When it comes to bathrooms, two things are key to a successful design: privacy and personality. Bathrooms are one of the most private spaces in a home, and for good reason. It's where people start and end their days, express bodily functions, groom themselves, and sometimes reflect on their lives during a steamy shower or hot bath. The personality aspect and design of your bathroom says a lot about you, and your character. If you want a fun, brightly colored design, you are probably very perky and like for your surroundings to encourage your energetic outlook. People who want very subdued colors, clean lines, contemporary or Zen surroundings may have a very busy or stressful life, and want somewhere calm to get prepare for or get away from their hectic day. A traditional bathroom can seem either very feminine or very masculine (depending on which historic period you use do decorate the space), and may reflect a taste for the finer things, and a respect for formality.
There are so many different bathroom design trends it would be impossible to cover them all, so here are some of the most popular:
Back Splash and Shower Tile has come a long way from white 4x4 tiles. Glass mosaics, recycled glass tiles, exotic natural stones, precious metals (gold and silver), and ceramics with a crackle glaze are all very popular, and come in a variety of interesting sizes like 1x1, 1x2, 2x2, 2x4, 2x6, 3x6, 6x12, and many more. For a more interesting look, don't line tiles up in a grid, but use a Brick pattern, Versailles pattern, or Random pattern.
Counter Top materials have also exploded into a kaleidoscope of options. There are popular man made options like Silestone, Corian, and a new material called Ice Stone that is made from recycled materials like glass and shells. One of the hottest new trends is glass counter tops, which can be clear, frosted, colored, or custom made to be like art pieces with integrated sinks. Stone will never be out of style, and there are new types and varieties of stones being imported from around the world everyday. Some stones that are very popular this year are white marbles like Carrera and Venatino, warm travertines like Imperial and Coliseum, granite materials in new finishes like leather and brushed finishes, and limestones like Bone and Benjamin Blue. Exotic stones like onyx and alabaster are pricey, but create gorgeous counter tops.
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Get ready to be dazzled!! When it comes to awesome crystal, Lalique does it with a flair that only the French can do. Rene Lalique has become synonymous with the world most outstanding crystal jewelery, vases, and stemware on an international level. Here are a few of the pieces that caught my eye in their home architecture and decoration collection that I admit aren't for everyone, but if you are into crystal I'm sure you will be impressed. The Cactus round dining table is part of a series which includes a full length dining table with two pedestals, and a console table which can easily double as a server. 28H X55Dia Round Table 26H X 51L Console Table 28H X 141L Full Length Dining Table In addition Lalique has a stunning series of mirrors, room divider panels, fountains, lighting and specialty knobs to round out their home furnishings selection. As for decorative crystal accessories you must see the entire collection at Crystallalique.com.
Here are two great indoor benches perfect for the modern home. Both of these benches consist of wooden construction combined with a lacquer finish. The first example resembles styling from sushi plates and platters. Called the Mod Sushi, it is constructed of Colorado Aspen. The dichotomy between the light and dark colored wood can help compliment many colors of a modern home. The second example is called the Mod Slat Bench. Inspiration for this design came from the 1950s where mid century influence created designs such as these. Mod Slat is made from one piece maple. Available at: Jetsetretro Design. Measurements: Mod Slat - 5' x 16'' x 15''; Mod Sushi - 5' x 22'' x 10''.
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Hickory Chair has reproduced the "tiger striped" maple serpentine chest of drawers from H F du Pont's personal collection originally commissioned in the late 1700's with their release of the Winterthur series. The dramatic shape of the brass appointed solid maple drawers offers a classically inspired look which can be modernized with your choice of stains and painted finishes. Hickory chairs "made to order" options allow you to customize each of their items including hardware with regard to your décor. Of course the shape of the serpentine drawer fronts are priced at a premium but this is not a quick fix item, rather an addition that exudes quality and made to last. The Hickory Chair collection is vast, and covers traditional furniture and accessories for every room of your home. 35.5"H x 43.75"W x 21"D Appx. $6200+
In today's world it is seldom that you find handmade furniture due to the advancements in manufacturing and technology. It is much cheaper and faster for upholstered furniture to be constructed using cost effective techniques rather than "bench made" one at a time. Handmade techniques are very labor intensive and as a result end with higher prices due to the many hours of human production time, but the product is more structurally sound and detailed. Featured here are some wonderful traditional sofas by E.J. Victor. You can imagine the labor and detail that goes into the manufacturing of each of these pieces. More information and pricing can be obtained at E.J. Victor.
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