FOOD FOR THOUGHT #4 - Why aren’t more powder rooms (and public restrooms) purse-friendly?

It happens all the time… I’m at a Barnes & Noble, Outback Steakhouse or Best Buy and there’s nowhere clean or dry to rest my purse while I wash my hands. You have a strap on that bag, so why not just hang it on your arm, you ask…

Well, that doesn’t work terribly well if I want to find whatever has inevitably migrated to said bag's least accessible corner. Usually, it’s my lip gloss or nail polish for touch ups. Murphy’s Law of Purses dictates that whatever one needs is always going to be buried at the bottom. I have found this to be cruelly and consistently true!

This anti-purse problem isn’t unique to public restrooms either. Many powder rooms, (and, sometimes, guest baths), I visit have the same shortcoming. The main difference is that I’m less squeamish about setting my purse down on a friend’s or relative’s bathroom floor or toilet tank than a public space's.

Still, there are numerous solutions to this problem that before now you didn’t even realize you had. (Aren’t you glad you stopped by!) I offer the following suggestions as a public service to all of your purse-wielding visitors and house guests.


Solution #1: If you have some floor space available, consider a small, rectangular side table or bath cart that coordinates with your décor. You can find them at your favorite furniture store, home center or even discount chain stores like Target.

Affordable, contemporary bath solution - 3 Tier Jumbo Cart from Bed, Bath & Beyond

Transitional choice adds a storage shelf below - Marin Side Table at Crate & Barrel

Luxe traditional bath choice adds great storage - Mirage Side Tables from Horchow

Solution #2: If you don’t have floor space, consider a wall shelf. Install it in a spot that won’t get easily bumped or interfere with outlets or towel hooks. This could be on a wall near the sink or above your toilet tank. (This second location calls for a shelf that isn’t deeper than the tank itself so you don’t bang into it when standing up.)

Sleek shelves for modern baths - West End's Paxton Wall Shelf

Rustic elegance for traditional baths - Glass Shelf by Restoration Hardware

Transitional bath shelves - Cafe Shelving from Ballard Designs

Solution #3: If neither is possible, consider adding a double robe hook to the back of a non-pocket door or a nearby wall. This works for hanging purses and coats, (another item that sometimes needs a hygienic resting spot!), or small purses without straps that can rest on the double hook instead of sitting on a wet counter.

Modern Bath Solution - JVJ Hardware Prism Pewter Double Robe Hook on Bellacor.com

Rustic hooks for transitional baths - Pottery Barn's Wire and Wood Double Hook

Double hook for a classic traditional bath - Bancroft Double Robe Hook by Kohler

There are so many choices in each of these categories that can match your décor, space availability and budget that you have virtually no excuse not to invest in at least one of them! That’s all I’m saying.

Please take a seat!

Have you ever wondered what the difference between a counter stool and a bar stool was? I didn't know either, until I became a kitchen designer and learned about the different options for eating and working spaces. I've also happily learned that there are wonderful choices in both categories to coordinate beautifully with your space. You can even get counter or bar stools to match your dining chairs! (Not that you have to.)


Bar stools

Once upon a time, you would buy bar stools in a specialized store, and they largely went into dark, paneled rec rooms. No more! Now you can find them pretty much everywhere furniture is sold and they go into kitchens with breakfast bars, as well as great rooms, wine bars and even nooks with bar-height tables.

What distinguishes a bar stool from a chair or counter stool is its increased seat height. They're made to position the user comfortably at a 42 inch eating or drinking surface. A standard dining table is about 30 inches.

As a kitchen designer, the 42 inch surface is usually a built-in breakfast bar on the back of a work station. Many builders and homeowners liked that these raised bars hide unwashed dishes or pots in the sink from the open dining or great room areas.

I'm not a big fan of breakfast bars for two main reasons. One, those same builders often skimped on both counter and walk space so that using the bar can be somewhat uncomfortable. Two, their higher seats make bar stools challenging for anyone with balance or height issues. This often includes seniors and children - i.e., the extended family you want around you while you're cooking!

However, if you've got a raised bar in your kitchen and it's working for you and your household, there are some great options in just about every style and finish.


Counter stools

I had never heard of a counter stool before becoming a kitchen designer, but they sure come in handy now! For those kitchens whose countertops extend beyond the cabinet for seating on the other side, counter stools are the ideal height. Standard kitchen counters are 36 inches high, which makes them too low for bar stools and too high for dining chairs. This is why counter stools were invented.

I like them because the person sitting on the non-working side of the kitchen can socialize with the cook and still help out with food prep if they wish, having the full expanse of counter to work with.

One challenge for counter height seating areas is that they require more overhang than bar tops. This deeper counter keeps the person sitting at it from hitting his or her knees on the back of the cabinets. Sometimes, you simply don't have the extra three inches you need to make this a comfortable seating area.

If you're fortunate enough to have the space for a counter-height overhang, there are also great stools to choose from. In fact, most companies now offer stools in bar or counter height. Some also offer coordinating dining chairs if your kitchen is open to your dining area.


Planning note

This comes up more often with counter-height seating than bar tops, but I always recommend against designing your overhangs in work aisles, especially near a cooktop or range! When possible, plan your seating on the non-working end of the kitchen.


What's in store!

I've found some nice styles that will work with a range of kitchens. I've also included backless versions. If you're tight on space, a backless stool will park under the overhang and give you more walking room behind it when it's not in use. Just a thought...

Vienna Black Counter Stool at Crate & Barrel brings cafe style to transitional kitchens

Sister store CB2 jazzes up your contemporary kitchen with Phoenix Orange bar and counter stools

Add classic vintage flair to your space with West Elm's Overlapping Squares Bar and Counter Stools

Get rustic with these Iron Grate stools from NapaStyle

Get sleek with Room & Board's backless Emeco Stools

Bring affordable island bling to your space with Cost Plus World Market's Elana Banana Leaf Bar Stool pair

Williams-Sonoma brings back the classic diner chair as their Diner Stool, available with or without back, at counter or bar height

Ballard Designs goes vintage transitional with their Constance Bar Stool

Another fun Crate & Barrel find -- the 30" Spin Bar Stool!

Bring rustic elegance to your home with another NapaStyle pick, their handsome Talavera Stool

Spunky style comes to your kitchen with Room & Board's Radius Counter Stool

Color Notes: Orange Crush

Welcome to the latest Color Notes posting. The purpose of this series is to share inspiring products and helpful ideas for the many hues you might want to incorporate into your home's design scheme. One of my colleagues - the talented and lovely Nikki Harmon - is planning colors for her new apartment, so I asked her whether she'd prefer to see Orange or Green noted next. Her answer was a resounding "Orange," so here you go!


Why orange?

Orange blends the warmth of red and yellow, the two primary colors that come together to create it. So you can pretty much use it in the same rooms you'd use either of those shades - e.g., kitchens, dining rooms, home office, study, laundry room.

A deep pumpkin will enhance a library or study. A bright citrus can add a kick to a teen's room or a man cave.


Where not to go orange

I'd avoid orange in a bedroom, as its red tones might cause sleeplessness. I'd also avoid it in a bath or study intended for relaxation. I also wouldn't pair orange with mid-tone woods like golden oak, as the look will just go muddy.


I love orange with...

Pink and purple

As seen in this Monkeyin' Around Sun N Shade fabric from Waverly

Olive, brown and cream

Shown here in Modwall's Lush Tile blend


Navy and pale green

Seen here in this reproduction poster


Organic Matchstick Sateen Shams at West Elm

Orange you excited?

How daring do you feel today? Here are some awesome orange goodies to consider for your favorite room in the house...

Sit pretty on this Egg Chair at Design within Reach


Or on Pottery Barn's Olivia Sofette


Or in Z Gallerie's Soho Pavilion

Go exotic with Gump's Orange Dragon Garden Stool


West Elm's Embroidered Ethnic Duvet Covers

Or Wisteria's Moorish Chest

Go retro with Urban Outfitters' Jet Set Storage Bench
(Reminds me of the 1950s sofa and chairs I grew up with!)


Pottery Barn's Argyle Knit Euro Shams


An Authentic 1960s Phone from Naked Decor, (formerly Home Republic)


Or Urban Outfitters' Velvet Pouf Pillow


Go mod with Jonathan Adler's Capri Bottle Lamp

This surprising Jupiter Bistro Table on Bed, Bath & Beyond's site

An Orange Lacquer Bath Ensemble, also at Bed, Bath & Beyond


Target.com's Pod Chair


Caesarstone's Warm Red Countertops

Enjoy the entire Color Notes series...

Color Notes: A Red-time Story
Color Notes: A Room Full of Blues
Color Notes: The White Album
Color Notes: Purple Haze
Color Notes: Orange Crush
Color Notes: Green Day

Style List #4 - The $150 Max Laundry Room Edition

The laundry room is often your home's least-loved space. No one I know enjoys wash day, so the place where it's handled often gets overlooked and bum-rushed. Maybe, just maybe, if it were a more welcoming space -- like this laundry room that I designed for a wonderful family -- wash day would be looked forward to a little more. OK, maybe not, but that's no reason to ignore a perfectly delightful design opportunity!

This Style List will make your laundry room a lovelier space. It will be better-lit, better organized and nicely adorned. Perhaps best of all, every single one of these design updates costs less than $150!

A great laundry room incorporates all five of these Style List components:

1. Brilliant Lighting
2. Smarter Storage
3. Fab Fixtures
4. Fun Fabrics
5. Delightful Decor

Your laundry room doesn't have to be custom like the one shown above, but it should be a cheerful place to work, if not an invitation to mentally, at least, escape the drudgery that is piles of laundry! (Warning: lots of goodies in this posting from Ballard Designs, one of my fave sources. Please share your favorites, too, in the comment section below!)


Brilliant Lighting

Go old-world sweet with Ballard Design's Contessa Chandelier

Go exotic with this Paradise East
Burnished Rattan Ceiling Light on Bellacor.com

Go retro with Restoration Hardware's
Schoolhouse Semi-Flushmount

Go girly-girl with Pink Mini Chandelier from Target

Smarter Storage

Pre-sort lights-darks-delicates for shorter laundry days
using this Whitney Design Woven-Seagrass Triple Laundry Sorter
from Amazon.com

Get hooked on these old world beauties:
Decorative Wall Hooks at Cost Plus World Market

Get rid of your hang ups on the Bergen Rail Shelf
with West Elm Style

Or multitask -- hang and sort! -- using
Bed, Bath & Beyond's Chrome Laundry Center

Separate out the dry cleaning in this snazzy
faux leather tote, also at Bed Bath & Beyond

Getting hand washables hung out to dry never looked so good --
Ballard Design's Blue Beadboard Drying Rack

A tisket, a tasket... Some lovely
Willow-lined Laundry Baskets from Cost Plus World Market

Ikea's Kassett Clothes Box with Lid provides stylish
out-of-season clothing storage

Tide to Go indeed! Stash your laundry supplies cache
on the Whitmor Supreme Laundry 3-Tier Cart at
Home Depot

Fab Fixtures - A Pitifully-Anemic Category

The only non-hideous, affordable laundry sink I've ever seen
is this ASB Solid Surface Freestanding Utility Tub at Lowes

The only nice-looking laundry faucet I've seen anywhere!
Belle Foret's French Country Faucet at eFaucets.com

Fun Fabrics

Pressing issues no more with Hestia Housework's Ironing Board Cover
in Bahama Breeze Barkcloth at Amazon.com

Iron away your troubles with this Hestia Houseworks
Damask in Black & White Ironing Board Cover, also on Amazon

A colorful wrinkle in ironing board covers --
Hestia Housework's in Peony Pink at Amazon
(I want to meet this Hestia homegirl!)

Soften your floor with Ballard's mod
Celia Indoor-Outdoor Rug

Is any room complete without an animal print?
French Leopard Indoor/Outdoor Rug, also from Ballard

Dress up an ugly laundry tub with a sink skirt in
washable mod Arden Black Fabric from Ballard

Or skirt it in retro style with
Ballard's Green Plaid Fabric by the yard

Cover an unsightly laundry room view with
All Seasons Blanket Roman Shade from Country Curtains

Let in some light with these
Waffle Sold Tie-Top Tiers at JC Penney

Or dress your laundry window in West Elm's Jute-Poly Roman Shade
(Yes, I love the timeless style of Roman shades!)

Delightful Decor

This Vacation Days in the Adirondacks poster
adorns my laundry room walls, and recalls childhood summers
from Posters.com

Have fun with retro Detergent Box from Ballard

This retro Laundry Tin Sign wins style points, also at Posters.com

Vive la wash with this arresting
vintage reproduction poster, again, sur Posters.com

L-A-U-N-D-R-Y - the last word in this Style List
at Ballard.com

Enjoy the entire Style List - $150 Max Edition Series

Library
Kitchen
Bath
Home Office
Laundry