White—great choice for a bathroom

March 16, 2012 By

I’ve designed many bathrooms over the years, using a wide variety of materials from slate to granite, to glass. All have been beautiful and have suited the clients’ taste to a T. If I had to pick my own favorite projects, however, I would pick the ones where we used a lot of white. There’s just something so clean and pristine about white in a bathroom. And white is so versatile. It can be contemporary, traditional, glamorous, or spa-like depending on the accents used with it. Let me give you some examples:

There was the small traditional bathroom where we used white subway tiles in the shower, white hexagon tiles on the floor and white wainscoting on the walls. Accented with black toile window valance, a border of black hexagon tiles on the floor, and an antique oak wash basin instead of a vanity cabinet, the look is both clean and fresh, but also charming and homey.

Then there was the large master bath with the white claw foot bathtub front and center, white porcelain pedestal sinks, white bead board paneling, and the large walk-in shower featuring white tiles in three different shapes and patterns. Accented with a rich lilac wall paint above the bead board, this bathroom is just plain beautiful, oozing vintage charm.

One of my other favorites is a recent project—a stunning black and white and gray guest bath. White 9×12” wavy field tiles in the shower are accented with three bands of black glass tile mosaic. The vanity top is black granite, and the vanity cabinet is painted gray. The shower floor is made of black river rocks, and the rest of the bathroom floor is large 12×24 black porcelain tile. The high-contrast black and white color scheme is striking and contemporary. And the addition of the gray keeps it from looking too harsh. It’s a very sharp look.

White can also add a touch of glamour. I am just finishing up this master bath project: white quartz counter tops with a touch of silver sparkle, all white 9 x 12 field tiles in the shower and surrounding the spa tub; the accent is a band of 4 x 4 glass tiles backed with silver leaf, and the walls are a very soft light blue. With polished chrome fixtures, and the sun shining on the silver leaf, this bath gleams and glistens. It looks light and bright, but also very glamorous and elegant.

The new bath project I am just starting will have white quartz countertops, large white Carrara marble tiles on the floor, and will feature tile mosaic in light green, white, and clear and frosted glass. It will have a very spa-like feeling, soothing and relaxing, and light and airy.

White is an extremely versatile color that takes on a variety of looks depending on which materials you pair with it. If you are planning a bath remodel, look at the myriad choices of white tiles, glass, quartz, marble and even granite. You can design the bath of your dreams.

Filed Under: Bathrooms, Color, Interior Design Tagged With: ,

Ideas for a mini bath makeover

February 17, 2012 By

Is your bathroom in need of an update? There is a design solution for every budget. Before you begin, evaluate your needs and wants. Who will use this bathroom? What is the feeling you want to evoke? Do you want a luxurious spa bath or a whimsical, kid-friendly bath? Here are some ideas to get you started.

  1.  Start with a new piece of art. Purchase a new art print, or “borrow” one from another room in your house. Think creatively about artwork—frame calendar photos, or your kids’ paintings, or even greeting cards. Paint the walls, using a color from the artwork, and purchase new towels and accessories.
  2. Paint the ceiling. If you want to try some vibrant color but are hesitant to paint all of the walls, paint the ceiling. Consider colors like lavender, red, or apple green. Be sure and bring in art and accessories that contain your ceiling color. It will look amazing.
  3. As an alternative to paint, consider using wallpaper. Talk about dramatic! Cover one wall, or just the ceiling, or go ahead and cover all the walls. Choose a bold and dramatic pattern like a paisley or damask.
  4. For a luxurious spa bath feeling, stick with neutrals—select creams, whites, grays and tans for wall colors and accessories. Outfit the bath with aromatic lotions, soaps and candles, and of course fluffy white towels.
  5. Replace the light fixtures. Is there a ceiling light? For a romantic look, replace it with a small chandelier. Replace the outdated bar light with something more modern. The choices are endless.
  6. Change your light switch to a dimmer switch. Imagine relaxing in the tub with the lights dimmed and candles lit.
  7. Change the cabinet hardware. You can select whimsical knobs shaped like soccer balls or frogs, or glass knobs for a vintage look, cut crystal for an elegant look, and iron knobs for a rustic look.
  8. Keep knickknacks to a minimum. Because of their size, bathrooms will just look cluttered and crowded with too many accessories. Less is more—display one large, beautiful vase on the counter. Or borrow a model home trick and fill a large glass container with bars of soap.
  9. Update the towel bars and tissue holder. Again, there are so many choices, from traditional, to rustic, to modern. If you have chrome bath fixtures, nickel, Lucite, or chrome accessories will work well. If you have bronze fixtures, choose bronze towel bars.
  10. Is there room in your budget for a new tile floor? There is an incredible variety many of materials and finishes available today. I recently finished a bathroom project where we used tile that looks just like hardwood for the flooring. It looks fabulous. In another bath, we used glass tile mosaic as a perimeter border, surrounding 12” x 12” tiles.
  11. Add display space by mounting wall ledges or glass shelves on the wall above the toilet or towel bar. Prop or hang a piece of art, and add a bud vase of flowers and a candle.

 

Your new bath may become your favorite room in the house.

Filed Under: Bathrooms Tagged With:

Three unique baths for three unique clients

April 9, 2009 By

>This year so far, I’ve been lucky enough to help several clients with their bathroom remodeling projects. Three different clients, three very different bathrooms. This is the best part of my job– every client is unique, and I get to design spaces that really fit their taste and lifestyle. Maybe you can get some ideas for your own remodel.

Bathroom #1: Vintage Splendor
Picture this: Lots of white-on-white, very clean and pristine. White subway tile in the shower, accented by an embossed white border tile. White hexagon tiles on the floor. Gorgeous clawfoot tub, front and center, the focal point of this beautiful bathroom as you open the French doors. Overhead is a beautiful vintage chandelier, centered over the tub. White beadboard paneling, white porcelain sinks with shiny chrome fixtures. For color, we chose a lovely lavender paint for the walls, very calming, a nice contrast with all the white. The client, a fan of all things old-fashioned, is thrilled with the results.

Bathroom #2:
This bathroom will be a stunner when it is complete: chocolate-brown Emperadora Dark marble tile on the floor, and also as an accent in the shower. Fixtures are bronze finish, shower tiles are creamy-colored marble. The vanity is amazing– carved wood with ornate detailing, creamy white with a chocolate glaze distressed finish. The shower is embellished with a floor-to-ceiling custom shower curtain in chocolate-brown faux silk with an embroidered floral motif. My client can’t wait to show off this elegant bath.

Bathroom #3: Casual Country
With mossy green walls and crisp white trim, this bath is colorful and casual. The shower curtain adds pattern and color with stripes of blue, brown and terracotta. The shower tiles are rustic green, and the floor is a wood-look water-resistant material. The overall look is warm, cozy and casual.

Filed Under: Bathrooms, Home Decorating

Little inexpensive things mean a lot in spiffing up a room

October 11, 2003 By

You want a new look but you don’t want to spend a lot of money. In this column, I’ll give you suggestions for how to improve the look and feel of your rooms easily and inexpensively. One of the simplest ways to add drama and flare to your home is to paint those white walls. If you are afraid of color, start with tan or taupe. Those colors will provide a nice backdrop for your furnishings and will instantly warm up your room. Once you use color on your walls, you’ll never go back to plain white. For other ideas, let’s begin at the front door. If your entry is too small for a table, hang a crown-molding ledge with a mirror above it to create a space for dropping keys and mail. Create a collage of family photos using large mats and frames.

Living room: Try a new furniture arrangement. Pull the sofa away from the wall and experiment with angles. Trade table lamps with those in another room. Place a collection of candles inside your fireplace opening, or decorate the fireplace with a beautiful new screen. Red is a very popular color this year—bring some red into your room with new red throw pillows for your sofa and chairs. Add a tall indoor tree behind your sofa or beside your entertainment center to soften the hard edges. Hide your remotes in a beautiful lidded basket or velvet box. Store CDs in a new storage ottoman that can also be used as extra seating. Add a touch of elegance to your bookcase by displaying only your hardback books. Remove the book jackets to reveal their linen covers and gold lettering.

Dining room: Reupholster your dining room chairs to give them a new look. Consider microsuede fabric for a contemporary look that is also easy to clean. Create a Fall centerpiece with an odd number of pillar candles of varying heights placed on a tray or platter, surrounded by natural elements such as pinecones, stones, leaves, even pomegranates or mini pumpkins. Rearrange your china cabinet—use the dinner plates on stands as backdrops for the crystal goblets.

Kitchen: Pour your dish soap into an attractive stainless steel or ceramic soap dispenser instead of leaving the ugly bottle on your counter. Store as many small appliances as you can to free up counter space and create a clean, uncluttered look. Replace the knobs on just one of your cabinets with some fun, whimsical designs that reflect your personality. Try knobs shaped like golf balls, leaves, dragonflies, even spoons and forks. Treat yourself to colorful new towels and potholders to replace those old, worn ones.

Bathrooms: A vase of fresh flowers from your garden is always a nice touch. As in the kitchen, pour liquid hand soap into an attractive dispenser. Update your cabinet knobs. Hang a piece of beautiful art.

Bedroom: Display only 1-3 items on your dresser. Add candles and flowers for ambiance. Create more room on your nightstand by replacing your table lamps with wall-mounted lamps. Purchase 3-5 throw pillows in colors that coordinate with your bedspread. Create a headboard by hanging drapery panels on a rod on the wall behind your bed.

This article first appeared in Alameda Newspaper Group papers on October 11, 2003.

Filed Under: Bathrooms, Bedrooms, Home Decorating, Kitchens