How to design your powder room.

Powder rooms are a unique space in the home. While they're a bathroom, they are typically off the main hallway or rooms of a home, so you have an opportunity to be expressive and dramatic.  Despite the small space, using intense colors, themes and lighting is fabulous rather than restrictive, since the room is meant to be used for brief periods and not to get dressed or apply makeup.  Bold, dramatic light fixtures are OK as are going 'over the top' with deep tones and large scale lighting.  

Wall treatments: If you love the glamour of metallics and your home is traditional, don't be afraid to use a striking wall covering. If your living room is too small for a richly textured old world finish, it's OK to do it in the powder room.  Do the ceiling too.

Lighting: Bold, sparkly, over-sized and deeply shaded fixtures. Under counter lighting sets a wonderful tone, and if you use the right material (glass, onyx, acrylics) you can even light the counter.

Cabinetry: Unusual pieces, re-purposed furnishings, exotic materials and woods. I love using re-claimed logs as counters, and even scoop out the center of large pieces of lumber to create the sink.

Tile: For me, this is not a room that needs a backsplash. You're not washing up in that room. GO ahead and tile the whole back wall. Make it a textured, iridescent or unusual material.

Plumbing:  A hands-free faucet is ideal. Go for the bold and artistic. Use a great wall hung toilet, a no-tank model, or a unique color toilet.

 Mirrors: Use one or not.  Bold frames, large scale, interesting glass. All work well.

 

Bathroom design tips for an enduring style.

When you are planning a bath remodel, consider using one of my favorite ideas to customize your design:

1) Use glass.  Adding walls or shower enclosures of glass will open the space.Whether you use standard glass, glass blocks, an obscure glass, or custom privacy glass, the results will be fantastic.

2) Add legs. Instead of placing cabinets on toe kicks, use furniture style legs. 

3) Teak it up. Teak is a favorite material for bathrooms with its natural water resistance.  How about a teak fold-down bench?  A shower mat?  The shower floor? 

4) Upscale.  Bathing or showering as a couple can be practical as well as romantic. Increase the size of your walk-in shower or spa tub for function and enjoyment.

5) Think commercial.  Commercial fixtures like linear drains, hands free faucets and auto-flush toilets are sleek and highly functional. An added bonus is superb durability and water savings.

Adding curves and a platform creates drama.

6) Go curvy.  Many bathrooms are strictly linear; the addition of curves imparts softness and interest. How about a platform for the spa tub? The edges of the vanities? With more space you can design a curved shower enclosure.

7) Define the spaces.  Rather than set all of the fixtures and cabinets onto a uniform floor, if you have the space, delineate it with meandering tile designs leading towards each functional area.  Doing so adds artistry, accentuates cabinetry, defines functional areas (wet-dry) and even allows for more creative use of surface materials.

8) Take it outside. With a second home that is used seasonally, try creating an outdoor shower or soak tub area in lieu of a hot tub.  Using materials designed to withstand weather changes, you can expand your home and capture the essence of the surrounding environment.

Awesome tile for your bath

We don't like to use the same tile for a client - EVER. So, seeking out new products, suppliers, and styles is our forte. Take a look at the ones we've found for our showroom! Come by and take a look!

Great products that give an update to traditional styling.

While contemporary design is emerging in furnishings and fixtures everywhere - just pick up a magazine or store catalog to see the trends -  most of the US loves traditional product design.  Chrome finishes, white tiles, and beige paint are the norm. When undergoing updates or remodels, it's nice to add products and finishes that while classic, have a fresh new look.  Not only do you gain technology - water efficiency and environmental friendliness - you often gain function with better scale, finishes, and performance.  I've found a few that I classify as transitional since they feature classical design style but a sleeker look that may appeal to hard-core traditionalists as well as those who want to add modern flair to their homes.

Faucets: Watermark makes this widespread faucet with classic styling but longer spouts, lever handles to comply with the principles of universal design, and a durable chrome finish. It would look at home on a pedestal sink or in a master bath suite. They offer multiple finishes and an array of styles in products for kitchen and bath. 

Moen has a wall-mounted faucet in three finishes, for traditionalists that love vessel style sinks but not the tall deck versions. A softly curving spout, updated lever handles, and beautiful porcelain inlays, make this the perfect blend of old and new. Available in three finishes and inlay options.

Bathroom vanities:  The shaped legs, rich wood, and marble top on this Kalista vanity are traditional features that are updated by the slim lines. A larger counter surface is balanced by a nicely scaled sink. In a small bathroom this is dynamite when paired with marble hexagonal or subway style tiles on flooring and walls.

Xylem also has some vanities that cross the boundary between Craftsman and Modern. Their Capri vanity in a deep espresso finish has nice finish details that offer a nice transitional style.

Lighting: The Massena pendant is Hudson Valley Lighting’s contemporary update to a classic schoolhouse light fixture.  Available in two sizes, the light features a metal shade and a metal frame, with a round ceiling canopy. Pendants can be specified in old bronze, polished nickel, satin nickel, and white glass with polished nickel accents.

In an updated brushed nickel finish, this wall sconce by Brass Lighting Gallery is a fine example of a more linear, modern edge for a bath sconce. Wonderful for a powder room or guest bath - in pairs - and the lines can be perceived as Deco and Retro if you're aiming for period style.

Sinks: The Shaw farmhouse sink by Rohl is another great example of better technology applied to classically styled kitchen sink. Its fireclay material resists scratches, thermal shock, alkaline and acids, and maintains radiant appearance. 

Hardware:  Baldwin has added a fabulous style search to its website. You can identify your preferred style by room photos and hardware finishes.  Their line of Classic Hardware has everything from embellished to simple knobs, levers and pulls and you can find some wonderful transitional styles for your project. 

Options for finishes when updating your home.

When remodeling or updating your home or apartment you look for products that do a great job and have major impact but reasonable costs.  Here are several alternative finish materials to consider:

1) MDF versus wood.  For trim moldings, baseboards, crown, casing, etc...solid wood is authentic and if you have an historic home and need to maintain history, use wood. Using MDF does not detract from the appearance or performance. The cost is significantly lower and the longevity - when primed and painted - is the same. Made without formaldehyde, there is no longer any off-gassing.

2) Plywood versus solid wood.  The durability of plywood is well-known.  Using it on floors, for built-ins (edge-banding required for a finished edge), and doors. 






3) Salvage yards versus new.  Builder's supply yards, Habitat for Humanity resale stores, and those in your local area, can be a great resource for bathroom vanities, flooring, doors, mantles and more. You can often find older pieces with lots of architectural detail that simply need refinishing.




4) Spray versus sandblasting glass.  For cabinet doors, glass insets in doors, sidelights, etc...purchasing sandblasted glass for its obscurity is costly.  Try Krylon's Frosted Glass Finish for a highly cost-effective alternative. Window film is the next option!

5) Wood versus granite counter top.  Granite can cost up to $50 per square foot and is often not affordable.  Butcher block and other solid species are significantly less expensive and provide a warm, custom finish.  

6) Laminate versus solid surface counter.  The look of granite without the cost is easily found with laminate counters.  Many manufacturers offer laminate - Wilsonart and Formica among them - and the properties of the new laminate far exceed the previous generations of the materials. With a tremendous variety in color, texture and edges, you can find the style and the budget level that suits your project.

7) Concrete versus stone.When paving your exterior spaces, consider a concrete product instead of natural stone.  The look is slightly different but the resulting durability and competitive cost are well worth the switch!

Jewelry for your doors and drawers makes a fabulous statement.

Whether you are updating a kitchen or bath, refurbishing a piece of furniture, or just looking for a change,  using decorative hardware will make a custom design statement.  These are some of the pieces we love, and they are available at A Touch Of Tradition Home & Garden Shoppe in San Diego. Many come in 6 or 7 finishes - chrome, nickel, brass, oil rubbed bronze, silver, antiqued, and black.

Sophisticated polished nickel pull for cabinets and furniture.

The right hardware can often set the style for your space even if very little else changes. For example, you can change a kitchen whose cabinets are in good condition by using pulls in lieu of knobs.  Make them a different style from the existing and enjoy the transformation.  

Glass and chrome - artistic yet classic.

Available in 5 finishes, this knob is elegant and traditional.

Dressers and chests whose style is dated in your home, can be updated with new pulls or knobs.  Antique pieces are ideal for hardware changes, since they will dress up the furniture yet be removable if the piece needs to be sold. Schaub Hardware has several lines of decorative, traditional hardware perfect for this application.










Linen closet and other hallway storage cabinet doors and drawers reap benefits from new hardware. What was a wall of doors can become a work of art with hardware like pieces from Vicenza Designs.  Even simple hardware from a big box retail or hardware store can have a huge impact on cabinets and closets.

Add appliance pulls to larger pieces of furniture. Try adding an element from nature - like these textured bamboo pulls - for a casual yet enduring style. 

Bamboo textured, casual and classic. 7 finishes available

 Have a specialty area in your home like a wine cellar?  Use an elegant pull with a theme, to create a stunning, custom space.

Satin nickel and granite for a modern kitchen.

To update a casual kitchen, try these pulls with a brushed metal finish and a stone center. The metals will add sophistication and the granite will provide elegance and artistry.

Lions head style for a European look. 6 finishes.

A wonderful themed knob in nickel.

White baths - timeless and classic

Transitional style.

With so many options in stone, porcelain and ceramic tile, we don't often think of the design possibilities using white. Using textures, varying scale, and changing the shades of white in tile and slabs, can create dramatic baths whose designs stand the test of time. Using accent hues in cabinetry, mirrors, and lighting, a white bath will be timeless.  With classic elements, these baths demonstrate how stunning simply white can be.

Classic and traditional.

Cottage casual and minimalist yet comfortable.

Classic and elegant with cabinetry as the accent hue.

Small space design. Five easy tips to use today.

We all want to maximize our spaces so we can be comfortable yet cozy.  Here are five ideas for small rooms.


1) Downscale the furniture.  Rather than purchasing a large sectional, opt for a smaller loveseat and armless chairs. You will have more opportunity to arrange the room well, and the smaller scale will keep the space open. If you can't buy new, try swapping smaller pieces from other rooms to use in a tight space. When you re-purpose furniture it gives you pleasure and often improved function. Dual-duty pieces like these storage ottomans can  be used as a table, seat, footrest and hold daily newspapers. The chest holds platters and is a great place to add extra table lamps and accessories.

2) Use color.  You may have been drilled with the idea that white makes a room larger.  True and false. You can use color as an accent - even on a wall - and keep a small room feeling larger. A great way to add bold color is inside shelving, as a throw on a sofa, in accessories that are grouped together, and on the floor as area rugs. When a room is monochromatic - beige, white, etc.. - the use of color adds drama, a focal point, and allows the eye to move to the color and away from elements that make it seem small. 


3) Add light.  An easy favorite solution.  Mirrors that reflect natural light are wonderful. You can use a mirror as a 'window'. If there isn't a window to reflect, add a table lamp or pendant in front of your mirror, to double the light. You can brighten a dark corner with an uplight behind a piece of furniture, and accent dark shelves with LED rope lights, pucks and even clip on  fixtures. Using LED will keep the energy use down yet add focal points of light. Changing the shades and globes on fixtures can help add light if they are dingy or dark.





4) Use storage wisely.  If you have an 8' x 8' living room, using many tables and chests will crowd the room and use floor space. Instead, use shelves to store items, place lamps on, even hang art from.  In spaces that can tolerate larger pieces, use armoires to hide work spaces like desks and televisions, benches to do double-duty as storage centers and seating, and even chests to hold games, nick-knacks and items you need but can reach for. This bench is a seat, a storage container for platters and vases and a room divider in this small condo.











5) Hide and clean it.  While out of sight is definitely out of mind, it can create a feeling of peace and relaxation.  For items that you DON"T need daily ...store them.  Even in a kitchen or laundry room that you may not use daily, cover the appliances with flipper doors for a sleek look.   Under-bed storage for extra items is easy and accessible.  Keep things you do need in containers, boxes, etc...that are easy to access and look great with your decor.  A great wicker box looks good on the dining table, and can store mail, a laptop, mail and much more.  Clean windows do let in lots of light as do sparkling glass globes on light fixtures! Dust free surfaces allow them to reflect the light.