Re-Imagine: Your Bathroom

The bathroom is one of the busiest rooms in a home and because of this it is important for the bathroom to be comfortable, clean and organized. Even a tiny powder room can be well organized. I instantly fell in love with the bathroom in the images below after seeing it in House Beautiful! Here are a few tips for a gorgeous bathroom that are often overlooked:

I have always loved natural light in a bathroom, nothing is better than soaking in the tub and looking out at the stars! Use a thin roman shade on the window for privacy. Consider adding a ceramic garden stool or small bench to set a drink or magazine.

This bathroom is spacious and has everything you could possibly need. Marble tiles line the walls of the bathroom for a grand aesthetic as well as convenience to keep clean. The band of blue glass mosaic tiles wraps around the perimeter of the space giving the feeling of being underwater. If using paint on the walls make sure you use mildew resistant paint and install an efficient fan!

When choosing materials for use in your bathroom consider these first: 

Can it get wet? For instance wood is not the best choice for a bathroom because it can mold.

How does the product handle water? If you want large stone slabs make sure they are honed or choose smaller tiles for added grout lines and therefore better slip resistance.

Think about the fixtures in your home. Do you use dark bronze or brushed nickle? 

I think it is perfectly fine to mix metal accessories in interior decor, however I try to coordinate metals for fixtures in the bathroom and kitchen.

If you want your bathroom to feel like a spa consider adding unique 

touches such as a large soaking tub, a teak wood bath caddy and luxe over sized cotton towels.

Consider a rain shower over head and built in features that make your shower enclosure feel custom, when you have a dedicated place to set shampoo and soap clutter can be cleared once and for all.

A band of glass tiles can be an inexpensive way to add color or pattern to your shower. 

Small bathrooms or powder rooms are the perfect opportunity to use the highest quality products.
(You may only need 10sqft of carrara marble tiles to cover the floor, making luxury affordable.)

 To determine what type of vanity you need think about who will be using the space. 

How will you be using the space and what items you need storage for. Are drawers or shelves better? Open or closed storage? Vanities can be built-in or free-standing, you can even use an antique dresser or sideboard. Proper lighting in the bathroom is also important, layer lighting from overhead ambient lights to task lighting near the mirror and in the shower surround.

This vanity is free-standing and has good open and closed storage, drawer dividers can be used to organize toiletries. The open shelf below the sink is a convenient place to store towels.

When choosing a mirror make sure that it will not rust or get mildew from steam. A simple and elegant beveled glass mirror can be a great choice adding a bit of feminine detail.

Make sure you have hooks or towel bars so that towels don't end up all over the floor 

and if you have the space add a designated place for a laundry hamper.

 All images courtesy of House Beautiful.

Often overlooked, these tips can provide an easy update for your master bath or powder room.
Cheers to a wonderful weekend!

Organize Your Foyer & Entryway

In an effort to help you organize your homes I will be touring through a typical American home, giving tips on how to organize each space, working to blend form and function and create the perfect home! The entryway is the first room that you see when you enter a house. The entry in each home is configured very differently. This space can range from a large open foyer with a spiral staircase to a modest entry with two simple walls. No matter what you have to work with the entry must be a welcoming place. Here are some tips to get a perfectly efficient and effective entryway:

• Effective task and ambient lighting
• A cozy place to sit
• Umbrella holder
• Coat hooks and or a closet
• Baskets, bins and cubbies for small items
• Command center to organize mail and keys 
• Area rug or door mat to wipe off wet feet
• Art work display wall
• A mirror

This geometric wallpaper is wonderful for the foyer, wrapping the wall paper up onto the ceiling draws the eye up where the pendant light makes a bold design statement.

Pinterest

These cubbies and coat hooks are a great way to maximize storage in a small entryway. Use a bold complimentary color scheme in a small space such as an entry or powder room for big design impact.

House Beautiful

 I love these tangerine lockers for the entry. Added shoe storage maximizes each locker space.

Pinterest

A quick DIY:  Use a metal tray or a large cookie sheet to make clever boot storage. 

Place small pebbles at the bottom of the tray, use as boot storage to drain excess water from rain boots.

Pinterest

 The architecture in this space is outstanding! The skylight brings in much needed natural light to this stone entryway. Simple and functional decor is all you really need for any entryway.

Pinterest

 Create a command center in your entryway using a chalk board, key hooks and mail slots. 

Use this as a drop spot for mail and other necessities until you can sort and file appropriately!

Consider refinishing an antique armoire and using it as storage in your entry.

Pinterest

  This entry has pin boards for leaving notes and pinning important mail items. 

Drawers create storage that can be hidden from view. Always look for a rug that will withstand the elements that come in from the outdoors.

Pinterest

 If you have a large and open entry way use a small round pedestal table in the center of the space to display a fresh bouquet or even an indoor plant such as the one below.

Pinterest

 Provide seating for guests to leisurely put on their shoes, 

these cool chairs act as art in the space and serve a purpose too!

Pinterest

 An entry is the perfect place to add a built-in cubbie and coat system. You can create a custom design or assemble store bought systems to serve this purpose.

Pinterest

 If you have over head cubbie storage consider putting under counter puck lighting to illuminate the space below. Great use for free standing antique furniture pieces and a gorgeous natural fiber runner. I love the look of a wood paneled ceiling in a foyer!

Pinterest

This entry has a little bit of everything you need! A mirror, pendant lighting, basket storage, shoe and coat storage, a cozy place to sit and a striped rug. 

Pinterest

I am accepting design clients for projects beginning in February. I love a good design challenge and believe that beautiful and functional design can be created in any size space.

Email me at Blaiseadkisondesign@gmail.com with all of your design questions and for pricing information! A simple 1 hour consultation could be all you need to turn clutter into function in your home. I look forward to hearing from you, enjoy your weekend!