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By Decor Girl ON
May 18, 2012 – 7:00 am
Hawaii is a land of magic, history and incredible beauty. Once you step off the plane the combination of pacific ocean air and humidity makes everything look like you are viewing it in high definition – but in real life. Colors glow in their natural state as the sun is almost directly overhead = no shadows. Greens are greener but one notices the distinct shades; yellow-green, blue-green, brown-green, orange-green, purple-green and more. 
Visual clarity happens on Hawaii, both outward and inward. 
Is this the reason so many people go for a visit and end up staying? No kidding on our first visit to Maui, we met a guy at a local fish stand who did just that. He had arrived on vacation a couple of years prior, was packed and ready to get on the plane to go home – he stopped and asked himself “why?” He watched the airport disappear in the rear-view window of a rental car. With no major plan, the spirit of Hawaii took hold and he shifted his business and life with no regrets.
Of course all of us can’t stop and shift our lives. Or can we? On my recent visit I came back with something which can infuse the Hawaiian spirit into your daily life. “Aloha” is considered the most beautiful word in the Hawaiian language, here is why. 
Hawaii can be a way of living not just a place, a way of being. I find just reading this makes life clearer. Aloha, happy Friday and enjoy your weekend. 
For more Hawaii photos check out the album on my Facebook Page
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By Decor Girl ON
May 17, 2012 – 7:00 am
Next week well over 100+ interior design bloggers will be descending on New York City for Blogfest 2012 sponsored by Kravet, Lee Jofa and Brunschwig & Fils. It will be three days of interior design immersion with no extra time to shop or change shoes. 
I’m starting with a speed round through International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF) on Monday> Since I’m not a dawdler this should be no problem. Look, like, “scan me” and move on to the next booth, I’ll read further when I have time or call with questions. From 2-3 we will be spreading some Twitter love with a Tweet-Up (follow along at #BlancoICFF ) at the Blanco booth. Exited to learn more about their SILGRANIT sinks.
Then it is off to the opening reception at the 2012 Kips Bay Decorator Showhouse hosted by Margaret Russell, Editor in Chief of Architectural Digest. 
Sprint to another event with Thom Filicia and oh yes, one more party. This is just Monday! For a gal who goes to bed early I better rest up. Tuesday and Wednesday are just as packed.
Of course I’ll take lots of pics and dish when I return. But if you don’t mind, I’m going to take a few days off blogging after tomorrow. I’ll see you next Friday, raring to go. Depending how you look at it, they have us so tightly scheduled we have zero time (need?) to change between events. Less outfits to bring? Off to start packing. 
POSTED BY
By Decor Girl ON
May 16, 2012 – 7:09 am
There is just something wonderful about a clean and useful bathroom which makes one’s morning a little easier. Bathrooms are one of the most functional rooms in a home and take the most day to day abuse. When it comes to resale an out of date gross old bathroom can make potential buyers run. But when it comes to day to day living what will make us happy in a bathroom? 
Photo Benny Chan/Fotoworks via CA Home +Design
There really is a lot to think about when it comes to creating your everyday bathroom:
- One sink or two – two is necessary if both people get ready at the same time but it is all personal preference.
- Type of sink: vessel, undermount, set-in and then the materials.
- Shower or bathtub? Designers at KBIS 2012 noticed a lack of spa bathtubs at the show and noted a great shower is more important to homeowners. It all depends on you. If you take a bath 3 or more days a week, a spa tub may be for you. But then it comes down to tub type; to do you like the noise of a whirplool/water jet (jacuzzi) style tub, the cleanliness of an air-jet or do you just like to soak in peace and quiet?
- Toilet – hidden behind a wall, out it the open or in a private room? Next there is water usage, single or dual flush, and toilet amenities.
- Surfaces – countertops, flooring, walls and cabinetry.
- Comfort – In any psuedo northern climate radiant heated floors if using tile is the only way to go. Heated towel bars which also provide room heat are a nice feature.
I could go on and on but this is what people hire me for. The point is bathrooms are no longer just a toilet, tub with a shower head and a sink they have evolved in size literally and in terms of what goes into one. Bathroom remodeling is on the rise, see Hooked on Houses post. The master or daily use bathroom is the most personal room in a home. The key to building a great bathroom is to include the details and elements which make the room work for you, esthetics are important but secondary. Hunt and gather as much as you can while traveling, at other’s homes, from magazines or here on the internet. We’ve become very interested creating a great bathroom, but what makes it great is all up to you.
Here are some bathroom ideas for your Pinterest bathroom board: 
via Freshome 
via House to Home 
I took this at the Encore in Las Vegas as an example of a good use of space. Not every bathroom is huge. Notice how the shower seat and the tub surround work. 
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By Decor Girl ON
May 15, 2012 – 7:00 am
POSTED BY
By Decor Girl ON
May 14, 2012 – 7:00 am
It seems most of us applying make-up do so in front of the bathroom mirror. Have you ever confidently left your home after getting all gussied up only to be horrified by the transformation the moment you catch your image out in public? Rest assured you weren’t all of a sudden smacked with the ugly stick on the way out the door, in all likelihood the culprit was poor bathroom lighting. 
Dame Barbara Cartland from her Facebook Page.
Image via Darsheel
Slapping a fixture up over a mirror and declaring the room lit is as useful as trying to apply eyeliner with a spoon. Bad bathroom lighting can cause anyone one to have a bad day and I’m certain if researched it also supports the anxiety prone need for excessive botox. I can’t prove it but I bet there is a correlation.
To get bathroom lighting has to remember three things:
- Light from above
- Light from both sides
- Eliminate back lighting or excessive glare (windows facing a mirror.)
This guest bathroom shows three different light sources:
- Large ceiling can in the center of the room = general lighting.
- Pin spots directly over the sink bowl offers better directional light than above the mirror.
- Sconces on flanking each viewing area over the sinks (third one not seen in picture.)
If one sticks solely to overhead light, this will case unflattering shadows on a person’s face. By using the sconces with the pin spot this gives the face optimal illumination. 
When it comes to sconces:
- 66″ off finished floor to center of light source is the appropriate height.
- For master or daily use bathrooms, not the powder room, sconces should be preferably diffused with white or off-white shades.
Nowadays many bathroom mirror companies make it easy by making vanity mirrors with side lighting already installed. 
I saw this Robern mirrored medicine cabinet at KBIS.
The right bathroom lighting will not only make you look better, it is much cheaper than running to the plastic surgeon. It is not however the solution for bad make-up skills.
Additional reading:
For more information on light sources and lamping for sconces (bulbs) check out Lumens.com.
A Lesson in Bathroom Lighting from This Old House.
This guest room ties in with an adjoining guest bathroom too. Keeping the color palette the same in both rooms creates a feeling of luxurious ease. 
Guest rooms should be attractive so guests feel welcome and not like an appendage – unless you don’t want them to sign up for a return trip.
Photo by: Lisa Romerein via 
It is not necessary to have a TV or separate bathroom for every guest. Guests need privacy and space, space for clothes, luggage and bathroom items. Nowadays guestrooms often serve double duty, when in guest mode remove the sewing machine, ironing board and hockey equipment and other not so hospitable items. Pamper your guests with items to make them feel special.
