From dark and drab to bright and pretty

Well, I can definitely smell fall in the air.  Makes me want to get all my cosy sweaters, leggings, tall boots and chai pumpkin tea out. It really is my favourite season, cool, sunny and not too hot.

As promised I thought I’d catch you up on some design projects that I worked on this past winter/spring.  And this ensuite bath renovation definitely brings to mind a fresh, bright, spring day.

Quite a bit of work has been done on this client’s home, as the previous owner used a wheelchair and there was some retrofitting that needed to be done for my client.  High up on the wish list, was her dark, brown and dreary ensuite bathroom.

Here’s the befores and I apologize for the absolutely terrible before pics. In my defence, it’s a small bath so it is very hard to get some good pictures but I think I accidentally deleted a few that actually were better than theses (shakes head).

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My client explained that she really wanted a white, clean, spare, spa bath with a freestanding tub and no shower (there’s one in the basement).

So, first up was removing the large brown walk-in shower.  I gave my client the exact measurements she’d need for a tub that would fit into small alcove (where the shower had been) and she was off shopping.  It was very important that she tried out the tub herself and made sure it was comfortable for her, tubs are like mattresses and seating, everyone fits in them differently.

And happily, she found the perfect one, modern, clean, oval and exactly the right size for our space.

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Vanico Maronyx – Vesso

Isn’t she pretty?

Now it was time to find tiles. She loved the look of marble but with budget being an issue, I found some marble lookalike, large scale porcelain tile which fit the look and budget perfectly. We used them on the floor and then ran them up the wall about a third of the way, but just around the tub.

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Ceragres Anima & Onix Nature

When I came upon this pretty matte and  iridescence mini hexagon tile border, I had an aha moment. However, the large scale tile and the border tile were different thicknesses, but after adding in the chair rail moulding tile and pencil tile, it will never be noticed.

Due to budget constraints we decided to keep the existing white vanity.

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Caesarstone Organic white quartz

But upgraded to a new Caesarstone’s Organic White quartz countertop (above). Together with a simple white square undermount sink, shiny new Moen faucets and hardware you’d never guess it was the same cabinet. Feminine and sparkly!

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Moen Weymouth

We added the matching two handle tub filer from Moen, which really makes a statement in the small bath.

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Moen Weymouth

Again, excuse the photos, I haven’t had it professionally photographed yet, or even photographed by me properly, but here’s a few iPhone pics of the after.  And yes we were still waiting for the new handles to be installed in this pic as well as for a small shelf above the toilet.

White. grey and yellow master bath

White, grey and yellow master bath tub

White, grey and yellow master bath detail

Quite a difference from the previous space, wouldn’t you say?  Bright and pretty, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy a nice soak.

Lisa

Faucet Love and a Fabulous Giveaway

Earlier this summer, I was asked by Moen if I would accept and review one of their gorgeous faucets, called the 90 Degree.  I, of course, being a faucet hound and loving Moen products, agreed at once.

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Isn’t she a sophisticated beauty in all her brushed nickel glory.

As sparkly and pretty as the chrome is, I chose the brushed nickel finish as I wanted to install it in my daughter’s bathroom and she has brushed nickel handles and fixtures in there already.

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Some photos from Moen’s website. I particularly like the second one 🙂

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With it’s sleek modern style, it would fit right into any contemporary or modern bath.  I love square forms so I’m particularly pleased with this faucet and as the hardware in my daughter’s bath is also square, it fit the bill perfectly.

Once it arrived and hubby went to install it, he and I both commented on how heavy and durable it feels, a great plus in my book as the items that you touch daily should be substantial and well made.

This is where I am supposed to show you photos of how great the faucet looks installed in my daughter’s bathroom.  However, as in real life, not all installs go smoothly, and once he had removed the old one handle faucet (builder grade) we saw that instead of the one hole in the sink that we envisioned, we actually had three holes! Very close together but still three holes!  And of course, I hadn’t ordered the larger deck plate to cover three holes, I only had the smaller plate for one hole.

So, the plate is on order and you’ll see the installed faucet in a future post….very, very soon…I promise.

In the meantime, let’s talk about modern and contemporary bathrooms. Here’s my tips for creating a serene and modern bath:

1. Limit the number of finishes and repeat them.  For example, use the same tile for the shower and floor, even in different shapes or size it will still read as repeating

2. Square it off, in fixtures, hardware and sinks.

3. Clean front cabinetry with no moulding or ornamentation

4. Hidden or clean lined hardware

5. Glass shower walls

6. Limited colour palette, keep it simple. Less is more in modern styling.

Check out Moen’s Modern Bathrooms Houzz Ideabook to get even more inspiration.

GIVEAWAY!

Now, I’m sure you’re wondering about the giveaway that I taunted you with at the beginning and can you believe it Moen is going to give away one of these faucets, in the finish of your choice, to one of my readers. All you have to do is leave a comment below and tell me where you’d put this little stunner if you won it!  If you share this post on another social media site, leave me another comment telling me where for yet another entry.  And for yet another entry LIKE my Facebook page (at the top of my sidebar under Follow me – click on the small blue FB icon) and leave me a comment for another entry.

This contest is open to Canadian and United States residents only. Be sure to give me a way to contact you if you are the lucky winner.  Contest closes Friday, September 13, 2013.

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

AND HAVE A WONDERFUL LONG WEEKEND

CANADIAN READERS!

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