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By candace kramer, November 9, 2011 1:51 pm

As many of you know, I am a BIG fan of mass transit,  so when I got to see the fabulous Stockholm Subway system I was in awe! Amazing art, prehistoric bed rock walls, 21st century technology all co-existing beneath this beautiful city!

It has been called the longest Art museum in the world with 110 km (approx. 68 miles) of lines!

The bedrock walls have been left exposed in many areas which provides an intriguing juxtaposition to the man made materials and technology. I love how art has been incorporated! It’s everywhere!

Here is a great video of this incredible labyrinth of art and trains…

Pretty cool right? Hope you are having a great week!

Images via here and here.

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By candace kramer, August 24, 2011 10:20 pm

Just recently, I had the pleasure of meeting Leah Hersey of Jersey Girl Weaving. She’s a client of mine and when she told me about her home studio, I wanted to know more! Over tea and snacks, she told me the story of how her newly built studio was born.

Leah has always had a passion for textiles and inevitably fell in love with the art of weaving. Not quite as portable as knitting or as compact as cross-stitch, Leah soon realized that she would need space – a lot of space – to fully devote her self to this craft. After all, a real loom takes up a whole lotta floor. Enter the idea of constructing an out building and making it her full time studio!

Aptly named Jersey Girl Weaving – a throwback to her time living on the east coast – this new building has provided the space, natural light and artistic solitude that Leah was seeking.

I couldn’t resist capturing all the beautiful details of Leah’s space…

I just love all the colors and textures! The groupings of sheep create a sense of whimsy and honor Leah’s love of wool.

I know that having this new space makes Leah’s art a central focus in her life and brings her much joy.

By thinking creatively, she maximized her property and utilized her space with care and purpose.

Do you ever dream of having your own home office or studio? Where could you create this space?

Thanks to Leah for inspiring us!

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By candace kramer, June 1, 2011 2:09 pm

Hello friends! Hope you had a fantastic holiday weekend. We went on my favorite quick getaway and caught the train up to Seattle. I absolutely love the train ride – reading magazines, sipping wine and just relaxing. By the time I arrive, I have unwound and I’m ready to enjoy the city! Traffic and parking can really burst my weekend escape bubble…Speaking of trains, I recently headed over to the Oregon Rail Heritage Foundation site to discover an exciting event coming up on June 30th – The Willamette Bridge groundbreaking – which will bring light rail, cyclists and pedestrians straight by the Engine House & Rail Heritage Center. For more info go here.

Okay…on to Seattle…We stayed at the fabulous Hotel Max. This place is all about art and photography – featuring 39 local artists! Each floor has its own vibe and influence…we stayed on the Rock n’ Roll floor!

Images via here

With its eclectic mix of luxury, art and culture we would definitely stay here again and I love that it’s sister hotel – Hotel Lucia – is right here in Portland.

Okay, now for a couple of my fav restaurants that we hit…and yes, a little I SPY bathroom design to boot!

For a decadent French breakfast complete with a cocktail happy hour, you can’t miss Toulouse Petit Kitchen. I had to have a French mimosa with my crispy beignets and pork cheeks confit with eggs! I told you it was decadent!

image

Think of funky-bistro with a bayou twist (so fun) and the bathrooms didn’t disappoint either…

Honey hued with a mix of tile, stone and bronze the bathrooms were very elegant. I love the little detail of the fleur de lis in the flooring. So très French…

For dinner we headed to Barolo Ristorante…Glamorous and sexy with a good dose of modern Italian flair…this place is a must!

Images via here

The food was impeccable, with an impressive wine list. It’s a hot spot for sure…just look for the flashy cars pulling up to the front!

On to the gorgeous bathrooms…dripping with glitter and shine…I just love the beaded curtain below the counter top! Genius.

Image via here

It was such a wonderful weekend and by taking the train we avoided all the hassles (and pollution) of driving the car. Consider taking the train for your next weekend getaway.

Now all we need is one of these…

Image via here

Meet China’s amazing new bullet train…I’m dying to ride this one! This would get me to Seattle in about an hour! Get with the program Amtrak! Seriously!

Where have you traveled by train? Did you enjoy it?

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By candace kramer, December 17, 2010 3:47 pm

This year-end, I have created a “suite” of bathroom ideas to share with you!

These ideas come from all my travels near and far, this past year. As you all know, I have a…sort of…fetish about bathroom design. As an interior designer, I find bathrooms the most challenging, given the small space and the all the requirements needed.  Not to mention all the building code issues! The clever part is coming up with the “ah-ha design”- the “wow factor”.

Let’s face it, everyone has to use this room, so it should be in an interesting space – you have a captive audience! These ideas can also be used in other areas of the home, not just the powder room! Let’s go explore…

Always start with an interesting piece of artwork! Nudes in bathrooms – PERFECT!

We will go with the slick and cool, streamline look first.

I love the three patterns of tile and the shift in scale – let’s get a closer look…

Horizontal tiles are HOT right now! The dark matte tile up against the glass mosaic and smooth, creamy marble is so beautiful, right?

Let’s check out a traditional European feel, again, always start with great ART - sure throw a branch in there, why not!?

See the textured venetian plaster on the walls – soft and subtle.

Here the door and vintage mirror set the mood. Old world for sure!

A glass ice bucket for towels and a single flower – simple perfection.

Time for a glass of wine! Cheers!

Be on the scout for “I spy” great bathrooms to be continued…

Have a fabulous weekend!

p.s. for more AMAZING bathroom design check this out here.

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By candace kramer, November 18, 2010 11:17 pm

You all know how much I love trains and one of my favorite trips is up to Seattle via Amtrak.  It is time to relax and read, sip some wine and watch the scenery of fall colors pass by. Remember that freak fall day when it was 70 degrees out, well off I went to catch the Picasso Masterpieces from the Musee National Picasso, Paris at the SAM museum.

Image via mike

I stayed at the boutique Hotel Andra, which is a beautifully restored building that blends its history with modern style…

Image via Hotel Andra

However…the surprise inside was the – yes, you know, the bathroom! I had to do a little I SPY bathroom investigating!

How exciting to see a shower with no curb! How thrilling to see a handicap/accessible, spa inspired bathroom looking so glam! A small space with sooooo much in it!

Mirrors, mirrors- a girl can not have enough! Perfect wood cubby shelves are tucked into the corner and provide amble storage, right at  eye level!Aging in place, showers with hand held sprays and grab bars. I love the gray slate next to the mosaic shower tiles. Fabulous contrast!

It is the LITTLE things – like a towel bar that does double duty with glass shelf.

Hotel Andra - modern & classy – close to all the action downtown – lets go!

We visited a most impressive outdoor park – the Olympic Sculpture Park, – map. This amazing piece of land crosses both a freeway and train tracks! What an ingenious way to beautify the landscape that slices through the city’s industrial structures.  With its outdoor sculptures and manicured grounds that vary in scale and texture, it’s a must see in any season!

Architecture, landscapes, sculptures, sunshine, I am in heaven, time for some wine…

Be sure to visit all of Tom Douglas restaurants, the Dahlia Lounge & Lola are close by and have this northwest/Asian fresh seafood scene. Small bowls full of glorious creative concoctions!

Images via Lola

Be sure you take a mini vacation – the Northwest has so many treats in store for us- where have you been lately or where you like to go?

Have a great weekend!