Tag Archives: renovation

How To Update A Small Bathroom!

25 Tuesday Apr 2023

Posted by in home, Home renovation, interior design, lifestyle, real estate

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Recently I was asked by a client to help with a bathroom remodel they badly needed. We were unable to enlarge the space due to adjoining rooms, but she wanted to know – “How can I make a small space look bigger than it is?”

Bathrooms can be tricky because there is rarely much continuous, uninterrupted space. Mirrors, shower doors, tub surrounds can all make the room seem cut up. If you don’t need a bathtub, remove the shower/tub combo and create a big walk in shower.

Square tiles are currently a trending look. Use large format tiles, 18″ or more, if possible. Keep the grout lines to a minimum and match your grout to your tile for a more cohesive look. Laying subway style horizontally elongates a room, while installing vertically gives you a visual of volume. . Be careful with mixing patterns. If you like a marble look quartz counter top, use a simpler floor tile.

I’ve never been a fan of the vessel sink, the ones that sit on top of the vanity. They add another dimension that is just not needed and waste counter space. For a classic, clean look use simple, wide porcelain under mount sinks.  Wall mounted cabinets expose more floor space – their minimal footprint modernizes any space!

Color is important… gaudy colors are not helpful when you first wake up in the morning! Paint your bath a soothing color like ochre, cream or anything organic in base. Strive for that spa, Zen like feeling. If you need color, bring it in with your towels and counter accessories.

Lighting is also key, not only in how it can affect the look of the space, but how it reflects YOU. Install a few ceiling can lights, but also add sconces to the left and right of the mirror. This lighting is very flattering and makes putting on makeup or shaving easier by lighting the whole face, and not leaving shadows on the lower half.

Store anything and everything you can away. Cut out niches in the walls make use of even the littlest available space. Stow toiletries away when not in use.  Open shelving lets light through. Remember, clutter is the enemy here. Towels rolled in a basket keep them fresh and tidy. Always use frameless shower doors – another easy and effective change, it will open up your room like nothing else.

For more tips and design ideas, contact Steven Edward Wallace Design!

Hello Room, Nice To Meet You!

31 Wednesday Aug 2022

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Sometimes we have to look at our rooms like we have never met before. We live in our homes every day and often need to step away to get a fresh perspective -the placement of furniture, color on the walls, carpet on the floor. Could being too familiar with your home be holding you back from creating the rooms you really want?

For many of us, it’s hard to make the effort to redecorate because the idea alone exhausts us. We give up before even beginning. This is sad, as our environment should stimulate us and provide us with enjoyment, not be a burden.

Look at 3 easy ways to get yourself out of a funk and get your design mojo on:

Take a break. When I go on vacation, I love the feeling of coming back home and walking into the house. I see the rooms and furnishings differently after a short absence. Sometimes I look around and am pleased, but often I see things that I didn’t notice before – like how a chair fabric takes on a different hue or how the sunlight is washing a wall. Not everyone can take a holiday, but even a small time away, even a work day, can give you the break you need. Play a game with your family. Ask them to  turn away and describe the room. Then have them turn back. What they see when really looking can be very revealing and it may tell you where to start!

For more info: stevenedwardwallace@gmail.com

Stow it away. There is an old rule that applies to fashion and travel. When you dress in the morning, look in the mirror and remove one accessory. When you pack, take one thing our of the suitcase before closing. In both cases, that extra item wasn’t needed at all. The same thing with interior design. Clutter is the enemy. Over time you may have collected one too many vases/pictures/plants. Just by removing that one thing, you have changed the dynamics of the room. One less pillow, one less gift from your Mother-in-Law and eventually you will see the space and shape of the room, not just what’s in it. This is a big move to understand the potential for creating a fresh new space.

Forget the rules. Nowhere is it carved in stone that the bed has to be on the “bed wall” or the cocktail table in front of the sofa. Play with your space, move things around, try seeing your rooms as more than you think they are. Recently a friend bought a small condo with a sleeping alcove but no place for a dining table. We removed the bed, got him a sleeper sofa and made the alcove into a real place for dining. Suddenly he was able to utilize the whole space. When he entertained, he  could accommodate more people. By letting the sofa do double duty, he made three usable areas out of two.. Consider your rooms and what they could be if there weren’t labels attached. Open your mind to what they could be. How fun is that?

By doing these few things, you will be on your way to exciting new rooms and be ready for your best life Any journey begins with the first step. But don’t just take a step – make the leap!