Bathroom Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

Bathroom Renovation Mistakes to Avoid

Though it’s a scaled-down area of your household, your toilet is a workhorse. It’s in which you shower, do your pores and skin treatment schedule, and retail store essentials—from towels and toiletries to makeup and medication. But if your bathroom is not dwelling up to its opportunity, you may well be considering a renovation. From little responsibilities (like putting in far more gentle fixtures) to greater types (like incorporating an antique clawfoot tub), there are quite a few typical pitfalls home owners run into all through bathroom renovations. Currently being informed of those typical lavatory renovation errors will make sure you pull off the venture worry-cost-free.





1. Not Placing a Price range

Setting a spending budget is the 1st detail you really should do right before starting any residence renovation project. “Having a spending budget will assistance you make lots of of your design and style conclusions, determine which features you are eager to invest dollars on, and total experience joyful with your task,” suggests Tamara Hubinsky, inside designer and founder of Tamara Hubinsky Interiors. Ideally, your price range will consist of a contingency for price tag overruns or sudden expenses. But if you don’t have that overall flexibility, a finances also helps you determine where by to minimize costs if wanted mid-task.” If you’re operating on a limited budget, target on layout aspects with the most impact, like fresh new paint and layered lighting.



2. Not Getting a System

Setting up in advance will stop you from jogging into workflow-disrupting troubles later on. “A bathroom is a puzzle created up of useful and attractive plumbing, heating, air flow, electrical, complete resources, add-ons, and much more,” states Hubinsky. “Most of the renovation get the job done transpires in a particular purchase and not getting the suitable merchandise available at a sure time delays the whole project.” For the reason that the challenge is so time consuming, planning in advance will enable you lower the amount of time your toilet is out of commission.


Bethany Nauert


3. Not Adding Storage House

Including some variety of storage space in your bathroom is a must, so prioritize this throughout a renovation. “We shell out a large amount of time in the toilet so it is critical to choose complete benefit of the area offered,” suggests Kerrie Kelly, creative director of Kerrie Kelly Layout Lab. “Skimping on storage can make your bathroom much less functional.”


Make absolutely sure you add more than enough storage house to keep things you typically maintain in the lavatory, like cosmetics, toiletries, towels, and drugs. Storage can be as easy as installing hooks on partitions to retain towels off the floor—or as higher-high quality as well-lit medicine cupboards.



4. Forgetting to Put in Ventilation

Will not forget about to look at ventilation when planning your bathroom renovation. “Ventilation assures superior air exchange, which transports unpleasant odors, humidity, unsafe particles, and great dust out of the space swiftly and very easily,” claims Kelly. “Excellent ventilation brings in contemporary air and helps prevent mould advancement.”



5. Renovating On your own

Some bathroom renovation initiatives will involve a specialist, specially when it will come to tiling. “Whilst setting up tile may possibly look straightforward, depart it to the specialists,” says Kelly. “A Do it yourself work will be substantially additional high priced to take care of than letting the industry experts do it ideal the to start with time.” A good installer will notify you how much tile you should get, so you you should not get much too much or too minor and will also lay the tiles out in advance of grouting them in place to alter the layout if desired. “Acquiring the tile reduce at an awkward issue or dimensions is a error hard to rectify when the grout is established,” says Hubinsky, which is why this endeavor is finest remaining to a pro.


Courtesy of @virtuallyherestudios


6. Picking Also Lots of Tiling Kinds

There is most likely extra than a person place in your rest room the place you want to add tile—on the ground, on the partitions, and in your shower to identify a couple. But when it will come to tiling, basic is best. “Too numerous tile kinds in a person house can generally be a bad thing, so realize your type to ascertain the suitable tile aesthetic for your renovation,” Kelly says. Commence with a single critical component, like a shade, textile, or product, that defines the ethos of your lavatory and then use that to guide your tiling choices.



7. Not Looking at Drainage

How perfectly your toilet features is just as crucial as how it looks, and suitable drainage is a important component when it will come to the performance of this room. “Terrible issues come about when you really don’t think about drainage in the rest room,” states Hubinsky. Water damage in the lavatory is a frequent result in of unanticipated repairs to walls, floors, and other parts. “Some water hurt is gradual and concealed from view, and could market unseen, harmful mildew,” Hubinsky says. A excellent drainage plan and good set up saves you from upcoming charges and hassles.


Lauren Pressey


8. Not Layering Your Lights

As this is a put where several shell out time having prepared for the day, layering your lighting is a need to. “Some think a one overhead light-weight or a single sconce over the mirror will be more than enough to light a small toilet,” claims Kelly. “However, even if the home is little, a solitary gentle fixture is often insufficient, so layer your lighting.” This can be reached by making use of ambient lights for all round illumination, layering in strategically-placed sconces for particular tasks (like implementing make-up), and employing accent lights for focal details, like artwork or tile operate.



9. Not Investing in Excellent Finishes

Though fixture and components finishes are possible small on your toilet renovation priorities record, they participate in an vital purpose in making sure items conduct very well. “High-quality finishes present safety from corrosion, cleansing solutions, dress in, and rust,” states Kelly. “The finest excellent fittings and finishes past a life span with small treatment and most enjoyment.” As well as, top quality finishes will make all the things from your cupboards to your rest room appear additional luxe.


Emily Gilbert


10. Deciding upon Unsuitable Materials

Be thoughtful when selecting components for your bathtub, shower, sink, and bathroom. “Normally, I would stay away from elements in the bathroom that react to severe chemical compounds or acids observed in lotions or bathing products,” claims Hubinsky. “For illustration, a pure stone bathtub could be the epitome of luxurious, but would not make feeling in a space applied by young small children.” Vitreous china or a ceramic with a specialty end are normally the go-tos when selecting a product for bathrooms, as equally are effortless to clear and very long long lasting.



11. Not Contemplating Clearances

To avoid website traffic jams in your bathroom, make certain you supply appropriate clearances during your renovation. Assume about who is working with your toilet and how a lot of individuals will have to have to accessibility it at 1 time. “Shower and bath controls must be reachable from outside the bathing spot, and really don’t fail to remember concerns and clearances for towel bars and bathroom paper holders,” claims Hubinsky.

West U Realtor’s bathroom redesign grows into second floor renovation

West U Realtor’s bathroom redesign grows into second floor renovation

Heidi Dugan is on her mobile phone early in the morning, responding to e-mail and texts and tending to very last-moment aspects of her real estate perform. She could sit and sip coffee in a wonderful courtyard outdoors or any just one of the cozy rooms in her dwelling, but it is not strange to discover her in her newly renovated principal toilet, where by she can hold court docket with good friends, co-personnel and shoppers — electronically — for hrs.

Dugan, a Realtor for Greenwood King who has lived and worked in West U for 40 several years, sees what she feels is the very best of what is out there in Houston place households, regardless of whether it really is renovations in loos, kitchens or even out of doors spaces. While she bought her property some 20 several years back and cherished it then, she’s performed a quantity of renovations as new matters in residence structure grabbed her awareness.

For the previous handful of yrs she’s renovated a person home or an additional with the help of inside designer Elizabeth Donnelly of Elizabeth Donnelly Interiors, updating furnishings and bringing in antiques and artwork and even sprucing up out of doors areas. A huge section of the most recent spherical of updates was gutting and reworking her principal lavatory upstairs, and refreshing the relaxation of the upstairs of her property. The challenge began as a redo of the key bathroom and closet, but grew from there.

Before, her main rest room was octagonal in shape — a not-so-effective ground plan with awkward corners and doors mounted on the angles, a crafted-in spa tub and an angled shower.  Dugan realized that she wanted antique tile, beautiful marble and a wonderful chandelier. 

“I sit at my self-importance for a truly lengthy time every day. It’s not because I’m vain it is simply because I’m there with my cell phone and responding to texts and emails. My get the job done never ever stops,” claimed Dugan, a indigenous of Miami Seashore who arrived to Houston in her early 20s. “It’s very peaceful in this article. I don’t have a 9 to 5 work I work 24/7. I begin answering messages when I get up and I can go to 11 p.m.”

Donnelly brought in interiors architect Nadia Palacios Lauterbach of Nadia Palacios Residential Design to to style and design a custom self-importance and function on the fantastic facts of the space. Erin Stetzer of Stetzer Builders was the contractor.

“The thought was to choose a standard builder dwelling with his-and-hers vanities on opposite walls and reconfigure the room. It truly is not more space, but it is laid out differently, and what we completed was an open up, streamlined room with resources that are light-weight and ethereal,” Donnelly claimed. “We took absent uncomfortable angles and put together two closets, which gave Heidi her stunning, extremely big closet.”

The reimagining of that toilet put a no cost-standing tub about wherever the designed-in version was. Then, the shower was moved subsequent to it with 1 facet “bumped out” with a pony wall and sheets of glass to make it sense even even bigger. Within that shower, a pair of shampoo niches and a bench that feels like a tiny piece of furnishings are covered in the similar Calacatta you will find on the vanity counters. 

Dugan fell in enjoy with the Aged Earth truly feel of antique tile and other architectural antiques stocked at Ruth Gay’s Chateau Domingue store in the Heights area. She located some stunning tile there, obtained on Gay’s last acquiring trip to France ahead of the COVID shutdown. The marble experienced been employed as flooring in an 18th century chapel at a monastery on the grounds of the Basilic Saint Aphrodise in Beziers in southern France.

The chapel was about to be torn down, so Gay bought the tile and a number of columns in advance of it was demolished, she reported.

When the tile arrived at Dugan’s home, she, Donnelly and Lauterbach acquired it out, hand washed it and cautiously made a decision the placement of every single tile.

Other European decorations contain the new Murano glass chandelier, created in Italy, and an antique Murano-framed mirror that hangs over Dugan’s custom-created makeup self-importance. That piece of furniture was created by Lauterbach, a vintage fashion with Art Deco touches made with walnut wooden.

“We preferred the vanity to sense glamorous, while its first priority was to be useful considering the fact that it serves as a next desk for Heidi,” Donnelly claimed. “She receives ready there in the early morning, but she can plug in her notebook, way too. It has concealed plugs and chargers all over the place, and the drawers are made to property her products she uses to get ready each individual day.”

She also keeps her terrific-grandmother’s vanity established there, a very tray and antique perfume bottles.

Not only did they switch two smaller sized closets into just one larger sized space, but they finished it out with exquisite detail with fumed French oak. Lighted, glass-front cabinets show off her assortment of purses and superior-heeled shoes, and locking drawers are lined with suede to display screen her jewelry. 

Donnelly explained that lots of of her shoppers want boutique-design and style closets that function as a dressing area, with clothing, footwear and equipment properly structured and displayed. Valet rods, in addition pullout rods for scarves, belts or neckties are hand and can be house savers, much too. Lights is vital, so homeowners can see what they have, and glass shelving allows the mild filter as a result of, creating it all come to feel additional open up, Donnelly claimed.

 In the relaxation of the most important bedroom suite, they extra lovely Gracie wallpaper to a vestibule and a Venetian plaster finish on the walls and ceiling of the bed room. A smaller visitor place with a complete tub turned her new household gym, and the lavatory bought a refresh of its own.

The upstairs game home is Dugan’s Tv area, and it acquired a makeover with a constructed-in console cabinet built of fumed French oak changing flooring-to ceiling cupboards that experienced louvered doorways. The room is stuffed with more contemporary furnishings, which include a soft sectional couch with an acrylic coffee table, moreover a curvy chair with ottoman and a little Saarinen Tulip desk paired with modern-day chairs. A new brass chandelier lights up the space, and a large Michael von Helms summary portray fills a side wall.

Dugan raised her two sons, Alex Dugan, now 31, and Harrison Willett, now 40, in this residence, and while Alex life and works in Los Angeles — he’s a songwriter and lead singer of the band Society Wars —  he insists that his bed room and rest room stay exactly as they have been when he was in higher university. Harrison, 40, life in Houston and is the father of four young children.

Her sons utilized to carry their friends here when they had been youthful, and some even now visit. She was regarded for acquiring a large Xmas bash with 200 or extra individuals, though COVID pressured a pause on this kind of massive gatherings. Now, she’s extra probable to have a dinner social gathering for 12 in her fairly dining space.

“This is my sanctuary, surely. It is incredibly personalized and really considerably a reflection of who I am,” Dugan stated. “I have an art record degree, so for me, when I sit in this article and seem at everything, I see the two the attractiveness and the operate.”

diane.cowen@houstonchronicle.com

Bomb Shelter Discovered During Basement Renovation In Bristol Home

Bomb Shelter Discovered During Basement Renovation In Bristol Home

When a construction and property company were renovating a basement in a client’s Bristol-based home, they stumbled across a piece of history.

Berkeley Place were working on a basement duplex apartment in Clifton when handwriting was found on one of the walls. The notes were recordings of WWII air raids in Bristol, which was a target for bombing due to the presence of Bristol Harbour and The Bristol Aeroplane Company. There were six major bombing raids on the city, in what has since become known as the ‘Bristol Blitz’.

basement renovation bomb shelter makeover in bristol

Berkeley Place

basement renovation bomb shelter makeover in bristol

Berkeley Place

The bomb shelter discovery was made while the basement was being converted into a snug bedroom and bathroom. This involved repair and repointing of the flagstone and subdividing the bedroom to create two separate sleeping spaces, to maximise use of space.

basement renovation bomb shelter makeover in bristol

Pete Helme Photography

basement renovation bomb shelter makeover in bristol

Berkeley Place

The front terrace, living room, hallway, kitchen, utility and dining room were also given a new lease of life, adding warmth with new timber and underground heating. Stairs were installed with a curved timber handrail to the outer wall, with cleaned sandstone flooring.

Basements are most commonly used for storage or as a utility space, but they can be a valuable asset for homeowners. Many offer more square footage than main-floor rooms, making them a great location for family-friendly living rooms or guest bedrooms with a bit of extra privacy.

basement renovation bomb shelter makeover in bristol

Pete Helme Photography

Bringing luxury to the most unexpected areas of your home has been a big trend this year, with ‘luxury laundry rooms’ and ‘luxury basement ideas’ among the most popular searches on Pinterest.

Follow House Beautiful on TikTok and Instagram.


3 Calming Kitchen Ideas for a Fresh Renovation

3 Calming Kitchen Ideas for a Fresh Renovation

It never fails—you spend hours cleaning the rest of the house, and guests just seem to congregate in the kitchen. Arguably the most magnetic—and the most useful—room in the house, the kitchen is where food prep, meals, homework, hangouts, late-night snacks, and everything in between happens. You spend so much time there, it stands to reason you’re going to want to update your kitchen every now and then so that it’s not just as comfortable (and practical) as possible, but a truly pleasant place to hang out.

When you do put in time, money, and temporary inconvenience to remodel, you want the change to be one you’ll be thrilled to live with as long as possible. When designing your new kitchen for longevity, remember that, while kitchen trends tend to come and go and then come back around again (see: built-in dining nooks, adorably retro appliances), soothing, neutral hues never go out of style. Muted tones of brown, beige, and grey can have a calming effect on a home, and may evoke a feeling of being outdoors. They also provide a solid neutral base to work from, allowing you to play around with bolder colors, patterns, textures, and materials as you build your perfect space. Ready to get cooking? Try one of these three recipes for color palettes that are sure-fire crowd pleasers.

Off-White and Metallics

caesarstone riverlet

Caesarstone

Having an all-white kitchen is nice. Getting that bright, airy feel with a few extra layers of color for visual appeal is even better. Riverlet, an off-white hue in Caesarstone’s new Pebbles Collection of sustainable nature-inspired surfaces for countertops, has just a touch of honied amber capillaries which add depth, and a honed finish to reflect more light into an already bright space.

To lean fully into that gentle-breeze-on-a-warm-spring-day feel, pair your Riverlet countertops with very on-trend white cabinetry, metallic hardware, and light flooring. Then, be sure to stock your open shelving with clean, monochromatic ceramic dishes. A few well-chosen (and well-cared-for) plants bring in greenery.

Bremen Cabinetry White Painted Birch Shaker-Style Cabinet

Bremen Cabinetry Bremen Cabinetry White Painted Birch Shaker-Style Cabinet

No matter the year, this classic cabinet design will always be in style.

Somerville Cabinet Knob

Rejuvenation Somerville Cabinet Knob

Also available in drawer pulls, the shining aged brass finish of this cabinet knob is eye-catching in a white kitchen.

The off-white color and honed finish of this chic countertop makes any kitchen feel brighter.

"Oak Bluffs" Wide Plank French Oak

Sawyer Mason “Oak Bluffs” Wide Plank French Oak

Knots and a swirled grain bring rustic character to these wide oak planks.

Black and Brown

caesarstone darcrest

Caesarstone

If you’re the type who thinks sunny days are sweet, but overcast ones are spectacular, feed your misty, moody side with Caesarstone’s textured black Darcrest on backsplashes and countertops. Darker shades are growing in popularity as homeowners embrace a sophisticated, urban feel, and this stone, with hints of organic ochers and brownish greens delivers.

Pair it with other slate-hued finishes—oxidized metals, patinated concrete, lacquered shelving—and stained woodgrain flooring. Then, bring in just a touch of brightness with brushed hardware in copper or burnished brass. This combo is especially effective when you have—dare to dream—floor to ceiling windows.

Supermatte Black Slab

Semi Handmade Supermatte Black Slab
Credit: Semihandmade

Sleek and modern, these slab-style cabinets prove that black really does go with anything.

Slab Textured Linear Tan Heartwood

Cabinets.com Slab Textured Linear Tan Heartwood

Contrast the black upper cabinets with slab wood doors that have a contemporary feel.

A veil of ochres and brownish greens add interest to this bold black countertop.

Montgomery Chevron Matte Porcelain Wood-Look Floor and Wall Tile

Ivy Hill Tile Montgomery Chevron Matte Porcelain Wood-Look Floor and Wall Tile

Durable and stylish, this chevron porcelain tile offers a unique alternative to wood flooring.

Black, White, and Grey

caesarstone layalite

Caesarstone

It’s right here in black and white—an entirely elegant take on the two timeless hues. Layalite, a pure-as-snow stone with grey veining, brings bright contrast as a countertop for black cabinets. On the walls, harmonize the two opposing colors with a grey paint. Select a hue with a warm undertone for a look that feels cozy and inviting.

Piling on other neutrals—consider light oak flooring, glazed white backsplash tiling, and brushed gold hardware—adds visual interest while keeping the overall vibe sleek and sophisticated.

Wish AF-680

Benjamin Moore Wish AF-680

Warm undertones infuse this soft grey, which makes any room feel cozier.

Gentle streaks of grey and ochre bring a subtle pattern to the white countertop.

Black Shaker

Cabinet Select Black Shaker

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A traditional design goes contemporary with a shining black finish.

French Oak Delano Engineered Click Hardwood Flooring

Malibu Wide Plank French Oak Delano Engineered Click Hardwood Flooring

A wire-brushed finish enhances the natural grain of French Oak hardwood, a durable choice for kitchens and other high-traffic spaces.