Vessel sink adds artistic touch to bathroom

"It were not best that we should all think alike; it is difference of opinion that makes horse races." Mark Twain (Samuel Langhorne Clemens, (1835-1910), American humorist, lecturer and writer, "Pudd'nhead Wilson's Calendar," "Pudd'nhead Wilson" (1894)

In what is generally the smallest room in the house, the busiest room in the house and sometimes the most cluttered room in the house, there lies a lot of confusion. For such small rooms, they generate a lot of interest; and a lot of differences of opinion in what looks good, works in the space and is hygienic. Here are just a few thoughts.

Using this space to talk about bathrooms gives me an opportunity to air two of my bathroom pet peeves, and to then tell you something I really like in bathrooms. Seems fair, huh? I appreciate that bathrooms are the most private rooms in our homes, and they are for our personal use, etc., but even private spaces should have some limits, for the sake of good taste.

In my opinion, there are two absolute no-nos for your bathrooms.

First of all, please, please do not put carpet in your bathroom. I remember a time when putting carpet in your bathroom was the thing to do. There were carpet kits available that came with a little paper pattern; you traced the outline of the room and then transferred that pattern to the carpet and cut away. It was supposed to fit around the sink and the toilet and nary a square inch of flooring could be seen.

And sometimes, folks actually put wall to wall carpet in the bathrooms. Really?

I'm not sure about the initial thought process behind this trend. Thank goodness it's not as prevalent as it once was. This type of floor covering may feel warm on a frosty morning, but it also harbors germs. Small rugs can be tossed in the washer easily; fitted rugs cannot.

My other really big peeve is what some of us put in our bathroom windows. I've written about this before and have gotten some hilarious responses. For goodness sake - you have a 2,000-, 3,000-, 4,000- or 5,000-square-foot home and there's no place for the shampoo bottle other than on the little bathroom window sill? Put the shampoo bottles away. We can see them from the street.

On a very positive note, along with throwing out the bathroom carpeting, one of the best things about bathrooms today is the vessel sink.

Price points are all over the place, ranging from around $100 at your home improvement store to as much as thousands if you have one custom made for your space.

Regular under-mounted sinks are clearly less expensive. However, if budget is not an issue, a custom-made vessel sink is an outstanding addition to your décor. They truly are works of art.

The standard cabinets or contractor-issue ones in most bathrooms will work for vessel sinks, but the countertops will have to be replaced since vessel sinks sit on top of the counter.

Another great look, if you have the budget, is to take your cabinets out and install the vessels in a small chest. It then looks like a piece of furniture (well, because it is!) and warms up the space more than regular stock cabinets.

If you use a small dresser or chest, the plumbing will just take up the center. You can still use side drawers and the open space in the bottom for storage.

There are so many beautiful vessel sinks on the market you are sure to find one to fit your budget and style. And you may even have a small chest that needs a new home.

Bathrooms offer many challenges for some but also many opportunities to express your style. If you hesitate to "take chances" in your decorating, use your bathrooms as a classroom. There are some no-nos, but for the most part, anything goes.

Carolyn Muse Grant is a founder and past president of the Architectural & Decorative Arts Society, as well as an interior design consultant/stylist specializing in home staging. Send questions to creativemuse@cox.net.