Make your bathroom feel more luxurious

I'm one of those people who loves a luxurious feeling bathroom, and a hot shower or bath at the end of a long day. I'm guessing we all wish we had a luxury shower. One that's extra roomy with multiple shower heads and one of those speakers to jam out to music too! Don't you think a place you visit plenty often during the day should be gorgeous? Agree or not, bathrooms are one of the most expensive things to remodel. So here's a few pointers to making the shower you have a little more luxurious!

How amazing is this shower?
  via Pinterest

Pick the perfect shower head! If nothing else can be fixed spend a little extra on an amazing shower head. It can make a huge difference in the morning to feel like you are in an expensive shower even if you have to close your eyes. At least it feels good! There are a lot of options available these days that have great pressure, but only use a small amount of water, so try and go the eco-friendly route when you can!

via HomePosh.com

Change up the paint. Sometimes a new perspective can create a better vibe in the bathroom. Try to stick with clean neutral colors. Those tend to be more soothing in the morning, but if you are a colorful person, stick with pastels! A gloss finish will make walls easier to clean. If you are super brave and really want a luxe look - try a navy blue or black paint.  You might be surprised at how much you like it!

Pinterest  via theshingledhouse.com

Pinterest

Another option if you are in an apartment, rental, or have a smaller bathroom would be to change the curtain rod! Most spaces like that go with a shower tub unit and those can make you feel really confined. You can easily find a curved shower curtain rod that gives the shower a little more space!   If you can manage it, a floor to ceiling curtain will really look luxe! When I'm feeling tired of my bathroom, I find that a new shower curtain and bathmat do wonders.

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The last but most important thing you can do to keep your shower feeling luxurious is to keep it clean and clutter free. The less that's in your space to gather moisture and dust the better.  A vanity with drawers or cabinets is great for storing things off your vanity surface, as is a medicine cabinet.  If you simply must have somethings on the vanity surface, choose products with pretty bottles, or transfer products to pretty bottles.

via DecorPad

It's amazing what a few changes can do to make a space one that you tolerate daily to one you can't wait to step into!

Houzz

this post is in partnership with bathempire.com

Fresh and beautiful bathrooms for summertime

In the winter, my bathroom is where I go to enjoy a long hot bath after being out in the cold. In the summer, the bathroom is where I go for a cool, refreshing shower after a hot sticky day.

To create a cool retreat, it helps to keep your summer bathroom as clutter free as possible.  Keep  reflective surfaces clean, as well as and lighting fixtures (Make sure they all have working bulbs, as well).  Since there are more hours of daylight in the summer, it is especially important to keep lighting bright and as close to outdoor light as possible.

Keep colors bright and cheery, or choose simple, crisp whites.

Update anything scented in your bathroom from spicy or musky to light scents, either floral or clean.  Heat activates scent, so you don't want to overdo it.

1., 2., 3. via BHG, 4., 5. Traditional Home

Bathroom love - lavish and luxe

Right now I have been sharing a teeny, tiny bathroom with 5 other people while living with my boyfriend in Spain (we live with two other couples). I'm heading back to the states on Friday, where I will stay with my parents until my boyfriend and I go apartment hunting in DC in August. My parents just beautifully renovated their bathroom and I can't wait to go back to using that one for a little while!


This tub looks so wonderfully deep - and the chandelier above it is a great idea...
via Apartment Therapy


I don't know if I've ever seen a tub positioned in a corner like that, but I love the view from the windows and the blue on the wall



4 images above via Eric Roth


Love those doors and the blue of the tiles
via Interior Design Styles

Pretty and Feminine home decor

The stuff in Bliss Living's catalog looks so gorgeous - granted they have some talented stylists and photographers - but I wouldn't mind having a bedroom and bathroom done with their linens! Also, if you use this link - www.blisslivinghome.com/elledecor - you get $25 off a duvet or comforter set!





















via Bliss Living Home

A house tour from me!

Last year I conducted a house tour for Apartment Therapy. By lucky coincidence I went to pick up a desk I found on craigslist from the very congenial Leona and Kay, and I was instantly struck by the clean design of their top floor, Park Slope apartment. Around the same time, I was asked to conduct a house tour for Apartment Therapy. I instantly thought of their home, and they were kind enough to allow me to present it. Nice place isn't it?

Their apartment had great light!


This shower curtain was a hit - they acquired it at a local hardware store





This 50's dinette set is their prized possession

The headboard is actually an inexpensive Ikea mattress!






A day bed for guests. The curtain behind it acts as camouflage for storage



These sliding screens from Ikea make for pretty closet doors




Here was my original post:
I was shocked when Kay and Leona told me they had moved into their beautiful top-floor apartment only a month ago. They've hung art, curtains as partitions, and even come up with an attractive and functional closet system. The couple's furniture and décor comes from a wide variety of sources, such as flea markets, antique stores, Ikea, Art de vivre in France, Christie's, and Lumas. I was really impressed when they revealed that the headboard for the bed is actually an Ikea mattress. I thought it was a real upholstered headboard! The apartment has a surprising loft-like feel, as they've chosen to embrace a more open layout, including using what most would consider the bedroom as a living room, and the living room as a bedroom. They spend the most time in the living room, so they designated the larger room with better light to serve the purpose. Kay and Leona also enjoy the almost exclusive (nobody else ventures up there) rooftop with a great view of the Statue of Liberty!

Their survey for Apartment Therapy:

Your Style?

Although we like modern design, we wanted to give this brown stone (pre-renovation) apartment a special touch and combined modern and vintage elements. Because our lease is limited to one year, we couldn't structurally change anything in the apartment.

Favorite Element?

The open bedroom with fireplace, the kitchen that opens to the dining room. The almost exclusive rooftop.

Biggest Challenge?

The open bedroom without a door to the dining room and the lack of storage / closet space.

What do friends say?

Love it

Biggest Embarrassment?

He: The old IKEA sofa and the cheap lamps;
She: the 1995 Baywatch centerfold in the office

Proudest DIY?

The classy (we think) but inexpensive and easily removable walk-in closet.

Biggest Indulgence?

The art (photo art mainly). We love our custom-made walnut dining table from France, which combines a modern shape and warm wood color combined with chairs from the mid 19th century. And the 50ies modernist bar and all the photo art for the walls that is yet to come

Dream Source?

Christie's (they actually have very interesting stuff at their furniture auctions)

Furniture: Custom made dining table from Art de vivre with 19th century chairs
50ies Formica diner table and chairs for the kitchen
Chest of drawers, daybed and sofa from IKEA
Walk in closet a combination of Home depot & IKEA
Vintage and antique furniture shops in Brooklyn
Glassware and chandeliers from flea markets
Beds: Standard spring box and mattress with a twin mattress (our guest mattress) used as a headboard
Artwork: several galleries, Lumas

via Apartment Therapy via ashleywhitedesign.com -- me ;)