An Opening Soon Story

For today's post I thought I would share with you ... another Moving Designz design project.  And how I ended my work week on a snow stormy Friday in PEI.  15-20cm with high winds.  I have been working with Oasis Kitchen and Bath on various client projects, as well as, having them do work on my home.  This is a fabulous local Summerside company that specializes in plumbing and plumbing fixtures.  And I have to add ... really amazing plumbing fixtures and plumbing services for kitchen and bath.

About a month ago they asked me to design their store washroom and also do a couple of their display booths.  Did I jump at it?  Hell yeah!   The main thing critera for them was ... Make it stunning, make it a statement, show us your best stuff.  We want to have every inch of our store a show piece for customers to be inspired.  Being in retail and service myself I know every inch of your store has to count and be made public.  Designing the store washroom was a perfect project for me and highest on their priority list.

This empty room was my starting point.  I was so excited because I could choose whatever I wanted, afterall this is part of their show and tell.  The floorplan was predetermined by the location of the plumbing pipes and electrical outlets.  And see that ugly black pipe, on the floor ... well that had to stay.  Surely I could hide it somehow?  Okay, I thought ... vanity to the right, cabinet to hide the pipe and toilet had to be straight ahead.  Now to design the space...

This amazing tile was my inspiration and jumping off point for the bathroom.  I came across this tile shortly before they asked me to design this room for them.  I  had a sample in my design centre for maybe 2 days.  I just knew it would be fab for some project and as fate would have it.... it was perfect this project :).  It's a combination of tumbled and polished Carerra Marble.  Can you believe I found it at Home Depot?  Brand spanking new to their in-store shelf inventory.  And I am not kidding, if this tile would have been on shelf previous to choosing my new kitchen countertop... some 2 weeks before.  It would have been mine, mine, mine.  And my kitchen would be looking a little, well actually a whole lot different.  So please, run,  don't walk to the store to check out this amazing tile!

This morning when I arrived the washroom was looking like this... almost there.  I've been in and out many times over the past few weeks (without camera) and this excited me today.  Things were definitely coming together.  The tile was installed and looked incredible along with all the other room elements.  The lighting, the custom vanity and shelving cabinet were all in place and the whole room was coming together. I hid those bossy ugly pipes within the cabinet.  See, I like that word too, bossy!

At this point today the countertop had just arrived and they placed it for fit. Two minutes before and we had barely hung the mirror. This beautiful mirror is special order from Moving Designz Home & Cottage. The countertop is quartz, Hanstone Swan Cotton. I love this countertop... it is a favorite of mine for bathrooms but it ould look equally nice in a white kitchen.

Okay so now we're looking at the toilet view.  The first thing you see when you enter this room.  Which... with the tile is the main attraction.  Normally would you empathize a toilet?  No, not ever but you have to remember ... this is a showroom and plumbing fixtures are their gig. 

These are the accessories from Moving Designz Home & Cottage.  Fire, Water, Earth and Air.  Anita and I chose white, chrome, glass and fresh spring green accessories to set off the dark cabinetry.  Somewhat Seaside, somewhat Zen, definitely Now.  I placed them on the lower shelf of the wall cabinet just before I left today with strict instructions as to which glass shelf they should be placed on:)  The glass shelves, well, they didn't come in today and won't be installed until Monday.  Opening day!

 This is afterall an Opening Soon story... everything is last minute and does not always follow the predetermined schedule even with the best of plans.  As I left late this afternoon, the countertop was removed for installation of the undermount sink.  The faucets and cabinet hardware will have to be installed over the weekend.  And I will have to wait for a week to see the final results.  I promise to post them along with the other showroom booths I've designed.

Toronto tomorrow, another buying trip for the shop and I will miss finishing this space.  Ashley and I are off to The Canadian Gift and Tablewares Show.  I won't be posting for awhile since I'm out of town and taking a 3 day R&R in downtown Toronto after the show.

  

I would like to extend my congratulations Spencer Myers owner of Oasis Kitchen and Bath on the opening of his new and expanded store in this new location.  We will miss him downtown since his shop was less than a block away from my shop.  Please visit his website here http://www.oasiskitchenandbath.com/  The new showroom is on Read Drive next to Prestige Kitchens.  Also thanks to Bruce, Joceyln and all of Spencers top notch people.    Fantastic teamwork.

Thanks for reading.  Have a great weekend and a great first week of February.

Susan

Beautiful Baths

For this weeks post I've decided to post images of absolutely fabulous bathrooms. Second behind kitchens in the cost of building and/or renovations bathrooms require plenty of thought and planning. Next week I am starting a renovation project on an existing bathroom which we are going to rip out, enlarge (by stealing hall closet space), and completely refit with all new everything!


If you are in the process of rethinking your bathroom, building a new home or entering a renovation I'm hoping you will find these images inspiring.

Tips for a great bathroom:

Clear the clutter and keep the decor simple for an elegant, luxurious feel.
Use a soft neutral palette. Except in powder rooms, that is the one room where you can add drama with bold colour or graphic wallpaper.
Don't scrimp, spend your money on good fittings and fixtures.
Let your small bathrooms live large with upgraded surface materials.
Keep accessories to a minimum.
Install great lighting fixtures.

My inspiration for todays post is the picture below. While it's not a bathroom I imagine it leads to an amazing spa experience just around the corner. Afterall the biggest trend in bathrooms these days is bringing home a luxurious spa experience.






Who wouldn't want to walk down this stunning hallway and around the corner?






Lets start with white bathrooms and a very Hamptons beach house look. This bathroom combines vintage style with up to date fittings and fixtures. The hexagon tile, the beadboard, the chrome fittings and that amazing clawfoot tub.






Another great looking white bathroom with a classic vanity and upscale feel. To get this soothing look keep the metals white and the surface materials neutral pale colours.






Modern, clean and very white.

I love that beveled mirror and the tub surround, very classy.

A very pretty vingette, nice photography.

I thought this was a great idea for containing pretty items near the shower.

Very pretty, very spa like.





Here's some dark cabinetry combined with modern bar style pulls, and chrome faucets. It reminds me of the vanity and bathroom I designed for the store.









You can tell this bathroom isn't very big on space but it definitely has the wow factor.

Sarah Richardson designed this one above. I love the wood grain and the aqua accent pieces.

Here we have one with a mid tone wood vanity, mirror and tub surround.

A handy little stool perfect for holding towels.

I could imagine this style of bathroom in a century home.

Soaker tubs are hot in bathrooms and this one has been outfitted quite nicely with lots of natural elements. Very earthy.

A bathroom leading to the terrace... looks like a great place to soak on a sunny afternoon. I love the various elements of texture in this room in contrast with the dark furnishings.

A.S. - This is one for you to think about! Send me your comment if you love it...

Thanks for reading. Have a great weekend!

Susan