Beautiful Warmth

Long Island, NY remodel designed by Toni Sabatino

This beautiful bathroom incorporates some of my favorite elements. The clients wanted a sleeker take on “coastal decor” and the rugged beauty of driftwood is mimicked at the floating sink bases with “split wallnut timber”, a very sustainable new door style from Plato Woodwork. The easy care stone look porcelain tile is beach-y with the mixed hues of sand that give a timeless appeal to this new take on coastal. I love it all but one of my favorite elements is the towel warmer on the wall! This sleek piece from Runtal is a radiator as well as a way to get your towels toasty on a chilly morning. The Runtal products come in a wide variety of colors and styles that eliminates so many design dilemmas when remodeling. There are hydronic models as shown in the bathroom above as well as quite a variety of electric models as shown in the pictures below provided by Runtal. Heat is of course a necessity but rethink it and make your warmth beautiful.

🙂 Toni

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HouzzTV “Small Kitchen Gets Big Kitchen Style” featuring Toni Sabatino

Creating dream kitchens for single family palaces is a good portion of my work. Giving that expansive feel to a smaller footprint is a challenge I enjoy as well. To do that I really need to feel how you function. I want to feel how you live and interact. I want to create a space that has room for kids’ art, pet bowls, Costco runs, phone chargers, PTA calendars and still suits all your entertaining needs. I want to know who is cooking what and when so we have a tv for the morning news or easy access to the outdoor bar-b-q. I want to know if wine storage is important or if a built-in coffee system would really make your kitchen special and keep you from running out to Starbucks in your yellow fuzzy robe! Feeding our family and friends really feeds our soul and makes us happy. I want to help you outfit your kitchen to make the most of home celebrations and everyday living.
So, here I am with Ellen, talking about how we made her kitchen function for her specific needs.
My great appreciation for the work of Rick Spence and deepest thanks to the team at Houzz.com for featuring me in this promotional video.

NYC, TNBTA, Inspiration and Artistic Expression…

As if spending an evening with my son Rick, amidst Warhol, Picasso and Chagall wasn’t enough,  the Martin Lawrence Gallery was the stage for The Noise Beneath The Apple, TNBTA , book party celebrating the independent artists performing on the streets and nooks and crannies of NYC. The festivities included an excerpt reading, some live performances and a fun pop-up photo booth from DeckNYC.

The Noise Beneath the Apple is my coveted new coffee table book and so much more! It encompasses that amazing feeling I get when listening to a performer sharing music for the love of music and it was my pleasure to be a part of this amazing scene.  From classical violin to hip hop to tribal baroque, you can find it here. It brings me back to my love affair with New York City, where old world grandeur meets the avant-garde and creativity is king.  The nod to the best of pre-war New York Gold Coast traditional with big molding and intricate millwork details that is becoming more popular with the release of Gatsby is a great backdrop for colorful modern art,  funky housewares like those found in the shop at the MOMA, eclectic furnishings and rugs made from recycled fibers. Creating a passionate artistic blend is my way of setting that tone for a space you can really live in.

—madcap and portrait by DeckNYC

KBIS and the Big (not so?) Easy…..

Well, after 30 years in the Kitchen and Bath business, I attended my first KBIS or Kitchen and Bath Industry Show. I have to say that New Orleans was friendly and the show was a great experience for me. But being in the midst of organizing ongoing projects, straightening out a new website, assisting in the planning of a close friends 50th birthday surprise dinner and various other family responsibilities, meant that running off to New Orleans was not so easy. But, it was well worth it!

I hit the ground running to make a dinner at Emeril’s, a foodie hot spot from renowned chef Emeril Legasse, with a client.  The following day, spent with my peers and leaders in the industry was exhilarating and a great reminder of what I love about this business. The opening speech from John Morgan provided a historical perspective on the NKBA, bringing to the forefront what we, as designers, mean to the home and family life in our society. Seeing the innovations like Kohler’s Moxie blue tooth shower head, the beautiful new Brizo faucets and the array of richly textured tiles from Susan Jablon inspired me to seek the best of the best to present to you, when creating those spaces that are so all important in your home and makes you feel good.  Here I am, at the QuEx CONNEX LIFE photo booth, laughing with joy that I actually made it to our industry’s show of shows.

ToniSabatinoStyle.com       toni@tonisabatinostyle.com          516-972-5455

Celebration Style

Last night I had the pleasure of attending a wedding celebration. The attention to detail was amazing, as can be seen by the hand sown ribbon tablecloth pictured. This reminded me of a few years back when my lovely daughter was planning her wedding celebration. The dress shopping, the table settings and most of all the cake! I remember pulling out my tape measure and explaining to the baker that a five foot cake was as big as she was! Style has be personal and comfortable.  People with great style wear their lives like they wear their clothes. There is a casual grace because it all just fits. Here is some ELISE SABATINO style. http://thebridescafe.com/index.cfm?q=elise+and+giovanni  Enjoy!!  Photos by Sara France Photography.

TONI SABATINO                                toni@tonisabatinostyle.com                        516-972-5455

Thanks to K+BB for recognizing my work!

I am thrilled to be on page 72 of the K+BB Magazine April 2013 KBIS editiion! The recognition means so much after designing over a thousand kitchens over the years, in everything from local firehouse to some single family palaces. I love kitchens! The kitchen is where the action is. Friends are celebrated with food and drink. Firemen share stories over a pot of spaghetti and meatballs. Intimate news of love, life and true confessions are all shared at the sink during cleanup after a holiday meal. Interior Design is truly my passion and I love to start with the kitchen to transform a shelter dwelling to a stylish, comfortable home. Thanks again to Janet Groeber at K+BB Magazine for giving me the platform to share my love for design. http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/nielsen/kbb_201304/index.php#/74

 

 

 

TONI SABATINO     toni@tonisabatinostyle.com      516-972-5455         

Happy Easter and the growth of spring…….

As a spiritual person, believing in all teachers of all faiths, I love Easter and all it signifies: rebirth, growth, love for humanity and thankfulness. This basket for a child, includes a perennial because this signifies all that is wonderful to me about spring. I really look forward to the sprouts after the thaw, and always take some time to assess what seeds I have planted and what new growth will come this season. Career growth equals personal growth, monetary rewards and personal freedom. This season I am blessed with budding business growth and thankful to Kim Kuhteubl for the business blueprint and coaching that has enabled me to make my garden grow.

This week my name links to my gardening board on pinterest. Hope you enjoy!

TONI SABATINO toni@tonisabatinostyle.com 516-972-5455

Magic, mayhem and my love of appliances…….

Thursday I had the pleasure of attending The Architectural Digest Home Design Show  at Pier94 in the city. For me, center stage and the stars of the show, were  the appliances.  Among the items displayed by American Range was my favorite 60″ range with the 22″ gridlle perfect for making those big Sunday breakfasts I adore. Fhiaba takes refrigeration to a new level in my opinion, by allowing the user to change certain segments from refrigeration to freezer or vice versa in a matter of 2 hours–ordinary magic, indeed.

Then there was Thermador , whose design and price point make it my standard for discerning clients. The  Thermador booth is picturedat 6:30 pm, wine flowing and people packing themselves in. On display, the new 48″ Pro Grand Range with built in steam oven and the versatile refrigeration columns displayed with wine storage and wood panelled faces that really show off the superior hinge design.

I love appliances!

TONI SABATINO    toni@tonisabatinostyle.com    516-972-5455

Happy Spring!

Living in New York with all the snow that we’ve had, I really welcome the coming of spring. The simple beauty of fresh green foliage just makes you feel good.
This windowless bathroom needed that feel good vibe so green glass tile was chosen to simulate the soothing beauty of nature and the feel of the outdoors.
Happy first day of spring!
TONI SABATINO toni@tonisabatinostyle.com 516-972-5455

St. Patrick’s Day…….

 As a child, some of my fondest memories were hanging around the city with Aunt Clara. She had a beautiful voice, singing with the Oratorio Society during the season at Carnagie Hall and did a few stints at the Met. She worked as an interior decorator in Manhattan and had her own workroom on 53rd street where custom lampshades and pillows were made.  I used to stretch out the window of the third floor to see the St. Patrick’s Day parade. Then off we would go  to eat where Aunt Clara would order a whiskey sour because “the Irish do make great whiskey, not much for wine though”. This week marked her passing at 109 years old. Here she is wearing the green………Happy St. Patrick’s Day and God Bless…………

TONI SABATINO    tonisab@optonline.net         516-972-5455