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Shop The Look: Young Lady’s Bathroom Transformation

I’m excited to share with you the final product of a Young Lady’s Bathroom transformation that we completed just before Thanksgiving in 2021!

The Before.

We took a few pictures before the bathroom transformation took place, and while there is nothing necessarily wrong with it, it was clear that a little bit of TLC would truly transform the space. Here, I feel the vertical stripes on the walls made the already-small room appear much smaller than it actually was, creating a slightly claustrophobic atmosphere.

The Colors.

The color palette is much more important than you may initially believe when it comes to bathroom design. In this case, I decided to opt for a rather simplistic color scheme, combining a bright white shade with pastel blue hues. These shades are commonly featured in bathrooms – and for a good reason. This is because they give the room a clean and hygienic feel, which is perhaps more important in the bathroom than anywhere else in the home!

In this instance, we painted the walls in the stunning Lily White shade from Benjamin Moore. As the color white is light-reflective, this instantly makes the bathroom look bigger.

Tiles.

My favorite part of this bathroom transformation is, without a doubt, the tiles behind the vanity. Handmade by Marble Systems, they feature a simplistic yet effective blue and white geometric pattern that adds a new dimension to the bathroom. We also installed unique ‘raised’ shower tiles in the back wall of the shower, which added a further dimension to the space.

It goes without saying that tiles are the perfect choice for bathroom decor since they are easy to clean and resistant to the build-up of moisture. This makes bathroom maintenance a breeze! In terms of maintenance, we also decided to install a glass shower door, removing the old shower curtain previously hung by the owner. Again, this is much easier to clean and gives the space a more modern-finish, perfect for a young lady!

Mirror & Vanity.

As mentioned previously, the vanity became the focal point of the room once we added the handmade tiles. Here, you can see the prep behind installing a mirror within the space. We used blue tape to measure out the exact location of the mirror and sconces, which were then installed upon the tile for a clean, professional finish.

The vanity is painted white in order to match the rest of the space. However, it has a stunning marble countertop, which helps bring a bit of luxury into this bathroom and pairs nicely with the silver furnishings dotted around the space, such as towel racks and plumbing fixtures like the shower and faucets. The vanity is also on the larger side, with ten drawers meaning there are plenty of storage options for the user – whether she chooses to store make-up or toiletries in the space.

Once we had installed all of the fixtures, lighting was the step of the process. We chose to hang two wall-mounted lights in the bathroom, which are both sophisticated and practical.

Making This New Year Special: Tips & Reflections

2020 was full of lessons about coping with the unexpected and finding joy in the people we love. It seems that a lot of us have been waiting to say goodbye to 2020, looking forward to more hopeful times and the light at the end of the tunnel. And as we get ready to enter 2021, a lot of people are wondering how to mark this occasion. While this year won’t be like previous New Years, there is still plenty we can do to prepare for a fresh start ahead!

Last New Years

This time last year I was in New York City, taking in the lights and getting ready to welcome the New Year. I had the pleasure of visiting the Plaza Hotel for a fun evening with family, friends, and champagne (obviously!). I was ready for 2020. I had plans to embrace the new year with vigour and determination…interior design was on my mind. It was a lovely time, but nothing could have prepared me for the year that laid ahead. I hope that next year I’ll be able to return to NYC to take in more design and visit the Plaza Hotel again!

Bringing in 2021

Many of us have trouble imagining a New Year’s celebration without big parties and fireworks. While we won’t be able to celebrate as usual, there is still plenty we can do to start 2021 with the right mindset:

Set Intentions for the New Year

Setting intentions is useful no matter what time of year it is. Ask yourself questions like, who am I, what kind of life do I want to lead, and what can help me get there? These could be concrete goals (e.g. buying a house, changing jobs, getting in shape, etc), or more internal goals (e.g. practicing patience, starting meditation, etc). It’s good to lead life with intention and mindfulness, to help us cope with the unexpected.

Be Realistic

If there’s one thing we’ve all learned this year, it’s that you can plan all you want, but life will always have plans of its own. Realistically, life is not going to instantly get better on January 1st. Be realistic with how much you can actually predict for 2021, and aim to be kind to yourself with whatever may come your way. Making peace with the unexpected is definitely one of my 2021 goals!

Celebrate Safely

Although big parties have been cancelled, there’s nothing stopping you from getting a bottle of champagne to pop at home! Get dressed up, treat yourself to your favorite food, play some great music, and make a night of it! If you live alone, try to organize a video call with people you love. Alternatively, focus more on New Year’s Day. Plan to relax, clean your space, eat well, and really start off 2021 on the right foot!

A Lesson in Design

Life is much like Interior Design. You prepare for the design by finding inspiration, making plans, and setting goals. And once the project begins, unexpected twists and turns are sure to come your way. Maybe the paint color isn’t what you expected it to be. Maybe the sofa just doesn’t quite fit in the space. When you encounter these problems, the solution is not to throw the entire design away. You work with the mistakes, you reorder the sofa, and you keep trying until the design is perfect…in all its imperfections.

We can plan and set goals, but life has surprises for us, Global Pandemic or not. Let’s prepare to take those surprises and get ready to turn them into something beautiful. I’m confident that 2021 will be brighter for all of us. So get your champagne, and have a very happy New Year!

5 Things to do in Northern Virginia over Christmas

The Holiday season is officially here, and it’s time to start celebrating! Although this Christmas won’t be like other years, at Kelley Astore Interiors we’re determined to make it just as special. We’ve put together a list of fun ideas to celebrate Christmas in Northern Virginia, to keep ourselves and our families safe, while keeping festive spirits high!

1. Watching live performances from home

Although it’s not possible to watch many live performances this year, a lot of theatres are broadcasting their shows for you to enjoy from home. The advantage is that you don’t have to live anywhere near the theatre to enjoy the show! Make a night of it by setting up the living room with cozy blankets, and preparing plenty of snacks and hot cocoa for everyone to enjoy.

The Manassas Ballet will be live-streaming their adapted version of The Nutcracker on Christmas Eve and then again on Christmas day, available to watch for 30 days.

Similarly, the Washington Ballet has created a fun Nutcracker Tea Party at home which is available to watch now, featuring interactive activities for the whole family to enjoy!

If ballet isn’t your thing, why not stream some live Christmas music with The Folger Consort or watch an adapted one-man version of A Christmas Carol with the Onley Theatre center?

2. Ice Skating with the family

A lot of activities are still open to visitors as long as social distancing guidelines are followed and masks are worn. Look for local ice rinks near you and book a day out with the whole family! Unlike previous years, it’s very important to reserve a slot in advance, so book while you still can! The Pentagon Row Skating Rink is a fun opportunity to take a trip into town and enjoy some hot cocoa afterward.

3. DC Holiday Lights

One thing that is definitely safe and definitely still happening is the DC Holiday Lights! With different streets featuring different lights and designs, make a trip out of it. Load the car with goodies, blast some Holiday tunes, and do a drive-through tour of town after dinner one night. You can even participate in their Scavenger Hunt for an extra fun family-activity, with a chance to win great prizes from local businesses.

There is nothing like beautiful lights to get you in the holiday spirit!

4. Listening to a Radio Play

Radio plays are a lot of fun but are becoming less and less common. The beautiful thing about radio plays is how it allows your imagination to fill in the gaps. They’re great for the whole family to listen to, especially younger children who are learning listening skills. This year, Fords Theatre is presenting A Christmas Carol as an hour-long radio play. Set up the living room for everyone to listen. To engage younger children, give them the task to draw what they imagine as they listen to the play!

5. Socially distanced movie nights

If you’re still eager and itching to get out of the house, The Wharf at Transit Pier has got you covered! For the whole month, they’ll be showing Christmas Movie classics on a 20-foot screen. You’re able to attend with up to four people, seated around your own personal fire pit! There are also an array of snacks, drinks, and warm beverages available for purchase. Snag your tickets quickly before they go!

Covid-19 can’t take away our Christmas Spirit!

This year has no doubt been a long, tough, and unexpected year. We need to feel the joy and spirit of Christmas more than ever! And although we won’t be able to celebrate as usual, the meaning of Christmas cannot be taken away. We have a lot to learn from How The Grinch Stole Christmas…it can’t be stolen as long as we remember what matters most: our families, love, gratitude, and hope!

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