11 Friday Nov 2016
Posted in Color Inspiration, Interior Color Palettes
This design plays with light in a really beautiful way. Dark floors help ground the space and the warm woods, along with the brick wall, contrast perfectly with the cement so it doesn’t seem so cold. The addition of textiles and plants help this sleek bathroom feel comfy and airy, while breaking up the straight lines for a more playful look. And that light just brings life to it all.
(Image Credit: Domino)
22 Wednesday Jan 2014
Posted in Everyday Design, The Home
Tags
bathroom, bathroom renovation, country, design, gray, home, interior design, master bath, modern, rustic, subway tile, vintage, white
This past December, my husband and I had our master bath renovated and are still amazed how different it is. Since our home is old, the bathroom was pretty bad. It was super outdated and closed in, ceramic tile everywhere, a large jacuzzi tub we hated, a toilet that was far from eco-friendly, no heat, and a storage space that was unusable. There was plenty to dislike about the space.
This was the bathroom in its original state before we moved in:
For two years, we lived with the minor changes we were able to do, which was basically change out the vanity/sink and light. Not much, but we didn’t have of a choice. I wish I could say we got used to it, but it was something neither of us could get used to. Then finally, it was time to gut it and make it beautiful.
There wasn’t much we could do about the actual space of the room but being a designer, I know certain tricks to help open it up and feel more airy. I did this with a neutral palette, white tile on the floor and shower, and opening up the storage space so we can actually use it. Before there was a wall there with a small door, but now its all open shelving which I’ve hidden behind a fabric curtain. We also got a new tub that is a normal size, which opened the shower area up tons. We also read reviews for great water softeners for our plumbing and our skin!
As far as style, I wanted the space to have a modern appeal but showcase classic vintage elements. I did this through a gray/white color palette and keeping everything white so it looked clean and crisp. You can’t get anymore classic with subway tile so I chose that for the shower and for the floor, small hexagon tile I have always loved. It brings me back to my Grandmother’s house in Brooklyn when I was a little girl. Now I get to have that memory everyday!
The small shelves are from Home Decorators and the medicine cabinet was a great buy on Overstock. The rest of the accessories such as the glass shelf, toilet paper holder, towel ring, and towel rack were purchased at Lowes and Home Depot. We decided to hang the rack on the back of the door so we didn’t lose any wall space. And it worked out great because they hang right above the bathroom heater so they are always cozy and dry.
The new white vanity has a bead board exterior which just adds to the classic look. A heater was installed, as well as a fan, so the space is much more comfortable be in. For a curtain, I used some fabric I had cut from old curtains and custom sized them for the window. I chose to only cover the bottom half so the space would be lit up nicely with natural light.
I wanted chrome throughout with a little glass detail and brought in warmth with soft neutral textures such as baskets and pastel artwork from some of my favorite artists on Etsy. The gorgeous collage behind the door is created by Mae Chevrette and the smaller print by River Luna. We showcased our love of vintage jars by using a few we found at our local shop to hold bathroom essentials. And because I hate how tissue boxes look, I found these beautiful linen covers on Etsy from Pilo that look great in the space.
All in all, the bathroom is a success! I feel like I am in a spa which is crazy. Who would of thought we could go to this from where it used to be? I gave myself a big pat on the back for this one. It was so much fun designing the space without doing all the work for once. We finally have the bathroom of our dreams and we are so grateful.
24 Monday Jun 2013
Posted in Everyday Design, The Home
Tags
bathroom, bedroom, bold, bold colors, color, dark, dark colors, design, dining room, home, hue, interior design, kitchen, painting
Using dark and bold colors in your home doesn’t have to be dark and dreary. In some cases, they can enable a space to really shine. I’m not saying you should paint all the walls in your home this way, but you would be surprised how much a deep hue can transform a room. Here is a little inspiration to help you choose the right color combination for your home, with a little help from the darkside.
This dark earthy brown helps everything in this dining room pop, giving the space a clean and crisp look. Incorporating other tones of this color family, such as taupe and beige, really bring a classic and opulent feel to the room.
Photo Credit: Country Living
All the natural textures in this bedroom truly bring a unique style and sense of history to the space. It all works together nicely because light hues were incorporated as well. You always need a little contrast to create something spectalular.
Photo Credit: 79 Ideas
This modern classic bathroom is engaging thanks to the deep navy blue on the walls. It adds a rich feeling to the room and helps to highlight the soft textures in the space.
Photo Credit: Country Living
Bold and bright, this kitchen is glowing with cheer. Painting everything the same color is surely a courageous move, but the owners totally pulled it off. The accessories and pots help to break up the space, as does the butcher block countertops and door. The neutral stone floor gives the room a lightness it needs while the white on the top of the walls helps to even out the space.
Photo Credit: Kitchen Building
With bold and bright colors used throughout the space, the hunter green backdrop helps to keep it all grounded. The creamy beige on the top half of the wall and light gray rug adds a lightness and airy feeling so you aren’t bombarded with hues that pop.
Photo Credit: Country Living
Yellow and blue will always be two colors that go well together. It’s the contrast that allows these hues to be roommates. The rich navy and golden yellow in this bedroom/bathroom really makes a statement. It helps to incorporate earthy textures, like the hard wood floor, to break up the boldness. This color combo brings spunk and a touch of intellectual charm to any space.
Photo Credit: Donkee House
07 Friday Jun 2013
Posted in Everyday Design, Guest Posts, Ross Donald, The Home
Tags
aromatherapy, bathroom, bubble bath, candles, design, lighting, mellow, music, peaceful, recuperate, relax, relaxing atmosphere, soothing
Some days are harder than others, and when those days leave you feeling worn out and washed up, it’s important to find a soothing, comforting way to relax and unwind. Bubble baths have been an effective remedy for stress for years, but if you’re really looking to shut yourself in and close off your mind, it’s going to take more than a simple bath with bubbles. To help you recuperate after a long day, try these tips to help you turn your bathroom into the ultimate getaway.
Photo Credit: Brighten the Path
Light for Relaxation
To really allow yourself to drift away in your bubble bath and forget your cares and worries, picking the right lighting is going to be essential. A normal bathroom light is too loud for a soothing environment, and turning off the light would be a tad depressing. To find a happy medium, bring in a lamp with a soft glow or even one that illuminates an entirely different color such as a mellow purple or a comforting black light; either way, you want to pick something that is easy on the eyes but manages to exude a peaceful gleam.
Photo Credit: Fresh Home
Photo Credit: Meet Me at the Boutique
Breathe in a Good Dose of Aromatherapy
Next, you’re going to want to pick your scents; half the appeal of a bubble bath is letting your sense of smell do most of the work and giving your sense of sight a break for a moment. It’s natural to want to pick your favorite aroma, but it’s important to keep a couple of things in mind. First, you’re not going to want to pick scents that clash with the bath products you’re using, and you’re also going to want to avoid lighting anything too powerful, as this can cause headaches and ruin the intent of what the bath is supposed to do. Whether it’s incense, oils, or candles (candles could work as your source of light as well), pick ones that are strong enough to absorb but not ones that will dominate all other sensations.
Photo Credit: Apothecary Wellness
Photo Credit: Natural Body Guru
Bask in Some Mellow Tunes
Nothing puts the finishing touch on the mood you’re trying to create like the right kind of music, and for a Zen type of ambiance, some light jazz, ambient electronica, or down-tempo oriental music will do just the trick. On the other hand, music is subjective, so just focus on making a playlist that transports you to a blissful mind state as soon as you hit the play button.
Remember the Extras
After you get the lighting, aroma, and music adjusted to your liking, it’s time to think about any extras you’re going to want to bring in. If you’re not looking to shut off your mind completely, a book or magazine is always a great accompaniment to a warm bubble bath, or if you’re in the mood for a beverage, bring in a nice glass of wine or lemonade to indulge in; the point is to insure that you’ve designed your bubble bath to serve as a temporary island where you have everything you need. You want to be able to close your eyes and let your mind wander, daydream to your heart’s desire.
Photo Credit: Her.ie
Written by Ross Donald
