Exterior of the home.

Kathryne Dahlman created a beautiful space combining several different patterns of Ceramic Tile and Mosaic against clean crisp background of white venetian plaster. The Moroccan Pattern above the vanity  references the Spanish them of the house, while the White and Brown Marble Octagon and Dot of the mosaic floor brings a classic traditional style into the mix.  The overall pallet of taupe, brown, white and silver lends a crisp contemporary edge to the design.

Vibe Morrocan Mosaic in Suede and Studio Moderne Regency Mosaic in Calacata and Cafe Bruno are featured.

Located on the second floor, the bathroom has east facing windows that bathe the space in clear morning light.

The vanity counters feature  Sequoia Brown, an amazing new marble  from Walker Zanger.  Notice the “leather” finish on the stone, which gives the surface a soft texture that feels amazing.  This would be a wonderful place to start you day!

Tuileries Collection Brick in Blanc, Arabesque Field in Blanc, Fedora and Choclocate. Floor is Studio Moderne Regency Mosiac in Calacata and Cafe Bruno.

The luxury continues with the generously proportioned shower highlighted by Tuileries Handmade Tiles in a brick pattern and a feature wall of  the Moroccan inspired Arabesque tile  in a blend of colors. I especially love the dark “Chocolate,” which looks good enough to eat!

Tuileries Collection Arabesque Field in Blanc, Fedora and Chocolate

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In this close up of the ArabesqueTiles,  you can really appreciate the beautiful, soft undulation of the handmade surface.  The tiles literally comes to life as the reflections of light play across the brilliant, shiny glazes.  This is the result of an intensive handmade production process, in which each tile is rubbed by hand, creating an uneven surface that allows the glaze to pool in  wonderfully random ways, making each tile  a unique piece of ceramic art.

Vibe Moroccan Mosaic in Suede.

This parting shot shows the detail in the crackle surface of the Vibe Morrocan Mosaic.   I love how Kathryne Designs chose the stark white grout for this pattern, a daring choice, but one that ties in nicely to the white plaster, wall tiles and white marble on the floor.

Bravo to Kathryne Designs for creating such a lovely space! Walker Zanger was thrilled to be part of it and we are already looking forward to next year’s  Pasadena Showcase House.

All photos by Stuart Watson

L to R: Mantra Saffron Gloss, Tuileries Miel Brique Field, Ceramica Alhambra Oro, Sonja La Fleur Noir.

Mascarpone Stuffed French Toast with Blackberries.

What better way to celebrate Mother’s Day than with an extra special breakfast. This twist on the classic French Toast is sure to make more than just Mom happy. Just be sure to include doing the dishes as part of your gift! Happy Mother’s Day weekend!

Ingredients:

For the orange blossom maple syrup (optional):

• 1 cup maple syrup
• 1 1/2 tsp. orange flower water
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/4 lb. mascarpone cheese
• 1 Tbs. sugar
• 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 8 slices firm-textured bread, such as brioche or challah, each 1/2 inch thick, with crusts

For the batter:

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/8 tsp. salt
• 1 Tbs. unsalted butter
• 2 cups blackberries

Directions:

To make the orange blossom maple syrup, in a small saucepan over low heat, warm the maple syrup. Pour into a small bowl or pitcher and stir in the orange flower water and vanilla until well blended. Serve warm. Or, store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Warm over low heat before serving.

In a bowl, whisk together the mascarpone, sugar, lemon juice and vanilla. Spread 2 Tbs. of the mascarpone mixture on 4 of the bread slices, leaving a 1/4-inch plain border on all sides. Top with the remaining bread slices.

To make the batter, in a bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla and salt. Pour the batter into a baking dish. In a large fry pan over medium heat, melt 1 1/2 tsp. of the butter and continue to heat until it foams but does not brown.

Place each of the sandwiches in the batter and let stand for 5 seconds. Turn the sandwiches over and let stand for 5 seconds more. Using a wide spatula, carefully lift the sandwiches from the batter, letting any excess drip back into the baking dish, and transfer to the hot pan. Cook until browned, about 3 minutes. Add the remaining 1 1/2 tsp. butter to the pan, turn the sandwiches over and cook until browned on the other side, about 2 minutes more. Using a clean, wide spatula, transfer the sandwiches to a cutting board.

Cut each sandwich in half on the diagonal. Divide among individual plates, top with the blackberries and serve immediately with the syrup. Serves 4.

Adapted from Williams-Sonoma Essentials of Breakfast and Brunch, by Georgeanne Brennan, Elinor Klivans, Jordan Mackay and Charles Pierce (Oxmoor House, 2007).

L to R: Chelsea Art Glass Tiffany Green, Mantra Indigo Gloss, Contessa Florentina Gold Leaf,Mantra Sari Blue Gloss, Oceanside Glasstile Tessera Tormaline.

Yes, tomorrow is Cinco de Mayo and as I sit here writing this weeks Friday Fare, I can swear that I hear the blenders blending, the ice clinking, and can taste the distinctive combo of fresh lime and tequila. For a drink so simple in its ingredients, cocktail enthusiasts have been battling over its variations for years. Blended vs. On the Rocks, Cointreau vs. Triple Sec, Patron vs. Don Julio, and  most important of all; Salt vs. No Salt!  Each will vehemently  tell you that theirs is the right and only way to mix up this refreshing libation.  I offer you my favorite version below. Simple, easy to make, and delicious. Oh, and for my taste, “On the rocks and hold the salt”.

INGREDIENTS

• Salt, for rimming the glass (optional)
• Ice
• 1 1/2 ounces tequila (Blanco, 100 percent agave)
• 1 ounce freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/2 ounce Cointreau (not Triple Sec)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. If using salt, place in a shallow dish. Moisten the rim of a rocks glass with a dampened paper towel,  dip in salt.
2. Fill the glass with ice; add tequila, lime juice, and Cointreau; and stir a few times until chilled. Serve immediately.

Recipe courtesy of Chow.

Since jumping on the Pinterest bandwagon, we have been astounded at  just how many incredible images there are floating around our world. Sometimes it’s visually overwhelming the amount of the beauty that surrounds us, and seeing it in all one platform just simply makes our heads spin.  Keeping that in mind, we thought that each week we would pick one of our boards and share 10 of our favorite images. To kick off the first week in May here are, in no particular order, our favorites from our Pinboard, “Color…full”

Endless Opportunities

Bangalore flower market, India.

Ming Blue Imperial Grand Pattern from the Studio Moderne Collection by Michael Berman for Walker Zanger

BeBe March 2012 'Hello Spring' LookBook.

Betsy Burnham Interior Designers

Cinque Terre, Italy

Gouldian Finch

Walker Zanger Chelsea Art Glass in Tiffany Green

Marrakech, Morocco Pigments

Wouldn’t you love to walk into this bathroom every morning?   The beautifully carved custom wood doors give a preview of the beautiful tile work within.  As you walk through,  the striking floor to ceiling niche features Walker Zanger’s Studio Moderne Fretwork Ceramic Tile (Mica is the color BTW).  Running the tile all the way to the ceiling, Lizette gives visual height to a room that otherwise might feel constrained because of the sloping ceiling.  The Calacata Luna Marble on the floor and the white walls provide a calming white backdrop for the tile and woodwork to pop!

In the shower the design takes  a more contemporary turn with the stacked bricks (again in Mica from the Studio Moderne Collection)  and the black tile and floor mosaic (Tribeca Basic Black Marble Hexagon) standing in for the dark wood.  I particularly like the giant shower head in the skylight.  Probably feels like the water is coming down directly from the heavens!

And then you could be moisturizing at this striking Pullman.  Generously proportioned and simply drop dead beautiful, it would be a fab spot to greet each morning and say goodnight in the evening.  All together, this project is a fabulous foray in bathroom design, thank you Lizette for sharing the photos with us!  Check out more of her work at www.lminteriordesign.com.

L to R: Sonja Brick Mosaic Gris, Sonja La Fleur Pattern Sand, Cote d' Ore Melange Field,Paradigm Small Brick Seagrass.