Mud room in your home

Having a mud room in your home may not be the first item on your long list of "Wants" but it is very convenient.

We have all seen the pictures of a separate room with enough space for coats, muddy boots and/or shoes, kids backpacks and a washer and dryer.  All tucked away and organized from the rest of the house.

Well, most homes may not have the luxury of a separate room that could be the "Mud Room", but with some creativity, there is no excuse that the family's coats, shoes, backpacks and all other items can not be organized and still blend well with your home.

Here is a great idea of how to organize coats, shoes with very little space.

When you have limited space, you will have to plan to have access to seasonal clothing. Off season clothing can be stored in plastic bins.  

In this picture the upper cabinet is a basic kitchen cabinet, the shoe holder can be easily made and the bottom cabinet is a kitchen drawer.  Add the coat hooks, paint or stain to your decor and you can have storage for the whole family.

If you have some carpentry skills, this is a good weekend project or find a reputable contractor to build this for you.

Look around your home and find that little nook that can be converted in to your own "Mud Room" and maybe (just maybe) you may get your kids to hang up their coats.

Black and White Bathroom

Black and white bathrooms are timeless.  This color palette is so versatile and coordinates with any color.  Black and white tiles can be a permanent fixture in your bathroom, but when you feel like a change, you can repaint your space and add different color towels and accessories.  This is a very good option for those who like the "Change It Up" every now and then, but does not have the time or resources for a major construction project. 

Black and white bathrooms look Really good in small spaces.  

There are situations that you can not enlarge a space.  You have to work with what you have.  We had a client with this scenario.  Our client that wanted to redo their attic bathroom in their 1930's bungalow.  This space is very small, but with some help, it now has some character.

To help them save money, their current vanity was in good shape, but the wood tone did not go well with the new color scheme.  Our client painted the vanity, mirror frame and light fixture with a black gloss paint.


We added the black and white tile on the floor, upgraded their bathtub fixtures, and installed wainscoting on their walls.

 Hand held shower in tub is an absolute must.

 

 Re-purposed vanity.  Repainted in a black gloss paint.

 Mirror frame and light fixture - repurposed and repainted in black gloss.

ZODIAQ QUARTZ SURFACES

Zodiaq has a new collection - Natura Collection
 http://www.ovsco.com/2015_Zodiaq_Color_Launch_Sell_Sheet.pdf

Their six new colors have an "Old World" feel, yet will complement today's modern home.  Deciding on a counter top is a commitment.  With this collection, you can choose what you like today and be confident that it will stand the test of time.  

Quartz is a great material for your kitchen, bathroom, or on a custom piece of furniture and these colors will help you achieve your vision.

BATHROOM REMODEL IDEAS

In my house growing up, we had a half bathroom. My mother would change the decor every 5 years or so.  I remember one time it had wall paper that looked like a forest and another time she painted the walls deep red and used black towels and rugs for accent.

Looking back, I believe that this bathroom was her creative outlet that she could redecorate at minimal cost and without my dad's input.

Today, I love putting bold prints or colors in small spaces - "Thanks Mom".  Here are some ideas I found for a half bath ideas.

Wainscoting does not have to be white.  Love the grey and bold wallpaper.

  This wall paper seems to shimmer - bold but calming

                        Hot pink and black - Why Not

                  Here is a more masculine style bath

  I think of a cottage with this green inspired bathroom. 
                          Love the detail on the mirror  

 You can put a bathroom anywhere as long as you have
   a water hook-up.  Great black and white design with
                                  warm wood floor.

Small spaces give you a chance to experiment with color and pattern without a huge commitment (because they are small).  Look at your home and see where you can redesign a space and get out of your comfort zone.

COLOR TRENDS

Trends, Trends, Trends - It seems there is always an article on what trend is "In".  It can be a kitchen trend, color trend, furniture trend, etc.  Just when you think you have your home the way you like it, you read an article about a trend which may lead you to second guess yourself.

I personally try not to follow trends.  I am a firm believer that "If You Like It" that is all that matters.  You live in your home, not other people and their opinion.

With that said, being the in the business of home remodeling, I do have to keep up with the trends for knowledge and when a client asks the question "What is considered in style"  I will tell them what is trendy, but always follow up with "What are your likes and how you function in your home".

I was on the Sherwin Williams website with their color of the year for 2015.  I am currently in the middle of a major overhaul in my own home.  I am painting all my stained trim white (I have always had stained trim, and really wanted a change - not trying to be trendy).  The color I had picked for my walls is Sherwin Williams Rye Grass which happens to be a "trend" color to coordinate with Sherwin Williams color ot the year Coral Reef .  I had planned on using a coral color as accent with accessories.  One may think I am following the paint trends - I picked out these colors last spring.  

I picked colors that I liked, not what some article told me I should like.   I am carefully choosing fabric and accessories that I know I will like for a long time because frankly when I am done with this home project - I Am Done!

Sherwin Williams Rye Grass Color - my wall color

 Sherwin WillIams Coral Reef - not sure yet but will use for accessories

BATHROOM REMODEL

OUR CLIENT HAS A 1930'S BUNGALOW HOME.  THEY WANTED TO UPDATE THEIR BATHROOM, BUT WANTED TO KEEP THE ERA OF THEIR HOUSE IN THE DESIGN.  

VIEW LOOKING INTO BATHROOM

 "DELTA" LELAND FAUCET IN STAINLESS
"CAMBRIA" QUARTZ COUNTER - COLOR: WHITNEY

MERILLAT VANITY: AVENUE STYLE IN PAINTED CHIFFON

 
3" X 6" WHITE SUBWAY TILE WITH "OLYMPIA" TILE: BOUTIQUE SERIES
"OLYMPIA" TILE: BOUTIQUE SERIES

 

THIS CLOSET IS JUST OUTSIDE THE BATH.  WE MADE NEW DOORS TO MATCH THE CABINETRY IN BATH AND NEW 

DRAWER FRONTS

THIS IS A SMALL SITTING AREA OUTSIDE THE BATH AREA.  WE REPLACED THE COUNTER WITH "CAMBRIA" QUARTZ - COLOR: WHITNEY - SAME AS BATH; ADDED NEW LIGHTING.  THIS IS A NICE AREA TO GET READY WITHOUT BEING IN THE BATHROOM.