priscalhomme's Ideas
Toilet paper holdersWhen placing the paper holder, the tendency can be to picture the roll as hanging lower than it really should. Standard height is about 650 millimetres off the floor, which is closer to the height of the top of the tank than to the seat, so I recommend placing it on this level for a clean line, like I’ve done in this bathroom. Attaching it to the side of the vanity (toward the front rather than centred, for reachability) is another option for tighter spaces.See more freestanding tubs
8. Factor in appliancesHave you ever felt that appliances are taking over your kitchen? These cumbersome creatures often command pride of place in a corner on the kitchen bench or take up an entire cupboard, forcing its contents onto the bench.The solution is two-fold. First, try to be ruthless with the appliances you rarely use, and aim to keep the ones that perform multiple functions instead of just one.And second, when planning your kitchen, try to factor in a dedicated appliance cupboard, such as the one seen in this Melbourne home by Northbourne Architecture + Design.
Rye beach house, VictoriaAny recommendations for software or apps that help you run your business well?Dropbox and WeTransfer (for sending large files and images), Adobe creative suite (for retouching and graphics), Buffer App (for scheduling social media posts), I’m trialling the Receipts by Wave app (for keeping track of receipts and expenses), I use Instagram (for social media) and I’m transitioning to Capture One (image editing software).
Ormond bathroom in Melbourne, VictoriaWhy is it important for architects, builders and designers to have their projects professionally photographed?Quality photography provides the potential for media outlets to pick up a builder or designer’s work and want to feature it in their publications. This has happened numerous times with clients I have worked with.
32. Location: London, UK Features: Plants used to soften hard surfaces. Tell usDid you gather some ideas from these spaces? Tell us in the Comments and don’t forget to save your favourite photos, like this story and join the conversation.MoreMissed last week’s Best of the Week? Catch up here with Best of the Week: 25 Eco Homes You’ll Want to Emulate
Styling by Bree LeechImages by Lisa CohenWhich colours are key?“Subtle, muted palettes – think greyed-off mauves, warm neutrals, apricot and caramel,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux’s colour and communications manager.Ever wondered how certain colours become fashionable? Read our interview with a colour consultant
2. Add a hint of blueFor extra interest, don’t just stick to plain grey. Here, a gentle blue-grey wall works as a background for minimal artwork and gives an extra layer to the shades of grey in the bedding.Although the blue undertone adds character to the grey and white scheme, it could have lacked warmth without the earthy tones in the bedside table, vase, candle and flowers. With these few additions, the cool space becomes a cosy sanctuary.Browse more inspiring Scandinavian-style bedrooms
Some key measurements for mirror cabinets and vanities, according to Cosway, are:Mirror cupboards above vanities should be the same width as the vanity or slightly smaller – never larger.Recessing a mirror cupboard into the wall will give your bathroom a more streamlined look.The right length for a vanity countertop depends on the size of the room. For a family bathroom or ensuite, 90 centimetres is considered a standard minimum length – but 120 centimetres is a little more practical.A double basin will need a countertop that’s a minimum of 160 to 180 centimetres long.The ideal depth for a vanity is 50 centimetres, although it will depend on the depth of your basin.If you have a semi-recessed basin you might be able to make your vanity less than 50 centimetres in depth.When specifying your vanity depth, make sure you include enough room so you can clean the basin and tapware.
When space is extremely limited, you can have a solution like this bathroom. An oval-shaped sink and vanity are nestled into a concave wall. The toilet is snugly placed next to the shower, but there is enough space to enter and exit through the glass doors. The architects have even managed to insert a conventional medicine cabinet in the niche above the sink. Sinks will be the most versatile bathroom element with respect to different sizes that can work. Showers are required to be a minimum of 900 x 900 millimetres. Toilets can fit into spaces as small as 760 millimetres wide and 1400 millimetres long.
The most common bathroom layout is the single plumbed wall. All fixtures are lined up and served from one compact source of drains, water supplies and venting. This saves on plumbing installation and provides efficient distribution of heated water, especially when the wall is near a water heater. These walls need to be constructed of 90 x 45 millimetre studs, rather than 90 x 35 millimetres, mainly to accommodate the larger vent stack for the toilet. Even if your home has a large ensuite, it likely has at least one bathroom elsewhere in the house that’s arranged this way.Tubs: Standard tubs are 1500 to 1650 millimetres long and 750 millimetres wide. The depth can be as little as 350 millimetres and as much as 500 millimetres. Toilets: You need at least 700 millimetres of clear space in front of toilets for ease of movement, and 200 millimetres on either side. Single sinks: For a single sink, you need at least 600 millimetres of width, but 900 millimetres is more comfortable. Double sinks: You can squeeze two sinks into 1500 millimetres of width, but 1800 millimetres or more is preferred.
10. Not considering the location of accessoriesNot giving enough thought to the location of accessories such as towel rails and shower storage will impact how the whole space functions. It can mean frequently used items have to be positioned out of reach, or wall-mounted accessories end up in the way of drawers or cabinetry doors.You also need to plan where accessories will go so you can install enough secure fixing points. After all, nobody wants a wobbly towel rail or the toilet paper holder falling off the wall, which is what can happen when they’ve only been screwed into a plaster sheet.
8. Measuring incorrectly Inaccurate measurements can end up being very costly when you need to work multiple different elements into your layout. It’s a common mistake not to take account of the little things, such as the way a door will swing or the gap between the toilet and the vanity.Solution: Always measure twice before you select fittings and fixtures for your bathroom to make sure they’ll fit. Think how doors and drawers will open and how you will move through the space. Your builder, plumber or project manager should also be able to help you with this process.
6. Not creating separate zonesWhen space is plentiful, I often see uninspiring and empty- looking bathrooms, with all the fixtures around the perimeter of the room and an empty space in the middle. Creating zones would have made these bathrooms far more functional and welcoming. Solution: If you have a large bathroom, consider dividing it into separate zones for the bath, shower, vanity and toilet. This may be as simple as putting a stud wall into the centre of the room. Creating zones will enhance your experience of the bathroom and make it feel more luxurious.Find a bathroom designer and renovator near you
1. Make it vanishTake advantage of a sloping site to tuck your garage back into the site. Here Auckland’s Creative Arch architects have used a number of visual tricks to make the ground-level garage disappear into the background. Painting the ground-level walls and door a single dark colour makes them recede, while cantilevering the cedar screening beyond the house draws the eye to the upper floors. By wrapping strong stairs from the street to the front door and adding a dark plastered wall around the courtyard to the left, they have balanced out the bulk of the garage.
TCR Design Group director and principal architect Aaron King proposed cutting off the back of the brick cottage and extending out and down to the rear laneway to make full use of the site and reorient the home. The extension added a master bedroom, living/dining area, kitchen, powder room, garage and new entrance. The majority of the original house remained after the renovation, aside from one bedroom being demolished to make way for the connection between the two buildings.“The design required the ability to absorb the needs of a professional couple with two dogs who love sharing their house and entertaining, but also required a home that provides a sanctuary from busy professional lives,” King says.
14. Outdoor diningA good way to expand your living and entertaining options and take in the outdoors, is to turn your courtyard – if you have one – into a dining room. You can eat out here and entertain your friends in fine weather. Then you might want to buy a smaller table for inside when its cooler.Under-seating storage space can be used for cushions and gardening tools. If you have built-in garden beds, reticulation will be essential to keep your greenery healthy and growing up the walls.Tell usDo you live beautifully in a small space? Tell us what you’ve done and how you live in the Comments below and join the conversation.More Hire an interior designer on Houzz
12. Let the sun shine inIf it’s an option, a skylight can turn your minute bathroom from dark and dank to modern and bright. Sunlight also helps keep away mould. Less is best when choosing finishes in a small bathroom, and remember that using the same tile on the floor and walls gives a feeling of space.
Starting pointThe jumping-off point was the marble hexagonal mosaic tiles from Di Lorenzo; my client spotted them when we were out shopping one day and fell in love. These tiles were very pricey, so we used them sparingly in the bathroom to create the luxury look my clients were after. We used them on the vanity/toilet wall and on the back wall of the shower recess. They were a great addition to the bathroom as they made the space feel light and bright by bouncing the available light around, while adding texture and interest to the space.
Paint and wallpaper aren’t the only way to go, either. Here, two different but complementary papers create an interesting effect.
25. Central space. Melbourne, Victoria
Perk up with pastelsAn easy way to achieve the look in a kitchen is to use the cabinet doors as blocks. Here, the designers have chosen pastel shades to create squares and rectangles of colour that tone well with each other. The yellow wall is a good choice, as it gives the space even more of a lift.
Which size will suit my household? A single person: Consider a 5-6 kilogram front loader or a 5.5-6 kilogram top loader.A family of 3-4: Consider a 7.5-9 kilogram front loader or a 7-8.5 kilogram top loader. A large family of five or more: Consider an 8.5-16 kilogram front loader or a 9-14 kilogram top loader.
“There is a strong north/south axis along the kitchen,” Falconer says of the linear quality that runs through the space. “The open-plan living, dining and kitchen area is arranged to maximise north-eastern exposure and the view and access to the pool.” The master bedroom suite is tucked out of sight at the northern end of their home too, where it basks in natural light. Two other bedrooms serve as guest quarters and are separated from the master suite on the western side of the home.
Help! I’ve run out of hanging spaceHaving two levels of rails is a great idea in a small robe, as it basically doubles your storage space. Use the upper rail for items you don’t wear often, such as special-occasion pieces. Position the lower rail at an accessible height, and hang your everyday clothing there.
8. Precious metalsWe’re tapping into metallics in a big way in 2018, with rustic rose gold, brass and chrome all featuring in contemporary bathrooms. According to Reece’s recent consumer research, chrome is the preferred finish for tapware and accessories. “You can’t beat the classics,” says Santilli. “However, what we’re seeing is a whole range of different textures, shapes and tones in chrome, from brushed nickel and gunmetal grey to porcelain chrome coming through.”Why Tiny Hexagonal Tiles are Popping Up in Bathrooms Everywhere
We’re also seeing a growing number of timber-framed mirrors recessed into the wall above the vanity, featuring an integrated open shelf. Recessed mirrors deliver an elegant, streamlined aesthetic, particularly when finished with a strategic combination of task and feature lighting. Connors suggests decorative sconce lights or LED backlighting.
19. Breath of fresh air. Portland, USA
8. The distant view. Perth, WA
Speaking about his design for this project, House says he went to the nth degree on the open-plan brief. “I don’t like dividers in between spaces if I can help it. In fact, working with an open-plan design was a big part of the design process.”
Houzz at a GlanceWho lives here: A couple with three childrenLocation: East Fremantle, WASize: 525 square metres; 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 powder rooms Designer: Leon House DesignThe brief the couple gave to House included sociability and connectivity between spaces, and more specifically large living and entertaining areas with separate zones for the kids. Also on the wish list were a home office and a pool.
Winner: Plush Design InteriorsTexture and soothing tones make this bedroom a standout, and set the scene for leisurely Sunday sleep-ins.
Flower powerFlowers and candles are a great finishing touch to any alfresco table, says Smith. The more relaxed nature of outdoor entertaining allows you to have a little fun with your styling. “Hide a vase in a basket, a terracotta pot or even an old watering can,” he says. “Candles placed in hurricane vases are another nice way to dress your outdoor table. Or, for a more casual look for a summer barbecue, add in a cluster of old mismatched jars containing tea-light candles.”
Taubmans images feature its Colour of the Year 2019: Night Watch.4. Wild, forest huesTaubmans chose Night Watch – a deep, sophisticated green – as their colour of the year for 2019. It’s a sumptuous shade that pairs beautifully with a variety of different tones, including peach, rust and taupe, says Taubmans’ colour consultant, Grace Garrett.“Green is a colour we’ll be seeing more of in 2019, from forest to sea foam and all shades in between,” she says. It’s easy to see the appeal, Garrett adds. “From a psychological perspective, green creates an equilibrium between the head and the heart, which is perfect for creating a space that encompasses balance and harmony.”The beauty of Night Watch lies in its versatility, says Garrett. “It works equally well with a glamorous Deco-inspired look or the eclectic and tribal trends. We are also seeing deep shades of indigo, violet, terracotta, dirty burgundy and dirty mustard coming through for 2019,” she says. “Together, they create a warm, earthy and sophisticated feel in your interior.”
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