In this second part of my blog on Organizing a Bathroom there are some very good ideas to keep the clutter under control and get the most out of the space you have to work with in your bathroom.
1. Installing roll out shelves in your bathroom linen cabinet greatly enhances the function of the space. It's so much easier to see what you have and get at it.
2. Here is a simple way to keep you toothbrushes handy but out of sight. Make notches inside the medicine cabinet and they will store nicely.
3. Pull out step stools make it much easier for the kids to reach the counter and there are no more loose and unsightly step stools to trip over. When the kids are tall enough you can turn the drawers over and use as drawers (notice the notches for handles).
4. You can keep the makeup neatly organized by getting some acrylic drawer dividers and customizing the drawer to your individual needs.
5. Jewelery can be stored in specialize jewelery drawers. Insert can be purchased from jewelery store suppliers, storage retailers or custom made with acrylic or Lucite dividers.
6. Double up the towel bars for extra towel storage. Be sure you leave enough room between them for a full sized bath towel.
7. If there is room you can add a small wall behind the toilet that serves as a ledge for storage or more counter space in a tight bathroom. If the wall is built out like this it makes room for a cabinet or shelves above it for additional storage.
8. Here is a clever way to store that extra toilet paper when you have no more room anywhere! Let's just hope you remember to retrieve it before you need it.
I hope these design ideas help you make your bathroom more efficient.
Link to previous blogs here
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson,ASID, CKD, CID
Every profession has it's own special language and Interior Design, Architecture and Construction are no different.
Each week I will be giving you definitions of words beginning with different letters of the alphabet and will continue through the alphabet until we are done with all the letters.
Here are some definitions of words beginning with the letter "G"
GFI:
GFI and GFCI refer to the ground fault interrupter type outlet which shuts off instantly if it come in contact with water. It is required in the US electrical building code where an outlet is likely to come in contact with moisture to prevent shock or electrocution. They can be reset by holding down the red "reset" button. They are used for outdoor applications as well. If there are multiple outlets on the same circuit that need this protection, a GFCI breaker can be used instead.
GILT, GILDING:
When something is "gilt" it has a gold or other metal leaf applied to the surface to enhance it and bring out the details. It is used on a lot of surfaces including ceilings, finials, bowls, candlesticks, sculptural details on furniture and lighting. The surface is first covered with a thin coat of size (a sticky transparent glue) and then the very thin sheets of metal are applied over it to cover the surface. The item then gets burnished and often has a thin glaze applied over that before the whole thing is finished with a clear coat to protect it.
GIMP:
Gimp is the decorative flat braid used to finish off upholstery or a decorative applied trim on pillows, lamp shades and furniture .
GRAIN, GRAINING: 
Graining is a term used in Faux painting where the finished product is supposed to look like wood. It is achieved by applying a thin coat of glaze over paint and finishing it with wood graining tools and brushes to simulate actual wood. The French term "Faux Bois" means false wood.
All kinds of wood species can be done this way if the artist is knowledgeable about the characteristics and coloring of the wood. It can be used indoors or out and finished with the appropriate clear coat for protection from daily wear and tear or the elements. When this is done by an expert it is nearly impossible to tell it from the real thing and I have used it on projects where a room was paneled but the door, windows and trim did not match the paneling. By using this technique we were able to make it all look the same.
Previous blogs are available here.
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID
When I design a bathroom I keep in mind that it needs to be organized so I wanted to show you some great ideas about how to clear out the clutter.
This will be a two part blog so come back next week for some more ideas on keeping the bathroom organized!
1. Shower niches can be both functional and beautiful but be sure to put your essentials into pretty bottles and not in those bright orange, pink and green bottles they come in from the store!
2. If you don't have room for a nice sized drawer, why not build these towel cubbies - both attractive and practical.
3. Fresh towels can be stored in a large basket too and be attractive at the same time.
4. If there is not enough room on your counter you can add a ledge behind the vanity like this picture shows. This is especially useful if you have a vessel sink.
5. Of course this banjo countertop adds surface and the open shelves add a much needed place for towels.
6. This banjo countertop adds additional counter space and the open shelves are a perfect place for dry towels
7. How about a bathroom caddie that you can roll out of the way when you are done? If you can hide in in a closet even better.
8. Here is a great solution for storing your curling irons - handy but out of sight.
9. This pull out drawer has a place for the hairdryer and curling iron to be stored and if it were on the top instead of the bottom they could be plugged in inside the cabinet and ready to go.
10. If you don't have room for a towel rack use a sink with built in railing like this one.
Link to previous blogs here
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
If you are planning to remodel your kitchen you will find these back splashes a cut above the ordinary and may give you some inspiration! If you still need help - that's what I do and would be delighted to help you.
1. This back splash is an exaggerated application of the popular subway tiles and has the rhythm of small accent tiles for added interest.
2. This modern kitchen sports a playful mixture of random glass and colored tiles for a very contemporary vibe. Notice also that the counters are of three different colors and materials.
3. If you like a more ornate back splash this one is beautiful with the border continuing around to create a short back splash after it leaves the range.
4. Glass mosaics are so in these days and they come in so many different colors and shapes that it's hard to choose. The soft blue tile works great with the soapstone counters and adds some sophistication to the typical subway tiles used in this type kitchen. I would have stopped the tile at the end of the counter though and not kept it going with no cabinet below it!
5. These clear glass brick tiles are gorgeous in this very sleek kitchen where they used a piece of stainless behind the cook top for easy clean up but used the straight row bricks for a very quiet and orderly kitchen effect.
6. These very large sized bricks of frosted glass also work for contemporary kitchens and add a little icy feeling.
7. Inserting a medallion behind the stove or sink gives a focal point to the room. Here it breaks up the subway tiles and introduces the gray from the granite and the stainless into the back splash to unify the palette.
8. Fireclay's elongated brick tiles come in sizes 5 3/4" x 35 1/4" and 11 11/16" x 35 1/4" and are only 1/4" thick with a little flexibility. Check them out at www.fireclaytile.com
9. In this kitchen they did the unexpected and installed the tiles vertically instead of horizontally. An application like this helps make the room look taller than it really is.
10. For a more rustic and country look, these handmade terra cotta tiles were use as the backsplash. It sort of looks like chicken wire.
11. If you are brave and bold you can try these large sheets of colored glass as a backsplash. Imagine how much this room's personality changed by using this bright orange glass in the all white kitchen.
OK - you should be thinking outside the box by now so have some fun with your backsplash. There are so many creative ways you can use tile and so many unique ones to choose from!
Link to previous blogs here
PLEASE CALL ME IF I CAN BE OF ANY HELP!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
Every profession has it's own special language and Interior Design, Architecture and Construction are no different.
Each week I will be giving you definitions of words beginning with different letters of the alphabet and will continue through the alphabet until we are done with all the letters.
Here are some definitions beginning with the letter "F".
FASCIA
A fascia is the "face" or front part of a building or article. In construction it is the flat board that covers the ends of the the eves and where the rain gutters are attached.
In furniture it is the flat surface that faces you such as the flat piece under the table top (also called an apron) or the panel on the front of a desk that hides your legs. It is generally used to hide some functional part of the object and present a finished "face".
FAUX BOIS
Faux Bois is another French term used in Interior Design. "Faux" means falses or fake and "Bois" means wood. It is a finished surface made of paint to look like wood graining. This technique has been in use for centruies and is used on lots of everyday items from boxes all the way up to columns and paneling.
FAUX CROC
As you might have guessed, Faux Crock is just that - False or Fake Crocodile leather. It is generally made of a man made fabric like vinyl and can be very hard to tell from the real thing these days.
FILIGREE
A filigree is seen in lots of things from architecture to fabric to furniture. It really refers to the organic scrolling pattern or design used in an object and is seem in gates, fabrics, hardware, artwork, metal work, etc.
FILLET
A fillets is a very small radius that joins two straight lines together. It is seen in architectural details where straight walls join in a corner or somethimes it is a curved applied molding. It is seen also as a thin rounded piece of molding inside or outside picture frames to add dimension to a typical frame.
FINIAL
Finials are the finishing jewelery to all sorts of objects. They are always on the tops of lamps and on drapery rods at the ends. They can be decorative or very plain but serve to finish off the ends of the object.
In architecture and furniture finials are the decorative tops to spires and gates as well as decorative elements like on the clock shown above.
FLASHING
Flashing is a critical part of the construction process and serves to keep out rain and moisture. It must be installed properly and goes behind the exterior finished material of a wall (such as bricks, stucco or wood). It goes up the wall a little way so the water can not wick back inside the structure and then finishes outside the siding to drain down to the ground. Flashing is generally made of metal or a waterproof membrane.
FLUTING
Fluting is seen predominately in columns on furniture, cabinets and columns. It is a concave gough in the surface that is evenly spaced on or around the object. Do not confuse it with reeding, which is the opposite - the small recessed portion leaves rounded "reeds" on the finished surface.
FRETWORK
If you've heard the term "Fretwork" you may not have realized exactly what it is. It is generally referring to ornate cut out designs applied to furniture, architectural elements or decorative items. It is used a lot in Middle Eastern design and tranlates into doors, window coverings and floor screens.
FRIEZE
A Frieze does not refer to something that is very cold but rather to the architectural element between an architrave and a cornice (both of which have been described previously under "entablature". It is pronounced like to "Freeze" ice cream).
When the term is used to describe carpeting it is pronounced Free-Zay and mean a tightly twisted yarn that curls unevenly and offers a unique look. It is a very resiliant and durable type of carpeting and is suitable for rough wear such as in a family room or hallways.
FURRING STRIP
Furring stips are esentailly a framework where a finished material will be applied, such as sheet rock. Furring strips are also used to level a wall, frame around an obstacle or make a part of a wall project further out such as filling out the upper part of a fireplace so the wall is the same distance from the wall all the way from the floor to the ceiling. Furring is also used to create soffits.
Next week I will define words beginning with "G"
To link to previous blogs click here
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
Designing a child's room is a challenge. There is no other room in the house that has more clutter than a kid's room. They have so much stuff, starting out from the time they are infants all the way through school, and keeping it organized is a problem!
1. I love this idea of a rolling cubbie that closes so all the things are accessible but out of site when you are done with them.
2. Don't forget that hidden storage below the bed. It's a great place for added storage in a small room.
3. If you are short on space, elevate that bed and put the desk underneath it! This also creates a nice space for dresser drawers.
4. Storing books up at ceiling height also saves space and the ladder make it easy to get to the books when needed. Notice that there are built in drawers below this bed as well as cupboards and drawers on each end.
5. Plenty of cubbie storage is essential in the play/work area of a child's room. They are much more likely to keep things put away if there is an easily accessible place for everything.
6. Tucking a desk into a small corner works great for homework. Be sure to allow enough room for a laptop and power and an internet connection readily available.
7. Legos are huge these days so why not put it on the wall instead of all over the floor?
8. A revolving bookcase tucked in a corner can hold a lot of books in a small amount of space.
9. Don't forget to install double (or triple when they are very young) hanging rods in the closet and you can even stick a dresser inside the closet for folded items.
No more excuses - get the kids' room more organized!!
Link to previous blogs here
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
Kid's rooms are often overlooked as a place for good interior design, but they are a great place to use your creativity and have fun expressing the child's interests and personality. When they are really small it is your personality that gets to play but either way these rooms are a perfect place to use your imagination.
1. What little girl wouldn't love this bedroom? - It's a full sized doll house.
2. Here is a creative condo bed arrangement for either boys or girls.
3. Those future race car drivers will appreciate this bed!
4. A fantasy carriage crib would be perfect for your new baby. I picture a pampered princess here!
5. Here is playhouse with it's own drawing table inside. They can have a tea party or play games there or if they want to play house you can just pull out the table and add some floor pillows for furniture and let their imaginations take over.
6. If you have twin girls, this Victorian style decor treats them like Royalty right from day one. These cribs look large enough to be converted to twin beds.
Of course you will need to find a place for all the clutter that comes with kids too and I will show pictures of some good ways to do that in another blog soon.
Link to previous blogs click here
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
Each profession has it's own special language and Interior Design, Architecture and Construction are no different.
Each week I will be giving you definitions for words beginning with different letters of the alphabet and will continue through the alphabet until we are done with all of the letters.
Here are some definitions beginning with the letter "E".
EGG AND DART
Egg and dart refers to a classical carved decorative design that looks like eggs with darts or spears separating them. It is used a lot for architectural detailing on furniture, buildings and crown moldings.
ENGINEERED HARDWOOD
Engineered hardwood is prefinished flooring that is made with a veneer of the finish grade hardwood on top, a substrate of plywood in the middle and a piece of wood going the opposite direction on the bottom. This process makes a very stable board that won't buckle and is easy to install. The factory applied finishes are very durable. The only disadvantage is that some finished layers are so thin they cannot be refinished so check for one that has a top layer that will allow at least one refinishing. The cheaper priced ones have thinner wood on top.
ENTABLATURE
This picture illustrates the three parts of an entablature. It is the three architectural elements that rest on top of columns. The Architrave is on the bottom with the frieze on top of that and finally the cornice on the very top.
ESCUTCHEON
Escutcheons are the back plates that dress up hardware and protect the finish of the cabinetry or door. When these are added to a simple knob they really make a difference in the stature of the hardware on a cabinet. All styles are available from very plain to finely carved and ornate ecutcheons.
Next week I will continue with words beginning with "F".
Link to previous blogs here.
Please call if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID
Soaking in a tub with soft music and candlelight is the ultimate luxury and I have some beauties to show you today.
1. Sleek and simple - this tub is very elegant! Notice how they installed the faucet in the niche behind the tub.
2. This is a beautiful marble topped tub I had installed for a client. Notice the back lit broken edge slabs of marble on the back wall that continues to become the shower wall! We even added marble crown in the shower.
3. How fun is this? The playful red colored tub with silver painted feet adds just the right amount of pizazz to a plain bathroom.
4. If your taste runs more to nature and the outdoors, then this sexy copper tub might be just what you are looking for.
5. Here is another metallic tub - maybe this is the new rage.
6. If metal isn't your thing, how about a tub of hand carved stone? Love the setting too that looks out to a private courtyard!
7. This bathtub gets center stage with plenty of breathing space.
8. If you are a cowboy or cowgirl at heart you will love this cowhide covered tub. It sure makes a statement! I think the tub itself is concrete but I'm not sure.
9. Round tubs add a new dimension and plenty of room for two!
10. Handcarved marble tubs are expensive but the ultimate luxury.
11. This tub may be a little strange looking with it's organic shape but looks like it might give the ultimate massage. It could certainly be the focal point in a contemporary bathroom.
12. A Japanese soaking tub might be just what you are looking for to get that full body immersion experience.
13. OK - with this fabulous tub you can even watch TV in the mirrored wall behind it! You might be a bit wrinkled when you get out but you would also be completely relaxed.
14. And the final tub has a spout from the ceiling and a wall of stone with candles. It doesn't get much better than that!!
I hope these tubs have inspired you to remodel your bathroom by thinking outside the box and creating a place for true relaxation - just for you after a hectic day.
Link to previous blogs here.
Please call if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila Levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG
Every profession has it's own special language and Interior Design, Architecture and Construction are no different.
Each week I will be giving you definitions for different letters of the alphabet and will continue through the alphabet until we are done with all of the letters.
Here are some definitions beginning with the letter "D"
DADO
A dado is a type of joint in woodworking where a groove is cut out for another piece of perpendicular wood to be inserted such as in drawer construction or in shelving.
As mentioned above it is also used to describe what is commonly known as wainscoting. (not wainscoating)
DAMASK
Damask weaving began in Damascus, Syria but today refers to either the flat satin weave where the fabric has the the opposite design on the back side of the fabric or it refers to the design which is often tone on tone. It can be found in many different fabrics including silks, cotton and blends.
DELAMINATE
Delamination is not desirable. It is a defect in the finish of a product that has been fused together and is now coming apart. De-laminate as in Un-laminate! This is not easy to fix because the laminating process is done commercially with high heat. Delaminating occurs where there is lamination that has been infiltrated by water, air or some other substance. The culprit is often water infiltration.
DEMILUNE TABLE
Demilune tables are easy to spot because they are "half- circles". The back side is flat and goes against a wall or other flat surface. Demi mean "half" and "lune" mean moon in French.
DENTIL MOLDING
Dentil molding is commonly used in traditional and classical architecture and furnishings. It is comprised of a continuous rhythm of small blocks evenly spaced that are reminicent of teeth - therefore "dentil".
DIFFUSER
A diffuser in Architectural and Contruction terms refers to the way air is directed by means of levers or slats. Diffusers are used on HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) units to control the flow of air into and out of the system.
DOUBLE STUD WALL
Although most walls are made of single stud framing, double stud framing is used to create a sound barrier and trap a void between the two suds which helps with insulation. Obviously, is is also more structurally sound but will require custom trimming out at doors and windows because it is not the standard size.
DUVET
The French word "Duvet" refers to the outer covering of a down or synthetic comforter. Duvet covers are popular because they can be laundered and don't require a lot of fuss when making a bed. They are not as long as a bedspread so they usually reaquire a bed skirt to hide the box springs.
DOVETAIL
You've probably heard the term "dovetail" but may not know exactly what it refers to. These pictures show how drawers are finished with dovetail joints to make them strong. Dovetails are composed of a mortise and tenon, which fit tightly together and do not loosen easily because of the flared shape of the "dovetail". The word comes from the shape of the tenon - a dove's tail.
DUPIONI
Dupioni silk has a specific look to it with visable slubs (soft nubs or twists in the yarn) showing randomly. This occurs when the silk is woven because of the uneven thickness of the threads used to weave this fabric that happens when the yarn is spun.
Next week I will define terms beginning with the letter "E".
See previous blog posts here
Please call me if I can be of any help!
408-369-9801 or email me
accentondesign@yahoo.com
Lila levinson, ASID, CKD, CID, NCIDQ, IDG