January 2000

New Stuff:

1. Project -  Turn a Relic into a Masterpiece (step by step w/ 22 pictures)
2. New Tip of Day everyday on Home Page
3. Take our poll "What's your favorite colors?".  Click here

 

NEWSLETTER

Hello and Happy New Year Everyone!!

I hope all of you have enjoyed a wonderful holiday season and happy new year.  It has been such a busy time as always, but it's so much fun!  The joy of giving gifts and spending quality time with family and friends is priceless and I'm sorry to see it come to an end for a while. 

I was terribly sick the week of Christmas with a bad case of the flu and am just now feeling like myself again.  I stopped running a fever long enough to enjoy Christmas day with my family.  My two brothers came to Florida this year with their families to join my sisters' family, my family, and Mom and Dad for the first time in many years.  I was so sick I was unable to visit with them except for Christmas day, but I was certainly grateful I was able to be out of bed on Christmas so we could all be together.  It meant so much to Mother and Daddy to have us all together.  We take so much for granted, myself included.  On the scale of things this was nothing, so I'm certainly not complaining, just sharing my Christmas experience.  The best thing that happened on Christmas Day was the announcement by my oldest son and daughter-in-law that they are expecting our first grandchild and my parent's first great grandchild on July 12, 2000.  My fiftieth birthday is July 11, 2000&   How about that for a Christmas present and birthday present, too!  We were so surprised and excited by this news as you can imagine.  Now I can't wait to turn 50!!!

Once the Holiday decorations are down and life gets back to normal, we will be turning our attention back to our homes and decorating projects for the year 2000.  There are always more projects and ideas than time or money allows.  I'm sure this year will be no different, but I will try to encourage you with creative ideas and money saving projects that will help you achieve your decorating goals for the year. Let's start with our Master bathrooms.

This project will show you how you can turn an old or plain piece of  furniture into a masterpiece.  You will see how easy it can be by using some very simple techniques provided by some of the great products available to do-it-yourself decorators.  My daughter-in-law, Cheryl, and I did this project together, and not only did it come out beautiful, but we had a great time doing it together.  See how easy it can be to create a masterpiece and a memory at the same time.  Click Here.

1. First, if your bathroom has a view, let's maximize it!  A landscape of grassy rolling hills, a flower garden, waterfronts, lush mountains, beautiful trees and shrubbery all add sparks of drama and importance to the bathroom.  Utilizing the view will also add a sense of tranquility and a relaxation factor for your bathroom.  If your bathroom window allows a view, consider framing it with moldings, a wallpaper border or simple window treatments that allow the view to be enjoyed.  Tubs help you soak your blues away!  Whether your tub is a claw-foot, a home-center special, a whirlpool, standard tub or a tiled lounging pool, imagine being snuggled in the tub soaking and daydreaming while enjoying the view through the window.   If privacy or sun control is needed, a pleated shade, mini blind, or pull shade can be added for closure when absolutely necessary.
2. Bathroom Faucets are an important element in every bathroom.  They should have silky smooth action and gleaming finishes.  Choose styles or models that make you feel good and complement your décor.  For example: A high tech contemporary faucet set will look out of place in a formal traditional bathroom and vice versa.  Another point to consider is that no one wants annoying drips, stifled water pressure, or corroding finishes, so if you want to consider replacing the existing hardware look for faucets with smooth, precise handle action, drenching flow, and finishes that are glistening and durable.  There are beautiful styles and finishes available in all price ranges and many do-it-yourselfers are quite capable of replacing faucets on their own.  Even if you need to hire a handy man or plumber, it may well be worth the expense to update your bathrooms faucets.  Think about it!
3. Cabinets offer smart storage solutions and a touch of elegance and warmth to your master bath.   However, choosing bathroom cabinetry finishes can be confusing and challenging.  Many existing homes will have traditional wood cabinets, laminate cabinets or the newer polyester finishes (usually white, ivory or wood imitations).   If you are building, remodeling or redecorating, there are several things to consider.  What style cabinetry fits your budget?  Is resale of the home a concern? Or will a creative paint technique on old cabinets do the trick?  Some suggestions for thought:  Consider keeping the cabinets versatile; classic in style and color finish.  This will enable you to have the most flexibility with decorating and prohibit any color complaints from a future homebuyer.  If you are using a faux painting technique, suit yourself and your décor, as it can easily be repainted again in the future.   Consider using an antique buffet or chest of drawers for an elegant and unique vanity cabinet.  They can be converted easily and are cost effective.   Install cabinetry built to a height you find comfortable (many vanities are too low).  Drawers should be deep enough to handle plenty of gear.  (I've had first hand experience with a vanity drawer in a beautiful bath so shallow it was useless).  An open shelf for towels is convenient and provides for a splash of color and pizzazz in the bathroom.  Countertops and door/drawer hardware should be functional, practical and decorative at the same time. Remember that countertops are not easily or inexpensively replaced, so consider choosing neutral colors and popular finishes for the cabinet tops.  Hardware, fortunately, can easily be replaced and updated as the bath changes with new decorating and color schemes.  Here's a place to have a blast and suit your whimsy.
4. Open bathrooms to light with sizable windows, skylights or candles.  Functional and decorative lighting, both natural and artificial will work magic in the master bathroom.  Big windows are always nice, and allow the fresh air to ventilate the bathroom.  They will also provide the best lighting for practical purposes and a feeling of openness and size, not to mention capturing that view described in #1.  Consider adding a skylight to an existing bathroom for many of the same reasons.  The visual trick will enlarge the area and the added light will enhance the bathroom beautifully.  Wall-mounted lights and overhead fixtures work together to cut down shadows and maximize the lighting potential.   Candlelight and wall sconces will certainly add a romantic, relaxing ambience to the bathroom and cost next to nothing to add to your master bath.
5. Practical hard surfaces should glisten glamorously while keeping moisture in its place.  Ceramic tiles, solid-surface materials, natural finishes (marble, slate, quartz, etc), and glass block are durable and won't be damaged by water.  They will resist mold and mildew and provide a beautiful decorating element to the bath.  Use them where appropriate, and choose color and style according to your budget and decorating preferences.  Remember, that if resale is a future concern, choose colors and finishes that are versatile and popular.
6. Vanity seating is practical as well as cosmetic.  Many of us need a special place in the bathroom where we can prepare and primp.  Consider allowing space for this function if you are building or remodeling.  If not, and space allows, consider adding a freestanding vanity that will be functional and beautiful.  The opportunities to accessorize and personalize the vanity will add beauty and charm to your bathroom.  If space does not allow for these options, do the best you can with the available countertop space, using your primping necessities as decorating assets.  For example: Colorful perfume bottles, antique jars filled with cotton balls, q-tips etc., silver or gold bowls for potpourri, hand towels etc.
7. The master bathroom walls are the perfect place to wallpaper.  The colors, styles, and choices are absolutely limitless!  Wallpaper appropriate for a master bath will probably fall in the $10.00 - $25.00 per roll category, depending on whether you find suitable choices at a discount store.  Obviously, prices can go up from there and if your budget allows for really special wallpaper, then by all means go for it!  Wallpaper can be hung by the do-it-yourselfer, however a master bath is sometimes a very complicated room to wallpaper.  Use your best judgment on whether you are capable of hanging it yourself or will need to hire a paperhanger for the project.  Expect to pay approximately $15.00 - $20.00 per roll for their labor.  (Their fees will vary throughout the country.)  If you choose to have a professional hang your paper, they should be willing to come to your home for an accurate measurement, prepare the walls for papering and be responsible for any follow-up service problems.  Wallpaper color and pattern choices should coordinate with the master bedrooms fabrics and colors.  Consider your bedding ensemble, the bedroom wall colors and window treatments as you make your choices.  Take samples of them with you as you look through wallpaper books.  Many wallpaper stores will have qualified assistance to help you discern if you are choosing wallpaper that will complement the bedrooms décor.  You should consider the master bedroom and bath as one room and decorate them as such.  The goal is to create a beautiful and romantic "master-suite".
8. Painting is also an ideal option for the bathroom walls.  Traditional wall paint in a complementary color to your décor may be the perfect decorating asset.  This will certainly be the least expensive and the easiest to accomplish.  Using the same criteria in the above tip, choose a paint color that complements the materials and finishes in the bathroom along with the colors and patterns in the master bedroom.   Always remember to paint a test sample on the wall before total application.  A bathroom's natural and artificial lighting will play severe tricks on the paint color.  You will avoid a costly and timely mistake if you will follow this advice without fail for any room!
9. Are you a little more adventurous?  Why not consider using one of the new wall painting techniques on the bathroom walls?  A faux finish paint technique will add charm, personality and elegance to the bathroom.  Most techniques are user friendly and possible for the do-it-yourselfer.  Stenciling is also a wonderful option to add more color and style to the walls.  This can be done right over any painted wall.  You have total control of color and do not have to be artistic in any way to create a fabulous wall stencil design.  The cost factor in these options is very reasonable.  The main investment is in tools that can be used again and again.  Be sure to consider the master bedrooms décor when making color choices for your bathroom walls.
10. Accessorizing the master bathroom with special items such as personal mementos, area rugs, window treatments, towels, artwork, floral arrangements and greenery are essential to creating the perfect master bathroom.  Use your color scheme as the inspiration for these selections, choose items you like and that will reflect the beauty and personality of your beautiful new master bathroom.

HAPPY DECORATING

December

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