Most commonly bathrooms are the ones that receive the least attention while designing homes. People generally want to keep their bathrooms simple, neat and hygienic. Although hygiene is most importantly essential, providing your bathroom with creative designs and decorating it with some beautiful accessories will make it look classy and attractive. A majority of people give utmost preference to their living rooms, bed rooms, dining areas, play rooms and study spaces when it comes to designing their homes; while bathrooms take a backseat.

However, investing in attractive bathroom accessories like automatic air-fresheners, artificial flowers and leaves, lighting equipments that provide subtle, tinted shades of light and attractive bathroom furniture can give you an extremely rewarding experience and feeling.

You can decide the mood of your bathroom by using the right kind of equipments and accessories. For instance, you could create an extremely sophisticated and classy bath-area with high quality bathroom furniture or can add a dash of fun by using tiles with creative patterns and prints or accessorizing accordingly.

During recent times, with an increasing number of people opting for huge and spacious apartments or bungalows, master bathrooms may be as spacious and large as the living room. Hence designers have to work largely on the designing by directing attention to minute details. Every element used influences the style and appearance; right from the shower curtains, the pattern of wash basins used, the texture of tiles, the towel holders, the soap containers, toothpaste and brush holders, shampoo and lotion stands, to the style of mirrors used.

One of the most important aspects of bathroom designing is the usage of right amount and the right size of accessories. While huge and spacious bathrooms can afford to accommodate a considerable amount of accessories, a moderately sized bathroom would look stuffed and awkward if crowded with much of decorations.You wouldn’t want to have your hair getting entangled in the flower string or your hand hitting the huge bathroom cabinet when it is stretched.

Working on a particular theme for your bathroom can be a great idea and is being largely done these days.

If you would want a natural theme for your bathroom, you could try using a lot of flowers and artificial leaves. Also using a suitable flooring with matching patterns and using similar flowery and leafy designs on the wall can enhance the natural theme.The designing should be such that it eases the way you function in the bathroom and increases comfort level. For example, the soap and body cleansing liquids can be arranged near the bath tub in an organized and creative fashion. Such wise and intelligent designing has added to the popularity of bathroom-decoration.

One of the most known reasons why people enjoy their stay at luxurious five-star hotels is the elegant and classy look of its bathrooms. They are accessorized to perfection and the look provided is very appealing. Colorful and neat towels are stacked on a well designed stand. The lighting contributes to the stunning look and the bathroom furniture is of super quality manufactured by using the most modern technologies. Though it might not seem economically feasible to have such standards of luxury in your own bathroom, you could yet use a little creative sense to re-design your bath-spaces to obtain a whole new look.

Terrys Fabrics retail in ready made curtains, curtain fabric and made to measure curtains, all of which are available for UK delivery.

First glance at this Loo I thought what a great job! Tight, clean, awesome window, colors… colors, WTF??? There are gold faucets and knobs in this room. Let me tell you something. Actually a few things about gold. Its freakin ugly is the first thing. “Oh, you got a new plasma TV. It looks great! The black trim is nice but it would look so much better in gold. Let me paint it gold for you” I think if you kill someone in your own home it’s considered self defense or insane or… something like that. In Texas it’s considered an everyday occurrence. Wouldn’t it be great if we could sell a state to another country…(a phone conversation between a potential buyer and the USA realtor. by the way, when a state is sold the USA keeps the land obviously but all the people who live in the state must move to their new union within 48 hrs) “Yea, that’s right. Texas is for sale. $1.55. No, that\’s one dollar and 55 cents for the entire state. Sure, you can make payments. I’m sorry? Would we take $0.74? Let me think about tha… ok, only if you take it today. Ok then, congratulations on the purchase of your new state. Now who is this again? Oh yea, well good luck with your new state of Texas. Nice doing business with you as well Iraq and take care Back to reality, gold is ugly, it always looks cheap even if it’s real, it shows you lack taste and are probably someone who is gaudy, garish and obviously flaunts it. And where? In a damn nice Loo. This bathroom would have looked like they dumped thousands more into the job if they would have used brushed nickel in place of everything that is gold. They totally screwed up. I hope the whole bathroom turns into a moldy green. I’ve said this before and here it is again, Gold is good for one thing only, exchanging for cash.

This near perfect! It’s compact, great for a guest bathroom, it appears to be off the hallway, dark wood, darker counter top, cream tile with some black design… almost perfect. The only thing I would have done differently for literally a couple of bucks and would make it look like a million bucks are the wall plates. White and cream color wallplates have been around since Europe stopped yelling and throwing babies out the window. You have to watch those Europeans, especially when you get into southern Europe. Oh, there’s a small country within a country within a city which is Rome and the country inside Rome is… you tell me and win a prize. Yea, wallplates of cream and white are big time boring. Really boring. We now have options, all kinds of color wallplates which really make a room stand out. I have Italian aged brass in a room or two with black over-sized metal throughout the rest of the place. It makes a huge difference but still, this Loo is great. The colors are smart, thoughtful, you could read in there (actually I can read in any… never mind) And since there are no signs of towels, facecloth’s, soap, in fact I don’t see any accessories. What’s wrong with these people? You have to use the bathroom badly and when you run in with you ex-friend, (by the way, you know how people hold up their one wrist and point at it with their other hand when they want to know the time? Point at your crotch to someone, anyone, the next time you really need the bathroom) and she says; “first door on the left down the hall. You do your business and feel great! Then you notice there is not one single drop of soap, no cloth of any type, not even a bathmat. You say screw it and that you\’ll dry you hands on the wallplates. You turn the water handles and nothing. The water has been turned off. Why in God’s name do these people have a bathroom here for??? You reach under the sink and take the valve handles off after turn both up to full power, you take the toilet valve handle after you turn it off and you were lucky enough to loosen the drainpipe under the sink. You walk out and say; ” See you soon Mrs Cleaver. If you decide to remodel again soon they have some great wallplates at Sewol” Aside from this mess this is a great looking small Loo.

according to children, according to children according to kids adults arloa arloa reston carbs cartoon cartoons child children comic Comics dad diet embarass fatherhood fun funny humor kid kids kids say the darndest things, according to kids, adults, arloa, arloa reston, bathroom, biology, car, car seat, cartoon, cartoons, child, children, comic, Comics, dad, drive, driving, experiment, fatherhood, have to go, humor, kid, kids, mom, motherhood, mouths of babes, out of the mouths of babes, parent, parenting, parents, pee, physics, potty, raising kids, real, real child, real children, real kid, real kids, science, the world according to kids, tinkle, toddler, true, true stories, true story, truth, world according to children, world according to kids

Image : http://www.flickr.com

When you remodel a bathroom in search of experts and artisans these 3 tips will help you better and faster a decision. Not only the selection will be easier, but you also know that the contractor is licensed, insured and bonded and has experience with a bathroom renovation.

1. Make sure that the guy or company to make your experience has kind of conversion project. Whether it is adding floors, or ask a sink in the bathroom to see some photos of past projectsthat have completed it. These photos will not only prove they have experience, but it will also show how many bathroom renovation jobs have made them dependent on the amount of photos they have.

2. Is the company properly licensed and insured craftsmen rebuilding job to do in your area? For example, you may not want, a Raleigh, NC, to your job business without the proper licensing and insurance, if you lived in the Raleigh area. Protect yourself against any on-the-job accidents, whichoccur during construction, by ensuring that detail.

3. Can you guarantee? Most home improvement or construction companies to give some sort of guarantee on their work they do. Without guarantee in writing, you should choose a different business model.

4. Is the bathroom craftsmen offer a free inspection and project offer? Pay is not an easy job just throwing money away. If he can not tell a company, I thank you for thinking about using a free estimateYou should treat any other business.

Now you have a pretty good idea to ask something, or find themselves in a better position to make a decision on the redesign or restructure the contractor to carry out your bathroom Raleigh project.

My Links : Accommodation home addiction.blogs.thaihealth.net

One day I came home to my key in the doorknob, with the screen door wide open, so everyone and anyone walking or driving by could see.  This just really irked me.  Those damn construction dudes.  When I walked in the door, one of them was coming up from the basement and before even saying hello, I said, “you left the key in the door.” Dammit.  My dh thinks it’s possible (and I may admit this, too) that I was a beyotch and because of that they have been doing a shitty job since.  Case in point?  The mess they left:

And this mysterious hole in the cement they had poured over the pipes in the basement (in the laundry room), which was a shitty job in the first place.  How am I supposed to put tile back over it?

But okay, okay, the actual room is starting to look fabulous.

Well, dh just told me they have a week and a half worth of work left to do.  I have a feeling I’m going to be spring cleaning and rearranging the basement as soon as they’re finished.  Ahem, as well as doing a deep sanitizing on the upstairs bathroom.  I kinda don’t think vinegar is gonna cut it for this one. (see previous posts)

Anyway, in my furry, I was getting a bit camera happy and decided to take some pics of the pups to make me happy.  You know what is hilarious?  Charlie licks his mouth every time I take his picture.  Check it out:

And here’s Jake, trying to shake:

aw, Jake, such a tough guy.

Taking pics of pups is a good de-stresser.

Last Saturday every singe girl attending the senior prom in my school woke up with one goal; looking gorgeous for the prom. Some aimed for a little sluttier version of gorgeous and for some looking gorgeous meant looking skinny. Every single one of us went to to the beaty parlor, we got mani-pedis, full blow-outs and our make up done. We had bought our prom dresses weeks or even months ago. We felt like princesses when we entered the party. Most had spent hours getting ready only to end up totally wasted and passed out on the bathroom floor slightly covered in vomit.

Hudson Reed provides exclusive Bathroom Faucets, Showers, Towel Warmers and accessories at discount prices. Our generous commission structure enbales our affiliates to earn 4% commission on all orders

www.hudsonreed.com

Here is my gorgeous, walking, talking baby boy.  He enjoys destroying bathrooms with the help of his ginger sidekick, Eric.

If those who sprinkle when they tinkle
Would be real sweet and wipe the seat
That’d be great.
Some days though…
I’m happy if they just remember to flush.

Re-Bath and More is pleased to announce that we’ve won the Lancaster BIA Remodelers Awards of Excellence in Bathroom, Division 1. 

The Building Industry Association (BIA) of Lancaster County’s
Remodelers Council awarded 13 companies with a 2009
Remodelers Award of Excellence, a distinction recognizing
outstanding and creative renovation projects in Lancaster County!

 A team of remodeling professionals from outside Lancaster County judged the projects on workmanship/quality of construction, degree of difficulty, value/cost effectiveness, sensitivity to existing structure, use of space, and customer service. These judges studied before and after photographs and detailed project descriptions before scoring the projects on a numeric scale.

We received this award for Richard and Vivian Bennawit’s remodel in Lancaster.  We’re extremely proud to receive this award, and would like to congratulate the entire Re-Bath team on this achievement.

To see all the entries, visit http://www.lancasterbuilders.org/remodelers.cfm

1. Filter your water – whole house or point of use – many appliances and plumbing manufacturers are including filtration systems – great time to get one of these included when you have to replace a kitchen sink faucet or refrigerator!
2. Reduce toxins – volatile organic compounds (VOCs) linger in the air and can cause you to become sick – from allergic reactions to more serious health issues. When you paint next time – make sure you get a low VOC paint. Also, if you’re buying new furniture – ask your sales person how the furniture was produced!
3. Increase tub and shower safety – this is really one of the biggest safety issues in your home. If your tub is slick, anyone can fall. If you’re remodeling a shower and it is currently sunken – raise the floor, install a small or even curb-less shower. Install grab bars and I know what you’re thinking – they look too institutional – but they’ve come a long way, matching your plumbing and with decorative accents. The big thing to keep in mind here is to make sure you’ve got enough blocking in the wall to get them installed.
4. Eliminate germs with non-toxic cleaners – did you know that some of your cleaners can emit VOCs? Make sure that you choose environmentally friendly cleaners and keep in mind that if you have a septic system this is even more important! Simply using different cutting boards for meat and veggies and replacing sponges used in the kitchen can really make a difference.
5. Garden naturally – use organic insecticidal soaps and lots of mulch in the garden to help conserve water. Compost your kitchen veggie scraps. There are so many options for this tip that pretty much the sky is the limit – depending on how much work you want to go to physically, you could grow your own garden, compost your lawn clippings and leaves…
6. Protect from fire and carbon monoxide – install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, but make sure to change those batteries! Also, place a fire distinguisher in the kitchen and make sure you have an escape ladder for those upper floor bedrooms.
7. Reduce humidity – keep your bath from becoming a mold and mildew haven by simply installing an exhaust fan or dehumidifier. A great time to do this of course is when you’re remodeling your bathroom!
8. Replace air filters often – okay, this is one task that many of us forget. Make sure that you purchase a good filter, you’ll have to replace it less often.
9. Purify the air – this will reduce the pollutants and allergens in your home. Are you allergic to Fido? This could possibly help clear the air for you.
10. Choose flooring wisely – this is probably one of the bigger areas in your home that you can make a difference. Are you concerned about sustainability or green products? There are many for you to choose from. Some simple thoughts to keep in mind (a later blog will go into more detail), carpet feels great, but keep it mind it can trap dust and allergens and isn’t the best answer for those with allergies whereas tile and wood floors will not trap dirt or allergens.

David dropped a book on the floor this morning.  We’ve been having little “conversations” and I’m never sure whether he’s actually talking to me or not.  Today, I knew.

“Have you just dropped a book on the floor?”

“Yeah.”

“Are we having a conversation?”

“Yeah.”

“Would you like your book back?”

“No.”

“Would you like some milk?”

“BO!”  (“Bo!” is his word for bottle.  It’s pronounced with a hard “o!” sound, not “oh”)

We’re not doing too badly for eleven months old, are we?  Apart from making a mess in the bathroom and blaming it on “Eh-Rh!” (Eric.)  Well, it was blatantly his fault.

I went to the library today. I found a couple of CDs that are pretty cool, but the reason I mention this trip is that I used the restroom. No, not in a ta-da! kind of used the restroom. The scent of the ladies room was faintly urine-y with a definite hint of moldy tile, and for some reason this scent brought back the memory of the restroom the fourth and fifth graders shared in my elementary school.

St. Anthony’s held grades one through eight in a  two-story brick building. The basement was the cafeteria/auditorium/chapel for Friday mass. The first floor had the admin and nurse’s offices and four classrooms used for grades one through three. The second floor had four classrooms for grades six through eight and they got the coolest things- lockers. The two extra classrooms (for those who did the math) were labs, one was bio and chem for the “upperclassmen” and the other was a reading lab for the first three grades, rather than housing the students in fourth and fifth grade.

The fourth and fifth graders were instead banished to the other side of the playground to the red brick library building. In all weather we crossed that cement (that’s right, cement) playground and climbed the rusty fire escape that led to the cloakroom we all shared before heading to our respective classes.

All this by way of saying, there’s something about the smell of a tiled restroom with the lingering odor of not quite cleaned up urine that takes me back to elementary school. I did my business and got out quick. {{shudder}}

Al Gore has put his money where his, uh, urine is. The former VEEP and current environmental leader has invested in waterless urinals as a way to save energy and fresh water. I’ve used them, and I assume that Al tested them before investing as well. It’s something we have in common. These flushless, odor free urinals are a seemingly small step, but a significant one.

A recent article in Christian Science Monitor lays out the benefits of passing water without passing it through water. We all know that fresh water is a strained resource all over the world. Every drop counts. According to a report for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, a waterless urinal saves one to three gallons of fresh water per flush, compared with a normal model. Take a big office building or university campus with 10,000 men in it, peeing several times daily. That represents a savings of nearly 16 million gallons a year.

Waterless urinals have been installed everywhere from ballparks in the USA to the Taj Mahal in India. Still, less than 1% of the world’s urinals are waterless. With fresh water resources stressed all over the globe, pardon the pun, that should piss you off.

Some people think the idea of waterless urinals is gross. But they are well designed to let the stream flow, so to speak, while using special sealants and designs to keep odors out. Regular urinals, which are wet all the time, actually grow biofilms of growing organisms. And flushing creates a spray that lands on the rim, floor and as I can attest, sometimes the user, creating a breeding ground for bugs and germs.

Human urine is sterile and can be captured and made into fertilizer – it’s full of nitrogen. This waste to resource approach saves dollars and avoids petroleum based fertilizers, as well as avoids flushing nitrogen rich water into streams and oceans where they create algal blooms that suck the oxygen out of the water killing fish. And you thought peeing on your mother’s bushes was a killer.

A green-product company Ecovita in New Bedford, Mass has a urine diverting toilet and a waterless urinal that can be directed to a self-contained planter. This waterless urinal can also be used by women and is available on their website. Ornamental plants use the nitrogen in the urine- don’t tell the neighbors why the flowers are so fragrant!

Al Gore’s investment, Falcon Water Free Technologies has models that come in several styles and true to “guy stuff”, come with snappy names, from the F-1000 on the left, to the slimmer F-7000 and the sleek stainless F-9000SS! Why pee in an old plodding urinal when you can use one of these sleek models named like a jet plane?

The Benefits of a waterless urinal:

1. Cheaper to buy than flush urinals

2. Cheaper to maintain – no moving parts to break or leak

3. No water costs to operate

4. No more teenage boys stopping them up and flooding the men’s room

5. Water savings – one urinal can save up to 40,000 gallons of fresh water annually

6. Energy savings from water that does not need to be pumped, piped, or treated

7. Odor free

So men, stand up for waterless urinals! I mean, you’re standing anyway, right? Take matters in hand, so to speak, and hold your water until there’s no more water in your urinal! Ok, enough for now. All this writing and drinking coffee has gotten to me. I gotta go “water the garden.” And when you gotta go, you gotta go. Here, watch this video until I get back.

Falcon Water Free Urinals

Related Greenopolis posts:The Old Man and…the Urinal?

Greenopolis.com is dedicated to our users. We focus our attention on changing the world through recycling, waste-to-energy and conservation. We reward our users for their sustainable behaviors on our website, through our Greenopolis Tracking Stations and with curbside recycling programs.

I grew up in a house that was built in the 1920s. The bathroom sinks were originals, and they had such a cool, classic look to them. Modern homes don’t normally have stand-alone or pedestal sinks. Builders usually go with counter-top sinks because people like having the cabinets below them for storage. When people remodel their old homes they tend to toss out these classics in order to go for a more modern style, but nothing beats the classic look of a stand-alone sink.

These gems are sitting the front room of ReSource, just waiting for someone to come pick them up for dirt cheap. Naturally, if your sink is working there is no point in replacing it, but occasionally someone may have a need for one of these classics. In the case of someone adding a small 1/2 bathroom where there is no room for a cabinet with counter-top sink these are perfect. I just don’t understand why someone would pay hundreds and hundreds of dollars for a newly manufactured sink when these are available.

Viewed from the bathroom window, these flags are looking more like a Space Invader every day.

The video says it all…

Funny line of the day from my friend Matt when I asked him how his job in finance is going, “We ran out of homeless people to set on fire this morning, but it’s ok becuase we just received a fresh shipment of puppies.”

I’m back from my Thanksgiving vacation so the posts should be more regular unless I can’t think of anything good to write about.

It’s amazing how you can be out with your friends having a drink or out to dinner and one girl in the party decides she has to go to the bathroom.  Then another.  Then another.  Before you know it the gaggle of people chatting boisterously has diminished to three lonely bros chugging their drinks and reverting back to discussing a local sports team… or boobs. 

The girls will be gone for roughly six and a half hours and come back laughing and in good spirits.  They might also have party favors or a festive hat.  They will just say, “Oh you know.  Girl’s room.”  They’ll sit back down and inform you that there was a line (there’s always a line) which is what kept them.  A girl letting you know there was a line in the bathroom is like letting people know that she ate her cereal with milk this morning; it’s understood. 

A girl might also let you know that only one of them had to pee and the other girls came along for company.  Now besides the obvious fact that women are going into the women’s room to talk about you, they all go because it’s actually fun.  I have been told on several occasions, by real life women, that girls are talking and laughing, putting on make up, sharing stories, chewing gum, sometimes playing pinball while they’re in the women’s room.  This socializing evolved out of necessity from the long lines that are constantly plaguing the women’s bathroom.  Because ya know, girls have to pee sitting down… so it takes longer.  I have to know though, is the women’s room just as chatty without lines?  From what I’ve also heard from many illegal breaches into the women’s bathroom is that it is always sparkling.  No joke, there are ionic pillars that flank both sides of all the stalls.  All the faucets are made of Tiffany’s platinum that reassure women that they’re outfit does not make them look fat in three languages.  And you know how there are attendants in really fancy bathrooms in really fancy restaurants?  I heard that all women’s bathrooms have attendants and they hand out Lindt chocolates.  You can go to a bathroom at Burger King in Hoboken and there will be an attendant decked out in a tuxedo offering you perfume and chocolate.

Going into a men’s bathroom is like going into a men’s bathroom at their home.  It’s darkly lit, and there’s always a slight possibility that the toilet seats has pee on it.  It doesn’t necessarily look bad, but it something just feels a little weird about them.  Like a medieval dungeon except with more rats and dead bodies.

  But enjoying the bathroom is a truly foreign concept to men.  The bathroom is fun?  And more importantly, you’re allowed to talk? 

Someone not well versed in the men’s room, namely women, might think the men’s room would be a blast due to our naturally carefree nature, but it is about as serious as delivering twins.  Men are indeed pack animals and we do enjoy the company of others, but when we go to the bathroom, we all understand it is a journey we must make alone.   This is contrary to expectations because men do enjoy going to the bathroom and will talk about it freely with other men.  They compare frequency, volume, density, the longest pee they ever took, etc.  But all of the frivolity and humor that is associated with men goes right out the window as soon as the door opens. 

First of all, there is no eye contact with anyone.  Ever.  Second, when you step up to the urinal, you are to stare straight ahead at the handle of the urinal.  One of my favorite humorists Dave Barry said the stare men get while going to the bathroom can be described in intensity as looking at the wall like it has the chemical formula from turning lead into platinum inscribed on it and you’re trying to memorize it.  Why are guys so serious when they pee?  You know that one weak point on the Death Star from Star Wars, well it would be like every time the Death Star sent out ships, that weaknesses had giant red lights around it, exposing it’s primary weakness.  When men are peeing, everything goes on high alert.  The weakness is exposed.

This is why men go into a defensive stance when they pee.  They are puffed up, broad shoulders, perfect posture and a deathly stare right ahead of them.  They finish their pee and leave as with haste and intent to get out of the range of conflict.  Get out before the lions get you.  However, sometimes men have tried to leave a little too quickly which has resulted in the infamous “Get Your Penis Caught In The Zipper” mishap.  Every guy has either done this or had a really close call.  Any deviation from this ritualistic formula might cause such an alarm in the fragile men’s room social sphere that it could cause a man to be beaten to death with the toilet paper holder.

The men’s room is such a serious endeavor because of what is being handled in there.  If an outsider were looking just at the people in the men’s room they would conclude these men were all handling nuclear isotopes.  And the truth is that it’s much more impotant:  penises. 

This kind of passive aggression and defensive posturing is obviously an absurd anachronism in today’s world, but back in the day you had to worry about predators getting you while you were at your weakest.  In men’s defense, there is a biological imperative to take the men’s room so seriously.  Men understand their future lies in the genitals, and something deep in our coded genetic past has told us to make sure that gets passed on.  And any time there is even remote danger to that chance, shit gets very serious very quickly.

But the mistake that is commonly made regarding men is that the penis is a joking matter.  People joke about the things that are the most important.  Here’s a good penis joke, “My dick is so big that when I go to the movies, the popcorn sizes are small, medium and My Dick.”

And it’s because of all of this that men don’t go to the bathroom together.  The men’s room is already a dangerous jungle that must be navigated with the utmost care and tact, why clutter it with another body when you’re protecting your Future.

So when you see a guy coming back from the men’s room and he looks really glad to see you it’s because in his his own mind he has successfully traversed a harsh landscape of danger and decit while defending his genetic heritage with stealth, tact, and poise.  But more importantly he didn’t get his dong caught in his zipper.

here are many learning opportunities in every project, for both novice and more seasoned crafters. This project has certainly provided many of those. I learned a new faux painting technique. I realized that next time I will try to only work on pieces not currently in use in the house. I learned that it is important to pay attention when working on more or less complex projects lest some amount of redoing will be in order. Then again, isn’t this a blog about redoing and recycling? And, more fundamentally, I continue to learn to accept imperfection and to bravely blaze the trails of the various crafts I attempt.

It has been three months in the making (not because this project is so difficult, but because of procrastination, making too many other things at the same time, and the above mentioned lack of attention). Mike’s patience with this project has been remarkable – from putting up with displaced toiletries for extended periods of time to observing work-in-progress pieces in the kitchen. Here are the requisite before and after shots:

This was a pressboard shelf from our grad student days. Mike used it to store his sheet music. It has seen better days, so I thought I’d repaint it and continue using it as a bookshelf. However, when we moved to our apartment in Boston, our bathroom didn’t have enough storage, and the shelf was a perfect fit for the space. At a danger of claiming someone else’s idea as mine, Martha Stewart describes the herringbone painting technique in detail here. When I saw the herringbone design and the apparent ease of its execution, I thought that it will be a fun project to work on and the resulting “after” would spice up the somewhat subdued colors of our bathroom.

Here are the supplies that I used:

1. Porter-Cable random orbital sander – this was a welcome purchase given that I used to sand all my other refinishing projects by hand.
2. Acrylic paint. I used three colors of Ace-brand paint: Carnivale (F20), Flannel Suit (D44-6), and Seal Point (D36-4). A note on shopping for paint: since I was experimenting with unusually (for me) bright colors, I did not want to have leftover paint that I would have to store in my space-deprived apartment until I could find another use for them. Therefore, I bought sample jars for around $3 each and found that two of each color was sufficient for the project.
3. Paint brush.
4. Painters’ tape.
5. Ace-brand water-based glaze.
6. Triangular rubber graining comb, similar to this one.
7. Minwax water-based polyurethane.
8. Screwdriver to disassemble and assemble the shelf.

Here are the steps:

1. After disassembling the shelf, I sanded each surface of the resulting panels. A random orbital sander is such a fun thing because the sanding disk rotates in random patterns while also vacuuming up all sorts of paint and sawdust.

2. Next, I painted all the internal surfaces solid colors – orange or grey – as seen on the photo below. Two coats of color followed by two coats of polyurethane did the trick:

Herringbone design:

3. For external surfaces – the sides and the top of my shelf – I started with two coats of orange paint and no polyurethane for now. These are the surfaces that would have a herringbone design on them.

4. Using painter’s tape, I covered the sections of the surface that I didn’t want painted, leaving one-inch gaps that would be painted in the next steps.

5. Starting with one of the panels, I painted the entire surface with the mix of glaze and grey paint. Finding the right proportions of paint and glaze took some time. Various websites suggest different quantities of paint, glaze, and water. Through trial and error, I found that one part paint to one part glaze was the perfect combination that was neither too runny nor too quick to dry.

6. Next, I dragged the rubber graining comb diagonally over the entire surface of the panel, which revealed what was to become my grey-orange herringbone design. I found that it is helpful to wipe the comb with a dry cloth after each pass. Here is what it looks like after the painter’s tape was removed:

7. After the paint is dry, apply painter’s tape on the areas that have already been painted with herringbone design to reveal the stripes painted in base color. But before you do this, please, please, PLEASE, mark the direction of the diagonals on the design that you are about to cover. I didn’t do this at first and ended up dragging the comb in the same direction as the covered sections.

8. This time, I mixed my glaze with a lighter shade of grey, and repeated steps 5 and 6, making sure (obsessively, this time) to drag the comb in the direction perpendicular to the previously created design. Once the tape was removed, here’s what it looked like (not perfect at all, I know, but extremely satisfying):

9. Finally, once the paint dried, I applied two coats of polyurethane over the herringbone pattern and reassembled the shelf.

Before using, let the polyurethane dry for 24-48 hours. This allows it to “cure” and prevents the surfaces from being sticky.

Happy crafting and recycling!

This is my beautiful ginger boy in the bathroom after David’s bath this afternoon.  He spent ages watching the drops of water run down the shower screen.

I borrowed a small 4th bedroom to make the bathroom into big luxurious one. Black and white and a bit of blue from the victorian tiles my mother collected, which I’ve put above the basin. And some green from the old Victorian poison / medicine bottles.

NEEDS MORE PHOTOS ON A SUNNY DAY!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Investing in a new bathroom mirror is a great way to enhance and improve the appearance of your bathroom. And there is great range of bathroom mirrors from which you can choose but there are also some factors to follow if you want the best piece, especially if you plan on spending a great amount of money on a luxurious and exquisite piece that can dramatically enhance the whole bathroom. The factors to include are appeal and the functionality of the mirror.

Bathroom mirrors can offer style and elegance but they can also offer functionality which adds depth to your bathroom and this is what you should look out for. So choose a mirror that is suitable and fit for your use as well as complementary to your whole bathroom.

When buying a bathroom mirror, a lot of people tend to choose a combined bathroom mirror cabinet since it offers both style and functionality. They offer convenient storage space for your toiletries which is very useful, while also helping you to utilize your bathroom space more efficiently.

It’s a great idea to get a bathroom mirror cabinet especially if you have a lot of toiletries. They are a great way to clean and tidy up your bathroom from anything that may cause disorderliness.

Lighting is another feature to consider in terms of functionality and appeal. Some mirrors can generate a great source of lighting and sometimes can be the primary source of lighting in the bathroom, and hence can increase its attractiveness. If you prefer enhanced lighting for the bathroom then opt for illuminated bathroom lighting.

Bathroom lighting offers great functionality to the bathroom by adding style to the mirror, while also adding character and increasing the general appeal of the whole bathroom.

However, for those of you who prefer a simple mirror without lights, make sure that you choose an elegant and exquisite design that can enhance the bathroom’s appeal by giving it an individual look.

Whatever you decide, make sure the mirror matches the style and theme of your bathroom. The variety of bathroom mirrors are vast, which range from contemporary to traditional. There are simple and elegant to stunning embellished designs and styles so there will be something suitable for your bathroom. But when choosing a mirror always consider the functionality as well as its overall appeal.

Considering these factors may also mean that you will be saving a lot of money as you will be buying one item which offers multiple functions rather than buying two separate items and spending more money.

Tile makes a very durable and long-lasting surface, and can improve the look and value of many rooms in your home. People often assume that a tile project should be left to professionals, but smaller tile projects and repairs are something many people can handle on their own. We’ve put up a general overview of doing tile projects that you should check out to get an idea of what you are in for.

I ran by ReSource to see what they had to offer as far as recycled tile goes and I was impressed with what I saw. These are all recovered, unbroken tiles that cost a fraction of what you would pay for brand new tiles. You may not find enough to tile your entire shower stall, but you could definitely make few nice backsplashes with what they have in their tile shed. (The photo is of one wall in the shed. As with most sheds, there are two other walls.)

When using recovered tile like this don’t forget to take time to remove old material from the back of the tiles in advance. It’s not hard to do but the guys at ReSource are probably a little too busy to take the time to do it for you. But if you ask me, that is a pretty small price to pay for saving yourself some money and saving some of the planet’s resources.

Self-rimming sinks

Self-rimming sinks have a finished edge and are installed onto the countertop. These are the easiest sinks to install, and they are easy to replace; however, they can also collect dirt at the seams. There are no restrictions on the counter-top material when you use self-rimming sinks.

Undermount kitchen sinks

Also known as recessed sinks, undermount kitchen sinks attach to the underside of the counter, creating a seamless look. They are easier to clean than self-rimming sinks but are also more difficult to seat. Undermount kitchen sinks can only be used with counters made out of solid material, such as concrete or granite; they will not work with laminate counter tops.

Bathroom sink mounting styles

Deck-mounted

Deck-mounted models can be set into or on top of a vanity or a freestanding frame. This allows for a storage drawer or drawers, unlike pedestal or wall-mounted sink styles. Integral bowl sinks, like their kitchen counterparts, form part of a countertop and come in many prices, colors and materials.

Wall-mounted

Wall-mounted sinks are mounted directly to the wall, making wall-mount sinks great for smaller bathrooms. Remember that the piping will show beneath the drain.

Console sinks

Console sinks sit on furniture-style legs and offer an expanded counter space for your toiletries. They create a stylish and spacious look.

Vessel sinks

Vessel sinks are known for their beauty and functionality, and vessel sinks are becoming increasingly popular in bathrooms. You often see them at high-end restaurants and hotels. A vessel sink can be installed sitting on the countertop or it can be sunk down up to half of its height. Most vessel sinks are designed to sit at least partially above the countertop.

Materials

The materials are the same as those for kitchen sinks, with more decorative choices. Materials include enameled cast iron or vitreous china for traditional baths, and metal (including copper), glass, crystal, stone (granite, marble, travertine, limestone, onyx and sandstone), wood or solid-surface resins for a contemporary style. Most of these materials have been treated so they cannot be stained.

Vessel sinks give you several material choices. Stone vessel sinks are crafted from a single block of stone, making them heavy and gorgeous. Most copper sinks are hand hammered or pressed from a single sheet of copper. Wood sinks are crafted from the finest hardwoods and sanded and smoothed before being sealed against water. Glass vessel sinks are available in many colors. Some sinks can be purchased to coordinate with similar looking bathroom fixtures such as a bathtub or toilet.

For a powder room with low-traffic, use a delicate sink, such as glass and vitreous china. This gives you a place to really show your style to guests. Choose a more durable sink in high traffic bathrooms, such as a kids’ bathroom.

Sink terminology

Here are the common words you will run into while shopping for sinks.

• Lavatory: this is the correct term for a bathroom sink. It comes from the Latin word lavare which means “to wash.” This term is often shortened to “lav” or “lavy.”
• Hand of the sink: this term refers to which side the drainer is on. This is important to know when selecting high quality sinks as they tend to be manufactured in left or right hand form.
• Cut out size: this is the size of the aperture, cut out of the worktop to contain the sink. Know the size of the cut out to make your sink fit properly. This is measured by the total length of your sink (less 20 mm) and the total depth of your sink (less 20 mm). Check with the manufacturer’s recommendation because the size may be larger.
• Width of sink: the maximum overall size of the sink from left to right.
• Depth of sink: the maximum overall size of the sink from front to back.
• 1 Taphole (1 TH): a one taphole sink is designed to take a single stem faucet, or monobloc mixer type tap. A tap of any description may be used providing it is monobloc.
• 2 Taphole (2 TH): a two taphole sink is designed to take

• individual pillar faucets, deck mixers or two-hole bridge sink mixers.
• 1 TH Reversible: a reversible sink has pre-cut tap holes at both the front and back making it easy to switch from the left hand to the right hand. The hole that isn’t used is usually filled with either a pop up waste or matching stopper.
• Waste kit (waste kit/overflow): this is commonly confused with the plumbing kit but refers to the perforated outlet in the bottom of the sink; the size of this is either 70 mm diameter usually with a black rubber stopper or 110 mm diameter usually in the form of a basket strainer waste. If the overflow is designed into the sink it will be rectangular or round in shape and it is usually found in the main bowl or on the drainer. The overflow usually joins in to the main bowl waste under the sink.
• Plumbing kit: the plumbing kit pipes connect to the waste and may or may not include a trap (S bend).
• Monobloc sink mixer: this is a one stem faucet that controls hot and cold water flow without knobs separate from the faucet stem.
• www.bathroompartsdirect.com

Well for many years, Gel Coat was the only way to have a tub or shower manufactured. After working with both of these product for many years. I would have to say that acrylic would be my recommendation but, it has its limitations. Just so you know Acrylic is basically plastic and has to be heated and formed in a mold. Once cooled, about 5 minutes, it is ejected and sent to the department responsible for applying the backing material. (usually fiberglass or fiberglass reinforced plastic).

Gel coat is basically a paint that is sprayed on to a male mold that has been waxed. Once the Gel coat cures, usually an hour or two it will be chopped or have the backing material applied. just like the acrylic piece.

Just so you know, you can get gel coat in almost any color and a nice fact is, if you get with a good manufacture you can order your product in gel coat with a high gloss finish which will look as good if not better than acrylic. (they usually charge a premium)

Most tubs today are made out of acrylic now since the manufactures can run the product much faster and the finish of the product is very nice.

Most showers are still being made out of gel coat because of the size and shapes. It would be a really tough pull to get a shower shell ready for fiberglass.

Typically Gel coat units are cheaper to manufacture and are cheaper at retail so don’t let someone tell you its more expensive… trust me I have heard it all.

Either way its your call,

www.bathroompartsdirect.com