Don't think this piece has any life left? Think again.

Sanding, new hinges, a fresh coat of paint (s) and some love will do wonders.

  This unique farmers hutch will add a much needed injection of history into a new kitchen renovation with a Summer 2016 delivery date. Don't forget to mix pieces that show age with newer items to maintain a level of lived in sophistication. 

Storage for root vegetables, dog food, and oversized plate wear are great options for the oversized piece with a hinge top lid. Also perfect for scooping flower or other baking goods. The revived hutch will have a full tile wall back drop with floating shelving above. It will be surrounded on both sides by kitchen cabinetry. 

A Global Inspired Dining Room

A new crystal chandelier, books and collections 
of a world traveler led to an eclectic dining room makeover.

If you grew up in an american home built in the first half of the 20th century chances are you've seen this gem of a patriotic wall covering. I recall my childhood friend's mom cursing while removing this wall covering for days from their upstairs bathroom.

Luckily, for this renovation we were able to just take down the walls. I'm all for patriotism but this eagle needed to be laid to rest.  It was a heartfelt renovation because after years of painting and rearranging this house against the owner's wishes, this time I was asked to help. After doing her own kitchen fluff and buff, with snide remarks of "you do know what I do for a living, right?" my mom finally succumb. She handed over her dining room to my crew while she climbed Machu Picchu and hung out in the jungle, true story. 

Typical upgrades for a home of this time period were needed.
Insulation, windows, floor leveling & refinishing, 

One of my main concerns was taking the smile out of the overloaded bookshelf and paring down the collection of books and decorative items to make space for the eye to move around the room. Adding crown molding and creating a soffit and adding crown molding to the book case make it look like it's always been there.

Without molding it looks like the afterthought

Can you see the smile now?

This crystal chandelier was a steel and it's the now sets a beautiful glow across the room. Casting a warm elegance over the antiques and items from the wanderers' travels. 

We intentionally left the trim work it's natural color to compliment and balance with the differing wood tones of the furniture. A custom stain in of ebony & honey lay the groundwork for a collection of oriental rugs. If your floors look the before pictures here - you're in for some back breaking labor to get the poly of the floor. Rent a machine and get extra sand paper. Then get more sand paper & a palm sander. Be sure to treat the wood before finishing. It will be beyond thirsty. 

Be sure to treat the wood before finishing with poly. It will be beyond thirsty. 

A table setting of books, china and glassware made a welcome home gift. 

We intentionally left the trim work it's natural color to
compliment and balance with the differing wood tones of the furniture. 

Dressing the walls and tying in the details including wall color, 

furniture, accessorizing and tricking the eye for the uneven house to come. 

Check back monthly to see how more is more in the world of electric and boho chic styling. 

Have you used FLOR?

Stickers, Check.

Carpet tile, Check.

Utility knife, Check.

This installation took a day. The most difficult part was keeping Luna off my lap while trying to lay the tiles down.  FLOR has a great array of styles and colors for all room types. Price hurts a little bit but not having to pay for a professional installations out ways any buyer's guilt over the initial cost. 

Like most things in my life, I did it in heels. No quarter turn allowed - a monolithic pattern is prefered to create a linear effect on the floor to enlarge the space and detract from a lower ceiling height. 

For this installation we used SUITE YOURSELF, in storm.  Easiest possible installation alive. Go. 

Tussle at the shop

Junk-off:  when you and someone recognize the same object and proclaim a silent dibs while staring each other down over said item.

Have you heard of Class A, B & C office space?

We introduce ClassE. That's right we're classy. 

We started off this glam office space with a combination of materials from exposed brick, wood floors, repurposed doors and it's all about the light - natural and the bright & shiny.

A former dance studio, in a building I have covetted for half my life, was gutted to allow for an open office area for five, reception area, telephone room, eat-in kitchen, conference room and office. Down stairs is 1000 sq ft of work shop and storage area for architectural salvage, tools, and materials.

 Walls went up quickly as we pushed through a three week deadline to make the space functional and conducive to employees working during construction. We brought natural light back into the space by opening a window that had previously been bricked in. No one wants to work in a cave, studies have shown that people that have direct site lines to the outdoors are happy at work which leads to increased production and employee retention. Three things that should be top priorities for any business.

 Reflection and sparkle are to be constant throughout the space so we chose a high gloss white ceiling, justice ceramic fixtures - these can be purchased in a color or bisque which allows you to paint the ceramic in whatever color you like - with fanciful chandeliers and pendants and one major RH Vaille Crystal Chandelier score from Craigslist.

Keeping with the mixed metal trend, we've used brass floor plates and a mixture of brass, crystal & chrome hardware.  This trend is one for the the timeless section and won't be going any where any time soon.

 
 Flor Vintage Vibe carpet tiles, create a comfy base for the telephone room. Looking a little bare at the moment! Furniture & Styling are in-route - check out our Instagram feed for more pictures of this project and others.



More project pictures to come as we start to wrap up the final details of this fit out.  

The Grind & Negotiation

  I have been so bogged down in the details and paperwork. Trying to catch my breath and remember to celebrate the small victories.

   Frustrated by the grind and the worst part of my business. It comes at the close of a project, when the final dollar values are totaled and all of the threats and requests for subcontractors to clean up after themselves, provide documentation or manpower are compiled into a mess of additional invoicing and charges that I've incurred due to their negligence. This  somehow in subcontractor minds is my fault and I'm expected to bill the client for these oversights. I don't think so... We hold weekly meetings, distribute meeting minutes, outline these regulations in contracts send emails and verbal notifications but when they receive back charges they call us unprofessional.

How is it we have become a society that pushes all the work one is required to do on to others and make things their problem instead of taking responsibility for our own work? How is it that some people actually then accept this as reality?

 I am beyond frustrated by the lack of understanding that as a Construction Manager I am not a cleaning service, a secretary or blank check. While I dread these conversations I realize that it is apart of this business. And an unattractive part of it.

 These issues clouded my day today however, the bonus and not so small victory of my week is that I know type this from my new office, that has a door!

I press on to ensure my clients get the best and value for the product, I promised to deliver. I remember that as much as I need good subcontractors to perform my work, my main priority is ensuring my client isn't taken advantage of due to negligence by the subcontractors we hire. We can't control the information that people provide to us, people can elaborate on their abilities to get a job, they may even think they are capable. Eventually you find out who has over promised on what they can deliver. Unfortunately sometimes this information can come a little too late, and the person delivering the message may not be capable of hearing your concerns or requests. While I need to be strict and stand my ground on things that seem unreasonable to some, I ultimately try and be as fair as possible when these type of negotiations stain a project.  Ugh. I press on. Another day of the grind and more negotiation practice. Practice makes perfect.

Getting Inspired

The best part of New England is the change in the seasons which allow us to be inspired by nature and it's colors, scents, and the sensory of changing weather. I take comfort in the predicable change and the thought of excitement in the first snow fall that isn't to far away.

Ask for inventory on our collection of Exterior Signage Letters.

As fall rolls in our store front received it's last dressing of copper, wheat & barely and beer jugs in preparation for new a new collaboration. It's bitter sweet as we have out grown our current space and move on to the next chapter - accross the street. A new space for Ironwood to be revealed in the blink of an eye that will accommodate a staff of 5 + in the office.

Here our some projects currently on our plate

The anti-office.Class-E Offchic Delivery Nov. 2015

We are in the ground on other projects, & above ground on some. 

Shoring up & placing a new foundation - Summer 2016 Exp. Completion

Attic Master Suite - Bathroom Delivery December 2015

And it's always fun to have a new toy to play with. 

We have dirt & snow fever 

Off to find some treasures on this cold Sunday. Check in soon to see updates, material selections and tips on how to stretch your budget.

Accessories for your room, your body & mind.

Featured Artisans

Agate Coasters by PureStoneWorks

African Mud Cloth Pillow by Homegirl Collections

Jewelry in the mix

I am late on the Etsy train but with the price of silver being so high lately and no trips to Mexico planned I needed another option to re-populate my bangle collection.  These are coming from Greece - no doubt the price is right there.









Latest Reads:

Stumbled across Vim & Vintage.

Color Story Gray + Cream + Linen

Alway a classic color combination and easily updated and adjusted for the seasons.  

Bliss Home & Design 

Confused by artwork? Check out these tips from Bliss.

All artwork should be centered at eye level for best placement. A good rule of them is between 66" & 72" from the floor.  Consider the scale of your room and furniture. 

The Practice That Unites

by Jessica Dinisco

She looks at me with her nose slightly wrinkled and a sound of disgust in her tone. "You actually choose to step into a humid, smelly, room filled with people whose sweaty skin is less than a foot away from your own?" To someone who may be observing, this may seem a bit odd. "Yeah", I respond, "Me, and all the other students in the room actually pay for that stuff." I smile confidently knowing that if she had any idea of how good it felt to leave that yoga room she would understand.

Yeah, the benefits of yoga are intuitively known among us all. It can give us increased strength, flexibility, and concentration. Really though, how can we tolerate to sit beside someone and actually honor the light in them when they practically thrust themselves into our personal space?
Of course science has an explanation. After practicing yoga, a chemical called oxytocin is released.
This amazes me. Oxytocin is the same chemical that is released from a mother after giving birth to a newborn. It's also the same chemical released after partners have been intimate and are falling in love. It's the connection chemical, or, the building trust chemical. It increases self- esteem and feelings of optimism. We all had a hunch of sorts that something on a subtle level was going on for us all, but really, the mother- infant bonding chemical?
So what does this all mean for us? Well, I can tell you what I see. Every person that walks into a yoga room looks different. I wear button up sweater vests to work everyday and my yogi sisters get to wear the latest on the Lulu line. I work with psychiatric patients. The student sweating besides me works with kindergarten students.
For a moment, I imagine a patch of flowers budding at different rates, reflecting different colors, and facing different directions. All of this difference creates a mosaic making some beautiful whole. The closer we look at the details, it all looks so separate-- but the forest through the trees shows a masterpiece of connection. Our differences gluing together and BAM! There is community.
We are all hard wired for connection. Theories on attachment, vulnerability, sociology, and psychiatry can all support this. In a sense, community is what sustains us. Each one of us comes together and forms a whole. Individually we are beautiful. As a community we are powerful.

Despite the differences that may manifest when our varying lights are shining, it's when all that falls away we can see that what sustains us from the inside is all the same. It's our breath, our faith, and our aspiration to accept every moment. To accept ourselves, just as we are, and know, that we belong.

"What would you do if you had a million dollars, Jess?"

"Well, I'd probably start with buying a bunch of books."

To no surprise, they all laugh and roll their eyes.

"Of course you would. I would start by hitting up Best Buy."

It all looks so different, but when we flow we find ourselves in sync with the other's Vinyasa. When the familiar sound of Krishna Das plays overhead, the room fills with simultaneous chanting. The sea of individual OMs form together in a musical melody shaking the walls of a four- story house. Yes, this is community. And what is yoga without community? What is life without community?

Whatever it is that has occurred in my day before my mat lands on the floor, I know I'm supported. Supported by the flow, my breath, and by my yoga family. With the help of a little oxytocin, our love, dedication, and strength has the potential to form a universal community. Bringing us all a little closer to peace

Bio:

Tosti Design

I am thrilled to be collaborating with this design house 

and one of my dearest friends, 

Samantha Tosti.

She told me of her vision naturally over cocktails.

Live. Work. Balance.

One of the greatest perks, (or perhaps curses), of modern day living, is that technology allows our office to be wherever we are. As electronics become smaller, the design world is following suit, creating cleaner, more streamlined looks. Our space was custom built to reflect the needs of a modern day client, allowing them a workspace without overtaking their living space.

Natural elements of rich woods, leather, hand died linens and mixed metals will balance out this space where technology is on the forefront but takes a back seat to living comfortably within the constraints of society the works constantly. A relaxed San Diego vibe and vintage artwork will finish of the space. 

Kenton Road Rugs

Tosti Design Wood Working

Brass & Metal accessories

Relaxed vintage california artwork.

Sam and her husband create custom designs and furniture pieces for their clients and due to roots in California and Massachusetts are decidedly bi-coastal. Well played Tosti's congrats on the success of this vignette and future projects. 

Bio:

Samantha Tosti, ASID, co-owner and principal designer for Tosti design, has a full range of experience in the world of architecture and interior design. Her interiors reflect a mixture of unique and timeless designs that fit the needs of every client. Tosti Design, established in 2013, specializes not just in interior design, but also custom furniture. With attention to detail and an eye for proportion, we have the ability to design and build custom pieces that give your space that one of a kind look that sets it apart. Our designs are not simply about our style, they are about creating the best version of yours.

James Price & the other names

    I am looking for James Price, any James Price. 

This trunk belongs to him...

One of my favorite things about junking & hunting is creating stories behind the pieces I find. While I didn't purchase this, I think it belongs with a James Price and I would like to find one.

Items with history can make great gifts, for the right person, and also add warmth to a home. 

On a shelf or at the foot of the bed. 

For a mature setting
it could sit at the bottom of a sofa table
 or under an end table. 

I envision this trunk in any number of places. It could be adorable in a little boys room or nursery. It can grow and change and morph into a side table, coffee table, or a bookcase accessory in a library or living area.

Would look sweet as a night stand between beds.

Rooms filled with Homegoods and Pier One furniture and accessories make me somewhat nauseous. Items with with no age to them can make a space feel uncomfortable, a lot of time you may not even know why. Having family heirlooms, artisan, folk, or naturally weathered furnishings, add depth to a room.

Timeless pieces can grow with any room.


#JAMESPRICE  @JAMESPRICE WHEREAREYOU?

If you know one, this piece can be picked up here.

The Shopping Brag

"oh, this girl, I bought this on sale" 

Y'all know what I'm talking about the  "at the outlets", "I only paid five dollars" which means twelve if you take the multiply by two add two calc, not to be confused with the number of people you've slept with calc both of which are based on nothingness. 

I am talking about the shopping brag, the one that somehow vindicates our purchase beyond all unreasonable purchases. I for one avoid Black Fridays, Cyber Mondays, but give me a red clearance sale rack on any given day. That's right I'm a fashionista and I too have been known to skirt the full dollar extent of my purchases. Frankly I don't know why. Naturally I googled it and this is what I found.

Small "white lies" are told to avoid embarrassment or avoid hurting someone else's feelings, and these lies are generally considered insignificant. I compare these lies also to what I'll call lie paranoia. You say something in the moment you recall as one thing only later to remember the interaction as something slightly different. I sometimes wake up in cold sweats about instances so un-affecting as "I saw Sue at the coffee shop last Tuesday" and actually it was a Wednesday.

Furthermore, some people are led to lie as a result of their disorder even though the disorder itself does not directly cause the lying. For example, a person diagnosed with an eating disorder may lie about caloric intake in an attempt to avoid eating another meal, or a compulsive gambler may lie about how much money was spent at a trip to the casino. On the other hand, some people who lie have no mental disorder at all.

Hello! Does it mean that all of us who tell these little white lies, 

only to classify ourselves as self proclaimed Best Shopper in the World are 

gasp, 

shopaholics. 

It is decidedly so.

Finally the real truth, women, we were given the power to shop before the power to vote thus imprinting its importance and significance with in our transcendence. Sadly this is true and in the Victorian error women were no longer the muse but allowed to make their own distinguished choice and good thing; Double breasts and tails were hardly a good look for the men.

Further delving into my highly documented google research, well, I found nothing about the girl on girl lying. There was the lying to your sig-o, husband or partner but the friend lie never came up. I think this is even more proof of the deep rooted seed and that this has nothing to do with money. Ladies, we are competitive. So I vow now and for the rest of 2015 I will not fib about any purchases to by beloved girlfriends, sorry Keith you will continue to get the bimonthly slight of the tag, and shopping brag.


Sited from (add hyperlinks)
http://addiction.lovetoknow.com/wiki/Psychology_of_Lying
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1240415/Secrets-shopping-lies-women-halve-true-cost.html
http://www.bustle.com/articles/19853-why-do-women-like-to-shop-more-than-men-stereotype-or-not-researchers-have-their-theories
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Rustic American Style

This bathroom was inspired by it's owner,

 a woman with impeccable style and slight boho spirit.

Using contrasting materials to highlight eachs' beauty we perfectly juxtaposed cloudy white brick tile with black slate, bianco marble, brass and antique bronze hardware.

To keep texture and pattern as a focus of this minimal palette hexagonal tile borders and a herringbone pattern were utilized to add interest in unexpected places.

Fireclay's cotton slimline tile with it's imperfect surface adds depth to the shower and lets the clean lines of Waterworks unlacquered brass Henry fixtures be the focus. A deep shelf  will hide bathroom clutter from sight. 

The custom vanity is nothing ordinary, designed with the appeal of a victorian dresser with updated lines and proportions, a curved backsplash detail also was added to set the piece apart. California Paints Looking Glass sets the back drop for the brass and antique bronze hardware that finishes the furniture. 

All of these pieces are enveloped by a shiplapped wood ceiling that give this master suite it's rustic flair. Complementary floating shelves add repetition of the natural element to the complete the space.

White walls will allow for light to sparkle and bounce off the reflective surfaces throughout the bathroom.

Adding accessories to bathrooms should be playful but always functional. Creating unique storage pieces to compliment the interior and maintain a level of sophistication throughout the space is extremely important. 

Completed project photos expected October 2015