How to Choose Your Bathroom Lighting

Good lighting in the bathroom is essential both as a way of enhancing the dcor, and to allow for effective grooming. Lighting has become one of the most important decorating accessories because it helps to enhance the bathroom style while highlighting all the other aspects of the room. The style of bathroom lighting that you choose can make or break the room. Too much or too little lighting can be uncomfortable and even dangerous.

Task lighting is installed in the bathroom to make it functional, while accent lighting gives the room a warm glow. The lighting fixtures chosen should complement and not compete with other accessories in the bathroom. everything should co-ordinate well to create the perfect design, and you can even get lighting fixtures that come as part of the bathroom suite.

Ceiling lights

Every bathroom needs ceiling lights that help to illuminate the entire room. usually in the center of the room, the lights help to keep the bathroom safe. Being a wet area, the bathroom can be a dangerous place if not well-lit. The ceiling lights come in different designs that can be used to blend in with any bathroom dcor.

Lighting above the mirror and sink

This popular bathroom lighting system involves the use of two, three or even four bulbs. The number of bulbs used depends on the design of the fixture and the length of the mirror. Lighting this space is essential for good grooming. In most cases, the lighting fixtures come as a component of the vanity unit, but they can also be a separate unit installed above the sink and mirror.

Scones on the sides of the mirror

These lights are a great addition to the mirror and they are perfect for providing even and adequate lighting on the face. they get rid of shadows, which is necessary when applying makeup or shaving. The scones help to enhance the overall design by adding a decorative touch to the mirror.

Selecting the right bulb is just as important as choosing the right fixture. Colored or coated bulbs can add a different ambience to the room, and enhance facial features. Technology is also being used to offer more options with fiber optics being used to create different lighting effects. Manufacturers are offering more options, from reading lamps installed on the vanity or next to the toilet, to skylights, shower lights and unusually designed wall scones.

Before installing any new lighting, you should check with your local building inspectors and find out about the electrical codes in your area. The fixtures that are used in damp areas need to be approved for this specific use, which helps to make sure safety. Portable lamps should never be placed near the bathtub or sink to avoid electrocution.

How to Choose Your Bathroom Lighting

How To Choose A Bathroom Mirror

Article by Stefan Rockhaus

Mirrors of different designs and sizes are used in bathrooms, according to the size of the bathroom, and individual preference. One of the most prominent functions of a bathroom mirror is to reflect the available light. This may be natural or artificial light.

Bathroom mirrors are available in the market in different forms, and in different sizes. They can be round, oval, rectangular and with or without a frame.

A unique and stylish touch can be given to your bathroom by using decorative mirrors. These mirrors are available in the market in various sizes, finishes and prices. While buying a bathroom mirror, make sure that the style, color and type of mirror will go well with your bathroom’s lights and color of the walls or tiles. in order to give a consistent look to the bathroom, a matching mirror frame can be used.

The size of your mirror depends on the size of your vanity. your bathroom mirror should not be bigger than your vanity, because if you are using sidelights in your bathroom, then the exterior limit of the lights can go beyond the vanity. Mirror lights can be a good choice for a small bathroom, but in a larger bathroom, one extra ceiling fixture is essential for general lighting purposes.

The frameless bathroom mirrors, along with inset lights will give a modern look to your bathroom. any circular and square mirrors will give that modern ambience to your bathroom. Hanging a mirror creates a modern expression to your bathroom.

Attaching an overhanging light will give an additional look to your bathroom. the wall mounted basin furniture or floor mounted furniture should not be lengthy. in order to give a dramatic look to your bathroom, you can use wall mirrors.

Bathroom mirrors can be used to give a fine look to your bathroom. Bathroom mirrors are one of the important elements of any bathroom. your right choice of a mirror can give a modern and stylish look to your bathroom.

Bathroom mirrors can change the look of your bathroom completely, if used with proper lighting. it is up to you whether you want to create a traditional look, or a contemporary look to your bathroom. Another option you have is a Victorian style bathroom, which is designed with heavy layers of dark wood. Nowadays, people prefer traditional styles of bathroom mirrors.

In conclusion, it can be said that a bathroom mirror is a very important and integral part of your bathroom. it gives an entirely unique look to it.

How To Choose A Bathroom Mirror

Palo Alto Online : Honoring old, making way for the new

If you only have time to visit one of the four houses on the Charming Cottages of Palo Alto tour this month, don’t miss the home of Debbie Miller and Carol Nast. what started as a 1928 Mediterranean home with rich cocobolo wide-plank flooring, outward-opening casement windows and dark-beamed ceilings, has been enhanced through a several-year remodeling project into a stunning home. “We tried to keep the classic character of the house,” Miller said, pointing to the rough-hewn front door and newly refinished floors. “I thought the house was beautiful, but nothing was done.” Miller has lived there since 1989, but she and Nast didn’t start the renovation until 2008. three different designs were drawn up before they settled on architect Robert Goldspink of Aptos and contractor Harrell Remodeling of Mountain View. much of the front remains the same, embellished by ironwork designed by Jolee Horne, a landscape designer in Mountain View. Horne designed (and HandCrafted Metals of Redwood City made) everything from the wisteria-adorned arched trellis in the front yard to the living-room fireplace screen, lamps, gate, the courtyard hearth and embellishment around a fountain. Working with interior designer Olivia Boston, of Olivia’s Order, San Francisco, Miller and Nast created a home that’s thematically unified by color and style throughout. “They wanted a Tuscan, Old World look,” Boston said. that look is seen in the scrolled pattern in one wallpapered wall behind the bed in a downstairs bedroom, coordinated with matching fabric in the bed skirt. The twists and leaves reappear in much of the ironwork, or bathroom faucets, or shower tiles. Colors segue from the russet living room through the Dijon dining room to the chamois master-bedroom suite. Coordinated flooring begins with the dark, tropical cocobolo in the entry and living room, moving into tile that resembles reclaimed brick in the kitchen and breakfast room. Spaces are captured in intriguing ways: One-third of a closet was incorporated in an enlarged bathroom, which includes tile that closely resembles wood. what was once the entry to the kitchen is now a larder, complete with custom cabinetry by Segale Bros. with faux-front bins (that appear to contain pasta and grains). The ceiling is faced in brick. Highlight of the kitchen is a gray marble backsplash with an inlaid leafy design in green. The former garage and an adjoining studio apartment are now a reconfigured master suite, which includes a roomy bedroom, a walk-in closet and large bathroom with a huge free-standing tub and two vanities. And from the glass-walled shower, one can step out to the private patio (where the hot tub is), then out the gate to a second kitchen. that kitchen is designed for outdoor entertaining, with a long granite counter, Viking range and barbecue. Refreshments will be served there on tour days. because the lot is 200 feet deep, there was no problem constructing a new two-car garage at the rear. French doors from the living room, dining room, breakfast area and master bedroom lead to a courtyard with a central fireplace, a second space for indoor-outdoor entertaining and just enjoying the outdoor view. while keeping that Old-World charm, the owners wanted all the modern conveniences, including electricity to their new living-room chandelier (which was found in a hotel ballroom in Chicago). Amina stereo speakers are located behind the Sheetrock throughout the house, with sound coming from within the walls. But some things didn’t warrant changing at all: when paint was stripped off the original casement windows, they discovered bronze hardware. This year’s Charming Cottages of Palo Alto home tour is the 21st annual event sponsored by the Palo Alto Area Mills College Club. Proceeds from the tour benefit Mills College students from San Mateo and Santa Clara counties. Among the other three homes, you’ll find: * a tower and a turret * a driveway made of recycled San Francisco cobblestones * a lot of attention to preserving original details, whether they’re original glass, bricks in the furnace flue, floors or lighting fixtures * environmentally conscious efforts to improve energy conservation or use green-building techniques while updating homes. Clearly, there’s much to see on the tour, but if you want to limit your view to this one house, you’ll still have to buy your ticket first. One hint to location: It’s in Crescent Park. what: Charming Cottages of Palo Alto when: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Friday, March 30, and Saturday, March 31 where: Four houses in Palo Alto Cost: $35. Tickets are available via the website or at 204 Seale Ave., Palo Alto, on tour days. Info: Charming Cottages

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Palo Alto Online : Honoring old, making way for the new

Bathroom Decorating: Bathroom Rugs for Toilet Seat Covers

Bathroom decorating is a nice thing to do with your kids. You will not only teach them how to design your home but also teach them to be neat in all things. You could add bathroom rugs for toilet bowls as well. It is actually nice to have fluffy or micronized cotton for your toilet seat cover. It comes in different designs. There are bathroom rugs for toilet seat covers that are animal printed, floral, seascape, polka dots, fruit printed, striped, checkered and others. You could even have one that has a cartoon character on them. Pick your choice if you wanted the Disney cartoon characters like Mickey and friends or Pooh and friends, or the Warner Brothers cartoon characters like Bugs Bunny and friends. There are also anime ones that will be good for your kids if they love Japanese anime. There are also simple designs. It’s your choice which one is nice for your toilet seat cover.

Bathroom Decorating: Bathroom Rugs for Toilet Seat Covers