Bathrooms a bit of Refreshment

Style.  It is a word that seems simple enough to comprehend, yet it is so often misunderstood.  The mystery of it lies in the fact that though one immediately knows when it is present, its exact nature is difficult to analyze.  Though classic in character, its distinction lies in its ability to surprise, reinterpret, reinvent.

This phrase could be used about David Snyder, and is out of the book "Epoustouflant", meaning extraordinary interior design.

In talking about bathrooms, now it depends on which bathroom you are doing.  Is it a guest bathroom? A children's bathroom, a teen's bathroom, the master bathroom?  Is it a powder room, meaning no bathtub or shower?  Decide which one to do first.  Even if it is just to refresh it a bit.

So let' first talk about the Master Bathroom.  Once again, I can tell you, I love hooks.  If you have a solid door, a hook on the back is handy for hanging up robes, clothing, or bath towels if necessary.  I love a towel ring or a hook next to each sink for a hand towel, as it is needed to dry your hands constantly.  A hook or two in a linen closet, are great for hanging up a hair dryer or a curling iron.  Jut twirl the cord around it and it stays in place and out of the way.  It is also a space saver. 

Lighting is also very important in the bathroom.   A woman needs lots of light for putting on make-up, doing her hair, and all else for hygiene.  There are magnifying mirrors that can be attached to the wall that have different light.  I prefer fluorescent lighting above my sink as it is a brighter white.  As you get older, you may not want a harsh light as it shows everything, I prefer it so I know how to fix what  I am looking at.  At one time I had a travel magnifying mirror that had suction cups and attached to  mirror.  I left in on a ship while taking a cruise.  I must add that to my list of things to buy.  I love crystal chandeliers in a bathroom, if you have a space for one.  I have one over the bathtub.  It adds elegance to a bathroom.  I also love a ceiling fan in my bathroom.  I feel all bathrooms should have one.  This may compromise lighting, so check with a lighting expert at your local home center to see what is available.

Depending on the size of your bathroom, depends on what you can do with lighting.  Before you buy, look at your choices.  Many stores have a return policy, that if it doesn't look good or fit the space, as long as you repack it and keep the receipt, you should be able to return it.  I keep all my receipts for each project so I can look them up quickly.  File by month and room.

I look for good carpets at garage sales.  I prefer an oriental rug in the master bedroom.  A print or geometric, or even a nice border rug looks good.  I find the best one's at places you can't even imagine.  Look online.  Sometimes you'll just get lucky.  I don't like to spend a lot of money on rugs as you could ruin one just by dropping something on it.  I bought a beautiful 8' oval with fringe at an estate sale for $50.00.  It is perfect. The color matches just like I would have looked for. If it lasts a few years, I am super happy.  Although I am sure it will last way longer.  Area rugs make a room.  Besides taking the hollow sounding sound out of a room, they add beauty and color.

I love to put glass jars, or  pretty clear plastic in a bathroom for cotton Balls and Q-tips, and the likes.  Put a vase in your bath or several, and fill with artificial flowers.  It makes one happy without even thinking about it.  Flowers are a happy thing.  When I have guests, I put fresh flowers in their bath and bedroom.  Just a little extra that says , Hello! I've thought of you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Towels are kind of a personal thing.  Everyday towels, I like to be able to bleach, it keeps them looking fresh.  I have some colored towels that I might use when I entertain and some very fancy ones I use for parties.  Even plain towels can be transformed so easily.  Joanne Fabrics has some very exquisite trims.  You can stitch them on in a matter of minutes.  If you can't, perhaps a friend will help.  You can get a great look for a small amount of money, and you can use coupons.

More tomorrow on the other bathrooms is you home.

A bit about your home!

A house should be a reflection of the people who live there. 

If you want to feel a part of the tradition that you were brought up in or one you have seen, it is very easy.  Start your own tradition!!  Mix things from a lot of different periods.  If you have a lot of antiques, and feel you are stuck in the past, go beyond.  Color, Color, Color!

It is easier than ever to design with cultural treasures you have collected or are beginning to collect, from around the world. 

Take ideas from places you have visited or been to, it is so easy with cameras or smart phones.  Even in stores, TAKE A PICTURE of something you really like.  An old Cliché, "A picture is worth a thousand words".

Yesterday we talked about layer upon layer with a picture of pillows.  The following is another way to layer color, this time in a bathroom:

 

Notice, that plain old orange crates have been whitewashed and towels rolled up in them.  Imagination!  Texture and patterns are visually stimulating.  I think this is a great idea for a bath off of a pool area for pool towels.  Notice the compliments of color in each area.  This could be a garden of flowers in all colors.  Don't be afraid to experiment.

 

Look back on design in the past 50 years.  It is easy online or at the library.  There are what I will call Retro shops popping up all over and in magazines many pictures or reproductions of the retro look.  Many pictures of retro ideas, combined with things that are newer.

 

If you are not ready to redo something in your house, get a group of friends together, discuss ideas, help each other with their projects.  This is brainstorming. what a lot of large corporations do to come up with ideas.  One person can't possibly come up with all these ideas.  Look at a design magazine.  They are made up of  lot of design articles by many not just one person.  And believe it or not, many of these ideas have been around for a long time coming from greats like Carlton Varney or Sister Parrish.

 

Try something new each week, say for one year.  I started with fresh flowers.  Each week I buy a different color.  The next week, change throw pillows.  Now I have a habit doing these two things.  Each week, fresh flowers, and a change of throw pillows. Remember early on I told you about my grandchildren saying they will never buy a throw pillow because of me.  I have all colors of pillows and store the ones I am not using in the attic.  Make a list of what you own in a notebook, things that are put away, check it out from time to time, you may have something packed away that you can use.  Recently, it was a couple of light fixtures from my mothers house.  One crystal chandelier is in the master bathroom over the tub, and the other is going in the hallway.  Later, I will show you some pictures. I move accessories around each time I dust.  These things become habits and sometimes it is all you need to lift your spirits.  Make a wish list for each room of your house.  Try and check off one item each month.  It really will work.  Many times you can find these things on sale, or at Marshalls, Home Goods, T J Max, or Ross.  My favorite place to look besides these places is Dillard's and Macy's.  I have found that Hobby Lobby has some of the prettiest artificial flowers, so I add some here and there.  Today, I changed a vase on my Dining Room table to Pink and White tulips.  It was in my family room with just white tulips, and I found some pink ones on sale and added them to my whites.  Really looks pretty.

 

 

Just look at the beauty in nature.  This was clipped out of a magazine, I really don't know when but the combination of color just jumped at me.  I am going to do my pool area adding some purple and pink for fun.

 

This is how an idea starts. Feel free to ask me questions on how I can help you make some very small changes.

 

Tomorrow, back to the subject of light,  I jump around consistently.