Creating an Elegant Master Bath

I have noticed quite an increase in clients returning or coming to me for help with a Master Bathroom Remodel.  The story is always the same, their bathroom was arranged poorly with a lot of wasted space, and looks like it is coming out of the 1980's, which is typically when the house was built.  Dark finishes make these smaller rooms drab and uninviting.  The home owners want to create a bright and elegant space, so here is some inspiration for that next master bath remodel.

Moodboard Copyright © 2012 S. George and Steel Lily Design 

The above Moodboard was created for a some clients of mine, and their highly outdated master bathroom.  The husband wanted something traditional, and the wife wanted something much more contemporary.  I presented them with this transitional design as an inspiration, and they are slowly transforming their bathroom to this concept.  They are keeping the original cabinetry, however refinishing it to a white painted finish, and going with the vessel style sinks.  The project is projected to be done by the end of 2012.  

Moodboard Copyright © 2012 S. George and Steel Lily Design 

The above Moodboard was created for a client of mine, that wanted to brighten up their dark space, but didn't want to go too light.  Their existing bathroom had dark blue tiles over the majority of the surfaces, from floor to ceiling.  It was a cave.  In order to brighten up the space, I chose lighter finishes, but not too light.  The onyx counter top and the darker cherry cabinets create a great contrast with the clients existing travertine tile flooring.  Their project is also being done slowly as budget allows, and is scheduled to be completed by the holiday season of this year.

What to Expect with HE Washers

If you've meandered through your local big box retailers appliance showroom, you may notice a lacking in options when it comes to the washers and dryers your familiar with.  The technology is changing, and with that, what is available is also changing.  I help clients with selecting the right washer and dryer for their families a lot, and often have to give them a "How-To" class before they make their final selections.  Husbands are typically scared by all the buttons, options, and features, while wives are apprehensive that the new technology will clean as well as their fifteen-year-old hand-me-down that just died.

When shopping for a new unit, yes, there may be one or two of the standard old fashioned units you may be used to.  However, these units are typically the least expensive units with the smallest capacity.  Typically, clients I talk to would rather have larger capacity to avoid trips to the laundromat to wash the larger bedding, and want to get laundry done, instead of having to waste an entire day doing a ton of smaller loads in a smaller machine.  I often have to explain to clients, that if they want the larger capacity, they are going to have to switch to High Efficiency machines, many consumers want to know why.

Maytag Bravo's
Top Loading HE Pair

Due to the demand for more water efficient machines by consumers and the government, as well as larger capacity demands, the manufacturers have responded with these new units.  They take up the same space as traditional machines, give or take depending on the specific unit.  The come in both top loading and front loading styles, and a wide range of colors and features.  One of the first things that was eliminated, in order to increase capacity, but not foot print, was the agitator.  By removing the agitator, the entire washing cycles had to be changed.  There are now hybrid washes which has a completely different agitation, and uses up to 60% less water.  This video by General Electric shows how the top load units work greatly, and is a great educational tool, showing you how to load the machine for the best wash performance.  Many consumers feel as though the lower amounts of water with higher quantity of clothing, that their load won't get clean.  This video shows how the modified agitation and movement of the drum will result in clean clothes.  Typically, the top loading HE units have a larger capacity than front loading styles.

Electrolux Front Load Washers

Now lets take a look at the front loading styles. They wash very similarly to the top loading styles, just tilted on it's side.  Here is another video by General Electric that shows you how these styles wash, and some of the product features available not only from GE, but other manufacturers.

Some other Frequently Asked Questions about HE Washers:

• Q: "What's that smell coming from my unit?"
  A: Many people report a smell coming from their High Efficiency unit, and some people have reported it from their non HE units.  All washers have a little bit of water remaining under the tub between cycles.  That water can then build up bacteria.  It is a good habit for all washers to leave the door open over night after doing laundry, and once a month use a washing machine cleaner such as Afresh. By performing these good habits, you shouldn't ever have a problem.   
• Q: "Do I have to use special soap?  How much more is that going to cost?"
  A: Yes, you do have to use the special soap with the HE logo (Shown above).  It is available by all manufacturers of laundry soap, and is typically located on the same shelves as the soap you are already buying.  When HE units first came out, the soap did cost a little more, however now that there is such a higher demand, the pricing has gone down.  You can get HE soaps at all major retail outlets including Costco, Target, Walmart, even the grocery store.  
• Q: "My daughter has really bad allergies and sensitive skin, will I be able to find soap?"
  A: Absolutely.  Many of the "Green" brands produce only HE detergents that are dye and perfume free.  I personally use a Tide version that I picked up at Babies R Us for about $15. 
• Q: "If I get a front loader, don't I have to purchase the pedestals?"
  A: Of course not, and a lot of people don't.  Yes, this creates more bending over and such, but with pedestals typically starting at $199 each, I'll bend over!  Many people come back and purchase them later if they truly want them, but the budget doesn't allow.  Actually, the openings of a front load washer and dryer are no lower than a typical dryer, and actually, the bottom of a front load washer tub is a little higher than a top loader.  You are still bending over, no matter what unit you get.  If you have a bad back, or bending is an issue, then the pedestals are the only way to go, but if you can hold off on them, by all means, go ahead and do so.  I personally didn't get them, as I didn't want to have to pay the added expense, and I also preferred having the folding surface along the top of the units, which is too high with the pedestals.  

These are just some frequently asked questions.  If you have more questions, please feel free to ask me in the comments section.  I have worked with thousands of families over the past few years selecting the best washing pair for their family, and would be happy to give advice, pointers, and answer questions.

Smart Phone Apps that are Smart for Homeowners and Designers

There is an app for nearly everything.  With smart phones, and tablets, getting even smarter, it's time to figure out what apps are out there that will make your remodeling project easier.

Sherwin Williams
Color Snap on Android,
BlackBerry & iPhone

When a painting project is first one your list, then you should look into the paint color inspirational apps available from top manufacturers of paint products.  I have already written an article about two of my favorite apps, and two of the first apps, Sherwin Williams and Benjamin Moore, which goes into detail as to what the apps can do.  All of the app's listed and linked below are free, which is my favorite part.

• Sherwin Williams Color Snap App is available on Android, BlackBerry, and iPhone
• Benjamin Moore's Color Capture, is available on Android and iPhone.
• Behr's ColorSmart is available on Android and iPhone, and also features a paint calculator. 
• Valspar's ProjectPaint, on Android, BlackBerry, and iPhone.  
• Gliddon's On The Go, on Android and iPhone
• Olympic's ColorClix, on Android, Windows Phone, and iPhone, as well as Mac and PC

Looking for more?  Another app that I use often is called Measure and Sketch, which is also free.  With this app, you can take a photograph of something like a window, appliance, or so much more, measure it out, and notate the photograph with the measurements you have taken.  This app is available on the Google Play Store for Android.  There is a similar app on the App Store for iPhone and iPad, called My Measures, that is $2.99.  

Houzz App on
iPhone & iPad.

Another similar app available on both Android and iPhone, is Skitch.  Skitch isn't necessarily for dimensions, but it is a nice way to draw on photographs and screen shots with notes, thoughts, and ideas. For example, if you are a designer, and have a copy of a basic floor plan, you can easily doodle ideas for layouts and designs while waiting for your next appointment, no pencil required.  You can easily email and save your drawings as well.  

The Houzz app, available only on iPhone and iPad (Sorry fellow Android users!) Houzz is the "Largest database of home design ideas" including an ever growing library of images that can be browsed by style, room, location, and so much more.  This app is free in the App Store.  Another similar inspirational app is HGTVtoGo, also only available for iPhone and iPad.  

This next app, has nothing to do with Interior Design, but it is great for you designers who have to travel a lot from appointment to appointment.  Wayz, a social gps tool, allows users to post traffic hazards such as grid lock, speeding traps, road closures and construction, anything.  The app then takes this information and will direct you to your next appointment, to get you there as quickly as possible.  It will even warn you about that upcoming traffic light with a camera.  If you are a heavy commuter, or on the road a lot for your job, this is a good app that I just found, and is available on not only Android and iPhone, but Windows Phone and other devices.  According to their website, they also have a beta testing version for BlackBerry available. 

Another, not so Interior Design, however a great and useful app, is the Dolphin Browser.  This browser works great for the multi-tasker.  Instead of having to find all of your windows, it works much like Chrome and I.E. with the tabbed windows at the top, for quick switching.  There are also a ton of other add-on's including screen shots, the ability to save pages to Evernote, and so much more.  This is a great add on for those of you who like to do more than one thing at a time.  Available on Android and iPhone.

iHandy Carpenter 

Next, is the iHandy Carpenter app, on Android and iPhone which includes five tools.  A plumb bob, surface level, bubble level bar, steel ruler, and can be calibrated and used as an inclinometer/clinometer by reading angles on the screen.

The 3D Interior Room Design app, available on Android, is a great way to quickly draw out the walls and design a room with modified colors, furnishings, moldings, and more.  This app is $4.79 on the Google Play Store.

These are just some of the app's that I know of, there are thousands more including construction calculators, photo libraries, CAD applications, and so much more.  Be sure to read all reviews before purchasing any app's, as I would hate for anyone to spend money on an app that they don't need, or doesn't do what they were expecting.  If you have any comments or additional apps you would like to share, please feel free to add them to the comments.  I am always interested in more app's.