Subway Tile for the Win in this Classic Upper West Side Bathroom
In Feb of 2023, Isy’s Interiors was approached to renovate a verrrrry dated bathroom on the Upper West Side. It was decided that a gut renovation was the only way forward! The client wanted a modern, monochrome bathroom and for it to feel ‘like a hotel’ – challenge accepted. We proceeded to rip out the old tub, and replaced it with a swanky new shower with 12 inch rainforest shower head. The client picked a classic white subway tile in mat white which we paired with a rustic ceramic floor tile and black hardware throughout. Building in a niche was a non-negotiable, but was not without it’s challenges as we opened the wall to find a myriad of huge pipes from the neighboring apartment! From start to finish the project took about 3 weeks to complete but what a difference 3 weeks makes!
Easy as 1, 2, 3!
I’m fully aware that hiring an interior designer can seem extremely overwhelming but I try my best to make the process as easy and (dare I say it!) enjoyable as possible…. Step 1: Mood Board I begin every design with a mood board to give an overall sense of the direction of the design. For this kitchen space the brief was to create an English country feel so we included a butler style ceramic sink, relaxed linen roman shades and light oak wooden shelves to give it that rustic authentic feel. We also ended up changing the hardware and moved away from the brass fixtures in the end to a brushed nickel – small tweaks in the designs are very normal and common as the design develops! Stage 2: 3D Rendering Using exact dimensions of the space, I create a rendering of the new layout and design to really help clients visualize the finished room. These are particularly helpful in awkwardly shaped rooms where it can sometimes be more challenging to visualize the finished product! Stage 3. Execution I absolutely LOVE looking back at the original plans for a room and how it turned out – these are near identical – so satisfying.
Styling the Perfect Guest Bedroom
Creating a guest bedroom that feels both cozy and functional can be a delightful challenge. At Isy’s Interiors, we believe that guest bedrooms should offer the comfort of a luxury hotel with the practicality of home. These spaces must be versatile, ready to transform from a restful retreat to a storage haven at a moment’s notice. Here’s how to style a guest bedroom that exudes elegance while meeting every need of your visitors. Guest bedrooms are unique because they need to serve multiple purposes. When guests are visiting, the room should be a sanctuary. However, when the room is not in use, it often doubles as an office or secondary storage area. Achieving this balance requires thoughtful design and smart furniture choices. One of our favorite strategies for maximizing space is incorporating furniture with built-in storage. This approach keeps the room tidy and ensures that guests have everything they need at their fingertips.Think a bed with storage drawers and an accent chair with a storage ottoman. Cozy and Inviting Atmosphere A guest bedroom should always feel like a warm embrace. Plush bedding with easy access to extra blankets or pillows, lighting options, and thoughtful inclusions like a phone charger, and a welcome touch like a vase of fresh flowers or a selection of books can make a world of difference. Final Thoughts Designing a guest bedroom that is both stylish and functional is all about thoughtful choices. With multi-functional furniture, clever storage solutions, and a cozy ambiance, your guest bedroom can become a versatile and welcoming retreat. Need more ideas? Check out our curated storefront!
Urban Chic
Creating a Modern Bachelor Retreat in Dumbo Fresh greens, wood grains, and earthy tones inspired this project we recently completed in Dumbo at 115 York Street that included a primary bedroom, open living room kitchen concept, entry hall, and an office that doubles as a guest bedroom. The primary bedroom came together with a backdrop of limewash in a custom green, with layers of wood tones and one-of-a-kind found items including a late 19th century Japanese style rolling merchant’s chest used as a dresser, and the Balinese hats scored from our favorite antique shop in the city. For the headboard wall we went with a retro modern wood slat that reflects in the antique round mirror and speaks to the tones of the hats mounted on the wall as art. A glimpse into the living room showcasing natural elements, layered for a cohesive and comfortable space to relax amidst the backdrop of the city. Featuring a custom curved leather sofa from Room & Board, and a kidney shaped coffee table to mimic the organic flow of the sectional. An avid reader, the client wanted a space that would get more use than a traditional dining area, so we opted for a pair of boucle swivel chairs from CB2 for not only comfortable reading, but as a way to take in the view from the nearly floor to ceiling windows surrounding the open living room and kitchen area. The office may just be our favorite. In here we found more space for the clients beloved book collection, an ebony black desk and leather upholstered chair from Arhaus. And not to be missed is the unexpected addition of Patina wallpaper by Rebel Walls on the ceiling. Opposite the desk area is a sleeper sofa in a luxurious cinnamon velvet, perfect for guests, or a jam session – thanks to the client’s guitar collection featured on the main wall. Office, guest room, or jam session, either way, we think it makes for a great Zoom backdrop when seated at the desk.
* Moroccan Magic *
We couldn’t have been more excited to get our feet back on Moroccan soil after such an amazing trip last year. Although it was tempting to duplicate the exact itinerary we had last year, we decided to be adventurous and explore a completely new area of Morocco. A top tip I’ll share with anyone moving around a lot is to have a driver. We were recommended and introduced to Abdol last year and were delighted to meet him again for this trip! He not only drove us but also coordinated a lot of our visits and guides and he just made the trip seamless. Flying into Tangier, we met Abdol and drove a rather grueling 4 hours; however, despite arriving bleary eyed into Fes at around 1am our moods were quickly lifted at the sight of our Riad. We stayed at Karawan Riad, centrally located inside the walls of the Medina, accessible only by foot. Our room was simply gorgeous. 20 foot ceilings, spread across two levels with three separate balconies. Needless to say we fell asleep as soon as our heads hit the pillow and we awoke bright an early in Fes to the sound of the call to prayer. We spent our first day with an English speaking guide exploring some of the 9,000+ streets in the Fes Medina. We strolled through the narrow streets which were, you guessed it, narrow – so narrow in fact you had to turn sideways at points. We visited the tanneries and saw raw hides being dyed and explored the oldest university in Morocco as well as driving to higher points in the city for stunning views across the Medina. We snacked on local milkshakes and pastries in the medina to rebuild our strength before returning to our hotel – bags heavy with various purchases. Dinner was spent at Palais Faraj – a beautiful white table cloth style restaurant with views over the city. Day 2 was spent exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of Volubilis, about 2 hours drive away from Fes. Volubilis is a partly excavated Berber-Roman city in the city of Meknes, believed to be the same age as Pompei. While much of the structure was rebuilt after a catastrophic earthquake, many of the mosaics remain intact and in exceptional condition. One particular area we both loved, was the washing station, which had grooves in the stone from years and years of people washing their clothing over the same spots. This felt pretty magical to run our hands over those same spots. Returning to our hotel for much needed spa treatments we opted for the classic Moroccan hamman and were scrubbed to within an inch of our lives, removing any trance of fake tan either of us had applied in preparation for the trip. Dinner was at Palais Amani, and we sat in the open air courtyard of the Riad, drinking wine and enjoying their fantastic food. Before heading to our next stop, we spent the morning at a pottery class. We both attempted (me particularly badly) spinning the pottery wheel to create our masterpieces, which were predictably not good enough to even make the kiln. So instead we selected pre-made pieces and set about painting them in our own designs. This was much harder than it looked. We also learnt how to make a mosaic tile, placing the pieces and filling it with cement to create the world’s thickest coaster. View from Dar Jasmine Hotel over the city of Chefchouen. After our pottery masterclass we embarked on our journey to Chefchaouen, known for its striking blue washed buildings and cobbled medina. Originally the blue was made from indigo flowers, but today, to keep the custom alive, residents are offered incentives for painting their houses blue and the history of the town continues. We stayed at Dar Jasmine, known for its exceptional views over the city. The price for the views was a steep ascension of around 100 stairs to the hotel. We spent the afternoon relaxing by the beautiful rooftop pool, not drinking wine, as the hotel was dry, googling where in Chefchaouen we could purchase wine. We found somewhere, all was well. For our next full day in Chefchaouen, we explored the city with a local guide who took us to all the ‘insta worthy’ spots. I was worried it would feel touristy but I couldn’t have been more wrong. It felt largely untouched by tourism, and we saw plenty of local women selling oil and olives who had travelled down from the Rif mountains to sell their produce. It was so interesting seeing modern elements of life intertwined with such ancient practices. Our shopping flurry continued as we bought rugs (yes plural), shoes, trinkets and ceramics. Dinner was spent at Bab Ssour, an initially terrifying restaurant from the outlook, but actually turned out to be one of our best meals of the trip. We were taken into the kitchen to meet the chef, and hand pick the fish we wanted which was all grilled and served with salad and rice. We chatted to all the waiters, snuck wine under the table and then wandered the medina a little tipsy buying yet MORE shoes. Our next and final stop was too Tangier. On arrival, we were a little bit shocked. We’d gone from Moroccan magic to a proper city, with very few signs that we were even in Morocco and that felt disappointing – neither of us felt ready to leave the Moroccan charm yet! We checked into our hotel – Tazi Palace and headed straight to the spa. The Tazi Palace (as it says in the name) is a former Palace and feels like it. It is beautifully grand, with a stunning outdoor pool, multiple bars and restaurants and our room was absolutely beautiful with panoramic views of the city. We spent the afternoon taking full advantage of