Not surprisingly, the bathroom is one of the most often visited rooms by guests. Whether it’s simply to adjust make up, use the facilities, or to take a shower to freshen up, friends and guests frequent this little thought of area quite a lot. So, on a completely vain, but true, note, doesn’t it stand to reason that if you’re trying to show off, I mean, display, your obvious good taste and natural panache that it should be done where it will be seen the most? So I’ve taken some time to explore the many varied designs in magazines, online, and around different friends’ homes to determine which styles are hot, and which are not. Passing fads were nixed, and sentimental or subjective themes were put on the side. Here are the winners.
1 Matching sets- When you walk into a room where the toilet paper holder matches the ceiling bumper and so does everything in between, you’ve got to admit, you’re impressed. While you can go all out if you have the money and the compulsion to do so, you do not have to. Having a few items in the matching pattern is sufficient (example: towels and bathmat, toiletry set and curtain). Then, pull out one of the softest colors that appeal to you from within the motif, and fill in the rest of your bathroom with this shade. Not only does this complete the chic put together set look, but it makes it easier to replace worn out or broken pieces.
2 Nautical themes- For some reason, nautical themes are and always have been a favorite for bathroom designs. This can include any of the following: sailboats, anchors, oars, fishing net, lighthouse, oceans, knot ropes, driftwood, maps, as well as many other sea life and apparel items (see more on our nautical bedroom theme ideas). Most popularly found in shades of matted navy blues and reds with cream or white to balance, nautical themes are attractive and eye catching, giving your guests something to settle their eyes upon. Stripes enhance this fun theme as well.
3 Complimenting colors- For a much simpler spin on the matching set bathroom designs, choose complementing colors and paint the room from floor to ceiling. Shades are often an excellent way of giving the appearance of light and coordination. Paint the walls and ceiling a lighter shade of your chosen color, reserving the darker or deeper shades for the towels, shower curtains, extras, and wall hangings. A soft cotton floor mat can finish the cool and comfortable look.
4 Mirrors/vanities- Mirrors and vanities add depth to a small bathroom, while being functional and pleasant as well. Mirrors are attractive alone, or can be decorated with elegant frames, stenciling, and copper backing. All of these are inexpensive but beautiful touches that look like they cost you much more than you paid!
5 Child-friendly- If your home allows for this, it is a fabulous idea to designate one bathroom as the kids’ bathroom. Decorate with fun waterproof wall posters to hang in the bath, large toy baskets, and oversized kid friendly characters. My friend bought us a gift of “magic bathtub crayons”, which let you write on the surface of your bathtub and washes right off. Another cute idea I took was a paint on shower curtain. The curtain has friendly animals outlined in black on a white curtain, and comes with waterproof paint for the kids to color their favorite critters. We hung this up in the bath, and my kids still enjoy seeing their art work.
6 A little extra touch goes a long way- Dress up your bathroom with baskets of potpourri or candles with pleasant aromas. Calendar and magazine cut outs can be placed into inexpensive wooden dollar frames for trendy or rustic additions. A favorite flower, a beautiful sunset, or a serene ship at sea can actually calm the mind and enhance the already soothing abilities of a warm bath.
7 Flora and fauna- Invite nature into the washroom with plants on a windowsill or ledge. Not only does this increase your bathroom designs’ over all appeal and ambiance, plants add oxygen and natural air purifiers into your breathing space. Fashion and fitness all in one!
October 28th, 2007
I recently learned about an interesting method of interior design. It’s called feng shui, and it is derived from the ancient Chinese. Literally translated as wind-water, feng shui takes into consideration every aspect of exterior and interior design including architecture, space, weather, and astronomy! Feng shui is said to have tremendously beneficial effects on a person’s physical health, financial position, and interpersonal relationships. Wall hangings, furniture position, even color play an integral part in creating feng shui harmony. Every aspect from the doorway to the staircase has its own science to design and decorating.
Feng shui interior design involves looking for places with good qi (chi), which is loosely translated as a flow of energy. Animals also play a large part in feng shui decorating. Turtles (stability, support and longevity), dogs (protection), birds (new opportunities), as well as all the animals that symbolize the calendar (year). Feng shui has five basic elements, which correspond to various colors and shades. The element of fire, for example, correlates to red, strong yellow, orange, and purple, while wood works best with green and brown. The other elements are metal, water and earth.
As bizarre as it all sounds, feng shui can actually be viewed as a geographically sound form of architecture and design. Consulting feng shui is just the same as building your house upwind, down stream or off a fault line to avoid natural catastrophes and to cull ecological benefits. It is simply stacking your cards according to the environment. Make sense, right?
Other aspects of feng shui seem a bit more abstract and contrived, (though I’m not one to criticize other ways of life- different strokes for different folks). I struggle with concepts such as a winding staircase is a bad omen, and red apples suppress anger in the world of feng shui. The direction in which you sleep can bring you prosperity or shame depending on the alignment. These certainly don’t speak to the pragmatic skeptic within me.
Putting aside the seemingly arbitrary notions found in this interior design approach, the main goal of feng shui is harmony between man and nature. Which brings us to another completely logical notion founded in feng shui. Our surroundings have an enormous effect on our emotional state. If we surround ourselves with dark rooms, drab colors, and ornaments of death, naturally we will feel depressed and will physically be unproductive. If, on the other hand, we occupy our living space with light, air, and symbols of prosperity and hope, both our emotional and physical states will follow suit.
I wouldn’t start remodeling your house based on this slightly superstitious form of interior design. However, there are several practical aspects that anyone can use to enhance their living space.
- Natural air purifiers: Feng shui strongly believes in the energy powers of plants, especially as natural air purifiers. Fill creative furniture items made from pleasant wood such as a wishing well or planter boxes with all sorts of palms including bamboo palm, English ivy, and Boston fern, to name a few, to infuse your home with fresh energy and life.
- Dark corners and cramped spaces- It is said that within these pockets that dormant qi will gather, creating countless ailments and other negative repercussions. Cramped spaces are symbolic of an unsmooth flow of life. In our own lives we know that dark and cramped areas are unappealing and can upset our schedule.
- Hang a mirror on either side of a long & tight staircase to give it light and space.
- Use light-colored furniture in smaller rooms.
- Hang wind chimes to revitalize a stale corner.
- Paint walls a light color or white to expand the room.
- Lights, lights, and more lights.
- Get rid of clutter in those cramped areas.
- Hang pretty pictures and mirrors to visually enlarge a space and add color and vibrance to a room.
No one will argue the importance of a pleasant living area. Colors, furnishings, and wall hangings can certainly enhance or stifle a mood. We can take advantage of human nature when decorating, and interior design ourselves into a healthier frame of mind.
July 15th, 2007