Ask the Decorator: Bathroom Decorating

by Margarett DeGange

Question: I’m ready to redecorate my two full baths. What are the guidelines when decorating bathrooms? Does the master bath wall color have to match the master bedroom?

Answer: First, determine the mood and style you want, and then select paint and accessories. Do you want a spa-retreat or a space to get you going? Cool colors relax, and warm colors energize. Do you want the space to be open and airy or nestled and cozy? Paint the ceiling a lighter shade of the wall color to open it up, a darker shade to make it cozy. Wall color from the bedroom to the bath can blend or match. For good aesthetics, utilitarian and personal hygiene items should be stored away in attractive case pieces, decorative boxes, and baskets that establish or strengthen your style or theme (never leave a toilet brush or container of deodorant in view). Lighting is a key element in a bathroom. Establish both ambient and task lighting. Use dimmer switches where possible. Accent with greenery and fragrance to finish the look. Think of the bathroom as another room and an important space to design and decorate.

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Margarett (Margo) DeGange, M.Ed. is a Success Coach who has helped thousands of design professionals make higher profits, have more free time by working smarter, and create multiple streams of income.

Her business-building products include both onsight and on-line courses in decorating and business, ready-made curriculum for speakers and teachers in decorating, ready-made articles, newsletters, and seminars, trunk show and home show success systems, training kits for creating digital products, and more.
Margo is the Director of The DeGangi School of Interior Decoration and the Executive Director of the Decorators’ Alliance of North America.
Tap into Margo’s resources for design and decorating professionals and speakers who want to build wild success.

Visit www.DeGangiGroup.com , www.DecoratingForProfits.com and www.DecoratingSchool.com for easy to use tools to increase profits quickly.
Visit www.LetsTalkAboutDecorating.com for ready-made seminar kits to make you the local decorating expert. E-Mail her at Margarett@DeGangiGroup.com .

2007 Design Forecast

Part IV - Baths
by Pam Milam

The bathroom is undergoing its own modern design renaissance these days. According to industry experts, consumers are demanding the same ambiance and features in our baths at home as we are experiencing and enjoying at luxurious spas and resorts. Creating that spa-like space at home is becoming more and more important to many of us, so we are installing whirlpools and jetted tubs with air-bubble massage functions, chromatherapy (at the touch of a button, a sequence of rays of color, which practitioners believe can have a holistic healing effect on the body, are shone through the water) and other indulgent options. Tub styles are diversifying as well, from the of-the-moment infinity edge look to the classically sophisticated claw foot and pedestal versions.

Those of us who prefer to shower instead of soak have plenty of high-end choices to ponder as well. Luxury shower systems with overhead rain-forest-style shower heads, steam generators, saunas and multiple body-jets create an oasis-like atmosphere. Add in a wall-recessed gas-fired fireplace, heated towel bars, radiant heat flooring, whisper-quiet ventilation, a flat-screen hi-definition TV and decorative lighting and you’ve got your very own five star spa resort right in the comfort of your home.

This pampering spa experience calls for updated design and upscale style in the other elements of the room as well. In 2007, the bathroom vanity is morphing from the utilitarian cabinet of yesterday into a stylish piece of real furniture, with a decorative sink set into its surface or an above counter “vessel” sink - often a piece of art itself in glass or stone – mounted on top. And his-and-hers separate vanity areas are a conveniently functional feature on those busy mornings when two people are rushing to get ready at the same time. Instead of a single piece of plate glass mirror mounted on the wall above the vanity area, a decoratively framed mirror adds a warm touch. Wall sconces provide task lighting with an upscale feeling, while a chandelier or pendant fixture overhead supplies ambiance and style.

Glass tile is emerging this year as a favorite material for the bath. It shimmers, it shines and it can be used on walls, counter surfaces and floors. Homeowners are designing showers with glass tile in ocean colors and mosaic patterns to create a warm, relaxing atmosphere.

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Pam Milam is the Owner of Reinvented Rooms, an interior design firm located in Fresno, CA. Reinvented Rooms is California’s only nationally certified interior arrangement and design firm. She can be reached by telephone at 559.435.0850 or by email at pam@reinventedrooms.com. Be sure to sign up to receive her FREE design newsletter, "Rethink.Renew.Reinvent!", filled with decorating tips and expert “tricks of the trade”. You can subscribe via email at pam@reinventedrooms.com or by visiting her firm’s website at http://www.reinventedrooms.com./