interior-decorating-ideas.com

(ARA) – When juggling the demands of work and family, busy homeowners often reach for the ease and convenience of mass-produced décor to create an atmosphere that reflects their own personal style. However, this “one-size-fits-all” approach to home decorating can often lead to lifeless rooms that weren’t created so much to be lived in as they were to be looked at.

During his recent turn on Bravo’s “Top Design” reality television series, Chicago interior designer, Erik Kolacz repeatedly demonstrated the importance of using your personal tastes into your home. “Stick to what appeals to you, and you can’t go wrong.”

One of the easiest ways to work personal style into home décor is through thoughtful choices in artwork. “Utilizing the skill and expertise of a custom framer makes a huge difference in how well a piece will fit into your space,” says Kolacz.

Consider a few of these additional tips for creating a unique home environment that matches your distinctive style:

1. Remember that the frame and mat should complement the art, not compete with it.
2. Size your piece to balance with the architecture in the room. Crescent offers matboards in a variety of textures and colors that make it very easy to achieve this.
3. Consider the room color and the space where the piece will be hung.
4. Don’t limit yourself to framing canvas or paper artwork; consider framing silverware, fishing lures or musical instruments.

Finally, choose a custom framing professional that guarantees your satisfaction with the finished piece.

For more information about custom framing, visit www.crescentcardboard.com or contact a professional framer in your area.

Technorati Tags: home decorating

Bubbles Rug
Amazon Price:

Tiddliwinks Bath Rug - Mod Pink and Brown (30×20″)
Amazon Price:

(ARA) - If you have an older home, you may be considering ripping out and replacing the tile and plumbing fixtures. People often replace them because they have many years’ build up of dinge or minor blemishes and they don’t think they’ll ever get clean again. But it’s not easy to find a replacement tub that has the look you want, fits your bathroom, is in good condition and affordable, too. An appropriate claw-foot tub can cost $1,200 or more.

Every year refinishing shops around the country save hundreds of old, weary plumbing fixtures by recoating them with an acrylic urethane resin coating. If you have a removable tub they can refinish in the shop, but whether it’s done in the shop or in your home, it’s a major job. And while it may be a fraction of the cost of a replacement, it’s still a significant expense.

What if you could remove the layers of grime to see what the real piece looks like before doing the major fix up? You can.

Water Pik Classic Hand-Held Massage Spray Showerhead Features: • Hand-held massage spray showerhead offers 5 refreshing spray settings to relieve everyday stress and tension • Provides steady pulsating, powerful hyper massage, pulsating massage, soft body spray, and concentrated spray • White and chrome showerhead • Includes stationary mounting bracket and 5-foot hose • Certified water and energy saver List Price: $51.22 Buy New: $40.00 You Save: $11.22 (22%)

There is one remarkably different cleaning product on the market that freshens up old plumbing fixtures and surfaces to like-new condition. CLR Enhanced Bathroom & Kitchen Cleaner from Jelmar quickly removes calcium, lime, rust and hard water deposits, as well as soap scum, dirt and dulling film. And if it works to remove layers of filth from decades of use, imagine what it can do for daily upkeep of new fixtures.

“I was planning on replacing my old tub during my bathroom remodel; the tub is from the 70s. I thought it was just old and worn out,” says Miriam Lambertz, a homeowner in Minneapolis. “I tried CLR and really couldn’t believe what I was seeing. I sprayed it on, waited a few minutes and wiped off with a sponge, and what came off was amazing. The stains that came off were what I thought was permanently stained tub surface — and now it’s white and looks shiny and new.”

From a long-time family of other dependable cleaning products, CLR Enhanced Bathroom & Kitchen Cleaner is their newest multi-use power cleaner — in the yellow bottle. Tough enough for the worst scum — use it to cut through those tough old stains that really aren’t permanent; and use it regularly in your bathroom and kitchen for general cleaning.

Gentle enough for any surface, this different bathroom cleaner works on ceramic tile, grout and caulk, shower doors, toilet bowls, fiberglass, shower head fixtures and kitchen counter tops.

To find CLR in the yellow bottle, go to www.jelmar.com for locations near you.

Having the right bathroom decorations is quite an important part of house decor It is crucial to not just get the bathroom designed with the right tiles, and the right wallpaper or paint, but also to go ahead and take that extra step by making sure that the walls are attractively decorated. Having the right bathroom decorations makes the difference between a bland bathroom, and one that shows how much you care about the way that your house looks. Your bathroom decorations show off your tastes as much or more as the layout of the rest of your house, and it is the only place your guests can observe things without being obvious, so you should really do all that you can to make everything look splendid.

Of course, bathroom decorations are not just a matter of finding any picture and putting it up. Sure, having pictures as part of bathroom decoration is a good idea, but you really need to have just the right taste to get the look that you need for your bathroom. Whatever you put up has to be soothing, yet also show your good taste. It should not be, for example, little kids chasing a balloon against a rural backdrop, or any other such rubbish. What makes good bathroom decorations in my opinion, is abstract art. Something that shows a range of colors meant to evoke a specific range of emotions is really as good a choice as you can get. Pencil drawings can also make good bathroom decorations, as can prints, but it is important to not overdo it.

Of course, your bathroom decorations are far from the most important parts of household decor. What they should really do is to mirror the rest of your household decorations in a more mellow and understated way. It is always good to have themes that echo and repeat throughout our house, and the bathroom decorations should be part of this. It is great if they reflect the colors and styles that you use elsewhere, many interior decorators believe. If you do not, people will feel subtly thrown off when they first enter your bathroom, and will not be able to figure out exactly why. This type of unconscious unease is kind of disquieting, and it is a bad way to make a good impression on your guests. You should do your best to avoid it at all costs. Then your bathroom decorations will look great.

Technorati Tags: bathroom decorations

If you have a cluttered bath you want to consider a variety of bathroom accessories, including plain storage shelves. Most people store items in linen closets, below in sink cabinets, or inside shelves installed in a bathroom. Some of us do not have this luxury. Still, those who do have the luxury often face clutter.

Online or at any store, you will find cabinet organizers or the common pullout drawers. Shaker boxes, wicker baskets, hatboxes, shoeboxes, etc. all make great bathroom accessories for storage. In addition, you can add a sink skirt below your sink, especially if you do not have doors to hide your items.

If you enjoy the 3-stacked picnic baskets then you may want to consider the wickers. The color and pattern can be matched to the texture of your bathroom. You can place the baskets in the corner of your bathroom to store items. If you have a cluttered sink, then get small wicker baskets to store your items, such as colognes, perfumes, hair sprays, dryers, cosmetics, and so on.

Shaker boxes are usually small. You want to go online to choose these boxes, since you will find a larger selection. If you have a country or rustic bath then you may want to consider a collection of shaker boxes. The boxes will add enchanting style to your country surrounding.

If you have a traditional bath you may want to consider the traditional pie safes. Pie safes stand in the corner of your bath, similar to a shelf. The door is usually made of glass. The storage facility is ideal for storing towels, linen, or cleaning supplies. If you have an old-fashion bath, you may want to add a rocking chair. Not for sitting but for decorative storage. The chair will hold items, such as towels. You can mount the chair to your wall to save floor space.

To maximize space try choosing bathroom accessories, such as the wired-over storage, or tub trays. Tub trays hang over your tub side or back and allow you to store toys, soaps, wash clothes, etc. Wire-over storage provides you the same capabilities where you can store shampoos and conditioners or whatever else you select.

I like the shower bags, or mesh bags also. If you have a shower, the bags enable you to store soaps, shampoos, conditioners, shaving cream, razors, bathing toys, and everything else you use in the shower.

If you are creative, you can design your own medicine cabinet, which makes great storage. Ultimately, you can purchase a wide array of medicine cabinets online, or at Home Depot. If you are designing a child’s bath, consider the aquarium cabinets, toss in an aquarium toilet seat, shower curtain, rug, etc, and you have a brand new surrounding that your children will enjoy.

Exotic decor places outlandish, striking, bizarre, mysterious, or unexpected items in the bathroom. If you add plants and vines, add a few nature-based pictures and frames on the wall. Paint the walls green, and add tan, brown or green tiles. You could always paint your walls black, select contrasting tiles, and set the room off with fluorescent lights.

Technorati Tags: bathroom accessories

Whether you own or rent your home, you know how important it is to have a nice sized bathroom. If you are really lucky, you have two or more large bathrooms. Not everyone is this fortunate, however, and sometimes when renting, you have to take the size you get. For many apartment renters, life with a small bathroom is a daily struggle. It’s not really a matter of life and death, of course, but it can be very frustrating, and after a while, a small bathroom may begin to add to your stress levels.

If you have a small bathroom, you are probably looking for ways to make life a little easier. In very small bathrooms, you really have to be smart in order to keep things organized and nearby. Some homes with small bathrooms have a closet near the bathroom for extra storage space. This is nice, but it is not very practical. If you are applying makeup, doing your hair, or trying to get ready to go out on the town, the small space and limited storage area is going to be frustrating.

To get more stuff into your small bathroom without cluttering it up too much, you need to find ways to add storage space. One great way to do this is by getting a large medicine cabinet. This can clear up a lot of the clutter that appears on the vanity in almost any small bathroom. If you get one that is recessed into the wall, it takes up almost no space at all. You can also find a storage unit that sits above your toilet. These, in most cases, have long legs that sit on their side of the toilet, and then have shelves or enclosed storage spaces up above. These are great if you have the wall space.

If you have children, you can keep your small bathroom clutter free by giving them their own bathroom basket. In this basket they can keep their shampoo and soap, along with an assortment of bath toys. This can be carried in at bath time, and then removed after the bath is over. This will help keep the toys out of the tub and up off the floor. As an added bonus, this will save you from stepping on the toys at night when you can’t see. Falling down in a small bathroom after stepping on a sharp toy will be nothing but trouble.

Technorati Tags: small bathroom

Luxury bath towels are a must for the bathroom that is often overlooked. These fine details make any home’s bathing area into a retreat that is as appealing to the touch as it is the eye. It is remarkable how many of us settle for less than the best when it comes to this kind of essential, especially when the difference in cost may be minor.

You spend a lot of time browsing through various bathroom decoration ideas to find just the right look. You can also spend a ton of money on the cutting edge renovations required to update the area as well. Why not invest in luxury bath towels to complete the project correctly?

We can all relate to the scene: it is early in the morning and you are in a nice, hot shower. The water is so relaxing that it seems to wash away all of the stress and tension you have and rinse them down the drain. Preparing for your day is a double-edged sword.

The unpleasant notion of stepping out of the shower into the cold air is not pleasant. Then you remember your luxury bath towels that are so soft and comfortable that they make you wonder why you are standing under a stupid stream of water.

Making the transition from hot shower to the rest of your early morning routine is much more appealing when you have luxury bath towels at you disposal. These items can make your morning preparation a little more pleasant.

They also serve to make unwinding in the evening a little extra special as well. Nothing is more relaxing than a hot soak in the tub after a strenuous day. You have created the perfect atmosphere by choosing just the right bathroom decorating ideas. Topping off the environment with luxury bath towels that are as pleasing to the touch as they are to the eye only makes sense.

You spend time finding great bathroom decorating ideas and you put effort into using them. Adding luxury bath towels that are offered in a wide array of colors that suit any décor is the next logical step to making your bath time a truly luxurious experience.

While these examples may seem a little dramatic, they serve to illustrate how the smallest detail can make all the difference. The little things in life can bring us great pleasure and they are relatively inexpensive. Adding simple elements like luxury bath towels will cost a few dollars more in your bathroom decoration budget but they are worth each and every penny.

Technorati Tags: bathroom decoration ideas, luxury bath towels

By Judith Nasatir

(ARA) - Trendy designs for the home combine furnishings from a variety of periods and materials. Finding the right mix takes confidence, a spirit of adventure and savvy eye. This is particularly true in the bath. Whether home spa, master suite, powder room or his and her space, the bathroom requires practical design solutions given its utilitarian function. But it’s a style matchmaker’s field of dreams where virtually anything goes thanks to today’s products and designs.

Begin with the Design Basics
In mixing and matching styles in your bathroom, start with the design basics of scale and proportion. What are the dimensions of your bathroom and what elements do you need to fit within that space? Ask yourself if you have all the fixtures and fittings to meet your needs and lifestyle. Do you want to gain storage space and lose the clutter? Balancing the room’s size with the bathroom necessities will help you explore what to add, what to eliminate, what to build in or what furniture to consider.

Many manufacturers simplify the decision by offering complete bath furniture collections in a wide variety of periods and styles. Whether you use the collections in full or in part, they provide a foundation for the rest of the mix. The Fifth and 57th Collection from Porcher, for example, features an art deco-inspired vanity, cosmetic table, apothecary cabinet, storage cabinet, wall-hung mirror and tub surround. You can determine what pieces fit within your space and style.

Pick a Theme
Once you have the basics in place, today’s décor-conscious homeowner welcomes the challenge to combine a little of this and a little of that. The successful mix features variations on one dominant visual theme, whether you choose art deco, minimalist, contemporary, country or anything in between. When selecting additional pieces for the room, look for design compatibility — a similar (or happily contrasting) angle or curve to the fixtures, a matching finish, and so on. With your design theme in mind, you can also choose complementary materials for floors, walls and countertops. Fortunately, there are many natural and man-made materials available that are water-resistant such as glass, stone, tile, metal, composites and certain woods. Again, some collections from bathroom manufacturers feature mix-and-match materials. Porcher’s Fifth and 57th Collection offers rich, two-tone wood finishes, durable natural stone and sculpted hardware.

Play the Match Game
Good design seeks balance between matching and contrasting. Some elements of the well-mixed bath such as fixtures, faucets and hardware work best if they match. Sticking to one manufacturer’s fixtures and fittings automatically adds a degree of visual consistency and a manageable amount of variety. Other bathroom details such as fixture finishes and furniture are perfect for mixing up the room’s style. It’s these types of details that provide the finishing touches on your bathroom makeover. An elegant, understated metal faucet finish, whether brushed or antiqued, makes a good match for all styles. JADO bathroom faucets, for example, come in an antique nickel finish, which is among the most popular for luxury fixtures. No matter what finish you choose, try to keep them consistent, especially when the bath incorporates several periods and styles. Furniture can also provide a practical yet stylish contrast to your bathroom theme. An heirloom antique cabinet or a new clothing armoire can be repurposed as much-needed storage and contrasted with porcelain fixtures and metal finishes.

When it comes to mixing it up in the bathroom, learn from the design masters: match form to function and then match it to your style. Elegant, designer-looking bathrooms can be achieved easily with the help of manufacturers’ mix-and-match collections and your own imagination.

York Over Cabinet Towel Bar
Amazon Price:

STORAGE CABINET
Amazon Price:

Technorati Tags: bath furniture

(ARA) – Every day more and more people are exercising, eating healthier foods and embracing natural choices in their lives. The health and wellness movement has even affected how we build and furnish our homes. A new trend in luxury bathrooms is just one example.

Bathroom suites can be a lavish oasis where homeowners begin each day and relax and retreat in the evening. Here are some of the top bathroom trends:

1) Organic Designs
Intricate designs and bathroom products utilizing straight lines and right angles are being seen less and less. Bathrooms are featuring soft, flowing design lines that have a clean and sleek look. Round and oval shapes are popular for sinks and bathtubs, without sharp corners and contours. Even toilets are becoming more rounded. These design elements are eye pleasing and also benefit our health and wellness. Limited lines and details are easier to keep clean and without the sharp edges, you are less likely to hurt yourself when you accidentally bump into them in the middle of the night.

2) High-tech Toilets
The toilet has often been an overlooked item in the creation of a bathroom, but no more. Homeowners are creating the ultimate bathroom with products that make over their current bathroom facilities. Kohler’s latest toilet seat can transform just about any toilet into one like no other. Two cleaning wands provide heated water cleansing much like a separate bidet would. Additionally the heated seat has a three-temperature setting, a warm-air fan for partial drying, a deodorizer that minimizes odors, a lighted bowl for soft illumination and even a quiet-close seat closure system to prevent slamming and unnecessary noise.

3) Going Green
Eco-friendly items are becoming popular among high-end homeowners, and these products are being utilized in the bathroom as well. People are using energy-efficient showers, baths, sinks and lighting options. Even antique and reclaimed flooring and tiles can be found in luxury bathrooms. Everyday bathroom products such as paper supplies, soaps, lotions, etc., come in high-quality versions that are earth-friendly as well.

4) Toasty Toes
One of the ultimate luxuries in bathrooms is the many items that come warmed for the user’s comfort. One popular area to achieve this option is in the flooring. Heating can be installed under a variety of flooring types including stone, tile, wood, vinyl and carpet. And the heating trend doesn’t stop there; heated towel racks, heated chairs, toilet seats and many other items are being used. Heat can be therapeutic and generally make the bathroom more comfortable when washing or changing.

5) Accessories for the Senses
As the bathroom becomes more and more of a refuge from our busy lives, we are adding accessories that indulge our senses and help us relax. Natural wax candles in a variety of scents provide aromatherapy to help us unwind and provide a soft glow, which can be more appealing to the eyes when trying to relax. High-performance sound systems are also being installed in bathrooms so the users can relax to some soft jazz or get invigorated with their favorite rock music. Refrigerated vanities can keep your bath-side beverages cold along with your favorite facial creams. Bathroom accessories can be the final touches when creating your personal sanctuary.

Health and wellness is taking center stage in bathrooms, and that no longer just means bathing or brushing your teeth. Look for bathrooms to continue to grow as a key part of the home and a place of relaxation and health for homeowners.

Technorati Tags: luxury bathrooms, Bathroom accessories