Powder Rooms with Pizazz

at Atlantic Design Center ~ A Bi-Monthly Newsletter

Powder Rooms with Pizazz

It may be the smallest room in the house, but who says it can’t pack a punch?!

Bold paint colors, vessel sinks, glass tile and crystal sconces are just a few design elements to jazz up your bath. That little room tucked under the stairs or along the hall has the power to say, “WOW!”

With a few simple, but well thought out selections, a stylish powder room is well within reach. So, where to being?

Color

If it’s drama you want, a bold paint color makes a strong statement.

Painting stripes in a vertical pattern brings height to a low ceiling.
Wallpaper and wall covering is making a comeback. A large scale pattern is dramatic in a small space.
A richly textured grass cloth lends an organic feel.
Highlight only the wall behind the vanity. It could be papered or tiled to complement the countertop and sink, along with the rest of the room.

Tile

Tile is a great way to define a particular style.

A sleek glass tile behind a gorgeous vessel sink will bring a modern look.
Richly textured slate tile behind a stone vessel sink lends an organic feel.
An octagon Carrara marble tile on the floor is a traditional style; paired with a bright red vanity with jeweled hardware and you have drama.

Vanities

Can be open below to save space and money.
Countertops can go wall to wall to make a narrow space feel wider.
Faucets can be wall mounted; always a cool look!
Countertops can be natural stone or beautiful grained wood.

Mirrors & Lighting

Mirrors can be sleek or richly ornate. Trim can be painted with high glass paint. Lighting can’t be overlooked. A petite crystal chandelier brings sparkle and elegance. Pendant lights are fun in a small space. There are great light fixtures for every budget and don’t forget they can be placed on the mirror, too.

Accessorize

Accessorize with colorful textured towels! A decorative soap dispenser makes hand washing easier. There are beautiful stone and glass dispensers available.

Mixing styles creates great design. Go big, be brave! Add a little whimsy somewhere, it makes people smile!

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Suzie Getman is our Design Consultant in the Tile & Flooring department. She has been working in bath design for over 8 years. Her specialty is tile design. A New Hampshire native, she holds degrees in Human Services and Education. Her love of design began when she purchased an old Cape Cod home many years ago and began furnishing it by attending estate auctions and scouring consignment shops. She has completed course work in Interior Design and Color and is also certified in ADA and Aging in Place design.

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Show Your True Colors

at Atlantic Design Center ~ A Bi-Monthly Newsletter

Show Your True Colors

NOTE: This is a re-post of a popular newsletter from May 2012.
Be sure to contact one of our designers to see what colors are currently trending.

Sofa, pillows and wallpaper in 'trendy' color, Tangerine

You have waited and waited and waited…and finally you hear, “Yes, it’s a go!” You’ve been watching HGTV and buying magazines for months now. Yeah! You revel in the prospect of starting in to your dream project. So many great ideas! But wait, slowly that feeling of trepidation creeps in. Suddenly it does not seem so easy to commit. We all want something new and hot but it must have staying power. Violets, orange, aquas, citrus…It all looks so right…for other people’s homes. So how do you know that what you pick will not turn out to be the “avocado” of yesteryear?

Recently I attended the “Coverings” Expo in Florida and was fortunate enough to catch the key speaker Leatrice Eisenhart. Her featured topic, “Future Color Trends: Fantasies and Realities” provided many answers to these typical questions. Leatrice is a consultant who has been studying color and trends for years and has written widely on the subject. Which color is the right one to choose? You know if you ask ten individuals you would be lucky to come up with less than ten different answers.

What we do know is that color is the element that we notice immediately. Color sets the tone of the space and can have a positive or negative effect. One tip I can pass along is to study not only home and interior magazines, but to search even wider for future trends. Look to the fashion industry, the automobile industry, the cosmetic industry, the movie industry. They are all on the cutting edge when selecting colors for the season. Manufacturers use color in both product and marketing materials to “coax or cajole, to soothe or astonish us, to renew or replenish” us.

During the Second World War, as women took to working in factories, the one luxury they permitted themselves was to buy a hot new lipstick. Color motivates us, makes us feel good. Today the modern equivalent would be to look at nail polish. For the rst time, sales of nail polish outstrips that of lipstick.You will see a wide palette of both hot neons and metallics in burnished gold and silver at any cosmetics counter along with traditional classic pinks and reds. Right now the 2012 color to watch for is “Tangerine Tango”! Lime greens, aqua, oranges are still huge in “pop” culture. Gentile violets, purples and classic claret are all being used in movie sets such as Downton Abbey and others. These trends in other industries definitely cross over into home furnishings and residential products.

stack of pillows in lime and tangerine colors

But besides industry and commerce, just turn to nature. There was a time when mixing more than one shade of green in your home was considered a “no, no” but neutral colors are widely loved in nature. The catch word is that green is “sustainable” and has been shown to promote feelings of good health, helping one to breathe slowly and feel better. Green can be mixed with green. Look outdoors! Mother-nature does it all the time.

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Remember, satisfy your soul.

Don’t shy away. Commit to your colors and enjoy them!

Another way to express yourself with color would be to create a base of neutrals, including greens (yes, green is considered a neutral) and create the “magic” by injecting a punch of color. Accessories, such as pillows, drapes, rugs, artwork, can add contrast and excitement without overwhelming the senses. These accents do not have to be perfectly matched, but must be repeated at least twice or more in the space in order to create a cohesive and valanced environment. That way, if your taste changes over time, you can easily make inexpensive changes and still remain current with color.

So whether you choose to use neutrals or draw from multi ethnic themes, Southwest or preppy old school color combinations, with a well balanced palette, any of these can look good in your home. For more on specific color combinations, you can go to ColorExpert where Leatrice has information and links to her Pantone View color palettes.