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Personalize your child’s bathroom

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Our children are not only our pride and joy, but also little individuals with their own personal tastes. More kids today have not only their own bedrooms, but also their own bathrooms, which they may use on their own. Parents want to keep them safe in one of the most dangerous rooms in the house, but also to bring out their children’s styles and interests in their bathrooms.

“It’s basically form and function when you opt to do a child’s bathroom today,” said Ellen Tesauro of all Decks and Improvement, Wayne (alldecksandimprovement.com). “First, you have to think of all of the safety precautions; next, height of the children using the bath; and then, personality.”

Start with “going to the bathroom,” your child’s basic need. having a standard-height toilet is key – not too high nor too low is best, as children grow. many manufacturers today make taller toilets, but standard height is still available. with small children, always keep the toilet lid closed — they are prone to look inside, which can cause them to fall in head-first. Toilet locks are available for those with curiosity-prone kids.

When children wash their hands or brush their teeth, a 30- or 31 1/2-inch standard vanity makes it easier for them to reach the sink.

“Most customers still go for the 34 1/2-inch vanity height, for a little more storage and extra drawers, if they choose to use a vanity drawer base,” said James Carriero of Master Kitchens & Baths, Fair Lawn (masterkitchensandbaths.com). “In that case, a customer would give the child a step stool to use.”

If you go this route, provide a solid, wooden stool. Also, do not keep any hazardous cleaners in children’s cabinets or on the bathroom floors.

A temperature-controlled faucet can be set to prevent kids from getting burned. most tub or shower faucets today include anti-scald devices; still, it is wise to set temperatures lower in the children’s bathroom than in the main facilities. if yours is not equipped with temperature control, you can have it installed for around $800 by Tringali Contracting, Elmwood Park (tringalicontracting.webs.com). The company also will do a tub-to-stall shower conversion or design a whole new bathroom to suit the needs of your child.

For the floor, Carriero recommends using a porcelain tile in a matte, non-slip finish, as opposed to marble or granite tile, to prevent falls. Rubber-backed bathroom rugs provide even more traction on tile floors.

Kids’ bathrooms should come with a tub and a hand shower on a slide bar, so the smallest child can adjust the bar to his or her own height. The tub must have slip-resistant strips on the bottom. Tringali Contracting also will add a special non-slip finish to the bottom of a tub for $95.

Designing a child’s bathroom usually is the most enjoyable part for parents and their kids alike. Experts advise going with neutral colors with walls, cabinets and tile, so themes can be changed as children grow. Bright shades can be left for the tile accents, towels, rugs and glass.

Wall decals can be used to express boys’ typical interests (sports, superheroes) or girls’ (Cinderella, Snow White, flowers) personalities. A parent with a talent for crafting can stitch characters and other images on a shower curtain to keep the child entertained while bathing. Accessories in a range of themes popular with youngsters can be found at Bed, Bath & Beyond stores, and the company offers an entire kids’ bath page on its website, bedbathandbeyond.com.

A wallpaper border in a favorite theme can add life to a child’s bathroom with a minimum of mess or fuss. For an even easier option, check out WallPops vinyl wall stickers – easy to remove when the child’s tastes change (wallpops.com). WallPops are moisture-resistant as long as you keep them away from a direct spray of water. They can be purchased in paint and wall-paper stores, as well as from chain stores such as Walmart.

Personalize your child’s bathroom

Bathroom Flooring Ideas

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Most of the time, bathroom flooring is not the element that receives much attention from homeowners and decorators. This is understandable because it only has your feet to attend to, unlike sinks, toilets and shower enclosures that have crucial specifications affecting their performance and usage. however, if you are considering a complete bathroom renovation, you should give the flooring some attention, it adds more to the overall appearance of your bathroom than you realize.

The list of bathroom flooring ideas is actually long; including familiar and unusual choices, but the bottom line in making the selection is safety and cleanliness. The bathroom floor material that you should choose must not cause much slippage when wet, which means that it has to have friction of some sort. Also, it should be easy to clean and inhibit odor. whether you are considering luxury bathroom designs or a simpler one, you should take note that the flooring material depends on the amount of water spillage that occurs, the amount of time you can devote for cleaning, and the durability of the material.

Ceramic tile is one of the more common bathroom flooring, because it is durable and hygienic. It is perfect for compact bathroom designs as large ceramic tiles can create an illusion of a bigger space. aside from being easy to clean and waterproof, these tiles are safe from stains. The advantage of tiles are having a wide option for colors, patterns, shapes, sizes, textures and styles, while the disadvantage are it is often feels cold underfoot, it can be slippery and is prone to mold and mildew in grouting.

Vinyl flooring is another option that can look like slate, marble, brick or even wood flooring. The advantages are it is non-allergenic, waterproof, stain-resistant and durable and easy to maintain.

There less common bathroom flooring choices that you will still find used, such as hardwood or laminates, carpet, cork, or rubber. If your home’s major floor plan is of hardwood, it will be pleasing to use the same material for the bathroom. Hardwood offers a warm feeling and a good visual appeal, but it can be destroyed by moisture unless coated with water-resistant sealant. another promising choice is carpet, which must be resistant to water, stain, and mildew in order to last for a long time. however, it is not advisable for households with children, for even high-grade carpet will be unable to withstand frequent soakings and spillage. If opt for cork, a flooring material overloaded with good qualities, as it is warm underfoot and sound insulation, as well as being non-slip and rot-proof even when wet. Rubber is also highly durable and resistant to elements, but it must be studded in order to prevent slipping.

Finally, if you are after style and quality for your luxury bathroom designs, stone flooring. marble, slate and limestone are the best choice, they are durable and resistant to wear and tear, although they may require sealing to prevent staining and are cold underfoot, so you may want to consider heated bathroom flooring.

In choosing your bathroom flooring, you need to consider affordability, quality and practicality. The right choices become an investment that will increase the price of your house, if and when you decide to sell your house.

Bathroom Flooring Ideas

Mini-bars, colored lights and beyond

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The new luxury bathroom: Open, expansive areas with enough space for exercise equipment or a mini-bar. Technology is everywhere, including toilets with lids that open as you arrive and a variety of cleansing devices synced to a user’s preference by remote control.

Showers with a variety of sprays and colored lights. Tubs with a variety of water massage elements, including the soothing vibrations generated by music.

Those are the kind of options available to homeowners at the upper-end of the income scale as they redefine what bathrooms represent.

Rather than being out-of-they-way rooms where people go to care for their hygienic and beauty needs, bathrooms for the wealthy are increasingly becoming more useful spaces with the feel of a refuge where people pamper and reinvigorate themselves.

It’s the first place most people see when they wake up and often the last place they visit before going to bed, said Tim Schroeder, president of Duravit USA, a manufacturer of innovative bathroom products.

“People are discovering more uses for it,” Schroeder said. “It can have a big influence on how you feel about yourself.”

In the most luxurious homes, bathrooms are looking more like private spas, with multifaceted cleansing devices, steam rooms, massaging showers and tubs, LCD television screens hidden in mirrors, heated flooring and even small fireplaces for warmth.

Essential oils added to the water give the room a refreshing aroma and colored lights add a relaxing touch. Touch-pad remote controls allow the homeowner to customize the features to fit his or her personal tastes.

“Most people want the spa experience in the home,” said Lynley Serratt, director of sales and marketing for Palmer Todd in San Antonio and a certified kitchen and bath designer.

That can increase home costs, but those costs have not turned buyers away. after kitchens, bathroom enhancements are where high-end homeowners are making their biggest investments, Serratt said.

Among the products that they can buy are:

Tubs that are visually appealing and that massage a body with pulsating and bubbling water. Technology developed by Kohler co. turns the tub into a music system that sends sound waves rustling through the water for relaxation. Jason Hydrotherapy offers MicroSilk with its tubs that produce micro-bubbles that elevate the dissolved oxygen content of the water and, Jason says, fight wrinkles.

Showers with overhead features that let water fall down like rain or spray panels on several walls that surround your body with water. With Moen’s ioDIGITAL technology, four users can set their water temperature and pressure and alert the user if the hot water supply is low.

Toilets with bidets that are self-cleaning, preset to the temperature preference of different users and featuring a built-in music system. Duravit’s SensoWash products have three washes that are different for men and women and a wireless remote control system that presets operations for two users.

Extra features such as warming drawers for towels or lotion, artistic vessels for sinks, electronically controlled faucets that turn on and off by hand movement and chandeliers for light.

Marie Levy, owner of The Kitchen and Bath Specialist in San Antonio, said people are spending more time in their bathrooms, so they have not cut back on the size of those spaces, even as home sizes generally are trending smaller.

“That’s one room that’s not taking a back seat to any other area in the home,” she said.

With the additional features in the upper-end bathrooms have come additional uses.

Christy Bowen, owner of twelve Stones Designs in Austin, said designers have added coffee stations and mini-bars to bathrooms when space is available. Treadmills and exercise equipment have been included in some bathroom upgrades.

Schroeder said the nicest bathrooms in some homes are attached to the home gym, rather than being part of master bedroom.

“It’s not a strictly utilitarian area,” he said.

Homeowners at times open up the bathroom space, taking out walls from the showers and adding ventilation, drains and a slight slope to the tile floors so the whole area drains.

Phil Rudick, co-owner of Urban Kitchens + Baths in Austin, said with enough space, ventilation and drainage, an open bathroom — or wet room — can include closets and dressing areas where people can relax.

He said the trend in stylish baths is toward a more open, streamlined design.

The cost of high-end baths, Rudick said, starts at about $35,000 and goes up depending on the size of the room, the number and brands of features added.

wpack@express-news.net

Mini-bars, colored lights and beyond

Fantastic Bathroom Ideas You Can Choose From

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Here are some bathroom ideas that will help you if you are currently planning a renovation. There are several issues to be considered here. You should realize this when you are planning. There are a lot of ideas you can choose from. and so, it is essential that you make the right choices. Try to get the best of color, space, decoration and design to ensure a very good finish.

Choosing the correct toilet  – This is certainly one of the most important decisions you will be making. first, make sure that the toilet is just the right size for the size of your bathroom. keep it at the right place in the room so that you can make best use of the available space. perhaps you can choose something that fits into the wall if your bathroom is small. Toilets come with many attractive and useful features these days. While many of them are important, but remember to choose the right size first.

Colors – The use of color is always important in a toilet. Remember, it is the decor that you have that will go a long way in making your bathroom look visually stunning or unattractive. The best colors to choose can be pale or soft schemes that will not make the room look small. This is very important, as these days, most homes do not really have a large bathroom. these colors are extremely soft to look at, and are thus relaxing to the eye. They will also give you an illusion of space. in other words, the bathroom will appear much bigger than what it really is. Try to stay away from bright and sharp colors. if you really want to use these colors, then you can go for a contrast.

Shower tiles – There’s a huge range of shower tiles available now. You will find stone tiles, ceramic tiles, glass tiles, granite tiles and more. these tiles come in a variety of colors and designs as well. some of them have a textured surface, while the others are smooth as silk. Go through all the styles you can find and get an idea about them all. then select something that appeals to you the most. but before you choose, decide whether you want a traditional or a contemporary looking bathroom. Another style you may consider is the porcelain tiles. these tiles look beautiful and they last for many years. They are really durable.

 Lighting arrangements – Are you thinking of changing the lighting arrangement in your bathroom? You should, because the lighting can really decorate your bathroom very efficiently. However the sad reality is that, a lot of people end up ignoring the bathroom lighting. They would install just about anything that they can get. Never make this mistake. Lighting can create just the right atmosphere here. Yes, you might need to spend a bit extra, but this is worth it.

Try to get as many ideas as you can before you start the work. With the right bathroom ideas, you can certainly decorate this room efficiently.

Fantastic Bathroom Ideas You Can Choose From

Call off the hounds. Bathroom remodel is almost complete

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by Penny Stine Friday, March 9, 2012

We have been remodeling our master bathroom for about a month. when I say we, I should clarify: It doesn’t include me. although I did go with the tile guy to choose the tile, I haven’t done much beyond that. Not only am I totally unqualified to do anything remotely handy, I’m having a hard time getting excited about bathroom choices.

At the home improvement store, I had to admit to my husband that I didn’t care about the light fixtures. That doesn’t mean I’m not grateful that we’re doing the remodel or indifferent to the process, it just means that I have no strong preference regarding toilets, lights or cabinetry. 

Our bathroom was at the point where anything would have been an improvement. Seriously. ANYTHING. there was no one feature that was terribly wrong with the room, but there wasn’t anything right about it, either. our house was built in the 1970s, and although the ‘70s are known for good music and weird clothing, it wasn’t an era in which they were building classic homes. when we bought the house, it came with avocado fixtures in one bathroom, blue fixtures in another and off-white carpet in both.

We replaced the avocado toilet years ago, along with the carpeting in bathrooms frequented by teenage boys. Replacing the blue toilet and carpeting in the master bathroom never seemed like an urgent priority. Then we noticed the faucet in the shower had a permanent drip, the carpet had turned from off-white to grungy-gray and we realized the bathroom had outlived its useful service life.

Plus, our master bath included a 32-inch shower, which is pretty roomy if you’re one of the seven dwarfs. Not so spacious if you’re an average-sized adult. The room was too small for a tub-and-shower combination and the placement of the window made expanding the shower tricky. So we brought in an expert tile guy, who took one look and gave us an option that neither my husband nor I had considered. 

The bathroom remodel hasn’t been a major inconvenience because we have three bathrooms in the house and only three people currently live there.  We’re rarely home at the same time, let alone trying to shower and get ready for work at the same time.

It has, however, thrown Howie the dog for a big-time loop. as a former shelter mutt who’s probably got some red heeler and dingo in his blood, Howie is a fiercely protective herding dog. some people would say he’s a maniac with issues, but he only acts that way when someone tries to invade his castle or mess with his herd.

Having the tile guy and his helper working in the house for a week was an invasion only second to Normandy. Fortunately, Howie’s a smart dog and eventually agreed to a truce, at least until the bathroom’s finished.

Howie also likes to keep track of his herd at all times, which means he follows us around from room to room. our house is a tri-level, and during the bathroom remodel, I’ve been schlepping around with my toiletries in a basket as I alternate between using the downstairs bathroom and the upstairs bathroom. I should have just invaded one of our other bathrooms during the duration, but a bathroom invasion by me is more like an Occupy Wall Street event, and I couldn’t do that to my family.

Howie was compelled to follow me as I schlepped. although he prefers to follow me into every room, he often posts himself at the top of the stairs when I’m darting from room to room. That way, I can trip over him frequently. Angus the cat, who thinks he’s a dog, also likes to keep his eye on us. his usual post is the bottom of the stairs, where he, too, is in prime tripping position.

We are nearing the end of the remodel and I can see that it was worth the inconvenience, the money and the angst at the home improvement stores. Instead of being a room that would have been slightly embarrassing to show to a guest, my master bathroom is going to look fabulous and the shower will be large enough to shave my legs without accidentally knocking open the shower door.

Plus, I’ve got a cool blue toilet that would make a great planter for petunias.

Call off the hounds. Bathroom remodel is almost complete

A Silently Leaking Toilet Tank Speaks Volumes in Water & Money Wasted

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According to the American Water Works Association (AWWA), toilets are responsible for approximately 27 percent of the water used in homes on a daily basis. the amount of water used by toilets is only increased when there is a leak. a leaking toilet tank can result in an incredible loss of water every minute it has not been stopped. It oftentimes goes undetected until a leak test has been conducted.

What causes toilet leaking?

  • Ineffective flush valve system
  • Fill valve problems

An ineffective flush valve system is the most common culprit of toilet leaking. at the bottom of a toilet tank is the flapper, or flush valve ball. the ball or flapper is supposed to form a watertight seal. after a period of time this part can begin to deteriorate or become defective. When this occurs, water begins to leak around it into the toilet bowl. although this leak is the most common, it can be the most difficult to detect, because the toilet leaking is silent.

While the ineffective flush valve is responsible for most leaks, fill valve problems result in a leaking toilet tank as well. the second most frequent cause of a leaking toilet tank is a broken or inadequately placed fill valve, or ball cock. Problems occur when the shut-off valve does not completely close or the float is placed too high. If this happens, the tank will experience a continuous flow of water, which then enters the overflow tube.

Water and money consumed before a leak test

Toilet leaking results in a tremendous amount of water loss. Every day that a silent leak goes undetected can amount to as much as 300 gallons of water. That is three times the amount of water the average American uses in an entire day. When water is wasted, that easily translates to money spent on higher water bills. Depending on the size of the leak, it is possible to end up paying an extra $500.00 every year on water that was never used. Performing a leak test regularly allows you to take action before more water, and ultimately money, can be wasted.

How can I tell if the toilet is leaking?

A leak test can be performed by placing a toilet tablet into the toilet tank once the filling has stopped. Wait for a period of 10 minutes, and then check for color in the bowl. If color emerges, you have a leak problem that needs to be fixed right away. the toilet tablet is very inexpensive. They cost as little as $0.19 for one package containing two tablets.

Leaks involving the fill valve are not as easily detected. once the toilet tank is full, remove the tank covering and check for water flowing in the overflow tube. If this is occurring, you have a leaking toilet tank on your hands. a water leak sensor is available to alert you as soon as toilet leaking is detected. the device flashes a green LED light when the toilet is properly functioning. once toilet leaking has been sensed, the LED will flash a red light and make a beeping sound. a water leak sensor costs approximately $20.00, and pays for itself many times over during the course of a year in the money you will save by knowing right away when you are facing a leaking toilet tank.

A Silently Leaking Toilet Tank Speaks Volumes in Water & Money Wasted

Tricks to refresh your home during the winter

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Wipe down and disinfect all fixtures. Remember lighting fixtures, too. Carefully remove glass fixtures and clean with warm, soapy water. Let them dry thoroughly before reattaching.Sort through products and discard or recycle old bottles and containers. get rid of excess clutter in your bathroom cabinets. Remove items from the medicine cabinet and wipe down all surfaces.you can use Greased Lightning to remove grease, grime, mildew stains and soap scum from your bathroom surfaces, including tubs, sinks, toilets, counters and baseboards.To get additional tips to spruce up your home, as well as coupons from Greased Lightning, like them on Facebook, or visit www.glcleans.com.Fresh ideas for cleaningFurniture moving trick: when you need to move heavy pieces of furniture across uncarpeted floors, fold two clean towels, put one under each end of the furniture piece, then slide it across the floor.Clean lampshades: use an adhesive lint roller to get the dust off of fabric lampshades.use smart cleaners: you don't need a separate cleaning product for every room in the house. The pros use a few good, general cleaners to tackle multiple types of messes. Learn more about the Greased Lightning family of products at www.glcleans.com.keep your tools handy: get a plastic tote tray to carry with you from room to room. Load it with your cleaners, rags, rubber gloves, dusters and a couple of extra trash bags. You'll be surprised at how much faster the cleaning goes when everything is right where you need it.

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Tricks to refresh your home during the winter

Bathroom Decor – Let Your Bathroom Become Your Sanctuary

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Even though the bathroom is the smallest room in most houses, having beautiful bathroom decor can have an enormous impact on the overall design of your home and how your home feels overall. A well designed and decorated bathroom can add thousands of dollars in value to your home – believe it or not.

Your bathroom offers space for personal convenience and personal pampering before you step out into the real world; after a restful nights sleep. Having lavish bathroom decor isn’t just a dream – it’s well within your reach. There’s lots of home improvement tips out there that will allow you to create a bathroom that meets your taste and your budget.

There are a lot of things to consider when changing your bathroom’s appearance and you need to take your time with this. Selecting fixtures, sinks, toilets, showers and tubs can seem overwhelming if you do not lay out a plan first. There are literally thousands of different remodeling schemes to choose from, all providing innovation and glamour, that you can easily become distracted by the broad selection of products available to you in your redecorating quest.

You don’t have to be overwhelmed – all you need to do is follow some simple guidelines before you start. What your heart desires might ruin your budget so keep functionality and budget in mind when you’re making your choices. Fixtures and fittings for bathrooms have changed a lot over the years – if something in your bathroom is badly worn it might be cheaper to replace it then spend a long time fiddling with it to repair it.

If you have a small powder room or an elegant looking bath, installing a pedestal or wall-hung sink is the perfect option for enhancing these items. you can find these types of sinks in many different materials, including cast iron, stainless steel, colorful art glass and even china.

The styles of pedestal sinks also vary, from traditional to space age modern so whatever your decorating taste is you’re sure to find something that suits. another big advantage of a pedestal sink is that it’s usually accessible from a wheelchair and you can add extra storage space beneath it if you need to.

Bathtubs are a big part of every bathroom and you have such a wide range of styles to choose from. if you want to install a whirlpool, you can get a corner tub that is space efficient. if you want the sunken tub effect, a platform tub is the perfect fit. or, you might want to have a vintage claw foot style to add a nostalgic look to your bathroom. the choices are pretty much endless.

A popular current choice in bathroom decorating is to have the tub and shower as separate units. This means using up more floor space to have both items fitted separately but your bathroom instantly becomes more versatile by allowing two people to bathe at the same time if necessary. anyone who has to shower a bathroom with their partner knows how important this can be. Today, remodeling choices include a sloped shower which eliminates the need for a shower door. you can purchase modular shower systems which can be customized with different walls, floors and fittings.

As you can see, these are just a few options available for you to consider when you are planning to change your bathroom decor. Develop your plan, stay focused, and build your bathroom sanctuary that you can retreat into whenever you want some true peace and quiet.

Bathroom Decor – Let Your Bathroom Become Your Sanctuary

How to Decorate an En-Suite Bathroom

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En-suite bathrooms often have limited space, which can make decorating them rather difficult. In order to make the room as functional as possible, you need to decorate it with practicality in mind as well as making it visually appealing.

Space Saving Bathroom Suites

Bathrooms suites will take up the most room in your bathroom, so they need careful consideration before buying. Corner toilets and basins can really help to save space in your bathroom by utilising corners and freeing up wall space for other bathroom furniture. Corner bathroom suites have the same functionality as a regular suite but don’t use as much room space, which can be incredibly convenient for cloakroom WCs and small en-suites. They’re also considered to be a modern interior and provide aesthetic value.

One of the main problems with bathroom design is the lack of storage. displaying your toiletries and cleaning products can make the room appear incredibly unsightly and cluttered. Vanity units are one of the hottest products currently on the market as they are seen as a luxurious on the eye and an extremely convenient storage option. they are generally underneath the bathroom sink, hiding any unsightly pedestals and pipes. they are perfect for storing any unsightly toiletries so you only have accessories on display, not a bottle of bleach.

Mirrors are perfect for en-suite bathrooms as their reflective properties allow them to bounce light all around the room. Lighting enhances the space in smaller rooms, whereas darkness and dinginess can make them appear smaller. Don’t opt for entirely mirrored walls, but two or 3 mirrors should help your en-suite to appear larger than life.

Shower cubicles are generally restricted to larger bathroom areas, but there are ways in which you can cheat your way into having the shower cubicle of your dreams in your en-suite. Corner shower cubicles take up less room than standard enclosures, using the same concept as corner toilets and sinks. Consider which doors you choose and how they open, bi-fold doors and sliding doors often take up minimal space, perfect for small en-suite bathrooms.

En-suite bathrooms can add significant value to your home, both in terms of finance and practicality. it can be extremely convenient for larger families too whose family members’ bathroom habits may clash. When decorating your en-suite bear in mind that it’s adjacent to a bedroom and adopt a colour scheme which corresponds, this can help to bring style continuity into your home.

How to Decorate an En-Suite Bathroom