|
You
do a red, white and blue theme for the Fourth of July and
decorate with bunnies and plastic eggs for Easter ...
obviously, you're the type of person who loves the
holidays and making your home festive. You've got the
holidays covered, but did you ever think about changing
your bath's look with the change of the
seasons?
"We
all go to great lengths to give our homes a fresh look
for the holidays, but the one room that gets the most
traffic typically receives the least attention," said
Sharon Hanby-Robie, who has appeared on NBC's "Today
Show" and is the author of the "My Name Isn't Martha"
series of books. "Due to the small size of most powder
rooms or non master baths, many homeowners don't realize
they can make a significant decorating impact with little
time and expense, and can change out the look every
season so that it never gets old."
soft
goods
Consider
adding a new color scheme to the room using soft goods.
For example, new towels, a new shower curtain or throw
rugs in seasonal colors will make a huge statement in the
room. Each season retailers roll out items such as a
florals with light pinks, greens and blues for the spring
or paisley designs in oranges, golds and browns for the
fall. Perhaps there are even tropical fish shower
curtains to help fit in with the warmer summer
months.
You
can even enhance your current window treatments with
tiebacks in colors of the season. Check you local fabric
store for patterns in seasonal colors or themes that
might be just the thing to put a seasonal touch on the
room. You won't believe what a difference a change in
soft goods can do to get you in the spirit of the
season.
accessories
Another
place where changes in the powder room can be made
inexpensively is in accessories such as toothbrush
holders, soap dishes and drinking cups. These items also
come in a host of different colors that can be matched to
the hues of the season. With so many styles of
accessories available today, why not have some fun
changing from a modern look in the summer to a
traditional look in the winter. You may even consider new
towel bars and robe hooks to complete the look of the
room. Seasonal variations can keep the room from looking
tired and help you make the leap from season to
season.
faucets
One
component of the bath not normally considered for
seasonal changes, but one that certainly shouldn't be
overlooked is the faucet. Moen has made it quick and easy
to change for the seasons with its decorative line of
Asceri Accents. These faucet "accent" pieces allow
homeowners to change their faucet's look by screwing off
the old trim and screwing on the new from above the sink
deck -- all in just minutes.
Recently,
the company added to its Accents collection by having
student members of the American Society of Interior
Designers (ASID) submit designs in the "Accent on Design"
contest. The contest, open to more than 8,000 ASID
students nationwide, produced some cutting-edge seasonal
designs for fall, summer, winter and spring.
The
grand prizewinner, Elaine Dominguez of West Nyack, N.Y.,
created a design for fall inspired by the 1970s look in
fashion, including love beads, florals and geometric
patterns. In the spring category, Emily Black of Chicago,
Ill., produced a winning design featuring flowing willows
with lilac brushstrokes running through the
background.
Dominguez
also claimed top honors in the contest's summer category
with a faucet design that picks up on the current bath
craze of mosaic tiles in cool blues inspired by water. In
the final design category, winter, Karen Ann Davis of
Houston, Texas, provided a design with soft blues that
mimic falling snow.
The
grand prizewinner's design will be available for
consumers later this year. This new design adds to the 10
already existing Asceri Accents that the company offers
from traditional chinas to florals and wild animal prints
-- there is something to complement every season ... and
every bathroom.
scents
of the season
Consider
adding a few arrangements of fresh flowers to your bath
in the spring, fresh lavender in the summer, a few
cornstalks in the fall, or a pine wreath in the winter.
We identify certain smells with seasons and being able to
bring that aroma into the bathroom will help complete a
seasonal transformation. Further spruce up the bath with
by arranging candles and scented potpourri around the
room. Make sure these items have a tie to the season --
in the spring, buy candles with fresh spring scents in
light pinks, blues, purples and greens, while in the
winter look for jewel tones such as emerald green,
burgundy and navy in heavier scents.
personalize
the space
If
you don't already have one, hang a small shelf in your
bath to hold items that will make the powder room truly
your own. Purchase some new picture frames in the latest
color of the season and change out the photos as the
season's change. For summer, show off your latest
vacation photos or in the winter display family holiday
photos. Shots of the kids at the beach or in last year's
Halloween costumes make great seasonal
statements.
Use
this space to also display seasonal decorations. For
summer decorate with sea shells and kids' sand pails, for
winter, change the look by having snowmen sitting in the
midst of faux snow. Shelving will also give you added
functionality in the room.
Last
but not least, baskets have made a big comeback in
today's decorating styles. Fill a basket full of items of
the season -- pinecones in the winter or potpourri in the
fall. Baskets in the bath also can play a functional role
in holding towels or toilet tissue.
According
to Hanby-Robie, homeowners are always looking for ways to
modify their home décor to reflect seasonal
changes, "The powder room may not be the first on the
list when we think of decorating, but it can leave quite
an impression with guests. Remember to continue your
spruce-ups into the bath and you'll be surprised at the
compliments you receive." |