Watermark Collaborates with Marcel Wanders’ Studio

To create a most inspiring bath ensemble!

Watermark’s ID Studio has been working with Marcel Wanders Studios on a developing Mondrian Hotel project. This collaberation is an ideal example of how creative design teams are raising the bar on bath fixture design. Marcel Wanders’ Studio based in the Netherlands is one of the most inspiring powerhouses of multi-disciplinary design active today.

Together with Watermark, the Wanders’ Studio has created a classic “Golden Years of Entertainment” fixture package. The hand shower looks like a microphone and the LED shower head mimics a spotlight. The project, slated for Las Vegas-entertainment capital of the world, allows every guest to be a STAR on their own stage, or in this case, their own shower.

This extraordinary project is just one example of Watermark’s design and manufacturing capabilities. Watermark’s in house team works with outside designers in a variety of mediums. Initially, concepts are created using 3-D animation. Once a consensus is reached, Watermark’s “rapid prototyping” system can create models using ABS plastic. These prototypes can be plated in any finish which allows them to be used as effective presentation pieces when working with the project development team. Changes can be made quickly and efficiently resulting in “one-of-a-kind” projects.

Watermark has fostered a new thinking methodology, getting away from a mass produced mindset and focusing on individual project characteristics and designer needs. It has taken years of vertical integration and industry experience for Watermark to develop the skills necessary to create such unique products of high quality in large and short production runs.

Article brought to you by Watermark-Designs.

American master suites are among the finest in the world, spacious, comfortable and relaxing; a welcome personal retreat. This daily experience is not complete unless you have a warm…. dry…. Fresh…. Towel

The reason why a warm towel is needed:

• The water temperature of the shower is 100°F
• Skin temperature and body temperature are equalized and the person showering is comfortable and relaxed
• Emerge from the shower into a 70°F room – the body reacts to this 30° temperature drop and shivers! – a warm towel is needed and a warm bath robe is very welcome

Damp towel or dry towel?

• After using a towel it will stay damp for a long time and not be properly dry for the next use….a very uncomfortable experience.
• Enjoy a thoroughly dry towel every time if you replace the towel on the heated towel rack after using.

Hygiene Issue:

• Towels that stay damp for a long time will breed airborne bacteria…. airborne bacteria will multiply and become unhygienic….and start to smell!
• Dry the towel quickly on a heated towel rack to prevent this – always experience a fresh towel

A heated towel rack (towel warmer) will ensure that the towels are always

WARM…DRY…& FRESH

Browse Towel Warmers @ HomeAnnex.com - Information Provided Courtesy of Artos

Here is a really good video about organizing your own closet.  Most of us use our closets as a sort of catch-all  where we collect everything from clothes (many of which we don’t wear) to books, tools, art, sports equipment, electronic equipment, and linens.

Do It Yourself Closet Organizing

When your closet is a mess, you have a hard time staying organized, finding things, and even making the most of what you already have.  How many times have you bought a shirt or a pair of shoes and then found a long-lost similar pair hiding in a corner of the closet?

Once you get your closet organized you’ll wonder what ever took you so long.  You’ll feel in control and confident when you step in to find something to wear each morning.

If money were no object I would be an obsessive collector of both dishes and flatware.  I absolutely love the variety and uniqueness in the designs.  I’ve picked out five unique and cool flaware designs to share here with my fellow enthusiasts!

1.  Gone Fishin’ by Yamazaki

I love anything with a fish motif, but these are just exceptionally beautiful.  They are modern and whimsical, and downright fun!  Imagine how many cool table settings you could do just using these as a foundation!

2.  Marlyse by Alain Saint Joanis

This designer makes flatware with wood handles, and I’m partial to this design which incorporates the elements of natural wood with a contemporary design.  I LOVE the honey!

3.  Pea Pod by Sasaki

Curvilicious!  These pieces are sleek, but thanks to their lovely curves, they have an organic appeal.

4.  Exotique Platinum from Gourmet Gallery

Minimalist but unconventional, this set can go from burgers to veal chops without a single misstep.

5.  Double Helix by Sasaki

You don’t have to be a geneticist to appreciate the beauty of a double helix–just a decorating with an eye for style!

Science has demonstrated that colors have a profound effect on our moods.  You can literally increase you energy, or relax your tension simply by immersing yourself in a space full of a specific color.  That’s why choosing color in your decor should be more than just a design choice–it should also be based on your individual personality and what the room will be used for.  For example, if you have a meditation room, painting it bright orange may not help you as you attempt to relax.  On the other hand, you could choose something lively for a game room or a family room.

Yellow is a “sunny” color, so it can be used to brighten moods and create a cheerful atmosphere.  If a whole room of yellow seems overkill (and it definitely can be), consider just using yellow accents.  Yellow is a great gender neutral color that can be used in children’s rooms or nurseries.  If you use a soft shade, it can be both stimulating and give the room a warmth that is comforting to a child.

Green, the color of nature is relaxing and rejuvenating.  A green room can instantly cause you to release your tension, and invite you to put up your feet.  Similarly, blue is a rejuvenating color that brings to mind water and sky.  It helps you feel creative, refreshed, and open to creativity.

Red has been proven to increase the heart rate simply by looking at it.  It can be used for a space that is used for fun activities.  As with yellow, red may be best used as an accent color, because it can easily overwhelm you if it is not done right.  Reds can be lightening to include pinks of all shades, and these are known to give you a sense of well-being and happiness.  In fact, there’s a well known case of a prison which painted it’s walls pink on the inside and noticed a drastic reduction in the violent crime afterwards!

Oranges range from the vibrant to the earthy.  The more brown you add, the richer the color becomes.  These shades can give your home a decidedly cozy and comforting appeal.

There are no limits to the use of color, but one thing is certain–the choice to paint and decorate with a certain shade is a reflection of both you asethetic and your mood!

Many times people throw their art or decorations up on the wall with little more than a hammer, a nail, and their eye to judge the position.  But when you actually buy a piece of art that you are proud of, you want to make sure it is both displayed well, and hung safely so that you don’t risk any damage.  Here are a few tips for hanging art on different surfaces in your home:

The most common wall surface in most homes is dryall.  Drywall is extremely soft and can easily be crushed or destroyed by improperly hanging a heavy object on it.  I recommend using a stud finder which can help you locate the wooden supports within the wall.  Once you do so you can anchor your hooks on to those, and the art will be much more secure.

If you can’t find a stud where you want to hang your picture, make sure you use a good sized picture hook an anchor it in the wall.  Most home improvement stores offer picture hanging kits that come with all the pieces of hardware you need to securely hang pictures in your home.  These may also include additiona pieces such as a toggle bolt which will aid you in hanging exceptionally large pieces.

If you have plaster on your walls, you will have to resort to using a drill.  Plaster is much harder than drywall, and it will require the use of a wall anchor and screw.  The same thing goes for brick or masonry.

Other things to take into consideration is the guage of the wire that you’re using to hang the picture, the size of the frame, and the material that the frame is made from.  Use a pencil to lightly mark the location where you want to hang the picture, and by all means, if it is large or heavy be sure to have an extra pair of hands helping you.  You may risk damaging your precious art, or worse, injuring yourself.

Once you have your artwork displayed securely on your wall, you can work with your lighting and even arrange your furniture so that the entire room highlights it.

Butterfly gardens are fun, easy, and a great way to encourage your kids to learn about nature.  Simply creating a butterfly-friendly habitat will bring numerous visitors and a variety of colors to your home throughou the year for you to enjoy.

Many websites have detailed instructions for creating a butterfly garden.  Usually these include suggestions for specific plants that will attract different butterfly species, as well as additional things you can do to encourage these gentle creatures to keep coming back.

The size of your garden does not matter, because even a small patio can house a few potted plants.  You’ll want to make sure you pick blooms with lots of color to attract the butterflies, as well as plants that are choice caterpillar food.  Some individuals have even opted to put up butterfly houses–similar to bird houses–where butterflies can take shelter in inclimate weather.

As you enjoy these visitors, take the time to observe their behaviors, their life cycle, and perhaps even practice photographing them.  It can be an educational experience that your whole family will enjoy.

For more information on creating your own butterfly garden, try these websites:

The Butterfly Site

Creating a Butterfly Garden

Milkweed Cafe

Butterfly Garden Website

The Butterfly Website

Here’s another groovy DIY project from the folks at Curbly. See the YouTube vid for instructions:

How to turn an old window into illuminated wall art.

These kinds of DIY projects are so simple, and so inexpensive that you really have nothing to lose.  And you’ll be even more proud of your home when you invest not just your money–but your time and talent in to making it unique and attractive.

Try GetDecorating.com.

This is an AWESOME website with thousands of photos of user-submitted photos of home exteriors, interiors–and even entire home tours.  It is a fantastic way to get the wheels turning before you settle on any design decisions in your own home.

You can see a lot of the photos for free, but if you want all-access you must buy a membership to the site.  But considering that most home improvement projects can run hundreds–even thousands of dollars–a few bucks for a membership to a site where you can communicate and trade ideas with both professionals and homeowners is a great investment.

Give the site a whirl and let me know what you think!

I’m a total sucker for those design makeover shows that show before and  after pictures!   Here’s a great You Tube video featuring some great room makeover tips by a professional decorator.

Easy Room Makeovers

And if you share my enthusiasm for these types of shows, here are some websites you might enjoy as well:

Redesign Before and After portfolio

Florida Home Staging and Redesign

HGTV Home Decorating Before and After