A Note From Jason

Photos from my sister Mindy’s wedding in September.

Hi everyone,

November brings with it the beginning of the holiday season — one of the highlights of the year, in my opinion. During the next two months, many of us try to make a special effort to connect with the ones we love. It’s the time of year we can take a moment to stop and reflect on the good things in our lives.

I’m grateful for my sister Mindy and the happiness we all felt when she got married earlier this fall. We welcome the new additions to our extended family with joy and enthusiasm. It was a beautiful intimate celebration and I was reminded of how thankful I am for my sister, our family, and our family-owned business. 

This holiday season, I hope we can all take some moments to unplug, step back, and appreciate what we have. The past year and a half has been unlike any other, but for some of us, it has made us take stock of our priorities and brought us closer to the most important people in our lives. As Thanksgiving approaches, I plan to take some time to count my blessings and to let people around me know how much I value their presence in my life. 

Without further ado, we would like to introduce our November guest blogger: Mally Skok. Mally is an East Coast interior designer and textile maker who originally hails from South Africa, a place that is close to my heart as I had an amazing trip there a few years ago. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to go on this adventure as a member of YPO (Young Presidents Organization — a global leadership community of chief executives). 

Mally and her family moved in the mid-1990s from London to America, where she launched her interior design business. Mally has since built a client base that is enamored with her creative mix of layering the new with the old and transforming homes into comfortable, colourful living spaces. I am especially impressed with her support of local charity Heading Home and the recent publication of her first book, which delivers creative tips for successful entertaining. Since Mally is currently residing in Palm Beach, she used links from our website to see what we offer and what we have on display. These are great tools to use when you are not able to visit one of our showrooms and you are in the mood to do some shopping for fixtures and accessories. 

I hope you enjoy Mally’s picks and her lively commentary! 

All the Best,
Jason Sevinor
President

NATIVE TRAILS SANTORINI FREESTANDING TUB IN BRUSHED NICKEL

I am currently slightly obsessed with bath tubs that stand out in the open and there’s nothing between you, soaking away, and the sparkling ocean below. I could see this beauty in a quiet courtyard off a bedroom, high above the Aegean Sea, with breezes floating in, while you lie in the dappled light of an overhead bamboo awning.

SAMUEL HEATH EXPOSED THERMO SHOWER SET IN POLISHED NICKEL

A while ago, I saw a bathroom in an updated country manor where the shower had no door or glass partition, just a beautiful old encaustic tile floor that floated towards a hidden drain. The rest of the bathroom was filled with a shabby, old, beat-up antique armchair, with what looked like village jumble sale watercolors on the walls. So chic and un-bathroom like.

BARCLAY POCO 30″ SINGLE BOWL KITCHEN SINK

I long for a flower room with a big sunny window looking out onto a garden. Rows of Pelargoniums lined up along the window sill. Shelves of orchids resting after their last bloom catching the dappled light. This sink would be so amazing with a sink skirt in an old-fashioned print, to finish off the look. Perfect for potting and clippings!

MOUNTAIN PLUMBING PRODUCTS MINI HOT WATER DISPENSER IN BRUSHED NICKEL

A couple of years ago, my hubbie and I bought a new construction house with a hot water spigot. We had no idea what we had been missing!! I love being able to make multiple cups of my favourite Rooibos tea at the blink of an eye. Add a nice South African rusk and your afternoon is instantly uplifted, with no caffeine!

HUDSON VALLEY SYOSSET LARGE PENDANT LIGHT

I am a fan of the simplest of pendants over the kitchen counter or center island. I recently heard a talk from the famous architect Bobby McAlpine, and he remarked that kitchens are mostly ripped out during renovations because they date a house. What a waste and what a shame! I believe in simple, quality kitchens that you can’t date. This is the type of light I like for that classic timeless look!