Bathroom

Warm metallic finishes continued to reign, with aged brass, copper, yellow gold and rose gold gaining in popularity. In here, the glitz of the gold finishes juxtaposes with the industrial feel of the concrete countertop. Encaustic cement tile, seen here on the floor, also remained popular this year.

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With the limited area and design elements at play, you’d think the powder room would be the bane of a designer’s existence. But the opposite is true. Designers love the challenge and often refer to these rooms as “jewel boxes.” Because the door to a powder room is usually closed, it’s an opportunity to make a big departure from the rest of a home’s decor. The 10 most popular powder room photos uploaded in 2016 — as measured by the number of saves to reader ideabooks — vary greatly in style. Which one suits yours?

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Most steam showers require a bench for comfort. When space is tight, a folding shower seat can work wonders. These folding seats require solid blocking behind the wall. Make sure the framers of the project align wall studs with placement of the bench.

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The Woodshop of Avon

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4. Soothe the soul with an aromatic bath. Essential oils can completely transform a bath into a blissful sensory experience. Try a few drops of eucalyptus oil to open the lungs, or soothing lavender to relax before bedtime. Add the essential oils to your warm bath when it’s about half full, and the whole tub will be fragrant by the time you’re ready to get in.

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