5 Star Bathrooms

The Secrets to a Luxurious Bathroom Look

Give your bathroom a special finish with a few splurges

Ever looked at a beautiful bathroom and wondered what takes its design to the next level? You’re not alone. Many homeowners want to know how some bathrooms get that mysterious designer je ne sais quoi. I’ll let you in on a few secrets. Because the overall material costs are low in a small space like a bathroom, it’s a great place to splurge a little on a few features. But it also helps to know where to spend and where to save. Here are a few of my favorite tricks for getting a nicely finished look for a lower cost.

Webber + Studio, Architects

Use a Smoky Glass

One of the rarer features I love is a smoky glass shower enclosure. It balances an air of privacy and sophistication with visual openness, and doesn’t add much to the cost versus clear glass.(Also, notice how placing lights in front of the mirror rather than above it virtually doubles the amount of lighting, making the overall effect glowing and warm.)

Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard

If you do prefer the most open look, a clear glass panel is still a worthwhile upgrade from a shower curtain for creating a sense of modernity that gives a bathroom that sought-after spa appeal.

James Wagman Architect, LLC

Tile Tricks

Taking tile from floor to ceiling is important in making a traditional or modern space feel high end …

Lisa Petrole Photography

… but that doesn’t mean you have to spend at the high end. Rather than tiling a whole room partway up, consider tiling just one or two walls top to bottom in a statement stone. You’ll still get that finished look without paying to tile the whole space.

Chantel Elshout Design Consultancy

Also consider running one type of tile across the floor and a wall for a strong, singular statement. And, of course, leaving the remaining walls white makes the veining the star of the show.

Nu Interiors

If you’re looking to tile all the walls without breaking the bank, especially if your layout doesn’t leave any walls safe from splashes and splatters, I would recommend classic subway tile over a faux stone. But to create a little drama, choose a dark grout …

… or a modern pattern like this simple stacked layout with a wide tile.

Chr DAUER Architects

Mirror Power

A large mirror has so much power. It cuts down on tile costs by filling much of a wall (while reflecting the material you do invest in) and can virtually double the size of the room, making it feel like a vast personal oasis …

Terracotta Design Build

… even if the room is a more modest size. Consider taking a mirror wall to wall. Notice how the wall here feels tiled, even though in fact there are only a few inches of stone backsplash below the mirror.

Toronto Interior Design Group | Yanic Simard

The Vanity

I designed this bathroom for a recent condo renovation; it has many of my favorite features described above, translated in a small space. You’ll notice that among all the attention-stealing details, there is a humble Ikea vanity, which I have used in multiple renovations. It’s sleek and simple, and the cantilevered style helps the room feel more open. Best of all, it costs about $480.More: 12 Ways to Get a Luxe Bathroom Look for Less

Thank you to Houzz and Yanic Simard for the great information in this article.

Colorado Style

Plenty of color and art, plus a sense of adventurousness, wind through the contemporary renovation of this Denver family’s 1908 home

Jake and Christa Rost wanted four core values to shine through in their 1908 bungalow in Denver: family, community, creativity and an adventurous spirit. Partnering with Larry Kagiyama of Diagram C Interior Design, the couple thoughtfully designed and renovated their space with these ideals in mind.

To make the house their own, “We began renovating immediately,” Christa says. “I was pregnant with our first son, Alex, so the project definitely presented its challenges. Our biggest design dilemma was opening up the first floor and removing a wall that was 60 percent of the house load.” The couple then gave Kagiyama a general direction, with their art, travels and children serving as inspiration for the inviting color palette.Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jake and Christa Rost; sons Alex (4 years old) and Henry (6 months)
Location: Congress Park, Denver
Size and style: 3,800 square feet; 4 bedrooms; 3.5 baths
That’s interesting: The home was featured on HGTV’s Bang for Your Buck.

Lauren Mikus

The kitchen features a 36-inch Wolf dual range stove top and a Kenmore dishwasher and refrigerator. All of the cabinetry is part of the Ikea Akurum/Rationell system, which helped keep the kitchen design within budget.

Lauren Mikus

“My top kitchen design priorities were to increase storage and counter space,” Christa says. “We love entertaining, and everyone congregates around the island. It makes me happy I can cook and still be a part of the party.”

The custom island features a zebra wood countertop.

Lauren Mikus

A colorful glass mosaic kitchen backsplash complements the concrete countertops. Its blue and olive hues add an element of visual surprise.

Lauren Mikus

The dining area, adjacent to the kitchen, is part of one large, shared space. Christa chose a fun, low-maintenance dining table she could enjoy with the kids. The lovely blue chest in the corner is a refurbished piece from retailer Serendipity in Longmont, Colorado.

Dining table: Brocade Home

Lauren Mikus

Christa and Jake extended the mosaic glass tile from the kitchen backsplash to the fireplace in the living room. They use this room for lounging in the evenings while reading the newspaper. Most of the artwork, including the piece above the fireplace, came from creative friends.

Lauren Mikus

This tufted ottoman cocktail table was purchased from local retailer HW Home. The Rosts love to read, and the tray serves as a perfect place for their latest magazines and books.

Lauren Mikus

The family badly needed additional storage prior to the renovation. These closets across from the family room in the entryway store winter coats and toys.

Lauren Mikus

The Rost home is full of photographs and unique keepsakes. A metal occasional table to the side of the sofa holds a lamp Kagiyama found at Urban Lights in Denver.

Lauren Mikus

In this renovated bathroom, used by the whole family, Ikea cabinetry from the Akurum/Rationell system is paired with a mirror from Brocade Home. Christa finds warm gray soothing and loves the contemporary feel of the tile on the back wall and floor.

Christa and Jake’s next project is renovating the guest bedroom into a master suite with a large bathroom and walk-in closet.

Lauren Mikus

The wooden train set and a charming red rocking horse are the focal points in Alex’s colorful bedroom. The tower of stacked books allows for easy nighttime reading; bedtime always includes at least two stories. Alex’s current favorite is a pop-up book about monsters.

Lauren Mikus

Kagiyama chose a bold blue color palette to transition with Alex over the years. Storage units keep toys tucked away but handy.

Bedding: Owl Duvet Set by DwellStudio

Lauren Mikus

Henry’s nursery is outfitted with Flor modular carpeting, also used in Alex’s room. The replaceable carpet tiles provide a great sense of peace for Jake and Christa, since they don’t have to worry about occasional messes.

Orange stool: Design Within Reach

Lauren Mikus

The master bedroom is compact, but the Rosts make it work. Jake uses the closet in this room, and Christa’s belongings occupy the larger closet in the guest bedroom. The original wallpaper is still intact, but Christa would like eventually to swap it out. Another project on the couple’s wish list is to create a master suite on the second floor and a guest suite/office on the third floor.

Lamp: Candice Olson Collection

Lauren Mikus

Jake’s study in the basement is packed with framed graphic prints, most from artist friend Rick Griffith of Matter Studio. Although this area functions primarily as Jake’s personal space, the cozy sectional is a popular spot for the Rost family, who do most of their movie watching here. Otherwise, you can find Jake delving into his fly-fishing books and records in this space.

Lauren Mikus

“Rick is an old friend of ours,” Christa says. “He’s a brilliant graphic designer who has a letterpress and screen printing studio downtown. As a designer myself, I was drawn to that particular series. The Denver Art Museum recently purchased pieces from him for their permanent collection, so I suspect it will be harder for us to afford his artwork soon!”

Lauren Mikus

Across the hall from Jake’s study is Alex’s craft room. This playful area serves as storage for additional toys and games. Floating shelves maximize the space and display Alex’s artwork.

Lauren Mikus

This first-floor guest bathroom features a mirror from Brocade Home. The textured tile backsplash mimics crocodile skin.

Lauren Mikus

The afternoon sun makes the front porch a destination in spring and summer. Christa and Jake made a decision early on to enhance curb appeal by laying all new sod in the front yard. Five years later, the lawn is thriving and inviting.

Lauren Mikus

The exterior of the home remains in its original state. The previous homeowner belongs to the Denver Historic Society and had the dwelling designated as a historic Denver home. A swing hangs from the front porch, perfect for views of the large trees and charming neighborhood.

“What we love most about Denver is the fact that it is a small town with big-city amenities,” Christa says. The couple especially loves being able to spend time skiing on the nearby slopes with their sons.

Another Colorado Tours:
Creative Denver Studio

Thank you to Houzz for this great information!

The Elegance of Experience: Old Pieces in New Places

Just because a house is brand new doesn’t mean it should flaunt its youth. While new homes have their charms – warranties, modern technology, central air – they often lack a certain je ne sais quoi that old homes, for all their leaky pipes and exposed radiators, have in spades.

Fortunately, newer homes warm right up when they’re decorated with interesting older pieces. Furniture with a story. Accessories with soul. I think that there’s a lot to be said for mixing cool old pieces with brand spanking new construction. You start with a clean slate and end up with the best of both worlds.

Here are some great examples of spaces that mix the best of old and new:

Dufner Heighes Inc

This room’s clean lines, stainless steel appliances and simple green and white dishes displayed as art look fresh, current and new. But the rich wood table and the rugged log basket seem decades old. In a more traditional setting, the table (and flowers) might seem fussy. Without them, the room could seem cold. But together, they create a welcoming, calm kitchen.

I might even take the “old” here a step further, giving the rug more of a starring role. I love its traditional pattern and the way it’s faded with use, but I might have chosen a larger rug with even deeper colors to perk up the room’s palette a bit.

These shiny floors tell one story, but the creaky old lockers beg to differ. New space sheen is taken off of this room with warm colors – I love the rusty shade of the chair – and cool vintage school lockers. Not only do they add personality, they also provide a great place to store extra books, magazines or DVDs.

The doors in this room are fantastic, too. They could be old and rehabbed or brand new – either way, they’re perfect, offering privacy while maintaining a feeling of openness. Architectural salvage warehouses are a great place for finds like these doors and the lockers. They’re full of hidden gems with tons of personality and history.

Abelow Sherman Architects LLC

Often, offices in new homes get the short end of the stick when it comes to decor. Because they’re hidden away, they’re an afterthought and end up with a random selection of furniture, piles of paperwork and way too many electrical cords. But wouldn’t it be better to work in a space that’s as thoughtful and attractive as the rest of the house?

This is the kind of room that’s conducive to really great work. New floors and neat white walls are a perfect match for an organic, rough wood counter acting as a desk. Sleek architectural lines and modern chairs keep the room feeling uncluttered while the shelves, full of pottery, photos and souvenirs, tell a thousand stories.

Kerrie L. Kelly

Adding personality to a new space doesn’t require blanketing the house with antiques. One tiny detail – like the carving on a dining room chair – can lend gravitas to a whole room.

Here, paired with art that’s modern and expressive, but subtle in terms of color, and simple table accessories, the chair seems like it has a story to tell – one much older than anything else in the room.

Susan M. Davis

I absolutely love this image for the story it tells about the homeowners’ priorities and care. The new tile backsplash juxtaposed with rough wood shelves and an antique glass-front cabinet is the best of both worlds – modern tile products and technology meet old school quality construction.

Plus, the colors are fantastic. The beige tile and buttery yellow wall are neutral but interesting, and the rich green-blue of the cabinet is totally unexpected and great with the gorgeous gold glassware inside.

Careful details like the 19th century Karabagh carpet soften the edges on a brand new room. At the same time, the decor doesn’t go overboard, screaming “antique.” The fussy patterns of the carpet are offset by modern furniture with simple lines and funky, but understated, art.

The one thing I’d change about this space is the lighting. I like the simple, modern sconces, but the track lighting doesn’t do the rest of the room justice. It’s too informal for a space like this, and seems like an afterthought. A great vintage chandelier – something sort of masculine, nothing too fussy – would really tie this room together.

Doyle McCullar Fine Interiors

Chandeliers are like the fairy godmothers of decorating – they can transform a room from too shiny and new to established and beautiful with just the flick of a dimmer switch. This rock crystal example is ornate and nearly over the top, but it lends exactly the right amount of gravitas to an otherwise brand new room.

Thoughtful tableware is also a great – and not necessarily expensive – way to add elegance and class to a new space. Even a new, modern table feels established when it’s topped with an impressive candelabra. These white accessories are perfect for this space – they dress up the table but don’t compete with the chandelier.

Tons of built-ins are a key attraction in this newly renovated brownstone and a great example of the benefits of new construction. The cabinets and bench are pretty and functional.

But the real star here is the table. Its rough finish adds the perfect touch of rustic history to the understated, minimal room. It’s easy to imagine years of family gatherings around this piece of furniture.

I also love the black and white photograph. Family photos make every room more special, and sticking with black and white really works with the room’s clean, neutral palette. This is a calming space.

That said, I might add a bright throw pillow or two on the bench. Something in yellow or a pink-red would add some energy to the space without sacrificing its peaceful vibe.

Rossington Architecture

Besides looking incredibly comfortable, these chairs add graceful age to a minimal new space. The chairs’ lines are modern – I love the straight arms – but the leather is warm and welcoming and looks lived in. Overall, the space looks comfortable – but not sloppy.

I would, however, add a rug to warm up these wood floors just a bit. Maybe something full of texture, like a flokati rug. I’d keep the windows curtainless, though – I like the way the sharp angles of the window echo the lines of the chairs.

Lucky dog. This space is amazing – and fairly easy to replicate. The basic lines of mid-century furniture, like this night table and the fantasic lamp, are a great match for new construction.

Here, they’re kept from looking too stark thanks to the rest of the decor. The wallpaper adds depth and the bed is full of crazy textures. I love the idea of the fuzzy, cozy bedspread and sexy leather pillows. A couple of neat, cotton-coverered throw pillows are a surprisingly simple addition that ties the whole look together. The wild mix of textures and careful balance of warm and cool colors adds up to a space that really works.

Thank you to Houzz for the great information!!!!!

Hamptons Style

GET THE LOOK ON A BUDGET!

The Hamptons, situated north of New York is where the wealthy escape to the beach for summer.

Hamptons style is defined by casual, relaxed beach living but done in a classic and very sophisticated way. The look is bright and breezy, plenty of natural daylight with discreet window treatments to really let the light pour in.

To get this look even on a budget here are some of my tips:

WALLS

Interior walls are often plain white with just a hint of softness to them – try Dulux Natural White.  Wall panelling is also very Hamptons chic, even in bathrooms.  Buy wooden panelling such as tongue and groove from hardware stores – visit www.easycraft.com.au for ideas. I find that by adding subtle panelled detailing to an otherwise plain room gives it so much more style and interest. Paint as you would your doors and skirting boards, I like ‘off white’ enamel in a low sheen finish.

FLOORS

Timber floors throughout are all part of the look, either in a very dark chocolate brown or pale and bleached.   For dark, try sanding and staining ordinary boards in the richest, chocolatey colour you can find such as Wenge or Jacobean Oak.  For light flooring, try Porters Wood-Wash in white and finish with a low sheen clear varnish.

Add natural rugs such as sisal or jute or light coloured carpets for softness under foot.

FURNITURE

Linen upholstery is my favourite and a popular Hamptons pick, it always looks great.  Slip-covers in pure linen or else white cotton drill are easy on the eye and cool on hot summer days.  Accesorising is easy with soft scatter pillows.

Wicker or cane furniture is popular too but definitely not too much.  Remember the key to this look is high end and sophisticated, not beachy,  shabby chic.

Look out for smart occasional tables in op-shops and perhaps a nice chair to which you can add new paint and a cushion.  Keep wicker natural or consider painting in pastels such as soft blues and greens or stain dark brown, almost black for a dramatic contrast to white walls.

LIGHTING

A variety of lamps adds subtle ambience to a room.  Look for medium to tall sized bases in ceramic or wood and choose shades in natural fabrics such as linen, cotton or silk.  For overhead lighting consider pendant lighting over tables and island benches as well as to illuminate key areas of your home.

OLD WITH NEW

Keep this look fresh and interesting by mixing old with new. Go antiquing for a few rustic items like old timber dining chairs and pair them with a new plain oak table. Retro kitchen canisters, old shop signs and bottles add charm and fun while contemporary art, lamps and furniture pieces keep things very young and very now.

Don’t forget to include a few natural items such as driftwood and shells and display them in glass jars throughout the house.

Thank you Tara Dennis for the great Information!

A Modern Farmhouse in the Hamptons

An architect’s son brings a lifetime’s worth of lessons into play in this sleek, spacious farmhouse-style home in New York

his Houzz profile shows, Jeff Chmielewski is an architect’s son. Growing tired of what he saw as lackluster design in the Bridgehampton community of Long Island, New York, Chmielewski designed and built the farmhouse he now shares with his family — all without formal design training. He attributes its success to his decades of exposure to all things architectural and, of course, a little bit of help from his father. “I spent months drawing and laying out the residence,” he says, “faxing my sketches to my dad and getting CAD files back in return.”

Chmielewski is proud of his home, a farmhouse perched at the top of a field near Bridgehampton’s Main Street. Built with traditional bones and modern shapes, it’s filled with items that reflect his discerning taste. “I wanted to be very conscious of the surrounding environment — the Bridgehampton Historical Society is located on the other side of the field that the house sits on. But at the same time, I love the light and openness of modern architecture and needed a compromise,” says Chmielewski.

Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Jeff and Angela Chmielewski and baby Chase
Location: Bridgehampton, New York
Size: 4,800 square feet
That’s Interesting: Chmielewski is writing a book on home design and building called The 80/20 House.

Chmielewski sited the windows of the main living spaces on the southern side of the house, allowing plenty of light to warm the space. The passive solar heat generated by the southern exposure helps keep the house warm in the cold winter months. In the summer, the house stays cool in the shade of trees surrounding the property.

The house is clad in cedar shingles, divided-light windows and a metal barn roof in homage to Bridgehampton’s potato farming and agrarian roots. Chmielewski chose cable railings for the balconies because they disappear into the shingles when seen from afar and don’t obstruct the view.

A single potted orchid provides the only flora inside the house, which is surrounded by vegetation. Chmielewski bought the vintage Scandinavian chair from a brocante store called Guéridon. “The chair is one of a pair; it doesn’t have any labels or markings, but they are similar to the Falcon Chair by Sigurd Resell,” he says.

Chmielewski retreats to this reading nook during his downtime. “It’s a great place to read a book and enjoy the view,” he says. Each window panel has two independent parts; the bottom sections open and allow the breeze to cool the space in the summer months.

Windows: Lincoln Windows

The kitchen’s open floor plan, unadorned windows, and floating cabinets and shelves, plus the clean, simple lines of the décor, enlarge the space visually.

“We have guests visit us almost every weekend,” says Chmielewski. “Our kitchen is open and visible from the dining area, living room and screened porch, so no one ever feels left out. From May to November we buy all of our produce from the local farmers’ stands.” He and his wife have never had a get-together catered. “We do our own cooking and try to get everyone involved.”

A reclaimed wood table with a modern glass top and antique chairs occupy the dining room. Chmielewski, a self-professed math geek, designed the wood-burning fireplace as an expression of the golden ratio, widely considered the most aesthetically pleasing proportion.

Browse thousands of fireplace designs

“How the light hits the home throughout the day, how the floor plan flows from room to room, and how each room relates to one another — getting these elements right will make more of a difference than anything else when you design and build a home,” says Chmielewski. Wife Angela (above) reclines and watches over their baby, Chase, as dusk approaches.

Beanbag: Roche Bobois; pumpkin sofa and rug: Ligne Roset; mounted photograph: Jeff Chmielewski; stools: Eames Walnut Stools

When asked about the stark and clean interior spaces of his home (bathroom and bedroom images above), Chmielewski waxes philosophical. “It’s important to leave unadorned spaces in any new home. We have our whole lives to gather beautiful things, and you need to leave some places to add the things you find along the way.”

Thank you to Houzz for this great info and contributor:

Cathy Lara