Obama Chic: Time to Measure the Drapes

The Obamas have many design choices to make when they move into the White House in January.

They will also be involved in restoring public spaces like the Red Room and State Dining Room, and the White House grounds -- although they will be required to consult with official groups like the Fine Arts Commission and White House Historical Association.

"Get one person whose taste you really rely on and make sure that person knows Washington," advised Letitia Baldridge, Jacqueline Kennedy's former social secretary and chief of staff. "You can't bring a pal from Chicago or anywhere else who is not going to know Washington enough to be your adviser." And consider the budget. Congress appropriates money for the furniture and decor of the residence. The budget -- allocated once every four years -- was set at $100,000 for President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush. But there can be some leeway in the allotment. "If there's something the president wants that will improve the building or the grounds, the budget can be stretched," Baldridge said.

Obama's daughters -- 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha -- will have the same bedrooms occupied by John F. Kennedy's children, John and Caroline, and the Bush twins, Jenna and Barbara. "It's the White House, it's a home, it's a museum and it's a place of work, but it is going to be a home for the Obama girls and they certainly can have some fun at their residence," Sally McDonough, special assistant to the president and director of communications, told FOX News. "The girls can certainly add their own personal touch if their mother and father say that is OK," McDonough said. "I'm sure they'll have wonderful rooms," added Baldridge. "They can use all that furniture in the storage house, including four-poster beds for young girls."

The president and first lady also have the authority to restore more public spaces like the State Dining Room, which has seated royalty, including Queen Elizabeth II, and almost every head of state. "The White House used to be very bland and stuffy and unexciting, and Jackie changed the lighting in the dining room," Baldridge said. "The original painters had painted the walls in three shades of white and suddenly there was all this light ceiling and light molding that nobody had ever seen before." Kennedy also introduced new color schemes to the White House, Baldridge said. "It was revolutionary...it was just a fairyland," she said.

Perhaps the most sacred room is the Oval Office -- the president's formal workspace -- where the decor is most carefully considered in characterizing the background and personality of each president. Each president designs a rug bearing the Presidential Seal.

White House recreation rooms -- like the movie theater and bowling alley -- might also see a change or two when the Obamas move in. In an interview in June with comic Jimmy Kimmel, Obama joked about his less-than-impressive bowling skills, saying, "So we're getting rid of the bowling alley and replacing it with a basketball court in the White House." Such dramatic changes are not unprecedented.

"The Kennedys created a magnificent swimming pool, and then President Nixon took it out and painted it over," Baldridge said. Another piece of advice from Baldridge to the Obamas: "Develop a strong skin. You're always going to have people screaming and shouting no matter what you do, and therefore you have to have a strong point of view and be able to defend your decisions."

Sign the petition!

please take 1 minute to sign this important petition
from our own personal experience seeing how much was done for our son Ivan
we are so grateful to March of Dimes and all their efforts in preventing and educating the public about premature births
here is your chance to do the right thing!

Spa at home

Spa features for master bathrooms a growing trend.

Kitchen & Bath Design Magazine (Nov. 2008, Filipelli) reports that clients "like to be pampered, so what better way to meet their needs than to re-create the spa experience in their master bath? These are the sentiments of Christopher J. Grubb, president of Arch-Interiors Design Group in Beverly Hills, CA, and Orlando, FL, who notes that clients no longer want, but in fact need a space that will rejuvenate or relax them in equal measure." Deirdre Eagles, Allied Member ASID, of Deirdre Eagles Interior Design in Laguna Niguel, CA, "agrees: 'The master bath is becoming an oasis of personal care as well as a retreat from the stresses of daily life. More than ever, people are investing in this important part of their home to make it a space that reflects their own preferences and needs.'
In this master bath remodel we combined a larger spa suite and did away with the separate his and hers smaller bathrooms. The addition of the cantilivered angled window allowed the owner to bathe while enjoyed the view of the Intercoastal waterways. Further by tucking out of the way the tub into its own niche the bathroom gained a central open space which became even grander with the new mirrored coffer ceiling. The honey gold onyx and black absolute granite dotted with gold fixtures adds all the elements of luxe to this personal spa retreat.

Choosing the right bar stool

If you are interested in purchasing bar stools, keep seat heights in mind:

Bar Height

Stools and tables that are "bar height" generally have seats that are 30" high, and a table top that is 40-42" high. Stools of this height are generally referred to as bar stools or bar height stools".

Counter Height

Stools and tables that are "counter height" generally have seats that are 24-26" high, and a table top that is 36" high. Stools of this height are generally refered to as counter stools. Also be sure to allocate for arm rest accordingly. Generally allowing 28" in width for elbow room and swivel space and for seating. Happy drinking!

A sweet New Year

We are so blessed and thankful for what we have. We cherish our time with the boys this past summer in Beaver Creek, Colorado. We wish for you a year full of health, happiness and laughter.

Tank-less Water Heaters

Mobius T-M1 by Takagi.com
About the size of a medicine cabinet, tankless water heaters can easily be wall-mounted indoors, or depending on the climate, there is even a recessed outdoor installation option. Some models are available with digital wall-mounted controls and even waterproof remote controls that make it easy for users to adjust the temperature as often as they wish for convenience as well as safety. If you're designing luxury bathrooms, it's good to know the basics about tankless water heaters, because you're likely to get a lot of questions.
Following are some that are most frequently asked and their responses: Q: Will a tankless water heater save on my clients' energy bills? Is it expensive to install? A: Tank and tankless water heaters do their jobs differently. One of the most prized benefits of tankless heaters is that users are purposely matching the use of energy to the use of hot water. It's pretty much pay as they go. Average annual operating costs for a tankless unit are about $165 to $170, or roughly half the annual operating cost of tank heaters.

Q: Will a tankless water heater bring hot water to my clients' showers faster? A: Regardless of whether it is a tank, tankless or solar-type water heater, delays in hot water delivery have to do with how far the water heater is located from the hot water outlet, not the type of water heater. Tankless water heaters often do solve this issue because of their smaller size, which enables them to be located closer to the point of use. Another solution is a point-of-use water heater. Point-of-use heaters are actually smaller tank units that are located near the hot-water outlet, such as under a sink. They are often used to augment larger tank-type water heaters that are located far from the point of use. A recirculating system is another option to discuss with your plumber partner.

Q: What is the payoff for kitchen and bath designers who learn to stop worrying and love water heaters? A: Ask Marcio Decker, winner of the Smartest Hot Water Use Award in the National Kitchen & Bath Association's 2008 Design Competition. "We are moving more and more into what is hidden behind the walls," he explained. "Now, more than ever, there is the need to create environments that are eco-friendly. Water use in the bath, and water heating specifically, are very important. We designers should collaborate with other professionals to make sure that energy efficiency is part of every project."

A hallway's 'natural' transformation

A bare 35 foot long hall gets a makeover and comes through with a warm and appealing personality. Custom-designed open columns and ledge serve as the break in the lengthy unending feeling this hallway suffered from. The double bridge-like columns were strategically placed as to break up the linear feel. The distressed mirror adds light and further enhances the papyrus on the river rock filled bud vases, which are two elements that help bring nature to a space without natural light. The dark espresso finish on the woodwork offer a contrast with the light colored walls and act as the balancing point for the home-owner's own artwork, which was relocated to the hallway.

This transitional space which serves as the main circulation space between the public and private spaces of this residential condominium in Aventura was a key element to the design of the entire home, as it is the main axis and sits right off the main entry doors. The palm leaf motif screening on canvas and the bamboo stalk rug add further natural elements to the space.

A time for prayer

We pray for a fast and full recovery for "aunt" Joan Hyler, who was severely injured las Friday evening when she was struck by a car as she was walking.
Joan is the one people lean on, count on and call on, the one who is always there, a great friend. A great sister to (my sister-in-law) Nancy and a the greatest aunt to all my nieces and nephews. R'fuah Shlemah for Joan bat Jane v' Jehoshua. Keep up the spirit of healing, you are in our prayers!

CHINA | 2008 BEIJING OLYMPIC GAMES

Commune hotel offers luxurious stay near Beijing

The Commune by the Great Wall is communal living in a lush, historic setting complete with spa and other amenities.

The Commune by the Great Wall is a hotel with award-winning architecture, a luxurious spa and, perhaps most valuable of all, a private path to a stretch of the Great Wall, one of the world's best-known landmarks.

Despite some communal aspects -- shared kitchens and living rooms in its huge villas -- the Commune by the Great Wall hardly calls to mind the money-saving, ruling class-disdaining life. Instead, it is an unforgettable weekend escape just an hour from the crowds, traffic and polluted skies of Beijing.

The Commune, now managed by the Kempinksi hotel group, calls itself a "collection of living contemporary Chinese and Asian architecture," and it won a prize at the 2002 Venice Biennale. It sits on almost 5 miles of mountain land; the 11 original villas each have four to six bedrooms and butler service. From hotels to the stadium, China wears it's finest. For this Olympic Games attention to design details shows even in the mundane objects like the lamps that light the path to the Birds Nest which echo the design of the stadium itself.