Past to Present: Unveiling the Timeless Allure of Powder Rooms
Real estate listings define a powder room, or powder bath, as a bathroom that consists of a toilet and single sink. It is typically located on the main floor, strategically tucked away for privacy while remaining conveniently adjacent to the living room, dining room, and kitchen. Powder rooms are functional, yes, but they also provide the opportunity to make a statement and introduce your guests to the overarching style of your home. History Lesson The term "powder room" traces its origins back to the 1700s when the elite class frequently adorned wigs, requiring regular primping and powdering. During this era, having a dedicated space for such grooming rituals was indicative of social standing and affluence. In the absence of modern plumbing, these rooms typically featured a dressing table, a plush stool, and, notably, a mirror. As plumbing advancements emerged, the room's purpose evolved, and the powder bath gained popularity during the post-World War II construction boom. With the rise of makeup use, the powder room became a sanctuary for a quick touch-up, coining the phrase "powder one's nose." From a privacy standpoint, the powder bath functioned as a dedicated space for guests, sparing them the need to encroach upon the more intimate areas of the home – this remains one of its key features. What Makes a Powder Room so Special? Today, the main components that make up the design of a powder bath include the toilet, sink, mirror, and light fixtures. Beyond these essentials, additional features such as tile, wallpaper, accent paint, wainscoting, and art can be seamlessly integrated to add a layer of intrigue. The allure of the powder room is its compact footprint – this allows a splurge in higher-end materials since the square footage is so minimal. It provides you with a space to create a jewel box within the home that speaks to its overall aesthetic in a more daring way. It can be moody, experimental, colorful, busy – all the things you may be too timid to try in other areas of the home. These design risks are safer done in a confined, capsule-like room. Plus, beauty can take precedence over function here; due to its limited usage, issues like steam, splashes, and other messes are less prevalent. Explore these inventive ideas to add a touch of creativity and charm to your powder bath: Statement Wallpaper: Choose bold, vibrant wallpaper with fun patterns or textures. Lighting: Opt for a pend ant (in lieu of a sconce) and integrate toe-kick lighting for a layered effect. Mirror Magic: Find a uniquely shaped or ornate mirror to serve as a focal point. Wall Treatments: Painted wood shiplap, wainscoting, or wood cladding on the walls will help set the tone of the space. Unique Faucets & Fixtures: Upgrade faucets and fixtures to unique and stylish designs that become conversation starters. Open Vanity or Pedestal Sink: Choose an open vanity or a stylish pedestal sink to give the illusion of more space and add a touch of sophistication. Bold Color Palette: Paint all walls, ceiling, trim, and door in a bold color to transport your guests. Vintage Touches: Incorporate vintage or antique elements such as hardware or fixtures. Considering a remodel that includes a powder bath? Connect with us, and let's work together to turn your vision into reality!
Elements of the Midcentury Modern Home
Part of the appeal of the midcentury modern style is it’s nostalgic feel. The furnishings and fixtures of the time utilize organic shapes and warm color palettes. Combine those themes with a modern backdrop… it is hard to go wrong! Also, you can easily integrate midcentury antique furniture or décor in any modern-leaning home without it feeling wildly out of place. Midcentury modern is an aesthetic that allows the new to come together with the old when remodeling or building new construction, creating a timeless and widely appealing home. Bridging the Past to the Present The midcentury modern style originated in the middle of the 20th century, after World War II. It’s clean-lined and simplistic look resulted from a backlash toward the more ornate traditional styles that came before. Today, midcentury modern (also known as “MCM”) is one of the most popular architectural and interior design styles. It is modern without being too cold or minimalist, and it’s retro vibe adds a touch of fun without the risk of being too trendy. Architecture & Interiors The architecture of the home is what you see first, and therefore should ideally represent the midcentury modern aesthetic. Some MCM architectural features might include… Low pitched shed and gable roofs, flat roofs Wood and stonework siding accents Concrete sitework & porches Extended eaves Horizontal lines Minimal adornment & trim work Asymmetrical features Clerestory and floor-to-ceiling windows Pop of color The interior design should reflect the architecture of the home and help round out the midcentury modern vision. Here are some design features found in the interiors of MCM homes: Vaulted ceilings often with wood cladding & exposed beams Teak, walnut, or oak wood species Walls with wood cladding/paneling Fireplaces with stone surround Light fixtures with globe shades Slab or flat panel doors Minimal trim work Multiple levels/sunken living rooms Straight set tile Geometric patterns Natural materials Pop of color MCM Today & Tomorrow If you’re looking to build a new home or renovate, going midcentury modern will not only yield an inviting and sophisticated space, it will also stand the test of time. Here are a few additional tips to successfully achieve this timeless look: Avoid trends – when in doubt, ask yourself if it would work in a 1950’s or 60’s home? Update without wiping out – For example, replace the pink ceramic bathroom tile of your truly midcentury home with something in the same size/pattern but with a new fresh color. Adapt for today’s world – Open up the main living spaces, make the kitchen larger than it would be 70 years ago Something old, something new – integrate classic pieces like the Eames lounge chair and Nelson Saucer pendant to help your new space feel connected to it’s MCM roots Furnishings, décor and accessories are the final touches that bring a design style together to form one cohesive look. Since the midcentury modern style is so widely popular, there is no shortage of resources to find the perfect items to go with your new space. With functionality and simplicity at the forefront, this design style is likely to remain popular for the long haul.
Intentional Interior Design at H2D Architecture + Design
Intentional Interior Design, In House One of the main services we offer at H2D in addition to architectural work is interior design. If you work with us on a remodel or new build, we can help you make finish and fixture selections in a way that pulls together a unified design for the whole home. Offering interior design in house allows for the interiors to be considered from very early on in the architecture process – this is a win for everyone involved in the project! Here’s why… Our team works collaboratively, so often times our interior designer will be part of the schematic and design development phases of the architectural work. This means that we can spot opportunities to add key design elements, arrange components of kitchens and bathrooms in a thoughtful way, and make sure that interior design ideas are captured in the architectural plans. The interior design will be more premeditated rather than an afterthought. Additionally, our familiarity with the plans makes it easier to jump into the interior design phase. This approach benefits the whole team, and lays the groundwork for a more cohesive and beautiful interior. Plus, less mix-ups are likely to occur during construction since everything is communicated clearly between all channels (client, architect, designer, and builder). Our interior design packages include concept boards, digital colorboards (sourced fixtures and finishes), 3D renderings, electrical plans, interior elevations, exterior paint/siding layouts, and documenting selections. The interior design phase occurs simultaneously with the architectural process, starting as soon as the floor plans have been finalized. We kick things off with an introductory questionnaire that you fill out to help give us an idea of your preferences for the style and function of your new spaces. We then curate design concept boards that include inspiration images and ideas to aide in communicating the aesthetic direction. Once we’ve agreed on the direction, our design team begins sourcing finishes and fixtures to put together cohesive colorboards for each space in the project scope. The colorboards include items like cabinetry, flooring, tile, countertops, plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, mirrors, etc. It’s important to note that we do not provide sourcing for furnishings and décor. Each space to be designed will have a board for scheme A and scheme B, from which you can make your selections. We can also provide additional sourcing as needed to get to the point where all selections are finalized and documented into the specification sheets. These boards also include realistic looking renderings to help you visualize the suggested finishes. After you’ve made your selections, we finalize the interior elevations so that they include details about the finishes and fixtures that will be installed, ensuring that the end product turns out as planned. We also check that the electrical plans accurately reflect the placement and requirements needed for the light fixtures that you have chosen. The specification sheets will have information that corresponds with both the interior elevations and the electrical plans. During construction, we are also available to visit the site to consult as needed. Our main goal throughout the whole process is to guide you toward making choices that support your goals as well as the architectural style of your home, resulting in beautiful, functional spaces. It might feel overwhelming, but we will be there to offer guidance and answer your questions along the way. Written by: Lauren Groth, Interior Designer
Insulation Matters
Have you ever wondered what exactly is sandwiched in-between your walls so that the interior of your home stays cozy and is protected from the chilly or hot outdoor temperatures? With current concerns about global warming many people are turning to sustainable solutions in architecture. One approach to decreasing environmental impacts is selecting insulation with lower embodied energy – the sum of all the energy necessary to produce a product and transport it to its desired location. Many people wonder what actions they can take to decrease their carbon footprint. Well, selecting the type of insulation is one way a homeowner can make a significant difference. Conventional insulation including expanded polystyrene or extruded polystyrene applied with hydrofluorocarbon blowing agents are made from fossil fuels that release green house gases with high global warming potential. Selecting insulation that releases less nasty green house gases during production and installation is better for the environment and the health of the people involved in installation. Materials like cellulose – or plant fiber, mineral wool, denim, hemp fiber, straw bale, and mushroom insulation are sustainable alternatives. Cellulose – or plant fiber, is made of post-consumer recycled paper and offers great sound insulation. It is a fitting option for remodels or additions since installation is quite simple. Mineral wool – is made from melted stone or iron spun into fibers, much of which comes from pre-consumer recycled material. Products can come in the form of rigid sheathing used slab-on-grade construction. Denim – is made of recycled cotton from pre-consumer waste scraps or post-consumer jeans. Straw bale – is just that, straw bales, a product that doesn’t keep you guessing. It is made of renewable material that is easily available. Mushroom – or more specifically mycelium, grows on agricultural crop waste. The fungus does not actually produce fruit, so no mushrooms will be growing in your house. It is a cutting edge solution for low-embodied energy insulation, and is currently still in the research and development phase. Fiberglass – is made of spun glass fibers. It is resistant to moisture and bacteria, and is easy to install. Hemp fiber – is a great natural insulator that is biodegradable. They maintain their structure and are resistant to slumping over time. Written by Carmen Ulrich
Creative use of space
At H2D Architecture + Design, we are always thinking of creative ways to use space. Many of our projects are in-city properties where space is at a premium. Using every inch of space in a thoughtful manner is very important. We love this Houzz.com article with ideas for using all the nooks and crannies in your home with creatively designed 'hidden spaces'. Hidden in Plain Sight: 10 Cleverly Closeted Home Spaces
Hiring An Architect 101
When taking on a remodel, addition, or new construction project, many owners are unsure where to begin. Often times, the first step that the owner takes is to call a builder to get a quote for the work. The builder may then ask if the owner has a design for them to bid and build from. If the answer is 'no', this is where the architect comes into the picture. An architect can provide a wide range of services to their clients including feasibility studies, space planning and design, code research and compliance, energy efficient construction, material selection, permitting, bid negotiation, and construction observation among many other services. At first glance at the architect's fees, it may feel like you are paying a lot for just a few plans and visit to the building department. Instead, you are paying for years of training, expertise, and experience for an architect to help bring your vision into reality. The time spent working with the architect may also help you to avoid expensive mistakes during construction by working out the kinks through design, layout, and detailed construction documents on paper prior to starting construction. Over the course of the design process, the architect and owner will pore over the design in painstaking detail until the drawings contain enough information for the builder to take the plans and build the project. During the design process, the architect will help with suggesting materials and construction methods that may suit your budget or help with ideas for creating an energy efficient home which can save thousands over the years. The design costs are a relatively small percentage compared to the added value that good design can achieve. A beautiful, creatively designed space alone will maintain premium value for the long term and for potential future resale.