Decorating Bathrooms for Kids

Designing Bathrooms that Appeal to Kids



By Shannon M. Craig
Special to the Arizona Daily Star

The whole idea is to design a bathroom that's appealing to youngsters and gives them a sense of control so they want to use it, said Diana Patterson, a Tucson-based interior designer who helps families create kid-friendly spaces.

"Safety is the main issue," Patterson said. "It's a tricky project because, of course, the children are going to grow, so it's important to use accessories that can be upgraded and changed as they do."
Some very simple and inexpensive changes can turn the bathroom into a kid-friendly space, said Patterson. Use towel hooks instead of racks. Hang hand towels on the front of cabinets for easy reach. Consider installing an attached step stool so kids can reach the counter with added stability — a very important safety element with small children.

If you must use a free-standing step stool, make sure it's broad enough so it won't easily tip, Patterson said. Nonskid pads on the bottom of the stool will keep it from sliding.

Patterson is currently working with her daughter and son-in-law, Gayle and Conrad Masterson, to redesign a guest bathroom in their sprawling 2,700-square-foot Foothills home that will be shared by their two girls, ages 2 and 5, and a baby boy due in March.

The challenge for Gayle Masterson, who's also a psychiatrist, is to make the bathroom easier for the kids to use but keep the space appropriate for adult guests.

"It's important for us to make the bathroom kid-accessible but not with Winnie the Pooh all over," Masterson said, adding that she will focus much of her initial effort on doing practical things like installing towel hooks at a kid-friendly height. Long-term, Masterson said she plans to add another sink as well as build step stools into the vanity that stow away to look like cabinets.

The transformation of Masterson's plain hallway bathroom began with a new paint job in sherbet-colored hues such as mist green, banana yellow and rosy pink along with white. To make the space inviting to the children — and bring the bathroom down to their level — Patterson will create a mirrored wall across from the vanity with 12-inch beveled tiles. Resembling a checkerboard with an explosion of color in between the mirrored tiles, the design serves as both a mirror and an attractive piece of artwork that the Masterson family will enjoy for years to come.


Continuied

Find Your Decorating Style

How do I find my decorating style?



Defining Your Decorating Style
By Leslie Shannon

How do you define your decorating style, what you like, what suits you? Well, in pretty much the same way that you find clothes to wear that you like. By knowing yourself and what suits you; seeing what’s out there, in stores and on other people; and seeking out constant inspiration in magazines and the media!

Take Your Time

If at all possible, try not to pressure yourself, or let others rush you. Spend time looking for ideas and inspiration in books, magazines, catalogs and on-line. Live in the space for a while, look at the light at various times of the day, and see how you actually use the rooms. In short, find out what the space needs.

Develop Your Eye for Design

Make a point of looking around houses that are open to the public—model homes, furnished homes for sale and so on.

If you’re eating out at a nice restaurant or visiting a museum or gallery, take note of the décor and details. It’s probably the work of a highly experienced interior designer.

You can even sharpen your design sense at the movies, by looking at the sets and scenes with rooms in them, which are usually styled by skilled set designers down to the smallest details.

Ask friends and acquaintances whose homes you admire how they created their look—most people are flattered and will love to give you tips.

But don’t just go with what others say is good. Be honest with yourself. Look for what you truly like.

What Attracts You?

What colors do you particularly respond to? Do you like light or dark? Strong or muted? How about textures—man-made or natural? Do you like antiques, or reproduction, or modern? Or all of the above? What rooms do you most enjoy being in—cozy, or ultra-modern?

Don’t design to impress others, or just to demonstrate that you know the latest trends (without perhaps actually liking them very much). Design for yourself and your family. After all, friends and colleagues just visit. You have to live there, day in and day out!

To assist you in defining your personal decorating style, some general styles are outlined below.

Traditional Warmth

A traditional style is generally formal, sophisticated and timeless, using antiques or high quality furniture reproductions, rich woods, overstuffed seating and muted understated colors. The emphasis is on comfort, style and classic, refined elegance.

Fabrics are luxurious and rich, fixtures are of high quality, and accessories may include paintings, vintage prints, and sculpture and framed personal mementos. Traditional rooms are thoughtfully composed and generally have a rather formal feel.

Modern Elegance

With its roots in the Bauhaus art movement of the 1920s, classic modern (which may also be called contemporary), treats interior spaces almost as pieces of three-dimensional art, balancing form, shape, color and texture, and banishing clutter and fussiness.

Surfaces are plain, colors are usually clean and pure, and shapes are geometric, with immaculate detail and finishing. The whole look is pared down and polished. Materials may be either the highest quality natural (silk and cotton, slate and marble, for example) or quality man-made.

Country Comfort

Country today is an assemblage of related styles, with names that include rustic, peasant, pastoral, natural, floral, romantic, nautical, beach, cottage, country house, colonial, New England, Shaker and Provençal, to name a few.

Signature elements are materials and textures that are natural rather than man-made; colors and designs that echo nature (floral motifs, for example); furniture that is simple and hand-crafted; and an absence of modern artifacts (they may be there, but are concealed).

Casual Blends

Casual can also be called eclectic—it’s a well-chosen and harmonious mix of furniture, fixtures, colors, textures and treasured accessories that appeal to you.

Casual requires a confident hand to team up ancient and modern, to combine, say, the clean lines of contemporary with the warmth of country, and tie it all together with color and texture.

The most successful casual rooms generally confine themselves to two or three different styles, and frequently use a common decorating theme, such as color or shape.

Lighting Ideas

More Bright Lighting Ideas
Wilkes Barre, PA Times Leader

February 16, 2007

People are thinking about lighting more MODESTO, Calif. -- Once upon a time, installing interior lighting meant someone stuck a ceiling fixture in the middle of a room and called it a day. Often, that lone light was supplemented with a floor or table lamp.

Fast forward to present day. Lighting has become an integral part of interior design. Not only is lighting practical -- it provides needed illumination when sunlight is scarce -- it can be used as a decor element, adding drama and visual interest.

'People are thinking about lighting more,' said Carrie Arnold, a lighting consultant at Phillips Lighting & Home in Modesto. 'They realize lighting needs to be considered an important element in home design.'


Lighting needs vary depending on the space, and there are some general tips to follow depending on the room:

Kitchens

Kitchens have become the hub of many homes and are used for much more than preparing food. It's where kids do their homework, adults peruse the Sunday paper and guests congregate during gatherings.

The kitchen's lighting needs to be versatile as well. A small kitchen might require only a central ceiling fixture for general lighting and task lighting underneath cabinets to brighten a countertop. A larger kitchen with multiple features, such as a dining table, an island and a computer workstation, requires a blend of general, task and accent lighting. Some areas to consider:

** Consider using recessed downlights over the stove and sink areas for cooking and cleaning jobs.

** If a kitchen table is used, it is one of the room's focal points and should be illuminated. A decorative pendant light or chandelier are two choices to provide adequate lighting.

** Add lighting above and underneath cabinets. Above-cabinet lights emphasize high ceilings; under-cabinet lights brighten a countertop.

Lighting experts recommend zoning the lights in the room and placing them on separate circuits. For example: the light over the sink should have its own switch, while island and counter lights should be paired with their own switch.

Bedroom

** Know the dimensions of the room before you buy any lighting. Take the room measurements with you to a lighting showroom. It's also a good idea to sketch where the outlets are located in the room, as well as furniture placement.

** Don't forget to measure ceiling height. Bedroom ceilings are typically 8 feet to 9 feet tall, so using a short fixture or one flush with the ceiling would be a better choice than a long one.

** Reconsider having a light installed over the bed. Soft light at face level is better than direct overhead light.

** Don't forget about the closet. Light should come within 12 inches of a closet's upper shelf or hanging rod.

** A quick and easy way to add task lighting is to put floor or nightstand lamps on both sides of the bed.

Bathroom

Because the bath is where many people conduct their grooming, proper lighting is essential. Experts recommend starting with vanity lighting because it does the most work (offering lighting for putting on makeup, shaving, styling your hair, etc.).

** Using layers of light is better than using one source. Layering also reduces glare.

** Use frosted bulbs instead of clear ones to further reduce glare. For that same reason, avoid fixtures with exposed bulbs.

** Consider using a recessed fixture to light a tub. Aim the beam toward its outer edge.

Dining room

** Use layers of light. Place a chandelier over the table with accent lights on both sides. Accent lights such as wall sconces will help brighten the room's perimeter.

** If chandelier-style lighting will go above the table, choose a fixture with a diameter 12 inches less than the table's width. It should hang about 30 inches above the table.

** Consider using a dimmer switch with dining-room lights to help create ambiance.

** Does the table do double duty as a homework area? Use a portable light to brighten the area.

** High or vaulted ceiling? Consider a two-tier chandelier to help 'fill' the space.

Copyright © 2007 Wilkes Barre, PA Times Leader, All Rights Reserved.

Organize Your Closet

Spring cleaning is just around the corner. Organizing and tossing clutter can be a daunting task. Below are tips on how to get started and make your life a little easier.


Organizing Clues
By Jamie Novak, Professional Organizer
Complete Story

How do I find the time?

Stop waiting for a huge chunk of time to get organized. It probably won't come, and even if it does, you'll squander it doing something else.

The solution: Lose the all-or-nothing attitude. Instead, break up your organizing tasks into 18-minute segments that can be managed easily while your infant is sleeping, the laundry is spinning or dinner is finishing up in the oven.

But Jamie, you wonder, what could I possibly get done in just 18 minutes? You'll be surprised. Set your timer for 18 minutes once a day, and dive in. After a few days you'll realize how 18 minutes of focused work is as good as 45 minutes spent multitasking.


What if it's not perfect?

Don't bother. Once you get close to what you think is the perfect solution, situations change and you wind up modifying your system anyway.

The solution: Go for good enough. Does it really improve your life dramatically if your towels are folded with perfect edges? Wouldn't you rather save time and effort by relaxing your standards a little or allowing someone else to take over the task, even if it's not done exactly as you'd like?



How do I store artwork and supplies?

Noodles, glitter and the creations they become can quickly overtake your home.

The solution: Store art projects in unused pizza boxes, which are cheap and stack well. Store craft supplies the way teachers do — keep crayons, markers and colored pencils in coffee cans. Put sequins and other little things in plastic baggies, then toss those into plastic containers alongside glue, pipe cleaners, etc.

Where do I put all my reading materials?

Are newspapers, magazines and catalogs piling up because you fear you may need them someday?

The solution: Grab a three-ring binder and fill it with clear plastic sheet protectors to store articles you want to read. At some point — you'll know when, based on how often you actually read the articles — institute a household rule that for every article that goes into the binder, one must come out, whether it's been read or not. Too much to read? Cancel subscriptions, change the address to a local salon or nursing home or give the magazines away.

Staggering statistic: Ninety-eight percent of what is filed is never referenced again.



How do I avoid "clutter magnets"?

Any horizontal surface in your home quickly attracts things you intend to get to "later." Yet later rarely comes.

The solution: Create storage near these clutter hot spots so you can put things away immediately rather than having to deal with a huge mess that accumulates after several days or weeks.



Why does my family sabotage my organizing efforts?

Family members, whether intentionally or not, can thwart our best efforts to stay organized. Often this is simply a matter of different clutter-comfort levels.

The solution: Work together. If one of you prefers piles instead of files, compromise by disguising stacks of paper in pretty baskets without lids (for easy access).



What do I do with the odds and ends?

All that little stuff — batteries, light bulbs, birthday candles, picture hangers — can quickly add up to a big mess. Whether this stuff lands in your junk drawer, gets shoved in a closet or stays on your kitchen island, the result is the same. You can't find what you need when you need it.

The solution: Group similar items together and give them a home. Zip-top plastic bags work well, and they don't need labels because you can see through them. Put birthday candles and a lighter in one bag, batteries in another.


How do I unclutter my closet?

A crowded closet means valuable time is wasted looking for an outfit, a bath towel, a matching sheet set or a left sneaker.

The solution: First, bring in the light by installing a battery-operated light fixture. Next, create more storage by using the back of the door and adding shelves or by placing step shelves on existing ones. Designate areas for specific items: linens on the bottom shelf, towels on the next or shoes on a slim bookshelf tucked in the corner of the closet.



How do I prevent things from getting lost?

Do you spend a lot of your time searching for keys, sneakers and black cords that connect to electronic devices?

The solution: Create a lost-and-found container. It can be a basket, bin, drawer or shelf that the whole family can reach. The next time you find something left out, simply toss it in the lost-and-found bin. Make sure everyone knows where to look when they're missing something. What to do when the container is overflowing? Call a family cleanup meeting and have everyone take what's his or hers. Whatever is left behind gets dumped or donated.


What's the cure for brain freeze or analysis paralysis?

When we don't know what to do first, we often do nothing at all. What system should we use? How should we categorize? Should we color code? Should we buy the 13-gallon or 20-gallon plastic tub?

The solution: Stop analyzing, and do something. Anything! You can always change it later. The key is to get started. Once you get moving, your progress will keep you motivated to keep going.

Sweet: 21 Natural Ways to Scent Your Home

Sweet: 21 Natural Ways to Scent Your Home
by Mary Ellen Pinkham, Everyday Problem Solver



Mary Ellen Pinkham suggests in her household hints book creative ways to scent your home. Below is an exert from her book with new recent ideas and tips.


Selling your home?

Before an open house, add to a pot of water any combination of allspice, cloves, orange peel, ground cinnamon, vanilla extract and fresh ginger, and simmer the mixture slowly on the stove. Prospective buyers will feel instantly at home.


Running late with dinner?

Buy a little time by sauteing an onion in a little oil. The savory aroma will serve as a signal to hungry family members that dinner is on the way.


Want to give your home that "what's in the oven" fragrance?

Consider the idea I called "faking baking": Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar in a tin pie pan and burn it slowly on the stove top over very low temperature or very low flame.


No time to clean?

A spritz or two of pine cleaner will give unexpected visitors the impression that you slaved all day. Times have changed since I wrote those first words of advice, but the simple techniques still work like a charm. Want a few more homespun fragrance tips? Here are up-to-date suggestions that will rid your home of off odors and circulate sweet scents throughout the day.


More
Natural Ways to Scent Your Home

Interior Decorating Columbus Nebraska

Business Flyer for 2007
Jolene's Interiors

Top Ten Home Decor Trends for 2007

By
Murals Your Way

Home and Garden News

Copyright 2007 Murals Your Way All rights reserved.



Certain themes will continue from previous years, with some gaining momentum as they become more widely accepted. Still others will explode onto the scene as fresh, inventive options for today's decorating enthusiasts. All of them will be woven together seamlessly by the thread of personalization and comfort.

COLOR

Color is key in home fashion, according to Lori West ASID, of Everyday Spaces, Inc., with red taking a turn to the softer side with offerings of peach, melon, and muted yellows and oranges. Blues, greens, aquas, purples and pinks will continue to evolve, and be featured in both brilliant and more subtle hues.



STYLE

ct and drama. Based on PANTONE's Home Furnishings Forecast for 2007, Anderson suggests consumers look for hints of violets within taupes; deep browns and greys; and hues like "Adobe Rose", "Deep Taupe" and "Grape Nectar" added to the natural palettes of greens and desert tans. Vicki Ingham, senior editor and group manager of Home Decorating & Design Books, sees formal and traditional decorating styles enjoying new popularity with younger homeowners, as GenXers look to historically inspired design as an anchor. Pairings of traditional and casual, or traditional and modern - once the preserve of high-end designers - will also become increasingly mainstream. Ingham cites Vera Wang's new line of home goods for Kohl's as directly targeted at the consumer who wants "classic style with a modern twist."
TEXTURES

WALL TREATMENTS

Madonna's newly adopted son has one. So does Andy Roddick. For years, decorative wall murals have been popular and cost-effective ways to change a room's appearance. According to Todd Imholte, president of Environmental Graphics who produce the Murals Your Way line of wall murals (www.muralsyourway.com), this trend will continue to gain strength in the coming year. "There's no better way to customize a home or office than by adding a decorative wall mural," says Imholte. "By reflecting your individual tastes and interests, it creates a very distinctive look plus fosters a warm, comforting living environment."


FUNCTIONAL DESIGN

Today's consumers are seeking a look that's beautiful and sexy, but also practical for daily living, says Scott Yerkey ASID, of Scott Arthur Yerkey Design, Inc. Rather than having a certain style imposed on them, consumers will continue to design their homes to reflect their individual habits and lifestyles. Trevira decorative and upholstery fabrics will be popular options, as they're full of life and texture, yet also user-friendly and functional.

FURNITURE

Well-designed rooms are about finding the "wow" factor in combining seemingly disparate finishes, materials and textures in new ways, according to Furniture.com lead designer C. Davis Remignanti. Grain, imperfection, age and character will continue to dominate wood finishes, with a focus on time-proven styles rendered in finishes that emphasize the natural quality of wood.

CABINETS

Paula Peterson ASID, of Interior Viewpoints, predicts kitchen and bathroom cabinetry will continue to boast a more customized, furniture approach. Cabinets will take on a more casual look by receiving painted and glaze finishes, and may also feature a combination of wood, glass, stone and metal (including wire mesh in cabinet doors.)


METAL INFLUENCES

However, stainless steel's dominance as the "in" metal is over, says Frederick Miller ASID, of HKM Architects + Planners, Inc. Warm-toned, oil-rubbed bronze and copper will become more prevalent in hardware, plumbing and lighting fixtures, and will also take center stage in both large and small appliances. In addition, the shiny, mirror finish of chrome will make a strong comeback, appearing in unexpected places like decorative accessories, vases and small furnishings.

ENVIRONMENAL INFLUENCE

Miller also cites a focus on "sustainability." The availability of green products is increasing dramatically, thereby allowing professional and amateur designers to create aesthetically pleasing homes and workspaces, while minimizing their environmental "footprint."
COMFORT

The relaxed yet ultra-stylish cottage look has recently taken off, adds Remignanti, with even the trendiest pied-a-terres in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles adopting a "lake retreat" attitude. This cozy ambiance fosters the prevailing theme that "every room should be a living room" of comfort and relaxation

I want to decorate a room in my home, but where do I even start?

Redecorating or starting a new home project can be a daunting task. It's hard to know where to begin, what choices should be made, and ultimately how to make the pieces fit together. It is always a good idea to start simple and add as you go. Understanding a few simple rules will make the process less stressful and more enjoyable.

Many websites offer tips and advice of dos and don'ts which I think are extremely helpful when making first decisions. If you have more questions or want personal decorating advice always feel free to contact local decorating services or post questions on individual websites.

About Decorating has the perfect article of dos and don'ts when starting a decorating project. Tips range from picking wall colors to the placement of furniture.
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What Buyers Want

Another part-time endevour I have is selling home real-estate. Many times our company gives advice to home owners to help aid in the selling process. Tracy Hanes wrote an excellent article in the Toronto Times about what buyers want in a new home. Tracy stresses the importance the neutral colors and decorating choices. She also highlighets the new trends for floors and ceilings.


Link - What Buyers Want