Support Gray Star Design

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Hi everyone! I just wanted to share this awesome contest I joined to win a series of small business grants. FedEx is sponsoring this competition and I am so excited to be a part of it. The big prize is $25,000!! I could so much with funds like that and really allow Gray Star Design to grow to its full potential. You can read further into my plans if I win on my profile page.

All I ask is for you to vote, and if you really want to support me in this contest, vote once everyday. It only takes a few seconds and your votes could seriously get me the win. It would be awesome if you would spread the word as well. Voting ends on February 23, 2014 so get out there and show some love!

Vote here: http://smallbusinessgrant.fedex.com/Gallery/Detail/4a7e64d1-fa0b-4b54-b005-263d1637f5ad/

Vote for Gray Star Design!

The Bathroom of Our Dreams

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This past December, my husband and I had our master bath renovated and are still amazed how different it is. Since our home is old, the bathroom was pretty bad. It was super outdated and closed in, ceramic tile everywhere, a large jacuzzi tub we hated, a toilet that was far from eco-friendly, no heat, and a storage space that was unusable. There was plenty to dislike about the space.

This was the bathroom in its original state before we moved in:
Fresh and New

For two years, we lived with the minor changes we were able to do, which was basically change out the vanity/sink and light. Not much, but we didn’t have of a choice. I wish I could say we got used to it, but it was something neither of us could get used to. Then finally, it was time to gut it and make it beautiful.

There wasn’t much we could do about the actual space of the room but being a designer, I know certain tricks to help open it up and feel more airy. I did this with a neutral palette, white tile on the floor and shower, and opening up the storage space so we can actually use it. Before there was a wall there with a small door, but now its all open shelving which I’ve hidden behind a fabric curtain. We also got a new tub that is a normal size, which opened the shower area up tons. We also read reviews for great water softeners for our plumbing and our skin!

As far as style, I wanted the space to have a modern appeal but showcase classic vintage elements. I did this through a gray/white color palette and keeping everything white so it looked clean and crisp. You can’t get anymore classic with subway tile so I chose that for the shower and for the floor, small hexagon tile I have always loved. It brings me back to my Grandmother’s house in Brooklyn when I was a little girl. Now I get to have that memory everyday!

The Bathroom of Our Dreams

The small shelves are from Home Decorators and the medicine cabinet was a great buy on Overstock. The rest of the accessories such as the glass shelf, toilet paper holder, towel ring, and towel rack were purchased at Lowes and Home Depot. We decided to hang the rack on the back of the door so we didn’t lose any wall space. And it worked out great because they hang right above the bathroom heater so they are always cozy and dry.

The Bathroom of Our Dreams

The new white vanity has a bead board exterior which just adds to the classic look. A heater was installed, as well as a fan, so the space is much more comfortable be in. For a curtain, I used some fabric I had cut from old curtains and custom sized them for the window. I chose to only cover the bottom half so the space would be lit up nicely with natural light.

The Bathroom of Our Dreams

The Bathroom of Our Dreams

The Bathroom of Our Dreams

I wanted chrome throughout with a little glass detail and brought in warmth with soft neutral textures such as baskets and pastel artwork from some of my favorite artists on Etsy. The gorgeous collage behind the door is created by Mae Chevrette and the smaller print by River Luna. We showcased our love of vintage jars by using a few we found at our local shop to hold bathroom essentials. And because I hate how tissue boxes look, I found these beautiful linen covers on Etsy from Pilo that look great in the space.

The Bathroom of Our Dreams

The Bathroom of Our Dreams

All in all, the bathroom is a success! I feel like I am in a spa which is crazy. Who would of thought we could go to this from where it used to be? I gave myself a big pat on the back for this one. It was so much fun designing the space without doing all the work for once. We finally have the bathroom of our dreams and we are so grateful.

Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014

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So 2013 has come to an end. I’m sure it has been a memorable year for everyone, whether it was tough to get through or really great, time has given us all things to look back on. For me, it has certainly been one full of many gifts, surprises, and wonderful moments. I am so thankful for the people I have in my life and the beautiful space I can call home. Having such a comforting and inspiring environment to wake up to everyday is an amazing thing to have. My husband, Dan and I worked so hard to create it, we can truly call it ours.

I am also grateful for Gray Star Design becoming the little business it is today. A year ago I took a dive into the event field and chose another path for my work, and I couldn’t be happier. Thanks to all my past clients who chose my designs and all my future clients I will someday meet, if it wasn’t for you Gray Star Design wouldn’t be as much of a success as it is. I truly love what I do. My life feels more complete now that I have the business and I wouldn’t change that for the world.

There will be lots of changes to the blog coming soon. I have decided to end my Inspiration Photo Friday series and focus more on various palettes that will inspire all aspects of design and events. My Sound in Color series will continue, but will be slightly edited, and I will start posting a lot more. It has been a busy year for me and sadly the blog has taken a backseat. But I promise to show it a lot more love in the coming year.

And it wouldn’t be a 2013 to remember without these events and milestones:
– my Mom moving back to New York
– Dan’s band Thracian getting signed to Monolithic Records
– my cousin Diana becoming pregnant with her first child, and its a girl!
– celebrating our first wedding anniversary in Massachusetts
– working my first craft fair as Gray Star Design
– our kitchen and half bath renovation
– the arrival of my brother in law’s daughter, Everleigh Rose
– saw Baroness live and had a meet and greet with the band
– saw Silversun Pickups live, I love them!
– celebrated 5 years with my husband
– finally met my friends daughter Anastasia and celebrated her 1st birthday
– our fall trip to Pennsylvania and visit to Pennhurst Asylum
– visiting Benner’s Farm with my best friend Meg and her daughter, Leona
– my friend Lizzy becoming pregnant with her second child, and its a boy!
– my cousin Diana’s baby shower
– my dog Olive turning 6 years old
– our master bath renovation
– my friend John and his wife Dena having their son, Soren Robert
– putting up our first big xmas tree in the house and hosting xmas eve for the first time
– my husband’s cousin Nicole becoming pregnant with her second child
– my friend Sunny getting engaged
– my cousin Diana and her husband becoming parents to their little girl, Scarlett Wynn

So many blessings and things to be happy about, how can I say anything other that 2013 being a great year. As for 2014, I can promise lots of change for Dan and I. Besides our finances, our marriage will only get stronger as we prepare for a family. I look forward to all the good things that will come our way as well as any hardships we must tackle. Bring it on!

I wish you all a happy and safe new year! Until next time…

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