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Shopping Trip: Brimfield, The September Show

I went to Brimfield today. It was a whirlwind adventure, accomplished between drop off and pick up (could NOT be late on the first day of school). I didn’t set out with a mission. Just to explore and take a lot of photos. Here’s what I turned up…

Beauty Break: Rheal Day Spa

When I hear Maine, I think L.L. Bean, clambakes and moose. Foliage if it’s fall, with some outlet shopping thrown in. Or preppy seaside retreats with crisp nautical motifs. Day spas? Not so much. Until I saw photos of Rheal Day Spa in Rockland, Maine, owned by esthetician Rhonda Nordstrom.

I first learned about Rhonda’s Rheal product line, the sunscreen specifically, from Sharon Kitchens at Delicious Musings. (Sharon, a conflicted fashionista dedicated to living the green life, had met Rhonda when she was living up in Maine.) I’m going to be writing an article about Rhonda’s amazing new eco-friendly home later this year. But in the meantime, I wanted to show you pictures of her new spa. Designed by architects Carrie Shores and Josh Larson from the architecture firm Larson + Shores, it’s fresh, clean, airy, and eco-conscious.

This is the nail room. Carrie handpainted the design on the wall, after tracing it using a projected image. Rhonda calls the design a sea flower; it’s the spa’s logo. Notice the curtain on the left? It’s an almost perfect match, and from IKEA. The floors are rubber and the textiles from recycled fibers.

Rheal is on Main Street in Rockland, in an old factory building. Rhonda calls Rockland “a pretty urban, hip little town.” (I’ll get back to you on that; I’m visiting next month.) Nevertheless, Rhonda says, “When people walk in, they say it’s like walking into a whole other world. Which is good,” she adds, “since it’s a spa.” Recently, she had a client from Manhattan who said Rheal was like any other spa she would go to. It certainly looks the part. I’m guessing the treatments are heavenly too. After all, Rhonda learned her trade at Grettacole, back in the early days. She says, “Gretta taught me how to shape eyebrows; I will be grateful to her forever.

They used a lot of eco-friendly materials. The floor in the reception area (above) and the other rooms without water, are cork.

This is the locker room, with the meditation room beyond. The chair is Japanese and rocks gently. Carrie found it in San Francisco. I’ll have to ask her where. The fabrics are made from recycled soda bottles. The sconce shades incorporate grass reeds.

Detail of the nail room.

This is one of the very peaceful treatment rooms. You can see her private line of skincare products, which Rhonda describes as “clean, healing, authentic.” The line started as an anti-acne line, but now includes “graceful aging” products. She touts the Lip & Face Serum in particular. The spa also use Dr. Haushka products, which Rhonda loves.

Sink and shower in the locker room. The countertops are made from recycled paper, by a company called Paperstone. They’re beautiful and don’t absorb any water.

Detail of sink in locker room.

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Get the Look: Chalkboard Chic

I don’t really need to give you sources for chalkboard paint; it’s readily available. You can get it in any color, for walls or metal, and you can even buy a magnetic version. I mean, why limit your kids to chalk when they could be using the wall for Playskool magnetic letters. Or perhaps you’d like to break out that magnetic poetry set that’s been relegated to the back of a drawer. If you don’t have the space (or desire) to dedicate an entire wall to your chalky whims, you can pick up a freestanding board anywhere. Vintage ones are readily available too. Or, you can get your chalkboard fix with one of these cute chalkboard accessories.

Shopping Guide

Chalkboard Napkin Rings, on sale for $24.95/set 4 at MoMA Store.

Magnetic Chalkboard by Kotona Design, $49.01 at KotiLiving.

Embroidery Hoop Chalkboard with Cameo, $35 by blissinateacup at Etsy.

Deer Chalkboard Sticker, $16 by flatbird at Etsy.

Mini Poplar Plant Holder with Chalkboard Stripe, $14 by coughcoughchoke at Etsy.

Chalkboard Vases, $20 by designLAW at Etsy.

NotNeutral Chalkboard Wall Panel, $36 at Design Public.

Design Diary: Andrew Terrat at FP3

This spring, Jessica Danforth of Kortenhaus Communications (love her!) brought me on a whirlwind tour of four different apartments at FP3 in Fort Point Channel, followed by lunch at Barbara Lynch’s Sportello. (Delicious, and really well-designed.) The neighborhood is industrial and artsy, and the building, designed by David Hacin, reflects those influences. The lobby even even includes an exhibition gallery. In addition to three model apartments (I just handed in an article for Stuff on the studio unit designed by John Stefanon, which I’ll blog about once it’s published), Jessica got permission to show me a privately owned two-bedroom designed by Andrew Terrat of Terrat Elms.

FP3 in Fort Point Channel, Boston

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FP3 Lobby

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This condo is owned by a couple who lived in the Boston suburbs, but decided to move into the city when their daughter left for college. They hired Andrew Terrat of Terrat Elms to design the entire interior, and they are beyond thrilled. Who can blame them? Not only is Andrew darling, the space is spectacular.

Here is the unit when first they purchased it.

Condo, Before

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The unit isn’t especially large, but it’s well laid out, with a self contained entry with roomy closets, an open kitchen, and a private master bedroom suite.

Floor Plan

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Andrew relocated the closets in order to incorporate a console. He chose a stainless steel piece that you might find in a lab. He added a textured wall covering and wood panels.

Entry

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The fixture has an industrial edge, echoing the feel of the neighborhood.

Detail, Entry Light Fixture

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Turning the corner, you enter the main living space, with an open kitchen and the living/dining area beyond. It’s done in neutrals, with yellow and chartreuse accents.

Main Living Area

Looking from the living room, back towards the entry. That room is the second bedroom, where their daughter stays when she’s home from school. The kitchen island is wrapped in stone, a hot look right now. I like the effect, but hate to think how much extra money all that stone costs.

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Andrew replaced the cabinetry and finishes. I love the the mini subway tile back splash against the white cabinetry, and appreciate how the gray tones accentuate the stainless steel counter top and hardware. (I don’t remember the manufacturers; must email Andrew.)

Kitchen

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Pop, pop, pop! Bright and jagged upholstery really defines the space. Love the clear pendant – very industrial goes glam – and of course, the Saarinen tulip table.

Dining Area

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Terrat produces an effect with the tile in the bathroom that’s similar to that in the kitchen. The homeowner told me that Andrew even added the blue mouthwash. Like most designers, every time he visits he fusses and moves stuff around.

Bathroom

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A comfortable but glamorous retreat.

Master Bedroom

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For a peek at Boston Magazine‘s Concept Home at FP3 see Erin’s post on Elements of Style.

ARTmonday: Declan Halpin

This weekend I went to see the new show by Declan Halpin at one of my favorite art galleries in Provincetown, Ernden Fine Art Gallery at 397 Commercial Street, where the works are polished with a bent toward the abstract, and the gallery director, Dennis Costin, is always welcoming and gracious.

Halpin creates sculptural paintings on metal panels. I purchased two a few years ago that I still adore. The colors are soft, the top one has an almost unfinished quality. The scattering of dots you see are actually holes made with a blowtorch. The petal-like shapes of the bottom piece are also holes, and there is another layer of metal behind the panel. My photos do not do them justice.

Below are images from the current show at Ernden. Halpin’s works are much brighter this time, with an emphasis on geometry. The series explores the relationship between humans and 21st century technology. Halpin sees this as a “blend of science and romance ” and finds the experience both “jarring and wonderful”.

Could Be, Maybe
10 x 13 x 1
Acrylic on Aluminum
$1200