Archive for the ‘Bathroom’ Category

Storage: The illusive space

Monday, October 24th, 2011

“We created a ’secret’ staircase, hidden from the main reception room, to access a new loft bedroom lit by roof lights. Limited by space, we melded the idea of a staircase with our client’s desire for a library to form a ‘library staircase’ in which English oak stair treads and shelves are both completely lined with books…” Levitate’s Tim Sloan

Every now and then, in design, we stumble upon some gems like this, where London-based Levitate Architects, created a secret multi-functional staircase/ bookcase, leading to a loft bedroom, in a 70sqm, 1868 Victorian apartment. The unique shape of the stairs allows readers to comfortably search and sit to enjoy their favourite book.

Storage is a major issue in most homes, as we struggle to find enough space for all the treasures found along our way. But it is particularly frustrating in a small house or apartment, and so designers have spent many years, trying to find the perfect solutions.

In the past when thinking about storage, we tended to think about only floor space, but once you start thinking about wall space, then a whole new line of solutions come to mind. Even in your local DIY shops, one can now find a number of great tall storage units, behind smooth non-invasive doors, wall mounted shelves and brackets for your TV and stereo, and even under-the-bed storage that doesn’t take away any of our precious space. But if you’re curious about what the designers are up to, then keep reading, because one can’t help but have a giggle when one sees what we come up with in our quest for the illusive storage space.

“Do you have an old garden bench or one of those wooden benches which are frequently beside dining tables or in entry halls? Try attaching it upside down on the wall. Use the shelf created by the bench top to display collections. Just think of using a white distressed bench as a shelf for teddy bears in a child’s room.

Want a wonderful idea for towel storage in a bathroom? Try attaching a window box or planter to the wall and fill with folded towels and washcloths, soaps or creams. Add trim and paint to make a unique storage unit.”

Fortunately for us mortals, our professional designers do get it right on occasion and here are some that made the news this month: Our first story comes from an apartment in Hong Kong, where an architect, by using shifting wall units suspended from steel tracks, created space for his kitchen, laundry room, library a lounge with a hammock, dressing room, a dining room and even a wet bar.

And another article in the New York times reveals these solutions of built in cabinets; in the floor used as a stage, a lifting seat becomes extra storage for some of the owners instruments, while eighty linear feet of oak cabinetry and wall to wall wardrobes in the bedroom and lounge, leave the house in Soho clutter-free from Mrs Green’s CDs and cookbooks, and Mr Green’s work desk, 200 instruments and other household belongings.

Targeting “do it yourselfers,” Jessica Ackerman writes regularly for WallDecorandHomeAccents.com, offering simple illustrations of Southwestern wall art and contemporary wall artwork.

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Make a Shower Curtain with Matching Towels from a Sheet

Monday, November 29th, 2010

There are times when you find the perfect shower curtain, only to be disappointed by the outrageous price. However, sheets come in so many beautiful colors and patterns these days that you can create a stunning, coordinated look for your bathroom with a sheet and matching pillow cases. Some easy sewing will turn them into a beautifully coordinated shower curtain and matching hand towels.

From Sheet to Shower Curtain

A flat sheet for a standard full size bed can be used to create a decorative shower curtain; a vinyl liner will be needed on the inside since the sheet is not waterproof. The sheet comes already hemmed on each side so there is not much required sewing to turn it into a stylish shower curtain.

You have several choices for attaching the sheet to the curtain rod. You can simply slip the curtain rod through the wide hem at the top of the sheet; snip the side stitches and slide the rod through the pocket. In this case, you will need a second inner rod to hold the shower liner. Alternately, you can install grommets to hang the sheet; grommets can be found at any hardware store, sewing store or home goods store. Lay the top edge of the sheet on a work table and fold it over, making a three-inch hem folded over toward the back side. Use an iron to steam press the fold; repeat with another three-inch hem, and iron again. This extra thickness in the material will help secure the grommets and keep the material from fraying. Cut slits in the sheet and install the grommets approximately two inches from the top edge; refer to package for directions on how to hammer the grommets in place.

The final choice is to create a three inch hem at the top of the sheet and sew it in place. Use a hole punch and slide shower hooks through the holes; a hole punch designed for use with leather or thick material will be the easiest to work with. With either grommets or punched holes, the holes should be spaced every six inches. You can use the holes in the vinyl liner as a template.

Make Matching Towels

Pillow cases that match the sheet can be used to create embellishments on plain towels and finish your coordinated bath ensemble. Choose plain towels in a color that coordinates nicely with the sheet set. Cut a strip of fabric from the pillow case, folding the unfinished edges under and sew the strip onto the bottom of the towel, one to two inches from the bottom edge. Or, instead of creating a straight embellishment, you can also use any pattern in the sheets as an embellishment. For example, it the sheets feature a graphic floral design, cut out the design and attach it to the towel by hand stitching it or using fusible fabric adhesive.

Enjoy your stylish new bathroom! You may be inspired now to underscore the new style with new accessories and wall decor: From cottage style wrought iron sculptures and candle holders to inspirational verses and metal wall crosses, online retailers offer a vast array of items to suit any taste and budget.

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Fresh Tile Motifs for a Bathroom Update

Friday, November 26th, 2010

If you have grown tired of the monotonous look of white, square tiles covering the walls and floors of your bathroom, then maybe it is time that you considered fresh tile motifs for a bathroom update.   You will be pleasantly surprised at the wide array of tile that is available now – the different colors, sizes, shapes and materials that you can buy are quite astounding.  Decide upon the atmosphere that you want to create in the shower or bath, whether it is refreshing, luxurious, or relaxing – and let that be your guide for this fun DIY project.

Rock or Stone

Sleek, natural stone can be used to replace the white ceramic tiles in your bathroom – and this is a selection that you won’t soon regret.  Lend luxury and elegance to your bath with large stone tiles in warmer, neutral shades or with white marble tiles or those in varying shades.  This style is popular for the master bath, and allows for a relaxing ambience that will allow you to recharge your ‘batteries’ at day’s end.

Another option that is trendy right now is cobblestone.  This also gives you a fun sensation underfoot.  River rock tiles are extremely attractive and can be a fabulous complement to the outdoorsy look of the bathroom that can accentuate an open shower.

Mosaic Glass

A stylishly crafted mosaic cross the walls of the shower will add a perky feel to the morning shower.  Glass tiles are perfect to catch the light within the bathroom and create an effect that is illuminating.  Due to the fact that the shapes and colors of glass tile are so varied, you can easily craft a unique design within the bath with them.  The glass mosaic tile is very durable and watertight, which makes it a wise option for the often used shower.

Unique Textures and Shapes

You can also get a fresh shower look by installing unexpectedly shaped or textured tiles.  For example, a circular tile or modern tile with abstract shapes can bring a hip ambience to the shower.  You can find tiles with textural grooves and pyramidal or domed tile that will bring a vibrant look to any space.  Experiment with the installation of an accent of tiles along the shower walls.

The grout you select can also work with your shower update.  You will discover grout in various shades and colors to create different looks with the tile.  For instance, black grout with aqua blue tiles will bring out the color of the tile in a way that white grout cannot do.

DIY painting or stenciling

An inexpensive update for your shower tiles is painting the tile or stenciling your own designs onto the tile.  Be sure that tiles are thoroughly clean and dried before beginning to paint. You may also wish to use sandpaper in order to dull the tile’s surface so that your paint will affix to the tile correctly.  Use epoxy enamel paint that resists temperature and humidity change.  Choose stencil designs and colors that match the rest of your dеcor in the bathroom and you’ll be able to add character and style to a ho-hum dull shower with ease. Tile can totally transform your bathroom. Now finish the look with large wall planters, framed artwork, and wrought iron grilles and make the transition complete.

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How to Replace a Toilet Fixture

Saturday, September 18th, 2010

There may be times when you need to replace a bathroom toilet fixture. Perhaps the existing toilet is broken or cracked, or you may want a different style for a bathroom makeover because the old harvest gold toilet from 1972 clashes with your new garden wall decor or flowers wall decor. While you may need a professional to install a toilet in a new bathroom that was not previously plumbed, replacing an existing toilet is a job that is well within the skill set of an average do-it-yourself homeowner. Generally, the project will require basic tools and about an hour of your time.

Supplies Needed

Of course, you will need to purchase the new toilet and a wax ring with anchor bolts. You will also need a level and an adjustable wrench. When you purchase the toilet, take the time to thoroughly inspect it for cracks or chips and then transport it in a way that won’t damage the bowl or the tank.

Remove the Old Toilet

To remove the old toilet, start by turning off the water supply lines; flush the toilet a few times to remove any excess water. A sponge or old towels can be used to sop up any residual water in the tank or bowl. If there is any caulking around the base of the toilet, loosen it with a utility knife. Disconnect the water lines and unscrew the bolts that mount the toilet to the floor and lift the whole unit, preferably with help. Keep the toilet as level as possible to minimize spillage of water from the inner workings of the toilet and set it in a plastic bag or tub, then remove it from the house.

Install the New Toilet

Scrape away any remaining caulk and any remnants of the previous wax ring to level the floor before installing the new toilet. You’ll be able to see the flange from the old toilet. New flange bolts should be included with the new wax ring: Set the flange bolts in place in the flange so that they are sticking straight up, then set the wax ring in between the two flange bolts, centered on the flange. With help, carefully lower the new toilet down onto the wax ring, making sure that the flange bolts are lined up and come through the openings on the base of the toilet. Gently set the toilet down on the wax ring; to seat the wax ring, gently sit on the toilet to press the toilet into the wax ring. Next, evenly tighten the flange bolts on both sides of the toilet, but do not over-tighten them: Note that the flange bolts do not hold the toilet down, they just keep it from sliding or moving. Check that the toilet is even and level by using a level; if necessary, carefully adjust the level with the flange bolts.

Attach the tank to the toilet: Turn the tank upside down, attach the rubber gasket and then set the tank back on top of the toilet. Next, attach the screws: On the inside of the tank, you’ll find three screw holes. Attach the screws with the rubbers on the inside of the tank. Then on the bottom side of the tank, where the screws come through the toilet, slide the rubber onto the screw, then the washer and then the nut. Tighten everything evenly taking care not to over-tighten.

Finally, reattach the water lines and turn the water on slowly and check for leaks; tighten and adjust the water line bolts as needed. Let the tank refill and flush to check that the wax seal is properly seated and then run a bead of caulk along the perimeter of the toilet where it meets the floor.

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Bringing Trendy Designs to the Bathroom

Saturday, August 21st, 2010

Decorating the bathroom can really be a lot of fun, and since it is usually a smaller room in the house, it can be redecorated on a very meager budget. So when you spot a new style that you want to try out in your home, the bathroom is the perfect place to start a trend.

Featuring Color

Let color take center stage. For example, if you want to create a tranquil and soothing bathroom design, you can feature blue in your bathroom design. By taking blue and using it in a multitude of different tones you can create an amazing design in your room. Then anchor the color with brown and accent it with white for a stunning bathroom design.

Gray, while technically a neutral color, is becoming a very trendy design color. Even though this is a very refined color, it can serve as a background for brighter, more playful colors to lighten the tone of the design. For example, you can pair it with lemon yellow to create a very modern looking bathroom design. Then pull the colors into your accessories and even use it in some decorative tile to really finish off the look of the room.

Eco-friendly Materials

Decorating with planet-friendly materials is another growing trend. From fixtures to floor, you can incorporate sustainable materials and planet friendly products in your bathroom design. Bathrooms designed with the health of the planet in mind tend to have a very hip and chic vibe. By incorporating materials like recycled glass, reclaimed wood, jute and bamboo, these bathroom designs also tend to have a lot of color and character.

Innovative Tiling

Still another trend for decorating the modern bathroom is to include creative and imaginative tiling designs. Unlike the plain white or neutral tiles of older bathrooms, much of the new tiles are interesting textures, shapes, materials and colors. You can create many interesting and varied looks by combining tiles in a certain way, and the looks are limitless. For example, you may want to design a shower wall that is outlined in mosaic glass tiles. Or you may want to bring in pebble stone texture for walls, floors, or countertops. Paired with some beautiful, natural plants, you can create a lovely bathroom with a very organic vibe.

Bathroom Spa

A trend that has been around for a while and is still going strong is the spa designed bathroom. Adding luxury fixtures like massage jets in the bathtub or multiple shower heads in the shower, you can begin to evoke the feeling of a spa in your very own bathroom. Then continue on to make the rest of the room as sleek and soothing as possible. Add dimmer switches to the lights, and bring in accessories like towels and area rugs that are soft and luxurious. Use a pale green or blue for your wall color and add wall art designed with nature in mind, such as a tree of life metal wall sculpture or outdoor garden wall art.

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The Perfect Palette for a Modern Bathroom

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

One of the fun things about decorating the bathroom is that it is one of the smaller rooms in your house, so you can usually to have some fun while you are decorating it. Since the room is typically small, it is a great space to decorate with modern and trendy paint colors. You can completely update the look of your bathroom just by repainting the walls, and you can even paint the floor, if you use the proper primer and paint, to change the look of the room even more.

Go Bold

If you love bright colors, you can certainly work them into your bathroom design. Look for modern colors like lemon, raspberry or teal, and use them to repaint your walls. If you have white or pale neutral colored bathroom fixtures, they will simply pop off of the brightly colored walls. Finish out the room with white or neutral colored accessories, or you can select a complementary color to work into the accessories if you want even more design excitement in the room. From metal trees wall art to boldly painted fish metal art, online stores have options to suit every taste.

Go Rich

For a more elegant bathroom design, you may prefer to employ a rich, saturated jewel tone color palette. For this design, you probably want to keep your room very neutral and light, like taupe or gray. Then use your jewel tones in your accessories and balance them throughout your entire room. You might even want to work in a cobalt or amethyst accent wall, and then pick the same color up in artwork, towels and bathmats.

Think Themes

Another way to look at color is to select several that will help to define a theme within the room. For example, you might want to build your theme around a trip to the Caribbean. To support this theme, choose blue and green hues, and then you can mix in a pearl cream finish for trim and accents.

Stylish and Sophisticated

Another great color combination to use when designing your bathroom is one that allows for a lot of contrast, crisp white beside a deep, navy blue. The resulting room design can be very sophisticated and stylish. You can also use dark colors like charcoal gray, violet or black, and if you use them on the walls, your white bathroom fixtures will literally pop off of the background. You do have to be careful, though, to keep your room from getting too dark with color combination; so when including these colors on your walls, remember that a little goes a long way.

Soft and Elegant

You can also create a soft and elegant look in your bathroom by decorating it in shades of white and cream. Light, neutral fixtures will blend into your color palette, so the eye will travel through the room uninterrupted. By staying with softer shades of white like eggshell and cream, your bathroom design will have a warm yet elegant feel to it, and the room will be bright and inviting.

Earthy and Grounded

Combining a dark and light color to create a rich and earthy design is a great way to construct a bathroom design that is grounded and comfortable. By using a color combination like brown and blue, you can create a warm room while creating a striking design. Ground the bottom half of the room in a cinnamon brown, and use a light aqua around the top half of the room to keep it light and open. Then you echo those colors in your accessories.

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Easy, New Bathroom Floor with Paint

Saturday, June 26th, 2010

If you are brightening up a small bathroom, and you do not have a budget to replace the dark, linoleum flooring, you may want to take a different approach to updating the look of your room. You can paint a linoleum floor quite successfully, and the same is true for vinyl or tile. Painting your bathroom floor can be a durable and viable alternative to replacing it.

No matter what kind of flooring you have in your bathroom now, you have to prepare it properly so that your paint will adhere properly. If you do take the time to prepare your surface properly, you can count on your newly painted floor serving your well for many years. The typical prep work involves cleaning and sanding the surface before applying primer and paint.

Clean the Surface

Cleaning the surface properly is one of the most important steps for painting the floor, especially for tile. Make sure that you have removed all grime, mold and mildew from the surface. If you do not completely remove them, they will continue to grow, and they will undermine the integrity of the paint. To thoroughly strip grease and grime from the floor surface, use ammonia based cleaner. You can find commercial cleaners that have a mild abrasive that will help to remove some of the gloss from the tile. Vinyl floors that have lightly textured surfaces can be cleaned with tri-sodium phosphate, and you can use TSP on linoleum floors too. Of course if the floor has any wax on it, you will have to strip the wax from the floor before you even think of painting.

Prime and Sand

To finish removing the gloss from the floor, you can sand the entire area. Using coarse grade sandpaper, finish roughing up the surface, and then vacuum up the dust and mop the floor. After it is completely dry, you can begin painting by applying two coats of quality primer to the floor, making sure to let it thoroughly dry between coats. Use oil based primer, because it is imperative that the primer makes good contact with the flooring material and adheres well. Using a roller to apply the paint on the floor will help guarantee a smooth finish.

Time to Paint

Now you can paint the floor any color or combination that you wish. Again, oil based paints are more durable for this application than latex. As you begin painting, make sure that you do not paint yourself into a corner, literally. So begin by cutting in the paint on the perimeter of your floor, and then go the corner of your bathroom that is farthest from the doorway. With a roller apply your paint in thin, even strokes moving towards the door as you paint. It is much better to apply three or four thin coats of paint than two thicker coats. Of course, always let your paint thoroughly dry in between applications.

After the last coat of your base paint has dried, you can apply any design that you wish to your floor. A stenciled border adds interest to the floor, or you may prefer a more random pattern throughout the room. After the paint is dry, finish up the job with a couple of coats of water based polyurethane. Oil based polyurethane tends to yellow the paint, so use water based polyurethane for a clear seal that will combat premature wear. Finish up your bathroom with colorful wall art, such as vibrant tropical wall sculptures or a naturalistic tree wall art hanging.

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Walk-In Showers Have Many Benefits

Friday, May 21st, 2010

Image credit to jacbt.

Back in the days before indoor plumbing, you really did not have much of a choice other than to bathe in a tub.  However, those days are long gone, and now might be a good time to re-evaluate your bathing options.  Many homes, especially older ones, are outfitted with a shower/tub combination in the bathroom.  And while this solution fits a lot of function into a tiny space, it may not make for the most comfortable bathing experience.  Consider instead adding a walk in shower to your bathroom for looks and convenience.

Space Saver – Even though a walk in shower probably will take up the footprint of your old bathtub, it can create the illusion of much more space in your room by visually opening up the room.  The enclosure is generally made of glass, which lets a lot of open space and light into the room.  And if you are trying to reclaim some floor space in your bathroom, a shower can actually be installed in a smaller space than a tub, giving you more wall space for storage shelves or wall art, like a new unique candle wall sconces from your favorite art site.

Options – The great thing about a walk-in shower is that you can make it as small or as large as you like.  You can create a spa feeling by using natural elements like wood and stone.  You can add multiple showerheads to the space, and you can place them at any height or angle that works for you.  Add to this your soft, fluffy towels, a great mirror and some scented candles, and you have created a spa experience for your home.  There are many tiles, shapes, enclosures, and door styles from which to choose as you design your walk-in shower.

Up to Date – If a modern bathroom space, you can ditch your old, moldy shower curtain and make every surface in the room, crisp and sleek.  Bright tiles and clean lines make a beautifully, stylish modern bathroom space.

Installation – When you are getting ready to install your new walk-in shower, if you are at all handy, you can do it yourself, especially if you do not have to move any plumbing hook ups.  Always check the integrity of your floor to make sure that it is sturdy enough to hold up the new enclosure.

Maintenance – When it comes to cleaning your new built-in shower, you are going to pat yourself on the back for installing it in the first place.  All of the water drains to the center of the floor, and all you need to do is wipe down the glass.

Accessibility – A built in shower is a great solution for anyone with mobility problems.  Whether it is a small child, an elderly or a disabled person, adding a build in shower to your bathroom gives everyone easy access for their bathing needs.

Budget Friendly – A built in shower can be a friend to your wallet in a couple of ways.  In general, taking a shower uses far less water than taking a bath, which saves on utility bills, and installing a walk in shower increases the value of your home.

Image credit to seligmanwaite.

Saves Time – With everyone busy and in a hurry, showering is a much quicker way to bathe than drawing a bath.  So by adding a built in shower to your bathroom, not only do you save time and money, but it will look beautiful as well.

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