A Note From Jason
It’s all about family! Jason and his dad Ralph and sister Mindy at a recent Boston Design Week event.
Hello!
Have you been able to get out and enjoy the longer days and warmer temperatures? I always feel that New Englanders are so starved for good weather that they truly embrace the spring. We all join together to celebrate the moments when Mother Nature cooperates and offers us blue skies and refreshing breezes. It is glorious!
Speaking of Mother Nature, now is the time to applaud the hard work and dedication of moms everywhere. Especially when their children are young, moms are always running around and trying to get it all done. Of course I’m biased, but I believe any mom would appreciate an upgrade in the bath/kitchen realm to make her feel pampered. Who wouldn’t like a new kitchen faucet (the most used “appliance” in the house) or a super-duper shower head, or even a luxurious towel warmer? I extend a big Happy Mother’s Day to all the moms out there! I am sending these well wishes with extra heartfelt sentiments to my own mom and all the moms on our Designer Bath team. I appreciate you and I am grateful to have you in my life.
And Mother Nature is, of course, all about the great outdoors. We recently hosted an event for people in the design/build industry in partnership with Boston Home magazine and California Faucets. The theme was outdoor living. Since we added the Julien Outdoor Kitchen display to the front area of our Watertown showroom, we have been talking to many landscape designers about integrating it into their plans. Have you seen it? It’s made of marine grade steel with carefully finished edges and closed sections to withstand both the elements and pesky critters. I guarantee that this kitchen set-up will add next level functionality to your outside entertaining and socializing!
This month, our guest blogger is Anne Alberts from Carpenter & MacNeille. The team at Carp Mac has partnered with us on countless projects over the years. They provide design/build services and have many award-winning homes in their portfolio.
Best,
Jason Sevinor
President
Anne Alberts, Head of Interiors at Carpenter & MacNeille, is an award-winning and published designer. Anne champions a multifaceted design approach that blends timeless beauty into clients’ homes across New England, finding inspiration from styles of past and present. An integral member of Carpenter & MacNeille’s leadership team, Anne develops clients’ visual narratives with a foundation rooted in tradition while uniquely capturing and highlighting each individual’s story, creating spaces that truly feel at home.
PERRIN & ROWE GEORGIAN ERA BRIDGE KITCHEN FAUCET WITH SIDE SPRAY IN POLISHED NICKEL
Polished nickel and unlacquered brass are my two go-to finishes, which is what attracted me to this Perrin & Rowe bridge faucet in polished nickel. I admire the stylish combination of the bridge and lever components. And the gooseneck is pretty — shapely and attractive, while the side spray makes it quite useful. Carpenter & MacNeille does a lot of traditional design work, and this faucet fits nicely with various time periods.
CROSSWATER HEIR WIDESPREAD BASIN FAUCET IN POLISHED NICKEL
I’m a big fan of lever handles over cross handles because if your hands are soapy or dirty, you can still easily turn on the faucet. I love the sleek lines on this one. The juxtaposition of a traditional space with a contemporary plumbing faucet is a special unique detail, and I think it’s very fun in a bathroom.
CALIFORNIA FAUCETS FULL SHOWER SET UP IN UNLACQUERED BRASS
I was impressed with the attention to detail that I immediately noticed on this shower display. I love the unlacquered brass finish. It had a really interesting control valve with knurling and graphically interesting numbers telling the temperature. In combination with the unlacquered brass, it looked old without being old.
A brass shower system like this pairs well with almost anything — it would work with a natural stone tile, a simple off-white ceramic, or a bright bold forest green ceramic tile. That’s what I love about brass: it has longevity and an ageless quality, which is something we’re always looking for at Carpenter & MacNeille.
STONE FOREST MILANO VESSEL SINK IN CARRARA MARBLE
Stone is one of those traditional elements that will always be classic in a powder room or a main bathroom. It is beautiful and versatile. It can be paired with wood in the background, more tile, or bright/colorful ceramic tile. The natural veining of the stone is chef’s kiss!
STONE FOREST RENAISSANCE CONSOLE TOP IN CARRARA MARBLE + 4 LEG CONSOLE IN AGED UNLACQUERED BRASS
This Stone Forest vanity is one of my favorites; it’s on my list to use with a client someday. I was entranced with the elegant top and how the gorgeous natural stone was highlighted with the curve and special carving effects. I was struck by how the countertop is integrated with the sink basin — it’s shapely and traditional and beautiful. All of that paired with the brass legs is stunning. I’m a big fan.
I think you could pair this with a hardwood floor, put it in front of vibrant wallpaper or painted paneling with a layer of tile below it. You could place it before a simple plaster wall with decorative lights and a fun statement mirror as well. I love how you can see all the components behind it — even the drain becomes part of the design scheme. It’s all graphic and purposeful.