HOME DECOR: Updating Bathrooms - The Most Expensive Room in the House

Per square foot, the bathroom is the most expensive room in your home to remodel. Even if you keep all the plumbing where it currently is, the cost of new fixtures, toilets, tub, shower enclosures, tile, cabinets and labor costs can be daunting. When it is necessary to move plumbing, it gets worse. The bathroom is, however, one of the most rewarding rooms to update. You will nearly always increase the value of your home over and above what you spend. For such a small room, the variety of materials and design possibilities is surprisingly abundant. Flooring alone ranges from natural stone, woods (engineered plank flooring and laminate are resistive to moisture, but not impervious), mosaics, or durable porcelain tiles in a large variety of colors and styles. Some mimic natural stone so convincingly it is hard to tell them apart. Even more choices are available when it comes to materials for the shower, walls and counter tops. Add ceramic and glass tiles, patterned mosaics and metals to the floor options and you have a beginning. When it comes to the materials and the combinations in which they can be used, you are limited only by your imagination.

When I have a client about to embark on a bathroom remodel, I take them to my favorite place, a showroom for the trade in Laguna Niguel, Surface Concepts, that specializes in all the materials needed to transform hard surfaces. I always feel like a kid in a candy store as I explore the huge variety of products there. The possibilities are delicious. On my last trip I discovered an etched stone tile that looked as if it could have been pulled off of a decaying italian villa. There are irridescent glass tiles and handcrafted mosaics and frescos. Old world to contemporary the selection is enormous.

Taking a client there is an education in possibilities. Suddenly, the client has choices beyond the products they discover at their local home improvement store.

Here are some helpful tips for making your bathroom remodel a success: 1. Always hot-mop a shower pan. Water will find its way through grout, and stone is porous. I have spent a good amount of time trying to match 80's and 90's style tile after making repairs for leaks, necessitated because the shower floor was not waterproofed.

2. Make sure there is an adequate moisture barrier under any flooring on a second floor bath. Backer board or cement board is a necessity. It reduces the flexing of a wooden sub-floor (murder on tile mud and grout) and creates a moisture barrier if water gets out where it shouldn't. Once again, repairs, repairs, repairs. Make sure your contractor knows what he is doing.

3. Whenever you change out a plumbing fixture and open a wall, replace the stuff (technical term) inside the wall. It's probably old, and you don't want to be tearing out the beautiful new tile or stone you just paid to have installed when the old stuff springs a leak. There is an amazing variety of fixtures to choose from. Metal choices range from polished chrome to brushed nickel and bronze and everything in between. Also amazing is the price range. Shop around for a good price. I have used the internet to some success and savings. www.Efaucet.com is a good source with a large variety of products. Pacific Sales has quality fixtures at a reduced price. Take your decorator with you for a further discounts on most products. Expo has a good variety of fixtures both in their off the floor sales and their special order section.

Purchase the best quality that you can afford.

Consider components such as shower heads (do you want it to rain softly or blast you with invigorating massage?) hand held wands, diverters, mixers, and multiple heads. Your budget will determine your selections, but do get the highest quality that you can afford.

4. It's also a good time to make changes in windows if that is on your agenda, especially if you will be installing tile around one. The new windows are more energy efficient, as well as better looking and can be installed with a variety of opaque glass styles for privacy.

5. Review the lighting in the room. You will need both overhead and vanity lighting. Overhead lights the room. Vanity illuminates your face. Remove any outdated fixtures and install can lights overhead and a vanity light that beautifies the room. If you have a double sink vanity, consider lighting over each sink.

6. A new vanity can make a world of difference. You can purchase one that looks like a piece of furniture, or have the cabinetry custom made. Home improvement stores have semi-custom cabinets in a variety of finishes and configurations that have nice cabinetry details. An antique or used piece of furniture can be a great choice for a vanity. A carpenter should be able to make alterations and cut a hole to drop a sink into. I have used all of these choices and they have turned out beautifully. If a new vanity is not in the budget, consider painting the existing one and change the hardware for a fresh new look.

7. Counter top options range from a solid stone, such as granite or marble, to any variety and combination of glass, stone and tile. Most bathroom vanities can accommodate a prefabricated granite counter top, which is helpful on the pocketbook. You will still need to have a fabricator cut the holes for the sink and faucets and install for you.

8. Use skilled craftsmen. Make sure you include the cost of demolition and dumpster rental in your calculations. If you are removing a cast iron tub, let you contractor know ahead of time. He will need to bring more help to move the 400 lb. monstrosity out of the house and cart it away. Stone-layers should be able to install your stone with as little as 1/16 inch grout line. Ceramic tile requires a large grout line, but a good tiler can also lay porcelain tile almost as close for an authentic stone look. (No one likes to clean grout!) If you want a specific design discuss this with your craftsman before ordering your tile as some designs may require more tile. More elaborate designs may cost more to install because of the cuts required. Make sure they seal the grout and stone with a proper penetrating sealer. Remember, a tiler or a contractor is not a designer. Don't let them talk you into their design for your bathroom. (That's a personal pet peeve). If you need help with the design and materials, hire a decorator. Your decorator will talk to them about details like where seams should occur and how to center a design.

9. Get rid of the old sliding shower doors on the metal tracks. I don't know anyone who enjoys cleaning those monsters. Invest in a frameless glass enclosure. It is well worth the extra cost. It looks elegant and will truly showcase the new tile or stone you have installed. Depending on the size of your bathroom, you may be able to do without a shower door. Careful placement of the shower head and shower wall may allow you to have an open style shower.

10. Mirrors are essential. Invest in a wall to wall and counter to ceiling one for a clean, modern look. If you are able to keep the one currently glued to your wall, frame it in molding for a custom framed look. You can also purchase beautifully framed mirrors to hang over each sink.

11. Paint is a way to add color and warmth. Fresh fluffy towels add color and texture. Baskets, accessories, soap dispensers, florals, window coverings and artwork can give your space great personality.

12. Find a way to bring some fabric into the room. With all of those hard surfaces, towels provide some softening and color, but more can be added with valances, shower or door curtains and rugs. Don't limit your towels to those hung over the racks. Rolled up in a basket or folded and stacked on a bench, they can add a luxurious spa appeal. Is it worth it? Yes. By updating your home you increase its value and your enjoyment of your property. It will pay dividends when it comes time to sell, but the best dividends are those you enjoy daily as you live in a beautiful space.

i would love to hear about your bathroom project - leave me a comment!
Until next time, happy decorating!
Claudine

10 Reasons to Use a Decorator

I am terrible at self promotion. I would literally starve if I had to earn my living as a salesperson. Don't get me wrong - I love what I do. I would just rather someone else tell you that I'm good at it.

I recently helped with a little seasonal decorating for a friend who has known me personally for over 15 years. We were talking about our families, our kids, and our lives when she queried, "So what are you doing these days?"

The fact she had no clue I'm an interior decorator led me to some uncomfortable conclusions: 1. It's a very good thing that the majority of my business is through word of mouth; and
2. I am even more terrible at marketing than I imagined.

Despite the sad truth I have just confided, marketing is essential to my business. I realize that I cannot rely on the recommendation of friends and clients forever.

I also realize that a lot of people would like to use a designer but do not. They may feel that their job is too small or that they can't afford professional help. They may believe that they can do most of the job themselves, and they may be right, for most but not all of it. This posting will give you 10 good reasons to consult a decorator - ahem... me! (shameless plug) - (who says I can't market?).

Ten Reasons to use a Decorator:

1. Overall Plan: So are you really just putting in flooring, or do you want that flooring to blend with the other rooms in your home and add to a complete design? You may be landscaping a little-used side yard, but add a designer to the equation and your little-used side yard can become a private eden, a hidden shady retreat you will actually use. A tract-home kitchen can become a custom made view into old world Tuscany with a designer's eye for the right tile treatment and the addition of old world style moldings and corbels. An interior decorator can visualize how a room will look finished - and incidentally, only about 5% of the world's population can do that. Pretty crazy, right?

A decorator can create an overall plan - involving your room as more than an island unto itself. Instead, the room becomes part of the whole-house design and the color, texture and style will flow from room to room. Isn't that what attracts you to those model homes? That cohesive design that makes sense; every room relating to the design of the whole house? An overall plan doesn't have to be completed all at once, but if you know where the finish line is its a lot easier to break it into manageable pieces. That can save you money because you will make better choices instead of costly mistakes. A decorator can plan your decorating or remodeling project, come up with a budget and provide you with a beautiful design.

2. Consulting: A few months ago I was asked to help a client with a bathroom. They had already hired the contractor and had cabinets and fixtures ordered and it was down to the tile selection and shower surround design choices. They hired me for a few of hours and at the end of that time they had a clear picture of the materials they would use, where to get the materials, sketches to show the contractor how to layout the tile design, and a mission to find a decorative listele to add the perfect accent. It turned out beautifully. Sometimes a couple of hours with a decorator is all you need to finalize your plans.

3. Color and Texture: Whether painting, selecting tile or choosing fabric, a decorator will be able to help pick out the perfect color combinations and save you time and costly errors. I was an art major in college. I spent a considerable amount of time learning about color, creating color wheels, mixing colors, learning about complementary, primary and secondary colors and how to use them. The wrong colors can make your space uncomfortable. Using too many color combinations or unrelated colors in your home can make it feel disjointed. Many people are color 'shy'. A decorator can show you how to use color to warm a room or create a mood without feeling overwhelmed by it. Hiring a decorator for color consultation can help you achieve a cohesive design and save you money in the long run. Mistakes can be costly. Fabric, granite, tile and woodwork add color, texture and pattern. It's a skill to use them to compliment and not to fight with each other. The right use of texture and pattern adds depth to a design. The wrong use can add chaos.

4. Product Selection: Remodeling? There are endless elements to consider. I have helped clients with product selection for flooring, hardware,curtain trim, lighting fixtures, faucets, appliances, mirrors, artwork, furniture, accessories, ventilation fans and molding to name a few. Whatever the project you are working on, there are many elements that will need to be selected and you shouldn't leave those decisions to your contractor. Contractors are not decorators. They may have an opinion, it just might not be the right one for you. They can tell you what they have already installed in other homes, but they cannot tell you what will work best with your design, your taste and the style you have chosen to use in your home. Often the littlest detail will speak volumes in a room. Changing tile, countertops, cabinets, flooring and fixtures is easier with the help of an experienced decorator. The decorator can create a custom look for you and make sure it blends seamlessly with the rest of your home. Having a decorator go to a granite yard or tile and flooring warehouse with you can help you stay focused and tuned in to the style and colors that will compliment your project. There are so many choices out there, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the sheer number of products available.

 

5. Redesign: If your room has all the basic elements, but needs a little something to make it pop, a redesign may be just the ticket. A redesign uses the things you own and love and makes them look beautiful together by executing small changes at a fraction of the cost of a new design.

6. Staging: If you are thinking of selling your home, hiring a decorator can be the best assurance of a successful sale. Staging a home is a proven way to maximize profit and minimize time on the market. In a soft market, your home is in competition with every other house for sale in the neighborhood. It has to look its very best. Let's be honest - our houses are full of stuff and personal (sometimes extremely personal) choices. We are so used to them, we don't see them. You can use an impersonal eye to get your house market-ready.

7. Appliances and Fixtures: Need help selecting the perfect new appliances or fixtures? Designers can help you in selecting appliances for your kitchen or fixtures for your bath. More over they have more experience and will be able to guide you to quality products and often a better price.

8. Fabric: Color selection, design and texture, custom designs for window coverings, decorative pillows, bedding and upholstery - these are the elements that set professionally decorated rooms apart from the rest. It is often a delicate balance combining patterns and colors, but the result, if done correctly, can make a room. Fabric can inspire you. If you have fallen in love with a specific fabric, use it as inspiration for your room design, pulling elements from it in the form of texture, colors, and style. Fabric is often the first step I take with new clients, as I can often determine their true color preferences and design style by observing what fabrics they are drawn to.

9. Moving Forward: If your spouse has his own ideas (you know - chrome, leather and a row of recliners) about the decor in your home, a decorator can help with a design that makes both of you happy and often takes the pain and argument out of the process. Your decorator/marriage counselor (lol) can get that project started when it has stalled over differences. Sometimes the delay is because you are stumped on one small aspect and can be resolved fairly quickly.

10. Finishing Touches: Furniture, Accessories, Lighting, Trim, Fabrics - decorators have the inside track to places that have those wonderful elements to complete your room. So often a decorating project stalls at this point. You have the furniture, the paint, the flooring and the overhead lighting - but it doesn't have that beautiful finished look. It's understandable. Selecting these elements can be the most difficult - but one of the most essential - parts of a successful design. How do you know what lamp will be perfect with the sofa, or what area rug will have just the right amount of pattern or texture and the best color? A decorator can help select the perfect accents for the finishing touches in your room. Not so scary, right?

Remember: 1. no job is too small;
2. a designer will work within your budget and probably still save you money in the long run, and
3. they are available by the job or by the hour to help you with whatever part of that decorating project you cannot do yourself.

Until next blog... Happy Decorating! Claudine Your Nest Design