When lighting a bathroom the first and most important focus should be on the vanity lighting.  Ideally a vertical fixture should be hung on either side of the mirror.  This allows for light to be evenly distributed across ones face.    The fixtures should be mounted approximately 5.5’ above the floor (eye level), and 36-40” apart.  This helps to eliminate shadows under the eyes and chin.

Overhead vanity lighting


In situations where installing fixtures on either side of the mirror is not possible due to size and installation constraints the next best option is a light hung directly over the vanity.  It should be hung 75-80” above the floor.  In larger bathrooms the horizontal fixtures can be used in conjuncture with the vertical lights to give additional overall illumination to the space.  A bare minimum of 150 watts of light should be used in lighting the vanity it is always safer to error on the side of too much wattage.  In cases where the home owner finds that there is too much light either lower wattage bulbs can be used or a dimmer installed.  It is always easier to reduce the wattage of a fixture once it’s installed than to figure out how to increase the amount of light if the fixture installed is improperly.

For additional overall lighting and lighting in the shower and over the bath tub recessed is the ideal option.  For the shower and tub make sure a wet rated model is selected.  The only place recessed is not ideal is over the vanity, It has a tendency to cast shadows onto the face making personal grooming tasks such  as shaving an make up application to be more difficult.

Recessed Lighing in a Master Bathroom
Some clients prefer a little more glamor over the tub and may request a hanging fixture such as a crystal chandelier, or pendant light.  Make sure any hanging fixture you choose is UL approved for a wet rating otherwise for safety and code reasons should not be used in that application.

Period Chandelier Over Tub

Country Living Magazine:  Elegant Chandelier and Sconces in Master Bath

If color is any indication, in 2010 it looks as though we'll all be moving to Bora Bora where the world is awash in tropical turquoise

Turquoise was selected as the color of 2010 by Pantone, a company that supplies and tracks color for fashion and home decor, among other industries. Fashion insiders agreed the color is on the rise.  Not that we didn't see this trend gradually building to this ultimate crescendo with the mid-2000's spa and chocolate home decor industry invasion.  Being a lover of most anything remotely blue, I've been aboard the aqua color bandwagon for years.  The rest of you guys should come aboard, too. There's nothing more relaxing than a wave of ocean blue.

Turquoise kitchen cabinets

Turquoise relaxes any room
Sometimes just a touch of turquoise is all that's needed infuse your space with that get-away feel

Turquoise joined with clean white and dramatic black make the perfect setting

Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute,says, "there was no runner-up to turquoise in her mind because people crave escapism and freshness after a tough year. The shade is on the cusp of blue and green, which makes it both inviting and serene —characteristics associated with blues — and invigorating and luminous,which comes from green", she says.     

Duralee 90697-11 Turquoise Faux Silk, $74/yd retail.  Contact customerservice@carladavisdesigns.com for everyday discount pricing

Robert Allen Bahar Cerulean silk drapery fabric, $81/yd retail.   Contact customer service@carladavisdesigns.com for everyday discounted pricing

Turquoise and black dining room

She also notes that in many cultures turquoise is considered a protective color with people wearing the blue-stone jewelry almost as a talisman. "You often hear it attached to words like 'healing.'"

Cookware maker Le Creuset reports its shade known as Caribbean is increasingly popular, especially paired with unexpected colors such as a vibrant citrus yellow-green and dark blue, says brand manager Kristin Martin.

Le Creuset Carribean Blue Cookware, www.surlatable.com, $189.95 to $274.95

Turquoise is being used in both light, coastal-vibe settings and darker, more urban spaces with wood and stainless steel.  Just as when the trend begain 5-6 years back, turquoise is still a bright color evoking the feeling of visiting your favorite spa in the Carribean.  It's pleasing to the eye and encourages feelings of freedom and escape.