Jamie is studying Interior Design at the University of Alabama and minoring in Business.  She will be working full time here this summer  in the showroom learning and experiencing what it is like to be part of a design team.  She hopes to work with a residential design firm when she graduates.  We’re excited and proud to have Jamie as an intern please help welcome her to the Toulmin Family!

Also, exciting… If you remember we left you in suspense a few weeks ago with our blog post about Megan Wallace’s elegant bathroom remodeling that was up for the award.  The AREA Design Competition Results are in!  Megan and Jay both placed 2nd with their prospective projects.  We’re so proud of Megan and Jay for their wins.  Congrats!

Below is a refresher of the projects.

Megan’s description of the project: “Following the aftermath of the April Tornadoes of 2011, our client found their master suite and left portion of their home in complete ruins. We were honored to help them rebuild their home, and our goal was to give them the master bath of their dreams. Since the entire room had to be gutted, we were able to reconfigure the floor plan to give them the beautiful master retreat they so deserved.”

Megan wanted to make their bath a “modern elegant” place to escape.  Like most design projects, there was a budget…  Megan had to make a few key decisions to revitalize the bathroom without going over her client’s budget.  She began by eliminating a wall that enclosed the former bathtub, and this immediately made the space feel more open. She relocated the tub to the center of the bathroom and create a large window with views onto the private backyard. On either side, she balanced the space by creating “His and Hers” vanity areas. She kept the same spaces for the shower and toilet area, with updated finishes and fixtures. “In addition to the bathroom we completely transformed was there master closet, which now has a double-sided island for additional storage and counter-space. The materials used to create this look included: White Carrera floor and shower tiles, custom inset cabinetry painted Benjamin Moore’s Iced Marble, White Danby marble countertops, an Albert & Victoria freestanding tub, and polished nickel fixture.”

Megan said, “One of the biggest challenges while designing this project was to create a better use of space without actually adding any square footage to the home.”   She was able to do this and her end result was a master bathroom with a spacious, inviting floorplan that begs you to stay a while.

Below are before and after photos of this “Modern Elegant” master bathroom in The Highlands of Tuscaloosa. Enjoy and let us know what you think!

Before photo’s

After Photos…Complete Transformation!

Also included with the Master Bath and closet is a remodeled Laundry room and Son’s Bathroom

Almost daily I find my self describing a clients style as transitional.  Friday I had a client ask “what in the dorld do you mean when you say a transitional look?”  I think the husband was thinking “metro.”  He had a slightly scared look on his face.  No it’s not “metro” but what exactly is transitional?  Wikapedia defines transitional as “updated classic.”  I agree it’s a classic style with a slightly contemporary twist or a blend of traditional and contemporary, midway between old world and the world of chrome and glass.  With cleaner lines and less “decorative” embellishments but not as basic as contemporary.  Simple, classic, sophisticate, timeless & clean with a good balance of both masculine & feminine characteristics.

As an example I’ve added some photos of a “Transitional Kitchen” we just finished.  I’m pretty proud… You decide if TRANSITIONAL is your style.

Counter tops are quartz which is a low maintenance alternative to natural stone.  Cambria’s Dover

I promise to dedicate more energy to blogging about kitchen & bath design & remodeling.  Have a great rest of the weekend and fantastic week.  Thanks for checking out the blog, stay a while and enjoy yourself.