My Design Secrets

Before ~ Dated, drab and choppy.

Recently I pulled off a quick and affordable bathroom makeover that I just love.  My clients purchased a home with a wonderful layout, lots of light and easy indoor/outdoor living.  But many of the details in the home needed updating.  So we prioritized.  Some of the must-have’s…a new kitchen and new flooring throughout.  But then there were details that  just needed a quick face-lift and their master bath was one of them. 

The Good News…it’s a nice size bath with his and hers vanities and beautiful plantation shutters. All the permanent fixtures were in light tones.  

The Bad News…dated vinyl wallpaper and pickled wood cabinets that highlighted the cultured marble counter-tops.  Not my favorite combo.    

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After ~ Serene, cohesive and classic.

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The key here is highlighting the good features (large room & plantation shutters), creating a simple color palette (ivory and blue) and updating the less desirable features (the mirrors and cabinets).  So this is how we did it.

4 Easy Steps to a Quick, Easy & Affordable Bathroom Makeover

Step 1 - Remove the wallpaper and paint the walls a spa-like blue. (See how the soffits virutally disappear?)

Step 2 – Paint the cabinets Benjamin Moore Linen White. (My favorite warm white.)

Step 3 – Replace the knobs with something simple and classic.

Step 4 – Install frames on the existing mirrors to tie in with the cabinets. (I have Excellent Sources for mirror frames in My Secret Database.)

So if you are not happy with your bathroom, really take a good look.  Does it have good bones but just needs a few tweaks?  Chances are you might be able to pull off most of the work yourself and be relaxing in your spa-like bathroom in no time at all.

My Secret Database should be your first stop on your decorating journey!

Join Today!

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I started My Design Secrets more than a year ago with one goal in mind:  Help people who love home decorating by giving them professional advice and easy access to the best online interior decorating sources.  After receiving a lot of wonderful feedback and learning that close to 100,000 people visted the database last year, I realized that My Secret Database was the answer to many of your decorating prayers!  So, I  was determined to continue sharing my interior design advice and resources.

A couple of months ago, I announced that we would be making some upgrades to the website.  Now, the time has come!  We wanted to make My Design Secrets even more useful, interesting, and fun for all of you decorating enthusiasts. (And for those of you who don’t know, my husband, Tim,  is the what turns “me” into “we”.)

So, here is what’s in store…

Improvements to My Secret Database *

The new database is PHENOMENAL.  When it comes to home decorating, My Secret Database blows any search engine out of the water.  Take that Google!  Here’s why: 

• Search through hundreds of online retailers for the product(s) you need and in the specific style you want.
• View a wide assortment of photos of specific products from the vendors in My Secrets Database. 
• Check out the the handy $-$$-$$$!  These icons will help you stay within your home decorating budget.

*While we wanted to keep doing all this for free, a girl has got to make a living!   With all these great new features, we are confident that you will recognize what a great value it is.  So starting this Wednesday at noon, My Secret Database is going to become a membership only site.  We are sure you will agree that the nominal charge of $9.95 per month is a fair price for access to this incredibly valuable, time-saving database.

Hot New Topics and Inside Tips in the Blog (Free)

The blog will continue to be free of charge and will offer my professional design tips as well as introductions to some of the hottest new decorating sources on the web.  I have lots of great ideas for new topics and, as always, you are welcome to make suggestions.  Feel free to search my existing blog entries covering over 350 decorating topics!

Great New Giveaways

We know you all love a Great Giveaway, so those are definitely going to continue.  We have some great ones lined up for high quality paint, gorgeous home furnishings, and fabulous interior decorating/design books.  And remember, your paid membership will automatically enter you into the giveaways.

Thank You…Thank You…Thank You

I have appreciated your support over the last year and sincerely hope that you will find these upgrades very helpful as you continue to put your personal decorating stamp on your home.

~ Lorrie

It’s likely the first and last thing you see when visiting the powder room: the Mirror.  Yet so many people play it safe by using a mirror and light fixture from the same collection.  That is just plain boooooring!  There are so many fantastic mirrors out there of all shapes and sizes, finishes and styles.  So let me give you some tips that will help you select something stylish and unexpected in this great little space. 

Classic, classic, classic. A Chinese Chippendale mirror can be used in the most traditional or eclectic of homes.

This Funky Faux Bois (fake wood) Mirror from Stray Dog Designs is a modern way to bring nature into your room. It's available in 13 colors.

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Powder Room Mirror Selection Guidelines

It can be difficult to select a mirror but if you start with size and shape and move onto style and finish, the process will be a snap. 

Size - Make sure to measure your available space. 

• Side to Side:  Make sure you have an inch or two extra between the mirror and light fixture or the corner. 
• Up and Down:  You want it a couple of inches above the sink or backsplash and under any wall-mounted light fixtures

Shape – Rectangular is the most common choice but octagonal or oval mirror adds some interest.  Round and square mirrors need to be pretty large for the scale to work and you may not have the space.

Style- Give consideration to the style or theme you have created but don’t overdue it.  If other elements of the room are super detailed, then go with a simpler mirror or vice-versa.  Mirrors with chunky frames are dramatic but they often reduce the viewing area substantially.

Finish and Material – Choose a mirror finish that complements your lighting but does not match.  If your lighting is bronze metal, then consider a gold mirror or one with a stained wood finish. 

This lovely mirror is made in Syria and features carved walnut and mother-of-pearl inlay. It's a bargain at $350.

If you are a minimalist, then this one is just up your alley. The addition of the nickel bar and cables elongates the mirror and makes it much more stylish than your typical frameless mirror.

So when it’s time to select a powder room mirror, find something that’s add interest, color and texture to your room.  It will really elevate the look of your powder room. 

~Lorrie

 

Win a $200 JCPenney Gift Card!

You have carefully decorated your master bath retreat with towels, lighting, and the perfect accessories and now that plain Jane mirror looks worse than ever.  For my clients there are two options: tear down the existing mirror; or have a carpenter frame out the mirror with a custom trim and then have my faux painter finish it.  The first option is messy, dangerous and the drywall often has to be repaired.  The second option is fantastic but it’s a costly venture.  So, what’s your alternative?

Well, I have a stylish solution that will bring your mirror from sad to superb.  It’s called Mirror Makeover and it’s an economical solution with designer results.  It’s the brain child of expert framers who thought of a new use for an old product.  Mirror Makeover offers you a selection of 16 frames that can be custom sized to fit your mirror.  They are crystal clear about the pricing and the installation is very easy.  The frame is simply applied directly to your mirror with very strong adhesive tape.  Take a look at their “before and after” gallery as well as the short installation video.

A couple of designer tips:

• Take advantage of their frame samples so you can confidently confirm your selection. 
• Make sure the frame will not interfere with any lighting or switches.
• Consider the finish on  your sink faucets when selecting a frame finish.  They have options in the silver, gold and bronze families.

Visit Mirror Makeover and put a new spin on your bathroom!

Mirrors are such an attractive and valuable accessory.  They add a bit of life to any room and they come in so many different shapes, sizes and styles.  You are sure to find something that suits your own particular Style.  Lately, I have run across some very unusual ones like the porcupine quill mirror above from Horchow.  Surely you can find one that perfectly reflects your personality in My Secret Database.

Lacking Windows? - Mirrors are a great way to bring light and life into a room.  If you live in a small space or are lacking in the window department, they are a great replacement.  Mirrors also help brighten up a long, narrow hallway, making it feel more spacious.

What about Feng Shui? - Think twice before putting a mirror in your bedroom.  Mirrors bounce energy and light around a room so it could cause restlessness and poor sleep.  Also, you should not be able to see yourself in the mirror when you are in the bed, nor should the mirror be at the foot of the bed.  Good energy can be sucked out of the room with poor mirror placement.  (I have simplified the feng shui principles here, but in the future, my friend, Michele, who is a feng shui consultant, will be enlightening us with some feng shui education!)

Can’t find the size you need? – Your local frame shop is an excellent place to get a custom sized mirror.  Most shops have a fantastic selection of frames and you can specify the exact size you need.  This way you avoid shipping costs that can be quite steep if the mirror is heavy.  Not to mention the reduced risk of breakage!

Happy Hunting!

I love the Boatwood Mirror from VivaTerra with it’s beautiful washed out beachy hues. This mirror is decorated with wood panels from Thai fishing boats and the re-use of materials makes it eco-friendly. There is a history to that weathered patina and it gives it a lot of character. This would look great in your powder room or a mostly white bedroom that has accents of sea and sand.

I am a big fan of incorporating eco-friendly elements into interior design. I understand that Green and Eco-friendly is coming at you from all directions but I want to share some information with you that you might not be aware of. You know that antique table you inherited from your grandmother? And that cool watercolor painting you grabbed for $3 at the garage sale? What about the TV a friend gave you when they were moving?

I have great news for you, you are being eco-friendly and you did not even know it! Any time we can re-use, pass on, or trade items, we are doing the earth a favor. The name of the game is to avoid putting non-biodegradable items in landfills! If you cannot find a new home for an old item, donate it to Goodwill , The Salvation Army or Freecycle and don’t forget you can find great things there yourself. And it all goes to a good cause.

I was working on a project and looking for just the right mirror to finish off a teenage girl’s room. I looked through all my trade sources and still came up empty-handed. Then I started searching the web and “voila” I found just the thing! The piece that is featured above the bed is a mirror that is beautiful opened or closed. I also purchased a different style for her bathroom. This company has the most beautiful carved and inlaid furniture and accessories. I have ordered several mirrors from them. The prices are great and they carefully pack them for shipping. They have furniture from Syria, Morocco and Turkey.

Arabian Nights Imports

http://arabiannights.ca/arabian-main.html

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