Our favorite household organization blog, Unclutterer, recently featured this article about finding cash hidden amidst your clutter.  Naturally, they’re implying that by organizing your household, you might find some items lying around that could end up earning you cash in the long run.  Take a look at the suggestions below, or head over to Unclutterer for more household organization tips.

1. Old hobbies. Most hobbies require equipment, supplies, and/or specialty tools that can easily be resold at near-cost prices. If you’re no longer participating in rock climbing, scrapbooking, or golf, consider selling the hobby’s accouterments. Sites like eBay and Craigslist are good options for selling the supplies, and so are sites where hobbyists visit (like Ravelry for knitters, crocheters, and spinners).
2. Collections. If you’ve lost interest in a collection, consider putting it up for sale on eBay. Sell things as a single lot if you don’t want to spend the next couple weeks at the post office mailing each piece of your collection to far-flung locations around the globe. Look at other sales of similar items to see what kind of a bid to expect.
3. Maintenance costs. The more stuff you have, the more you have to maintain — you have to pay for more square footage in your home, more money goes out to heat and cool your space, and even more is spent on things like painting, cleaning gutters, lawn mowing, etc. Typically, to get more square footage in a home, you also have to live further from your job, which increases commute times, travel expenses (fares, tolls, gasoline), and you have to service your car more often. All of it adds up, putting greater strain on your pocketbook. Living simply almost always means paying significantly less on maintenance costs.

This article was featured in The Ottawa Citizen, and we decided to pass the wisdom along to you, our loyal readers.  After all, the bathroom is indeed the busiest room in your house! Check out some of the fantastic tips below, or click here to read the full article.

1.  Lighting: Bye-bye ugly light bar above the mirror and hello sleek, streamlined wall sconces. “Updating the lighting is a quick and easy way to rejuvenate a bathroom,” says designer Dean Large of the Astro Design Centre on Old Innes Road. Besides adding a stylish look to the room, Large says two fixtures on either side of the mirror provide more even light which is especially useful when applying your makeup.

Cost: from $200

2.  New faucet: Often referred to as the jewels of the bathroom, replacing old taps with gleaming new faucets gives a custom, personalized look to the bathroom. The hot new trend is square, angular, single-lever faucets in white or black matte finish.

Cost: $100 to $1,100

3.  Adjustable shower: A drizzling rain showerhead may be relaxing, but not a practical choice for daily showering because it doesn’t provide enough water pressure. Large recommends pairing a fixed showerhead on an adjustable bar –”to accommodate the heights of all family members” — with a hand-held shower to make it easy to wash down the tub or rinse off your legs while shaving.

Cost: from $200

4.  Bathtub liner: If your bathroom is a throwback to the 1960s, the tub is likely a gaudy dusty rose, mint green or mocha beige. Rather than rip it out and all the surrounding tile, Bath Fitter sells a moulded, acrylic tub and wall liner that fits right over the existing eyesore. Best part: It can be installed in just one day.

Cost: $2,200 to $3,200, depending on style, colour and ceiling height

5.  Anti-slip protection: Rubber bath mats are designed to prevent nasty spills in the tub or shower, but they’re also a breeding ground for mould and bacteria. The Porcelain Tub Treatment from Home Hardware (homehardware.ca) is a liquid you apply to the bottom of the tub or shower to make it slip-resistant.

Cost: $19.97 for one-application kit

Most people don’t believe me when I tell them that before Sunday, I’d never attended a single St. Patrick ’s Day parade in Montreal! A tradition that dates back to 1824, Montrealers are known for their enthusiasm regarding the event, so how can it be that I’ve never been to Montreal’s St. Patrick’s day parade? Well, what can I say; there’s a first time for everything, right? On Sunday, March 14^th, I finally attended the famous parade! Not only did I attend, I participated.

I’m Louise Couillard, Customer Service Supervisor at BATH FITTER in St. Eustache, Quebec. Once again, like last year, BATH FITTER entered a float in the parade. I decided to join the company’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade committee to help make it happen. About sixty BATH FITTER employees worked tirelessly during lunch breaks and evenings for two weeks to prepare the float for the big day. We built a large “pot of gold” and made two big rainbows for the float. We also made two large Irish flags to be displayed and we even sewed together a bunch of cool costumes.  

We were all really pumped up and looking forward to the event. After putting so much work into building the float, we couldn’t wait to drive it through the streets of Montreal and show everyone our team spirit. It being my very first time, I was especially excited. But, guess what happened on the day of the parade…it was pouring rain!

It was a cold, wet, rainy day, but that didn’t deter any of us from arriving as planned, and having an awesome time. Some of us dressed as leprechauns, and about ten of us were dressed as bars of gold, snuggled nicely into the big black BATH FITTER cauldron. Many of us wore bath robes as we all danced in the rain. Though, we were having so much fun, I don’t think we even noticed it was raining! We blasted the music as the float rolled down Ste-Catherine Street.

Some of us drove around in BATH FITTER tub go-carts while others, like me, wore a tub. That’s right; I wore a tub – a BATH FITTER tub that has had its bottom cut out, with over-the-shoulder straps. So there I was…a dancing tub!

Although it was raining, and though only a third of the normal crowd was out on the streets due to the rain, we partied and danced and laughed. I think the crowd really appreciated our float because we were all so enthusiastic. Everyone cheered as we drove by. Plus, we were handing out chocolate gold coins…who can say no to that?

Happy St. Patrick’s Day everyone!

YOU’VE GOT THAT COUNTRY FEELING

Do you live in a busy downtown hub, yet long for a slower pace?

Luckily, redecorating your space, despite a fast-paced lifestyle, can help set a calmer mood, and that mood can help you unwind after a long, busy day in a chaotic environment. Since the bathroom is a great place to relax and take a time out, allow me to suggest a country-style bathroom for your next bathroom remodel.

Do you love the country look? And though you live a modern life, you want that easygoing feeling while getting ready for your big day as a fast-paced executive. If you do live in the country, then a country-style bathroom is right up your alley (or should I say, barn house)!

Whether you’re doing a full-on bathroom remodel, or you just want a fresh coat of paint and some new accessories, a country-style bathroom is always a real crowd pleaser.

So, pull up your favorite rocking chair for Kiki’s latest Bathroom Design 101 blog: How to create a country-style bathroom.

If you’re just giving the bathroom a facelift, here are some practical tips you can use to transform a blah bathroom into a country-style haven:

1. Change the knobs. Update the existing vanity by installing rustic-style knobs. This can really change the entire look of the vanity. Old-looking wrought iron or oil-rubbed bronze cabinet knobs are perfect.
2. Dress the window. If your bathroom’s window is covered by something as basic as blinds, you’ll want to dress your window with some pretty country-style curtains instead. They could be plaid, gingham, floral, or lace – you decide!
3. Replace the towel racks (and the toilet paper holder too). This is so easy to do, and selecting the right ones will create an effective country look. A standing wrought iron toilet paper holder would work very well in a country bathroom.
4. Get the right accessories. I just love these Wisteria bath accessories, perfect for your country-style bathroom. You can even allow yourself to get a little kitschy with these cow bath accessories, which work especially well if you have kids, or if you’re just a kid at heart! (Check out the cow plunger – love it!)
5. Replace the faucets. If you’re not changing the tub and sink, but you have basic chrome faucets, replacing them with old-style, oil-rubbed bronze faucets makes for an easy way to transform the bathroom’s style.

Candles and wicker baskets also work very well in this environment. If you have a larger bathroom, adding an antique rocking chair or wicker chair would be a nice touch.

If you are doing a major bathroom remodel, and the tub and sink are being replaced, then this American Craftsman vanity has a nice, rustic vibe. Add a wooden toilet seat to complement the wood vanity. This Jupiter bathroom vanity is so charming, and as your bathroom’s focal point, would really help to create the country vintage look you’re after. Antique shops are great for picking up pieces to help you create a country bathroom. You’d easily find an old vintage bureau you could transform into a bathroom vanity.

As for your color palette, pastel yellows, blues, or greens are all good choices, and don’t forget, wallpaper is making a comeback; covering up one or two walls with a dainty floral design would complete the look masterfully.

Get inspired – see some fabulous examples of country bathrooms at: http://www.countryliving.com/homes/how-to-get-the-look/bathroom-design-2008

Got kids? If you’re all about your offspring, don’t miss my next Bathroom Design 101 blog, which will be chock full of ideas on designing a bathroom for the little ones in your life.

We love Apartment Therapy! Last week, we saw this round-up of dual sinks that is simply to-die-for! We loved this take on bathroom design so much, we couldn’t stop thinking about it all weekend.  Naturally, we knew you’d love these bathroom design ideas, so check out the pictures below, or head over to Apartment Therapy for more information!

Our friends over at Apartment Therapy featured this awesome article recently, and offered some great tips for dealing with ugly bathroom light fixtures.  Since we love interior design, especially bathroom design on a budget, we knew we HAD to share these incredible ideas with you, our readers! Check out the tips below or head over to Apartment Therapy, to read the full article.

1. Change the Shade: This is one of the simplest and least expensive ways to update an old light fixture, and it can completely change the look of a bathroom. Hardware and lighting stores sell bathroom shades and kits, and they can help you match a new shade to your old fixture.

2. Spraypaint the Old Fixture: Cheap, brassy fixtures are a common problem in old apartment bathrooms. When the finish (not the style) of the fixture bothers you, spraypaint is an easy fix. Turn off the power circuit (this step is important!), remove the fixture from the wall or ceiling with a screwdriver, spray it with primer and a couple coats of color, then reinstall.

3. Replace the Light Fixture Yourself: If you’re handy and your project involves a one-to-one replacement, you may want to consider swtiching out a ceiling fixture or pendant on your own. (For a good overview of what constitutes a DIYable electrical project, see this article from This Old House.) The most important step is to turn off the power supply from your home’s circuit panel before you do anything.

4. Hire an Electrician to Replace a Fixture: For anything more complicated than a one-to-one fixture replacement, you’ll want to hire an electrician. Some electricians charge per circuit box, while others charge an hourly labor fee. Prices vary regionally, so call a few different electricians to get a sense of standard rates in your area.

5. Work with What You’ve Got: Sometimes the best way to handle an outdated bathroom is to embrace it. Find accessories (like towel bars or other bathroom hardware) that match the finish of your fixture, and take cues from the pre-existing color scheme when decorating the space.

Ever tried to apply makeup in the dark? I have, and the end result isn’t pretty – this is why my bathroom has ample lighting – I need to see what I’m doing to my face!

If you’re about to embark on a bathroom remodel and you haven’t yet considered your lighting options, then you came across this blog serendipitously.

Perhaps you’re about to have a “light bulb” moment?

The way the bathroom is lit is going to have a huge impact on the general mood your bathroom conveys. So, let’s talk bathroom lighting, shall we?

A bathroom should be well-lit, preferably with a natural light source (sky light or window), and carry the option of becoming dimly lit if need be. First, do ensure that your vanity mirror is properly lit. One of my personal favorite ways to light up a vanity mirror is a wall-mounted bathroom light bar with globe light bulbs, placed just above the mirror. It’s a very basic look that lights up your vanity area amazingly well, and gives you the ample lighting you need for your personal hygiene routine. But you can also veer from something as simple as this and get creative with a funky wall-mounted bar that uses LED (light-emitting-diode) technology. Your vanity mirror can also be lit up using wall sconces (one on either side of the mirror is ideal), and whether your bathroom’s theme is vintage-inspired or has that ultra-modern look, there’s a wall sconce out there to suit your style. Try this antique-looking wall sconce for an old-style bathroom or this sleek-looking wall sconce if you’re after a minimalist contemporary look.

Your lighting options are virtually endless and the vanity’s lighting isn’t the only thing to consider when lighting the bathroom. You’ll likely want to add ceiling (overhead) lighting. This allows you to opt for a softer lighting effect by only turning on the ceiling light, perfect for quick bathroom visits. As with your vanity lighting, the options are endless, but for the ceiling, recessed lighting may be your best option, and if you add a dimmer switch, you can easily turn a brightly-lit, functional bathroom into a romantic spa-like escape. If you’re aiming for an eccentric look in your bathroom, and you’re working with high ceilings, you might consider a chandelier for your overhead lighting. Or, consider this Tiffany-style ceiling light, which would work especially well if you’re mixing and matching a few different decorative ideas and you have an artsy personality.

Here’s a brilliant idea: task lighting. Task lighting refers to a direct beam of light that illuminates a particular area. I highly recommend this for a separate bath area, and for those who enjoy long, luxurious soaks with a good book or magazine. Task lighting is perfect for instances when you want to dim the lights and create a soft, relaxing ambiance, but still need enough light to read. This is where task lighting comes in handy.

And for the trendiest of bathrooms, take your bathroom lighting one step further with lit LED fixtures!

Oh, and don’t forget a night light for those groggy, middle-of-the-night trips to the bathroom!

We love stumbling upon bathroom tips and ideas like this one, which we found on the DIY Network.  Toilet problems can be common to any bathroom, but the article below features some easy ways to remedy these problems.  Check them out below, or head over to the DIY Network to read the full article.

Problem 1: Water Trickling Into the Bowl, or “Phantom Flushes”
You may periodically hear your toilet begin to spontaneously refill, as though someone had flushed it. A toilet that cuts on and off by itself, or runs intermittently, has a problem that plumbers call a phantom flush. The cause is a very slow leak from the tank into the bowl. This problem is almost certainly caused by a bad flapper or flapper seat. The solution is to drain the tank and bowl, check and clean the flapper seat, and replace the flapper if it’s worn or damaged.

Problem 2: Water Trickling Into the Tank
If you hear a sustained hissing sound coming from your toilet, it’s probably a result of water trickling into the tank via the supply line. In this case the parts to check are the float, the refill tube and the ballcock or inlet-valve assembly. The hissing sound is typically caused by water coming through the inlet valve. First check to see whether the float is sticking or needs adjusting. Next, check to make sure the refill tube isn’t inserted too far into the overflow tube. (It should extend only about 1/4″ below the rim of the overflow tube.) If neither of these adjustments solves the problem, you’ll probably need to replace the ballcock assembly as described above.

Problem 3: The Bowl Empties Slowly
A bowl that empties slowly — also known as a weak flush — is usually the result of clogged holes underneath the rim of the bowl. Use a curved piece of wire to poke gently into each flush hole to clear out any debris. Coat-hanger wire works fine, and a small mirror will help you see under the rim. You can also use wire to loosen debris that may be blocking the siphon jet in the bottom of the drain. Be careful not to scratch the bowl.

To read about the rest of the common toilet problems and there cures, click here.

Apartment Therapy continues to be our go-to source for interior design inspiration.  Since bathroom design is my specialty, I love seeing what fun ideas Apartment Therapy comes up with, and figure out how to apply them to my bathroom.  Bathroom renovation can often be a daunting thought, but sometimes a simple updated bathroom design can be all it takes to turn your bathroom from a snore to a delight.  We recently saw these ideas for soft metallic accessories, and I think they would look fabulous in any bathroom that needs a design turnaround.  Check out some of my favorite images below, or head over to Apartment Therapy for the full display.

ART DECO MY BATHROOM!

In the last Bathroom Design 101 blog, we bathed Edwardian style. In this blog, we’re traveling forward in time to the very next era, and retro chic is the name of the game. Today, interior designers are incorporating 1920s-inspired looks into homes using, for example, Art Deco-style furniture and vintage chandeliers for that old Hollywood vibe.

The roaring twenties, also known as the Jazz Age, was a time of freedom, fun, and excess in North America. Jazz music was popularized and the flapper redefined women’s fashion; sound was put to film and everyone was buying Ford’s Model-T. When we think of the 1920s we think gangsters, flappers, and old Hollywood glamour. But, when remodeling our bathrooms we should think of the ‘20s for its Art Deco movement, and how it influenced interior design.

While we can’t go back in time and relive the ‘20s, we can redecorate our bathrooms using 1920s-inspired themes!

The appeal of remodeling a bathroom with the 1920s in mind lies in its sheer simplicity, understated elegance, and functionality. Founded on the Art Deco style, a 20s bathroom is sleek, stylish, simple, and functional.

Between 1920 and 1930, functionality began to take over the decorative excess of the Victorian and Edwardian periods, and this was also true in the bathroom. Hygiene and sanitation became somewhat of an obsession in the ‘20s; therefore the bathrooms of the time reflected this. In most bathrooms, the fixtures were white. Gleaming chrome and white porcelain looked clean and sanitary, which made them the top decorating choices. While it’s true that in the late ‘20s, tub and sink manufacturers began introducing different colors (pink, blue, etc.), stick to white fixtures for your greatest return on investment should you ever sell your home.

You can recreate a 1920s bathroom look using either a claw foot tub or an existing built-in tub. If you’re redesigning a bathroom with a built-in tub, there’s no need to tear it out. During the ‘20s, claw foot tubs were gradually phased out as homes were being built with tubs already in place. If your bathroom’s existing built-in tub is old, chipped, or cracked, an easy, less expensive option is to update it with an acrylic tub liner. In the same way built-in tubs took over bathrooms during the 1920s, acrylic is now taking over today’s bathrooms as the easy-to-clean, functional material of choice.

For your 1920s-inspired bathroom’s flooring, a geometrical tile pattern is ideal. Black and white tiles are a smart, classic option. Or use smaller, colored tiles in two or three color combinations. All-white tile is also an option that reflects the clean look of a 1920s bathroom.

Built in pieces became popular during this period because of the desire to keep everything neat and clean. Decoration was always included with a functional piece; hence, recessed medicine cabinets became the rage. Everything had its place, and towel racks were often built right into the sink, as in this console sink, which would be a perfect addition to your 1920s bathroom.

In the 1920s, the metal built-in medicine cabinet right above the sink became the norm and defined the functional aspect of the time.  Adding one like this would certainly give your bathroom that 1920s appeal.

If you choose to go with a basic mirror above the sink, another option is a traditional wall-mounted medicine cabinet elsewhere in the bathroom.

Next, add a tall, narrow wood cabinet from floor to ceiling to store toiletries and towels.

Place a heated towel rack in your bathroom for added luxury. Contrary to what some may think, built-in water-heated towel racks were quite popular during this era and incorporating one into the design not only adds to the look, but keeps your towels nice and toasty!

A typical 1920s bathroom’s walls were tiled from the ground halfway up. If you choose to recreate this look, avoid the cost of ceramic tile by getting the look with an acrylic subway tile wall instead.

Speaking of walls, here’s an idea, frame and hang an old 1920s movie poster to really complete the look (or perhaps the very first screen adaptation of a famous novel).

Craving something a little less jazz and a little more country? Not to worry, my next blog will be all about giving your bathroom that country-style look!