Today's powder room: small space, but big design

(ARA) - The powder room - it's one of the smallest rooms in the house, but also the room that typically sees the most traffic, especially when you're entertaining guests.

So, is your powder room "worthy" of guest traffic? Just because it's the smallest room doesn't mean it needs to be small in style. Rather, it is the perfect opportunity to take a risk and design a space your guests won't soon forget.

Getting started

If the floor plan of your space isn't going to change (plumbing won't move, walls won't be knocked down, etc.), updating your powder room can be simple and affordable. To start your room redesign, you'll need to identify your personal style.

Start by looking at the rest of your house. Determine whether you prefer contemporary or traditional decor and imagine how your new powder room will fit in with the rest of your home. To spark new ideas and keep current on trends, visit a local kitchen and bath showroom, a model home or a show home that features bath and powder rooms. Flipping through magazines or visiting home improvement Web sites can also inspire great ideas. Articles on recent room makeovers and new bath products can help you determine which elements you want to be part of your room.

Selecting the pieces

You're working with a relatively small space, so every styling detail counts. Some manufacturers are making it even easier for homeowners to coordinate their pieces by designing complete suites.

"Danze recently introduced several suite options that make decor coordination much easier for homeowners," says Jennifer Lee, Danze director of marketing. "The Orrington, Cirtangular and Ziga Zaga Collections are each meticulously designed to provide room elements that perfectly match each other."



So what elements comprise that suite? In addition to accessories and a mirror, here are a few of the imperative pieces you'll need to choose for your room:

Lavatory sink

Many designers and homeowners try to maximize space in their powder room. A pedestal sink might be the best way to do just that. And because storage is less critical in this room, a pedestal sink provides a clean, open look to the area.

If a pedestal sink isn't your style, explore the wide range of vessel sinks available. These "bowls" sit on top of a vanity cabinet and can bring a unique design expression to the room.

Design tip: Select an interesting material for your vessel bowl like stone, timeless vitreous china, blown glass or hammered metal to create an attention-getting, distinctive look for your sink.

Faucet

The faucet you choose will help pull the decor together and can serve as an extra piece of "jewelry" for the room. There are many different styles of bathroom faucets, but popular powder room versions include vessel fillers (to accommodate vessel sinks), wall-mount faucets and wide-spread faucets. The faucet's finish and scale is also a critical selection to attain the mood you're hoping to create.

Design tip: If you're considering a wall-mount faucet, have your plumbing professional mount it through the glass of your mirror. What a reflection of style!

Toilet

While maybe not the sexiest piece in the powder room, the toilet is arguably one of the most important elements. There's no doubt that performance should be at the top of your checklist when selecting this piece, but you don't need to sacrifice style. Some toilets are now designed as part of a collection, matching your sink and the other pieces in your room. In addition to style and performance, look for ergonomic design and water efficiency when making your selection.

Design tip: Choose a toilet lever that matches the style and finish of your faucet and bath accessories. They're easy to switch out and can be a noticeable design detail. You'll look like a pro.

"Homeowners appreciate it when it's easier to coordinate every aspect of their powder room decor," says Lee. "Matching styles of the sink, toilet, vanity, faucet and accessories brings a noticeable cohesiveness to the entire room."

For more information on Danze room solutions and its entire line of kitchen/bath faucets, showerheads and accessories, visit www.danze.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

How to warm up your home with natural touches

(ARA) - Interior design continues to evolve rapidly. But it's not just going in one direction - it's branching out in new ways and giving homeowners fodder for ideas about how they can turn their existing house into their dream home. There is something for every taste, too, as different design concepts become more fully developed, catering to all people and all styles of homes.

The wide variety of options that homeowners have means that they need to keep focused on a specific design goal. Exposed ductwork or industrial-looking concrete floors won't work in some houses, while antler chandeliers or tufted chaises won't work in others. There are a few elements that can be mixed and matched across styles, but the inclusion of organic materials, particularly wood like Western Red Cedar, for interior design works for all styles of homes.

Today, more homeowners are improving and renovating their homes - updating both the decor and the functional elements - rather than taking on the challenge of selling and buying in the current market. Many of them are also using and developing their own skills, when it comes to both design and bringing their ideas to life. And as winter closes in, do-it-yourselfers are looking for low-cost, high-impact projects that will make their homes feel updated and more inviting.

Figuratively, bringing the outdoors in can have a warming effect on your home. Look to nature for inspiration on everything from color to materials to elements that reflect the landscape that surrounds your home.

"Modern technology allows us to blur the lines between indoors and outdoors," says Ray Johnston, an architect with Johnston Architects in the Pacific Northwest. "To enhance this blending, exterior materials can extend through windows to inside walls. This treatment welcomes the outdoors in and has the effect of expanding space. At the same time, the rich color and texture of a natural material, like a warm wood, adds great character and depth to an interior space."


Exterior structural additions and interior treatments add appeal to a stagnant room. Also new, environmentally friendly clay treatments are available in a variety of colors, and add a rustic but subtle tactile quality. The rich color and attractive grain of Western Red Cedar panel provide immediate interest without the added struggle of learning to create faux finishes with paint or mastering a trowel. If you want to add a unique touch of color, cedar takes stains exceptionally well. And if you just want to preserve the natural color of the wood, sealing it will help it last for years.

Adding smaller design touches is a great option for those who don't feel comfortable tackling big projects. Many newer homes don't have the classic character of houses from years gone by, but there are ways to incorporate it. "Homeowners are adding natural wood molding and trims as a low-cost way to add warmth and elegance to a simple room," says Paul Mackie of the Western Red Cedar Lumber Association. Look for a stable wood that will not warp and twist over the years. Cedar is a great choice for ceiling, picture and floor moldings, as well as other trims, because of its uniform grain.

Switching out older, hollow-core doors with new wood models will not only help to diminish noise, it will add a long-lasting extra bit of character to your home, no matter its age. Windows are a key design element in any home, too, and can be enhanced by adding new cedar frames, blinds or shutters in styles ranging from embellished and traditional to minimalist and modern.

The dynamic appeal of nature can be applied to your floors as well. Add new interest to kitchens, foyers, bathrooms and more with tiles made of natural materials like cork, bamboo, slate, wood (new or reclaimed) or travertine - the possibilities are almost endless.

Western Red Cedar is also a great choice to create architectural details, like a post and beam look in a home, or to conceal visually distracting elements like support beams or duct work. For more ideas on adding warmth to a home with Western Red Cedar, visit www.wrcla.org.

By updating your home with natural touches, you add long-lasting appeal that won't go out of style. Not only will you be able to enjoy it for years to come, but it will provide added enticements for any potential future buyers.


Courtesy of ARAcontent