To-do lists, as well intended as they are, sometimes seem to get lost in the shuffle. Windows that need cleaning, scratches on door frames caused by the dog’s paws and paint touch-ups elsewhere in the home are so easy to put off when more immediate tasks need attention.
Completing more minor tasks, however, really can have an impact on how you feel about your home. A little extra cleaning and some paint can definitely improve the look of a home. As an interior designer, the everyday challenges of keeping my home in good shape sometimes get put aside when more pressing matters arise.
I recently participated in the Greensboro Symphony Guild’s Tour of Homes and the prospect of having hundreds of folks walking through my house motivated me to revisit my to-do list. I gave myself plenty of time and started by tackling all of my quick cosmetic touch-ups. I then decided to take on some slightly larger projects.
The change I made that had the biggest impact involved refinishing the bathroom vanity cabinetry. My bathroom space has good “bones.” A large arched window is located above the tub. The space includes two sink areas, a generous shower and granite countertops.
The existing vanity cabinets had a pleasant fruitwood finish. My cabinets were nice; however, they didn’t really work with the overall feel of the master bedroom suite.
Rather than replace the vanities, I decided to refinish them. With the help of my favorite team of faux painters, the transformation from fruitwood to a rich java decorative finish offered much-needed oomph to the space.
The new java finish highlighted the dark brown fleck in the granite countertops, creating contrast with the tile floor and giving the space a cool spa-like vibe. Whereas before the bathroom was coordinated, but dull, it now is crisp and streamlined.
To enhance the desired calming feeling, I decided to highlight one of the unique features of the room — the arched window and ceiling line — by adding a canopy of metallic painted tree branches above the tub area. The branches follow the arch of the window and ceiling line. The effect created by the metallic branches enhanced the spa feeling and created subtle texture when viewed from different angles of the room.
To finish the look, I added silver twig drawer pulls and my favorite bamboo eco-friendly towels. The impact is big with very little effort, making this the perfect spruce up project for my home.
With the holiday season approaching and party planning in progress, consider which small projects you can accomplish. The effort will pay off long after your guests leave.
Jessica Dauray is owner of Elements of Style Interiors, a full-service interior design firm with offices in Greensboro and Wilmington. Visit her Web site at www.elementsofstyleinteriors.com. Have questions for Jessica? E-mail her at jessicaofeos@bellsouth.net
