Tag Archives: bathroom design

Glass Block Allows Light and Privacy

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It’s a challenge with a bathroom. You want natural light but without losing the privacy that this room requires.

Here’s a great solution. This bath, from Fulton Homes’ Rancho Mirage model at the Oasis at Freeman Farms community, uses glass block to provide both natural light and privacy in one.

In this location, right above the bathtub, privacy is critical, but standard window coverings could be awkward. With block, you don’t need any additional screening, and the glass itself provides an inviting clean look. Glass block works well in both traditional and modern environments, and gives an inviting backdrop for accessories such as the vase of flowers on the tub surround.

Another smart feature with this bathroom design is the clear shower surround. This allows the natural light, or the bathroom lighting, to shine into the space, providing plenty of comfortable light for showers.

This type of four-piece bathroom design is popular for master bedroom ensuites (or bed and baths combined into one suite) because you have the option of showers for quick mornings and a tub for long soaks in the evening. This helps turn the bathroom into a place to relax and unwind from a long stressful day.

The décor uses brown and gold tones on the wallpaper, accessories and towels. This design choice helps to warm up the space. If you prefer a cooler look, consider doing this bath in blue and white. The glass block will combine with those colors to create a seaside feeling.

As you plan your bathrooms, consider including glass block to solve the light/privacy challenge, and to dress up the room with this interesting design element.

Tile Wainscoting Creates Charming Guest Bath

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Guest bathrooms are often the throw-away rooms in a home. Smaller and more utilitarian, many people see this space as a place to save money. But because of its small size, a half-bath invites a few more luxurious choices. The additional cost is minimized by the limited square footage.

Take a look at this half-bath in the La Quinta model of Fulton Homes’ Oasis at Freeman Farms community. The flooring runs from the living space, connecting the bath with the rest of the home. But the color and finish choices make this space unique.

Smaller rooms can be compared to jewel boxes, because luxurious touches create an inviting and refreshing feeling. Choosing Kohler’s “Memoir” pedestal sink with matching toilet makes good use of the small space while adding an old-fashioned element to the style. The wainscoting is also an old-fashioned touch, but by using modified subway tile instead of wood it provides a nod to the bathroom function while adding a bit of a modern mood.

The space is beautifully finished with sophisticated green and gold wallpaper that integrates wainscoting and walls into a style-unified whole. The addition of one of Fulton’s framed bathroom mirrors and complementary accessories and art, and the final result is an interesting and appealing moment of style in your home.

Your guest bath sets a tone and sends a message to visitors about your design standards and aesthetic. Take the time and a little of your budget and make it something special rather than a throw-away space.

Choosing Faucets

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Many people think all faucets are a lot alike. But once you really review your options you may be surprised at the differences. Here are a couple of things to consider when you’re making kitchen and bath faucet selections.

To begin, think about functionality. Do you want a kitchen faucet with a pull-out sprayer to rinse out your sink or fill large pots? You may also want enough height to fill tall containers. What about extras such as a built-in soap dispenser?

It’s a good idea to take the time to feel the handles to see if they fit well in your hands as you turn them on and off. Would you rather have a one-handled faucet that moves to set the temperature or two handles?

Have you decided on your finish? If you are selecting stainless appliances, you’ll want to choose a finish that works well with them. Also, think about matching the style of your faucet to your kitchen. With a modern kitchen look for one with clean lines, while a traditional or country-style kitchen allows you to choose a more old-fashioned style.

In the bath, take the time to learn how the shower head and faucet and options work to make sure you choose something that you will be comfortable using every day. Once again, coordinate your faucet with your chosen bath design and towel racks. A bath is a great place to experiment. How about trying a different finish to step up the style?

Yes, all faucets give you hot and cold water when you turn them on, but it’s worthwhile to consider both function and fashion when you make your final choices.

 

Large Master Bath with Cozy Feel

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This generous master bathroom has everything you could ask for. Features include a large soaking tub, a substantive shower, husband and wife sinks and vanities with a sit-down make-up and hair station for the wife, lots and lots of drawer and countertop space, and enough room to make sure nothing feels crowded.

What makes this space special is the comfort element–It’s cozy. All of the design details and colors work together to make this bath a spot to relax. Let’s take a look at how various design decisions turn this bath into a haven for its owners.

Start with the colors. The rich selection of warm neutrals provides an instantaneous level of comfort. The tile, countertops, and wallpaper all combine to create an integrated space that says relax. The choice of rubbed bronze for the metal finishes on the faucets and lighting complement the color scheme. The only moderately cool tones come from the bath, sinks and lighting, but they just add to the clean, inviting feel of the room.

The cabinetry’s design and glazed finish make the pieces feel more like furniture. It helps to have the lower sitting area with the comfortable chair. The trim between the countertop and mirror is echoed around the tub, linking every part of the room together.

Finally, there are certain touches that make this bath special. Framing the glass in a way that suits the room, and the glass block windows that provide plenty of daylight while protecting privacy help this bathroom feel warm and intimate. Altogether, this bath is designed to please.

Splash Up your Guest Bath

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With a smaller bathroom that serves as your guest bath, it’s fun to add elements of interest to make it stand out.

This bath to the left, from the Malibu model in the Shoreline community, takes advantage of wallpaper with a strong color and design. While this paper would overwhelm a large room, it makes this small bath pop with color and personality.

A pedestal sink such as this one by Kohler makes the space feel larger because you can see the walls and floor underneath it. A traditional vanity absorbs more visual space. Unlike many pedestal options, this sink provides plenty of room to hold soap.

Choosing a ring to hold the towel also adds interest and has a look more appropriate to the smaller space than a bar towel-holder. The ring keeps the towel away from the switches and mirror but convenient for drying hands.

Finishing touches such as the framed mirror and coordinated light fixture pull everything together. Kohler also includes a toilet with a design that matches this sink, helping to further integrate the space.

The guest bath on the right, from the Tehama model in the Victoria community, shows another more traditional way to add interest. Tile wainscoting adds charm and the wallpaper helps create a coordinated look. The same mirror, faucet and light fixture look completely different in this bath, demonstrating how these versatile options can work well with your personal taste. The pedestal sink is a different style, but still easily provides space for soap.

When working with a guest bathroom, don’t dismiss the design possibilities. These small spaces can give you a chance to experiment with color and other features to create a small jewel box of charm that show off your personality and style.

 

Glass Block Creates Great Door-free Shower in Luxury Bath

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With today’s larger master bathrooms, new design details can add to both style and functionality. This bath’s shower, from the Malibu model in the Shoreline community, is a great example.

Using glass block to replace traditional shower doors or curtains creates a dramatic design element. The shower’s size and layout also makes it particularly functional for couples, because the dual heads enable both to shower at the same time.

Notice the small step into the shower area. This is not just a design element. The minimal slant toward the drain the step provides keeps the water away from the rest of the room. The minimal-threshold also helps make this home work as owners get older, part of the new approach of “aging in place” that smart homebuilders such as Fulton consider with their designs.

This bathroom has all the elements needed for two. Separate vanities and sinks provide the space for couples to stay out of each other’s way while still being together. Both have plenty of storage, and the layouts are different enough that they complement each other rather than looking like twin spaces.

Design touches such as the mirror frames and the specialized trim on the tile in the shower and above the vanities add a luxurious touch to the space. The cabinetry, tile and glass block work together to give the room a rich and spa-like style. Altogether, this master bath is very functional, but the special design elements create a bath that is also inviting and comfortable.

Luxurious Master Suite Made for Relaxing

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Today, many master bedrooms & baths are designed to be much more than functional. This roomy master suite, part of the Shoreline model in the Santa Monica community, provides extra space, extra comfort and extra style in every area.

The master bedroom itself is roomy, but not at the expense of the rest of the suite. The long vanity in the bathroom provides his and her areas with individual sinks and plenty of cabinetry to hold personal items without crowding. The center provides a place to sit for applying makeup or just relaxing. The generous glass block window is a rich source of natural light.

Another plus possible because of this spacious bath is a combination of a comfortable soaking tub and a spacious stand-up shower.

Choosing a diagonal angle for the floor tile makes the aisle between the cabinetry and the shower and tub feel wider and more spacious.

The entire space is designed and decorated to reproduce the comfort and luxury of a personal spa. By choosing flooring, countertops and wallpaper that coordinate without matching, the bathroom feels more interconnected. Dark cabinetry provides a nice contrast, and the framing around the mirror brings the darker tone up toward the ceiling.

Notice the large closet at the back of the bath, complete with built-ins to handle all of your clothes. Once again, the closet has plenty of room for two wardrobes. The full-length mirrors on the sliding closet doors help you make sure you look your best without taking away valuable floor or wall space.

With the demands of today’s life and the responsibilities of family and work, a master bedroom suite like this one – with space in every area – creates the opportunity to get away from your tensions without leaving your home.

Coordinate Décor with your Tile for a Bathroom with a Spa Feel

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Creating a spa feel in your bathroom is about the finishing touches. This bath provides a soft, inviting place to relax. Tile, window treatments and accessories all work together to create a welcoming space.

Start with the oval tub. The generous framing provides space for candles, your favorite soaps or bubbles, and even a book to read as you soak. The faucet is positioned for easy filling and a hand-held shower sprayer helps rinse your hair after a shampoo without having to jump into the shower.

Glass block presents the perfect solution for bringing in natural light without sacrificing privacy. The simple valance is all that’s needed to soften the window and connect it with the rest of the room.

The stone feel to the floor tile and bath surround create that natural element that supports a spa impression. The matte finish on the faucet and shower surround match the more contemporary lines while still maintaining a traditional profile.

Wallpaper is a daring choice in a bath, but this selection ties in well with the tile. Overall, the bathroom is well coordinated and has a rich feeling. Simple accessories and art bring in touches of color. Notice the splash of red in the vase and its echo on the valance fringe. This color note adds personality and warmth.

With some simple, thoughtful design choices, you can turn your bathroom into an oasis for relaxing and reducing stress after a long day. This example from Fulton Home’s Harmonique model in the Ashcreek community gives great insight into what you can do with your own space.

Be Daring with Wallpaper

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How courageous are you willing to be when decorating your home? Would you be brave enough to use wallpaper with this much of a flourish?

The bold red color and the metallic gold leaves make this bathroom pop. Let’s take a look at why it works so well.

To start, a bathroom has a lot of things to break up the vivid wallpaper. The mirrors, windows, shower, and bathroom cabinetry break up the walls so that this pattern doesn’t overwhelm the space. A bathroom is a great way to start expanding your home design thinking.

Second, the rest of the room is neutral. It would be tempting to add red towels and lots of red accessories, but that could overwhelm the room and actually distract from the wallpaper. Instead the red is limited to the walls and a few small pieces. Towels are a simple stone color that fit well with the flooring. Even the chair at the make-up table is upholstered in black.

Notice in the photo to the right that the room is filled with plants. That choice mirrors theleaf wallpaper without mimicking it. This thematic connection in the bathroom is understated but it has a subtle design impact.

Finally, the other tone choices – while neutral – show both light and dark elements. This helps them stand out even against the strong wallpaper.

So if you’re tempted to take a chance with color or wallpaper, consider starting with your bathroom, and you may find yourself becoming more daring throughout your home!

Make your Bathroom Standout

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New construction is a wonderful opportunity to customize a home to suit your needs. Upgrades can add up and you might not get every upgrade you want due to your budget. Often the second or third bathroom in a home is lower on the list of builder upgrades than the kitchen or master bathroom. If this is the case and you have a builder basic bathroom, there are simple tricks you can do to give it the look and feel of an expensive upgrade.

 

Wall color is the first place to start. Choose a paint color that works with your cabinetry, floors and tile colors since those are more expensive to change. If you have builder’s beige bathroom, change the wall color. It doesn’t have to be a major change from beige to bold color. Even a deeper neutral like warm grey can make a big impact. If your vanity or other bathroom storage is off white or cream, you might want to avoid crisp white. If you have wood cabinetry, the white will highlight the natural beauty of the wood.

 

The large plate of mirror that is standard in a newer construction bathroom is another builder grade staple that can be change. You can put a frame around the large mirror to give it a more finished look. You could add a cabinet in between two sinks to divide the mirror in two. There are many fantastic tricks and ideas on dealing with large bathroom mirrors on design blogs.