Bathroom Re-do Tips

When remodeling your bath there are a few basic things to consider: Color scheme, shower and bath design, heating and flooring,  and ligating.

Choosing a Paint Color and Color Scheme

Bathrooms have many glossy and light reflecting surfaces, so low-luster and matte paint finishes are a better option for bathroom paints and colors. Paints treated with mildewcide should also be used because of the moisture accumulation in bathrooms.  To begin developing a bathroom color scheme,  choose wallpaper or fabrics then use them for inspiration for color accents or trim. Consider the location and size of the bathroom, paying attention to the sight lines outside of the bathroom, the adjacent walls, and the path towards it. Create a harmony with the colors that join each room by complementing design elements. For example, if there is a stripe pattern in the bathroom and a floral pattern in adjacent rooms, match the colors.

 Shower and Bathtub

Make sure the towel rack is within reach of the bathtub or shower. Also, allocate enough room around the bathtub for cleaning. Ideally, there should also be a good amount of distance between the bathtub/shower, the toilet and the door. 

  Heating and Flooring

The air temperature in the bathroom should be 2-3 degrees warmer than in other parts of the house.  It's a good idea to have a separate thermostat to control the bathroom’s temperature.  Heat lamps and forced air heaters are good options for additional heat for the bathroom, and they are not difficult to install.  Floor radiators or similar floor-based heating are the best option.

Bathroom Lighting

The bathroom’s lighting requirements include natural lighting, general ambient lighting and specific task based lighting. These can be combined in a smaller sized bathroom.  For instance, the specialized lighting over the sink can also provide ambient lighting.  When there’s space, separate lighting can be provided for the shower, bathtub, and toilet.



The Bathroom is one of the hardest working rooms in your home and they take a lot of wear and tear. If a bathroom facelift is on the top of your renovation check list, Cheryl Smith Associates can help make your bathroom a relaxing functional retreat

 

Drapery Headers - Different Types of Pleating

There are many pleating styles, and each creates a different finished appearance.  One of our current projects allowed us to use varying styles of pleats.

Goblet pleating is a style of drapery pleating that is stuffed to create the appearance of a goblet. Drapes are pleated at the top to add fullness and a sense of formality. Goblet pleats are highly decorative and are usually designed to be mounted to a curtain rod.

  

Media Room

Goblet pleated drapery with wood pole and yarn covered rings. Fabric by Jab, Carmina. Rod and rings by Chase & Co.

Guest Bedroom

Goblet pleated draperies with shell buttons at the base of each pleat- Rod by JF Fabrics. Fabric is Medeaux by Richard Smith, pattern Corallina.

                                                                                         

                           

               Bedroom

Sheer draperies mounted behind crown moulding so the room has a continuous architectural detail. Sheer fabric is Griffith by Kravet.

 

Breakfast Room

Top tacked curtain with brass rods and rings.  The fabric looks like real crystal; the detail is incredible. Fabric is Pierre Frey, Boheme Bois 02.

                        

 Bedroom Another top tacked pleat, meaning the pleat is only sewn together at the top, not the top and bottom as with a standard pinch pleat. Top tacked pleats are less formal and more flowing in appearance. Fabric is from Pearson.


                                                                                             

  

Close up of duchess pleat- very clean and elegant.

                                                                       

                        

Family Room  

Duchess pleat side panels on 3" wood rod with antique steel finish and metal rings in the same finish. Sheer fabric has top tacked pleat. Rods by The Finial Company.  Side panel fabric is Christopher Norman, Vizcaya and sheer is Beacon Hill, DuPage.

Sarasota Bound

"Looking like the Beverly Hillbillies"- Cheryl

This week Cheryl is off to Sarasota to install window treatments at a client's home. The extra large window hardware posed some unique challenges to say the least.  Cheryl's husband built a metal frame and attached it to the hitch of the SUV to support the extra length and weight of the rods.


Stay tuned for pictures of the install!

Add Moulding for Architectural Detail

This two story blank wall needed interest. We applied 1/2 inch moulding adding architectural detail to the space.

Custom Upholstered Headboard Installation

A new headboard can change the whole look of your room.  A wall mounted headboard can be the perfect solution. Wall mounted headboards offer a wide variety of textures, fabrics and styles to work with all your decorating needs.  To install your own wall mounted headboard, follow the steps below:

1. Locate wall studs in the area you wish to hang the headboard.  Studs should be 16” apart.
   
2. Determine the height that you want the top of the headboard to be.
   
3. Using a cordless driver, attach the wood cleat to the wall.  The top edge of the cleat should be 8” lower than you want the top of the headboard to be.  Be sure the widest part of the cleat faces out so the angle faces the wall.  Use a level to be sure the cleat is installed evenly.
4.  Be sure all 4 screws go all the way into the wall.

5. Simply hang the headboard onto the wall cleat.

Enjoy your great-looking headboard!

Pantone Color Of The Year 2012

For over 18 years, Pantone, the global authority on color, has surveyed the designers of New York Fashion Week and beyond to bring you the season's most important color trends. This report previews the most prominent hues for spring 2012.

"Consumers look to spring for renewed energy, optimism and the promise of a brighter day," said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute®. "They have learned how color can help them alter a mood and provide the vitality and enthusiasm that enables them to experiment with new looks and color combinations."


Tangerine Tango, a tantalizing vivid orange, is a vibrant and attractive refresher to liven up your outlook this spring.

Flavor Paper- What's Your Flavor?

Flavor Paper produces wallpaper by hand screened and digital printing. All Flavor Paper is produced to order. You can interchange colors and grounds with hand screened wallpaper and can choose scale and colors for digital wallpaper. There's a flavor for every taste. For more information visit www.flavorpaper.com.

Recycle... Remake... Reincarnate

Reincarnated - Recycled materials get a second life as stunningly designed pieces.



Recycled corrugated boxes are used to create this scrap light from Graypants(www.graypants.com. Cardboard never looked so good.





The War Craft Coffee Table, by Uhuru (http://www.uhurudesign.com) wears an interpretation of Dazzle camouflage that was used on battleships to confuse enemy ships. The War Craft Line is built from reclaimed teak from the deck of the decommissioned USS North Carolina.

Hunter Douglas - Vignette Modern Roman Shade

Sumptuous fabrics and soft folds come together to create warm beautiful windows. Vignettes come in top-down or bottom-up to meet your privacy needs while making the most of the natural light.

For these or other Hunter Douglas products,visit www.hunterdouglas.com. Cheryl Smith Associates is an authorized Hunter Douglas dealer.

Holiday Decorating Ideas- Light Fixtures

Here are some festive options for decorating light fixtures to sprinkle holiday decor through out your home. If you are too busy to deck the halls yourself, then give Cheryl Smith Associates a call. We offer full service holiday decorating for your home or office.

Studio Dunn, Made in America

Studio Dunn uses locally sourced solid American hardwoods from sustainable forests. These are managed forests that replant the timber that is used, minimizing the impact on the environment.

Groupings make quite a decorating statement: a larger quantity of smaller objects is more effective at catching the eye.

Need some help with Christmas decorations, call Cheryl Smith Associates for our holiday decorating service.

Recycle, Reuse, Reincarnate- Eco First Start

EcoFirstArt features eco-friendly fine art, furniture, jewelry, accessories and apparel. The pieces are created from items such as reused products, recycled materials, and ecologically sustainable resources.


This seat was commissioned by North South Ideas Gallery for their bicycle show in Highgate. This is made from old bicycle saddles collected from all the bike shops in and around Hackney. Their seat posts are assembled around two used bicycle wheels.

For more information on this and other Eco First Art, visit www.ecofirstart.com.

Holiday Decorating Ideas - Christmas Trees

Christmas decorations and holiday decor are a big part of the festive season. Walking into a home filled with shimmering lights and the scent of pine instantly puts you into the holiday mood.

This holiday season, fill your home and heart with cheer. Whether your style is modern, sophisticated, traditional or folksy, Cheryl Smith Associates can transform your home into a holiday wonderland!

The Pink Swan Project

THE PINK SWAN PROJECT- To Benefit the BCRF

SUITE New York has officially launched the Pink Swan Project. This second installment of the Pink Project features Arne Jacobsen's iconic Swan chair, fully customized by nineteen of the world's leading designers.

The chairs will be auctioned on charitybuzz.com with proceeds benefitting the Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

The online auction will run October 1-31, 2011.

View all nineteen chairs and read more about the project and each of the designers by visiting http://www.suiteny.com/designers/featured.php.

Holiday Decorating Ideas -Mantels

Mantels are a natural focal point, and during the holidays they take center stage, giving your house a warm and cozy feeling. Whether your style is classic, rustic, or glamorous; Cheryl Smith Associates can turn your home into a winter wonderland.

A Lakehouse Transformed - Carolina Home + Garden - Fall 2011 - Western North Carolina

A Lakehouse Transformed - Carolina Home + Garden - Fall 2011 - Western North Carolina

Portable Flair

http://www.carolinahg.com/Carolina-Home-Garden/Fall-2010/A-Portable-Flair/

Gallery:Designers' Favorite Spaces - Carolina Home + Garden - Fall 2011 - Western North Carolina

Gallery:Designers' Favorite Spaces - Carolina Home + Garden - Fall 2011 - Western North Carolina

Ranges of Color

Add some spice to your kitchen with these colorful ranges. No longer are we bound to black, white, or stainless when choosing ranges. These colorful ranges, by manufacturers like Bertazzoni, Viking, and Bluestar, offer function and beauty to enhance the style of your kitchen.