It’s true that, of all the rooms in your home, the bathroom is the one used for the most practical of purposes.  Many people think of their bathrooms as a place you go to get ready for the rest of their day or night.  But as your Seattle interior designer will tell you, transforming your bathroom into a design delight is a great way to bring a whole new level of enjoyment to some of your everyday necessities.

Especially in these trying times when folks are opting to invest money into their homes instead of away from them, a bathroom makeover really makes sense.  Bathroom redesign can be a daunting task, and not one to be undertaken without at least the advice of an interior designer.  Here is a brief description of a few of today’s hottest trends in bathroom design.

Tubs and Showers
If space is no concern in your bathroom, there are a wide variety of tubs you can move up to.  From deep soakers to spa tubs, from corner Jacuzzis to modern versions of the claw foot tub, and everything in between, you are sure to fall in love with a cool design.  Nothing beats stress better than a long soak in a tub full of fragrant bubbles or a few minutes of an invigorating massage in your own personal whirlpool tub.  If your space is somewhat more of a concern, free standing showers come in many shapes and sizes, some with walls and doors of clear glass for a really spacious feel.  Showerheads that create a cascade of water and multiple shower jets that massage as they spray can turn your time in the shower into the highlight of your day.

Floors
Long gone are the days of plain old vinyl in the bathroom.  Ceramic, stone and even laminate flooring have become the choice of many for bathroom makeovers. Available in a wide assortment of colors as well as textures, a new floor can really define your new room.  One of the best investments to consider if you’re doing a new bathroom floor is electric in floor heating.  Treating yourself to this little luxury is something you won’t regret!

Faucets and Vanities
A new sink and vanity are sure to be a must for your bathroom makeover.  Cabinets are available in all kinds of finishes and free standing pedestal sinks create a very modern feel.  Faucets, like tubs and showers have made great design improvements over the past few years.  Whether your preference runs to black iron, oxidized copper or brushed pewter, there is sure to be a finish and style to suit your new bathroom vision.

Take a few minutes to really think about what you want in a bathroom before speaking to your interior designer.  Make a list of the things you’d really like to have and prioritize them in case you have to make some concessions. It will be a big project, and you want to be sure that you end up with everything you hoped for!

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Adding a home office is one of the fastest growing interior design trends.  With all the technological advances in telecommunications and telecommuting, many business-minded people are turning to the home office as their new workplace.  For some it is more simply an addition of practical space to help them organize and keep in control of their very busy lifestyles.  Whatever the reason, if you’re considering a home office addition that can be not only practical but beautiful, seeking the advice of a Seattle interior design firm will get you pointed in the right direction.  Here are a few key elements that you and your designer will have to consider.

Location
Deciding where to create a home office can often be the most difficult part of the task.  Give some thought to when you’ll be spending your time there.  If you are a work at home professional who will need quiet time for phone calls or network conferences, you may need the office to be away from the hustle and bustle of home life.  On the other hand, if you’re a work at home parent with little ones around, you may need the space to be in view of a family room or play area.  You’ll also want to be sure you have some natural light but window shades or blinds may be required to keep the sun off your computer at certain times of the day.  A door that can be closed is also something to consider, and whether or not it has an inside lock function might be a personal consideration as well.

Needs
Just as anything in life, there are things we need, and things we want, and what we need and want for the home office is no exception.  When designing your home office, look first to the things you must have to make it a useable, efficient space. Obviously you are going to need adequate electrical outlets, telephone or cable connections and proper lighting fixtures. You will need access to all these features when you configure your office furniture.  The other absolute necessities are a good sturdy desk and a comfortable, ergonomically correct desk chair. Depending on the nature of your work, a filing cabinet may or may not be considered essential, but many desks will include one filing drawer, so this call can be made based on the amount of filing space you need.

Extras
This part of home office design is more aesthetic.  Once your furniture is in place and your computer station wired and functional, you can invest a little time creating the mood and style of your home workspace.  Obviously you want it to be a room that is comfortable but at the same time one that encourages productivity.  Here’s where a designer’s knowledge and skills enter into the mix.  They’ll suggest colors and textiles that will make your office a place to work but still provide a calm, comfortable atmosphere. Personal touches will add that little extra to make the space your own.  Paintings, posters, shelving, window dressings and such should all be brought together in a design that offers flow and continuity while being practical and functional.

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You may not believe this, but the air quality inside your home may be poorer than the one outside, causing irritation, allergies, and putting in danger the lives of those who suffer from a chronic respiratory disease like asthma, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD).

You should know though, that there are 4 easy ways to make the quality of the air at home better:

1.    Get rid of allergens and irritants as much as possible
We are talking about smoke, pet dander, and dust accumulation. Be honest. Do you dust the top of your furniture pieces and concealed corners regularly?

There is also something known as Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), which are released by some paints and carpets. So if you are going to paint your home soon, make sure you ask the contractor to use low VOC options.

2.    Put in detectors
You probably have a smoke detector in place, but how about a carbon monoxide one?  Harmful emissions of this gas can come from defective heating systems or broken clothes’ dryers and gas stoves. It is very toxic even in low concentrations.

In the same dangerous way, carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless in low concentrations; however, it is a hazard that may even cause death.

Another important precaution you must take, besides installing detectors, is to hire an HVAC professional to check your heating system regularly and make certain every appliance is correctly vented.

3.    Think about installing hardwood floors
If you are sick of carpets and dream of hardwood floors but until now were unable to think of a meaningful reason to make the investment other than for visual appeal, now we offer you a compelling reason to change: your family’s health.

Besides being easier to keep allergen and irritant free, hardwood floors do not release any of the toxic chemicals carpets produce.

4.    Research air filtration systems
A central filtration system will filter the air that comes into your home, and it is the most efficient and helpful way of to make the air inside your home healthier.

There are many air filtration system options, even single room ones; however, these only work for one room.  Since air moves around, all the dust particles and other spiteful miniature bugs it contains fly freely around your home, causing the polluted air from a room without proper filtration to move into other filtered living spaces, thus defeating the purpose of the filtration system.

Talk to your interior designers in Seattle or to your local HVAC contractor to learn what will work best for your home and how you can save money while installing a reliable central air filtration system.

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There is no magic trick to select a good contractor; however, there is an effective 5-step tracking system to avoid the bad ones, the ones who can really mess up your life by ruining your remodeling project.

The system consists of asking yourself 5 questions as you contact several contractors and talk to them about your remodeling needs.

Here are these 5 questions. Write them down or memorize them to have them handy upon meeting a potential contractor:

1.    Was he late for our first meeting?
First impressions matter… a lot!  When you are hiring a service, any service, the interested party should always be on time.  If a contractor doesn’t arrive on time for the first meeting with you, you can bet he won’t be dependable if hired.

2.    Did he just say we don’t need a contract?
Red alert!  Run!  Don’t even bother talking any further to a contractor that tells you he doesn’t use contracts to guarantee his work.  Every good contractor will gladly put every detail in writing as much for his sake as for yours.

3.    Is he hard to reach?
A remodeling project is a complicated activity, no matter the size, and the only way to ensure success is to be able to maintain constant communication with all the parties involved, interior designer, contractors, etc.  If you start talking to a contractor and he doesn’t return your calls promptly or answer your emails within 24 hours, you are better off looking for help somewhere else.

4.    How did he react when I asked for references?
A good contractor will feel pride in showing his work, thus, he will be more than glad to give you the names of clients he has done work for.  If you ask a contractor for references and he gets evasive, maybe you should think twice about hiring him.

5.    Is he asking me to pay in advance?
Good contractors work with payment schedules, based on completed jobs.  They will set everything in writing; establishing dates and amounts to be paid.  Never ever, pay a contractor in advance; you never know what you will get for the money.

This system works because it is simple; if one or more of the above apply, you are not looking in the right place.  Start your search from scratch and wait until you are certain you have found a good contractor, otherwise, you are in for disappointment after disappointment, high and unnecessary costs, and worst of all, poor results that will mean your home will lose value.

If you live in the area, you’ll be better off having an interior designer in Seattle direct your project.  She will take care of every detail, ensuring that the contractor is someone reliable and professional.

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The term “aging in place” has been widely used to talk about elderly people who have chosen to live by themselves in their own homes for as long as they can.

The National Home Builders Association and AARP have stated that over the next five years, the aging “baby boomer” population of the United States will have the second biggest impact on the remodeling industry over many other factors.

In these cases, it is necessary to do certain remodeling work in their homes to make them fit these seniors’ changing needs as they get older.

But, once you decide it is time to remodel your home to make it safer and more accessible to age in place, what exactly should you change?  Here is a list of the most important changes a home for the elderly requires:

1.    General floor plan
Of course it is best if your home is a one story building; however, if you live in a two story house, think about building a master bedroom suite downstairs, maybe transform the seldom used dinning room or study.  It is best if you build an adjacent bathroom, because as you age, it will get harder to move around and having your basic needs on hand is crucial.

2.    Bathroom
No matter where the bathroom is, it most definitely will need some adjustments to make it safer for elderly people.  Install grab bars around the bathing and toilet areas, and substitute your traditional bathtub for one with a step in type, which will help reduce the risk of slips and falls.

3.    Kitchen
If as a senior you want to be independent, you will most certainly be cooking and staying active in the kitchen.  This is why it is important to make it a friendly space.  Your upper wall cabinets should be installed no less than three inches lower than they normally are. This will prevent you from making a great effort to reach them or using a treacherous step stool.  The way to the kitchen should be kept open and free of objects or furniture.

4.    Flooring
Get rid of any slippery tile or high sheen surfaces.  Equally, a carpet can be very dangerous if it has a pile deeper than half and inch and is not installed with the appropriate padding.  In any case, to be safe, have any new flooring installed by professionals to make sure it has been properly secured in place.

5.    Exteriors
The exterior is as important as the interior.  There should be proper lighting outside for security reasons, and many people install a flashing emergency light to make sure emergency services find the house easily in case they have to.  Every path should be well lit, and every step should have solid hand rails and anti slip mats.

To ensure a professional, reliable, and safe job, consider talking to a Seattle interior designer; she knows what it takes to ensure your safety, your comfort, and your autonomy once the golden years arrive.

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The tendency of going green is far from over.  It will become even stronger in 2010 and in coming years, and your home is the place to start, if you haven’t already.

Going green is not easy. It is a comprehensive activity, but there are 4 principles that make a home green. These will transform your home, your reality, and your world, and are the place to start once you decide to implement this lifestyle:

1.    Water efficiency
Appliances and fixtures are crucial to establish if a home is green.  Green options include low flow showerheads, toilets, and faucets, which use only a fraction of the water old models use.  Equally, modern dishwashers and washing machines have evolved or use water more efficiently; there are even dry-clean models.

2.    Energy efficiency
Today, saving energy is not only important from an environmental point of view but also from the financial aspect.  Contrary to what you may think, it is fairly easy to remodel your home to make it energy efficient.  Simple things like replacing old windows, improving insulation, and changing from traditional light bulbs to compact fluorescent ones, go a long way in terms of energy savings.

3.    Resource efficiency
Getting more from less is a basic green principle.  Recycling is an essential activity.  Virtually everything can be recycled and reused to make kitchen cabinets and carpet tile, for example.  The tendency is moving towards using fast renewable natural products such as bamboo, which can be used to make beautiful floors and furniture pieces.

4.    Outdoor efficiency
No green home is such if its outdoor areas are not considered.  You cannot talk about green without taking into consideration the real green space: your home’s surroundings.  An old construction or a home that tends to be low energy efficient can be improved greatly by planting the right amount of shade trees and plants.  Landscaping experts say that a real green garden is composed of plants native to the region, and that the best way to arrange them is by their watering needs.

It pays to invest on a green home and to talk to a Seattle interior design expert who can guide you so that you make sound decisions that will mean savings and a better life for you, your family, and the world.

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Along with numerous other New Year resolutions, many people also resolve to make improvements to their general over all lifestyle.  One of the best ways to increase your feeling of day to day contentment is to give your home a fresh new look.  Investing in home improvements not only increases the value of your home it may  also improve your happiness, and money spent to enlist the help of a interior designer in Seattle will not only make the job less intimidating, it will also ensure that things turn out in reality the way you have them envisioned in your mind.

Each year brings exciting and innovative changes in the decorating world. If you’ve been considering a new look for your surroundings, here are some of the hot trends for 2010 that you might look into:

Coziness and comfort are returning to the decorating scene as people focus on staying home more.  With this trend come the desire for natural fabrics, calm, relaxing colors and plenty of texture.  Hot colors will include grays, lilacs and off whites.  Accent colors will be bold and rich in hues of plum, magenta and even orange.

Environmentally friendly products will be favored in paints, fabrics and accessories, but especially in lighting.  LED fixtures will continue to be the choice for those wishing to save energy, and new bolder, bigger lighting fixtures will emerge.  Particularly popular will be long rail LED lights, and rectangular chandeliers for large dining tables.

Wall murals will be in vogue and designers will offer them in everything from bold geometrics and edgy urban styles to Asian prints and soothing scenery.

Fabrics and textures will be very mix and match for a country comfort kind of appeal.  Focus will be on natural materials such as cork, wool and felt.  Large floral patterns on dark backgrounds may see a comeback.  Interesting color combinations such as a navy and lavender, plum and pink, and even turquoise and tangerine, may emerge in fabrics for window dressings, upholstery and accessories.

Trends in furniture will follow the mood of staying home and staying comfy.  Pieces will be functional and comfortable but elegant at the same time.  Following the lead of fabrics and textiles, furniture pieces will be a mixture of styles and materials.  Formal and casual, vintage and art deco, modern and contemporary will all reside together for an eclectic yet sophisticated appeal.

Woods of choice will include cost-efficient alder and maple, with bamboo being a very popular choice among the environmentally conscious.  Woodwork will be clean and classic with very little if any ornamentation.

These are just a few of the predicted trends for the new year as seen by various designers across the nation.  If some of these ideas appeal to your sense of home, why not give your interior designer in Seattle a call and see how you can comfy up your living space this year?

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The most important element of a successful interior design project is a good plan.  As your Seattle interior designer will explain, there are many aspects of a project to consider, such as the wise use of space, the right creation of atmosphere and the creation of a visually pleasing room. Bringing all of that together is, to say the least, a challenge.  In order to arrive at that point successfully, a good interior designer will ask a lot of questions before drawing up a plan for any project.  As a client, you should be ready with answers to those questions.  That is your part in reaching the ultimate goal of that superbly designed space you’ve been dreaming of.   Ask yourself this:

1.    How will I be using this space most of the time? Will it be a room for activity, for relaxing, for working or perhaps a studio?  Consider how it will be used for the majority of the time.

2.    What other uses might I want to include in this space? If secondary uses are planned for this room, list them as well.  Areas for different uses must be incorporated into the plan from the beginning.

3.    Will this be a high traffic area, and if so, how do I envision people moving through this space? Study the location of this space to determine if it can be used as you would like without interrupting a natural traffic flow of your overall space.  For example, designing a sun room sitting area that can only be accessed through the master bedroom may not be ideal if you plan to use the room for entertaining.

4.    Will the overall plan include other rooms as well? If ultimately you want the project to include changes to other rooms, those changes should be laid out in the beginning even if the actual work is to be done at a later date.

5.    What type of lighting do I want or need in this space? Do I need bright lights for games and activity, warm subtle light for quiet times, or perhaps some of each?

6.    Will I need additional mechanical elements such as electrical, heating or plumbing? These aspects tend to be costly and in some cases structurally impossible to install.  It’s best to know right from the start if that’s the case.

7.    Will I need special noise reduction or sound enhancement elements incorporated into the design? For example, for a home theatre you may want to consider using materials that provide for better sound quality.

8.    Do I want and, and is it possible to add extra windows or doors? You may want a window for enjoying beautiful sunsets but the room must be able to accommodate them.

9.    What kind of feeling do I want the space to have? Here’s where paint color, fabrics and textiles can be used in different ways to create the perfect mood for the room.

10.    What is my total budget for the project? It’s easy to get carried away when creating a dream space.  Know your limit and stay within it.

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Loft living has become the home of choice for all kinds of people from young business professionals to middle-aged empty nesters to older retired couples.  If you love the feel of open spaces and unique design, then loft living may be for you.  The one thing that all loft lovers do agree on, however, is that the interior design of a loft living space should be left in the hands of a professional, such a Seattle interior designer.  For the amateur home decorator, lofts present issues that can become quite frustrating and overwhelming.  Here are just a few of the design elements that call for a trained eye and creative hand:

• Lofts can sometimes be one open space where individual “rooms” have to be created using just the right elements of design.

• Some lofts have been built from refurbished industrial space leaving steel girders and exposed brick intact.  It can be tricky incorporating these elements into a finished design that works.

• That big open space will most likely mean very few walls.  Most of us are so used to plunking furniture against a wall, we wouldn’t have the first clue how to arrange our furniture any other way!  And how would we ever decide where or how to “hang” our favorite art pieces or gallery of family photos?

• Another thing that loft living doesn’t have is a closet around every corner.  Fewer closets mean less space to hide our “stuff.”  Open space loft living often means a lot more of the things we own have to be either creatively displayed or cleverly stored!

• All of that bare floor space is going to require area rugs to keep our toes nice and toasty.  In a loft, it’s not just a case of buying a 9×12 rug and plunking it down in the bedroom.  Several area rugs are likely going to be needed and much to the dismay of the “decorating challenged,” they will need to be coordinated!

• All of those gorgeous big windows that flood us with natural light during the day have to somehow be “dressed” for the night time hours too.

• Stainless steel appliances and granite counter tops make for a beautiful contemporary kitchen with lots of space for culinary adventure.  But what about the fact that the kitchen, bedroom and living room are actually all the same room?

• And then of course, there is the question of paint colors.  Does one open space necessarily mean everything needs to be all one color?  How do we choose different colors for different rooms when there are no “rooms?”

Most of us who have visited lofts have seen them as they are after interior designers have worked their magic.  These are the professionals who know how to turn that big open space into the exciting and unique style of living space that new loft owners dream about!

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).

There is always a good reason to want more space at home, and during hard economic times, it may be easier and more budget-friendly to add to your current home than to sell and find a bigger place.

However, how do you decide what to do?  Should you finish the attic?  Turn the basement into an apartment?  Build a completely new addition to your home?

The best option will depend on your home, your needs, and the budget you have to work with.  Here we give you a list of the advantages and the disadvantages for the three options mentioned above:

Option one- Basement remodeling
The basement is a very large open space that offers tons of different and interesting opportunities.  Your basement could become a full apartment, a playroom, a guest room, an office, an entertainment center, or a gym, among a variety of options.  The amount of money you have to spend is the decisive factor.

Basements have an important inconvenience: moisture.  Before beginning any basement remodeling, you have to make sure the space is protected against moisture; otherwise, you will have wasted your money and time.  A good interior designer will help you find the best solution for any moisture condition you may have to solve.

Option two- Attic remodeling
Remodeling the attic may be more difficult than remodeling the basement because of the low ceilings.  A very good design is needed to ensure the space is taken full advantage of while making it look beautiful and ensuring it is safe.

Attic floors may require reinforcing or replacing to support the weight of new furniture and regular traffic, and stairs may be needed to make the attic easily accessible.  These are all aspects that may discourage you to pursue an attic remodeling project; however, when they are done, attics turn out to be one of the favorite places for family members to hang around, because they become cozy and beautiful spaces.

Option three- Room building
To add an entirely new area to your house may be, by far, the most expensive option; nevertheless, it is the one that will add more value to your house if it is done right.

One of the preferred ways to add more space to a home when building a new room is by building a sunroom or enclosed patio, which offers a different and pleasing option of family room or place to throw parties.

If you decide to build a new room, you will most definitely need the help of a professional interior designer, because no matter where you live, there will always be permit issues and construction standards that you will have to meet.  Interior designers in Seattle take care of everything for you; they ensure your project runs smoothly in the practical, technical, and creative sides.

The most important thing after making the decision is doing it right, thus, find the right help, and make your home a better place to live.

If you liked this article, tell all your friends about it. They’ll thank you for it. If you have a blog or website, you can link to it or even post it to your own site (don’t forget to mention www.amelydesigns.com as the original source).