Crazy Quake Day!

Well, imagine the surprise the east coast experienced today with a 5.8 magnitude earthquake, felt all the way to South Carolina and as far north as Canada.

It shook the building I was in, in fact, I thought the building was collapsing given that it felt like it was listing towards the Potomac River. 

I am glad that didn't happen!

I am nearing the finish line on one condo renovation and after stopping by for a progress check I headed off to a second jobsite, within the same condo community, to meet with another client and review some new art purchases.  I was sitting when I felt the rumble under my chair.  I couldn't understand just what her cat was doing under my chair and then I saw that the art on the wall started to sway and then I felt the building starting to rock - okay, this was no cat under the chair. 

Only lasting for a few seconds, the wave under the earth passed and we all looked at each other wondering what had just happened.  While she was turning on the news to find out, I headed back to the first condo to check in with my tile installers.  I found them sitting outside on the brick wall looking pretty dazed.  They had been in the elevator when the quake happened - they said the elevator started to sway and rock back and forth - and I thought I was startled. 

Not even close.

I returned to my home to find the cabinet doors in the kitchen open and the armoire doors open, yes - I am still a designer with a TV in an armoire - and dare I say, a box TV - yikes!  I probably shouldn't tell you that I have 2 armoires with box TV's in them...  I do have a flat screen in the bedroom, but I digress.

Anyway, I can't find a one of my three kittens.  I am looking through the house, calling their names, straightening the pictures on the wall and shutting the doors and not a kitten to be found.  I go into my office and see that I lost two of my rabbit figurines; a picture fell off the wall, hit the top of the bookcase knocking the little figures and smashing them to pieces on the floor. 

Now I am sure to not see a kitten, cause I am coming through the hallway with a vacuum - a well known "kitten deterent".  Anyway, I got everything tidied up when I see a little face coming up the stairs, then a second and then the third.  Kittens have survived their first eathquake.

Of course, I checked on them before I started vacuuming, but it didn't sound nearly as interesting as I was telling my story.   

 

Birthday Blog

Today was a wonderful day - spent with wonderful friends. 
It was my birthday. 
Almost.

Actually, last Tuesday was my birthday, but you know how the July 4th holiday goes.  It gets a little hectic and consequently hard to get everyone together.  But today on the other hand was quieter and perfect for celebrating...
me.

I've never really had a party before, when I think back on it now, so today was really touching.  I was celebrated with a lovely birthday luncheon. 

There was a chubby rabbit topiary perched at the end of the long table waiting patiently for the guests to arrive.  There were festively crafted bunny cookies dipped in chocolate with brightly decorated blue eyes waiting to be taken home, nibbled and shared.  There were colorful balloons tied to a chair - signalling for me to take my place.  In front of me were lovely flowers with a card reading that I was the greatest wife in all the world (instructed to be delivered in time for my arrival by my husband as a surprise - the greatest husband in the world).  And cute little Rabbit Runn Designs ink pens tucked at each place setting as a party favor.

I am honored.
I am speechless.
I am teary-eyed.
I am touched.
I am lucky.

I am having the best birthday ever.


Thank you to Becky and Rosemary who together hosted a very special day and to all the friends who joined to make it even more so.
xoxo

Rabbit Finds

Okay, my anniversary and my birthday are right around the corner and my husband has already started sleuthing to see what I might want.  He tries to be subtle and often shows me stuff in magazines and catalogs to get my reaction and typically finds at least one rabbit to add to the gift giving.  This time I thought I'd beat him to it and do a little treasure hunting myself - here are a few unique rabbits that caught my eye. 

Honey, are you reading??

Rabbit Wall Tile from Etsy.com -
this would be perfect in my office - just getting ready to paint the walls my new favorite green similar to the one of this tile.

Leaping Rabbit Wall Tile
From Etsy.com



Rabbit Sitting on Spotted Chair
OMG!  This is so cute!  I love rabbits and I love furniture - so how perfect is this?
 - also from Etsy.com

Garden Rabbit
I love the look of this one, from Ballard Designs!

                                                                               




Personalized notepaper



Bath Inspiration

I am getting ready to embark on another master bathroom renovation, I love renovations by the way, and I love tile, in case you couldn't tell.  So, needing a little inspiration I looked back over a few recent projects to get some. 

Enjoy!



This bathroom was added to an unfinished basement in Alexandria.  The shower is 9' wide x 5' deep and with dual rain heads, it's a great place to soak after working out in the home gym.  Double bowls, bright lighting and generous proportions keep this bathroom from feeling like it's in a basement.



A combination of textures: "sisal" porcelain 12" x 24" tiles, set vertically, and finished with a gorgeous blend of deep blue and copper glass mosaics.  Tile available through Architectural Ceramics.

Not pictured, but off to the right of this knee wall, is an independently operating hand shower, in case you just need a quick rinse and not a full shower. 



Showing the dual rain head showers and each with their own drain (second drain behind the knee wall).



Another renovation in Alexandria's Mt. Vernon area. 
This renovation was for two young brothers and we chose to use tile abundantly - which helps mom keep things tidy with two active children.  Each child has his own sink and vanity space, but share a clothes hamper centered behind the door between both sinks. 




A photo showing the mix of tile in the bathtub/shower area. 
Tile available through The Tile Shop.





And I am at it again!
This bathroom renovation started life as only a little cosmetic facelift and ended up progressing into a much more substantial project.  As a secondary master bath in a condo, we decided to remove the bathtub and opted for a walk in shower, since the primary master has a large soaking tub. 
Since this is a condo, this was the perfect opportunity to use a molded shower floor -
you never have to worry about leaks and it retrofits a bathtub perfectly!
 Notice the little corner shelf placed low - it allows the client a spot to rest
her foot while she shaves her legs



We added the knee wall to offer separation between the vanity and the toilet; while adding a touch of privacy, not to mention giving a reason to showcase more of the fabulous tile my clients chose,
available through The Tile Shop.

The original bathroom vanity was 84" long and only had one small sink in the center - so while we were at it, we purchased new cabinetry to accomodate two sinks. 

I will share some more photos once the granite is installed!

A close up of the travertine and glass mosaic blend tile. 
This blend is called "Cape Cod", (The Tile Shop)



SAVOR 2011

Last night I had the opportunity to accompany my husband to SAVOR.  SAVOR is an American Craft Beer and Food Experience showcasing the art of craft beer.  Held at the National Building Museum in Washington DC and in it's fourth year, SAVOR offers an opportunity to meet and talk with the owners and brewers of the participating breweries while sampling their beers.
 
Selling out in only minutes last year (we didn't get a ticket, sniff sniff) - we were poised and ready once tickets went on sale this year and coupled with the fact that SAVOR expanded the event to two evenings, we bettered our chances to be two of the lucky few to partake in one of the most prestigious evenings for the American craft brew.  So, along with 1998 of our closest friends (SAVOR again sold out in minutes for both nights, with 2000 attendees per evening), we waited in line, I.D.'s and tickets in hand, for the doors to open.  Now, my husband has a sense of humor unlike anyone I have ever known and he started a little running inside joke several years back; when we visited the Troeg's Brewery, in Pennsylvania, where he says he can actually hear angels singing - demonstrating that he has reached the pearly gates.  So in true fashion, as we entered the event last night - he paused and outstretched his arms as if to once again embrace those angels welcoming him "home".  Of course, no one understands that gesticulation but me, and I snicker each and every time. 

"On Tap" last night were 72 craft breweries each with 2 of their favorites (144 for those of you not counting) and my husband had his list.  His mission: to visit breweries that don't distribute to our area.  So, armed with nearly 30, we worked our way from the furthest points west and traveled across North America, beer by beer.  Now, I am not the beer connoisseur my husband is, fortunately he married a designated driver, so I enjoyed some of the evenings savory samplings.  Not only were there food pairings, but SAVOR 2011 included an oyster bar, an artisanal cheese display and sushi.

I read the SAVOR tally from last night and see that they estimated 82,000 pieces of menu prepared items to pair with over 1,705 gallons of craft beer and 20,000 lbs of ice to cool it. 
 
We are already looking forward to SAVOR 2012; with anticipation of another two night event and hoping to be fortunate to get tickets for each night, since one really needs the time to savor SAVOR fully.

My husband says he can already hear the angels.





 
  

An Evening with Glasvegas

Glasvegas...

Undeniably (for me) one of the greatest bands to hit the US shores in a long, long while.  I had the pleasure of watching them perform live this week at the Black Cat in DC - front row right against the stage and it was mesmerizing - especially for this gal who was serenaded by the band's lead vocalist, James Allan, during one of their newest songs, "Lots Sometimes".  Allan strolled over towards me, kneeling down and wrapping his arm around my shoulder (at this point I blacked out - not really, but you know - a good looking lead singer for a band you love - it's gotta make you tremble a little bit) - so, anyway, with my face buried in my hands, he embraced me and sang a few lines and gave me a kiss, which should have landed on my cheek, but alas, I looked down and he just got my hair...  At any rate - I won't forget that.

                                      
I first experienced Glasvegas when they opened for Echo and the Bunnymen at Radio City Music Hall in Oct, 2009.  I thought, who is this band, Glasvegas?  So, I purchased their debut CD (and loved it) and traveled back up to NYC the following March to see them headline at The Bowery.  Interestingly, their recent DC performance brought with it an opening band that caused me to take notice once more - The Dig.  The Dig were awesome - I don't know about you, but I am always so anxious to see the headlining band and always wish the opening band would hurry through their sets, but The Dig caught my attention.  So, I bought their CD, "Electric Toys", and alternate between "Carry Me Home" and "Sick Sad Morning" nearly continuously.  I guess I'd better find out where they are touring next.

 
 

Birthday Wishes

I just wanted to give a quick shout out to my grandmother who just celebrated her 94th birthday.  With a recent annual doctor's visit, she was told she checked out like a 55 year old.  She stays young by walking every morning with her friends.

Way to go Ethel!!

I only hope I got some of those genes.