass scallop tile detail. This tile is bordered by slabs of white marble.
Bathroom - modern bathroom idea in Miami
Bathroom - modern bathroom idea in Miami

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Columbus, OH
Hope Restoration & General Contracting
Columbus Design-Build, Kitchen & Bath Remodeling, Historic Renovations

Example of a large classic l-shaped ceramic tile eat-in kitchen design in Providence with an island, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink and green walls

Unique pivot front door with frosted glass.
Front door - large contemporary dark wood floor front door idea with beige walls and a glass front door
Front door - large contemporary dark wood floor front door idea with beige walls and a glass front door
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