Master Bath Remodel Series: Start Thinking!

Remodeling master bathrooms is really hot now!  It seems like I’m working on a lot of bathroom remodels these days.  It makes sense; I mean we do use the bathroom everyday no?  You can’t say that about every room in your house.   Maybe you don’t use the kitchen everyday if you don’t cook, but you certainly shower every day, or brush your teeth…at least I hope you do. 

The master bathroom is where most of us start our day.  Shouldn't it be a relaxing, stress free zone?  I think so!  Unfortunately, it’s one of the last rooms on the remodel list, because “nobody sees it”, but once it’s done you’ll probably be wishing you did it eons ago.  (I know I will…it’s on the list)

There are a lot of things to consider when doing a master bath remodel and the first place to start is with FUNCTION.  What do you do in your master bath? (or what do you wish you could do?) 

Style Hair?

Makeup? Do you sit or stand?

Do you shower more than you take a bath?

Do you ever take a bath?

Do you have storage for all your creams, lotions, towels, etc.?

Do you want your bath to connect your closet?

Literally walk through how your use the bath room every day, from turning on the light to putting lotion on your legs and ask yourself, How could this be improved?  I'd recommend writing it down.  It will probably start with I wish…

 

Then you want to ask yourself some more questions…

Is your bathroom too hot, or too cold?

Is there enough light?

Is there enough ventilation?

Enough counter space?

 

The list goes on, but you really need to think about how YOU use your bathroom.  Too often I hear clients talking about "resale" and what a future buyer might like or what Suzy down the street did.  Forget about Suzy or a future buyer (if Suzy jumped off a bridge...?).  This is your remodel do what’s best for you!  Some day when you sell there will be a buyer for your bathroom.

After considering the FUNCTIONAL aspect, now you have to consider 2 things: Budget and Style.  I’m just going to touch on Style today and we’ll talk about Budget in the next blog since I have a lot to say about budget.

STYLE

Most bathrooms are pretty clean since that’s where we get clean.  It’s hard to “clean up” if there are lots of trinkets around.   Like this bathroom...

…It is actually an ad, but seriously?  Do you want a stack of wood planks in your bathroom and what's with the stack of pillows? 

 Everyone likes different styles. Contemporary or traditional are mostly differentiated by lines and detail.  Do you want simple clean lines or do you want lots of detail in the tile and cabinetry? Do you want everything put away and out of sight or do you want some open storage?  I recommend just pulling a few magazines, or looking online to narrow down your style, also your interior designer can help J.  Here are a few styles ideas to get you thinking:

What’s in your dream Master Bath?

Girl on Vacation

So it's been a bit since my last post because I was in Kiawah Island, SC

(I know rough life I have) 

I've never been to South Carolina, and honestly had to Google map Kiawah to see the closest airport.

Any-who.

One of my best college friends, Foster, was getting married.  

So pretty...

Her real name is Jen, but I nicknamed her Foster in college because I thought she looked just like Jodie Foster.  Can you see the resemblance?

I thought so too, hence the nickname.

Now this little chickadee and her super cool husband did what I have been telling brides-to-be to do for YEARS, rent a house somewhere wonderful for a week and invite your closest friend and family.  You get a vacation, you get an extended party, and sure you'll spend the same money (but you could save) and either way you get a week vaca not just a 1 day celebration.  S-M-A-R-T

The whole weekend was so fun.

The house they rented was Capital A - Awesome.  It was remodeled just a few years ago as one of the first LEED-Certified remodels on Kiawah (LEED is designer code for "environmentally conscience").  The architect and designer turned an old Georgian traditional home into a relaxed coastal cottage beach retreat.

Now don't be fooled by the term "cottage".  It's about 7,500 sq. ft., 8 bedrooms and 9 baths.  Of course I  usually critique every home I'm in (it an instinctual thing) but, this house was perfect.  (Maybe the cool ocean breeze or the chili-guava margarita's influenced my decision, but hey I guess I can be bought)

You can decide for yourself.

Do you like?  

Well you could have bought it for a cool $10 million, but someone beat you too it and it is also now off the rental market, but maybe there's another property on Kiawah for you (wink, wink).

The house was inviting and casual, yet it had all the amenities needed to entertain (i.e. large deck, 2 dishwasher, etc.).  Just what every beach house should be.  

Ahh! til next time Kiawah.

A Sweet Master Suite

The Master Suite.  It sounds so fancy doesn't it?   I always want to say it with a fancy British accent like your butler is showing you… “and here is the master suite.”  It should be your retreat, your resting place.   But rarely does this happen.

Most of the time you've got a bed and a chair with 10 pairs of the husband’s pants hanging on it.  Oh and don’t forget the dresser with the TV and cable box on top.  Don’t even get me started on the bathroom.  Most likely it’s not functional; something like you have a giant bathtub and never take baths…

“oh but for resale” blah, blah, blah. 

And you most certainly don’t have enough storage.

It’s the last place you want to redo because “Nobody sees it”.

I know because it is the same for me.  It’s on the list of things to do, but we haven’t gotten to it yet.

BUT when a client hires me to do a master suite, it’s the best!  And all those “should be’s” are so true!  It should be a retreat, it should be a sanctuary, it should be functional for YOU, and it should have lots of storage (ok so that was a have, same thing)

I did this Master Suite for one awesome couple! They have a contemporary, rich, yet earthy style.  We had to work with some things they already had updated, like the flooring, and cabinets, but they really went ahead and completed the whole room to make it a warm and inviting retreat. 

The wallcovering in this room is amazing!  The pictures don’t do it justice so I’m attaching a close up of the product.   It’s a mica chip from Phillip Jefferies.

The night stands areone of my favorites too.  When I found them a Scala Luxury, I knew they were perfect for this room.

Behind that mirror is all storage, storage, storage.

 I love to incorporate plants; they always feel good in a space.  If you can’t keep real ones alive, there are some really great fake plants...ah-hem faux botanicals.  My good pal Brad from Plant Solutions put together the arrangements in this suite.  I’m really picky about my fake plants.  The ivy hanging from your mother’s oak kitchen cabinets is not Girl on Design approved.

What do you wish was in your Master Suite?

Friday’s Design: A Room for Him and Her

Happy Friday! 

I love Friday’s, sure I love my job, but we all need to balance work and play.  

A little rest and relaxation.

Sing it!.... Everybody’s work-ing for the week-end.

Really I like Fridays because they are a good days to get things done in the office.  I usually don’t have installs or job site visits or contractor meetings, etc. so I’m often working on drawings, creative concepts or other fun design-y (official term) things.  

This week, I’m putting together a schematic concept for a newlywed couple’s living room. Rooms are often masculine or feminine and I do feel bad for the husbands sometimes. The women pick the design and the men are left living in their feminine spaces.   I want this space to feel both masculine and feminine so neither inhabitant feels too left out.   While I often choose custom products, it makes more sense(budget and location reasons) for this client to purchase items from retail and online outlets.  I’ll still probably recommend custom window treatments.  I usually recommend custom window treatments and I’ll get into the why another day.

Let me know what you think!

Girl On Design Signing On

So here I am, blogging.  Joining the blog-o-sphere.  I must have thought and re-thought about this a million times, but it still seems like a pretty good idea.  I guess I feel like I can help a few people make a few better decisions and that will make the world just that much better

...Ok maybe that is a little deep.  I'm really just trying to may sure you don't totally mess up your house remodel! 

I love remodeling, lets be honest everyone does!  Don't we all love a good makeover? Aren't we all enamored by the "Extreme" before and after pictures? 

Well I hate to burst you bubble, but I'm here it tell you it’s not all the glitz and glam you see on TV.   Just as no one person is the same, no two homes are the same.  It is different EVERY... SINGLE... TIME.  Unique is a better way to think of it.   As a designer we have tools, knowledge, and capability though education and experience to make the process easier.  It’s like these photos on Pinterest. 

           

  

Have you seen them?  I crack up every time.  So funny!!   "NAILED IT!"  Bahahahaha!

You think ‘Hey I can tile my bathroom’ then you can’t even get the old tile off the floor!

Leave it to the professionals.  

But which professionals?  

And how do I know what tile to use?  

Where do I find this tile? 

How much do I need?  

Whoa, whoa, whoa.

Just sit back relax and follow my blog for design tips, professional recommendations, projects, design ideas and all things for your home. 

Sincerely – Girl On Design