Home Design with Kevin Sharkey

The Brooklyn Museum at night.

The Brooklyn Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston have decided to partner up for an exhibition on John Singer Sargent's watercolors.

The 93 pieces represent Sargent's best work in this medium. Brooklyn is exhibiting thirty-eight watercolors purchased in 1909. The subjects include Venetian scenes, Mediterranean sailing vessels, intimate portraits, and Bedouin subjects. Boston's collection of watercolors purchased in 1912 feature subjects from his travels; the Italian Alps, villa gardens near Lucca, the marble quarries of Carrara, as well as portraits.

It has been a very long time since these works of art were displayed together and once the show is over, it will be a very long time for them to reunited again. If you live in New York, or will be visiting the city between now and July 28th, I encourage you to go. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity!

In a Medici Villa, 1906, John Singer Sargent, Brooklyn Museum

Corfu: Lights and Shadows, 1909, John Singer Sargent, The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The Cashmere Shawl, 1911, John Singer Sargent, The Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Can't make it to Brooklyn for the exhibit? You can still take in the beauty of Sargent's work in these books:

1. World-renowned art critic Carter Ratcliff's 2001 book "John Singer Sargent" covers the breadth of the artist's career. ($47)

2. The Boston/BAM collaboration is documented in the recently released "John Singer Sargent: Watercolors." ($37)

3. The first in a series of catalogs of Sargent's work, "John Singer Sargent, Complete Paintings: The Early Portraits" examines works from Sargent's early career, when he was still establishing himself in Paris. ($50)

When I was remodeling my laundry room a few years back, it was important to me that everything had a place. We installed hooks on the walls for easy, accessible storage for cleaning tools. I got rid of messy stacked bins, and installed cabinetry on the walls for hidden storage of detergent and other household products. I'm coveting this functional island from the Home Decorator's Collection.The drawers are perfect for smaller storage, while the open shelves make it easy to find commonly used items.

Speaking of laundry, did you see Martha on the TODAY show this morning, giving her tips and tricks for laundry perfection? Watch the clip HERE and check out more images from the Home Decorator's Collection below.

In addition to my passion for great design and skilled craftsmen, I highly value fine art. Recently, I've found the delicately composed work of fine artist Carel Fabritius to be contemplative and profound.

This Dutch, Baroque painter of portraits, genre and narrative subjects was one of Rembrandt's most promising and significant pupils and greatly influenced the 17th century stylistic development of the school of Delft. Tragically, Fabritius passed at the age of 32 in an explosion at a gunpowder magazine in Delft, along with most of his work. He was rediscovered and celebrated by Theophile Thore-Burer the esteemed 17th century French critic.

Today his works can be found at the  Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, and National Gallery of Art Washington D.C as well as museums in Canada, London, France and the Netherlands. Should you find yourself with the opportunity to view his work in person, I hope you find it just as mediative as I do.