By Kate Sullivan, Allure
Bathrooms should be functional, inviting, and pretty. Clutter will automatically ruin the aesthetic, so it's important to edit your own stuff. For my own homes, I've always been into a clean, all-white look.
Shine on.
Good lighting is crucial, especially for putting on makeup. Never install a single light source directly above your head; it'll cast a shadow on your face. Instead, mount a sconce at eye level on either side of the mirror. And I have dimmers in the bathroom. I like to turn down the lights in the powder room when I'm entertaining.
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Accessorize.
Accessorize.
For cotton balls and makeup brushes, I use Pyrex pharmacy jars, which have a vintage laboratory feel. Antique silver cups and trays from a flea market are a bit more feminine. Just make sure to repeat the same aesthetic and color scheme everywhere from the garbage pail to the soap dish. If things don't coordinate, the room looks messy.
Dry off.
Each person should have one bath sheet, one bath towel, and one hand towel, plus a spare set for when the others are in the laundry. Fold them lengthwise into thirds, and hang the sheet on the bottom and the bath towel on top.
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Make it personal.
Make it personal.
Monogramming is an easy way to add a special touch, and there's something wonderfully old-fashioned about customizing your linens. You don't have to spend a fortune—retailers like West Elm will monogram towels for a small fee.
Ditch the plastic curtain.
Buy a plain white cotton shower curtain and have a tailor sew a bright grosgrain ribbon or rickrack on the bottom. Make sure that the border is made of polyester blend rather than a natural fiber, so that the color won't bleed.
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Be welcoming.
Be welcoming.
When guests are over, put away personal things, such as medicine and toothbrushes, and replace a tired bar of soap with a new one. Light a subtly scented candle (I like Diptyque's in fig) that looks chic and won't overpower your space like fussy, granny-ish potpourri. A compact bouquet of seasonal flowers is a gorgeous accent; alternatively, jade plants are sculptural and hardy. You couldn't kill them if you tried.
