Bathrooms are a key part of every house. While they might have started out providing key functions, bathrooms are evolving to become more of a retreat within the home, a place where you can relax in a jacuzzi tub or steam shower. When you’re building a home or planning a bathroom remodel, you need to put together a roadmap that outlines the activities you are planning for this room. For each activity, you need to identify the features you want.

Now you’re wondering who’s dreaming as most of our bathrooms are smaller, i.e. a full bath might only be 5 by 8 feet and there’s not much you can do within that space. Maybe … maybe not. Antique vanities are gaining popularity and they can set the tone for a very different feeling when you’re in the bathroom. READ MORE

Lighting? Lighting seems like one of those things we take for granted until the power goes off. Or maybe it’s a dark overcast day with very little natural sunlight streaming in the windows, like today! Most people have no idea how important lighting is. Lighting affects safety in what we’re doing but more important, lighting affects our mood. Different lighting patterns and the color of the light produce different moods and a skilled lighting designer can help you create these moods.

Lighting is also used as a decorating tool to enhance architectural features in your home, much the way lighting is used to illuminate paintings in a museum. Lights can be recessed in the ceiling, hang from the ceiling or walls and lamps can be used as accent pieces to showcase a room’s design with lines, color, patterns, texture and more like the photo at right. READ MORE