18Mar

A Stunning Bathroom by Luis Puerta

Luis Puerta, Design bathroom belle vivir

I posted about Interior Designer Luis Puerta almost three years ago where I expressed my admiration for his minimal yet very elegant Interior Design. This bathroom he designed shows one more time his use of strong elements such as ornate wood, herringbone floor and ornate crown moldings to bring personality into more modern interiors with nude walls. I love the whitewashed herringbone floors, the floor-to-ceiling French doors with inside shutters. The use of antique furniture and indoor plants in the bathroom makes the space warmer besides the walls being bare. The bathroom seems to project a Greek influence with the Greek statues displaying in the room. I could really use a bathroom like this one.

10Feb

White bathrooms with brass fixture

White marble Bathroom with Brass Fixture, marble and brass bathroom

In this gorgeous bathroom, the wall is covered in what looks like
Calcutta marble, the bathroom fixtures and shower enclosure ring are
in antique brass finish.

One of the most classic looks in design is the combination of white a marble bathroom with brass fixtures. Of course this is subjective, but when talking about contrasts with harmonious combination, white marble and brass is one of the tops. Brass is one of those elements in interior design that goes well with many other materials and stones. For example in these images here included, you’ll see white tiles contrasting with brass as well because it’s not only a more affordable option but it’s also very striking one as well. One of the things I miss the most from home is my white marble bathroom that we had just finished remodeling. I covered the walking shower walls and floor in Calacatta slab and hexagon tiles respectively. I personally prefer the golden toned veins in Calacatta marble to the blue-grey and busier ones found in the more popular Carrara. One thing I would’ve loved to do though was to add brass fixtures for a more classy look. It’s a metal that I covet all my life especially when the
brass is in unpolished or brushed finish.

06Mar

Every home should have: A wallpapered powder room.

You’re always on my mind “banana leaf wallpaper” via Pinterest

As much as I love wallpaper, by far that’s not the reason why I believe powder rooms look more inviting when wallpapered. Of course big part of that inviting atmosphere comes down to the choice of paper, but the enveloping feel of a beautifully finished powder room does make a guest feel welcome more than any other room. Bare powder rooms lack caracther, there is only a toilette and a sink and unless they are not covered in expensive stones and embellished crown molding or painted in a nice color, there is no visual interest at all. It’s also the place where more design-conservative people can test their courage and opt for more bold design choices they would not pick for any other room in their homes. Enjoy!

A very cool and fresh powder room in blue.

20Nov

Black Bathrooms

Beauty is what beauty does! Meaning, in this case, that not all bathrooms need to be white in order to be beautiful. When black bathrooms have good and exotic materials that are utilized and mixed with contrasting elements as brass, light washed wood and a lot or just enough mirror the opulence of a dark bathroom is not only unique and normally unexpected but, it’s also seductive. I’m in love with the Chinoiserie vanities of the first bathroom below. I also love the rustic unpolished floor and the detail of the different colors and size marble in the shower below. It’s a total dream, isn’t it? The bathroom, first and second images, belong to Kim Herbert, Harper’s Bazzaar uk editor via Elle Decor.

21Aug

How to transform a powder room with wallpaper remnants.

Our powder room was the only bathroom that didn’t get gutted and redone. It would’ve been a lot of fun. This is usually the place where designers choose to go wildest. Maybe in the future we’ll do. Although I have to admit that’s far from happening. The only thing that came down was a ridiculous vanity cabinet, I don’t thing we need a medicine cabinet in our powder room? To our timing all this bathroom needed was wallpaper, in this case the remnants from Lucas’s bedroom. Didn’t I get lazy here? That’s the beauty about seagrass wallpaper; it is highly forgiving due to lack of a pattern, and the natural texture of the grains fit flawlessly together and it also hides many imperfections on the walls. Since I’m a little bit useless when it comes to DIYing, I hired a professional to do this, even when he was dealing with remnants- which is exactly the reason why I did it. The wallpaper was installed in thee of the walls and the one across from the mirror and toilet has a gallery wall from floor to ceiling. The result is totally flawless, even I can’t tell where the seams are. Go ahead don’t throw away those remnants! Below, how to transform a powder room with wallpaper remnants.

This is the after shot. The mirror is from Anthropologie and the towel is Pratesi, bought at a sale.

16Jul

Beautiful Bathtubs

Photo above via Lonny.

When I think of customizing or designing a bathroom the first thought that comes to my mind after functionality is of relaxation and pampering. A bathroom is the most private room in the house and it’s also the place we need to rely on in the mornings to helps us start the day efficiently and happy. One of my favorite things in our bathrooms is Lucas’s bathtub because it’s perfect for all our needs. I personally prefer a pedestal tub, the kind that do not have legs, but whether you prefer one with legs or not, Quality Bath has all the options for you. Below are a few of my favorites from their great selection.