Rincon de Nimo

We can do it!

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 10:43:00 +0000

Came home exhausted last night after spending the bank holiday painting at my aunt's house. They moved in in late winter and have been wanting to change the salmon pink walls in the living room to something more neutral but figured they'd have to pay someone to do it. Until I got the itch ...

They wanted something neutral and although I'd love to have some before & after pics for you, we were time-crunched and what with covering sockets,floorboards and borders, we didnt take the time. Anyway, here is our inspiration-

we wanted a neutral color for the living room,to complement a newly installed sage green carpet

we also used it in the hallway to complete a new slate tile floor

we chose a warm terracotta for the open-plan kitchen which is adjacent to the living room

the bathroom had a mosaic of small,apple-green and creamy white tiles on the floor,so we picked

a muted aquamarine blue to create a cool,crisp & calming effect

what do you think?

I'm so sore from squishing into tiny corners to paint behind heating radiators!

Lost in the Seasons

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 21:49:00 +0000

I'm stuck in the middle of endless, miserable weather in a city just west of London known as Slough.
Okay,I exaggerate.
When I say endless, I mean that in between the persistent rain from Sunday to Sunday,there are 1, even 2 hour breaks of sunshine.
When I say miserable, I mean that its August, typically the hottest month of the year in western countries, and the daily average is 16°C.
Having to wear jumpers and socks indoors and even turn the heating on at night does not appeal to me in August.

I'd much rather be here:

i think i would spend most of my time here..

but instead I have to go make more hot cocoa :[

Coming Soon to a Room in Your Home...

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 19:53:00 +0000

Old News: The most sweeping Spring 2010 home decor trend is a palette of pastels.

Now lets see how we can add pastels and neutrals to home decor without toning down the wow factor.

3 rooms. 1 theme palette. Lets Go!

The color palette is as follows:

sky blue and muted peach pair up sweetly in this bathroom

minty green and grayish blue keep this room muted yet fresh

All colors are available from the Martha Stewart Paint collector, carried at your local Walmart, Home Depot and other Home stores.

Flowers ,Flowers Everywhere!

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Tue, 06 Apr 2010 16:53:00 +0000

It seemed that everyone on my street had caught a case of the green thumb this weekend. Fathers and sons, husbands and wives, parents and kids had their pant bottoms and sleeves rolled up and were digging into the dirt.

All in the hope that a month or two from now, the fragrance of beautiful bouquets will greet us as we enter our homes. What would be better than bypassing the florist and picking flowers from your own garden? Nothing whatsoever.

daffodils and branches

lily and alchemilla

bluebells and chive blossoms

hydrangeas and lavender

rose hips

autumn joy, celosia

alliums

Just beautiful! I hope this inspires you to dig into the dirt!

Tweet Tweet

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 21:59:00 +0000

Spring is the season when all of nature makes music. Crickets chirp louder, rain taps at windows and the skies clap with thunder.

Best of all, birds require no sheet music to sing their beautiful melodies.

These bird-inspired craft projects will have you humming happily as well!

chickens are birds too!

Resources for decorative supplies: Factory Direct Craft,

Check out these ideas for cheap, beautiful bird craft projects here and here and here and here. WOW. Heather at Dollar Store Crafts is blowing my mind with these fantastic, wallet-friendly ideas

Bring Spring to Where You're Living in 5 Quick Ways

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Sun, 28 Mar 2010 17:36:00 +0000

There are those who are fortunate enough to have the resources to completely redecorate their homes with the change of the season. For the rest of us mere earthlings, here are 5 quick ways to welcome spring into your home:

Swap out your accent pillow shams for bright ones

Roll up that ornate heirloom or oriental area rug and treat your feet to bright, patterned ,stain-resistant rugs which can withstand the clomping of wet rain boots and sopping umbrellas

Slide lightweight curtains into your curtain rods, going from heavy, wintry fabrics like velvet to light, homey ones like cotton or twill and swapping out traditional valances for simple tap-top curtains

Decorate with flowers

Add an umbrella stand to your foyer/entryway. You're going to need it whilst April showers bring May flowers!

As the Wind Chimes and Sun Shines

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 01:16:00 +0000

I went for a walk yesterday afternoon and as I passed several houses in my neighborhood, I heard the beautiful sound of wind chimes. Wind chimes are a marvelous soundtrack to every season of the year. When I hear spring, I hear the hollow chime of bamboo or wooden chimes. When I hear autumn and winter, I hear the cold ting-a-ling of brass or copper chimes. In the summertime..well the summer needs no soundtrack,although ceramic and glass chimes provide a light and delicate melody.

brass bell chime

gong wood chime

glass chime

this site even lets you listen to the chime before you buy it!

the sound of bamboo chimes is my favorite!

If you have a room with lots of windows

or a pair of french doors which you frequently open,

bring the wind chime indoors for a little more melodious living

get whimsical with this fisherman chime!

support fair trade with this bamboo chime made in Indonesia

When It Rains

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 03:01:00 +0000

I love the rain. I always have. It has been raining all day.

My dream home will have a spot where I can sit outside

and inhale the scent of the earth when it rains

a place sheltered enough for the sky's tears to just mist me

sheltered enough so I can stay there all morning and afternoon

so much so that I get completely lost in reading

and lose count of the raindrops

~MS

~HB

~H2H

The Ottoman Empire II

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Sat, 20 Mar 2010 19:04:00 +0000

I can't get enough- can you?

I love the combination of golden brass with warm colors like orange

This ottoman would look great in a spacious apartment with Parisian decor

~HB

this piece is bold and would accent a room with bold colors nicely

~HB

traditional can still be interesting

~HB

minimal but not boring

~HB

the low height of this piece suits an overstuffed library/study which probably has little space to spare

~HB

such beautiful legs!

~HB

This is actually my favorite piece- its style is modern and the fabric is a simple graphic

the masculine square shape meets the feminine curved legs for a perfect balance

~HB

ottoman's almost always seem formal, but this wicker piece proves its all up to you

~HB

Find The Ottoman Empire I here

The Ottoman Empire I

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 03:28:00 +0000

I called it a 'poof' when I was younger, because that's what my mother called it most of the time. Some call it an 'ottoman', and most people know it as a 'footstool'.

Call it what you want, but it remains the most versatile piece of furniture to grace a home. You can use it as a footstool when you've had a long day at work...

place it in the family room for extra seating when you have friends over....

use it in the living room with a serving tray to stow drinks and snacks nearby....

place it by the front door or the staircase landing and perch on it to quickly put on/take off your shoes on the way in/out....

you get the point-the possibilities are endless.

Ottomans come in many shapes and colors and are easily customized for extra flair and utility.

↑ how beautiful is this? So beautiful I'd be afraid to put my feet on it.maybe after a pedicure..

↑ these are unique in their shape and texture!

they would be right at home in a room with kitchy decor

~HB

Stay tuned for Ottoman Empire II

Delicious Slices of Orange

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 17:53:00 +0000

I love the color orange. It is my favorite color. It comes in so many shades and hues, almost all of them mimicking nature. Whether it is spring, summer, fall or winter, there is a way to bring a natural orange into our homes.

pumpkin orange is warm and rich

~MS

tangerine orange is sweet and juicy. no really, i could just gobble that iron table up

~MS

warm pumpkin orange in the photo frames is piped down a few degrees to the cooler hue on the accent tables

~MS

there are two hues here- the coral orange in the bookcase and the dusty orange reminiscent of wild orange roses, seen in the roses themselves and the armchair

~MS

the hue on the bedspread is reminiscent of the spicy cayenne

while that on the roman shades calls upon the richness of dark-orange bricks

~MS

Orange can be spicy, sweet,dark, bright, mellow,energizing, rich or neon.

If you can't decide, go out for a walk and see what makes you smile.

Demilune Tables

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 10:04:00 +0000

I loved demilune tables from the moment that I discovered them. I mean..they're simply genius. I imagine a stylish housewife sometime in the 16th or 17 century was placing her final touches on the foyer in her home and struggled to fit a small table in the typically narrow foyer. Just as she was giving up on squishing the table against the wall, her husband and son come home from fox-hunting. As they saunter through the hallway, her husband notices her dilemma- she wants to place a few inviting items and family mementos on display to welcome guests into the foyer, but she doesn't want to eat up all the space. After all, she must leave room for the hubby to drag in supper....anyway, hubby comes to the rescue like a knight in shining armor and gently asks her to step aside. Grabbing his chainsaw, he saws the hallway table in half as she watches, first in horror, and then with a twinkle in her eye..

The Demilune Table is born.

this demilune is so skinny, you might blink and miss it
~BD

It's all in the details
~TARGET

totally unpretentious, and stylish
~EF

~WALMART

~S&S

I picture this table in a colonial home with lots of character & all wooden floors
~AFD

holding down the foyer in a beach cottage..perhaps painted white
~WALMART

Believe it- this is a demilune table- and it goes to show that there is always room for creativity. Always. "The tabletop is a sustainably-harvested Ambaya burl, the base a natural section of the tree trunk, and the apron carved from a solid block of mahogany"-APT THERAPY
~VWS

~FURNITURE BUTLER

~AMAZON

Make your own silver Demilune table with these tips from BHG!

Essentials ..and Peripherals of a Home Library

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 00:19:00 +0000

Decorating a home library is easier than most rooms. Arguably, there are several essential items that are that are fundamental to the creation of a home library: books,bookshelves and comfortable seating. The rest is peripheral. So what makes libraries special? That rare ming vase serving as a bookend..or that centuries old leather chair replete with antique scent, that roaring wood burning fire in the center of the room? One thing is for sure, whatever it is a home library wouldn't be the same without it.

Among the list of spaces which my dream home will posses, is an inviting, non-pretentious library with large windows to allow for reading into dusk and enough shelving for my random collection.

~HB

with the absence of books, one would never guess that this is a library.

I love the blue and white color scheme because it retains that familiar masculine aura of a library

while adding freshness with the crisp white striped-rug and pillows

~HB

although i tend to associate libraries with brooding,masculine colors and pieces

there is no such decree that it must be so-and rightly so

~HB

~BHG

If you're going to fill your shelves with romance novels..

you might as well let the romance spill into the decor

~BHG

Foyer/Entryway/Hallway : A different Approach

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 01:56:00 +0000

I cant make up my mind about foyers. The most common approach to designing/decorating a foyer is to decorate it in the same style as the rest of a home, at least in the same style as adjacent rooms, so as to create a harmonious home. I have always slightly preferred a different approach... instead of using the foyer to introduce the style of the rest of the home, what if we had fun with it and surprised guests by using a totally different style from the rest of the home? Harmony get can boring, after all. Of course this idea is dependent on the layout of the home. A home with a widely open floor plan is more suited to harmonious decor, however otherwise secluded foyers could be used to set a tone as one either enters or leaves the home.

-L.ETC

I love the pop art newspaper-like prints covering this modern bureau

the rest of the decor is quiet so as to let the bureau take center-stage

-L.ETC

I absolutely love the idea of using murals to decorate a foyer

-CL

this foyer is all about utility- a place for shoes,coats,umbrellas and even family pet protraits

- CL

I like to think that walking out of a pretty foyer can make up for a bad hair day

-H2H

eclectic ≠ crazy

H2H

minimalistic yet utilitarian

H2H

drama in a foyer is ..well..dramatic ...an this one simply so

-CL

if one is fortunate enough to have a large foyer, a center-piece is almost mandatory

when the perfect circular table proves elusive, simply place two demilune tables back to back as above

the first thing I notice about this foyer is that there seems to be no break

between the ceiling and the floor

as the flowers in the vase reach upwardsand the chandelier cascades down

-HB

simple yet personal

-RS

The pebble tray allows snow/water to melt,preserving your floor

-MS

use re-finished vintage shutters as organizers-how clever!

-MS

Room with a View

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 02:03:00 +0000

I woke up this morning and was in the bathroom getting ready to jump into the shower when I heard a loud 'ting-ling-ling' of shattering glass. I ran out of the bathroom immediately to my room, wondering if I had left my mug of tea too close to the edge of the desk only to find

--broken glass. I couldn't believe it. The bottom half of one of the windows had been blown by an apparently tornado-like gust of wind into the room, banging on a chair and breaking into a couple of large shards and lots of tiny pieces. Needless to say I was flabbergasted....but the morning had to proceed, so later this evening, thinking about replacing the window, I have my mind on window treatments.

Here are a few ideas for customizing your window treatments:

Custom Paper Shades
"Origami paper squares are just right for dressing up a plain roller shade. Use squares from the same color family in a variety of patterns to create a grid. Adhere to a plain roller shade with craft spray adhesive (spray both the shade and the back of the paper for best results). For a uniform grid, mark the vertical center of the shade. Start by placing the squares along the bottom of the shade on either side of the center line, then work your way up in rows. Trim paper along the sides if necessary. Glue ribbon across the bottom to finish"
- BHG

Fake a Window Seat
"Sometimes a flat wall with an unadorned window isn't a pleasant touch, it's an eyesore. Make the most of the mundane by pushing two bookcases against the window and sliding a painted toy box topped with a cushion underneath. Then pick an unlined Roman shade in sunny yellow to let the light shine through even when the shade is drawn"
-BHG

Layer your dressings
This works for both salads and windows :) Layering window treatments is a great idea to create a custom look for a window-even if someone else has the exact same shades you do! This specific method of using two panels on each side and a shade in the middle can be used to frame a window seat is simple and formal

Layering a pattered valalnce over natural shades adds an interesting, yet casual look for kitchens and dining rooms
-HB

Customize plain panels in a kids room or bathroom with stencils. What a fun idea- the variety of stencils you could use are endless!

You could also use buttons in different colors adhered with fabric glue.
-BHG

Use the exact same color (but different patterns) as the walls for your Roman shades, and watch the room appear larger right before your eyes. One palette alone creates continuity, making the room appear slightly larger, but also adds calm to rooms such as bedrooms and bathrooms.
-HB

Who says window treatments are for windows alone?
In this bathroom, palazzo curtains are placed on either side of a sunken bathtub to add elegance.

"Lambrequins are a good solution when you want shape and movement but not 2,000 yards of smothering silk taffeta," says designer David Kleinberg. "The hall has four windows — full-blown curtains and valances would have been overwhelming."
-HB

Wall to Wall

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 01:21:00 +0000

One of the simplest methods to completely transform a part of your home is to add a wall mural or graphic wall art. With just one project, typically accomplished in a matter of one or two hours, a wall, room, entryway, garden, ceiling and many other parts of your home can boast an extreme makeover (extremely simple that is!).

Check out this graphic wall art from Bloompapers

I gravitated towards the fun,girly prints

Naturally, I had to add some edge with this Bond girl silhouette print

And goofy art was the next logical step

I have been a fan of Blik graphics for a long time now

they are continually presenting talented and stupendously creative artists

They focus on smaller scale graphics as compared to complete murals

to be honest, the kitty was the selling point on this one

French company Vinyl is just too cool

I love this

Again with the kitties!

Dali Decals has some pricey decals although there are great reviews from its customers

I think trees are my favorite design

All of these are easily applicable without the aid of a professional, although one is always encouraged. They are also easily removable and are an all-round great way to transform a space!

Duralee,I'm Enthralled by Thee

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 23:41:00 +0000

It seems that everything made by Duralee is beautiful. Their fabrics are that perfect synthesis of french tradition, modern cleanliness and simple beauty. I am almost certain that that sentence makes no sense, so you must see for yourself.

↑ I love this print. I would use it on decorative pillows thrown about on a buff/cream colored sofa

↑ This print seems suited to a lonely chaise lounge

↑ Soft blues in flower designs will always remind me of cozy summer cottages and elegantly scruffy oak furniture

↑ This fabric is clean and the simplicity of it makes me think of the bathroom at a beach cottage

↑ I would use this fabric in the kitchen, either for a table cloth or for curtains

↑ I imagine an airy apartment in the South of France, only moments from the beach, with this fabric sprawled on an oversized divan

↑ This would look beautiful adorning a loveseat in a corner of a bedroom, accepting only tea-sipping and romance novel-reading patrons

↑ Blue + gold = regal beauty. I 'm imagining this fabric on an overstuffed ottoman in a gentleman's dressing room

↑ Light and geometrically playful, and could be used to transitions a little girl's room from the all-pink décor that dominates the preteen years

↑ I love toile. I especially like this color combination because it is atypical of the oft-seen blue/white or red/white color combinations. I might use this fabric on decorative pilllos to add detail to a single-color sofa or to upholster a single armchair in a room with single-color pieces

↑ One tires less of textures than of prints, and this fabric beckons one closer so as to determine whether the fabric is embossed or simply printed

Duralee also makes furniture and a lot more beautiful things. I thought I might suffer from an overload so I focused on thheir beautiful fabric for today :)

QEDMWJ4WK7GG

Blogs of Note

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 05:51:00 +0000

Recently discovered blogs that beg to be shared :

Freshome is a great source of fun and doable, as well as dream-worthy and to die for home decor ideas. I especially love the recent post on wall chalkboards. They bring out the kid in me and I'm definitely adding that to my Dream Home Book. I think a wall chalkboard would look great in a library or a study. In a home with kids, the possibilities are endless.

Belle Maison dips into making every part of your home yours, from candle scents to clutter organization. I love it!

Dear Ikeahacker, you had me at Ikea. I'm still in my twenties so I think I'm allowed to love Ikea, despite those who think its housewares are best left alone to college students!

I love finding new sources of inspiration :)

Soft, Warm and Luxurious Brown

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Sun, 21 Feb 2010 07:27:00 +0000

Brown is a beautiful color. Its multi-faceted character allows it to be earthy, yet rich, soft, yet strong, and conjures up images of both smooth clay and textured sisal. For the home, brown can be used in small rooms such as bathrooms, to envelope the guest in smooth comfort. For larger rooms, lighter shades of brown are earthy and create a warm base for additional decor colors. From chocolatey smooth to caramel sweet, brown tones can help ground your decor , adding to the palette, yet somehow beautifully and just adequatelly detracting from it.

i love the smooth texture of the pear contrasted with the rugged and versatile fabric of the sisal/burlap tablecloth. The scraggy shells of the nuts on display is inspiration for details such as decorative pillows and area rugs

the key to staving off the B {bor...}word when it comes to brown is in the details- textures and prints keep the eye interested

details,details,details

yellows and creams lighten the palette in the summer and reds can be used to add rich diversity in autumn and winter

-BHG Nov 2009

Remember, the words Brown and boring do not have to be synonymous!

The Perfect Chai

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:43:00 +0000

This winter, its been snowstorm after snowstorm- before you recover from the last one, the weatherman is warning of the impending blanket of white stuff. To stay warm, I've been drinking ALOT of tea. My favorite tea is black tea, and I love it made Kenyan/Indian style-

Boil 4 cups of water
Add 1 tbsp. of loose black tea + a combination of any, but preferably all of the following spices ; ginger, nutmeg, allspice, cardamom
Let boil for about two minutes, then add 2-3 cups of milk according to your preference
Turn off the stove when the chai comes to a boil

Yum, i drink about 99 cups a day of this tea every day in the winter time. This tea tastes best fresh, so I try not to make too much at once, which can be time consuming when there's snow to be shoveled int he driveway. Great thing STASH tea makes packs all the delicious flavor in a teabag. Their recipe adds cinnamon and clove, which does the impossible- makes a perfect chai even better! Stash tea can be found in the tea/coffee seation of your local grovery store or online.

Baby its cold outside!

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 05:32:00 +0000

Its a ghastly 24F outside so I've been sipping on a hot toddy that my sister invented. Its simple and yummy- one part sweet vermouth to two or three parts apple juice; depending on how warm you want to be!

This frightful weather forces us to stay indoors where we can easily get bored of the same surroundings. Its also hard to get psyched up to do a room, redecorate since that requires going out to get a few things, so what can we do with minimal shopping to spruce things up? Think of your hallway/entrance/foyer. During the winter we tend to store a lot of things in these areas- coats, shoes, scarves etc. but since it is still serves as a welcome area, we have to combine function with style. Here's how to use three pieces of furniture/decor or less to create a new look, according to the style of your existing decor!

Product Info for Fresh Cottage:

Product Info for Sleek Function;

Product info for Classic Look;

Spruce away!

-BHG Nov 2009

Whats your Closet Personality?

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 20:06:00 +0000

Don't be alarmed, I'm not implying that there is a darker, more sinister version of the personality that you portray to others, just that you unconsciously have a preffered method of getting organized. With the help og BHG you can take your closet personality to the next level by making sure you can not only get organized, but stay that way! So what are you? A folder, a Hanger..or a Shoe Lover (i get the feeling most women fall into this category!) Here's what the November 2009 issue of BHG had to say about letting out your closet personality;

My favorite tip? The purse hanger. I love large purses, but they are hard to store because they dont easily fit into small spaces.Coat hooks typically dont have enough space between the hooks for larger items,and I don't want to have to drill 10 holes in the wall either to hang each purse.Enter organize.com which has a little section dedicated to purse storage-that's my kind of container store!

I also love the scarf hanger with smaller holes, so that silk scarves don't fall through. How smart!

Oval Office Remodel

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 04:26:00 +0000

Every president gets to put their personal touch on the big white house at the top of the hill, some with better taste than others. I must say I was a bit interested to hear what Obama would do and I'm not surprised at his choices. He's the cool,calm and collected president so I expected the decor to be modern yet historic, and evoking of American concepts but multi-cultural still. So here's what happened:

Out with the:

decorative china plates
Winston Churchill's bust loaned to Bush by Tony Blair
Texas landscapes

In with the:

Native Amercian pottery on loan from the National Museum of the American Indian
Patent models of historical gagdets pertinent to American history; Samuel Morse's 1849 telegraph register, John Peer's 1874 gear-cutting machine and Henry Williams' 1877 feathering paddlewheel for steamboats
Bust of MLK

These concepts/items have proven popular over decades:

Oval shape of the office created during William Howard Taft's remodel in 1909

Marble mantle over the fireplace also added during Taft's remodel

Rembrandt Peale painting of George Washington

Portrait of Abraham Lincoln by George Henry Story

Tabletop Frederic Remington sculpture, The Bronco Buster

Calm

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 04:19:00 +0000

I love my room. My bed is the focal point of my room and getting in it always makes me feel calm and cozy. It was a rainy day and its an unexpectedly cold tonight after all the humidity has worn off. So I'm thinking about doing my reading in bed instead of here at the desk.

These rooms are calm and inviting and are a welcome haven on any cold night.

A large bed like this one not only anchors a room, it makes one feel little in it. Whether you are engulfed by a fluffy down comforter or enveloped in high thread count silk sheets, that's not such a bad feeling. The upholstered bed softens any sharp edges that might have been. Soft yellow and beige suit any season of the year and with the addition of table lamps, add a soft and sunny warmth to the room.

A canopy on this bold wooden bed creates an envelope of sweeping cotton that just calls for bedtime

Calm and inviting does not have to mean neutral. Just look at the raw silk embroidered on this headboard and the rich tones shining through the bedding

Sweet dreams

Rainstorms and hot baths

noreply@blogger.com (Nimo) — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 00:42:00 +0000

Its the middle of autumn, been raining since yesterday and the skies show no sign of closing for at least another day. I love the rain, but I have to admit skipping puddles is not as enticing in 50 degree weather and 18mph winds. When I got back home today my feet had soaked through my boots and all my clothes were wet.On top of that I had just made a quick run to the ATM, which had malfunctioned and stolen $80 of my deposit. Hot baths have always been soothing to me, whether I'm stressed out or just cold, so I began to dream about taking a long, hot shower...rubber duckie optional of course

A cast-concrete tub on a concrete slab inside this glassed-in shower enclosure transforms an average home appliance into a sculptural focal point. I also like the simplicty of the decor, with clean, muted greens and creams.Tub from the Clodagh Collection Faucets and shower fixtures by Waterworks.

Nothing makes a girl feel prettier than pink! The over scale pattern on this wallpaper by Manual Canovas paper from Cowtan & Tout is pretty, modern and perfect for a bathroom. Originally shown in the March 2008 of House Beautiful issue.

I love when designers use paint to make bold statements, because its something the rest of us thousandaires can afford. Paint by Benjamin Moore. Featured in the July 2008 of House Beautiful.

The floating tub and walls in brown vinyl grasscloth — Elitis through Donghia — evoke an aura of absolute calm. Simple, classic and clean. Featured in the March 2009 issue of House Beautiful.

Glass tiles (Waterworks) and art deco-style accessories( mirrors from Potter Barn) make this bathroom uniquely stylish. Plus, I just love yellow in bathrooms.

Creativity always places higher than luxury in my book. Its easy to spend money on a piece of furniture but harder to see the possibilities in a simple piece. Case in point- this gorgeous secretary seems perfectly at home in this bathroom, but is often placed in a study/library or even dining room. The tub's feet are large and bold, but the design has few embellishments, making it perfectly classy. I love the use of the bronze plant stand as a towel stand..creativity is so cool.

We all start our days in the bathroom (hopefully) so I think it is worth it to make this room calming and welcoming or energizing and fun-depending on whether you're headed to a desk job or another adventurous life's calling..

House Beautiful