Dr Decorator Examines Bathrooms
Long considered a secret space to be hidden behind closed doors, the plain-Jane bathroom of the past has become today's bathing beauty. Bathrooms have gone glamorous and are being treated to a variety of fantastic finishes and fixtures, the variety of which simply boggles the mind. Most aspiring home remodelers will anticipate an instant headache when simply considering the choices of flooring, cabinets, tiles, faucets, and plumbing fixtures.

The selection process can be made a little easier by dividing the decision-making procedure into a series of steps. The first one is to decide on your aesthetic style. Will you go country or formal, contemporary or traditional? Once you make this choice, you will be selecting products based on what is appropriate for your personal taste.

The next steps involve deciding on colors, plumbing choices, and materials. Granite and marble are wonderful for countertops. Flooring choices must be easy to care for and water resistant. Porcelain, used to simulate many of today's natural materials, is often a better choice for bathrooms than the "real thing." It is an extremely strong surface, not porous, and maintenance free.

Cabinets should provide storage as well as utility. Unless your decor is cutting-edge contemporary, my preference is for built-in products to be timeless and dateless. If your favorite color is turquoise, for example, use it in towels, not your tile floors. Why? Because turquoise is a color you may tire of. Also, it may not be the color of choice for potential buyers when the time comes to sell your humble, but tastefully remodeled, abode.

The bathroom has definitely become one of the dressier rooms in the house. The cabinet industry is trying to play catch-up with the request for bath cabinets that look like elegant furniture instead of bland boxes. Many furniture companies have entered the bath business and are offering beautifully styled cabinets. These often come complete with countertops, sinks, faucets, and offer homeowners cost-effective and handsome option bath decor.

When a homeowner is unable find just the right thing among commercially available bath cabinets, many designers will utilize an antique or reproduction cabinet and retrofit it for bathroom utility. The photograph shown here illustrates this. An antique reproduction cabinet had just the look needed to give an old-world appearance to a newly created bath. The cabinet top was cut out to accommodate the sink and faucets. The interior drawers were adjusted to allow plumbing clearance and still permit generous storage. When enhanced with a beautiful, cut-glass, Venetian-style mirror, the bath becomes an elegant answer to utilitarian needs.

Wall decor is another important decorative element. Mosaic tiles can be used to create wall art in a variety of motifs. Metal tiles and glass tiles create interesting borders that can highlight neutral-toned field tiles. Wood moldings can be used to divide a space with chair-rail moldings or to create inset panel effects. Wall coverings offer instant character and can be combined with other materials. Applied wood molding that is used to create the look of wall panels can be further enhanced when wall coverings are popped inside the panels.

The vast variety of wall-covering motifs can instantly change a bathroom's decor. Take a plain white bath with basic tiles and fixtures and dress it up with wall coverings. Presto chango! Toile wallpaper creates a classical French motif. A gingham check gives country charm. Damask or moire patterns offer traditional elegance. The options are endless. Wallpaper is like a magic wand which permits you to change your mind and your decor with just the wave of a hand-or a wallpaper roller.

BEFORE The before-and-after photos shown here illustrate the dramatic impact of a wall treatment. A plain bath was dressed up just by changing the decorative elements. The original tub was maintained. The walls were treated with a wall covering that simulates grass cloth but is actually a heavy-duty waterproof vinyl. Above the tub is a hand-painted mural that was painted on heavy canvas in an artist's studio and then installed, like wallpaper. The scene behind the tub creates an endless vista and transports the viewer to a Caribbean isle. Not just pretty, but also practical: the canvas is treated with polyurethane so it is protected from the natural moisture in the bath.

AFTER

Fabric is the finishing touch, with tie-back curtains framing both the tub and the mural. The end result is a dramatic change from bland and boring to bold and beautiful.

All of these elements can be utilized in your home. Bathrooms are smaller spaces that you visit for limited periods of time. They can take an extra dramatic touch. Be creative-and be yourself!