Hall Bath Trends From 2016

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A hall bathroom (a bathroom with a tub/shower combo) is often thought of as the “kids bath” – aka let’s go cheap. But that doesn’t mean it can’t be interesting and functional, too. Design elements from classic to trending will help you make the most out of your hall bath space.

Here are some of the ideas I've been working into my designs:

Keep the water where it’s supposed to be.

A glass enclosure and frameless door looks modern and it elongates the visual elements of the room while doing the job of keeping water out of the rest of the space. The glass also allows you to show off the beautiful tile you have chosen to decorate your shower with.

Almost all hall baths have room for two sinks, which is helpful for providing space for a combination of tooth brushing, make-up application or mustache trimming. The extra expense is worth it in the long run.

My Own Project!

Tile, tile everywhere.

You might want to decorate your shower with striking accent tile, and if you choose subway tile for the shower or bath surround, consider both the classic 3-by-6 tile or the newer 4-by-16-inch size that offers a bolder look.

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The floor is part of the design, too.

Larger tile sizes are also trending for floor treatments. They are modern and come in shades that add sophistication to a room that is often overlooked but can be fun for kids and guests.

Give yourself space.

We all look for storage wherever we can find it, and a bathroom – even a small one – often can be designed with space to store linens and other items. I will help you find that space in nooks or corners others might overlook.

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We didn’t forget the toilet!

Especially in new construction, I consider the toilet second only to the shower and tub in importance to a bathroom’s functionality and level of comfort. That’s why I recommend a comfort height toilet – which is a couple of inches higher than a regular toilet. They are easier to use for older or disabled people, and simply more comfortable for everyone else except the youngest children, who might need a toilet stool.

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Why we need to design the bathroom. 

While we may daydream about our kitchen, and make it the focal point of parties and family gatherings, we usually think of the bathroom only when we are in it

Mistake!

A little forethought and planning will make everyone’s occasional visits there comfortable and relaxing.

Cabinet Door Style is as Important as Cabinet Color

Every kitchen design includes hundreds of decisions -- and you have to make every one of them.

It’s less stressful when you plan ahead and start considering your options before the sledgehammer hits the tile.

One element homeowners tend to overlook until the last minute are the doors on your cabinets. They might seem mundane, but when you really take a look at cabinet doors, you begin to understand how much time they require.

Because kitchens are mostly cabinets, and cabinet doors are the most visible parts of your cabinets, they become a major focus of any kitchen design.

There are three main styles:

Flat Panel
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1.  The traditional look of raised panel doors, which can run from sedate to ornate.
2. The clean design of flat panels of transitional design.
3. And modern/contemporary slab doors. 

In other words, if you are into a Tuscany theme, go with traditional. If you dream of entertaining in Denmark, slab doors will be your choice.

Raised Panel
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As with every other aspect of your kitchen design (unless you’ve already fallen for a style that you just can’t live without) the next decisions involve budget, style, and color and finish.

The price depends on the material the doors are made of as well as the style; elaborate and labor-intensive designs cost more. Raised panel and slab doors are more complicated to build, so the expense will add up more quickly, although raised panels are more pricey than slab doors. If you choose mahogany instead of hickory, expect a lot of dollar signs.

Flat panels will fit into nearly any style of kitchen and budget as they can be dressed up for the most elaborate designs by choosing high-end materials or dressed down for more simple designs by choosing a paint finish. 

Slab Panel
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And each of these styles can be further modified with cabinet hardware or the addition of glass or other materials.

Even after you choose a door style, your job is not yet done: You need to decide on color, finish and cost.

Examine the range of paints and stains, and also consider whether you want a distressed or antique look, which might work best in a rustic traditional or country kitchen.

No matter what you decide, there is one thing you can do in any kitchen, even before you remodel: Brew a cup of tea and relax as you imagine the beautiful look you will enjoy for the next several years.

Planning a Kitchen Remodel? 6 Common Styles

When thinking about talking on a kitchen remodel, almost everyone starts by looking through magazines and websites, and asking friends for ideas

And then you soon feel overwhelmed.

 

Reclaim your personal vision by considering a space that fits your personality and tastes.

You might have a table or chairs passed down through generations – or that you spotted last week on the showroom floor -- which you want to build around. Maybe you have a favorite color or accent material, like oak or steel. Perhaps you’ve seen elements in different kitchens that you like and would consider in your house – everything from rough wood floors to glass countertops and mahogany cabinets.

At Pulos Design, we will talk through your ideas and concepts together and come up with a design that fits you and your family.

To get started, here are some of the most-sought-after styles being discussed today. Let’s begin with the most common:

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Traditional

Traditional design is visually lush with lots of details collected from varied collections. This style borrows from the 18^th, 19^th and early 20^th centuries, and showcases English and French heritage. Dark wood cabinets at varying heights, with crown molding, distinguish a traditional kitchen that is often decorated with antiques. Travertine backsplashes are common as an accent to this familiar yet rich look.

Transitional

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This is a more relaxed traditional style, reflecting transitions of two kinds. First it represents a fusion of traditional and contemporary looks. Second, a transitional design opens up the kitchen to other parts of the house, and even the garden, encouraging free movement throughout the entertaining area. A transitional kitchen might have a formal island or cabinets, with light colors on the walls, colorful lighting and bamboo floors. It’s a comfortable, eclectic look into which you can fit your family heirlooms.

Contemporary

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This is a combination of traditional and modern styles, but it varies from “Modern” design by being more up-to-date. While a contempory kitchen is sleek and uncluttered, often with metal frames and straight legs, the whole look is rooted in today. Bold artwork (by new artists) goes well on the walls of a contemporary kitchen. Natural materials are sublimated to manufactured elements of stainless, glass or concrete. German and Scandinavian influences mark these kitchens and the elements seen in contemporary designs constantly change with the times.

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Country

Most of us can picture the comfortable country kitchen: An oak table with a basket full of fruit decorating it, chairs upholstered with floral or checked fabrics, handmade pottery and painted cabinets that could be white or brightly colored. Window treatments of chintz, bead board paneling, wide-plank floors and sometimes wall paper complete the farmhouse look.

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Modern

This is a specific architectural movement that developed from the 1920s to the 1950s. If you like a sleek, uncluttered look with a hint of a retro feel, Modern might work for you. Mixing a pop of color with a neutral palette and geometric shapes define a modern kitchen and polished surfaces fit well with this style. High-end appliances, hidden cabinet hardware and clever design elements that hide cooking utensils and other accoutrements stored on the countertops of other kitchens add to the construction cost.

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Industrial

This also is the most bare-bones style, with utilitarian elements that are normally hidden – heating and cooling ductwork, or drainpipes for example -- incorporated with open cabinets and sleek appliances to create a factory, or industrial, feel.

Chef’s stoves and ovens fit comfortably into an industrial kitchen along with flea market finds as accents.

Are you ready to talk about your kitchen design ideas? Email me at cassandra@pulosdesigns.com!

Powder Rooms & Focal Points - Think Bamboo

You have two options when you create a look for a powder room: typical or out-of-the-box.

It doesn’t take much to make it interesting if you decide on a focal point and design around that.

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I think making the sink the star of the power room is a great way to switch things up, and in the case of an Asian theme, bamboo combines modern and traditional.

Asian design creates a quiet, Zen-like space near the main living area and, when entertaining, provides guests with a bit of a surprise that can be different from the rest of the house. Because the space is small by definition, the best design is spare and uncluttered, which fits perfectly into an Asian motif.

Have you ever seen a bamboo sink? It is simple in composition and look while maintaining an elegant and understated beauty.

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Bamboo sinks from Solera Sinks are some of the best on the market. I love Solera’s quality and well-designed products.

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The sink isn’t the only component of a powder room, of course. The vanity should be in harmony with the sink, which means slab doors (flat, with no frame or panel) in a natural wood finish.

The flooring might be a dark tile, perhaps in a faux-wood finish and a plait or herringbone pattern, topped off with a neutral paint color and organic hardware.

The result: harmony among the style elements to convey beauty, calm and a sense of well-being, even if only for a few minutes.