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After bath remodel After bathroom renovation by www.justhteingdecorating.com, Ann Bridgman

Planning a Bathroom Renovation in the DFW area 

Creating a spa-like bathroom retreat is all about selecting fixtures that provide the ideal combination of fashion and function.  Many of our North Texas homes were built 20 years ago or more and our bathrooms are sorely in need of an update.

The first step in any bathroom design is to focus on function and determine what you would like to change.   

  • What storage are you lacking? 

  • What materials are you tired of? 

  • What do you wish you had in there that you are lacking? 

The second step is to think about your dream look.  Peruse your favorite designer website, Instagram, Houzz, and Pinterest and save the images you like—even if their bathroom layouts are different than yours.   

  • What is common to all your pictures? 

  • What finishes are you drawn to? 

  • What is the overall style of most of your images? 

With these ideas in mind, hire an interior designer and contractor to help you price out your dreams. 

Choosing Bathroom Essentials 

Whether it is a small powder room or a grand master bathroom, your plumbing fixtures are the essence of function for your space, so choose them wisely. 

 

Showers 

A shower is one of the most-used elements in the bathroom. southlake area real estate professionals at Ebby-southlake tell me a luxury shower in a master bath Is more important than a tub these days. When renovating the shower, your contractor should install a waterproof system to prevent against future leaks, and use stain and mildew resistant grout to help things keep looking new. 

  • Consider adding a handheld sprayer for cleaning and flexibility 

  • Build in recessed niches to hold beauty products 

  • Remove bench to increase the visual size of the space 

 

 

Bathtubs  

Many people enjoy at least an occasional soak in a comfortable bathtub. Tubs come in a wide array of styles, including freestanding, alcove, drop-in, and undermount varieties. In the 1990’s jetted tubs were in vogue, but now freestanding soaker tubs are favored for their cleanliness and simplicity.  If you have a luxury shower, maybe storage or a make up vanity would be a better use of that space. 

  • Do you take baths frequently? 

  • What features in a tub are important to you? 

  • Is there something else you can put in that space that would be more valuable for you? 

     

    Vanities 

    Getting ready for your day starts at the bathroom vanity. This is the largest piece of furniture in any bathroom and one of the primary sources of storage for the space. Custom building your vanity can allow you to customize it to your personal needs.  Building in pull outs to tame hair styling equipment is popular, as well as hiding everyday countertop clutter behind towers.  

    • What accumulates on your countertops and how could you build a better home for it? 

    • What would you like to store in the vanities? 

    • How can the style of the vanity add to the look of the room? 

     

 

Countertops 

 

Choosing your bathroom countertops requires a little thought as well.  Man made quartz countertops have different pros and cons from natural materials like marble, quartzite and granite.  Polished, satin or honed finish can add a decorative contrast to your flooring and wall décor. 

 

  • How tidy do you keep your countertops? 

  • Do you use hair color or other highly staining materials in your bathroom? 

  • Do you like a consistent pattern or a naturally varied look? 

 

Keeping our north Texas homes up to date includes updating bathrooms.  Hiring a professional who has walked clients through this process dozens of times can be a wise investment in saving you time and money. While the process of a bathroom renovation can seem daunting, it is so worth it in the end!  

 

Ann Bridgman 

 

www.justthethingdecorating.com 
 

 

 

 

 

 

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Comforting neutrals feel right in this crazy world

Comforting neutrals feel right in this crazy world

Comforting neutrals feel right in this crazy world

Raise your hand if you’ve been removing the brown from your home?  I know our Texas homes were full of brown just a few years ago.  The trend watchers tell us that a return to neutrals is in our future. But like all things in clothing and home fashion, a style never comes back quite the same.

Patty Carpenter analyzes global influences to forecast trends for manufacturers months ahead of their appearance.  She sees the following in our future:

BROWNS

Comforting neutrals feel right in this crazy world

“As we look for the comfort and connections being denied during COVID-19, we instinctively turn toward the warmer side of neutrals.”

DARK FLESH TONES

Comforting neutrals feel right in this crazy world dark flesh

“We blend our inherited cultures with the cultures of the places we land, evidenced by a beautiful spectrum of splendid skin tones that add life and comfort to products that embrace them.”

RED EARTH

Comforting neutrals feel right in this crazy world red earth

“The red-casted warmth of terracotta and clay touches us on a visceral level. As a human family, we have utilized this material for centuries to shelter and protect us, to carry our food and our water.”

MUSHROOM

Comforting neutrals feel right in this crazy world mushroom

“With their subtle shades of various warmed whites to teasingly taupe casts, their earthy colors engage us. They exude a halo of health. “

What does this mean for your home? 

As I choose fabrics for furniture for clients, I will be leaning toward the warmer neutrals like mushroom, versus the colder grays of a few years ago.  Accessories will incorporate warmer tones as well, with red earth accents paired with existing accent colors. Even adding a pillow in a fleshy espresso color can make your room feel updated. 

Does this feel outside your comfort zone?  You are not alone.  As these trends appear on consumer sites over the next 2 years, they will begin to feel comfortable and familiar.  Knowing what’s on the horizon allows me as your designer, and you as the homeowner, to make wise choices that will help your home’s design feel fresh and current for years to come.

Want to hear more? https://justthethingdecorating.com/about-southlake-interior-designer/

 

 

Photos courtesy of  https://www.furniturelightingdecor.com

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just the thing decorating ann bridgman Southlake Home decorated by Ann Bridgman of Just the Thing Decorating

Home Interior items

Why is everything taking so long?

 

Have you ordered anything for your house lately?

EVERYTHING is backordered!  Here in North Texas we are spoiled with regular next day delivery on all kinds of items! But now, there is a significant supply chain problem in the home furnishings industry. From discount to luxury, brands are dealing with a trifecta of problems: explosive demand, reduced supply, and inadequate transportation.  And, once again, we can blame it on COVID (or at least most of it.)

 

When the national "2 weeks to slow the spread" happened, local stores cancelled their orders from their distributors thinking we were going into a recession.  So Asian factories, where lower end furniture and frames of higher end furniture come from, decreased production and reduced their already COVID depleted workforces.  

 

But while we all sat home and watched Netflix, we realized how tired our homes looked!  With travel and all fun being off limits, why not fix things up? The lockdown caused EXPLOSIVE demand for home furnishings and vendors sold all the inventory they had on hand.  But when they went to place orders from their manufacturers, production had been cut back and there was not enough items to send.  Then as manufacturers completed product to ship, so were all their competitors and suddenly overseas and overland container space was full.  Shipping rates began to increase, and delivery times reached a snails pace.  

 

To make matters worse, the foam used in upholstery is a petroleum product coming out of the refineries in Louisiana.  Remember those hurricanes?  They further slowed the supply chain of the raw products needed to create that sofa you've been eyeing.

 

Patience is the name of the game.  All will straighten out eventually, but in the meantime, keep dreaming of that completed room!

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Bright accessories against moody neutrals Ann Bridgman of just the Thing Decorating adds zingy yellow to a master bedroom in Southlake

Home Interiors Trends for Fall

 

Due to the chaos around us in the world at large, home trends have taken a turn toward the cozy.  Whether through the use of chunky knits for cocooning, or rich earth tones to ground us, the industry is responding to a felt need to be in the safety of home.  As always, we in North Texas are a bit slower to adopt these trends but I expect elements of these looks to requested by clients as soon as this fall. Adding a wall or rich paint or a vignette of accessories may bring this comfort to your home as well.

 

Colors and Patterns from the Earth to Ground us:  warm neutrals, rich browns, terra cotta, deep green.  Organic, imperfect patterns on fabrics and accessories

 

Simple, peaceful forms:  uncomplicated shapes for our furniture, tribal and cultural textiles and crafts.

 

Relief: Butter yellow and energetic brights juxtpositioned against those moody neutrals express our hope for the future and our weariness of isolation.

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Kitchen after renovation Updating your home before putting on the market results in a higher price and less time on market--when done right.

Many of the homes I work with in Colleyville, Southlake and Keller were built in the 1990’s in the style popular at that time.  Darker woods, multiple flooring choices, and earth tones were frequent choices for homes.  Thanks to HGTV, the buyers moving into our area are now seeking a finished look incorporating “light and bright” looks.  They imagine they will be getting a “deal” in Texas and that the home they buy will not need any updating.  MORE https://justthethingdecorating.com/updating-to-sell/

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3 Spring Trends

 

3 Spring trends

 

Color

 

While noble blue is still uber popular, watch for a bit warmth entering home furnishings in coming months. Dashes of red (not your 1990’s shade of course!) will add energy to your spaces.  Try it on a rug!

 

Pattern

 

Watercolor abstracts, pastel palettes and large brushstroke patterns are showing up on everything from fabrics to lamps.  Add an accessory that brings a little Monet into your garden!

 

Shapes

 

After years of seeking the simplicity of straight lines in furniture, curves are returning on everything from ottomans, to mirrors and chair arms.  Softened edges, and more feminine silhouettes feel right at home among transitional pieces.  Antiques are fitting into our homes better than in years.  Try adding an accent table with some curves!

 

 

https://justthethingdecorating.com/ is now offering online virtual consultations no matter your location!

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Ann Bridgman of Just the Thing Decorating https://justthethingdecorating.com/interior-design-southlake-ann-bridgman/

Just the Thing Decorating of Southlake, Texas

Awarded Best Of Houzz 2020

 

The Annual People’s Choice Award from the Houzz Community Highlights Home Remodeling and Design Professionals with Most Popular Designs and Top Ratings

 

Southlake, Texas, February 17, 2020 – Just the Thing Decorating of Southlake, TX has won a “Best Of Houzz” award for Design and Customer Service on Houzz®, the leading platform for home renovation and design.

 

The 18-year old interior design firm was chosen by the millions of homeowners that comprise the Houzz community from among more than 2.5 million active home building, remodeling and design industry professionals.

 

The Best Of Houzz badge is awarded annually, in three categories: Design, Customer Service and Photography. Design awards honor professionals whose work was the most popular among the Houzz community. Customer Service honors are based on several factors, including a pro's overall rating on Houzz and client reviews submitted in 2019. Architecture and interior design photographers whose images were most popular are recognized with the Photography award.

 

A “Best Of Houzz 2020” badge will appear on winners’ profiles as a sign of their commitment to excellence. These badges help homeowners identify popular and top-rated home professionals in every metro area on Houzz.

 

“Creating beautiful spaces for my clients through exceptional communication and collaboration is my passion!  So honored to be selected.” -Ann Bridgman, Lead Designer of Just the Thing Decorating.

 

“This year’s Best Of Houzz awards go to an incredibly talented and service-oriented group of home remodeling and design professionals, and we’re proud to highlight the winners on the Houzz website and app,” said Liza Hausman, vice president of Industry Marketing for Houzz. “This award is particularly meaningful as it reflects the sentiment of the millions of homeowners in the Houzz community who are hiring home professionals for their projects across the U.S. and around the world.”

 

Follow Just the Thing Decorating on Houzz https://www.houzz.com/pro/annbridgman/just-the-thing-decorating-staging-and-windows

 

 

About Ann Bridgman of Just the Thing Decorating https://justthethingdecorating.com/

 

Ann Bridgman
Interior Designer Southlake, Dallas-Fort Worth

Over the last two decades interior designer, Ann Bridgman, creator of Just the Thing Decorating has been helping clients create calm and clutter free interiors authentic to their lifestyle. She credits her artist mother with initially awakening the creativity that led Ann to become a successful designer.

“A Texan by choice and here to stay!” This is how Ann describes herself after moving here for the fourth time in 2013 and settling in Southlake with her husband and two children. She was born in Ithaca, New York, went to Hope College in Michigan, has lived in Colorado, Missouri, and Illinois, and is still an avid traveler. Her travel and background have given Ann a great perspective on decorating trends around the country.

Ann holds two design certifications: Qualified Redesign Specialist and Qualified Staging Professional, and is an active participant in the home furnishings industry. Completing stringent continuing education annually for membership in the Interior Design Society, Ann is fluent in current and future trends.

 

About Houzz

Houzz is the leading platform for home remodeling and design, providing people with everything they need to improve their homes from start to finish – online or from a mobile device. From decorating a small room to building a custom home and everything in between, Houzz connects millions of homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world. With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community empowered by technology, Houzz is the easiest way for people to find inspiration, get advice, buy products and hire the professionals they need to help turn their ideas into reality. Headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif., Houzz also has international offices in London, Berlin, Sydney, Moscow, Tel Aviv and Tokyo. Houzz is a registered trademark of Houzz Inc. worldwide. For more information, visit houzz.com.

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YOUR SPRING UPDATE GUIDE

When I take down the decorations, I breathe a sigh of relief at the simplicity. Do you feel that way? But as I am replacing my “everyday” items, I realize the holes in my decor, the “blah” that I have let creep into my home. Time for an edit! Here in North Texas, it’s easy to embrace our early spring, so I recommend shuffling what you have, getting rid of things, and adding a few key items to refresh your home as a prescription for the post holiday season!

Bookshelves

Ann Bridgman of Just the Thing Decorating combines patterns with natural antique elements for a unique shelf display in Southlake, texas

Pattern mix

1) Remove all items from your shelves and other horizontal surfaces. Get rid of the ones you’re done with (never liked it, kept it because you felt you “had to”, have just had it forever and never thought about how dated it looked!)

2) Sort the remaining items by metal finish, type, color, etc. Consider keeping collections together rather than spreading them all over the house. Clean all items.

3) Pick 3 of these groupings for each area keeping the contents as simple and uniform as possible. Keep each surface 1/3-2/3 empty.

Pillows

Check your pillows: remove ones whose color schemes don’t fit with your current look. Consider buying a little fabric and having them recovered! I think you need some pillows on your couch, but even 3 will do the job.

Bedding

1) Is your bed quick and easy to make in morning? If not, edit the layers and pillows to a manageable level. I’m all for layers, but if it’s too hard to put it all together, it may start going unmade!

2) Build your bed to cover the “real people” stuff. This usually means having decorative pillows over the ones your head touches, and a cover over the blanket or duvet you sleep under. Adding these will really neaten things up.

3) Mix up the textures. A bed that is all cotton is boring. Add linen, fur, velvet, matelassé for interest.

kitchen lighting flooring countertops paint decorating interior design

Lighting makes a difference

Lighting

1)Walk you home for lightbulbs that are out and replace with LED Soft white bulbs. Not only will everything look brighter, but they will last longer. This goes for table and floor lamps as well. Consider having your handyman or electrician replace your existing recessed can lights with LED as well.

2) Add lamps. Each room should have 3!

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Relaxing Daybed Relax with a floating daybed for your outdoor space

Summer-ize your home with these tips:

1. Reduce your home’s tabletop items: Where there were 5, let there be 3!


2. Minimize textiles: Remove runners, pull out busy rugs, simplify colors on throws, and fold back busy comforters. It’s like helping your home take off a sweater!


3. Give that outdoor space a thorough cleaning and a fresh set of colorful outdoor pillows. Texas patios get dusty, so clean regularly.


4. Trade out interior throw pillows with white and bright ones.


5. Paint a room in your home a fresh, light color and make yourself a pink beverage with an umbrella to celebrate!

www.justthethingdecorating.com

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Stone fireplace before and after gray washing Stone fireplace was updated by gray washing with chaulk paint.

 

So you've decided to move away from the Gold-Red-Green color palette so popular here in North Texas a few years back, and embrace the soft gray looks you see on HGTV. But what about that pesky fireplace? Does he stand out like an unwanted guest in the room? You love the the texture the Texas river rock or brick brings, but not the heavy color. Try gray washing! Simply put, you are applying a light, watered down paint to your porous rocks or bricks, letting it absorb, then blotting the excess off. The amount you apply determines how much of the natural color variation in your fireplace material shows through the newly applied paint. The stone fireplace look above was achieved with chalk paint, and the brick with a solution of 3 parts water and 1 part paint. While pinterest assures me it is easy to do, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/416934877973373302/, I left my customers' fireplaces to professionals! They found it very easy to do, but it is important you are on hand to determine how much of the original surface color you would like to show through. The result is a fireplace that still holds as the room's focal point, but blends more quietly with soft gray walls, allowing your pretty art, accessories, curtains and furniture to stand out! https://www.justthethingdecorating.com/