Updating the Bathroom Show
Segment 1: Preview of Bath Ideas
Many bathrooms have now become fantasy spaces and retail values reflect
that you can get usually 100% return on your investment in this room.
Size isn't necessarily the only component for a lavish bathroom. You
can add luxury rain showers, clear glass doors, heated floors and towel
racks. We will talk about the average cost of a bathroom remodel and
speak with several guests about designing a bathroom, finding great
online deals and a whole lot more. For those who cannot afford a complete
bathroom redesign, we'll also have lots of quick tips to give the "loo"
a bit of a pick-me-up!
Segment 2: Barbara Sallick from Waterworks
Guest: Barbara Sellick
Waterworks Co-founder & Senior Vice President of Design
Author of The Definitive Guide to Designing the Perfect Bath
Waterworks.com
Planning is essential. Many things look great in the store but do not translate well to the actual bathroom. She encouraged us to do as much planning in advance and to save the shopping for much later since proportions, surfaces, and affixed architecture are critical to a successful design. A designer and/or architect can be tremendously helpful and Barbara strongly encourages using both when remodeling an entire bath.
It's all about surfaces, which is where Barbara says you should start. Granite might not be the best option for the bathroom. If laying stone as a floor, place the pieces down first before affixing them to the floor so you know how it will look.
Proportions of the tub and/or shower are important. For example, consider whether or not a bathtub will take up too much space where a larger shower may work beautifully, instead. You also need to think about the architecture and remember everything is attached to the wall and floor, so layout is key.
Here are some of Barbara's bathroom must-haves: A magnifying mirror,
more than enough lighting, (you can always put the lights on a dimmer
switch), a shower with a seat, and a heated floor is a fabulous touch.
Storage in the bath is also a real must making the space self-contained.
Seasonal towel changes and fun, personal items add great personality
to your bathroom. But, be careful of overdoing it - a simple, elegant
and neat bathroom is the best bathroom. It should reflect your personality
and go well with the design of the rest of your house. Ultimately it
should be serene, private, soothing and elegant.
Barbara's bathroom have-nots: A television (this should be one room in the house that does not have one), steps up to a bathtub (dangerous), granite countertops (keep those in the kitchen). Do not overdo the space. It will appear more timeless if you keep it simple.
Segment 3: Luxury Items in the Bath
Some luxury items available for the bathroom are Jacuzzis, spa waterfall tubs, heated floors, steam showers/saunas and televisions in the mirrors. Chromatherapy enables you to be able to change the color of your water. Kohler has a new bathtub where, at the touch of a button, you are able to have a full spectrum of color. Chromatherapy is also used with holistic healing and can make you feel like your bathroom is a real sanctuary. In addition, rain shower heads are great, though you need good water pressure to be able to rinse well.
For extra splurges, add a small refrigerator done with the same paneling as the rest of the cabinetry , an espresso/coffee maker and a top cabinet with bottles of water you can take to bed. Storage is also essential. Restoration Hardware now has a new line of bathroom cabinets that look great. Wicker baskets with big cubbies also always work well. Keep the bathroom clutter free and organized. Ladies, purge the old makeup and hair products so that the essentials are easy to get to.
Plumbingsupply.com
Abathroomguide.com
Segment 4: Wacky Items for the Bath
There are some crazy ideas for the bathroom if you are looking for
something really over the top. The Neorest toilet has a variety of options
with an LCD panel to operate the toilet rather than handles and buttons.
The Fish 'N Flush Toilet has an aquarium with real fish in the main
water tank. There's a self cleaning Shower by Arizona company which
has a small arm that whisks out to spray your favorite cleaner after
you shower. K Novelty also has warming toilet seats.
Totoneorest.com
Fishnflush.com
Luxuryhousingtrends.com/archives/2005/10/selfcleaning_sh.php
Knovelty.com
Toiletmuseum.com
Segment 5: Towels, Lighting and Color
Many manufacturers of towels apply fabric softeners and "fluffers" to make the towels appear to be big and fluffy, but that does not make them necessarily absorbent. There has to be a certain ratio of cotton to any of the synthetic fibers or they simply will not absorb and once the towels have been laundered, much of the softness and fluffiness will be gone as well. Consumer Reports rates Wamsutta Supima Classic as their #1 Towel selling for $15. Its high rating is for softness and shrinkage. #2 is a Charisma that retails for $38, Lands End Elite Supima came in 3rd. J.C. Penney also rated high for their big towels, over many named brands.
Use nature inspired organic colors when it comes to the bathroom. It's like a bedroom - if you want a really tranquil environment, stick to colors that are dusty in shade. Peach and amber tones are flattering to the skin, and you'll find skin and hair care clinics often use these colors in their salons. Also, don't create too much contrast between the stone elements and the color. There is a debate about paint finishes, but using a satin finish is recommended over a glossy finish which can trap moisture in a wall resulting in mold. A good flat paint is not a bad idea. Window treatments should be encased in the actual window itself. This is not a place to have a lot of fabric because although it looks pretty for a while, it doesn't wear well. Roll up shades and wooden shutters are a great idea; you have plenty of privacy and can control the light, plus you can clean them with no problem. Any task lighting for the mirror should be on its own separate switch, and it's much better to have the light at face level coming toward you. A lighted makeup mirror makes a lot of sense as well for both men and women. Any large overhead lighting should be replaced with track lighting and halogen bulbs on a dimmer switch. And, stay away from florescent lighting if at all possible.
Segment 6: Kate Parker from Real Simple Magazine
Guest: Kate Parker
Home Editor
Real Simple Magazine
Real Simple Magazine featured an article in the August edition where they found some great online deals for the bath:
Finelinenandbath.com for hard to find shower curtains. Plus, they provide free swatches mailed to your home.
Branchhome.com has some wonderful 100% beech wood microfiber towels by Bonjour, made in Switzerland.
Homedecorators.com has a Madison Bathroom Storage unit with adjustable shelves, three different drawers and a cabinet underneath with glass facing. It's very sleek and narrow.
Inthebathroom.com has some great final touches for a bathroom such as an exotic room fragrance or bath salt.
Seashellcity.com has a variety of gorgeous shells and beach décor. Each order is accompanied by a free gift such as a shell necklace or a little glass sand dollar.
Real Simple's Top Tools for Cleaning the Bathroom:
Scrubbing Bubbles Shower Cleaner zapped soapy residue most efficiently.
$5 at grocery stores.
Testers used Mr. Clean Magic Reach's mop head to sneak around a toilet's
tight corners.
$13 at grocery stores.
The Clorox Bath Wand conforms to the shape of the tub for easier cleaning.
$10 at grocery stores.
Scotch Brite's version comes with disposable pads that drop neatly into
the trash.
$5 at grocery stores.
Ceramiclean's concentrated solution made grout gleam, used by professionals
but sold in smaller quantities to the general public. $5, www.hardwareandtools.com
Segment 7: Design Dilemma Calls and Email
Design Dilemma Caller
I have a bathroom that is all pink, including the ceiling. What are
my options for changing the color without ripping out the tile and what
do I do about accessorizing since I can't bang nails into tile? The
entire room is 5 x12; the shower is 46" wide x 30" deep.
Jessica from Petersburg, NJ
Painting over tiles looks great for awhile but in the long term you end up with other problems. Update the bathroom instead. For instance the old-fashioned shower door can be updated to a beautiful, solid glass door with brushed nickel handles. Use the brushed nickel chrome in all the plumbing fixtures throughout the room. Then, remove the fabric window treatment and do something a bit more tailored. Replace it perhaps with some reed glass. Find matching oversized hardware for the cabinets as well - big, oversized handles that bring the eye to the jewelry of the room. Add stainless steel canisters and soap dishes to freshen the place up and she can even put a new frame over the mirror. Consider repainting the vanity color to a deep, warm putty or flannel gray color. The stainless steel and brushed nickel would match perfectly with it. Even terra cotta pots with rolled white towels in them would look terrific.
How do I decorate a bathroom shared by a 13 yr. old son and a 3
1/2 yr. old daughter?
Diane from Easton, MD
You pretty much have to go through the same thought process as you
do in the bedroom. Kids are in a non-sharing age at that point so they
need their own things and in their own place. The best way is to divide
and conquer! They should each have their own area such a basket with
their name on it. With height differences, there can be a stepping stool
for the smaller child without infringing upon the older child's space.
Stay away from cutesy/cartoony type of decorating as it can be visually
"noisy" in the bathroom, and it's also going to make the 13
year old feel as if he's not part of the mix.
Quick tips to spruce up your bathroom, broken down into 7 layers.
- Layer 1: Paint and architecture
With paint, be aggressive with color as it will hide imperfections and make built-in colors look as if you chose them in the first place.With Architecture, add some. Many older bathrooms are devoid of crown moldings, built-ins and the like which can easily be added to give the space some character.
- Layer 2: Installed floors
Get rid of the old vinyl. Today between tile, bamboo and real or photo laminated wood products, you can transform a bathroom by adding a great new floor.
- Layer 3: High-ticket upholstery. If you have room, add an upholstered piece. Even a small-scale ottoman will add a sense of luxury to a bathroom-because every room needs a little fabric to bring it alive.
- Layer 4: Accent Fabrics
Towels, organic pull-down shades, covered storage boxes and shower curtains can add that special spa touch if prints are eliminated in favor of layering texture instead. Keep print out of the bathroom as much as possible.
- Layer 5: The Workhorses
Adding a simple shelf a foot from your ceiling all around the room will fill otherwise wasted space. Remember it's OK to show off your towels and fresh linens, thus unburdening your closed storage for stuff you really don't want to see.
- Layer 6: Accessories
Oversized mirrors, beautifully framed can make a bathroom look bigger. Impressive art on the walls will make the room look important. An oversized ceramic piece filled with rolled towels can add more drama than lots of little stuff. Even clear canisters filled with toiletries can add sparkle if done right.
- Layer 7: Plants and Lighting
Plants LOVE bathrooms. A great white orchid in a stunning pot can do magic to an ordinary bathroom. Candles around the tub and track lighting can focus light where you want it thus creating a sexy mood.