Jingyi Sun's Ideas
9. Keep it clean. This sounds like a no-brainer, but a luxurious bathroom should be clean and clutter-free. So deep-clean your tub and shower and, if necessary, replace any chipped or discolored grout. You may even want to reglaze a worn tub to give it a newer look. Also, there’s no underestimating how much new life a fresh coat of paint can add to a room. Finally, edit out any unnecessary possessions. If you have open shelving, corral your necessities in a neutral container like the baskets seen here.
You’re probably not dealing with a lot of square footage or wall space in a typical bathroom, and that’s OK — it can even be an advantage since a diminutive room allows art to be the star. Creating a gallery-like feel can also help detract from worn or older aspects of your space.
8. Showcase art. You might not think of the bathroom as an obvious space to feature artwork, but doing so can elevate the feel of the room. In fact, multimillion-dollar homes often showcase large-scale artworks and collections in their bathrooms. Just be aware that moisture (and sunlight) can damage some pieces, so you should display art in non-steamy areas of the room or choose more durable or less valuable works.
Jars filled with multiples of the same item can be decorative and, similar to piles of fluffy towels, add a spa-like feel to a bathroom. Glass apothecary jars can be found in the home decor section of most retail and online vendors for as little as $15 each.
7. Organize with apothecary jars. Bathrooms are practical rooms with a functional purpose, and most of us have a myriad of personal items stashed throughout ours. Organize these everyday items in a more elegant way by storing essentials such as cotton balls, swabs and bath salts in classic glass apothecary jars.
Place neat piles of towels on shelves, roll them in baskets or set them on benches. Keep everything looking sophisticated by selecting towels of the same color and style. You’ll want enough so there’s still a decadent number left even after you pull one from the stack.
To really bring on the aromatherapy comfort, splurge on a high-end reed diffuser, a candle and — if you’re up for changing it out each week — a vase of flowers for your vanity. Fresh, inviting smells can make a bathroom feel like a spa.
5. Splurge on scents and soaps. Have you ever swooned over the yummy-smelling soaps in a fancy hotel or restaurant restroom? Making the small investment in a lavish hand soap is probably one of the easiest ways to add some luxury to your bathroom. This spa-like touch can cost as little as $15 for a bottle of dreamy essential-oil hand soap. Look to your big-box, discount and online vendors for cost-saving options.
3. Choose a regal paint color. A dark wall color can instantly add a posh look to a bathroom. Dramatic paint choices like charcoal or navy create a welcoming contrast to common bathroom finishes such as white, helping the space seem brighter and newer.
Selecting a mirror with a glitzy finish, such as gold, or a jewel-like multifaceted rim can really transform your vanity wall. Decorative wall mirrors can cost as little as $150, depending on their size. For a highly styled look, pair your glam mirror with fashionable sconces.
2. Glam up your mirror. If you have a plain bathroom mirror in the standard rectangle or square shape, look for an alternative with more stylish details. This one is a great example: Its elegant flower shape gives the room a more designed look.
1. Choose statement lighting. Whether it’s a glittering chandelier or wall-mounted sconces, try swapping ordinary lighting for a fixture that makes a stylish statement. Hanging a chandelier in the middle of the room or over a soaking tub can make a stunning and luxurious impact, as shown here in this all-white bathroom. The crystal chandelier with a dark iron base gives the room an expensive glow without detracting from the clean white palette.
3. Pink and metallics. If you love to go big with color, pink might be your perfect pick for the holidays.Pink is happy, whimsical and fun, and it pairs well with pretty much any color.
Build upon the color palette by introducing natural elements, such as pine cones, twigs and branches. You can use them as they are, or you can spray-paint them to punch up the color.3 Holiday Tablescape Looks to Try
Navy and gold also work well together at your winter dining table. Use navy table linens, such as napkins or a tablecloth. Then sprinkle gold elements around the table in the form of candleholders, napkin rings, decor or flatware. Your tabletop will feel much more sophisticated and festive right away.
2. Navy and gold. This dramatic color palette makes any space more glam. Navy is rich and dark, and gives off a relaxed and cool feel. Gold, on the other hand, is hot, vibrant and sparkly. Together, they make any setting look lush.
Honorable MentionThis lanai makes me happy and jealous at the same time, so I thought I’d use it for the “share” part of this story. (It was No. 8 on the “Most Popular Porches” list, so it just missed landing in the top 20 among porches, decks, patios and balconies).Share: Houzzers, what kinds of things are on your outdoor wish list? What would you grab first, a porch swing or a hot tub? Would you want a TV in your outdoor space, or do you prefer the sounds of nature? Are you a patio person or a deck person? Do you have any plans to renovate or otherwise improve a fresh-air space in the coming year? Let’s talk about it all in the Comments.MoreRead more about landscape designFind patio furniture
6. A Secret GardenThis London courtyard has appeal straight out of The Secret Garden. And a palette that’s mostly green with white blooms thrown in makes you appreciate all of the different forms and textures of the plants, which range from carefully clipped shrubs on the ground to wild vines that climb the walls and extend overhead.Notable detail: That’s a lily pond in the foreground.See the rest of this home
15. Island DreamingThis sleeping porch on Amelia Island in Florida has room for two to enjoy the fresh breezes and sounds of the sea while drifting off for the night or grabbing a catnap during the day.Notable detail: Ropes holding up the beds add a nautical touch.
16. Al Fresco DiningThis pergola-covered outdoor dining room overlooks a lake in Massachusetts. The classical proportions of the architecture and lovely furniture and lighting make it a wonderful spot for meals from casual picnics to formal dinner parties.Notable detail: The patio surface is composed of a grid of pavers and grass. Check out the pool and outdoor kitchen
19. Cooking, Eating, Toasting and Soaking The designers fit a lot into this 1,000-square-foot yard in San Francisco, including a dining platform, an outdoor kitchen, a fire pit and a sunken hot tub with an ipe deck surround that matches the main deck.Notable detail: The steps on the deck double as stadium-style seating.Learn more about this backyard design
Get that five-star feeling. Velvet’s a favorite in hotels as well as homes. Here, the velvet curtains are part of the recipe used to evoke boutique-hotel style, along with a textured teal wallcovering. For a rich finish in your own bedroom, be inspired by this room’s use of metallics, including the tone of the velvet fabric. It’s effective for layering on the luxe.MoreHow to Hang Your Curtains Just RightFabric Focus: Decorating With Touchy-Feely VelvetGreen Velvet Shines in These Enviable RoomsBrowse velvet curtains
Stay dark. A good night’s shut-eye will not be yours if the window treatment doesn’t block light effectively. In this penthouse, early dawns and city lights aren’t a bother because of the velvet curtains. The fabric’s renowned for its efficiency in keeping an interior dark, so it’s a winner for the easily disturbed. Make sure you measure accurately when buying curtains for a light-stopping fit. A metal tape measure is best, as fabric versions can stretch.
The project started with the building of the garage with living quarters above. This is where the homeowners stayed for several summers until the main structure was complete. The garage and guest quarters feature half-log siding. Architect Amy Dirkes says the homeowners didn’t want the same siding on the exterior of the main house, so she went with complementary dark-stained cedar shingles instead.
Houzz at a GlanceLocation: Solsidan (“Sunny Side”), 7.5 miles south of StockholmSize: 3,230 square feet (300 square meters); three bedrooms, three bathroomsDesigner: André Schievink of Amsterdam LivingSolsidan is one of Greater Stockholm’s most coveted residential areas — a popular Swedish TV series of the same name is even set in the neighborhood — and there are quite a few old wooden houses. This nontraditional waterfront house sits in a marvelous position on the cliffs. It was designed by the former owner, who also built a log-heated sauna on the water.
6. Use a hanging plant rack. Another way to bring houseplants to bare walls is to rig up a hanging planter. Systems like this usually don’t come with drainage holes (it would make a mess indoors), so you’ll drop plants in their nursery pots into the containers in the hanging system. This has the advantage of keeping the arrangement flexible, allowing you to easily swap out plants. You can find these hanging systems through specialty nurseries or online, or put together your own using dowel rods to support multiple potted plant hangers.Find hanging planters
1. Choose placement based on a plant’s personality. By “personality” I mean both its growth habit and light requirements. If you already have the houseplant, research whether it’s a sun lover or can tolerate darker areas before you scout for potential placements. Once you’ve identified areas with bright light (direct and indirect), medium light and low light, and the plants that thrive in each exposure, note each plant’s growth habit and size.Position “trailers,” like pothos and string of pearls (Senecio rowleyanus), on high shelves where they can spill down. Display desktop-size plants close to eye level, such as on a mantel or midlevel shelf, so they can be appreciated up close. Reserve larger structural plants, like fiddleleaf fig (Ficus lyrata) or a large-scale cactus, for areas like empty corners or the space behind the couch.The Secret to Keeping Your Houseplants Happy and Healthy
2. Glazed: soft and shimmery. If you love the pared-back look of subway tile but want an even softer feel, go for a glazed finish, as shown here. The shiny, uneven surface reflects the light to give a shimmery look that’s perfect for a tranquil, traditional-style bathroom or kitchen. The square tiles here are laid in a brickwork pattern, so the difference between this look and subway tile is slight — an ideal compromise for die-hard fans.
4. It contrasts with patterned floors. Subway tile is also the ideal foil for a bold floor design. By tiling the walls with a simple brickwork formation, the owners of this kitchen were able to let loose on the floor. The white walls form a blank canvas to highlight an expanse of stunning pattern.
5 Reasons to Stick With Subway TileEach of these alternatives is beautiful in its own way and would look gorgeous in any home. But does that mean subway tile has had its day? See if you agree with these five reasons for sticking with it.1. It’s timeless. If you’re going for a vintage look in your bathroom or kitchen, tile design can make or break the room. In this wash space, for example, the distressed wood cabinet, the vintage chair and artwork, and the old fireplace give the room a cozy, antique feel. Since the subway tile’s timeless look doesn’t shout modern, the feel of the room remains old-fashioned.
To maintain a high-end, luxurious look, keep your counters and ledges as clear as possible. Place your toothbrushes and toothpaste in a medicine cabinet if you can. If certain items must remain on the counter, contain them in a luxe tumbler — perhaps a mirrored one or one made of faux marble. These little changes to your everyday items will go a long way toward creating a stylish and luxurious bathroom.More8 Ways to Make Your Living Room More LuxeGreat Home Project: How to Regrout Your Tile
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