Always despaired over the lack of dazzling and delightful bathroom tile patterns? Well, it’s time to let some brilliant ideas dispel that air of gloom around you and your bathroom. There are infinite ways to realize that dream bathroom you have always envisioned with ample support from a veritable mosaic of breathtaking tile patterns.

It’s time to allow these patterns to define your inherent uniqueness with unabashed style and panache.

Eight Tips For That Total Turnaround

So what does it take to jazz up a dull and dreary bathroom? Tremendous wherewithal or a wild imagination that is not constrained by the laws of gravity? Actually, all that is required is to bear in mind these priceless tips:

In addition to the pattern, make sure you pay attention to the style and texture of the tiles. Even a few tiles can have an impact that’s simply mind-blowing. Colors when interwoven with style and textures can create magic in all directions. Tiles in muted shades certainly cause a furor in small spaces. Peach and yellow wrap the space in a cloak of warmth inducing a sense of idyllic bliss associated with country-styled bathrooms. Pink is the color that matches all your Victorian-era inspired dreams. If you want the cosmic, infinite ocean to flow into your design, just install tiles in brilliant blue or gorgeous green. Terracotta merged with hand-painted tiles ensures a fantastical flight all the way to the magical Mediterranean. In case you are keen that black takes centre stage with fleeting flushes of red, make sure your bathroom is large and has ample natural lighting. Ceramics rule the roost – whether in a star-status mosaic design or when creating a scintillating shower. Make sure they are white or beige in color for that cool yet classy look. Watch the crackling chemistry when single-colored ceramic floor tiles flirt with multi-colored borders. If the same color makes an appearance on the floors and walls, make sure they differ in size. The smaller ones displayed on the walls and the larger ones earnestly trying to floor onlookers. Even something as generic as grout can be used to add drama and intrigue. The prolific combination of white ceramic tiles and blue or black grout is sure to get you out of your morning blues.

It’s time to take the world by storm, once again.

By: Yamini Chowdhury



~Continued from Part 1~

There was also another story behind Della Griffin’s longevity at the Blue Book club. For some reason her integrity was tested when a sizeable sum of cash was left in the women’s bathroom that she used before and/or after performances. She did not take it. Afterwards, having earned the highest level of trust, she was welcome to stay as long as she wanted, which turned out to be more than a decade. Ultimately with mutual feelings of respect and love, the Blue Book became one of Della’s all-time favorite venues.

Following the dissolution of her second marriage, Della Griffin, married unsuccessfully one last time (Jimmy Walker whose name she refused to take feeling that it was not worth the time) and resumed her career, which lasted into the 21st century.

After opening at Harlem’s Blue Book club in 1973, Della Griffin performed there for the next 14 years, until 1987 when she was seriously injured after being hit by a car in Mt. Vernon, NY. In addition, starting in the 1980s, Della resumed working with Etta Jones and joined with Irene Reid. Their efforts led to two albums – “I’ll Get By” and “Travlin’ Light,” both produced by Houston Person (b.1934) and Muse Records. When Muse Records folded, Della Griffin “followed many of” its performers “to [the] newly-formed HighNote-Savant” label where Person produced “The Very Thought of You” which came out in 1998. Shortly afterwards, due to her high level of achievement, Della “Griffin was invited to Finland to appear at one of that country’s major jazz festivals.”[1]

Following her recovery, Della Griffin along with Frances Kelly and Shirley “Bunny” Foy appeared on “Dan Romanello’s Rhythm & Blues Group Harmony Review” on Fordham University’s WFUV-FM show in New York in 1994 after being “rediscovered by group harmony enthusiast Louie Silvani.”[2] After taking inquiries about the Enchanters and Dell-Tones, Della Griffin put another “Dell-Tones” group together, consisting of Frances Kelly, Annette St. John and Gwen Michael, the latter two new members. They then made numerous appearances including at “The Heroines of R&B” concert in October 1995, which also included the famed Chantels, The Jewels and Vikki Burgess, who just missed being selected to replace Sherry Gary of the Dell-Tones forty years earlier, among others.

In addition to her performances for the new Dell-Tones and recording acts for Muse Records and HighNote-Savant, Della Griffin took part in many solo acts in clubs across the tri-state region during the 1990s. Some of these performances include:

Della Griffin and “her All-Stars” in Croton Falls and Yonkers, NY in May and June 1992, respectively; a solo performance at Blue Note Jazz Club and Restaurant at 131 West 3rd Street in New York City in April 1991, solo New Year’s Eve performances at DeFemio’s Restaurant in Yonkers, NY in December 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1997, a December 1994 performance “A Very Merry Holiday Jazz Party” with Etta Jones and Houston Person at the Schoolhouse in Croton Falls, a show titled “Standards & Blues by Della Griffin” in Scarsdale, NY in June 1998, and a performance at the White Plains Public Library in White Plains, NY in March 1999, among others. She was also a frequent performer at Scottie’s club in Yonkers, NY, a member of the Jimmy Hill Quartet (with jazz musicians Jimmy Hill (1928-2004), Joe Puma (1927-2000), and Etta Jones) that “frequented jazz haunts through the [New York metro] region,”[3] a member of Fred Smith’s “Harlem Renaissance Swing Band (performing at Hartford, CT’s Bushnell Park in July 1999), and a drummer for The Melba Joyce Group in a 1998 Nicki Mathis “The Many Colors of a Woman”[4] concert also in Hartford, CT, as well as a participant in benefit concerts for musicians in need. She also performed in Hartford CT’s Bushnell Park in July 1995 and 1996 as “one of the most valuable showstoppers…” singing “‘Tain’t Nobody’s Business” and “All of Me,”[5] and at Rich Forum in Stamford, CT in February 1998. During the July 1995 concert, it was written, “Singer Della Griffin, decked out in shades, a hot pink sweat suit and matching hat, almost stole the show when she scurried to the front of the stage and began singing ‘All of Me’ in a wonderfully grainy, lived-in kind of voice…”[6]

Della Griffin continued her music career into the 21st century making appearances in New York City, Westchester County, and Newark, NJ, one of which included a 3 hour-long performance at the Renaissance Jazz Caf



Born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 15, 1921, Erroll Louis Garner was destined to be an amazing jazz pianist and composer. By the age of three, Erroll was playing the piano successfully.

Like many successful composers and musicians, he did not choose to follow traditional teaching methods to learn the piano. He was a self-taught musician who never learned to read music. He simply played by ear, not by the page.

Being a piano savant, Erroll Garner began his long career in the spotlight at the age of seven. He started appearing on a Pittsburgh radio show. Nothing could stop Erroll. He was performing on the Allegheny riverboats by age 11. In 1937, his collaboration with saxophonist Leroy Brown became the highlight of Garner’s young career. Little did he know that his life was going to hold even more success.

In 1944, Erroll Garner moved to New York. From 1944 to 1947, Garner worked with bassist Slam Stewart and Charlie Parker. Although he was an amazing talent, he was quite small in stature; therefore, according to some, Garner would often sit on top of a large Manhattan telephone book. During the majority of his performances, along with sitting on a telephone book, Erroll Garner also was rumored to sing while playing. His vocals are featured in many of his recorded performances.

Although his musical ear was his major asset, Peterson was also well-known for his compositions. Peterson’s most recognized and celebrated composition was “Misty.” “Misty” was written in 1954. Because of this song, Erroll Garner was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame 37 years after its release. The song “Misty” also became an inspiration for the 1971 movie “Play Misty for Me.”

In his own words, Erroll discussed his gift, stating, “I always play what I feel. I always feel like me, but I’m a different me every day. I get ideas from everything. A big color, the sound of water and wind, or a flash of something cool. Playing is like life. Either you feel it or you don’t.” Of course, Erroll Garner was modest about his talents. However, it is agreed that his ability for playing the piano and using his ear to play music were remarkable talents.

Earl Hines, a fellow pianist and Pittsburgh resident, was a great example and influence for Garner. Garner’s level of success is often compared to the fame achieved by Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller. From 1947 through 1991, Erroll Garner recorded and released 15 records.

The most recent record from 1991 was “Body and Soul.” His most popular live recording was “Concert by the Sea” with bassist Eddie Calhoun and drummer Denzil Best. Other well-known albums included 1947’s “Giants of the Piano,” 1951’s “Erroll Garner at the Piano,” 1958’s “Paris Impressions” and 1967’s “That’s My Kick.” “Erroll Garner,” “Mambo Moves Garner,” “Misty,” “Feeling is Believing,” “Erroll Garner Amsterdam Concert,” “Erroll Garner Plays,” “Gemini,” “Magician” and “Play it Again Erroll” are the remaining of Garner’s recorded albums.

The United Kingdom hosted two rare consecutive appearances of Erroll Garner in 1964 on the British Broadcasting Corporation’s music series called “Jazz 625.” Garner performed with bassist Eddie Calhoun and drummer Kelly Martin in these performances. A notorious shot of Garner was taken during these sessions. This shot includes sweat running down Garner’s face due to extreme thought and concentration during the performances.

At the time of his death, Erroll Garner was well-known all over the world. On January 2, 1977, he died at the age of 56.

By: Duane Shinn