Rememeber when you were a kid, driving in the car with your family?   It seemed to take forever to get anywhere, especially when you were going somewhere that you were very excited to get to. 

     Remodeling is the same.  Why does it seem that it takes so long to get to the end?  Maybe because it does.   There are so many small things that have to be done by each trade that they have to return for so the project can more forward. 

     For example, additional blocking for the plumbing that is put in by the carpenter, outlets may have to be moved by the electrician so that they line up with a faucet valve that has been installed by the plumber, the drywallers may need additional backing to screw the drywall to, and the list can go on.

     As tedious as these things may seem, they are all important to the final outcome of the finished product. 

     Keep your eye on the target, there is a light at the end of the tunnel...just keep looking for it,

it's there...somewhere.

     Well things here are going pretty well.  The new base for the shower has been poured and the waterproofing is underway. I have completed very detailed plans for the tile layout, a scheme for each wall so there's no guess work for the tile setter. 

     Leave nothing to the imagination.  The last thing you want is to be surprised.   

You know, it's not enough that you have to deal with the mess and the dust and disruption in your life when you actually have to live through a remodel but the worst for me is the whining contractors and how 'hard' their job is compared to all the other craftsman that are working on your job. 

True enough that it's a balance to get all the trades in and out, trying to keep them from knocking into each other.  Especially in a tight area like a bathroom remodel,  there is going to be some overlapping.

Be prepared to be somewhat of a peacekeeper or better yet hire a designer or general contractor to be the referee.

     When remodeling a space you have the luxury of walking around in it, getting a feel for it and getting a sense of the scale of the area.  This is something you can't do when looking at a floor plan on a blueprint.

     I had the oppurtunity to do just that this weekend in my bathroom remodel.  I was able to make adjustments, widen a doorway, create a little more elbow room in the shower, verify the placement of the sinks on the vanities and adjust them just enough to make that space a little more comfortable. 

     Remember that you have to be flexable in a remodel, you can't put 10 pounds of mud in a

5 pound sack.

     Well the big day is here!  This morning the demolition starts on the old bathroom.  Everything has been packed up and moved out of the cabinets, drawers and cubbies.  You know it's true, you never know how much stuff you have until you move (or pack up for a remodel).  I'm as ready as I'm going to be. 

     I know it's going to be worth it! 

     Fingers crossed.

     Decisions are being made.  Things are moving forward. The vanity has been ordered and the bathtub has been selected and is pictured here.

     The tub is 34" wide and 64" long and should fit with a nice margin around it.  The material is a composite and has a mat finish. I'm thinking that I'm going to use a different sink than the matching one.  I like the idea of a vessel sink, one that sits on the vanity, but one that doesn't sit quite so high on the counter top.  I know I want a rectangular one to coordinate with all the other elements in the bathroom.

     The search continues.  Stay tuned.

As a designer, the toughest client I have ever had was......me.  I never seem to have a problem selecting anything for a client, no matter how simple or complex.  I think the problem is, I have been exposed to so much product and seen so many ideas that I am in fear of making a mistake.  That in itself is crazy...of course you'll make mistakes, we all make mistakes.  Not every choice you make in a design or in life is going to be the right one, you just want to make the 'best' choice you can at the time.

     After much deliberation I've have found what I think is the perfect vanity for my bathroom remodel. It's from a European based company that has offices in Pennsylvania,  

www.wsbathcollections.com has a contemporary and pricy selection of bathroom products not just limited to vanities. Included in there collections are a full line of sinks, faucets and matching cabinets that coordinate with each other for a cohesive look.

     The scale of the vanity I selected is just right and the color choices available are abundant and made it easy to make the right choice for my project.

     I can't stress the importance of scale when planning any design project!  When designing an area, whether a bathroom or any living area, elements should fit the space NOT over fill it, you don't want to look cramped.

     So let me know what you think of my choice, it's in the attached image.

I believe I'm getting closer to finalizing the design on my bathroom remodel. I've decided that

I'm going to keep the color palete creamy and neutral. I want to achieve a more ageless look, something that doesn't feel dated after a few short years. I'm going to stay away from trendy colors or bold accents with tile patterns and stay focused on a comtemporary look that I know I'll enjoy for a long time.

     The present look has a southwestern feel without being too Sante Fe in style, I know I don't want to repeat a design concept that is to directional.  So keeping that in mind I am going for a cleaner look, something a little more sophisticated but not to cold or austere, after all I don't want to feel cold when I'm dripping wet just getting out of the shower.

     Let me know what you think!

Choosing the Style of Your Bathroom Decor

The room’s function should be reflected in your design theme. For example, kids’ bathroom decor is typically much more fun and colorful than washrooms designed solely for adult use. Country bathroom decor is typically homey and understated, and nautical bathroom decor is a common theme in a room ruled by water.

Many manufacturers offer a wide range of bathroom decor products in a variety of stylistic themes. Of these, Glacier Bay is one of the most prominent. Glacier Bay bathroom decor is durable, highly functional and, typically, elegant and classic in its appeal. The company’s products are carried at home improvement retailers nationwide.

If you’re still stuck for ideas, you can always hire an experienced interior designer to help you out. A professionally designed bathroom can make a world of difference in the overall look and appeal of your home’s interior.

Now that I have decided to do a bathroom remodel it's time to start making lists. I need to itemize everything I need to do in the remodel. From conception to completion.  A good plan is worth its weight in gold.

     What are my goals? Increase value, functionality, update the old? I need to evaluate the entire purpose of the remodel. Once thats done it will be easier to plan the project. In my case the existing bathroom is tired looking, dated and is in need of a total update.  Of course I'm concerned with the increased value and that the improvements don't exceed the costs by to much, after all the main reason for these improvements is for me personally.

      Back to the list....Tub or shower or both, does the tub need to be jetted, the shower, should it be a steam shower. I've got a lot of thinking to do!!!

      I've been working on plans for a bathroom remodel in my home and decided you are going to go through the whole sorted mess with me, why should I go through it alone! I know what I want the finished product to look like, of course that changes all the time.

     I just look for inspiration and I change my mind and envision something different. Always new products, new finishes, new everything, it can drive a person crazy. The first thing is hire a great designer, someone you feel you have some kind of connection. In style, attitude, and of course someone who can work within your budget. No sense designing something you can't afford or spending more then  you should considering the property. 

      There has to be a balance to the design, style and expense, you don't want to over or under design for a house and a neighborhood. It's best to start with some research,  so I'm going to the library.

After a long winter nothing brightens up your living space better that washing your windows.  Get that winter grime off and let the sunshine in. Use a water and vinegar solution and newsprint instead of a rag or paper towel to get them to sparkle without any lint or residue from either the solution or a rag.

Pick a door, any door!

Here's a great opportunity to test your creative skills and win some cash. Check it out!

It's early in the morning and the glow to the west from my desk window is showing that the spring storm quickly moved out and has left a beautiful day on our door step. The winter weather patterns have given way to fast moving storms of spring. The clouds are breaking up and it's a beautiful day here in the 'boat'. Get outside, enjoy this amazing day, wherever you are!

Trends in interior design are always evolving. To keep your home looking fresh and up to date without breaking the bank think about making small changes.  Add a punch of color using throw pillows and accessories, it is an easy and inexpensive way to update the look in your living space.  Think about moving things around in your home.  Rearrange wall art or move your collections around, use a common element as inspiration, for example, grouping things of the same color together or of the same shape or material. Borrow from one room and try it in a different room in your living space. Be adventurous.  What do you have to loose except the same old thing.

 It's time to  open our windows and air out our living spaces.  Along with the fresh air we should be clearing out all the winter clutter, collected things that are have filled our counter tops, bookcases and the tops of our dressers that are looking like junk piles. I know you have them, we all do.  You'll feel so much better when all these areas are clutter free.

Think outside. Believe it or not, spring is just around the corner. We all have thought of blooming gardens dancing in our heads. It's not to early to start thinking of improvements to our outdoor spaces.

Think of these areas as extensions of indoor living areas. With the advancements in textile technology we can now use beautiful fabrics in our outdoor spaces with these materials. Think of these patios and deck areas as additions to your living or dining areas. Think outside your box.

Quality versus quantity.  We can say it is important to buy a quality sofa, or quality area rug that will last for years to come. However, each person is different and has different priorities. How do you determine where quality is most important in your life?

If you are furnishing a space that you rarely spend time in, and you will need a sofa that will rarely get used. Quality is not as important here. Get something basic and accessorize with glamourous touches like pillows or throws to bring the room up to speed with the rest of your home.

For your next decorating project consider all the items that need to be purchased. Then rank them in order of imporatance. The items at the top of the list need to be of better quality than the items at the bottom of the list.  You want to get the best (quality) use out of items you will use most.

If you rarely sit down for a formal dining experience, but feel you need to fill the empty void in the dining room. Look for hand-me-downs, tag sale specials or something that can at least handle a few holiday dinners a year.  Then invest more of your budget into the family room or wherever you will be spending the most time.

You did it! You finally decided that it's time to renew your space, freshen the look...update!  Now, where to begin?  Although this may feel a little overwhelming or even daunting at first, start simple.  Look for something to inspire your new look.  It could be a special painting or a ceramic bowl or even a piece of clothing that you really love.  Look in your closet to create the overall color concepts.  Perhaps the colors you feel comfortable wearing could be the perfect color palette for your living space as well.  Then accent your space with related colors and objects that remind you of your inspiration piece.

When planning a room or a space, one of the most important things to take into consideration, if not the most important, is scale.   Scale is the relationship between the size of a space or room and what you're planning on putting into that room.  Nothing makes a room look more crowded or cluttered than furniture that is too large for that space, and the reverse will also hold true, a large room with furnishings that are too small or under sized can make a space feel cold and uninviting. Plan wisely.