|  Post Reply

In his excellent history, Ferrari: Road and Racing, Ferrari expert and author Winston Goodfellow recalls attending Ferrari’s annual company luncheon in December 1981. Goodfellow was a guest of former Ferrari race-tem manger and prominent Italian journalist Franco Lini. And if your home has historical significance, get guidance from an expert before tackling anything. You can get the same look for less if you opt for large marble tiles set flush to each other. At the same time you create a sumptuous private bath for you and your spouse, you may be able to add a roomy, guest bathroom down the hall. If your bath is part of a whole new house or a major remodeling, all of these experts may be involved. Jump into the world of bathroom twin cities remodeling contractors, and get tips on how to personalize your bathroom design. Well before the crews arrive, brief your family thoroughly, and get answers to any questions they may have. Remodeling involves major changes that may take your bathroom in a whole new direction.

Remodeling is what you're up to if you need to change the whole "footprint" (i.e., configuration and size) of your bathroom to add space or to reshape the room for better access. Whole books have been written on how to use color, but a few basic techniques are worth noting here. If the ceramic and limestone are both tones of white and the towels and ceramic accent pieces are in a range of pinks and reds, you have two rhythms going: one of texture and one of color, which adds further interest. That's when you'll be glad if you kept an eye on what the average home buyer in your price range is looking for. Before you hire the pros, spend some time looking at bath design solutions and products on the Web, in your local home improvement store's bath center, and in home decorating and remodeling books and magazines. If the design service price is actually built into the price of the products they install for you, you'd rather know that up front, too. Some designers charge a fee plus a markup on products they specify; others take only a consulting fee.

Some bath designers have been qualified, through education, professional experience, and testing, as Certified Bath Designers, identifiable by the "CBD" designation after their names. Designer showhouses sponsored by local charities are especially good places to see bath redecorations, as designers seldom spring for new fixtures or wall and floor surfaces. Even if you're just replacing old fixtures with new ones in the same place, you want installers who demonstrate that they are very familiar with building codes and the plumbing, wiring, and structural aspects of the job. Plain stock ceramic tile will hold its beauty and its value longer than laminate for about the same price, and a simple porcelain sink bowl has more timeless appeal than its cultured marble cousin in the same price range. Even a relatively simple replacement or redecoration project can add valuable safety measures and refresh your spirits. If inspectors can't check your wiring and plumbing, you'll be compelled to tear out new drywall and fixtures so they can. Check out more tips on how to design a bathroom on a budget.

On the next page, check out some intriguing ideas about bathroom decor. Replacement, or "changeout," means taking out one or more of your old fixtures and installing new ones in exactly the same places. Most homeowners find it's best to do their part before and after the workers do theirs, instead of trying to work at the same time. For example, you could steam off wallpaper, pull up old flooring, and remove old fixtures before the workers arrive. The engine assembly plant, for example, was quiet, well-lit and had several atriums inside, all in the effort to create an ideal working environment. "When Ferrari spoke during the lunch, the room was quiet, all gripped by his words. Near the dining room, it's convenient for dinner guests (but make sure the bath accesses from the hall, not directly from the dining room itself). Grab bars and wider doorways are just two universal access benefits that can make your bath more comfortable today - and through all your tomorrows.

Add comment

INDEXING JOURNAL: