Tangerine Tango

            The 2012 Pantone Color of the Year is Tangerine Tango. A spirited reddish orange, this color provides the energy boost we need to recharge and move forward.

“Sophisticated but at the same time dramatic and seductive, Tangerine Tango is an orange with a lot of depth to it,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. “Reminiscent of the radiant shadings of a sunset, Tangerine Tango marries the vivaciousness and adrenaline rush of red with the friendliness and warmth of yellow, to form a high-visibility, magnetic hue that emanates heat and energy.”

 

            That’s great and all, but what does the Color of the Year have to do with me? Or better yet, how can I incorporate it into my life? There are many ways you can add this fun color to your home and life. Paint your front door. This is a low cost way to change the look of your home. Add this color to your kitchen with new towels, mixing bowls or vases. Add some throw pillows to your couch. Swap out your table runner for one in this bold color. Little black dress with a pop of Tangerine Tango shoes? Yes! Perfect color for summertime nail polish. A cute clutch can really add pizazz to any outfit. Paint one wall in your home. Maybe the powder room? Add two lamps to your bedroom or living room in this great color.

 

            There are many simple ways to incorporate this color into your life and home. Take the plunge and try something new. I bet you will be glad you did. I would love to see what you come up with and where you decide to add this color, so please send me a picture!

Free Hanging

            Gone are the days of a solid sheet of mirror stretching wall to wall in a bathroom. If you have that in your bathroom, chances are it may be chipped or the finish is wearing around the edges. It is probably adhered with construction adhesive or screwed to the wall. Either way, if you are looking for a simple, relatively inexpensive way to update your bathroom, the mirror is the way to go.

 

            Frame your mirror in the same style and material as your vanity, a sleek stainless steel frame or an ornate gilt gold or silver frame. Try a single frame for each sink instead of one large frame stretched over the entire space. Go tall. Utilize the tall ceilings, if you have them. Consider removing the overhead vanity lights and go with sconces between the mirrors. Make sure you have enough overhead lighting if you decide to do this. There is nothing worse than a poorly lit bathroom. Don’t sit the mirrors directly on the backsplash, rather, hold them up about 2” to give a more custom look.

 

            If you are brave enough to try to remove the old sheet mirrors yourself, try using dental floss to thread behind the mirror to ease it away from the sheetrock and adhesive. If you are lucky enough to be able to remove the mirror without breaking it, you can repurpose it by having it cut down to fit a frame.

 

            Framed mirrors can be found in many places. Hobby Lobby, Pier 1, TJ Maxx, Target, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn and West Elm have some of my favorites. Framed mirrors can add that little extra pizazz to what can sometimes be a dull space.

Trends in Luxury Bathrooms-Part 3

            I have yet to meet anyone that enjoys cleaning the shower. And who enjoys cleaning the metal track that your shower door sits in? Yuck! Thankfully, there is now another option. The trend in any bathroom is a frameless shower door. Simple and beautiful, this type of shower door takes a back seat and really allows your beautiful tile work to shine.

 

            Typically 3/8” thick with 3 hinges and a handle, cleaning this shower door can’t get much easier. There is no metal frame or metal track needed. Available in clear glass or several other opaque styles, there is sure to be one that suits your space. The most common hardware finishes are satin nickel, oil rubbed bronze and polished chrome. Most of the time, the hardware on the shower door will match the faucets in the shower. There are several companies in Athens that can supply and install one for you. Quality Glass, Keith Porter Specialties and K & G Installations to name a few.

 

            If you are considering a bathroom remodel or are in the midst of one, insist on a frameless shower door. Don’t use something that will detract from your tile. Instead install something that will only enhance your space and give you a better return on your investment. This is one trend that is not going to go out of style.

Trends in Luxury Bathrooms-Part 2

            Most bathroom floors are tiled and in the winter time, that makes for some cold feet in the mornings. Who wants to jump out of bed when they know their feet are going to hit some cold tile? That sounds like an excuse to hit the snooze button if you ask me. One item that is becoming almost a requirement in luxury baths and most master baths is heated floors. It is like walking on a warm beach. Now who doesn’t want to do that in February?

 

            Electric radiant floor heating is simple to install and radiates even heat with no cold spots. It is also effective in helping to heat your room. This mat of wires is placed between the durock and tile and is controlled by a programmable thermostat on the wall. Particular spots to make sure the mat is placed are in front of the sinks, in the general walk path and in front of the toilet. If you have a tile shower, also consider placing it under the floor tile. This will help heat you shower and you won’t have to waste many gallons of water heating up your tile shower before you step in.

 

            This heated floor mat can be placed under any tile, whether in the kitchen, laundry room, mudroom, sunroom or bathroom. We have used the SunTouch brand purchased through Traditions in Tile and have been very pleased with the ease of installation, service and value. If you are looking at redoing a tile floor, seriously consider installing the heated floor mat while you are at it. You will not be disappointed.

Trends in Luxury Bathrooms-Part 1

            It’s these cold winter days that have us all wishing and hoping for a luxurious, spa like bathroom. Warm steam, heated floors, and warm towels. Are you feeling warmer already? Let’s face it. We spend a large amount of time in our bathrooms and you want it to be nice. Over the next couple of weeks, we will take a look at some of the trends in luxury bathrooms.

 

            There is a resurgence of freestanding tubs in the master bath. Not necessarily the claw foot tubs of the past, but other materials are making a splash. Stone, glass, acrylic or even wood are taking center stage and making a statement in the form of a tub. Round, rectangular or angular shapes are not uncommon. Freestanding tubs are easier to clean, since you can easily reach all sides and make a bathroom feel more open without the large expanse of the tile surround around the tub. Whirlpool or soaking- the options are endless.

 

            If you are considering using a freestanding tub, take into consideration a couple of needs. A freestanding table or built in piece of furniture is needed within arms reach to store soaps or set a book. A towel rack nearby is a must. Is the floor underneath and around your tub slip resistant? Many times a different tile will be used around the tub to provide that extra level of safety. Pebbles, river rocks or textured tile are common surfaces and add a level of detail not normally seen.

 

            Do some research and decide if a freestanding tub is the way to go for your space. As shown in the Kohler tub pictured, they make a real statement and add architectural detail. Maybe this is the one thing that you bathroom needs to really stand out.

What now?

            It’s the middle of January. The Christmas decorations are put away. The kids are back to school, the house is clean and the refrigerator is a little emptier. The cold and rainy days of late have given you plenty of time to spend on Pinterest. You now have a board for “Kitchens.” Or you have been looking through magazines and have a stack of pictures of your “dream” bathroom. But you have no idea how much your project might cost. Is it even feasible for you? What is the next step?

 

            Step 1-Decide if you need to employ the expertise and assistance of a contractor or if you will                         try to manage the project yourself.

 

            Step 2-Call and schedule appointments to visit various showrooms of products that may    

                       be involved in your project. Tile, cabinets, countertops, flooring, plumbing

                       fixtures, light fixtures, etc…

 

            Step 3-Once you have visited showrooms and have an idea of the products you would like to                        use, you can now begin to set up appointments for those trades to visit your home

                       to put an estimate together.

 

            Step 4-At the beginning or part of the way through this process, you may find that                        you would have more confidence in someone else overseeing the many moving                        parts of your project. A licensed contractor is never a bad idea and can be an asset

                       in navigating the waters of a kitchen or bath remodel. Take the time to stop

                       and evaluate if this is the best option for you.

 

            You are now well on your way to finding out how feasible and involved your project will be. Like Benjamin Franklin once said “An ounce of prevention (or planning) is worth a pound of cure.” Take the time to plan well before jumping into your project.

Home Office: Is it for you?

According to a recent Better Homes and Gardens survey, 59 percent of prospective home buyers are looking for a home office in their next house. Maybe you aren’t a prospective home buyer, but maybe you are a prospective home seller or just want to increase the value of your home. Have you considered a designated space for a home office?

 

Maybe you have an unused living room that could be turned into a home office. Or what about designating a small space in your kitchen for an office workspace. What about that unused closet? It would fit a small desk. Or the bonus room. Get creative and consider what space in your home could be designated for a home office.

 

What items are essential to have in a home office space?

·         File drawers or storage

·         Internet connection-maybe this is where you keep your router.

·         Power-to connect phone chargers, telephone, computer, lamps.

·         Lighting-overhead lighting, lamp or specific under cabinet task lighting.

·         Storage space or shelving-pens, paper, notebooks, owner’s manuals.

·         Seating-a chair, small stool or if you have the space and overstuffed chair.

·         Trash can

 

January is always a great time to purchase organization items. All the stores will have them on sale. Organize your home office space and start your year off on the right foot!