Clean it Up: Bathroom Edition

A Bathroom is usually where you start your morning once you get the energy to roll out of your comfy bed. Bathrooms are especially important because it gets used everyday. Functionality in this space is crucial and they best way to get the most of our your bathroom is to evaluate your routine. How many people are using it, what times and the order of tasks you go through each morning. These particular bathrooms below are all crisp and clean in white. This can be very relaxing in the morning and keep you calm, rather than stressed.  Some may think an all white bathroom is boring but with the right textures and some lacquer finishes you can create interest without having to introduce any other colors! Let the form of the bathroom fixtures make create the interest. Take a look and let us know what you think! Enjoy! 

Tiling the wall all the way to the ceiling is a great way to give your bathroom more height and with a hot shower your walls won't be sweating they moisture will just run right off. 

Windows at the ceiling line brings in lots of light without sacrificing privacy. Even in the shower you can have a window! 

White Shelves and white accessories make this white bathroom even whiter! Little hints of stainless steel break up the all white bathroom.

The flooring is amazing! Small flat stones give a much needed texture and natural pattern for a white bathroom. 

 Reflective surfaces like mirrors and glass let the light bounce around the space, making it appear as if there is more light than there really is.

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S Squared Design

Design Details: 5 Tips for a Perfect Kitchen

When designing a kitchen there is a lot that goes into it. Things that you may have never thought about until your designer brought them to your attention. Things like what counter top edge or a handle or knob for your cabinets do you prefer. These are things that can bring your kitchen together and make it reflect you.  Whether you are doing a few small kitchen upgrades or gutting and starting over these are some good things to keep in mind. Enjoy!

Tile: Stone? Glass? Ceramic? Think about how you cook, do you splatter occasionally or are you as neat as can be? These make a difference when selecting a tile for your back splash and even your floor.  Stone is a natural product which many people like but if not sealed properly it can be prone to stains and if the stone tile is heavily textured it could get food particles stuck in the crevices. Glass is pretty easy to clean,  not usually a good idea for floors. Now it can show fingerprints and water spots but those disappear once you wipe it off. Ceramic tile is a good inexpensive option and durable.  Ceramic comes in a variety of colors, sizes and shapes so if you are looking for ceramic you will can easily find something you like.

Lighting: Overhead and Task Lighting is important in a working kitchen. Usually when doing a remodel recessed lights are a great choice but don't forget about task lighting. Under cabinet lighting is a great choice fr task lighting. Overhead light can be blocked by your shadow when doing tasks like cutting veggies. Make sure not to overlook this important detail that can make cooking in your kitchen more functional. 

Counter Tops: Granite? Concrete? Wood? Granite has reigned champion for many years now and yes it is durable, its a rock. But there are other options and regardless what material you choose think about the finished edge of your counter top. Bull nose is commonly used in more traditional designs or a rounded bevel edge but think beyond your neighbors kitchen. If you are going for a more modern look then maybe a 90 degree edge is best.  Granite is abundant but who knows how long we will be able to source it. Keep in mind granite does need to be sealed and every year or so you could reseal it to keep it looking great. Concrete, this versatile man-made material is making a splash in the residential interior design world.  Concrete counter top fabricators can make exactly what you want; you can get any color you want by staining it and you can also get additional materials set in the concrete. I have done a concrete with recycled glass set in it and it turned out great! So no it doesn't have to be just grey. Wood Counter tops are making a comeback! For people who do a lot of prep work (chopping) a wood counter could be your own built in butcher block! But some prefer only doing a certain section of their counters in wood. Also wood can be used as an interesting bar material. A slab of wood with a live edge can be a great accent in a kitchen and even a conversation piece. 

Cabinet Hardware: Handle or Knob? Think how you grab to open a drawer or cabinet. This will help you make a comfortable decision.  Some prefer knobs that are easy to grab others prefer pulls or a handle style. If you have a tendency to brush against the cabinets and snag your clothes then something with a smooth edge or doesn't stick out too far is probably what you want to keep in mind when looking for new cabinet hardware.  Also placement on the drawer or cabinet can make a difference in ease of use.

Cabinet Finish:Gloss or Matte Think about the other elements in your kitchen. Did you go with a glossy glass back splash or high gloss counters? You want some variety in your materials. Try to not make every surface the same gloss level. If you have high shine on back splash and/or counters then consider doing a more matte finish on cabinets. If you go with a natural stone that has a matte finish then high gloss cabinets can be a good choice to create more interest. 

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Amazing Indoor Pools!

I have yet to design an indoor pool but one day I will have that chance and I will have such great ideas! So of course I wanted to share some of these great designs with you! Enjoy.

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Cool Off This Summer with New Hot Tile!

Tile is a great way to being in texture and color into a bathroom, kitchen or really any space for that matter.  These are some cool tiles that are sure to make your space heat up! With so many options for tiles who would want to be ordinary? Pick something that represents you and your style.  Enjoy!

 These tiles remind me of tetris! Simple color with various thicknesses to give lots of depth to what would normally be a boring flat wall.

 Geometry is one of my favorites. These slightly varied shades give the illusion of 3 dimensions.

 Stainless crosses wow! Alternating between polished and matte finishes gives depth to a wall.

 A city map on a wall?! Genus! I definitely want this. 

 How about a plain white tile with the most texture you can think of. These horizontal tiles do just that! Or if you aren't into lines how about these hex shaped tiles angled various ways for added texture!

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10 Kitchen Design Tips

Everyone dreams of their perfect kitchen, and whenever that time comes to make it happen you need to make sure everything has been thought through down to the smallest detail.  Kitchen renovations can be stressful if you are not prepared for it or if you try to take on too much by yourself without consulting a professional.  These are some key things that should be considered before taking on a major kitchen renovation alone.

 

1. Unique Flooring

 If you decide to go with a neutral palette and solid colors a bold floor is a great option to bring in interest. Here, classic black and white share the stage and create a truly unique floor.

2. Integrated Appliances  

 Starting from "scratch" on a kitchen is the perfect opportunity to give yourself maximum storage and function.  Integrated fridge drawers for the kids or dishwasher drawers so you can wash a partial load these ideas can make or break your everyday tasks if you don't consider them. Also, disguising them with your cabinet face gives your kitchen a seamless look.
 

3. Update Cabinets

So you kitchen has the function you need, but its just outdated. Refinishing your existing cabinets can be a huge cost saver and frees up your budget for other key elements you want in your dream kitchen.  

4. Hardware

 Using finger pulls instead of decorative pulls creates a more streamline look.

5. Use a Similar Color

Bring other colors from adjacent rooms to make your new and improved kitchen flow with the rest of the house. Kind of like it has always been there!

6. Durable Solutions

In a hard working kitchen durable surfaces are important.  Countertops are one of the most because they get the most abuse. So make sure you pick a material like quartz, concrete or stainless for a longer lasting counter.

7. Open Up Your Space 

Ever had the chance to knock down a wall? Its a great feeling, like a therapy session or anger management at home! Also makes for a closer family or better entertaining space. Even though square footage wasn't added your home will feel bigger.

8. The Social Island

The kitchen is the heart of the home, right? Well at least that's where everyone migrates to. Creating ample seating for others to hang out with the chef is always good. It allows you to still be apart of the action and a comfortable place for others to sit.

9. Creative Backspash

There are so many options for backsplashes now so why not take advantage of them?  This one shows irregular shaped stainless tiles. They are just as simple to install as sheeted mosaic tiles but are more interesting. 

10. Mix It Up

Two tone cabinetry is a great way to introduce another color into your kitchen as well as create some interest instead of having a sea of one color cabinetry.

Hope you guys enjoyed today's inspiration! Fell free to leave a comment.  Tell us what you liked and if you are in need of inspiration and its not here.....we will find you some!

 

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Fireplace Edition: The Roof is on Fire!

Fire is fascinating. Bring that mesmerizing warmth into your home for all to see! Fireplaces make any home feel cozy, welcome, and intimate- even a modern home! These glass fireplaces visually take up zero space, but infinitely impact the room. Enjoy!

I recycle, and so should you!

So everyone talks about recycling junk or unwanted items  well here a few ideas that stood out to me. Very fun and playful! Sometimes you just need that one piece to give a sense of playfulness or just to let people know you don't take life to seriously! Enjoy!

laddbottlecaps

So if you are like me you might like beer or soda out of glass bottles. Something 

with awesome colorful caps! I created a few pieces of art out of the caps i had 

collected but never thought to do it on furniture!

Still have your old records and turntable? Why not turn your old records into a table?! 

This custom-made piece is not only fashionable, but functional! You can showcase 

your taste in music as well as your taste in design (not to mention your good taste in recycling!).

Mission: Antique Impossible. Ok, so maybe I’m no Tom Cruise/Ethan Hunt, but if I could 

find sixteen equally-sized wooden crates on my next antique shopping trip, I would 

definitely consider myself a secret agent of design. This arrangement is absolutely beautiful! 

It provides storage and shelving with a rustic yet elegant feel. 

marama

These comfy cubes can be a great addition to a kids’ or game room, or can even serve as an ottoman. 

Love them! 

borisbally

Boris Bally crafted these sleek and modern seats out of street signs.  Because of their bright colors and strong metal, they are stylish and durable enough for everyday use. Now, I’m sure Boris Bally doesn’t encourage theft of public property, but does encourage recycling, reducing, and reusing: crucial practices of living an environmentallyconscious life (and a style-conscious one, at that!).