Decorating 101 - Easy Bathroom Updates

It's been a while since I've done a Decorating 101 post, so I thought I would try and bring it back with giving you all some easy ways to update your bathroom that doesn't require a paint brush, a tile saw or any heavy equipment.

My bathroom has been extra cold these past few days.  It's on the corner of the house, has tile floor and I can't seem to keep it warm without making the other rooms 98 degrees.  If I ever get to build my dream house, heated floors are in my future!  

One idea that I really love, but have not had a chance to try, is layering mirrors.  Most of us have a plate glass mirror above our sink.  Instead of taking it down and replacing it with a decorative mirror, why not just use both?  The large mirror helps open up the space more and gives you plenty of area to see all those gray hairs, then the pretty mirror gives your bathroom a little style.

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These frameless mirrors from Ballard Designs would be easy to hang and would create a more seamless transition between the two mirrors.

If you have a traditional tub/shower combination and need a shower curtain, why not try this easy update?  Instead of one, purchase two and stack one on each side.  Is your tub not always neat and tidy?  Then, just close them up and enjoy the fullness the two shower curtains bring.  When doing a custom shower curtain, I always want at least two times the width of the tub.  Using two curtains gives you this and a little more.  

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Another shower curtain idea, which I recently did for a client, was taking a ready-made shower curtain and adding a fabric band along the bottom.  This does two things - gives you extra length and a design detail that's all your own.

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Rugs are another way to bring in some color, personality and warmth into your bathroom.  I like using runners in front of sink vanities.  The longer rug seems to work better than using a lot of scatter rugs around.  I would suggest keeping the traditional bathroom rugs in front of your shower and tubs, so they can be easily washed.  You can find stylish runners at Target or Home Goods for a really reasonable price.

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Another trick I have found that was pretty and functional, is using a tray on your counter.  I am lucky to have a lot of counter space and the tray helps break it up, along with keeping my every day products all together.  Even if you don't have a lot of space, a tray can still help keep you organized.  

Most of us wish our bathroom trays could look like this!

But in reality, they will look like this.  See how much better all these items look when they are grouped together instead of being scattered on the counters?  Great idea for the man in your life!

Finally, PLEASE don't do this with your towels.  Just keep them neatly folded on your towel bars.  Make sure you wash the ones you don't use on a regular basis because the dust can change the color.  I say that from personal experience!

Shower Tile Ideas

I'm excited to be doing this post as I hope I could find some great ideas for my clients, while researching for this.  I design a lot of showers and one of my biggest struggles is what can we do to really give this space a unique look, without it looking dated in a few years or breaking the bank.  I also like to do something a little different for each client and that creates even more angst in coming up with something creative.

Subway tile is everywhere now, but sometimes you need more than just an all white shower.  This is a great way of adding a little "oomph" to an otherwise plain installation.

Or just by changing the direction of the white subway tile, you create a little more interest in the shower.  I also love the hexagon shape they used on this shower floor.

It can be tricky taking an accent tile out of the shower.  I like how they not only created a ledge inside the shower, but carried it onto the vanity.  Smart!

This is a common example of how border tiles are installed.  What makes me like this one is that the accent tiles are just a few shades darker than the main tiles and they are duplicated on the shower floor.  It's a contrast without being too loud.

Tile panels are a cost-effective way of bringing in an accent tile.  They can be made in all shapes and sizes and even recessed for a more custom look.  My best advice for this idea is to not highlight your faucets, but to locate it on the wall you see first as you walk into the bathroom.  Think of it as a piece of art!

See how much prettier this would have looked if all those other things weren't distracting your eye? 

Finally, in this small shower the accent tile has more presence because it's tied into the vanity area.  Another great example of simple subway tiles turned up a notch!

Chez Sois {take four}

I'm so excited how things are coming together at my Chez Sois project.  I'm beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel and it's inside a beautiful light fixture!  Each piece of lighting was carefully selected and reflects everything my client wanted for her new house - feminine and classic.  Here are just a few of the final choices...

Cabinets and counters have been finalized and will be installed in just a few weeks.  We're doing something unique to me for the master bathroom - ordering the cabinets online.  The vanity layout is pretty simple and it's saving over 50% from having it custom-made.  Thank goodness our contractor used to be a cabinetmaker, so I'm pretty confident he can make it work and look great!

We found this little beauty for the powder bath vanity.  It has beautiful deep blue veining that will be perfect with what we are doing on the walls.

My client has this amazing rug, which will bring in some much needed life in an otherwise simple foyer.  Now, to find the perfect entry table.

I'm also pretty excited about these beautiful door hardware we are doing throughout.  Another forgotten place to add a great detail!

Finally, here's a sneak peak of what we are doing in the master bathroom.  I can not wait!

For the first time, my client is leaving for a long vacation in the middle of a renovation.  She is trusting me to be her eyes and ears and I'm totally up for the challenge.  

A Warm Bath

Bathrooms can be cold, especially in the winter, but they can also be visually cold.  What I mean by that is most bathrooms lack the "warmth" you get in other rooms with furniture and fabrics.  I have found some great ways you can bring some much needed warmth.

This bathroom featured on Houzz is large enough for a rug, window treatment and an upholstered chair.  Any of these items help bring warmth to a bathroom.

The stained wood trim and ceiling, along with floor to ceiling draperies warm up this rustic bathroom from House Beautiful. 

As you know, I'm a big fan of wallpaper and how it can warm up a space.  The accessories and towels also help bring life to this otherwise all white bathroom featured in Nicety Deco.

A wood table and basket really brings warmth to this bathroom from Better Homes and Garden.

A great trick for shower curtains is to purchase two and install one on each side.  This works for custom and ready-made.  This bathroom was featured on I Suwannee.

The easiest way (and least expensive) way to bring warmth to your bathroom is with towels and simple accessories.  Sarah Richardson did that wonderfully in this bathroom featured on The Enchanted Home.  Glass jars filled with cotton balls is functional and beautiful!