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Instead,
you & your spouse can share the task of a fun
redecorating project & enjoy the instant
gratification of a new bath.
"We
often talk with consumers regarding the obstacles they
face when tackling a bath redecorating project," says
Mark Savan, General Manager of Creative Specialties
International, a leading designer and manufacturer of
bath accessories. "The number one response we hear is
'time, ' but you can definitely redecorate a bath in a
weekend; all it takes is a little
pre-planning."
There
are a number of projects homeowners can tackle themselves
that are low-cost and simple to do, but will make a major
impact in the overall appearance of the room. Following
are five of the most affordable bath updates that can be
handled by a typical do-it-yourselfer:
give
your walls a makeover
Painting
is one of the quickest and simplest ways to change the
overall look and feel of a room, especially in a small
one such as the bath. Keep in mind, however, there are
special considerations to take when painting bathroom
walls. Due to the high humidity and steam that result
from the shower, always use mold and mildew-proof primers
and paint if possible.
Other
than using these special products, the sky is the limit
for choosing color and style for your bath. While faux
finishing is still a popular trend in painting, solid
colors are making a strong come-back. According to
Discovery Channel star Christopher Lowell, his top eight
new color picks for 2003 are lilac, medium yellow,
persimmon orange, periwinkle, chocolate brown,
chartreuse, aqua blue, and pink. Or, if you're looking
for a more traditional or calm décor, popular
neutral colors include taupe, bisque, and subtle metallic
washes.
If
you want to go beyond just painting, some of the latest
remodeling ideas include wainscoting and bead boarding on
half a wall. White bead boarding is a particularly
fashionable and popular choice now. The materials to
complete this project can be found at your local do it
yourself retailer and only need to be glued and anchored
with nails to the wall.
accessorize
Just
like the right jewelry adds the perfect finishing touch
to an outfit, a new set of accessories can dramatically
change the look of a bath and bring a style together.
Fortunately for consumers, the bath accessory marketplace
has changed dramatically in the last decade.
Manufacturers now offer dozens of finish and style
options.
"Consumers
today have more choices than ever before," added Savan.
"Whether you prefer a coordinated look with accessories
that specifically match your faucet; or a set of
accessories which provide a stylish compliment to your
décor, homeowners have a wide variety of new and
innovative design options for the bath."
From
casual contemporary to country to traditional
décor, bath accessory lines come in every flavor.
Give your bath the feel of antique Shaker or French
country by choosing a suite of coordinated accessories.
From brushed nickel to wrought iron, there's a finish for
every fancy. For a coordinated look, try one of CSI's
Inspirations lines, featuring deluxe bath accessories
covering a wide range of styles and tastes. Or, if you'd
like to have a more thoroughly integrated look, try CSI's
new Kingsley accessories, which match perfectly with the
Moen line of Kinsley faucets, featuring a timeless,
old-world look.
Bath
accessory lines now feature more than the stock towel
bar. Advances in the bath have led to more user-friendly
products. For example, in the Kingsley line, look for
their innovative pivoting paper holder, which is
spring-free, and features a unique easy-load format. Also
unique to the line is an array of ADA-compliant grab
bars. Typically bleak and institutional, these new grab
bars feature an appealing design that enhances, rather
than detracts, from the room's décor.
Since
so many accidents can occur in the bath, safety is an
important factor. Installing grab bars can aid every
member of your family. There are also towel rings,
decorative glass shelves, toothbrush holders, soap trays,
and double robe hooks to accessorize and liven your
bath.
decorative
touches
Don't
forget those easy, low-cost decorative touches that can
create a whole new look, such as new window treatments, a
colorful shower curtain, towels and bathmats, or even
small items such as soaps and candles. Another
recommendation for the bath &endash; cut the clutter!
Install a glass shelf on a wall to keep counters clear.
The shelf itself can be used to hold functional bath
products or decorative items such as picture frames and
votive candles. Many glass shelves are now available in
coordinating finishes to bath accessories and faucets,
making them a perfect finishing touch to the
room.
install
a new faucet and light fixture
It's
amazing what a paint job, accessorizing, and new
decorative touches can do to a bath -- the look and feel
of the room is completely different. If you still want
more change and are willing to do a bit more work, try
adding a new faucet and/or showerhead. New hardware can
take a bath from blah to beautiful. Look for products
that coordinate with your accessories, or try a different
style for the hardware.
Another
change to try is installing a new light fixture. Few
items have as great an impact as lighting. Lighting is
functional, but so much more can be created by just the
flick of a switch. Mood and atmosphere can be changed;
and the same room can be made to look completely
different for a variety of occasions.
Voila!
In just two days, you've got yourself a brand new
bath!
SIDEBAR
what
will it cost?
Even
if you don't have a big budget to redecorate your bath,
you can still make significant changes -- even on a small
budget. The recommendations in this article, for example,
are extremely affordable.
Project
-- Typical Budget:
-painting
-- $50 (for paint and supplies)
-new
accessories -- $125 (towel bar, towel ring and paper
holder)
-new
faucet -- $150
-new
lighting fixtures --$100
-decorative
touches -- $100-$200
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