Innovations Interior Design
Home is Where You Come Alive - Designer Tips, Tricks, & TrendsJuly 2011

In This Issue
Add Beauty, Fragrance, & Drama to Your Home
5 Ways to Create a Spa-like Master Bath
'Before & After'
Greetings!  
I hope that you had a wonderful 4th of July and that you're enjoying your summer.  Summer is a great time to lighten and freshen your home.  Heavy, dark accents can be replaced with lighter, brighter colors.  Your master bath is just the place to create a light and calming environment.  See my article below on how to create a spa-like master bath.

I've personally selected all of the unique and beautiful designer accents on our Home Accessories & Accent Furniture Online Boutique.    For our newsletter readers enjoy a 30% savings on any purchase of candleholders this month.  Just enter CANDLEHOLDERS in the coupon code area when you checkout.  Hope you find something that you love!

If you'd like to see more design tips and tricks in addition to this monthly newsletter, please LIKE us on FACEBOOK.  Check out our brand new WELCOME page!  I frequently post interesting and informative tips and information.  Or subscribe to my BLOG.  Until next time. . .

Warmly,
Pamela Jaffke 
 

Innovations Interior Design  

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Add Beauty, Fragrance, & Drama to Your Home 
Candlelight can add romance, ambience, fragrance, and drama to your home.  Everything seems lovelier by the soft glow of a flickering flame.  Whether grouped for drama in the living room, paired in candlesticks on the dining table, or set beside the bathtub, candles create an ambience unlike anything else.  For summer, select candles with light fragrances like lavender or lilac. 

Large pillar candles in glass hurricanes make a bold statement by day and add subtle warmth and drama at night when lit.  They can be especially dramatic when placed on a coffee table.

Melody Candleholder 

A graceful candleholder that holds multiple candles will add beauty and grace to your home by day and drama by night.  A candelabra like the one below would work well on an entry table or a dining room buffet. 

 

Devin Candelabra 

 

For summer, make your fireplace a dramatic backdrop by filling it with pillar candles. This is a great way to enjoy the visual pleasure of a fire when it's too warm for a log fire.  Add a Zen influence to your master bath by placing one or more pillar candles on a ceramic saucer or metal plate and surrounding the candle base with flat black stones.  Experiment with different candles and candleholders, and most of all have fun! 

5 Ways to Create a Spa-like Master Bath
Visiting a spa is very much a sensory experience. Don't you love the feeling of tranquility and relaxation that you get when visiting a spa? Much of this experience comes from the environment of the spa - the wall colors, flooring, natural materials, furnishings, fixtures, layout, and lighting all contribute to a Zen-like atmosphere. Wouldn't you love to have this feeling in your own master bath? Well, you can. Whether you completely remodel your bathroom or just update it, depending on your budget, you can create a feeling of calm and peacefulness. Here are some suggestions -

1 - Choose a Color Palette of Warm, Calming, Neutral Colors - Soothing, calming colors will help to create a restful sanctuary. Include neutrals such as soft buttery yellows, pale aquas, or warm shades of biscuit, cream, fawn, or sand.

 

2 - Bring in Natural Light - If you are remodeling your bath, try to include some larger windows. Top-down shades can be used for privacy when needed. If windows aren't an option, try to include a skylight to increase the amount of natural light. Everyone looks and feels better when bathed in natural sunlight. Include lighting fixtures with clean lines over sinks, and be sure that there is plenty of light. Including dimmers will allow you to change the mood as you desire.

 

3 - Use Natural Materials - Natural finished woods and natural stones like marble or granite will add to the Zen-like feel of your bath. Lighter colored woods and stone will not only make your bath feel more spacious, but will also help to create a calming feeling.

Perez Master Bath - After 

4 - Upgrade Your Shower and Tub - If the budget allows, consider a jetted tub and luxurious shower. There are so many options available now.  If you don't have room for a tub and separate shower, consider just having a large shower with massage jets, rain showerheads, and even steam nozzles. Use natural stone or stone-like tiles. The addition of glass decorative tiles will add a soft, calming feeling. Be sure to include a clear glass, frameless shower enclosure to add to the open feeling.

 

Perez master shower 

5 - Accessorize & Personalize Your Spa Bath - Add accessory pieces that make you feel warm and relaxed. Scented candles, river rocks, glass vases, bamboo, and seashells will all add to the serene and peaceful feeling. But don't get carried away. You don't want it to look cluttered. Include luxurious towels that will add to your enjoyment as you use your new spa bath.

 

By following these suggestions and guidelines you can create a relaxing, stress-relieving environment in your own home that will provide you with enjoyment for years to come. If you'd like to see more photos of the above master bath and other baths I've designed, just click here. If you'd like some professional help in creating your spa-like bath, just let me know. I'd love to help.

Before & After Photos

I love sharing "before and after" photos. It's so much fun to see the changes in a room. I love seeing the reaction of my clients when we complete a project, but seeing the actual before and after photos is incredible. You can see a slideshow of "before & after's" on my website under Portfolio, but I'd like to showcase one in this newsletter each month where I'll comment on the project. 

Pramik MBath - Before Pramik MBath - After

'Before'

'After'

Since we're talking about master bath design this month, I thought I'd include another one of my favorite master bath design projects.  As you can see in the photo on the left, there was a very small, high window above the tub.  We replaced that with a nice large window to allow in lots of light and a great view.  A privacy shade hides under the valance and is activated with a remote control.  The tub was replaced with a jetted soaking tub and beautiful porcelain tile surround with decorative tile accents.  The shower was completely re-done with tiles to match the tub surround, new plumbing fixtures, and a frameless clear glass enclosure.  The flooring was replaced with porcelain tiles to complement the tub and shower tiles.  A new vanity cabinet is much more functional and attractive.  A new marble countertop, undermount sinks, and beautiful new faucets were included.  The mirror was replaced with two beautiful framed mirrors, and the old flourescent soffit was removed and replaced with two attractive and functional lighting fixtures.  Additional recessed lighting was included in the ceiling.  I included a free-standing towel bar, due to a lack of wall space near the shower and tub.  I also included a decorative candle sconce and  wall mounted towel rack.  For the wall opposite the shower I found a unique etagere for plants, photos, and accessories.  It was an amazing transformation. 

  

You can see more photos of this and other baths in the portfolio section of my website.  If you'd like some help transforming a room in your home, just call or email me .  I'd love to help you.