by MeCC Interiors

If you’re a trend watcher and can’t wait to know what’s on the design horizon for 2012, here are a few of the evolving shifts occurring within Canada and the US pertaining to home design, which are making our living spaces more practical than aspirational.  These trends apply not only to new homes, but more extensive renovation projects.

Open Concept Living and Family space (photo by homeaway.com)

Then: Formal Living Room.  Now: Open Family Room.

The first is nothing new and will certainly come as no surprise: formal living rooms are a thing of the past, with a preference towards open rooms that encourage family gathering.  Interior walls continue to be torn down or opened up to expand views and make interiors feel more spacious and connected.  Just be sure you’re not tearing down a load bearing wall if you’re removing anything.

Then: Second Staircase.  Now: An Elevator.

RAM residential elevator

Rather than making room for that second staircase, keep an area reserved for that future elevator!  With aging populations, this luxury will become more commonplace as multiple floors become more difficult to manoeuver.  Though definitely more expensive than your standard kitchen or bathroom renovation, sizes and interior finishes vary considerably, making them available in a wide price range.

Then: Soaker Tubs.  Now: Steam Showers.

Showpiece bathrooms almost always feature a standalone tub, though a shocking number of homeowners say they never use the tubs to soak in.  For those with more limited space, tubs are being replaced with steam showers, which are fabulous year round and not as drying to the skin as saunas.  In homes with more space, many feature full steam rooms, often in the basement near the gym.

Then: Dad’s Office.  Now: Lifestyle Centres.

The panelled office that doubled as dad’s retreat are disappearing in favour of “lifestyle centres.”  Most homes feature wireless computing, so a fulltime desk is not even necessarily part of the equation.  They tend to allow for flexibility and togetherness and may act as home office, homework centre, craft station, or something else entirely, but they are included within the main, open space and keep users connected with others in the house, rather than segregated.

Outdoor Firepit and Conversation area by insideoutpatio.ca

Then: Breakfast Nook.  Now: Outdoor Spaces.

Kitchen sizes have changed substantially over the years, with many now being the hub of the home and opening onto the family room.  (Many also contain the home’s “lifestyle centre.”)  Instead of breakfast nooks, they feature a bar area and stools.  During the same time, outdoor kitchens have seen a dramatic rise and many would prefer to spend time outdoors when the weather is nice, and so the outdoor room continues to trend upwards.  It includes more than just a dining table and a few chairs, though.  Separate seating areas with a fire pit, for example, will grow in popularity as they help extend the outdoor season.

Then: Grand Foyer.  Now: “Drop Zones.”

The double story entrance foyer is seen by many as a waste of space and is often terribly energy-inefficient. “Drop zones,” however, are functional spaces that help keep everyone organize.  Most feature a place to store coats and footwear, as well as backpacks or briefcases, whether on hooks or cubbies or within a closet.  They also provide a place to drop and sort the mail, set the house keys, and other things of that nature.  Larger zones also store sports equipment or feature a place to store Fido’s leash and accessories.  Depending on the layout of the home, it may be at the front door, or off a more commonly used side or back entrance.

Bayou Cottage Laundry / Craft / Drop Zone

by Nicola Winters

When choosing a roller blind to feature in your newly decorated room or home, it is important to choose a style which you will be happy with and that compliments the rest of your interior décor. The amount of variety available in fabrics, colours and designs, makes it relatively easy to find the perfect window treatment to compliment your room. However, if mainstream designs and patterns are not for you then why not create your own roller blinds? This will, not only incorporate character, individuality and personality into your home, but also offer an inexpensive alternative the next time your blinds are in need of replacing or sprucing up.

Firstly, a plain roller blind will need to be purchased to act as the base of your design. Choose a colour that matches your room and also suits the pattern or design you wish to apply to it. DIY kits for roller blinds can also be purchased, complete with instructions of how to attach your appliques.

Stamping, painting and double sided iron on appliques can all be used to create the design you want. Appliques can be purchased readily made or you can make them yourself using separate fabric from the roller blind. Simply iron the appliques onto a piece of fabric, cut out interesting motifs and iron carefully iron them onto the roller blind. Alternatively, stamps can be used to achieve similar results. These, again, can be readily made and purchased from decorating or craft stores or made from scratch using everyday household objects such as wood, soap or even potatoes. By dipping them in the paint of your choice and pressing them firmly onto the blind, an instant pattern or design can be created.

A third option is to paint them manually. The perfect plan for the artistic and creative; this method is particularly rewarding when completed.

IDEAS

Kitchen and Living room

There are already plenty of designs, styles and fabrics available to buy in roller blinds and attempting to be creative is harder than most think. Take a look around your home and garden and be inspired by shapes, objects and patterns that you see. A particular favourite amongst homeowners is the use of flowers. These can be either painted, stamped or ironed on using fabric motifs and add instant character to your, seemingly, dull window treatments. Leaves are another favourite that also brightens up any room or area within the home. By using a thin paintbrush, stems and vines can be drawn around the shapes to create extra imagery. This is also a great way of covering up any mistakes or drips that have occurred when stamping.

Bathroom

Blues and whites are typically seen in bathrooms and blinds can be very limited when offering patterned designs to suit this type of room with the home. However, by using fabric appliques to create waves, dolphins, splashes or shapes, a bathroom’s window treatment can be transformed into a centre piece.

Bedrooms

The new fashion in home furnishing and decoration is the use of ornaments and pictures in the shape of single words. Words such as love, peace, home and relax can create a certain mood or feel within a room. Stencils can be bought which spell out single words or even phrases which can be added to blinds within the bedroom to add a warm, cosy yet modern feel to the area.

Children

When decorating children’s bedrooms, it’s a great idea to get them involved in the action. If children are actively involved in the creation of something, they are much less likely to damage it. Finger painting and hand stamping is a particular favourite activity amongst young children so why not incorporate it into the designing of their roller blinds. Not only will it be a lovely touch but can also be saved and stored, so in years to come, you can remember the time when you both actively engaged in a fun activity that brightened the home up.

by Guest

Regular readers may remember that we recently featured a guest post from Helen Davies, an interior designer and writer working with UK based bathroom company Better Bathrooms.

Well, now BetterBathrooms.com has teamed up with Homebuilding and Renovating magazine to offer you the chance to win one of their complete bathroom sets with a recommended retail price of over £2,300. The bathroom suite up for grabs in this fabulous pre-Christmas giveaway includes a contemporary, Design freestanding bath, white ceramic Bologna close coupled toilet and pedestal basin in a contemporary style, freestanding contemporary bath filler with shower mixer, and matching monobloc basin tap. You’ll also receive a 1200x800mm quadrant shower enclosure and shower tray complete with Ecobar shower system; choose from a left or right handed shower enclosure and tray to suit your own requirements.

For your chance to win, simply head over to the Sprout Count page to answer the question below and submit your details by 4pm (GMT) on the closing date of 19^th December 2011. You’ll need to be a UK resident to enter.

Q. How many love ‘em or hate ‘em sprouts will Santa’s elves manage to squeeze into this beautiful bath?

Contest information is provided by BetterBathrooms.com. Better Bathrooms is the place to visit, whether you’re simply updating your bathroom accessories and brassware or you’re planning to redesign your entire bathroom. The company’s full range of fantastic value products is available to buy online as well as in their three showrooms, and they also have a trade counter for customer collections if you simply can’t wait to get your hands on your new bathroom essentials.

With a selection of contemporary and traditional bathroom suites and bathroom furniture, shower enclosures and shower systems, freestanding and fitted baths, brassware, accessories and tiles all available at staggeringly low prices, you can bag yourself a bargain with Better Bathrooms, even if you don’t win the big prize!

When designing a room it is essential to pay attention to the lighting. Both the quantity and quality of light can have a dramatic effect on how the room will appear. Quantity is fairly simple, the more light you have the brighter the room. It also helps the room to feel larger. For example a bedroom with small windows will be very dark and close. The same room with larger windows will feel much less intimidating and gloomy. The quantity will be affected by how large your windows are and what artificial lights you have available.

The quality of the light is such factors as the colour and intensity. Both artificial and natural light can affect this. A classic example of different quality lights would be mood lighting as compared to spot lighting. A more subtle example is the effect that the direction that natural light comes from can have:

• North facing rooms will only get reflected sunlight meaning that light often has a cold flattening quality caused by the large amount of blue light reflected into the room.
• East facing rooms get direct light in the morning as the sun rises but far less light in the evening.
• South facing rooms get the benefits of direct sunlight on them for most of the day making them warmer and better lit than others.
• West facing rooms will be dark in the morning but brighten up as the sun moves to the west. They will often get the most heat as not only does the early afternoon sun tends to be the warmest but the setting sun will often shine directly into them. Wooden Venetian blinds offer a great way of preventing glare whilst still allowing light in.

When deciding how to light a room you should consider its size and shape as well as the amount of natural light available. For example a square room will have a different pattern of light and shadow compared to an L shaped or rectangular room. In general the larger the room the more ambient lighting you will need. Ambient lighting is the light we use just to see and perform standard tasks. It can easily be provided by the natural light available during the day as well as a few lamps or ceiling lights.

Rooms like a kitchen or study will benefit from task lighting that allows specific tasks to be performed. For example if you are drawing or painting then having a bright task lamp such as an Anglepoise can be a huge help by providing light exactly where you need it. A similar example is lights fitted so that they shine directly on your oven hobs so that you can see what you are cooking.

The last type of lighting to consider is accent and mood lighting, which can be used to highlight artwork and other decorations. The typical example of this would be a small bulb in recess directly above or below a work of art. However you could also include candles and Christmas tree lights within this.

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This is a guest post on behalf of Wooden Blinds Direct, online suppliers of quality blinds at discount prices.

by Helen Davies

image copyright © Better Bathrooms

If you’re planning a bathroom remodel, you’ll be thinking about all the bathroom fittings and fixtures there are available, and maybe feeling a little overwhelmed. Unless you go into a remodelling project with a very clear idea of what you want, it can be easy to get confused.

We’ve pulled together a few key points to guide you through that tricky decision-making process.

Simple sanitaryware or bathroom cabinets?

Sanitaryware refers to the fixtures in your bathroom, like your toilet, bath, and sink. Choosing standalone sanitaryware can lend a bathroom a traditional style and can be a good route to minimalism too. However, you’ll find that without the addition of a couple of bathroom cabinets, you soon build up a lot of clutter in your bathroom, which can be fatal to your minimalist ethos!

If you opt for a fully fitted bathroom furniture suite instead, you’ll select items such as vanities or washstands, storage cabinets, WC units, and medicine cabinets. All of this brings coordination to a room, and allows for ample storage of all your hygiene products. You can select bathroom cabinets which match your preferred style, whether that monochrome chic, natural wood, or eclectic colour.

Modern or traditional?

Only you can decide this one: one style will simply appeal to you more. However, things to bear in mind as you mull it over, if the answer isn’t immediately obvious to you, are:

1. Is my home a new build, or has it been renovated in a traditional style? Your bathroom should be in keeping with your home generally.

2. What are the rest of my furnishings like? You want to maintain, if possible, a flow of style and colour between rooms so that the whole house seems to have been pulled together in a deliberate and coherent way.

Choosing specific fixtures

Once you’ve got an idea of your overall scheme for the bathroom, it’s time to get down to specifics. Choosing your bathroom cabinets or bathroom suite is something that should be done with care, as you will want your bathroom to last for a number of years – remodelling is expensive and time consuming.

Think about the way you use your existing room, and the fixtures you’d like most in your new room. Understanding what items you use most will help you to prioritise when it comes to measuring your space and drawing up a plan for your new layout.

You can draw your own scale floor plan, or use one of a number of internet sites, to try out different combinations of bathroom fittings and bathroom cabinets in the confines of your own space, before you spend any money or remove your existing bathroom suite. Run through as many versions as you need to, and only start shopping for your bathroom furniture once you’re sure not only of what you want in your bathroom but also what your bathroom can comfortably accommodate.

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About the Contributor

Helen Davies is a content writer for Better Bathrooms, a UK based supplier of a wide range of bathroom cabinets as well as freestanding and fitted bathroom furniture.

by Erik Braunitzer of Douglas Elliman Real Estate Company, agents for Bronx Rentals

photo by Big Dog Renovations

The two best investments homeowners can make to improve the value of their home are to renovate both the kitchen and bathroom. These rooms are the most important selling features of any house. Most of these improvements are DIY projects that do not mandate hiring a professional or using expensive materials.

Glass Tiles
Many glass tiles are available on the market today. Many are handmade from recycled glass, making unique tiles that are almost impossible to reproduce with machines. Installing these tiles is only slightly different than ceramic tiles, with much of the same types of mastic and grout. The look is luxury without the price tag.

Some glass tiles are available with glitter or other pieces allowed to stay in the glass. The look is one of sheer brilliance. Any color combination is possible with recycled glass, even soda bottles. These make beautiful sea-green tiles unlike any machine made tiles today.

Use glass tiles as accent pieces, medallions, borders, backsplashes, tub surrounds and more. The possibilities are only limited by imagination.

Tin Ceilings
These have never gone out of style. Choose antique or vintage tiles for a look of opulence. Tin tiles cover drab or stained ceilings with ease. Installing them takes no more than a screws or special cement. The tiles can be painted or stained, or even treated with faux metals and glitter paints for effect. If one cannot afford vintage tiles, PVC tiles molded to resemble tin tiles provide the same looks for a fraction of the cost.

New Hardware
One of the simplest ways to rejuvenate a bathroom or kitchen is to change the hardware. New hinges, drawer and cabinet pulls, new slides are all part of the hardware. Vintage glass pulls bring new life to any cabinet, or perhaps a more modern look with metals. Handmade pulls, such as horn or specialty woods bring an exotic outdoor look into the home space. In many cases, kitchens look entirely different with just hardware changes and a can of paint, usually under $100.

Improved Flooring
From floor tiles to hardwood, improved flooring often makes a selling point or focal point for visitors. Floating floors are inexpensive and easy to install, while solid hardwood floors last forever but require the installation of an expert. Maintaining a hardwood floor is not difficult if stains and spills are cleaned up quickly, and pads placed on furniture feet are used to prevent scuffs and scratches.

Use hardwood floors even in the bathroom and throughout the house to maintain the flow of the décor. Rugs and carpets protect the floor while allowing the room to change looks with the seasons without removing the hardwood.

Sustainable woods, such as ipe, bamboo and teak are making their way to the top of the flooring world. Although costing more than traditional hardwoods, they are often more durable, and allow more design and color choices. Cork is another sustainable flooring option popular among homeowners today. These woods provide flooring for homeowners, and create jobs and industries in their countries of origins. Sustainable practices also protect the environment.

Spend the time to research the options for remodeling the kitchen and bathroom today. Many projects cost far less than the finished project looks suggest. No one has to tell their guests they did not spend a fortune.

by miltteacom

In the United States and around the world, subway glass tiles have played an integral part of our underground transit history. Admired for its beauty, while recognized for its amazing durability, the classic 3×6 subway glass tiles have stood the test of time. Glass subway tiles made their entrance upon the opening of the New York City Subway in 1904.

The small white subway tiles covered all the walls of the underground transit system, giving a timeless and artistic elegance for millions of travelers and visitors to see. Their mosaic artwork gave elegance and inspired many other subway systems throughout the globe, to follow in their path. Even today, much of the original tiles and artwork remain intact, and are still the prime choice when new subway walls and floors when designed.

A Natural Transition

Are you looking for an economical and cost-effective choice when doing renovations for the home? Then let us introduce you to the subway glass tile. With an endless selection of colors, textures and finishes, the subway glass tile’s versatility, eloquence, and durable surface, make it an irresistible choice for any home. Glass tiles have a depth of beauty that is simply unmatched by the finest ceramic tiles. Incorporating these tiles into your home is comparable to enhancing every area with a unique beauty, a showcase of artwork all on its own.

A Wise Choice

There are so many advantages when choosing this beautiful tile to install in your home. They are impervious to moisture and heat, making them an ideal, economical, and practical choice for bathrooms, kitchens, and even swimming pools. Whether you are considering subway glass tiles for a kitchen backsplash or a beveled edge subway tile for your bathroom or shower walls, you will never be disappointed. When you bring this timeless classic tile design into your home, you join and share in the echoes of its rich historical past.

With the combination of fresh and vivid colors of glass, and the traditional design of ceramic subway tiles, a new design has been created catching the eyes of high-end designers, especially in trendy restaurants. Restaurant owners know how important it is that their image and structures reflect just the right ambiance, while preserving its beauty. Subway glass tiles withstand heavy traffic, while easily holding up to the splatters of food and wine. With its popularity rising, whether in high-rise apartments, or in the most fashionable homes, these small subway tiles remain affordable to all.

The Green Effect:  Subway glass tiles are not only visually appealing, but they are eco-friendly. For all of you environmentalists out there who are serious about not using non-recyclable materials, all subway tile glass is recycled and considered safe for the environment.

Subway glass tiles are perfect for any renovation project, whether you need a modern or present-day design.  They are beautiful, durable, and best of all – easy to keep clean, and hard to damage.  Glass subway tiles keep it simple, while remaining the most economical and practical alternative – for any room – anytime and anywhere.

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This Article was provided by Glass Tile Oasis. At Glass Tile Oasis we carry glass tiles in a wide range of colors and styles at  low prices visit our website today at wwww.glasstileoasis.com

If you’re planning on remodeling your bathroom, you might want to listen up. There are many things that you can do to your space that will make it a room that you can enjoy for years. But you can also install the right kinds of bathroom accessories and fixtures that will be of value when the time comes for you to sell your home.

One important piece in the space that will instantly add value is the right kind of bathroom vanity. This fixture is not only a useful part of any bathroom, but it can also create added elegance to the room. Opt for a contemporary bathroom vanity with neutral colors that will satisfy the majority of potential home buyers in the future

Another easy way to add value to your space is by installing uniformed bathroom accessories. Faucets, towel bars and other accouterments should all have the same finish for a harmonious look that will surely wow individuals who are planning on buying your home.

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About the Contributor

DecorPlanet.com specializes in selling luxurious home and bathroom products including bathroom vanities, bathroom faucets, bathroom cabinets & mirrors, bathroom shower panels, and a variety of other contemporary bathroom items online at discount prices. During our time in business, we have established favorable business relationships with many factories that meet the highest industry recognized standards at favorable and/or discounted prices. By continuously broadening the business scope and scale through rigorous efforts, we will continue to offer many more wholesale priced products, thus broadening the variety that a customer demands.

by Guest

Fans share photos for chance of winning new shower enclosure

Basco Shower Enclosures is pleased to announce the launch of its first-ever online photo contest, Extreme Shower Makeover! This contest invites social media fans and followers to capture an image of their old, out-dated shower spaces for a chance at winning a complete glass shower enclosure, valued at $1,500.

“Our social media contest is unique because it gives our fans and followers the opportunity to share with us photos of their bathrooms that are in need of help. In return, the grand prize winner will receive a customized, installed shower enclosure,” stated Don Gamble, senior vice president of sales and marketing for Basco. “With the evolving social media landscape, it makes sense to focus on where many of our customers come for questions and help – the Internet.”

Beginning the week of August 15^th and ending the week of  September 19^th, fans and followers can submit photos and testimonials via email to showermakeover@gmail.com. Eligible submitted photos will be uploaded to all social media platforms and the top five will be posted at end of month for social media followers to help Basco pick the top winner. The free online photo contest is open to U.S. and Canadian residents, 18 years and older.

For more information on Basco Shower Enclosures, visit www.bascoshowerdoors.com.

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About Basco Shower Enclosures

Since 1955, Basco has earned the trust of millions of customers by designing and fabricating custom shower doors and shower enclosures. Basco’s approach centers around their commitment to customer care, craftsmanship and quality. They are consistently rated number one in quality and brand preference. To learn more, visit www.bascoshowerdoors.com.

Bellacor announced the launch of its members-only private flash sale site, www.Olume.com. Beginning today, customers can sign up to view and purchase a limited quantity of highly desirable home products priced at up to 75% off retail.

“The needs of our consumers are changing. We’ve adapted to these changes by continuing to offer our customers high-quality pieces for their home but at insider prices,” said Chris Fowler, Director of Marketing for www.Bellacor.com.

Olume showcases frequent new sales featuring a curated selection of home furnishing products from some of today’s most sought out brands such as Quoizel, Kenroy Home, and Southern Enterprises. Each sale will include a limited quantity of items from various categories such as lighting, furnishings, and decor. The pieces will be available on the site for a limited-time and sold on a first come, first serve basis.

Unique to Olume is the specialized knowledge of the furnishings industry that Bellacor’s merchandising department brings. “We have a decade of experience in this space and an equally long history with great brands. Using this knowledge, we offer our Olume members special access to an extremely large selection of product from over 800 brands—all at drastically reduced prices,” said Fowler.

Olume is also leveraging the social element of shopping.  Bellacor will offer members who refer friends (friends that also sign up to become members) to receive a $15 credit towards their next purchase. Additionally, members are able to use the Facebook “like” functionality within Olume to communicate preferred brands and products for future sales.

Home design enthusiasts can sign up for a membership at http://www.olume.com or check out Twitter (http://twitter.com/olumecom) and Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/olume) for new sales events.

About Olume
Olume is a private flash sale website offering members special access to in-demand brands at insider prices. New sales are launched every other day, with a curated selection of home furnishings. Discounts offered are up to 75% off retail.

About Bellacor
Bellacor is a one-stop showroom that promises a new way to shop the entire lighting and home furnishings industry from the comfort of your home by providing superior personal service and access to the largest collection of lighting and home furnishings on the web.

There are over 300,000 products at Bellacor.com, which boasts one of the largest and most impressive online inventories of home lighting. Bellacor showcases luxury home furnishings from brands including: The Minka Group, Murray Feiss, Quoizel, and many others.