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Archive for the ‘Home Decorating’ Category

Innovative Bathrooms

23 Mar

Funky Bathroom Mirrors

The bathroom can be the most neglected in terms of design, but it is the most abused in terms of daily use. It is the space that many pay less attention to because it is associated with cleansing and grooming. It should be that this room needs more help than any other, but people overlook it because of the negative or “dirty” association. This biased opinion can, however, be altered by dramatically revamping the space into a unique and pleasurable experience.
The first thing you must do is to draw up a plan before any of the actual work takes place. This way you will have a clear picture of what you want, instead of winging it. How you plan to decorate and install the fixtures are left up to your discretion, but think everything thoroughly before you make an important decision. Start with something simple and basic, the wall. You can paint the wall or add wall paper, but having different wall treatments will drastically change and even improve the space. After you have established a color or pattern, you can then move on to the different bathroom fixtures like the vanity area or toilet.
The design of the vanity can be an interesting one. There are so many different items out there that range from funky to a totally impractical are piece that you will not have a problem finding something that will meet your individual needs. A bathroom mirror is an integral part of creating a good ambience because of its reflective properties. Make sure you choose the right one that will flatter you and the bathroom. These imaginative mirrors include different shapes and graphics that are on the mirror, some are touch screen, others have writing that scrolls across it and some have illusory effects. All of these can be a good addition to your not-so-ordinary bathroom.
Toilets are the epitome of dirty places and has the most stigma attached to it when it comes to mind. Most people will purchase the generic white porcelain toilet that is in most homes. Instead of following the herd, think about changing it up with a different color, shape or even material. There are so many awkward and fun designs that make the old stinker look like the new throne. Consider the following; there are new high tech versions of the old school toilet where flushing can be an interactive activity rather than a mundane habit. Toilet seat covers that have heaters and push button powered bidet are all different features. The design of the toilet can be a whole different story. From graphics to odd shapes, there are a plethora of stylish ones you can choose from.
Another aspect of the bathroom is the shower. This can be another fun or unique way to decorate your bathroom as well. If you are able to spare the space, a bathtub in addition to the shower is a great way of utilizing the bathroom to create a place of relaxation. Both the shower and bathtub can be highly functional and practical features; it can also be a stylish one as well. There are many different types of showers you can use nowadays, especially with the advancement of technology. Showers and bathtubs can be programmed with specific settings that match your preferences. With the different strength of the water or even colored lights to appeal to your mood, taking a shower or bath has become more of an experience rather than a task. They also come in a variety of designs and styles that can appeal to the technology savvy geek in you or the kid-like accoutrements that remind you of your childhood. It can be glass oval shaped with chrome metal shower head and fixture shower for a sleek modern design. On the other end of the spectrum, a shower stall with eye-catching graphics can also be utilized. Your bathroom space can have any sort of design that appeals to you, but remember not overdo the decorating because it can make your space feel cluttered and small.
The last part of the bathroom design and the most important are the lights. The lighting scheme can actually add to or detract from the overall make up of the space. Good lighting can do wonders for the most drabbest of places. Before you choose themed lighting fixtures, think about what kinds of lights you need and where you are going to place them. If you have a window, survey the area during the daytime to see how the natural light comes in. This will help you place some of the lights and determine what is necessary and what is not. Use the layering light effect to make an area that is warm and welcoming.
Depending on your theme and the amount of space you have, you should choose a ceiling light that will cover most of the area. This can either be a chandelier, pendant light or a close to ceiling light. Then, think about a vanity light that will be more specific to your mirror needs. These can also be well accented with wall lights, which will cast an even glow on your face rather than just shadows from the light above. Lights can also be added near the bathtub or shower. Directional lights can focus light in certain areas, which is extremely convenient in many ways.
After you have figured the lights out, you are ready to make the last finishing touches with the small details like towel racks, knobs, toilet paper holder and such. Although these are miniscule in comparison to the rest of the bathroom, stick it out to the end. The smallest detail can really set your bathroom apart from the rest and it is what makes it feel genuine. With the design and decorating done, you can now enjoy a customized bathroom.

Touch Screen Mirror


Innovative Shower

 

BathroomLightingOutlet.com – Illuminating Spaces

27 Jan

If you’re looking to spruce up a room or just add small accents to rejuvenate a current living space there is nothing better and more crucial than lighting. The three definitive methods for designing a successful room are functionality, expression and harmony.

For lighting to be functional, you need to illuminate areas according to what purpose it serves. Although design allows for tapping into your creative pool, it also needs to be practical. Lighting must be able to work well for the space along with adding to your overall design.

The right kind of lighting and lighting fixtures can absolutely accentuate your already existing design elements like wall color and furniture. Having the basic overhead, ceiling light can be functional, but it can be a bit drab. An interesting and decorative chandelier will brighten up the space along with having a bold design aesthetic to create a livelier look. There are also a plethora of ceiling fans with their own different designs that can easily fit into your current layout. After having the central lighting fixture chosen, you can choose more specific lighting options to accent different areas of the room to be subtle, yet expressive.

Track lighting is a type of customizable lighting where you can adjust the indoor fixture to emphasize darker areas of the room and even wall art or other design accents. It brightens up specific areas and would be great for giving the room a refined almost gallery-like atmosphere without having over-imposing bright lights. Another great alternative is recessed lighting. This is when lights are mounted into a recessed portion of the ceiling and is good for general lighting needs, but especially useful for dramatizing and utilizing shadows. It can also add texture to vertical surfaces bringing an overall embellished design aesthetic. Other lighting ideas can be lamps, big or small, they can add an artistic spin to your living space along with showcasing your particular tastes.

Whether it is modern or baroque,decorative lighting can definitely set the ambience and mood. Having the right kind of lighting adds to the overall harmony of your home and it ties all the design elements together to create a coherent living space. The fun part of designing is utilizing your space as a blank canvas like that of a painter and adding your own artistic flare to it. So illuminate those spaces and see for yourself how transforming light can revamp your life.

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Bathroom Lighting – Tips to Make an Important Room Equally Pleasant Too

29 Dec
An American bathroom of a freshly renovated ho...
Image via Wikipedia

These days a bathroom is more than just a place where we go to attend to the needs of hygiene. The bathroom has become a place to relax, a place where one can close the door on the realities of life, turn down the lights and take a long relaxing aromatic bath, perhaps reinforced by a glass of good wine.  It is however also a place where safety is of paramount importance too – hence bathroom lighting has to be the best of both these worlds. This means soft ambient lighting reinforced by focused task lighting in high activity areas – just check with an electrician first that everything you plan is safe.

Making a Bathroom a Pleasantly Illuminated Place

You will transform a well designed functional bathroom into a piece of urban paradise when you follow these proven tips.

  • Apply bright, well directed local lighting around the vanity space for perfect grooming. Recessed down lighting is a bad idea because of shadows. Rather install sconces on either side of the mirror instead, that will cancel each other out in terms of shadows.
  • For safety’s sake a shower enclosure should be a well illuminated place as well, and here vapor-proof recessed ceiling fittings are the right solution. When you buy these, double check with the clerk that they are suitable for the purpose, or you might regret your purchase later.
  • For general ambient lighting an overhead ceiling fitting is usually the right solution too, provided that one applies one’s imagination here. What about a contemporary pendant lamp, or even a crystal chandelier. While the sky may be the limit of our thoughts the bathroom ceiling may be a limiting factor, so do remember to check out the ceiling height before you buy.
  • Bathroom ambience is sometimes best confirmed by subtle lighting for the sake of fun. A focused down lighter on an exquisite ornament or plant could be the defining statement of perfect bathroom lighting in an ideal bathroom design.
  • Fit long-life eco-bulbs to avoid finishing a shower in half darkness, and fine-tune your lighting effects with independent dimmer controls. That way you can set the room according to your moods, and emerge feeling even more relaxed.
  • The effectiveness of bathroom vanity lighting is often enhanced by the physical environment within which it functions. Expanses of dark colors should be avoided at all costs, while large mirrors have the opposite effect by reflecting light. Anything that shines back is another good idea, so use glass shelves and shiny fittings everywhere. That way, you are well on the way to creating your piece of peaceful bathroom paradise.

Creating a bathroom that is the perfect counterpoint to your ever-changing moods can be great fun when you use your imagination and follow the latest trends in bathroom lighting. You are however mixing electricity with a moist room and safety is important too.

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Interior Decorating

28 Jun

Most of us want a home we can be proud of, invite friends and family over and be comfortable in our own surroundings. However, not all of us are fortunate enough to have our own personal interior decorator on call. When this is the case there are some very simple items to keep in mind when you are interested in redecorating.

Assigning a focal point to be the main focus in a room is very important in any interior decorating project. A focal point can be anything really. It can be a beautiful mirror, painting or even a large window. Whatever you decide your focal point is in the room make sure it is the main attraction and that the rest of your design will compliment it alone.

At the point of choosing fabrics for your room make certain you are choosing ones that coordinate and complement each other. The use of textured fabrics in a room gives it a special added touch as well. Being very careful not to overdo it with pillows, wallpapers and paints all in one. The ability to use a little of each is fine, but making sure to keep with the focal point still being the main attraction and not the fabrics.

Do not be afraid of colors or patterns either. Often times a person gets carried away with one color or pattern. Stand firm in this decision to offer eye catching colors here and there to add to the finished project you are completing. Offering a splash of color with a bright painting or a decorative lamp is always a good option in this case.

We are all guilty of having too many idol belongings. So to offer storage in any given room is a must. This can be done simply by adjusting your interior decorating project just a bit by offering a shelving unit or an enclosed chest in the room that can house those items that do not necessarily be in the open for all to see.

We may all be entirely misled into thinking an interior decorating project is done solely for our own purposes. But it is not. We redecorate, redesign and renovate not only for ourselves; but also for our guests. The feeling we get inside when someone tells us how wonderful the finished project is cannot be replaced but anything else.