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Ways to go Green in Your Bathroom

Tuesday, November 8th, 2011

Bathroom Wall Colours

It’s a noble undertaking to make your home as environmentally friendly as possible. Now that “going green” is so popular and celebrated, there are endless ways to improve your home. You can decrease the amount of energy you use and the waste that you produce, buy organic or natural products, and in general increase your awareness of your own carbon footprint. Greening your home can be a very big task to take on, so it’s a good idea to keep it simple and practical by doing on room at a time. Here are some ways you can go green in your bathroom.

Lighting
Reduce the amount of energy you use in your bathroom by replacing light bulbs with more energy-efficient compact fluorescent bulbs. Even changing just one bulb will make a significant difference in the amount of energy you use when you flip on the switch.

Showerhead
Replace your showerhead with a low-flow model. This will greatly reduce the amount of water you use while taking a shower. There are many different types that can suite your preferences and still keep you comfortable. And take a shower instead of a bath whenever possible, because it uses much less water.

Shower Curtain
Don’t use a typical shower curtain that is made of PVC, which is rife with chemicals and can’t be recycled. Use a shower curtain that is made of linen, hemp, organic cotton, or coated nylon, for a more earth-friendly choice.

Toilet Paper
Use toilet paper made of recycled paper. Scott even makes a Tube-Free brand of recycled toilet paper that greatly reduces waste by leaving out the cardboard tube.

Toilet
A simple way to use less water in your toilet is to reduce the amount that is needed to fill the tank. To do this, put a half-gallon bottle in your tank to reduce the space, and you can use half as much water every time you flush. Also, consider converting to a dual-flush toilet.

Faucet
You can also install a low-flow faucet to reduce your water consumption. Also, be mindful of when you run the water – don’t keep it on when you’re brushing your teeth!

Towels
Definitely don’t use paper towels to dry your hands when a hand towel can be used repeatedly. Also, reuse your after-shower towel as many times as you’re comfortable with. You’re clean when you’re done, after all. Buy hemp or organic cotton towels.

Cleaning
Your bathroom cleaners are very bad for the environment and are one of the least eco-friendly things you use in your bathroom. Switch to natural cleaning methods to greatly reduce toxins. Sprinkle baking soda on your tub and sink alone, or combine it with water to form a paste, then wipe clean with a sponge. You can also use diluted vinegar or lemon juice. Another good tub scrub recipe is to mix baking soda with a castile soap, and then add a few drops of any good-smelling essential oil you like. Also, spray your shower after each use to prevent mold with a homemade spray of just white vinegar, or two cups of water mixed with two teaspoons of tea tree oil.

Photo credit: Gundulf

Terry Ford writes for grammarly, the most accurate and powerful grammar checker on the web.

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Posted in Bath Transformations, remodeling

Applying Granite in the Bathroom

Friday, November 4th, 2011

granite bathtub

Applying granite tiles and surfaces in the bathroom is a fantastic way of contrasting colours and textures if done correctly. Choosing the right shade and style of granite surfaces can be a huge pay off when combined with the right fixtures, colours and decoration. The first thing you may notice when you come to choosing the right type of granite textures and colours for your bathroom is that there are a range of products available. Be it smaller tiles, useful for lining the side of your bath and breaking up colours, larger tiles which are ideal for covering a large surface area on walls and floors, or granite surfaces and fixtures to match your chosen colour scheme. So with that in mind, let’s take a look at the types of granite available to you and how they can be applied stylishly in your bathroom!

Bathrooms are one of the rooms in our homes with which we can truly impress family and guests, and by combining modern colours with stylish sink, bath, or shower models we can really add that ‘wow’ factor. Consider shopping around to find some matching granite fixtures such as luxurious and fashionable granite basins and sinks, this can help to give your colour scheme more consistency and certainly a touch of class. Apply this thinking to shower enclosures too; modern and well fitted granite tiles combined with the large panes of glass on your shower can look fantastic. Highlight these features with some well positioned lighting to give your luxurious bathroom a warm, comforting glow.

Darker granites such as the Nero range found in stock at Granite Transformations can look great when combined with rich, vibrant colours as well as contrasting it with whites and creams. For example, in the summer you may choose to re-colour the upper section on your wall with a fresh mint green; darker shades of granite can accompany such a dynamic colour with ease.

As the winter season approaches, you may choose to switch to warming colours such as creams and beiges. These can be matched with darker granite textures just as well but may benefit from a lighter shade if you are looking to bring more light into the room. Finally, consider the colour of your bathroom flooring beforehand; if you are interesting in purchasing granite tiles for your Bathroom Suite then this could truly be the icing on the cake. Matching the colour and texture of your granite wall tiles with granite flooring can bring the entire room together, and give you a fantastic looking room to relax and unwind in.

Written by Daniel Travis-Brown on behalf of Bathshop 321. Follow him on twitter @DanTravisBrown

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Posted in Bath Transformations, Design, Granite and Trend stone, home improvement

How to Make Better Use of Space in a Small Bathroom

Thursday, November 3rd, 2011

As a family grows, the bathroom seems to shrink. A small bathroom can easily become cluttered and untidy, and finding a home to store toiletries, towels and other accessories can become a challenge. When space is limited, some creative thinking is needed to make a bathroom both aesthetically pleasing and functional. It is possible to make the bath area seem much bigger by making simple changes in design and storage options.

Visual Appeal

Making the bathroom look bigger is easier than building onto it, especially in an older home. Try the following ideas to create the illusion of more space:

• Survey the bath, and remove objects that can be used in other places or are just creating clutter.

• Paint all of the walls, doors, and cabinets in similar shades, the lighter the better.

• Add mirrors, or mirrored tiles, in several places to reflect opposite walls.

• Add extra light sources in shadowy corners.

• Install metallic tiles running horizontally around the room so that the eye is almost following an arrow.

• Inset tiles in a diamond pattern to make the ceiling seem higher.

• Consider a slender pedestal sink or a hanging vanity.

• Think about installing lighting strips under the toe-kick areas of the cabinets in the bathroom to serve as a night light and to give the illusion of more room.

Small Bathroom by respres

Storage Surprises

Even if a complete bath renovation is not possible in the next few years, space in the bathroom needs to be used as efficiently as possible. Creative storage solutions can make a real difference in the usability of a bath, and the following are all excellent ideas:

• Use the spaces between the wall studs to make recessed shelving to store bath linens or toiletries. Recessed medicine cabinets will not take usable area from the rest of the room.

• Consider tossing the clothes hamper and building a laundry chute into the wall.

• Either hang the bathroom door so that it opens into the hallway or bedroom or use a pocket door instead.

• Add several hooks on the back side of the bathroom door and on the wall behind the door.

• Roll towels and wash cloths so that they fit into a smaller storage area.

• Build storage units in any useful corner or stack baskets for storage.

• Use the space above the toilet by adding shelving or a floor to ceiling storage unit.

• Install wire shelving in convenient places near the tub or shower to hold razors, shampoo, and cleansers.

• Insert drawer dividers to keep hair clips, cotton swabs, or cosmetics neat and orderly.

• Replace a standard tub with the corner variety to gain additional space.

• Make a wall of towel bars and display all of the prettiest designs as a form of artwork.

Some of these ideas are quick and easy to implement; others may require a professional. All of them will improve the cosmetic appeal and usability of a tiny bathroom. Because it is one of the most frequented rooms in the home, changes made in the bathroom is will be appreciated by the entire family.

Mike Genner writes for a team of plumbers that issue gas safety certificates and has used some of the ideas above when renovating his family bathroom.

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Posted in Bath Transformations, Design, home improvement

Modernize Your Bathroom On A Budget

Wednesday, October 19th, 2011

modern double sink vanity

Many modern homeowners find themselves faced with a problem. They want a modern bathroom renovation, but need to stay on a strict budget. Is there a way to achieve one without sacrificing the other? Certainly. Here’s is a foolproof plan to get you started.

Choose only 1 item to spend the most money on. For many people, when they think of a modern bathroom, they see a glass enclosed shower stall, a separate soaking tub, a beautiful vanity—I could go on and on. Don’t worry, for the sake of time and your sanity—I won’t.

To tear out and replace all of these fixtures to create this look, for most, is way out of their budget’s reach. If what you are starting with is a smaller, simpler bathroom that won’t allow for all of these changes, choose one item to drop the most money on. Take a mental inventory of what you like and what you can’t stand in your current bathroom. If your vanity saw better days in the 1960’s, then this would be a good place to start. If your shower enclosure used to be ivory and now appears yellowed—then here is another option to change. Remember, you can decorate around this one item to modernize the entire look of your bathroom. After you’ve decided on what’s got to go—go shopping. To stick with a modern bent, you’ll want to find something with clean lines and simple design.  Give yourself a lot of options. This is the one big ticket item you’ll be using—so make your choice count!

modern single sink vanity

Modernize the rest of your fixtures to match. If your vanity was the piece that went, start modernizing the rest of your room around it. Simple and inexpensive switches abound here. A good place to start is with a fresh coat of paint. A new color or often–just another coat—can really breathe a new feeling to a space. Next, you’ll want to check into getting new hardware to match that of your vanity. You’ll find a wide variety of towel bars, door handles, or light fixtures, for example, at any Home Depot or Lowes. In addition, try changing out your old medicine cabinet for a funky new mirror. Most modern bathroom vanities allow for a good amount of storage. Utilizing this space will allow you to add a great accent right above your vanity—making it even more the central focal point of your bathroom!

Should you have decided that the shower was the piece to be updated, no worries here either! You can always update your vanity by sanding it down and adding a new finish to it. This is labor intensive, but certainly worth the effort. Another option would be to paint it. If you’re going for a clean, white look, try sanding your vanity down and adding a bright white coat of paint. You’ll find it may appear that you did get a new vanity altogether! (Remember to use a paint that is suitable for bathroom conditions—nothing looks worse than chipped or peeling surface.) Fixtures can still be replaced but now can include the vanity faucets as well.  In addition, if you’re feeling really ambitious, you can even change out the tile!

modern vessel sink vanity

There are tons of ways you can update the look of your bathroom without breaking your budget. Start first with choosing one expensive item to replace. Once you’ve got that installed, pull together the inexpensive items to complete the transformation. You’ll be happy with the cost and the completed project! Good luck!

Hillary Hansen is a featured author for the site www.UniqueVanities.com, where you can find a large selection of beautiful modern vanities for every style, size, and budget!

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Posted in Bath Transformations, Services, home improvement

8 Steps to a Greener Bathroom

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011

Bathroom complete

The bathroom is one of the most frequently used spaces in your home. Whether you’re getting ready for work in the morning, or for bed at night, or taking a relaxing bath or shower, you’re certain to spend a portion of your day there. The bathroom can also be one of the least energy efficient rooms in your home if you don’t take the necessary steps to keep it “green” and eco-friendly. Here are 8 tips to help you do just that.

Toilets can be responsible for up to 30 percent of household water usage. Older toilets are especially guilty – many using as much as seven gallons with each flush. If you happen to have an older toilet in your bathroom, you can very easily displace a bit of the water that’s stored in the tank, and up its efficiency. Simply place a brick, or a tightly sealed container filled with pebbles or sand, in the tank. That’s all there is to it.

A leaky toilet is even more of a water wasting nightmare. Some data reveals that a leaky toilet can be responsible for up to 200 gallons of wasted water per day. Of course this is a terrible situation for the environment if left unchecked, but, can you imagine the damage being done to your water bill? It’s a simple thing to test for leaks. Just add some food coloring, or even instant coffee, to the water in the tank. If you can see color being released into the toilet bowl, even without being flushed, you definitely have a leak and you should try to have it repaired as soon as possible.

The hot water heater is another guilty party when it comes to waste. You can conserve energy, and still have plenty of hot water, by lowering the the temperature setting from 140 degrees to 120 degrees. It’s also a good idea to insulate the hot water heater and pipes. When it’s time to replace it, go ahead and invest a bit more money and purchase an energy efficient model. Your initial investment will repaid in no time at all through substantially lower energy bills.

Get into the habit of shutting off the water while brushing teeth or shaving. You can also turn the shower off while you soap up and shampoo your hair. Installing low-flow showerheads and sink fixtures can reduce water usage by up to 3,000 gallons per person, per year – definitely a wise investment.

When it’s time for new bath towels, wash up the old ones and donate them to a veterinary clinic or animal shelter. Any place that cares for animals is almost always in need of extra towels and will most certainly welcome your donation.

Replace your vinyl shower curtain with one made from organic cotton or some other type of natural material such as hemp, or bamboo. It’s better for the environment, and the added bonus is, the natural materials can be laundered.

Place a small box for recycling next to the bathroom trash can. This will make it easier to ensure that items such as empty toilet paper rolls and shampoo bottles are recycled along with everything from the kitchen and other rooms of the house.

Replace incandescent bulbs with fluorescent. The quality of light is much better, especially for applying cosmetics and other things such as styling your hair or tweezing your eyebrows, and they’re also much more energy efficient and longer lasting.

Try out some, or all, of these tips today, and begin seeing a difference in your energy bills!

This article is by Amanda Knox-Reynolds, a freelance writer for Advance Me Inc. America’s leading provider of the business cash advance – an alternative to traditional, collateral based bank loans, for small-medium sized businesses.

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Posted in Bath Transformations, Environmentally Friendly, home improvement

Bring Nature into Your Bathroom

Tuesday, October 18th, 2011
An outdoor bathroom is a portal that brings the outside world in. Use natural finishes, and keep things simple.

An outdoor bathroom is a portal that brings the outside world in. Use natural finishes, and keep things simple.

There is an overall trend in design, particularly in bathrooms, to either have part of your bathroom outside or open to the elements, or to mimic the world outside in the design and layout of the bathroom itself. Both trends are very powerful design statements that are intended to make you feel at one with nature, and thus naturally relaxed. There is a genuine attempt to remind the home owner that they are the master of their domain, and having a bathroom in this style is guaranteed to make you feel like the king of the world around you.

Outside bathrooms

This trend is extremely popular in areas with great climates – Australia, South Africa etc – and actually started out in the tourism industry. Game lodges offered rooms with outdoor bathroom facilities, not standing separate, but merged into the room itself. More often than not, the shower or bath itself is located in an alcove that is exposed to the elements. The space is finished in natural materials like wood, slate or granite, and should offer a view of the world outside. Bathing on a balcony that is open to the world but still private is really quite an experience.

If you are designing a home from scratch, then you will need to keep the outside space in mind. You will need access to water and plumbing, as well as ample room – having an outside bathroom is useless if it is cramped. Think luxury and space. Also, you should take into consideration privacy issues, and design some kind of cover that protects the client from prying eyes that can ruin their intimate bathing experiences.

Design the room itself so that it is an extension of the world outside – the bath or showers are portals that bring the outside world in. Use natural finishes, and keep things simple. Large windows will extend the feeling of emersion in nature.

A natural bathroom

If you like the idea of an outside bedroom, but don’t have the nerve or inclination to go all the way, you can use a few of these tips to create the effect without actually having it.

Firstly, detail is the key. Everything in the room should suggest a naturalistic outlook. Go for muted, earthy towels, natural hand and body products, and stone or wood finishes. An arrangement of indigenous flowers can add that special touch. Go for a pebble or slate finish in your shower, that offers a truly outdoor feel, and invest in a wide shower head – you will feel like you are showering in the rain, plus you will save water at the same time.

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Posted in Bath Transformations, Design, Environmentally Friendly, home improvement

Using Granite in your Bathroom

Thursday, October 13th, 2011
Your bathroom is the room in your home where you go to relax, re-centre yourself, and go over the events of your day. Bathrooms of old were often loud and colourful in an attempt to distract from the functional aspect of these spaces, but modern designers are moving towards a simplification of the space, and one of the materials that they are increasingly drawn to using is granite. Here are three reasons why granite is perfect in the bathroom.

Your bathroom is the room in your home where you go to relax, re-centre yourself, and go over the events of your day. Bathrooms of old were often loud and colourful in an attempt to distract from the functional aspect of these spaces, but modern designers are moving towards a simplification of the space, and one of the materials that they are increasingly drawn to using is granite. Here are three reasons why granite is perfect in the bathroom.

Durability
Using stone furnishings in your bathroom makes sense on a number of design levels. Firstly, it is incredibly durable, and granite in particular is not likely to crumble or crack because of moisture damage. This sturdy stone is ideal for bathroom floors, tiling, shower floors, and shower tiling. The hardy rock is guaranteed to withstand any onslaught from the bathroom elements that in the past were responsible for so much unsightly damage.

Colour
Granite comes in an extraordinary array of colour variations, from the subtle to the extreme. Most shades are based in a very metallic grey, but seems of colour that range from black to blue are present upon closer inspection. This is ideal for the neutral palette that has accompanied the bathroom design revolution. Designers want to keep the bathroom as a clear, clean space that afford you privacy and comfort, and using granite as a soothing colour base, many designers will incorporate colours that will achieve this effect.

Feel
Granite is a very warm stone, despite its cooler, neutral colour, and this warmth is becoming popular with home owners across the globe. The soothing, smooth rock, which has enough textural variations to add depth, will add to a naturalistic, modern days in ways you would never have dreamed of. Even if you do not opt for granite tiles, a basin or countertop, or possibly a focus piece in granite, will automatically make you think of nature, as if your shower is a waterfall that you alone can access. This link between granite and rugged nature is a powerful draw card that contrasts nicely with many modern bathroom design trends.

Your bathroom is a sanctuary, and may be one of the few places in your home where you can be genuinely alone. Think about using granite if your bathroom needs a revamp – it will not let you down as a design choice.

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Posted in Bath Transformations

Through the Keyhole: Looking at modern Bathroom Accessories

Thursday, October 6th, 2011

bathroom 1

A free standing bath and a bathroom cabinet mirror means that you have more space than ever as you can work around it with other furnishings. This image shows a contemporary bathroom that looks minimalist and clean, offering a calm ambience in a wide open space. Neutral furnishings against a dark oak floor definitely give the look of an eco-natural spa. A free standing bath means that you have more space than ever as you can work around it with other furnishings.

You may not have recognised this before but a bathroom mirror can actually change the way your whole bathroom looks and feels. As we stare into them every morning with fright, this piece of interior can actually be the hidden gem to full stylish completion.

Cabinet mirrors can make your bathroom look more spacious by creating an optical illusion. They work well as an ultra-modern furnishing in an up-to-date bathroom. Hide all your ugly shampoo bottles and toothpaste tubes behind the stylish doors and organise your morning vanity products. You will be pleased to know if you include mirrors with lights; it saves on extra lighting within the bathroom during daily use.

bathroom 2

bathroom 3

Bathroom mirror cabinets with built in lights provides a glamorous spot to put on make-up or the perfect place to shave. This slick design creates soft lighting that isn’t too overpowering or startling. Placing pretty soap dispensers and perfume bottles in front of the mirror can create a fashionable artistic image, saving on extra wall art or décor. If you place this mirror close to a window, the natural daylight will reflect against the glass and brighten the entire bathroom (perfect if your overall interior is fairly dark).

bathroom 4

A mirror that is outlined with lights actually provides a theatre, dressing room experience that is perfect for everyday activities such as applying makeup and tweezing eyebrows. If you are looking at creating a peaceful and tranquil spar like atmosphere, mirrors such as the one featured above really enables you to do so.

Infinity Mirrors

infinity mirror
Infinity mirrors will transform your bathroom into a futuristic compound that will be impressive to any visitor. With the optical impression of never ending light that escapes beyond the depth of your walls. Infinity mirrors are set with an innovative touch sensor that enables you to control the lights with one touch. An infinity mirror simply takes you to another world of contemporary bathroom living.

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Creating the Home Spa Experience

Monday, October 3rd, 2011

The bathroom does more than serve its purpose as the household washroom; it provides us with a quiet place to relax and contemplate days ahead and passed. Much like our kitchens, bathrooms are effective at showcasing our sense of style and individuality through colours, accessories and fixtures.

remodeled bathroom

There are some fantastic new designs that are quickly becoming popular that show just how varied and spectacular your bathroom can be, whether you’re looking for a vintage, rustic look or a dazzling modern theme, you truly have more variety to choose from than ever before. Whatever the style, the bathroom should be a place to relax and unwind, and with some thoughtful suggestions, you can transform your bathroom into a true spa experience.

Know Your Style

Ideally, you should plan far ahead, get an idea of how you would like your new bathroom to feel, if you’re going to be basking in its ambience then it stands to reason that you should set the mood for yourself whilst designing. For example, those looking to capture the feeling of an ancient bathhouse may be willing to sacrifice practicality for style. Features such as a vintage vessel sink may provide the exact style you’re looking for.

Shower Power

Glass shower enclosures look fantastic; with larger enclosures becoming more attainable (in terms of both practicality and price) we can have the luxurious showers that once would have been a custom installation for those with money to burn. Steam showers are becoming hugely popular, helping to relieve tension and cleanse the skin; these showers should be at the top of your Christmas list if you are looking to create the ultimate home spa experience. Be sure to choose an enclosure with clean, clear glass, ensuring it won’t interfere with your contrast of colours.

Little things make all the difference

Nothing ruins a relaxing shower more than getting out to a freezing cold floor and a damp towel. Consider investing in a heated towel rail, wrapping yourself in a soft, warm towel could be the icing on the cake in your new home spa. Why not make those first steps out of the shower warm ones? With under tile heating systems you can enjoy something as simple as walking into your bathroom. The heating mats are installed underneath your chosen flooring, so no need to worry about compromising your chosen flooring.

Accent and Accessorise

Once you have your colour scheme settled you will want to match it as closely as possible with your bathroom accessories, bathroom vanity is practical as well as being a fantastic way to break up the wall and contribute to the colour coordination. Choosing the perfect tiles for your bathroom is one of the most important decisions you will have to make during your remodel. Large format tiles are trending, and if you choose the right colour and texture these could prove to be the perfect way to bind your new bathroom together.

Deciding on the colour and style of your luxury bathroom in advance gives you time to explore the possibilities and fantastic features available to you.

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How Glass is Recycled for Countertop Use

Friday, March 4th, 2011
Glass countertops add an elegant element to your kitchen.

Glass countertops add an elegant element to your kitchen.

If budget cuts at home mean you had to forego the fancy wine cooler, but you still need a place to stash your bottle collection, look no further than the kitchen counter. Industrious DIY-ers aimed at creating eco-friendly home furnishings have been making their own recycled glass countertops for years now by mixing crushed wine bottles with a concrete base. Luckily, for those of us who consider popping a cork to be more than enough work for one day, commercial vendors have caught on to the recycled glass trend.

Recycled glass countertops are made using up to 72 percent recycled materials, allowing you to feel good about helping the environment while giving your old countertop a much needed upgrade. The same properties that make glass tough enough to last more than 4,000 years in a landfill are what make it strong and durable in your home. Today, glass from building demolition, windshields, traffic lights and pickle jars all find a second life as recycled countertops.
(more…)

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Posted in Bath Transformations, Tips/Advice, kitchen remodeling, trend glass

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