POWDER ROOMS in 2023

Powder rooms are an opportunity to have a little more fun and step out of your comfort zone. This can be the little jewel box of the home, a perfect space to use  your creativity. Tile can be installed on the walls of a bathroom in place of paint or wallpaper. I worked on a powder room with a client and we put tile on the wall  behind the sink.  It looks beautiful.  Textured, decorative tile is likely to gain popularity in 2023. The shapes add decorative interest, dimension and artistry to a space, particularly for hand-crafted or highly detailed tiles. 

Darker colours are coming back. You'll notice richer, warmer wood tones paired with dark, more saturated finishes. Lots of textures will be showing up in all ways. Saturated colour is really happening now. I love to do a super moody powder room and paint the trim, ceiling, and wall all one color. A deep jewel-tone green or blue is stunning for this. Wallpaper in a bold, fun pattern or wainscoting throughout the room work well too. In my last home I painted my powder room black.  It was very dramatic.

Clients are typically more willing to go darker and stronger in a powder room space and take chances with wall colours. We don't spend much time in a powder room so it is easy to accept something a little more daring.

The modern powder room for 2023 is packed with glamour.  We are seeing powder rooms loaded with extra thick floating countertops and fluted walls in gorgeous marble accented by anything from intensely patterned wallpaper to super subtle grasscloths, and always a dose of statement lighting.

Additionally, adding some nice art really raises the bar and of course lighting which I will touch on in a future post. You will notice that the mirrors and lighting are like jewellery in the room.

Here are some gorgeous powder rooms -                            

    

 

 

BATHROOMS FOR 2023

 2023 Bathrooms

We are really bringing bathrooms to a whole new level by creating tranquil, peaceful, luxurious spaces that are both functional and a relaxing with a spa feel. We now want to utilize our bathroom as a place to get away from it all.  Today’s homeowners are seeking bathroom designs that make them feel perfectly pampered exceptional spaces that exude luxury and unique flair.

The focus on wellness and wellness technology in the bathroom is being considered these days.  Extras – heated floors, steam shower, shower rooms, aromatherapy, high quality lighting, towel warmers, special makeup mirrors, large format tiles, well organized storage solutions are in demand.

Freestanding tubs have been around for a few years but now they are replacing drop in tubs. There are so many styles to choose from.  The bathtub is naturally one of the centerpieces of a spa-like bath. For that reason, we have seen an increased desire for freestanding tubs, particularly ones with a view. Combining the bathtub and shower as a wet room is becoming more popular.

I think Carrara marble with chrome metal accents will always be timeless because it is a clean and simplistic look that still feels chic and luxurious. I also love a herringbone pattern and don’t see that going out of style.”   It is important to use honed floor tiles to reduce slipping.  Beautiful stone like marble or marble look a-likes in porcelain which is more affordable and easier to maintain.

Black, white and gray is the most tried-and-true color combination of all time. With that simple, reduced color palette, you can go in so many different directions and still have an abundance of drama with linens and accessories in different colour schemes.

Blue and white palettes are gaining more popularity.  This can be done with wallpaper, wainscoting, window treatments and tile. In thinking of wallpaper, it has come a long way from the 80’s and is gaining more popularity. The most important thing to consider is a wallpaper that can exist in a moist area.

The other option we see is texture,  which provides the warmth in a room made up of hard surfaces that people are currently looking for in their homes.”

Custom Showers

The Schluter system, Kerdi Base, Kerdi Drain and Kerdi Waterproofing. However there are other ways of preparing a room for a custom shower. The base can be made out of cement as well. Walls can be protected with water resistant drywall, cement board or Denz-Sheild.  Glass doors are double swing allowing for easier access to the shower.  Curbless showers with same flooring as main bathroom area are being used more.  Having no curb offers a safety affect in that there is no tripping and if someone needed to bring a mobility piece it can move easily.

Heated Floors

The price for heated floors depends on the size and shape of a room. The two popular brands are Flextherm and NuHeat. Flextherm is a cable that is ran over your sub floor around cable holders provided by the flextherm company. Nuheat is a mat that comes in certain sizes and can be custom made to fit a particular room; however the custom mats can be much more expensive. This is secured to the sub floor with a Thinset cement. Both types of heated floors would then be covered with self leveling cement and then the tile is installed over top.

 One of the most important items is the lighting. We will see more pendants and sconces as well as ceiling chandeliers.  When talking about chandeliers in a bathroom code dictates that they cannot be hung over the bathtub.  This is a safety concern. There are so many beautiful lighting that are both functional and create a soothing atmosphere. 

The white spa look has always been popular over recent years but the use of more wood or wood look elements is becoming more popular for a moody look.

Here are some gorgeous bathrooms.  It is a good way to see what you like or not and pick some of the elements from each bathroom that could be used in your next reno.

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Home Decor in Dundas ON

Dundas ON is booming this summer with new shops.  I love everything about this town however I am focusing on gift and home decor shops in this blog.  Being an Interior Decorator/Design Consultant I am very excited about this shop.

WELCOME TO OLIVER AND CO home

Oliver and Co. Home - 56 King Street W., Dundas, ON. L9H 1T8 opened it's doors for a grand opening on July 16.  The first thing you will notice is the beautiful entrance, painted in the loveliest greens, along with a black awning. There are large windows with displays to welcome you to come inside.   This store has so many beautiful items it will take a while to see everything.  Products change regularly so it will always be interesting to drop in. The quality of the merchandise is excellent. I have already been twice.  I love the type of products they carry. The products lean to a French aesthetic, combining elegance, simplicity, comfort and beauty.  This can  work well in all or most settings. There is something for everyone looking for a gift or a little something to treat themselves. There are many different decor items ranging from candles, linens, topiaries, soaps, toss cushions, art, lanterns and much more. 

The store displays are incredibly creative. I found it so beautiful I did not want to leave.

Great job Kathryn and Mike !!

Below are a few photos I took during my visit.

Countertops 101

When selecting a countertop for our kitchens or baths we can become overwhelmed by the selections available and which work best for us individually.  If you want low maintenance you would not go for marble.  For the low maintenance crowd, quartz is one of the best products available.

Solid Surface

The generic term, ‘solid surface’ refers to any material that is solid all the way through. This means it doesn’t have a topcoat that is different from the centre core. Solid surface materials are consistent in colour and content throughout. The advantage of this can be durability, hardness, temperature dispersion and edge profile options. Marble, Quartz, Granite and Corian (or similar materials like Gibraltar or Zodiac) are all considered Solid surfaces.

Plastic Laminate

Plastic Laminate‎ is a thin plastic sheet moulded around a particleboard centre with a few options for edge detail. This is not a solid surface material. Although not loved by designers, real estate agents or homeowners alike, laminate can be a practical and inexpensive solution in certain spaces. Also, laminate companies continuously coming out with new colours colours and options. This is the most affordable option.

Corian

Corian is a man-made resin product that comes in multiple colours. Corian is well known for its integrated sinks and seamless joints. Less glossy than quartz or natural stones, it has a softer look and feel. An advantage to Corian is that it can have adjustments made to it such as extending a counter top without removing the top or creating seams. ‎Corian is an easy to maintain pliable material with a premium price tag!

Marble

As beautiful as Marble is, one must be careful when selecting it.  It stains very easily so in a bathroom it can become damaged by some of the chemicals used.  When used on a kitchen countertop it requires maintenance but as it ages, it is beautiful.  If you want the look but not the maintenance, think about using it for your backsplash. The reason being, it can be very sensitive to wine stains or de-glossing from lemons, tomatoes or vinegar. A matte or leathered-finish marble can be slightly more forgiving, but it’s only for customers who can handle the natural marking that will occur. If you can’t handle this, choose something else!! Marble is expensive, beautiful but sensitive!!

Granite

Granite is a different natural stone than marble, in the fact that it is impervious to wine, acidic food and most scratches & wear and tear. ‎(Hence tombstones are now granite and no longer marble!). Granite has more of a pebbled pattern and less veins than marble. .

  

Quartz

Quartz is the generic term used to describe a man-made material formulated from the quartz found in granite and then recast in resin. It is very hard, non-porous, scratch resistant and nice looking. It is softer in pattern than granite, but it is not as reliable for heat dispersion. You may want to stay away from quartz around fireplaces and try not to rest hot pots on it. Quartz is a good choice if you want a variety of colours or lots of companies to choose from. It costs about the same as granite.

Soapstone

Soapstone is new to the solid surface lineup, although it’s been around for a long time. It is naturally heat resistant and easy to maintain. You can have integrated sinks, with soapstone, included within the counter top. It is less glossy than marble or granite and offers a variety of pattern, but always in a dark tone. It is an excellent material for dispersing heat so it’s perfect around fireplace openings or in high-wear kitchens. Soapstone is the same in cost as high-grade granite.

Quartzite

Often confused with the name quartz, quartzite is a natural stone that has the durability of granite, but the veining pattern of marble. It is a delicate material during manufacture, so it requires a good fabricator. Once it is installed, it performs well. Slabs generally have soft wave patterns in a full range of largely neutral colours. You can expect premium pricing with Quartzite.

Butcherblock

Butcherblock countertops are a breed of countertop all by themselves. They offer the aesthetic warmth that the look of wood provides while at the same time providing a versatile work surface in the kitchen. They bring a distinctive look that's appropriate in a kitchen that's hard at work or "dressed up" for entertaining.

Deciding whether it's the right choice for your kitchen takes an understanding of just what a butcherblock countertop is, how it's made and how you're going to use it.

Remember that butcherblock counters that you will cut and prepare food on will need frequent cleaning and oiling. If you're someone who just isn't up for this level of maintenance, consider getting "non-working" butcherblock countertops and use a separate cutting board for the food preparation. If you neglect the cutting board, you can just toss it out. That's harder to do (and more expensive) when you've neglected your countertops.

Concrete
The decision about installing a concrete countertop versus granite, marble, corian or laminate can be a difficult one.  When thinking about this keep in mind you will need the correct cabinetry infrastructure to handle the weight so putting concrete on 30 year old cabinets may not be the best idea.  Concrete is both beautiful and budget-friendly. If properly installed and sealed, concrete countertops will last practically forever. Colncrete works well in a modern or industrial looking kitchen.  Concrete is a poreous material and will absorbe liquids and stain.  Acidic substances will etch the concrete and cooking oils can leave dark stains.  Applying a sealer to the surface will lessen the chances of damage.

Outdoor Living - Outdoor Fabrics

If you follow this blog you will have read my first entry about outdoor living.  Now I want to focus on outdoor fabrics.  Barb Nyke, a colleague of mine presented some fabulous information.   I would like to share.some of what I learned at the conference.  I have many pages of information but will focus on the major issues.

We all have heard of Sunbrella, however that is not the only product available to be used successfully outdoors. Outdoor fabrics should be high performance and offer the following factors -
durable, water resistant, water repellent or waterproof, stain resistant, mildew resistant, colourfast: which means they will have UV resistant pigments.

We use outdoor fabrics in many ways - awnings, umbrellas, cushions, shade sails, flooring and marine.  One of the great factors is that nowadays this fabric is not stiff and can easily be used indoors.  In fact it is difficult to tell indoor from outdoor in many cases.

Fabric content can be  Polyester (good); Olefin (better) and Acrylic (best).  All three are appropriate with there being some differences.

The type of foam is very important.  If one used regular foam the water would sit on top and cause mold to form.  Using a marine grade allows for water to penetrate and drain out at the bottom, thus no mold.

There was a lot of technical information shared by Barb and I am just giving you an overview  so you have some basic knowledge when sourcing your outdoor furnishings.

Enjoy your summer when it gets here!

Outdoor Living

Last week I attended a wonderful and educational two day conference on Outdoor Living at SOFA which was filled with a plethora of valuable information.  The venue was filled with designers, decorators, landscape and gardening professionals all interested in learning more about the ever growing area of Outdoor Design.    Outdoor spaces have come a long way from some folding chairs, a picnic table and hibachi.  We want to extend our time enjoying the outdoors and do it in the same comfort at our indoor spaces.  Many of the outdoor ‘rooms’ rival our indoor rooms.  Not only do these outdoor rooms add to our enjoyment but, if done well,  they add to the time we can spend outdoors.  We are so lucky to have so many options available nowadays and so many professionals who focus on this valuable added space to our homes.

Why create an outdoor space?  It can extend the time we have outdoors; it can increase the value of our homes and, add to our general wellbeing by offering a place for relaxation without the usual distractions found indoors; such as promoting communication when sitting around a fire.  We live in such a fast paced world it is just nice to venture outside and spend time doing nothing.  It becomes a retreat.

Where do we start to create this space?  To build a successful outdoor space many factors must be considered.  The very first thing to consider is how you want to use the space.  What is essential to your needs and wants? Is it for relaxing or entertaining?  How much time do you want to be outside? You then need to have a ‘space plan’ just as you would when designing your indoor space.  This helps with dividing the different outdoor rooms you will create.  Think about how you will enclose the space – fences or shrubs and how you will create privacy.   

Let’s consider the following elements -

Heating - There are many heat sources available and of course checking with your individual municipality by-laws is crucial before thinking of any type of fire.  Fireplaces, both gas and wood burning; fire pits or fire tables, electric heaters are all available.  Do you have a safe area on your property to have a live fire?

Cooking – Barbeque grills, wood-fired pizza ovens, bars, a complete outdoor kitchen which could include a refrigerator, sink, grill, storage cabinet, etc.

Seating – Do you want a place to eat and have dinner parties?  Then a table and chairs will be on your list. Do you like to relax and read outside or sunbathe? Lounge chairs and sectional seating have become very popular.  In fact some of the outdoor furniture seating arrangements are very similar to those we find inside.

Flooring – Will you have a deck or porch? Perhaps brick, stone, slate, stamped concrete. There are so many options available and depending on your property size and grade a professional will help you in making the best selection.

Landscape Materials and Plant Materials – this is where it is in your best interest to consult with the professionals on how to best add soft and hard surfaces to your property

Water – will you want a swimming pool, hot tub, pond or waterfall?

AV – Many of us want to listen to our music outside.  There are a full range of speaker options available which can actually be hidden within your plant material for a clean look. Some people desire an outdoor television which is available but, be sure to purchase one that is waterproof and has an anti-glare surface.

Shelter – will you want a covered porch, a sunshade, gazebo, sunroom or will an awning or umbrella be sufficient?

Lighting & Accessories – as is the practice for indoor decorating, the same principles hold for outdoors.  Lighting is one of the most important features for your space.  We see many types of pathway lighting and of course you can hire a landscape designer who will assist in offering you many other options.  Lighting can highlight certain features in your garden – deck, path, shrubs, fountain, pool, steps and so on.  Accessories are the fun stuff – garden sculptures, tabletop décor items, area rugs within the seating area.

By working with the professionals you can achieve a completely wonderful and useful outdoor living space.

                      Stay in touch for more information and images on outdoor living.

Accessories and Lighting…..

Accessories and lighting are two of the most important factors in good design.  A space can be completed with the best furniture, however without the correct lighting and some well-chosen accessories, it is flat and without personality. Think of the accessories as the jewellery we add to a nice outfit.  When pairing our ‘jewellery’ to our outfit we keep the proportion and theme consistent.  The same goes with accessorizing your home.  It is more than just adding tshotchkes and some wall décor at the end of a project.  It’s about well thought out design details that are put into the plan before completion.  After all, finishing details are what make a well dressed home.

Too often with decorating projects, available funds are allocated to large-scale furnishings.  Necessary to be sure, however, in my experience the ultimate satisfaction doesn’t arrive until the finishing touches are firmly in place.  I suggest that you save 20% of the total budget for styling and accessorizing.  If you do not allocate money to cover the cost of accessories, you will end up with a space that’s completed but devoid of character: lackluster and disappointing.

A room is boring and bland without the embellishments.  It’s the extras that bring a room to life and make it warm and welcoming.    Accessories transform a space and inject it with character.  They should also be representative of your own individual personality and perhaps reflect your interests and travels.

Lighting is the other important factor in creating the perfect atmosphere in your home.  It offers functionality as well as mood.   For the most effective lighting scheme, you need a combination of all three types of lighting, comprised of task, ambient and accent.  The ambient light will provide a general even balance of light throughout a space such as a chandelier.  Task lighting will focus on a specific area such as a lamp positioned for reading.  Accent lighting will draw attention to a particular area and add depth and drama, such as a picture light or a recessed pot light directed toward a piece of art.

When planning your overall lighting you need to consider the mood you want to create and the tasks to be performed in each specific room.  When selecting your fixtures, obviously you would want to compliment the style of your room’s décor.   The type of lampshade can also affect your lighting.   The shape, material and opacity of the shade will affect the direction and diffusion of the light by sending it up or down and reducing glare.  Using dimmers gives you more control over the brightness and mood. 

When planning your lighting, it is important to speak with expert lighting suppliers in order to be certain that your final plan will serve your needs.

Accessories complemented with lighting!

Cannes has it all - Sun, Fun and Architecture

To anyone following this blog I have an amazing announcement - Air Transit found and returned my lost tablet with my vacation photos.  Wow, I am delighted!  Now on to the 2nd part of my trip to France.

Yes, Cannes has it all - fun in the sun, great food and amazing architecture.

Our second week in France took us to Cannes, (known for the famous film festival.and pronounced Can like a can of anything)

A stop at the famous french flea markets is a must

A block from our hotel is the historic Suquet districe which is lined with

shops and cafes right down to the waterfront

A cafe closed during the early day

open at night

 Home of the famous Cannes Film Festival on the waterfront

 A short boat ride away and we landed on the Abbey of Lerins, where Monks wander and

practice as well as make wine

 A little retail therapy in the Suquet

All the fabulous yachts in Monaco

I couldn't come to Cannes without looking for the area that housed interior decor items - Le Hoche