| (ARA) -- It’s a room with a toilet and a sink. | | | | Personified by items that are rustic, warm and |
| Maybe a window, if you’re lucky. The average | | | | inviting, a Tuscan room typically features items that |
| size is a tiny four feet by five feet. And if it | | | | look like they have been there forever, used by |
| can’t get any worse, it’s probably the most | | | | countless generations. |
| frequently used room in your house -- especially for | | | | To achieve this look in your guest bath, use warm, |
| guests and visitors. | | | | golden colors such as yellows, oranges and browns. |
| Yes, it’s the powder room . . . also known as the | | | | Faux finishing techniques are ideal when painting in a |
| half-bath or guest bath. While for years this has been | | | | Tuscan theme, as they duplicate the sun-washed |
| a miniscule room, often forgotten when decorating, | | | | walls and crumbled porticos seen in Italy. Since |
| today’s builders are actually allocating more | | | | Tuscan homes often have tile roofs, accessorize the |
| space to the powder room. In addition, powder | | | | walls in your powder room with mosaic tiles, or add a |
| rooms in many newer homes offer such upscale | | | | detailed tile backsplash behind the sink. |
| features as high-end cabinetry, pedestal sinks, ornate | | | | Providing the perfect finishing touch to the bath, add |
| accessories and sophisticated lighting. | | | | Italian-made ceramics to the powder room by placing |
| Whether your powder room is big or small, this is a | | | | plates or decorative vases on a decorative glass |
| space where you can let your expression show. | | | | shelf. Or, add a feeling of casual comfort with pewter |
| Because its size is typically smaller than other rooms | | | | or copper picture frames and candlestick holders. If |
| in your home, it allows you the opportunity to be a | | | | you’re looking to add a signature piece with old |
| bit more creative and daring. Plus, you can make a | | | | world appeal, install a towel ring from the Danbury |
| significant decorating impact with little time and | | | | collection in oil rubbed bronze -- it adds classic style to |
| expense, and change the look often to keep it fresh. | | | | a traditional accessory. |
| A Little Room That Makes a Big Impact | | | | Finally, we all know that Italians love to eat and |
| The name “powder room” actually descends | | | | entertain -- so why not place a bowl of fresh lemons |
| from Victorian times. Bathrooms were often called | | | | or homemade biscotti next to the hand towels. |
| powder rooms because it was the place where ladies | | | | It’s a small touch that your guests will be sure to |
| retired to powder their noses. These spaces were | | | | remember. |
| tastefully decorated and full of charm. | | | | Retreat to the Spa |
| Today, the powder room is equally as significant to a | | | | We all love to be pampered, especially when |
| home’s décor, if not more so. In fact, its | | | | we’re far from home. Why not give your guests |
| design has become so important that the National | | | | the “spa treatment” when they are visiting |
| Kitchen & Bath Association has added a powder | | | | your powder room? Start with cool colors, such as |
| room category to its annual design competition which | | | | light blues, greens and purples on the walls. White |
| provides a barometer for what’s hot in the | | | | accents are the perfect addition to provide a calming |
| design industry. | | | | effect. |
| But, sprucing up the powder room with a stylish flair | | | | One of the best amenities in visiting a spa is the |
| isn’t a challenge left only to interior designers. | | | | luxurious, fluffy towels. Feature these beautiful items, |
| Thanks to the popularity of numerous do-it-yourself | | | | perhaps with your monogrammed initials, on a simple, |
| decorating television shows, more Americans than | | | | yet stylish towel bar. An ideal choice would be an |
| ever before are trying their hand at stylish decorating | | | | 18-inch towel bar from the Sage collection from |
| themselves. In fact, a recent survey conducted by | | | | Creative Specialties International. Offering smooth, |
| Creative Specialties International, a division of Moen | | | | rounded edges with clean lines and understated |
| Incorporated; and Rooms of America, a consumer | | | | accents, the Sage towel bar coordinates well in a |
| research organization, found that more than 75 | | | | variety of bath decors. |
| percent of respondents said that decorating themes | | | | Complete the spa look with small items that make a |
| are “important” in the powder room. | | | | big impact -- such as aromatherapy candles in |
| What does that mean to manufacturers of | | | | coordinating colors. Or, place a small CD player in a |
| bath-related products? According to Mark Savan, vice | | | | corner of the powder room and play mood relaxing |
| president and general manager of Creative Specialties | | | | or nature-inspired music. Finally, place a basket of |
| International, “Consumer style preferences are | | | | lotions, scented hand soaps and a small hand |
| our number one consideration when designing new | | | | massager in the corner of the counter top. |
| bath accessory collections. We take these survey | | | | A Touch of Sophistication |
| results seriously and even conduct our own focus | | | | Who says a powder room can’t have a |
| groups to further substantiate consumer | | | | sophisticated style? An elegant décor is a perfect |
| preferences.” | | | | way to spruce up a half-bath -- especially if it is |
| Relying on this extensive research, Creative | | | | located off a formal living or dining room. Start with |
| Specialties International recently introduced four new | | | | rich, deep colors on your walls, such as red, burgundy |
| bath accessory collections designed to reflect the | | | | or navy. Another popular choice is chocolate brown, |
| styles used in today’s bath. Sold under the | | | | which many designers are calling “the new |
| Inspirations brand, the Stockton, Danbury, Sage and | | | | black.” |
| Avery collections each fall into one of three design | | | | Next, put an extra emphasis on lighting, as it can |
| categories -- traditional, contemporary/casual or | | | | have a major impact on the overall feel of the room. |
| country. The Stockton, Sage and Avery collections | | | | And just because it’s a powder room |
| are available in chrome and brushed nickel; while the | | | | doesn’t mean you have to be limited to a boring |
| Danbury collection is available in chrome and popular | | | | overhead ceiling fixture. Instead, be a bit daring and |
| oil rubbed bronze. Each product creates a stunning | | | | use spot or track lighting, wall sconces or even small |
| look for a guest bathroom. | | | | table lamps set on the countertop or the back of the |
| “In talking with consumers, we’ve found | | | | commode. Or, why not hang a small chandelier as the |
| that many are really looking to make a statement in | | | | primary light source -- perhaps in a coordinating style |
| their powder room -- and can be a bit more | | | | of another fixture in your home? Whatever lighting |
| experimental with their decorating,” adds Savan. | | | | you choose, increasing the number and variety will |
| “That’s why our new collections feature a | | | | add drama to its appearance. |
| more stylish, contemporary design -- to meet the | | | | To add a sophisticated touch to the sink area, many |
| demand for more on-trend styles. In addition to the | | | | homeowners are turning to the past for inspiration by |
| style of the accessories, our new collections also | | | | installing pedestal sinks. Another dramatic option used |
| feature exceptional finishes, such as brushed nickel. | | | | by top designers includes mounting the sink bowl on |
| The result is a product which blends well in many of | | | | top of the counter as if it were a large bowl on a |
| today’s fashionable powder rooms.” | | | | table. Furthermore, granite, marble and Corian |
| Take a Walk on the Wild Side | | | | countertops aren’t just for the kitchen anymore |
| As homeowners experiment with different | | | | -- they make the perfect addition to a powder room, |
| decorating trends, it’s important to remember | | | | thanks to their intricate designs and rich color options. |
| that a powder room is a great area to try more | | | | Finally, don’t forget about the accessories and |
| dramatic decorating ideas and come out of your shell | | | | small details. Mirrors don’t have to be limited to |
| a bit. Just because your family room is decorated in a | | | | simple squares on the wall -- add a bit of drama by |
| contemporary theme doesn’t mean your | | | | framing them with beautiful molding or draping them |
| bathroom has to reflect that same style. Perhaps | | | | in rich fabrics. Carry on the elegant theme by installing |
| you’re an attorney by day but enjoy gardening | | | | a Stockton double towel bar filled with thick, luxurious |
| on the side. Why not paint the walls in a sage green | | | | hand towels. And bring a touch of warmth to the |
| and use accent pieces such as colorful flower pots | | | | room with a beautiful rug. But instead of traditional |
| filled with live or silk flowers. Or hang a beautiful | | | | bathroom rugs, try a small oriental rug, which can |
| wreath made of dried flowers as a focal point, and | | | | bring all of the colors of the room together with one |
| surround it with framed water-color paintings of | | | | piece. |
| vibrant gardens. | | | | Final Words of Wisdom |
| If you’re thinking of something a little more | | | | When it comes to sprucing up your powder room, it |
| dramatic, the following are a few other decorating | | | | doesn’t matter whether you decorate in a |
| ideas to give your powder room some extra pizzazz: | | | | country, contemporary or traditional style. Just |
| Viva Italia! | | | | remember to have fun and try new things. Your |
| Add a bit of Tuscan style to your powder room -- | | | | powder room can be an extension of your |
| and you’ll be ahead of the curve -- using a trend | | | | personality, expressing your special interests. Create |
| that many interior designers predict will be one of the | | | | a statement and if things don’t pan out, try |
| most popular decorating themes next year. | | | | again. |