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Last Updated: Jul 2nd, 2008 - 21:15:22 |
(ARA) - After years of fashion experimentation, fitting rooms, and perhaps some dubious lapses in judgment, most of us have developed a unique personal style -- we know what works for us. But when it comes to decorating our homes, particularly our bathrooms, style preferences can be harder to pin down.
According to Tim Bitterman, senior product brand manager for Inspirations by Moen, “The bath is more of a private, personal space, and consumers are spending more time and money to customize the room to suit their individual needs.” And since this room speaks volumes about your personality, how do you identify your personal decorating style?
Bitterman continued, “Consumers tend to decorate their home in one of the following popular styles: casual, contemporary, traditional, and eclectic.”
How Do I Determine My Style?
Which do you favor? Take the following quiz to learn which style you are most drawn to:
1) Do you prefer?
A. Shabby Chic, comfortable looks
B. Ornate designs
C. Simple, clean lines and geometric shapes
D. Exotic and unexpected combinations
2) When choosing furniture, you gravitate toward:
A. Overstuffed pieces with distressed and crackle finishes
B. Leather, cherry wood and dark stains
C. Light woods, like natural maple
D. Organic pieces, in different prints and colors, from unique locales around the world
3) When you accessorize a room, you most likely choose:
A. Items that are old, rustic or have a touch of whimsy that make a room cozy and inviting
B. Family heirlooms, accented with items you’ve found at estate sales
C. New accessories that are placed sparsely and carefully throughout the room
D. Funky, fun accessories you found everywhere from thrift stores to high-end boutiques to a vacation overseas
4) Where do you do most of your home shopping?
A. Arts and crafts fairs
B. Estate sales, auctions and antique shops
C. A chic, modern home store or trendy mail order catalog
D. All of the above
If you consistently chose A’s, you gravitate toward a casual style. If you chose mostly B’s, you’re probably more the traditional type. Mostly C’s? You have a contemporary style, and D’s indicate a taste for the eclectic.
Now that you’ve identified the style that suits your personality, here are some suggestions for decorating your space accordingly:
1. Casual: Casual style is homey and welcoming. There are many takes on this look, but they all incorporate a clean and comfortable feel. Fabrics are generally soft and textured. Furniture is overstuffed and inviting. Washed wall finishes or beaded boards (called wainscoting) can give your bathroom this casual feel. Using old furniture such as wardrobes or dressers for storage cupboards adds some visual interest and whimsy to your look. Wicker baskets are ideal for countertop organization. Go vintage with your bathroom fixtures, too, with antique nickel finishes and twisting and curved designs. Towel bars, a paper holder and matching toilet tank lever in this style provide warm details that add the finishing touch to this décor.
2. Traditional: Traditional style calls to mind the feeling of formality and luxury. Large, rich floral prints on fabrics, drapes, or wallpaper will give your bathroom the character it needs to pull off this look. Cherry woods or other dark finishes create a rich feel. Choose accessories like the Gilcrest Collection from Inspirations by Moen, in a rich oil rubbed bronze finish. The towel bars, mirrors and shelving have decorative finials, grooved flourishes and intricate detailing for a time honored appearance.
3. Contemporary: Easily recognizable by its modern design and sophisticated, sleek lines, a contemporary theme can work well in a bathroom where surfaces are angled and smooth. If you want to create this look, select cabinetry in natural wood finishes and contrast with stone or marble, or go for the urban chic look with all stainless steel. Add dramatic towel bars, shelving and paper holders in chrome finishes to make an impact in this style of bath.
4. Eclectic: The eclectic decorator mixes and matches design elements to create unique and visually interesting combinations. If you aren’t afraid to paint your heirloom bookshelf orange and top it with a Buddha, or put a jukebox near your Persian rug, you lean towards an eclectic style. But eclecticism can be more restrained, too, combining organic looking pieces that share shapes, textures, or colors. Neutral walls and floors look best with eclectic rooms since they serve as the canvas for your creativity. Look for accessories that make a statement. Choose those that are inspired by nature or capture the feel of an exotic locale like Africa, Asia or Tuscany. By definition, there are no rules for eclectic decorating. It does, however, require a keen eye for harmonious (as opposed to hodge-podge) combinations.
“Remember,” points out Bitterman, “Just because you prefer a certain style, you can still mix and match and have fun. The point is to create a room that says you, one that brings enjoyment and allows you to relax and feel comfortable.”
For more information on bath style trends, or accessory products available from Inspirations by Moen, call (800) 321-8809, or visit their www.csi.moen.com. Courtesy of ARA Content
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