South Shore Decorating Blog

Design Trend: Pewter Countertops

2013-05-25T07:00:00.000-04:00

Here is a new design trend that I love - pewter counter tops. I especially love that you can make them fancy or sleek and modern (which I prefer). here are a few examples - not everything in these rooms is for me, but I do love the counters in all of them. What do you think?

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And on my other blog, Mary Jane's Makeup, today:

"I Take it ALL Back! And I Can't BELIEVE I'm Showing You This...."
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mmm aaa

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*See My 15 Most Popular Posts HERE

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This stuff is AWESOME:

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50 Favorites For Friday (#78)

2013-05-24T07:00:00.000-04:00

Images

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And on my other blog, Mary Jane's Makeup, today:

"I Take it ALL Back! And I Can't BELIEVE I'm Showing You This...."

_______________________________________________________

mmm aaa

_______________________________________________________

*See My 15 Most Popular Posts HERE

This stuff is AWESOME:

Last but not least.....

a

Subscribe by Email:

Bathroom interior design: practicality and panache (From a new partner)

2013-05-23T07:00:00.001-04:00

This is a guest post - take it away Helen!

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Although the bathroom is primarily a functional addition to the home, there is no reason why it cannot also be a beautiful, comfortable and pleasurable space in which to spend time. It’s all about finding the perfect balance of practicality and panache.

Let’s begin with the bathroom suite. Whatever combination of bathroom fittings you choose, your bathroom suite must be functional - and by functional, I mean able to function well for you. Don’t be swayed by the choices others have made with their bathrooms, or by a persuasive showroom assistant. You should browse a selection of bathroom suites from bargain basement to budget busting, from austere to glamorous, from curvaceous to angular. Only by looking at what’s out there can you get a true feel for the bathroom suite that will be best for your home.

Your layout, too, must be designed around the way you use your bathroom. Retaining your existing layout will keep costs down (no extensive re-configuring of pipework to pay for), but if that layout doesn’t truly flow, if there’s always a hesitancy to your morning ablutions which could be solved by swapping the shower and basin around, then do it!

Now for the (practical) panache.

Help to keep yourself on budget by choosing a simple, inexpensive bathroom suite, then adding beautiful brassware. Top of the range taps are gorgeous to look at and a pleasure to use. They’re used every day, so they need to be good quality (it’s generally considered to be worth paying a little more for any regular use item with moving parts), and buying stunning taps can make an average bath, basin and toilet look a million dollars.

Adding a selection of bathroom accessories (things like a toilet roll holder, soap dish, robe hook and towel rail) which suit the personality of your home can give your bathroom a boost, too. Whether you choose a coordinated set of modern chrome bathroom accessories, or you opt for something more eclectic, these finishing touches can bring a wealth of style to your space, despite their small size.

And of course there’s your decor. Go vintage, style it sleek and sophisticated, or mix and match for a perfectly ‘you’ look: whatever your choice, make sure it’s something that suits the overall tone of your home (no good comes of having a space in your house which looks like it belongs to someone else), and try to future-proof it, too.

Opting for classic elegance or subtle style on decor items which will be costly or time consuming to replace (wall and floor tiles, for example) means that these items can become central to a revamped room design in the future, without looking out of place. You can then really indulge your current tastes to the full on items such as wallpaper, paint, cabinet handles, wall art, and accessories, without worrying that you’ll bankrupt yourself making over your bathroom in the future.

Helen Davies is a keen blogger, Pinterest addict and currently works as a freelance writer for Better Bathrooms

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Thank you Helen for the guest post!

Stacy