Recent Articles
Design on a budget
The economy keeps falling and, as money gets tight, your plans to redecorate have run into, well, a wall. The redecorating window doesn't have to be closed, though. Interior decorator and TV star Christopher Lowell has seven tips for designing on a budget. He adapted them from two of his most popular books, “Christopher Lowell's Seven Layers of Design: Fearless, Fabulous Decorating,” and “Christopher Lowell's Seven Layers of Organization: Unclutter Your Home, Unclutter Your Life.” » More
Greener Furniture
Take the award-winning installation “Lightshowers” put on by DuPont Corian at this year's International Contemporary Furniture Fair. Egg-like polished rocks and smooth slabs of Corian were underlit, with nature sounds generated from a hypersonic speaker. When a person crossed the sound wave's path, it essentially “woke” the sound.
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Going a bit beyond the basics
By Terri Sapienza
 Kohler
Kohler' Clermont free-standing furniture-style vanity sells for $656. |
A budget of $3,500 allows for a splurge or two along with the basics.
At this price range, you can consider updated tile, which designers agree gives the entire bathroom a new look, especially if the old tile is damaged or dated.
Replace a sink or vanity for a fresh look and more storage. There are lots of sources for stand-alone vanities with stone countertops – from online, big-box and specialty stores – in a wide range of prices. Or turn an old chest or console into a bathroom vanity by retrofitting it with a sink. (The piece must stand at least 34 inches high to accommodate a drop-in sink).
Swap out a grungy shower door for a sparkling new glass door. The cleanest styles are frameless versions. For a unified look, make sure the door hardware matches the finishes on faucets and towel bars.
If everything else is in good order, consider replacing the bathtub. Deep, soaking versions are more popular these days than whirlpools, our experts say; claw-foot tubs and other free-standing styles make a real statement.
Splurge on spa-style shower fixtures, such as a rain head nozzle – maybe even two.
– TERRI SAPIENZA
