take the guesswork out of decorating
In keeping with the bathroom theme, I thought I would post some of my favorite bathrooms that I’ve run across around the web. It amazing how inspiring these spaces can be, and these pictures prove that once I get the chance to build my dream home, I have no idea what style I’ll end up using. All of these spaces have their own character and charm. Enjoy!
After spending a year doing nothing but designing tile layouts for people’s kitchens and baths, I realized there are a few tips that go a long way. Being that these spaces increase the value of your home more per dollar spent than almost any other improvement you can make, it is important to do it right, but don’t worry, this definitely doesn’t mean that you have to be dull, boring and safe.
Flooring is one of the biggest areas you will be covering, and porcelain tiles are a great option. They are not only more affordable than stone, but they have zero maintenance, are extremely durable, and the latest styles out there cover everything from ultra sleek and modern to stone-like (sometimes its really hard to tell the difference between a stone and a good porcelain!). Depending on the look (and budget) you are going for, you can choose from a mosaic floor or larger tiles. I would stay away from the 12×12 tiles as they will make your space look dated. Bigger (12×24, 24×24) tiles won’t make your space look smaller like some people fear, but they actually make it look clean and contemporary, while mosaic floors have a more ornate and traditional look and feel.
Here is a great large tile floor (you don’t have to go THIS large, but it is a great example of the clean and contemporary look)
And here are two great mosaic floor examples:
The walls have a lot more options, too many to cover in one post. I think a good general rule is to limit yourself to three different elements that you are bringing into the space. A great example would be to choose one mosaic pattern, one larger plain tile, and smaller tile with a similar color to the others. If you have a busy mosaic floor, I would keep the walls a lot calmer and repeat the colors found in the floor. If you feel like the space needs more color, you can always bring in a fun wall color, bath towels, and mats. If you choose to go with a more simple floor, add an exciting backsplash or mosaic detail. It’s also a great trick to repeat the colors or mosaic in different spots in the space, such as the backsplash and then again as a focal point in the shower.
And more importantly, you should love the space and have fun with the design. All rules were made to be broken (as long as you know what rules you are breaking and why)!
Small spaces can be one of the most fun types of spaces to decorate because you can go a little more wild and break a few more rules without overdoing it. One rule I love to break (which I have probably talked about before and will definitely talk about again) is painting walls dark in a tiny space. If the space is already extremely small, like a powder room or laundry room, the dark walls will actually make the space feel a little larger.
Big graphic patterns are also a great way to have some fun in a small space. Don’t have wallpaper in the budget? You can buy a great wall stencil, save money and still get that sophisticated look. You can even try painting the wall in a semi-gloss finish and then paint the stenciled pattern in a matte finish to give your hard work some great depth.
Smaller spaces force you to be creative with your floor plan, but some of the most beautiful homes come from overcoming obstacles like spatial issues. Storage and seating are both hurdles that you have to jump, and benches can be a perfect solution for entryways, breakfast nooks, and window seats.
Sometimes thinking outside the box for solutions leads you to unexpected and unintended uses of space. This closet makes a great office, and I love that they separated it by painting it a bright pink. It really pops!
Scale can also lend a hand when trying to make a space feel bigger. This huge painting gives off the feeling of a larger room, but they were smart with their floor plan and only used furniture that fit in the space. The worst thing you can do with a small space is to make it feel overcrowded and stuffed. If you downsize from a sofa to a loveseat, the room will most likely feel bigger.
Most importantly, be creative, be bold, and have fun!
There’s always the struggle of replacing old cabinets (which can add up to be a fortune) or refurbishing the ones you currently have in your kitchen. The greener choice would be to refurbish, and that will also save you some green too. Your cabinets’ function and aesthetic play a vital role in the overall appeal of your kitchen. The good news is that you can move cabinets around to improve the work space, and the surfaces can be stained or painted. While you might need to bring in some professional help to move the cabinets, painting them is easy and can be done all on your own. There are some key tips to painting cabinets that will help make the process a little easier. One, make sure you prime them, sand them, and then paint them to help the paint adhere. Two, an oil based paint will help you avoid the sticking sound you would get from latex based paint, and finally three, glossier paints are more durable and easier to clean. I’m currently working on repainting my own kitchen cabinets, and these are some of the pictures I found for inspiration. I thought you guys might enjoy them too!
