Beautiful Bathrooms

Beautiful Bathrooms
by Jan Gunn Interior Architecture and Design

Bathrooms are at the top of the list for home remodeling projects in 2010.

With the current trends in bathroom remodeling, there is something for everyone, no matter what the budget is.  If you haven't been in to Ann Sacks recently, they just launched "AS Basics", an new line of tiles at "economy friendly" suggested retail prices of under $12.00 per square foot.  Likewise, Robern just launched a new "builder" line that is also very reasonably priced.

From tub changes, to “borrowing space” from an adjacent closet, to fresh paint and new lighting, a dated bathroom can always be improved.

May all your bathrooms be showplaces!

photo by Doug Salin 

Suitability

A good place for you and your client to begin is by evaluating the value of their home.  A remodeling project shouldn't be so extravagant that it overwhelms the underlying property value!  The National Association of Home Builders suggests that when all other factors are equal, an additional half bathroom increases the value of a home by 10.5%, and an additional full bathroom increases the value by 20%.  New bathrooms recoup approximately 60% of the initial investment within the first year of completion.  But, it may take up to five years to recoup the full expense of a major remodel.

Once you and your client have decided to move ahead with the project, it’s time to set a budget based on the homeowner's finances, and the suitability of the remodeling project for the home.  After the budget has been agreed upon, the design process can begin!


Lighting
Layered lighting is important irregardless of the style of the project.  Did you ever hold a flashlight under your chin in a dark room as a child?  The same ghoulish effect occurs in reverse (top down) in a bathroom that is illuminated with a single overhead light!  Who needs to look like they have dark circles under their eyes?  Side sconces by the mirror(s) serve as flattering task lights.  Halogen lamps are the best type of lamps for sconces.  The color of halogen light is the closest to daylight, so the appearance of cosmetics is similar to what others see.  Accent lighting can add a “pop” of personality to the room. General ambient lighting should be controlled by dimmers, which are flexible and energy efficient.  However, building codes often restrict the use of low efficacy lamps, such as halogen or incandescent, in bathrooms, even if they are controlled by dimmers.  So, employing motion or vacancy sensors instead of dimmers could free the designer from these limitations.

photo by Misha Burk

Ventilation
In recent years, ventilation has gotten much more sophisticated.  Better fans and combination fan/light units are whisper quiet.  And, the units can be purchased with humidity driven switching or motion detector actuated night lights.  To determine what size of fan your project requires, simply divide the cubic footage of the bathroom by 5.   In this case, bigger is not necessarily better, because an exhaust fan that is too powerful could pull more air out of the bathroom than can enter.  This could make the fan overheat, make it less efficient, or make it noisier.

Sinks and Faucets
Sinks and faucets are the "eye candy" of a bathroom.  Both are now available in a wide variety of specialty finishes.   Even though toilet flushing plungers are not yet available in some finishes, the handles could always be re-plated to match the finish of the faucets for an additional cost.

photo by Doug Salin 

Toilets
Comfort height toilets are increasingly popular, and are no longer only considered for ADA projects. And, the styling has vastly improved!   For example, the Kohler "Persuade" toilet not only has contemporary styling, but also is dual flush.  In-wall tank toilets, which make marvelous use of small spaces, are another option to consider. 

Bathtubs
It is generally accepted that home buyers like a house to have at least one bathtub.  So, this should be a consideration when planning a bathroom remodeling project.  Now, hydrotherapy whirlpool tubs are gaining popularity over traditional water jet tubs.  Hydrotherapy tubs give a more soothing, vibrating massage, while water jet tubs give a more vigorous, pulsating massage.  Hydrotherapy tubs are considered more sanitary than water jet tubs because the water does not remain standing in the internal pipes when the tub is not being used.  And, the new infinity edged tubs with overflow drain systems are amazing! 

Shower Heads
If you are installing multiple shower heads in your remodeled bathroom, such as a combination of rain showers, hand held showers, or body sprays, consider completing the installation by the end of 2010.  A new building code goes into effect on January 1, 2011 that requires using valves, which can only activate one water emitter at a time. 

Fireplaces
For a really luxurious and romantic element, consider adding a fireplace to the bathroom!   Today's direct vent gas fireplaces are economical and easy to install.  Since direct vent gas fireplaces do not require a chimney, they can be vented through a wall or through the roof. The direct vent operates not only by drawing combustion air, but also by venting to the outside atmosphere.  So, direct vent fireplaces don't consume warm air from inside the house, or compete with the furnace or other appliances for combustion air.  Plus, direct venting eliminates the heat loss and the drafts associated with other types of fireplaces.  How better to make your bathroom toasty?

What makes your bathroom a showplace?

A Glossary of Decorative Window Treatments

by Jan Gunn Interior Architecture and Design

There are many types of treatments that can decorate the top of a window.

Swags and Jabots
The most formal, traditional, and elegant windows are often draped with swags and jabots at the top of the window.  A single swag might be draped across the top of a shorter window, or multiple swags might be draped across the top of a longer window or a group of windows.  The soft, gathered swoops of the swag might be accentuated with passementerie (gimp, cord, beads, fringe or braid), or crowned at each point along the top with fabric rosettes or another detail.  The jabots, which are the tails that cascade down on each side, frame the window with S-shaped or zigzag folds.  Often, the jabots are lined with contrasting fabric, or are edged with passementerie for greater emphasis.

Valences
Valences are the soft fabric treatments at the top of a window.  Valances serve the practical purpose of concealing the mechanical hardware on the window treatments.  Valances can extend the height of a window, filling the awkward space below the ceiling and above the window.  The height of the valances should be in proportion with the window height and the ceiling height.  A good guideline is to start with a standard valance height of 14 inches, and to adjust the proportions from there.  If the window is wide, making the valences larger will make the ceiling look lower.   If the room is long and narrow, making the valences wider than the windows, so that the curtains pull all the way back to the window jambs, will make the room look wider.

Cornices
Like valances, cornices conceal the drapery hardware, and provide a decorative element at the top of windows that gives them a more finished appearance.  While valances are soft, essentially a short curtain, cornices are hard.  Cornices are usually made from wood that is painted or covered with fabric, or from fabric that is stiffened with buckram.  Buckram is a coarse cotton that has been stiffened with glue or sizing.  Cornices are usually rectangular, although they might also have a shaped edge, which adds a more architectural element.

Lambrequins
Like cornices, lambrequins are often made from a firm board covered with fabric.  In addition to a shaped edge, lambrequins have "tails" that extend partway down the sides of the window.

Pleats
There are many types of pleats, so depending on the style, the effect can be either formal or casual. Essentially, the pleats add fullness to the drapery panels.  A good guideline is for the total width of the fabric to be 2 1/2 to 3 times greater than the width of the area to be covered.

photographs and drawings courtesy of Southern Accents Magazine

A Drapery Treatise

by Jan Gunn Interior Architecture and Design

Fabric
Fabric is the single most important element in a drapery's overall appearance, construction and style.  It is essential to choose a fabric that will drape well, that will hold its shape, and is the right weight for the desired style.  In a period or traditional room, it is often nice to also use an under drapery, which adds another layer of pattern or texture.  Or, you could use a faux under drapery, attached to each side panel.

Linings

Although sunlight filtering through unlined curtains can be pretty, most draperies, with the exception of sheers, should be lined to protect the fabric, to block light when desired, to help retain the shape, and to extend the life.  Use a lightweight lining for draperies that puddle at the bottom.  For a billowy look, use a lightweight lining and only attach it at the sides, and not at the bottom, so it will fill with air and move. Specialty linings, such as blackout lining, provide complete darkness when desired.

Sheers without lining

Silk draperies with cotton lining

Interlinings
It is important that the weight of the interlining be suitable for the weight of the face fabric and the style of the drapery.  Designers of thick, luxurious draperies often use bump, which is a heavier, blanket-like cotton or flannel interlining that also provides insulation.  An interior designer can advise you regarding the fabric, lining, and interlining that is best suited to your style of draperies.

White linen draperies with heavier cotton interlining

Tiebacks
When should you use tiebacks or holdbacks, and when should drapery panels hang straight?  It depends on the overall look you're trying to achieve, how much of the window and the view you want to see, and the amount of space available on either side of the window for the drapery panels to stack when they are open. Tiebacks are often used in more formal or traditional settings, or conversely, for country-style draperies.  Straight panels look right in a cleaner, more modern setting.  Both new and old houses often have very pretty windows that homeowners don't want to obscure, so tiebacks can be used to reveal more of the glass.

Tiebacks in the same fabric as the draperies

A tassel tieback

A metal holdback

photographs and fabric chart courtesy of Window Fashions Magazine

A Kohler Retreat

by Jan Gunn Interior Architecture and Design

 

I've just returned from a three day adventure to the Village of Kohler, Wisconsin, the home of Kohler Plumbing.  
I was one of about 18 California designers treated to an informative tour of the Kohler facilities.

We visited the cast iron factory (that produces tubs, sinks and various commercial machinery parts) and the vitreous china factory (that produces toilets and sinks).  
I found both tours fascinating.

We even saw the casting process, in which molten iron is poured into various forms. 
That wasn't too surprising, but the real surprise is how the end items are colorized. 
The iron piece is heated to 2700 degrees, and then a coat of powder is applied with a device that looks like a flour strainer. 
The powder that falls on the iron piece doesn't have any color initially, but as the piece cools, the color comes up!

Casting itself is also interesting to observe, apart from the powder coating aspect. 
As you might imagine, it takes a negative form to manufacture the vitreous china end product, and to get it a positive "pattern" is pressed into loose sand, which then is the basis for the negative form.

Our group was also shown sneak previews of new products, but no photos were allowed!  

 

Kohler's three story design center was filled with vignettes of bathrooms and kitchens created by designers from all over the country.  
Kohler owns the upscale plumbing company Kallista, as well as the modestly priced Sterling line. 

Our Carriage House Hotel was beautiful and furnished in Baker and McGuire furniture, companies that are also part of the Kohler corporate family (along with Ann Sacks).  
We were offered a marvelous massage at Kohler's world class spa, which boasted every pampering amenity one could imagine.  
They treated us especially well when meal times arrived.  The beef Wellington hors d' oeuvres were unforgettable!

photos by Kohler

A Kohler Toilet Primer

by Jan Gunn Interior Architecture and Design

Kohler makes four types of toilets.

We are all familiar with the single flush gravity feed toilet.  In addition, Kohler now makes a dual flush gravity feed toilet that uses only 0.8 gallons of water for liquid waste and 1.6 gallons for solid waste.  Most residences would use one or the other of these toilets.  For a "never plug" toilet necessary in commercial applications they have two additional options.  The Pressure Lite toilet uses the street water pressure to activate a sealed canister which acts as a power booster to eliminate waste.  The Power Lite toilet has an even more aggressive system.  An electric motor pressurizes a canister to activate the flush.  This type of toilet has a very sleek, "tank-less" look as exemplified by the Hatbox toilet.

Portrait toilet, standard gravity feed  

Persuade toilet, dual flush gravity feed

Wellworth toilet, Pressure Lite flush system

Hatbox toilet, Power Lite flush system












photos by Kohler

Choosing Natural Stone

How to choose the correct natural stone for your project

by Jan Gunn

Granite Slab Counter Top

Jan Gunn Designs / photo by D. Moore

This is a question that is often asked by homeowners when starting a renovation project. Here is my advice on how to choose the perfect counter top for your project.

The right choice of counter top material depends on whether we're talking about an often-used kitchen or a bathroom. In general, granite is the hardest and most impervious product to choose.  Marble and limestone are softer and more porous than granite and will scratch and stain more easily than granite. However, the range of colors and veining of granite is considerably more limited than in a marble slab. Much granite is very uniform and can have the tendency to look like some of the synthetic products on the market today.  Beautiful granites are now being quarried in Brazil, so with some perseverance it is possible to achieve beauty, diversity and durability. If you want your counter tops to look brand new, marble or limestone is not for you; stick to granite.  But take note that granite should be sealed. (More to come on this later.)

People tend to prefer marble for bathrooms because it comes in a much greater variety of colors and styles. Veining is random and shows the sedimentary formation that occurred millions of years ago.  No synthetic product comes close to the exquisite beauty of a unique slab of marble.


Limestone is a classic.  It comes in subtle varieties of off-white to cream to beige.  Some pieces look like a sandy beach while others have veining.  Some limestone tiles are cut so that they are actually three dimensional.  This is called "pillowed" limestone; the crown or center is higher than the edges.


                      Pillowed Limestone Tiles with                                  Rojo Alecante Marble 
                           Marble Mosaic Tiles                                                  Counter Top

                   

                  Jan Gunn Designs / photo by M. Bruk                               Jan Gunn Designs / photo by M. Bruk  

If you really want marble or limestone in your kitchen, here are some hints to prevent undesirable markings. Some chemical cleaning products and acids found in foods and drinks (lemons, oranges, coffee, etc.) can etch limestone and marble surfaces. Etching is the erosion of the polished surface. The best way to combat this problem is to hone (pre-etch) the surface and use a good penetrating sealer for stain protection. The proper sealers will help protect the honed surface as well as enhance the natural color and veining in the material, leaving a beautiful surface patina.

 .

 

Beauharnais Limestone Counter Top

 Jan Gunn Designs / photo by DFB

In conclusion, natural stone is a wonderful material to use in your home. Knowing the right application for functionality and proper maintenance will ensure a surface material that will deliver a lifetime of beauty.


For more information: Creative Stoneworks, Import Tile, Italics

Interview with...Jan Gunn

Design Philosophy
"Our design philosophy starts with listening. You know
what you like, but how do you achieve your goal?
We listen as you articulate your vision, whether in
abstract or concrete terms. As we come to understand
your lifestyle and your tastes, we become better
equipped to translate your vision into reality, often with
spectacular results beyond your expectations. We’re
there at every phase of the project, helping you to
realize your goals."

Specialties
"Our expertise is best used when executing your vision
requires major remodeling. In one example, the client
wanted no surface left untouched. In others, walls
have been moved or disappeared, and rooms that were
previously of low value have been translated into
beautiful, cherished spaces. To achieve these marvels,
we manage various contractors, subcontractors,
furniture and cabinet makers, stonemasons, lighting
analysts, and other types of construction crews with
skills demonstrated to us on our many prior projects.
In the interiors, we have extensive product knowledge,
and can lead you to a wide variety of products that
match your taste. We’re also experts in kitchen and
bath remodeling, as well as lighting design."

Firm Profile
"We have led projects in places as diverse as
both coasts of the US, Aspen, Guam and Cairo, over the
last 30 years. Locally, we’ve completed projects as far
north in the Bay Area as Sea Ranch and as far
south as Los Altos. Our office is located in Orinda;
we have done many projects in the Lamorinda area.
Our repeat client base includes Fortune 500 CEOs,
technology entrepreneurs, college presidents and many
others who appreciate the value and quality of our
design and project management expertise. From
traditional to cutting edge contemporary design,
we bring fresh ideas, a sense of adventure and a
refined aesthetic to every project. Jan Gunn, the
principal, was on the Board of Directors of
Northern California ASID from 2004 – 2007 where
she was Director of Professional Development for the
Society’s 700 members."

Jan Gunn Interior Architecture and Design
http://gunn.asidcalnorth.com/

More of Jan Gunn

By Jan Gunn

This gracious living room shows off the owners’ personal tastes while offering a comfortable entertaining space.

A cheerful bath was formerly part of a closet and a spare bedroom.

The cabinetmakers meticulously handcrafted all the wooden pulls for this walnut kitchen. All glass cabinetry is illuminated with halogen lights. The ceiling is coffered and illuminated with LED lights.

Bay Area designers launch blog

Nine ASID Bay Area interior designers enjoy a champagne toast to celebrate the successful launching of their new blog, The Best Interior Designers. From left to right, Jan Gunn , Janice Ahrens, Lisa Weber Jasper, Marti Tout, Suzanne Zurinaga, Shannon Kirby, Darlene Jurow, Lisa Walsh and Jayne Bunce