Over the past year, I’ve been fielding questions for Town Crier readers that may at first feel like overwhelming design conundrums. However, once the problems are broken down into simple and logical parts, the solutions are often quick and easy fixes.
To help readers find practical solutions to their design challenges, and more accurately describe the types of answers I aim to provide, I’m renaming this column “Quick Design Fixes.” As always, I welcome questions and feedback from readers.
Q: What should you do when you’d love to have an elegant, free-standing, deep-soaking bathtub, but there is not enough room for it to have space on all sides?
A: Some might not know that two-sided tubs with a shape similar to stand-alone tubs are available. They are intended to be installed against two walls, on one short and long side, while the other two sides are nicely curved with a thin top edge – just like on the free-standing alternative.
These corner designs offer plenty of opportunities to be creative with the design of the two walls. They can be turned into niches with a wide shelf for beautiful objects and favorite bathing products. The storage function can be enhanced with a special finish on the wall such as wood, tile or stone. Wood paneling helps bring the outdoors in, as well as create a handsome backdrop for potted and trailing plants (the moisture in a bath is an added bonus for them). Mirroring the same wood on a window casing or sill is an additional upgrade for a minimal added cost.
Another smart addition would be to install hidden LED lighting to illuminate the niche. The location and type of faucet are the jewelry that completes the composition. There are dozens of metal finishes, plus black or white, as an alternative to the usual polished chrome plumbing fittings. Picking where to put the faucet is another opportunity for creativity. These can be wall-mounted or floor-standing for a more dramatic and sculptural effect. Voila – a small corner becomes a star!
Q: We’re nearing the end of a remodel, turning our home into a modern space with tall windows, and we are finding our collection of smaller art and photographs doesn’t quite fit with our higher ceilings. How can you make this type of modern house feel like a home?
A: One very important starting place is to have an understanding of what you are dealing with now. The common wisdom of “you can’t change Mother Nature” applies here. In other words, rooms with tall ceilings and large windows must have art that is in balance with these proportions. When the size and scale of art stands up to the scale of a room, both the art and architecture are enhanced and can then live up to their design potential.
The type of room is of no consequence. Just as a living room benefits from beautiful to-scale art, so does a bedroom or staircase. The design of all of the spaces contributes to the feeling and enjoyment of the overall home.
Q: We are looking for a way to keep our neutral outdoor kitchen area and stainless-steel appliances from appearing bland, but we don’t want to add color. Is there anything else we can do to create more visual interest?
A: Outdoor spaces already have a lot of color. Plants and the sky are hard acts to outdo. In areas where there is a lot of green foliage or colorful plants, it is advisable to create design interest and a little design “tension” with texture and/or pattern. By using patterned concrete floor tiles, also known as pavers, in a neutral color, you will create a more special area that draws the eye. This is one single element that can change an entire outdoor space.
In addition to concrete pavers, which have become popular again with lightning speed, natural stone in honed and hammered finishes is classic. Porcelain tile pavers in large sizes, up to 3 and even 4 feet long in some cases, create more of a monolithic statement, but with a change of texture, color and or layout, porcelain tiles can still be the main design attraction.
Depending on your preference, pavers can create a sense of fun and whimsy, or provide a statelier background. The pattern choice is up to the individual. It is a good idea to align the design with the architectural style of the home for value and style longevity.
Sherry Scott is a Certified Interior Designer in California, professional member of the American Society of Interior Designers and the proprietor of Sherry Scott Design
in downtown Los Altos, 169 Main St.To submit a question on a design conundrum, email [email protected]
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May 26, 2021 at 07:11AM
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Align the design: Bathtubs, art and outdoor kitchens - Los Altos Town Crier
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