We stumbled upon another great find on Apartment Therapy!  We just can’t get enough of this blog.  The post’s theme is finding luxury and elegance in the details.  This is definitely an idea we can subscribe to! Although not all of the ideas relate to bathroom design, you’ll find that these interior design tricks are fabulous! It will have your house, and bathroom, too, looking and feeling luxurious in no time!

1. Even if your home’s a rental that’s not wired for sound, a portable speaker means you can listen to music anywhere.

2. This month’s a great time to pick up a set of high thread count sheets on sale. We like white partially because it’s surprisingly easy to care for and white pretty much goes with white so we can start small (two pillowcases) and not feel like we need to be pressured to buy a whole set at once, which might be too much for our budget to handle right now.

3. Instead of bar soap, we swapped out a liquid soap for the bathroom sink and a body wash for the shower. There’s a whole slew of fragrances to choose from, they’re a lot neater (meaning less time cleaning up soap scum) and many of them work as bubble bath.

4. How about a new bathrobe? Whether it’s a plush terry one or something made of cashmere, you can find something indulgent at all price points. Use your coupons at Bed Bath & Beyond or check Overstock and Amazon.

5. If you’re the kind of person who showers at night, consider doing it by candlelight. It makes something routine and ho hum into something relaxing.

6. Find time in your schedule to sleep in and have breakfast in bed. It doesn’t have to be fancy. Sometimes just getting back into bed to finish your coffee can feel indulgent.

7. Splurge on a new towel or two. We love the size called bath sheets because they’re huge! We’ve always wanted to have one of those towel warmers but until that happens, a few minutes on the radiator makes them nice and toasty and wonderful to wrap up in after a shower or bath.

8. When the weather’s cold or rainy, we love getting into bed early with a good book.

9. Clean off your nightstands of the wadded up tissues and loose change. An alarm clock, a candle, a book and a glass of water are pretty much all you need. Putting the water in a nice glass or finding a carafe that we fill with water and sliced lemons or fresh mint is a little thing that makes us feel very luxurious.

THE ASIAN-INSPIRED BATHROOM

I’ve been having such a good time trying out a bunch of different bathroom designs on Bath Fitter’s new Design Your Own Bathroom feature, and so much fun pretending to be an interior designer that I got hungry for more. Play time always needs to be balanced out with learning time (at least, that’s what they tell us in school), so I did a bit of information gathering, if you will.

When it comes to bathroom design, there are so many different styles to choose from, and when you’re tackling your own bathroom remodel it’s crucial you determine what kind of style you want your bathroom to have. Let’s face it, you don’t want your bathroom to be a mishmash of different themes; no, you want it to have rhythm, a vibe, and most of all, you want it to look good!

So, let’s get started with Kiki’s very own “Bathroom Design 101” course, where, each week, over the course of the next while, I’ll give you a rundown of some of the most popular bathroom design themes, and what you need to keep in mind if you choose to adopt one of them for your own bathroom redesign. The first design option we’ll be looking at is the Asian-inspired bathroom.

The Asian-inspired bathroom

The bathroom is a great room to zone in on Zen-like elements, and Asian décor is as Zen as it gets. If your goal is to turn your bathroom into a place of peace and serenity, a place where you relax and unwind, I suggest you go with an Asian-inspired bathroom. This type of bathroom is always a hit with guests, and is a welcome treat at the end of a busy, stressful day.

Simplicity is the key when attempting an Asian bathroom design. Your first objective with this design is to ensure that there won’t be any clutter. Remember, clutter has no place in an Asian-inspired décor. Therefore, plan for a lot of cabinet and storage space while in the redesigning phase.

Natural elements must be incorporated; materials like stone and bamboo are ideal. Nowadays, bamboo flooring is a popular, low-cost option, and is considered a “green” building material. Stone elements can easily be integrated, like this gorgeous stone sink, and here’s a great example of an Asian-inspired bathroom vanity made of stone.

A small running fountain along with one or two plants on the countertop are excellent design options. Adding these features is a low-cost way to enhance the Asian look you’re creating.

Choosing your color palette could go in several directions. One would use a lot of earth tones for a very Japanese-inspired look. For example, ivory-beige walls with black and white accessories and several green plants make for a lovely Asian-inspired look – one could accessorize with toothbrush holders and soap dishes imprinted with traditional Asian symbols such as these. Adversely, one could take a different approach by painting the walls dark red or burnt orange for a Chinese-inspired look, and fixtures such as the sink and toilet, even bath, could be in black.

Finally, some art to complete the look – I wouldn’t think an Asian-inspired bathroom complete without some fabulous Asian art on one or more walls.

Are you thoroughly Asian-inspired? Well, if Asian’s not your thing, tune in to next week’s installment of “Bathroom Design 101” for a look at the ever-popular traditional bathroom design!

At this point, you loyal readers know how enthusiastic I am about bathroom design and bathroom remodeling, and, the truth is, I love sharing my enthusiasm with you.  But, I can’t take all the credit for the great information we’ve got going on this blog, because a lot of it has been inspired by my very own favorite interior design blogs.  I’ve seen so many great posts going on in the blogosphere lately, that I think it’s about time I give you guys a list of my creative sources of information.  Check out the list of awesome interior design and bathroom design inspiration blogs below.

Apartment Therapy – You don’t have to live in a major city to have access to the design inspiration on this blog.  They truly are” saving the world, one room at a time.”

Real Simple – Recipes, workout routines, and clothing galore make this magazine’s blog great, but absolutely NOTHING beats their home design ideas!

Unclutterer – Got a problem with organization? Fear no more! This blog gives you all the tips you need to clear the clutter from your house and life.

Knock Off Wood – Want a gorgeous new bathroom sink on a budget? This blog’s author creates knock offs of expensive furniture pieces, then posts the directions for readers to do the same.

Decor8 – Written by an interior design consultant, this blog provides a ton of “fresh finds for hip spaces.”

According to our friends over at Apartment Therapy, bathroom design is becoming recession friendly with the replacement of blinged out designs for a simpler elegance.  Thinking of remodeling or redesigning your bathroom? Flashy and expensive is no longer the hip thing.  Instead, aim for low-key, simple designs on a budget.  Check out the pictures below for inspiration.

Okay everyone; let’s have a show of hands from all those of you who have, at some point, contemplated interior design as a career…I mean, who hasn’t walked into a room, noticed its mediocre décor, and thought “Hmm a vase with flowers right over there could really add something.” Or, maybe you’ve been over at a friend’s house and had a conversation about what color the walls really should be in order to liven up the mood, or how the room could totally open up by changing the furniture layout and adding a mirror or two.

Have you ever watched those interior design shows and found yourself disagreeing with the makeover choices the “experts” made? Perhaps you’ve even, while watching, yelled at the TV, saying, “No! Don’t put the coffee table there!” or, “What?! You’re painting the room mint green? Are you crazy?!” Heck, we all want to put our two cents in when it comes to décor. We all have our own tastes, and we all know what we like and what we don’t like. If any of this resonates with you, and even if it doesn’t, I’ve got something wickedly fun for you to try out; something you can use to unleash the interior designer within you…

It’s Bath Fitter’s Design Your Own Bathroom feature, where you can, as suggested, play designer, and go crazy mixing and matching different bathroom looks to create the one that suits you best. What’s so great about this recently-added-to-the-site feature is that it allows you to really “see” what your bathroom will look like before you renovate, and it gives you a chance to play with different wall styles and textures, as well as with different tub styles, and different shower looks. It’s loads of fun, and once you’ve completed your design, you can save it for future reference or even send it to a friend! Careful, it’s slightly addictive!

Check it out, right here.

Um, was that a tile I just saw falling off your bathroom wall? If this was the case, it would be clear that your bathroom might be in need of some TLC, i.e. a remodel! But, sometimes the signs aren’t always so obvious – not all bathroom problems jump out right at you and scream “time to renovate!”

It’s easy to live your day to day life, not noticing how ugly that avocado green tub is, because it’s simply become, as they say, “part of the furniture” – literally. Or, sometimes you do realize how ugly your bathroom is, but again, you choose to ignore the disturbing 1970s décor. Perhaps a wake up call is in order?

Let’s have a look at 5 reasons it’s time to give your bathroom an upgrade. Read them, and then act accordingly.

1.  You don’t feel good. Your state of mind matters – so how do you feel when you’re in your bathroom? Instead of unwinding while enjoying a bubble bath, do you instead tend to notice all of the bathroom’s flaws? There may be a cracked tile, or the room’s color may be pink when you’d really rather have it blue. Maybe the faucets seem old or outdated, or the toilet doesn’t flush properly. Whatever your bathroom woe may be, if it’s keeping you from enjoying the time you spend in it – then it’s time for a change. Whether it’s a small change or a big one, if it’ll make you feel better, get it done.

2.  It’s not your style. Perhaps the previous home owners chose to outfit the bathroom with faucets and fixtures that are Victorian era inspired – and what you’d really like is something much more modern. Your home should reflect your personal style and the bathroom’s look is no exception to that rule.

3.  You’re not safe. This is actually more of a slap-in-the-face-type sign, because if you’re not safe in your own bathroom, putting off repairs will only make matters worse. For example, tiles that have fallen out (or loose, cracked tiles on the verge of doing so) need to be addressed before someone gets hurt. Also, any sign of mold anywhere in the bathroom should be dealt with promptly; this isn’t something to be postponed. Finally, an elderly person’s reduced mobility is just cause to renovate. Replacing a bathtub with a walk-in shower can improve the safety quotient ten-fold.

4.  You’re selling. The idea may be to sell and run, but that is not the best approach to selling your home. Take a good, hard look at the bathroom if you want to sell your home. If the bathroom is outdated, this can turn off any potential buyers. The rest of the house can look great and be in great condition, but a yucky bathroom could make any discerning home-buyer choose another home over yours, simply because the bathroom wasn’t good enough.

5.  Baby’s coming. If the family is expanding, a more complete, functional bathroom is probably in order. Baby’s going to take a lot of baths, and that tub needs to be clean. If the tub is cracking, peeling, or has a film of stubborn dirt in it that just won’t come off, it’s got to go. Upgrading the bath with an acrylic bathtub liner is, for many people, the perfect way to get the tub sparkling for the new arrival.

We’re huge fans of Real Simple Magazine on this blog, and I just happened to stumble upon an awesome article featuring 7 luxurious bath products.  Take a look below for some of my favorites, or head over to Real Simple to check out the complete list.

To Set a Relaxing Scene: Tuck a Sweet Grass Farm Clean Burning Candle into any corner of your bathroom. Made of pure soy wax and 100 percent cotton wicks, the candles come in pretty glass jars and are available in 13 different scents. To buy: $10, sweetgrassonline.com.

For Smoother Skin: The Swissco Boar Bristle Back Brush buffs away dead cells with natural bristles and easily reaches just about anywhere, thanks to its 16-inch long birch wood handle. Use it with soap or bath gel. To buy: $17, cosmeticsolutions.biz.

For a Luxurious Scent: Scoop a handful of foam-free L’Occitane Rose Bath Powder into warm water. It infuses your bath (and skin) with the lush notes of Bulgarian, Moroccan, Turkish, and Grasse roses. To buy: $24, loccitaneusa.com.

Cleopatra is remembered as one of the most beautiful and majestic women of all time, but what was her secret? The solution is simple: bathing in milk! I’m always on the hunt for new ways to make time in the bathroom more enjoyable, and nothing seems more relaxing than the idea of soaking in a warm lavendar milk bath a la the famed  Egyptian enchantress. Where did I get this idea, you might ask? Check out the article below.

A silky warm milk bath sounds sumptuous doesn’t it? And why not? How many times have we heard that milk is good for you? For ages nutritionists have been raving about how good milk is for your bones and teeth, so why wouldn’t it be good for your skin and complexion, as well? What most people don’t realize is that women have been using milk as a beauty product secret for centuries and it is not until recently that the general public has been made aware of the replenishing wonders of a milk based bath. Milk baths, when taken on a regular basis, can soften and smooth your skin, even making it firmer, more radiant and silky to the touch.  This is due to to milk’s natural exfoliating properties. A milk bath not only offers you the benefits of skin care in a home spa, but you can also add other natural ingredients such as honey, oatmeal, lavender and even natural clay to increase the beautifying affects of your milk bath mixture.

Liquid or powdered

While you can use liquid milk, dry powered milk is the better choice because it has a longer shelf life and you can measure and premix convenient milk bath combinations in containers ahead of time. As mentioned, you can premix the powered milk and other dry ingredients like oatmeal and store it in a vessel so that you can lay it away. When needed, you can retrieve it and sprinkle the elements into your bath as your tub fills. Or you could follow these instructions: Before you are ready to take your bath, pre-stir all the ingredients including the liquid components (such as the water, honey and essential oils) to make sure everything is properly dissolved.  Then pour this pre-stirred smooth mixture into your awaiting bathtub before you get in. Using this method avoids the clumping of the dry materials along the sides of your bath and ultimately aids in the clean up process.

Budget friendly

The naturally occurring acids in milk act as a gentle cleanser which helps to remove the old skin cells making way for the newer ones underneath. This is a vital step in keeping your skin looking young and vibrant. While it is possible to purchase commercially pre-made milk bath product to use in your lavatory. It is quick, easy and even cost effective if you make it yourself in bulk.

For all skin types

Because a milk bath is pretty mild, it can be can be taken by all skin types and may even be good for those suffering mild skin blemishes, as long as you don’t stay in too long.  Suggested time is no more than ten to fifteen minutes. Clean up is pretty important too, especially if you are using liquid milk.  Commercial cleaning products or things like rubbing alcohol go a long way to making sure your bath doesn’t stink or smell sour from the milk residue. Products with citrus in them can greatly reduce the smell both in and after your milk bath.

Be like Cleo

All in all, milk baths are great for your complexion!  Try one today and you, too, can experience the beautifying affects of a milk bath made famous around the world by Cleopatra of old, who was said to have bathed in camels milk to keep her skin looking supple and young.

Source: Bathroom Guru Review

As Dorothy says in The Wizard of Oz, “There’s no place like home.” I couldn’t agree more, but lately my house’s drab bathroom decor has had me thinking Dorothy’s domestic mantra doesn’t extend to the washroom.  Ever the optimist, I’m making it my personal quest to prove Dorothy’s words can include my bathroom. So, I’m setting out to give my bathroom decoration a major makeover.  I stumbled upon this article below which was more than helpful in giving me the inspiration that I need.

What is the most frequently visited part of a home besides the living room? Of course, it’s the bathroom. This is where you clean yourself up everyday. That is why the bathroom is one of the most indispensable parts of a house. That being said, many homeowners invest a lot on bathroom design even if it is a very private area. These days, some bathrooms have neutral and simple designs, while others have elegant and elaborate designs. Regardless of the bathroom decoration people have at home, one thing is for sure: they want a unique look and feel for their bathroom.

Isn’t it a great idea to make your bathroom look more eye-catching and interesting? The bathroom has huge potential to look beautiful and capture attention, so don’t let yours remain plain-looking. Because your bathroom literally and figuratively holds a special place in your home, it pays to give it a facelift-you will be very happy with the results. The following are a few bathroom decoration ideas you can use to enhance the appearance and functionality of your bathroom.

Pick your own unique design theme and stick to it.

The bathroom design includes everything from the bathroom tiles to the toothbrush holder. Here’s a tip: opt for bathroom products or accessories that capture your fancy. If you are fond of collecting multi-colored glass figurines, then you can add them as decor for your bathroom. Other ideas for bathroom decoration include a classic theme that consist of materials such as porcelain, wood, or bronze; a contemporary theme with simple lighting, multi-colored glasses, and white steel and chrome accents; an Asian theme consisting of Buddha figurines and lanterns; and a design consisting purely of stones or pebbles.

Each spot of your bathroom such as the toilet, shower, and grooming area must be planned well, keeping in mind the needs and preferences of all members of the household. Bathroom wall tile ideas are one way to customize every part of the bathroom.

Place a small table close to the toilet or bathtub.

This is where you place books and magazines, so anyone who uses the toilet or takes a warm bath in the tub will have something to read while relaxing.

Use elegant soap trays and dispensers.

These bathroom accessories can complement the overall decoration and theme of your bathroom. If you are talented enough, you may want to make your own soap dishes and dispensers.

For a soothing and relaxing effect, hang a photo or painting of a landscape, lake, or seascape in front of the shower area or bathtub.

Use materials that reflect light such as polished chrome and stainless steel to allow for more ventilation and create an illusion of space in the bathroom. White brick tiles, white paneling or wainscoting, and other white elements create a similar effect.

If your living room is located near your bathroom, you can try to blend the style of these rooms using faux-finish wall coverings and brass or gold fixtures.

Consider turning your simple bathroom into a sophisticated living or entertainment area.

Electrically-powered devices such as TVs, speakers, and music players that are made for bathrooms have gained much popularity today. If you install them in your bathroom, you can enjoy the convenience of listening to music or catching up on the latest news on TV while you take a shower or use the toilet. Bathroom electronic devices may be pricey, but the cost will be worth it because of the convenience and functionality they offer.

Bathroom decoration won’t be a hassle for you because bathroom products and accessories are widely available in local home improvement stores and online shops nowadays.

Source: Mondetur.net

2010 is getting off to a great start, and I am more than excited to get the ball rolling on my resolutions – especially those changes I want to make to my bathroom design.  But what will some of the interior design trends be for this exciting start to a new decade? Check out the article I found below for some tips and hints!

Is glamour dying?

At the very least, it’s being redefined during an uncertain economy as we approach the next decade.

“There’s a change away from the hip modernism we’ve borrowed from hotels with all the Lucite, mirrored furnishings and bright yellow and turquoise geometric carpets,” said interior designer Peter Dunham of Los Angeles, whose client list includes Ben Affleck. “We want comforting things. More American pie, less flash in the pan.”

So what exactly is in store – and will be in stores – for our homes in 2010?

“More craft and things that have been touched by hand,” said Keith Johnson, buyer-at-large for Anthropologie stores and the subject of the Sundance Channel’s “Man Shops Globe.” The eight-episode series followed Johnson to South Africa, India and across Europe as he sped through flea markets and met with artisans in search of Holy Grail furnishings and accents.

BLACK ON TRACK

Black walls are turning up in home mags and blogs, much bolder versions of the grays we’ve grown used to.

“Dark walls actually make smaller rooms look bigger,” said Susan Bartlett Crater, granddaughter of Kennedy White House decorator Sister Parish. Crater and Libby Cameron this year wrote the book “Sister Parish Design on Decorating” (St. Martin’s Press, $35). “Black also pops color in a sophisticated way.”

Patricia Shackelford of Kansas City, author of the nationally recognized design blog “Mrs. Blandings,” included a post on world-renowned interior designer and Kansas City native Thomas Britt’s black walls of the 1970s. Some of the rooms looked as if they could have been ripped from modern magazines that feature black rooms with crisp white trim and accents.

Designer Peter Dunham is even seeing black in furniture upholstery, such as black Chesterfield sofas. And Edwardian-like black coincides with what’s popular in fashion, he says.

TO GRANDMOTHER’S HOUSE WE GO

We’ve heard “this ain’t your grandma’s …” A new buzz phrase just might be “that’s so granny.”

Patricia Shackelford thinks we’ll see more patchwork quilts, hooked rugs, needlepoint and chintz.

“On ‘Top Design,’ a contestant (Ondine Karady) was criticized for being too ‘grandma’ for using a crocheted throw,” Shackelford said. “Actually, she was on to the next trend.”

Shackelford said it’s the return of Sister Parish design, using heirlooms or pieces with history. “It’s a way to bring comfort to formality,” she said.

Susan Bartlett Crater said using family pieces can be stylish. “My grandmother always said houses should be receptacles of memories,” Crater said. “What better way than using grandmother’s things?”

GRAFFITI FURNITURE

Antiques in recent years have become more affordable. But some pieces can be unwanted, drab even, and call for help.

“Antiques don’t always have to be these sacred things,” Keith Johnson said. “They can be reinterpreted.”

When “Man Shops Globe” visited Belgium, Johnson asked an artist to breathe new life into a wooden Louis XV headboard by spray-painting it, graffiti-style.

MADE IN THE U.S.A.

In 2010 and beyond, a “made in the U.S.” label will resonate strongly with buyers, because people want to strengthen the economy. Buying more local items also is better for the environment.

HOMESTEAD CHIC

More of us are growing vegetables, crafting our own cheeses and battling city hall to keep chickens in our backyards. Just as we’ve been reconnecting with the land, look for that bond to strengthen in the rest of the home. We’ll use more locally harvested wood and reclaimed barn wood.

We’re becoming fonder of burlap-style grain-sack and rustic linen pillows. The fabrics follow on the heels of the classic rural European look popularized by Belgian designer Axel Vervoordt. He sparingly mixes industrial furniture with worm-holed unstained wooden pieces. Restoration Hardware’s latest furniture seems to be directly inspired by Vervoordt, Peter Dunham and Patricia Shackelford say.

FLEA MARKET FRENZY

Many made their first visits to flea markets and thrift stores in 2009, a trend that will get even bigger in the new year.

A recent visit to the Salvation Army store turned up 48-cent pieces of classic creamy Ironstone dishware.

“People aren’t doing the full-scale bathroom and kitchen re-dos they were a few years ago,” Dunham said. “But they can easily perk up a room with textiles or a new lamp.”

“Wary Meyers’ Tossed & Found: Unconventional Design From Cast-Offs” by Linda and John Meyers (Stewart, Tabori & Chang, $27.50) features how-to ideas for Aunt Millie’s stuff and thrift-store finds.

INNOVATIVE RECYCLING

In an episode of “Man Shops Globe” in which Keith Johnson travels to South Africa, he talks about how recycled items will be purchased only if they are beautiful. On a visit to a store called Magpie, he fell in love with a chandelier made of Barbie legs and milk-bottle caps. At the end of the show, we learn President Barack Obama commissioned a $4,800 recycled chandelier for his daughters’ room at the White House (based on Johnson’s recycled find).

DESIGN MAGAZINE EVOLUTION

Two popular design magazines, Domino and Metropolitan Home, published their last issues in 2009. On the upside, 2009 saw the start of a new online-only magazine called Lonny ( www.lonnymag.com). We wonder if there will be more.

CONVERGING LIKE CRAZY

We anticipate more design apps (short for applications) for our smart phones.

Sherwin-Williams in 2009 introduced color-matching software for the iPhone. You can take a picture on your phone and match it to a paint color, which is highly useful now that camera phone quality has improved.

LAUGHTER INDUCING

We don’t mean talking Jerry Seinfeld bobbleheads, although those would be stellar desk toys. What we do expect to see are more imaginative everyday household items designed to tickle our funny bones.

This month, Keith Johnson visited Design Miami, a show that is gaining prominence worldwide, and “Grandfather Clock” got his attention. It’s a large wooden piece with a clock face in which a blurry gentleman on a screen keeps passersby up to the minute by erasing the old time with a paper towel and redrawing the current time with a dry-erase marker.

“We need things that make us laugh,” Johnson said. “Or at the very least, make us smile.”

Source: Bradenton.com