How to Decorate a Long and Narrow Bathroom | Home Guides

Read article : How to Decorate a Long and Narrow Bathroom | Home Guides

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A clear glass shower door helps a bathroom feel larger.

A long, narrow bathroom can feel small and closed in. Even if you can't change the actual size of the room, you can make it feel more open and spacious. Removing the clutter and keeping accessories to a minimum makes a small bathroom look and feel larger. The colors, textures and patterns used to decorate a bathroom can create the visual illusion of a wider, more balanced space.

Walls and Ceiling

Light paint colors such as beige, white, gray or pastels tend to make a room appear larger. Apply a paint color that's two or three shades darker than the wall color to the short wall at the end of a long, narrow bathroom. The darker color makes the end wall appear to recede, creating the illusion of width. Hang a piece of artwork on the short wall to provide a focal point. Make a ceiling appear more lofty by painting it white. Another option is to choose a ceiling color that's two or three shades lighter than the longer wall color. Hanging a single large mirror on a wall opposite a window provides a scenic reflection to help expand the room. Avoid hanging a number of small mirrors around the room. This can create confusing spatial illusions.

Windows and Floors

Natural light streaming through the windows helps brighten a long, narrow bathroom, making it feel more open. Remove existing window coverings and clean the windows to allow a sparkling view to the outdoors. Avoid window treatments designed to hang outside the window frame, such as curtains or draperies; they take up additional wall space to make a narrow bathroom look even thinner. Window film is ideal for providing an unobstructed view to the outdoors, protecting against ultraviolet rays and providing privacy. It also doesn't take up any physical space in your long, narrow bathroom. White, wooden blinds with 2-inch slats are designed to fit snugly inside a window frame while allowing you to alter the direction and amount of natural light with the twist of a wand. Natural-woven bamboo shades can be custom fitted to hang inside your window frame to add a natural element to your small bathroom.

Vanity and Shower

Painting your vanity the same color as your walls helps blend the two to create a uniform, wider appearance. Add shiny chrome handles and knobs to vanity drawers and cabinet doors to add a sparkling touch to the space. Clear glass shower doors provide a more spacious feel to a long, narrow bathroom by directing your eyes through the glass and into the shower area. When your bathroom requires a shower curtain, choose a lightweight white, neutral or pastel fabric curtain to avoid a visually heavy look that dark-colored, thick shower curtains can convey. Pull a shower curtain to one side to open up the shower area when it's not in use.

Lights and Accessories

Providing adequate lighting in a long, narrow bathroom is essential to avoid a dismal, dark space. Installing a skylight or additional windows help bring the outdoors inside a small bathroom. Recessed ceiling lights and track lighting provide much-needed light without taking up wall space that may make a bathroom appear even narrower. Decorative wall sconces above a vanity supply necessary light for grooming activities without protruding into a narrow bathroom walkway. Keep accessories to a bare minimum -- such as a single vase of flowers or potted greenery on top of your countertop, a trash can tucked under the vanity or in a corner, and folded towels stacked neatly on built-in shelves or in a wicker basket. Placing decorative items on the floor in a narrow bathroom clutters up the physical walkway and visual space.

Master Bathroom Remodeling Ideas | Master Bath Remodel

Read article : Master Bathroom Remodeling Ideas | Master Bath Remodel

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Put yourself in this picture. Finally at home after a long day at work, you head directly for your spacious master bathroom. First, a workout on the stationary cycle. Next, a quick shower before you slip into the whirlpool for a soothing soak. But not before you've dimmed the lights, switched off the evening news and dropped a favorite CD into the entertainment unit. After you've soaked, wrap yourself in a heated towel. Or skip the soak and take a few minutes to relax in a steam shower.

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Sound like an impossible dream? Like something from a movie set? This sybaritic fantasy can be a reality if you're willing to add or borrow enough space to create an at-home haven in a master bathroom.

In the not-so-distant past, builders put little emphasis on bathroom space. The result: Full baths in many houses more than a decade old measure a minimal 5 x 7 ft. and contain a utilitarian and uninspired collection of the three necessary fixtures—bathtub, toilet and washbasin. Lighting consists of a lone fixture in the center of the ceiling. There's a single tiny window and, in rare cases, a fan for ventilation.

But, times have changed. Today's new homes offer bigger, more luxurious bathrooms—often called power bathrooms—with all kinds of comfort and convenience features that add value to the home when the time comes to sell. As a result, the owners of older homes can feel a bit more confident about jumping on the remodeling bandwagon. If you own an older home and add or expand a bathroom with the aim of creating a master suite, not only do you get to enjoy the space, but you also help your house become just as desirable to buyers as newer homes.

A new bathroom takes second place in the list of the most popular remodeling projects. A well-designed and well-executed master suite can be expected to return a nationwide average of 87 percent of the construction costs if you sell your home within a year or so. And that figure rises in hot real estate markets to as much as 135 percent in Denver, 117 percent in New Haven, Conn., and 125 percent in San Francisco.

Where to Start

Bathrooms are not only costly, they are complex to remodel. They demand lots of function packed into a small space. And there are myriad details to consider, ranging from door-swing clearances to building code requirements. Bathroom remodels demand the skills of all the major crafts. And while you might be able to take your sweet time about remodeling the family room or even the kitchen, no family can exist comfortably without at least one fully functional bathroom for even a day or two.

A safe way to minimize some of the potential problems of a bath remodel is to hire a bathroom designer. There are several ways to go about this. Look in the Yellow Pages or ask friends and neighbors to recommend an independent bathroom designer. They'll charge you a fee, ranging anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars depending on the complexity of your job. In return, they will meet with you, discuss your needs and wishes and then draw elevations and plans that you can execute yourself or take to a contractor to have built. You can also find many bath designers at kitchen and/or bath dealerships or home centers that offer design services, products and installation. The fee for their design time is generally rolled into the purchase price of the bathroom. 

A design fee is often money well spent if it helps to maximize the space you have and avoid even one glitch in the project. But keep in mind that all bath designers are not created equal. Ask about their training and experience, and check references. 

What to Include

Everyone's idea of luxury is different. To some, it's opulent materials. For others, it's an extra bit of storage space or privacy or the space to work out at home. Begin your bath remodel by defining what luxury means to you. Make a list of everything your "ultimate bath" would include—you can eliminate some of the frills later if the cost becomes prohibitive.

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"Today's master suites are luxurious in terms of comfort rather than glitz," says kitchen and bath expert B. Leslie Hart. Instead of acres of marble and gold faucets, bath remodels today focus on space. "You won't find too many telephone booth showers in today's remodeled baths," says Hart. But you might note an effort to incorporate outdoor space into the bath via a small patio or garden shower or just a large window that takes advantage of a great view. Tumbled marble, nickel, pewter and antique brass hardware finishes are most popular. 

As a rule of thumb, the components of the luxury bath suite consist of some combination of plenty of space, a soaking or whirlpool tub, a sauna or steam generator, a large shower (with multiple massage jets and a seat) and a toilet and possibly a bidet that are separated from the rest of the bath in a private compartment. In addition, the room will have good lighting from a variety of sources (perhaps a skylight or greenhouse window), sufficient, well-planned storage so that all you need for personal pampering is right at your fingertips, and good ventilation. If space allows, designers may include a dressing room, laundry facilities, perhaps a small refrigerator, microwave oven and coffee maker, and enough space for some type of exercise equipment. And don't forget the entertainment system—with telephone, television and sound.

What You Will Spend

What will it cost to have luxury like this? The exact price is hard to pin down because you can put in an $80 faucet or $2,000 faucet, a $400 or $4,000 tub. But it's not unusual to spend $20,000, $30,000 or even $50,000 depending on materials and the scope of structural work necessary. As a rule of thumb, plan to spend about 2 1/2 times the cost of the products you choose on construction. According to Remodeling magazine, upgrading an existing 5 x 9-ft. bath with new fixtures, lighting, and ceramic tile floor and walls will set you back about $8,563. A 6 x 8-ft. full bath addition that includes a standard tub and shower, lighting, linen storage and a ceramic tile floor and walls within an existing floor plan carries an average price tag of $11,721. The average cost of adding a 24 x 16-ft. master suite that includes a separate bath with whirlpool and separate ceramic tile shower, ceramic tile floor and a double-bowl vanity over an existing crawlspace is $37,388.

Finding the Space

Obviously you can't fit all the components of a luxury bath into the typical 35 to 65 sq. ft. allotted for a bathroom in many homes. So you'll need to be creative and look elsewhere for the space. Or add the space for the new bath along with a new master bedroom.

Because so much has to do with the configuration of the other rooms near it, there is no ideal size for a bathroom. But, if you aim to include anything more than the three necessities, allot at least 90 to 100 sq. ft. of space.

If an existing bath backs into a garage it's relatively easy to steal space for a larger shower or tub. If there are neighboring hall closets you can live without, consider eliminating them. Take over all or part of an adjacent bedroom. But don't do this if it means you convert your three-bedroom house to a two-bedroom house.

What to do if this sounds wonderful, but your home doesn't have any spare space? Not to worry. Even a 5 x 8-ft. bath can offer some luxury if it's well-planned. Many of the features mentioned here, such as innovative lighting, proper ventilation and a combination steam room/shower, require very little, if any, additional space.

Use a combination whirlpool/ steam tub/shower unit. If there's just enough space for a 5-ft.-long tub, get a deeper one instead. Several manufacturers offer uniquely shaped shower enclosures made of tempered clear or tinted safety glass. For high-end function as well as appealing looks, opt for a number of pulsating showerheads that provide an all-over body massage. Storage space should be well-organized. Maximize storage potential with clever vanity design, rollout trash bins and shallow drawers, instead of just leaving a cavernous space behind two doors. Plan shallow shelves recessed between the studs and an oversize vanity top that extends over the toilet to create a bit more countertop space.

In the case of a small bath, create luxury with materials, not volume of space. Think about using marble and mirrors, decorative moldings, ceramic tile and/or glass block. Consider a skylight, or roof windows, to ensure the bathroom is bright, even on dark, dreary days. And be sure to plan for more than a single electrical ceiling fixture. Consider specifying low-voltage lighting in the vanity toe kick to provide drama and to function as a nightlight. And plan adequate lighting around both sides and along the top of the mirror so you can see what you're doing when shaving or applying makeup. A tight budget doesn't mean you can't create a power bathroom. Careful choices can keep the budget in line and still produce a luxurious personal retreat.

If cost is your primary consideration, choose laminate over more expensive solid surfacing materials, wood paneling over marble. If you decide to use ceramic tile—one of the most popular, cost-effective and easy-to-maintain options for the bath—select carefully. Tile prices start at a reasonable $2.50 to $3 per square foot, uninstalled. Or you can spend 10 times that. Other suggestions: Forgo high-fashion or custom-color fixtures or hand-painted washbasins, and choose white, which is usually less expensive. And stay away from precious metals for faucets, towel bars and other fittings.

Get Ready

Spend some time in your existing bath and see what's lacking. Notice how you use the space for things like dressing, applying makeup and drying hair. What would you add if you could? Before you order components or begin construction, check local code requirements.

For example, a whirlpool for two will require a 3/4-in. waterline instead of the typical 1/2-in. supply line so that the tub can be filled in a timely fashion. And you must plan ahead for how you'll access a whirlpool tub motor, or the steam shower generator. If you choose multiple showerheads, the contractor needs to know that before planning the configuration of the rough plumbing that will service the shower. Where is the water supply coming in? Is the line large enough? What is the water pressure like in the area?

Careful planning will help you create a bath that adds convenience and luxury to your life as well as value to your home. 

Tub Tip

A whirlpool or soaking tub is a substantial investment, costing anywhere from $200 for a basic model up to more than $20,000. Most fall in the $1,000-to-$5,000 range. Shop for one just as you would any other consumer good. Examine size, material, price, style, safety, color and optional features.

If you decide to include a whirlpool in your new bath suite (not a must, according to bath designers and real estate agents, as long as at least one other bath in the home has a tub), your first consideration is size. Do you want a unit that is large enough for two? Would your needs be better served by a smaller tub and a separate shower? Is your choice limited by available space? And remember, the larger the tub, the larger the water heater, the water bill and the cost.

A word of caution to those who enjoy an occasional soak: You wouldn't dream of buying a suit or pair of shoes without first trying them on for size. Likewise, you shouldn't buy a tub without sitting in it first. If they won't let you climb into the tub where you're shopping, shop someplace else.

Keep in mind that the slant of the backrest as well as length and depth of tubs vary. Make sure the tub fits you. Some whirlpools let you choose the number of jets, usually ranging from four to eight. If your prime interest is in therapeutic massage action, opt for a tub with at least four jets located so they reach the major muscle groups and joints of your body. Some tubs offer jets that are directionally adjustable while others allow you to adjust the air-and-water mix.

The size of the motor determines how powerful the flow of the water is. Motor size also affects how much noise the whirlpool generates. If you find the prospect of motor noise unpleasant, be sure to discuss tub and motor placement, as well as extra insulation, with your contractor or bath designer.

Because a whirlpool is both a plumbing fixture and an electrical product, both service requirements must be taken into account. Most tubs require a 15-amp, 115-volt electrical service that should be placed on a separate electrical circuit. And if you opt for a heater to maintain the water temperature (don't expect it to heat up cold water) you'll need an additional heating circuit.

Consider the faucet to fill your new tub, too. Manufacturers recommend a faucet that flows at 20 gal. to 30 gal. per minute for a standard size whirlpool. If you opt for a larger tub, consider a faucet that flows at a rate of 55 gal. to 120 gal. per minute.

If you do purchase a tub, be sure that it will fit through existing doorways and that there's sufficient maneuvering space to get it into the bathroom. Measure any tricky or tight turns in hallways and stairwells that could sabotage your plans. If you must remove walls to get the tub in, installation costs will soar.

Copyright © Popular Mechanics 2001. Reprinted by permission.

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Living large in a small barn | Home and Garden

Read article : Living large in a small barn | Home and Garden

Starting out, Ryan and Kim Woodward didn't intend to live in the upstairs of a small barn.

They had purchased 17 acres of grass and trees in rural Geneseo, Ill., as a site for the building of their dream home, and the reconstruction of a small barn on the property was just intended to provide them with a storage shed.

But as the barn relocation project progressed — Ryan deconstructed the barn from the property of friends' parents in Davenport — they began talking about making it their temporary home.

Doing so would have certain advantages, they reasoned.

They could sell the Rock Island home they were living in and use the freed-up money toward their dream home.

And because Ryan was going to build as much of the new home as possible with his own two hands, living on-site would be vastly more convenient than driving back and forth to the Quad-Cities every time he wanted to work. Convenient — and with much less time and gas money spent on commuting.

So sometime in 2013, the Woodwards decided they would create a 320-square-foot living space in the second floor of the barn, complete with a living room area, a kitchen, a bathroom and a small bedroom for their son, Henry, who is now 3.

In drawing up a floor plan, there were a couple of "non-negotiables," as Kim calls them. There had to be a bathtub for Henry, and he had to have his own room, no matter how small. And Kim needed a real kitchen.

Walk into the space today and you'll see that they achieved all that and more. In fact, most people say the space is bigger than they imagined, she said.

And it's not makeshift. This is a real home, with drywall and paint, a full bath and air-conditioning.

It's just that there are no closets, which is one of the drawbacks. To compensate, the couple has been as creative as possible with storage. They've also tucked away about 85 percent of their belongings off-site.

In the living area, an Ikea daybed — a sofa by day and a bed for Ryan and Kim by night — has drawers underneath that hold Ryan's clothes.

On the opposite wall is a built-in stock storage cabinet that contains everything from socks to electronics. A flat-screen television is mounted on the front.

The kitchen contains a butcher block table/island that also serves as Kim's office and Henry's play area, with storage space below. Appliances include a microwave, refrigerator and stove. The sink is a one-well model intended for a bar, but it's sufficient. Above is shelving holding dishes, with hooks below for containers of silverware and other kitchen items.

The back area contains Henry's room — the couple thought it was more important for him to have personal space than themselves — and a bath with a tub and a shower.

The couple used recycled materials as much a possible throughout. The cherry hardwood floor, for example, came from Ryan's parents, who had taken it out in a remodeling project.

Recessed fixtures, a skylight and windows on either end provide plenty of light.

A major drawback to the small space is there's no place to "get away," Kim said. If one wants to be alone, well, that's not really possible.

But in the short-term it's very doable, and in some ways it's liberating, she said.

By paring down, they have realized what everyone in the "small house" movement understands: One needs far fewer possessions than one has. It's amazing "how few things I miss," Kim said.

Cleaning goes quickly because there's so little to clean.

"And the view is worth it all," she says, referring to the panoramic view of the countryside from their deck. 

Speaking of the deck, it nearly doubles their space in nice weather, so that helps.

And the barn's ground floor is a regular garage, with a niche for their washer and dryer as well as space for storing all the tools Ryan needs for home-building.

Ryan, 32, is a 2007 graduate of Western Illinois University and works in product development for Deere & Co. in Silvis.

Kim, 31, is a 2006 graduate of Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville and a former public relations specialist for Modern Woodmen in Rock Island. She now works as a mom, on home and garden projects, and writes a blog in addition to freelance projects.

How to Design a Bathroom Shower

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The bathroom shower should complement the rest of the bathroom design, while accommodating the needs of the primary user. Use the shower design to continue the theme or design of the bathroom, while including elements such as body sprays and multifunction shower heads to enhance its use.

Continuing the Bathroom Design When designing a shower, begin by taking into consideration the size of the shower and the size of the bathroom. A small shower can still be functional, but lots of decorative tiles, multiple shower heads and wire baskets can make the space seem busy and confused. Tailoring the design to the size of the space helps provide a cohesive design element. Match the shower tile colors and materials to those used in the rest of the bathroom. If the bathroom and shower are small, visually enlarge the bathroom by using the same color and material from the bathroom floor throughout the space. Simply change the sizes of the material to two-inch tiles for the shower floor to accommodate the pitch of the drain and six-inch tiles for the shower walls for additional interest. If the bathroom is large, choose tiles in the shower that complete the bathroom theme, such as subway tiles on the shower walls with a traditional mosaic pattern on the floor. Pick up a border of mosaics in the shower to finish the design. Pull any accent colors used in the shower from the vanity top to tie the shower with the rest of the bathroom design. If possible, ensure that the shower valve matches the style of the faucets used in the bathroom. This includes not only the metal finish of the valve, but also the handle style and escutcheon rings. Style elements in the bathroom should be repeated wherever possible, including in the finishes of metal. ', image: '', flash: '' }, google_image_size : '300x250' });

Customize the shower system with performance shower elements, if desired. These include a hand shower for ease of cleaning, body sprays for massage and a multifunction shower head.

Install a thermostatic shower valve, rather than a traditional pressure balancing valve, for personalized settings and ultimate control over the temperature of the water and the force of volume from each spray site.

Install preformed niches into the shower before tiling for additional storage space, as well as additional design elements. Tile the back of a niche with an accent color of a decorative tile, such as glass mosaics for a pop of color. If using a specialty material on the shower floor, repeat it in the niche to complete the design.

Install a shower door to visually enlarge the bathroom and show off the finished shower design. Look for shower glass that is exceptionally clear, rather than glass that has a green tint, to show off specialty tile to the best advantage.

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2016 Travel Lite 625 Super Lite Review

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TCM reviews the half-ton targeted 2016 Travel Lite 625, a short or long bed hard side, non-slide, non-bath truck camper.  Can a camper small enough to fit inside a short bed tailgate actually be worth owning? According to Dustin Johns, President of Travel Lite, the reasons for building the 2016 Travel Lite 625 called him on the phone constantly.  When the625 debuted in Truck Camper Magazine in June of 2015, Dustin explained, “Our customers and dealers have wanted a half-ton short bed camper that would allow the tailgate to be kept up, offer plenty of interior room, and feature basic amenities including a stove, sink, and refrigerator.  I was asked to build this camper many, many times.”

Above: The Travel Lite 625 at D&H RV Center in Apex, North Carolina

From the repeated requests, the Travel Lite team designed a hard side truck camper that would fit inside of a 6.5-foot short bed truck with the tailgate closed.  Keeping the camper inside the tailgate would allow for towing without an extension hitch and provide the best possible turning radius for the rig.  Once lowered, the tailgate could then become a small deck for sitting or gear.

Perhaps the Travel Lite 625’s most impressive trick is its ability to work with short and long bed half-ton trucks.  It looks a bit odd mounted on a long bed, but the two feet of bonus truck bed storage is perfect for toys, gear, and water containers.

To keep the weight down, Travel Lite used the materials, construction approach, and design concepts of their best-selling 770 Super Lite model.  The 625 features the same overall profile, kiln-dried Banak wood from South America, and cabinetry netting as the 770.  Further eliminating weight, the 625 was designed without a bathroom, black tank, or grey tank.

Dustin reported the initial dry weight of the 625 at 1,285 pounds and gave the camper a $10,495 MSRP with standard build options; refrigerator, sink, stove, fresh water tank, converter, and manual Rieco-Titan jacks.  Clearly Dustin was looking to put a sizable dent in the half-ton truck camper marketplace.

Of course the path to half-ton truck camper paradise is paved with good intention truck camper designs that never caught on.  These campers were usually too heavy, too expensive, or too small to become a consistent seller in the marketplace.

The question is, will the Travel Lite 625 break through where so many others have failed, or end up in the half-ton truck camper bin of history?  It’s time to put the 625 under the microscope.

We photographed the 2016 Travel Lite 625 seen in this review at D&H RV Center in Apex, North Carolina.

Floor Plan Evaluation

As seems to be the trend of late, the Travel Lite 625 is infused with the ideas and lessons of the past five decades of truck camper design.  This is not a fancy SolidWorks modeled multi-slide with intricate cuts and exotic amenities.  You’ll find no CNC-routed curves or luxury appliances here.

What you will find is an firmly old-school, pencil-to-paper, saw-to-wood truck camper design that shoe-horns an impressive amount comfort and utility into a short bed half-ton compatible truck camper.  Shut the tailgate and that’s exactly what Travel Lite’s dealers and customers asked for.  As the saying goes, give them what they want.

Above: The large 4-foot sliding dinette window brings in a ton of light

Stepping into the 625, the careful design decisions are everywhere.  The main living space feels open and spacious with plenty of light from a dual-window entry door, two large windows in the dinette, and a cabover side window.  Kitchen and dinette cabinetry and storage are readily available and the overall level of materials feels solid and durable.

While we didn’t take precise measurements, it appears that half of the available kitchen counter top is taken up by the single-basin sink and two-burner cooktop.

The flip-up counter helps by adding about 25-percent more counter space, but it’s still a tight set-up for preparing anything other than the basics.

To put this into perspective, Angela and I are connoisseurs of culinary basics on the road.  Our coffee, tea, one-pot-meals, and endless PB&J sandwich preparations would all work fine between this kitchen set-up and dinette table.  Now our laptop-to-laptop work requirements would be seriously challenged, but that’s another topic.

The U-shape dinette in the 625 was designed to accommodate three to four adults (if they’re very good friends) around the table for meals, conversation, and cards.  In reality, the dinette seating, table, and available leg area is best for two adults.  With just two, there’s plenty of floor space for legs and feet underneath, and ample table room for two plates of food, and drinks.

If this were our camper, we would want a larger table, and a more stable table leg and/or wall attachment system.  There’s nothing worse at a restaurant than a table that moves when you put your dinner plate or elbow on it.  With a single post, this table is fairly stable, but requires care not to bump it.  Naturally, one table leg is less weight than two, and a smaller table weighs less than a bigger one.  Compromises, compromises.

Above: The table and table leg are easy to remove for more room, or to make the dinette into a bed

Above: The porta-potti has a convenient storage compartment under the dinette

The dinette quickly makes into a 6-foot bed with the provided cushions.  This makes the 625 an ideal choice for the hunter or fisherman who wants to bring a friend for a weekend trip to that remote hunting ground or fish camp.

Above: The dinette makes into a 6-foot long bed

On the rear wall, the 625 features a 110-volt outlet and the thermostat.  While I don’t foresee this unit connected to shore power often, this outlet will be vital for charging computers, phones, and cameras while hooked up to AC or a portable generator.

Above: Standard on the 625 is a two-cubic foot refrigerator, which can be upgraded to the three-cubic foot size shown

The three-cubic foot, three-way refrigerator is ample for a camper this size.  In the past, campers targeting the short bed half-ton size and weight came primarily with ice boxes if they had cold-food provisions at all.  Having an actual three-cubic foot, three-way refrigerator is quite a luxury in this weight category and price.

Just below the refrigerator is a cabinet dedicated to a sealed enclosure for the 625’s single battery.  When I opened this cabinet, I was hoping to see storage, and found myself disappointed that this space was almost completely used.

I would look into moving this battery elsewhere.  My favorite go-to battery moving product is the Torklift International Hidden Power that places a battery inside a protected and sealed box under your truck.  With this modification, you could recapture this valuable storage space without losing the house battery.

Another option is changing to sealed AGM battery in this location.  You won’t gain your storage back, but you’ll likely gain more amp hours.  Then again, a bigger battery adds cost and weight.  When designing a camper for a half-ton short bed, trade-offs abound.

To the right of the refrigerator and battery cabinet is a large two-section cabinet and pull-out drawer.  With its immediate proximity to the kitchen and dinette, the drawer will likely be used for silverware, cooking utensils, and other kitchen items.

The large two-section cabinet is open season.  Some will use it for dry food, pots, and pans, while others will store clothing and camping gear.  We would at least attempt to use the cabinet over the sink for all dry food, cups, and plates, and use this space for a limited number of pots and pans, and then clothing and camping gear.  In truck camping, less is more.  In truck camping in a small camper, even less is even more.

Below the pull-out drawer is where you’ll find the stereo system, power converter, and fuse panel.  Having the stereo system and fuse panel easy to reach mid-ship makes sense.

The opening into the cabover is wide open and inviting with white-color LED lights perfectly placed for general lighting and reading.

Above: The cabover ceiling has a 110-volt outlet and provisions to add a 12-volt television

On the other hand, there’s not a single cabinet for clothing in the cabover.  Not one.  There is however a main LED area light, two smaller reading lights, a 110-volt outlet, and provisions to add a 12-volt television.  No cabover muss.  No cabover fuss.  That’s it.

 
Above: The overcab bed on the passenger’s side (left photo) the driver’s side (right photo)

In practice, I expect most folks will bring duffel bags for their clothing and keep the bags in the cabover when they’re not sleeping.  Duffel bags (or whatever cloth based luggage you prefer) are light weight and highly portable, especially compared to standard wood cabinetry.  Unless you just have to have your clothing folded up and put away, duffel bags make a lot of sense in a small camper like the 625.

Specifications

Specifications
Dry Weight	1,285 pounds
Wet Weight*	1,755 pounds
Floor Length	6’2″
Overall Length	10’10”
Width	78″
Interior Height	6’6″
Exterior Height	7’0″
Center of Gravity	29″
Truck Type	Long or Short Bed

At 1,285 pounds dry, the Travel Lite 625 is not the lightest weight hard side truck camper on the market, but it’s in the ballpark.

Travel Lite offers a range of options for the 625 including a solar panel system, electric remote-controlled Rieco-Titan jacks, roof rack, ladder, and an awning.

Above: Rieco-Titan manual jacks, cable television connection, shower power connection, and 110-volt outlet

Unfortunately, you could quickly defeat the concept of the light weight 625 if you add a lot of options.  Just the above mentioned list could add 150 pounds, or more.  In a camper where the design team opted for cabinet netting instead of cabinet doors, that doesn’t make a lot of sense.

Above: The Travel Lite 625 is 78-inches wide and 7-feet, 4-inches tall on the exterior

The 78-inch width of the Travel Lite 625 is 14-inches narrower than Travel Lite’s mid-size truck campers and 17-inches narrower than their largest models.  Obviously, every additional inch in length, width, and height on a truck camper adds weight.  For a camper targeting short-bed half-ton trucks, the 78-inch width strikes a good balance between interior space, and weight.

Above: The ceiling in the 625 is full height at 6.5 feet

One aspect of the 625 design that’s full-size is the interior height.  At 6.5 feet, standing in the Travel Lite is like standing in a much larger truck camper.  There’s plenty of headroom, even for tall folks like me.  That headroom helps give the 625 its roomy feel.

Above: The Travel Lite 625 on a long bed truck, photo courtesy of Travel Lite Campers

Perhaps the most controversial aspect of the 625 is its long bed compatibility.  Mounted on a long bed truck, the 625 looks fairly ridiculous as it locates the unit two-feet inside of the truck bed.  To say this is an unusual rig aesthetic would be an understatement.  For many – us included – the immediate reaction was, “What the heck is Travel Lite thinking?”

long bed truck" width="800" height="539" />

Above: The Travel Lite 625 on a long bed truck, photo courtesy of Travel Lite Campers

Well, Travel Lite was thinking that the 625 is compatible with the widest possible number of truck bed lengths and payload capacities.  In short (no pun intended) the 625 is compatible with many half-ton trucks, all three-quarter and one-ton trucks, and works equally well with short bed or long beds.  Does it look funny on a long bed?  Absolutely!  But very few hard side truck campers have this kind of truck compatibility.

short bed tailgate closed" width="800" height="556" />

Above: The 625 on a short bed truck with the tail gate closed, photo courtesy of Travel Lite Campers

And we must recognize the point that mounting the 625 on a long bed allows for the remaining two-feet of bed space to be available for whatever the owner wants it for; bikes, water, gear, you name it.

Capacities

Capacities
Fresh	9 gallons
Grey	N/A
Black	N/A
Water Heater	6 gallons
Propane Tanks	20 pounds
Batteries	Optional

With nine gallons of fresh water, no grey tank, no black tank, and no inside bathroom, there’s not much to talk on the subject of the 625’s holding tanks.  Since you’ll likely only be using the fresh tank to wash hands, wash dishes, and brush teeth, the nine gallons could last upwards of a week, or more.

If you plan to scare the bears and use the outside shower, the nine gallons may only last you a couple days.

city water connection" width="800" height="534" />

Speaking of bears, I can hardly believe Travel Lite included a city water connection for the 650, but they did.  Without an inside shower, I can barely find a reason for this.  Maybe so those who enjoy flashing the wildlife take extended outside showers?  Hide your eyes Mother Nature.  Nothing to see here.

The single vertical 20-pound propane tank is absolutely perfect for the 625.  Not only are vertical tanks exchangeable at nearly every Walmart, Lowes, Home Depot, and gas station from coast-to-coast, but a 20-pound capacity should last a long time in a camper this size, unless you’re camping in the seriously cold.

When camping with a single tank you always need to keep tabs on your usage.  When that tank runs out, there’s no second tank to change to.  If we had one tank, I would fill it long before empty, just like putting fuel in the truck.

Travel Lite lists the battery as optional on the 625.  You could connect the 625 to your truck’s battery and gain the space we talked about earlier, but that would not be our recommendation.  All it takes is one night of running the furnace in cold weather and you could be stranded with a dead truck battery.  Whether you get the built-in battery Travel Lite provides, or another battery storage solution, we definitely recommend a house camper battery.

Wet Weight Calculation

Using the standardized Truck Camper Magazine wet weight calculation, let’s run the numbers on the Travel Lite 625.

Base Dry Weight, plus single battery option

Travel Lite 625: dry weight, 1,285 pounds + 9 gallons fresh, 75.1 pounds + one battery, 65 pounds + 20-pound full propane tank, 20 pounds + stuff, 500 pounds = 1,945.1 pounds

Since we don’t foresee or recommend many options being added to the 625, we’re not going to run an optioned wet weight calculation.  As it is, the final wet weight of 1,945.1 pounds may shock some folks.

500 pounds of that weight is the standardized “stuff weight” that we add to each and every wet weight calculation in Truck Camper Magazine.  In a small camper with limited storage like the 625, 500 pounds of stuff weight is likely more than required.  If we subtract half of this stuff weight, we get a more realistic 1,695.1 pounds.

Truck Recommendations

To remain conservative, we are going to match the 625 with a 1,695.1 pound wet weight (250 pounds of stuff).  This may still be high, but we always play it safe when it comes to truck and camper matching.

For those who haven’t looked at too many payload stickers, it may come as a surprise to learn that many half-ton trucks don’t have 1,695.1 pounds of payload.  Many older half-ton trucks, or trucks with fancy packages and long option lists, have considerably less.  Do not assume that any half-ton truck has this kind of payload.  It might, but it might not.

That said, it would be a cinch to either locate or order a half-ton truck with 1,695.1 pounds of payload, or better.  If you approached your preferred local dealer and said, “I need no less than 1,700 pounds of payload in a half-ton truck” they should be able to work out the specifications you require, and locate or order the right truck without trouble.

You could also take those same specifications and find a used half-ton with enough payload.  New or used, always check the actual payload sticker (the yellow sticker inside the driver’s side door) on the actual truck before making a purchase.

If you are purchasing a new or new-to-you truck, it’s also worth considering buying even more truck.  Two years from now you may want a bigger camper.  Why not buy the right truck for that bigger camper now?  In trucks, you often don’t pay that much more to get a lot more payload.

The Verdict

Some truck campers are designed to wow the senses.  You walk in and they have a dance floor of interior space, a dinette ready for six, a refrigerator that could swallow a beer keg, and storage that could empty your attic.  You know you’re in one of these campers when the HDTV is almost as big as the one you have at home, and there’s a fireplace underneath it (almost kidding).

Where these campers “wow the senses”, the Travel Lite 625 “wows with common sense”.  From the very concept of the unit, to the way the camper was designed and built, everything about the 625 is a carefully considered compromise to create a hard-side unit that’s truly half-ton compatible.

Judged from this perspective, the 2016 Travel Lite 625 is a roaring success.  Yes, it’s chock full of compromises compared to the “wow the senses” models, but these compromises were the right ones to make the half-ton targeted size and weight.  The form, function, and comfort this camper offers half-ton truck owners – especially for the price – is very impressive.

In short, Travel Lite has built a truly half-ton compatible truck camper that’s worth owning.  Yes, you will still have to run the numbers to make sure the 625 will match your half-ton truck, but the chances are very high that it will.

If you’re in the half-ton truck camper market, and can live with the 625 list of compromises (tight kitchen, no bathroom, no grey tank, no cabover storage, etc.), this camper deserves to be on your list.  With the 625, Travel Lite has a serious half-ton ready contender.

Pros
Low weight and forward COG maximizes half-ton potential
Short and long bed truck ready
Tailgate closes on a 6.5-foot short bed truck
Excellent sense of interior space for a small camper
Good amount of kitchen and dinette area storage
Dinette makes into a 6-foot bed

Cons
Very tight kitchen area
Very limited 9-gallon fresh tank, no grey, no black
No bathroom, but features a porta-potti cabinet
Extremely tight kitchen counter space, but extension helps
Optional single battery takes up valuable interior storage
No storage in the cabover – pack your duffels

Model Information
2016 Travel Lite 625
MSRP: $10,495
Warranty: 1 year from time of purchase

Travel Lite, Inc.
71913 Country Road 23
New Paris, IN 46553

Phone: 574-831-3000
Request A Travel Lite 625 Brochure
Web: TravelLiteCampers.com

Quality, Customer Service, and Long-Term Reliability

Truck Camper Magazine inspects all reviewed truck campers for design, material, and quality issues and reports what we find.  However, since Truck Camper Magazine reviews only brand new truck campers, our reviews do not address long-term quality, customer service, or reliability.

To learn about a brand’s long-term quality, customer service, and reliability, Truck Camper Magazine recommends talking directly with truck camper owners at truck camper rallies and online via truck camper forums and truck camper owners groups.

Please be sure to balance your gathered feedback across multiple sources including direct correspondence with the truck camper manufacturers and your closest truck camper dealers.

If you are new to truck campers, start here.

Recommended for you

Home Renovation for the Golden Years

Read article : Home Renovation for the Golden Years

“I never had to use the bar until now, but I’m grateful it was already there,” he said.

More than one out of four Americans age 65 and older fall each year and one in five falls cause serious injury, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The city Department for the Aging said there were nearly one million adults age 65 and older living in the five boroughs of New York in 2010, but that number is expected to rise to about 1.35 million in 2030. As the city’s population ages, officials are urging homeowners and landlords to make age-in-place fixes.

Continue reading the main story

“Something as simple and cost-effective as installing a grab bar can prevent debilitating falls and literally save lives,” said Donna M. Corrado, the commissioner of the Department for the Aging.

More than 85 percent of older Americans want to stay in their current home rather than move elsewhere, a 2010 survey by AARP found.

Iraida Gonzalez, 68, is one of them. She wants to live for as long as she can in Northern Manhattan in a building that is part of the Fort George Vistas NORC, an acronym for Naturally Occurring Retirement Community.

Photo

A movable island is among the suggestions for a kitchen that is wheelchair- and walker-friendly. This kitchen was designed by Victor A. Mirontschuk and is in the Criterion in Jersey City.Credit Victor A. Mirontschuk

Ms. Gonzalez and her husband, Serafin Baldera, 73, have had numerous health problems, including temporary sight loss, diabetes, arthritis and carpal tunnel syndrome. She used to grab the towel rack in the bathroom to help her get around. “It was scary because I knew it wasn’t the best thing to use,” she said.

Ms. Gonzalez recently received three free grab bars, a sturdy bathmat with suction cups to prevent it from moving, and some night lights, thanks to a grant secured by Isabella Geriatric Center, the nonprofit group that operates the NORC program in her building.

The organization worked with students from the Columbia University School of Nursing to conduct home assessments to identify residents at risk for falls based on their medications, medical history, level of activity and fall history. Then Charles Morano, a physical therapist and the owner of Morano Rehabilitation Home Services in Manhattan, conducted home safety assessments for the individuals found to be in danger.

Workers installed grab bars for Iris Boteler, 99, who said she had difficulty walking because of arthritis and other ailments. “You need things to support you,” said Ms. Boteler, who has lived in her building, also a part of the Fort George Vistas NORC, for about 45 years.

Depending on the items used, minor modifications can cost from several hundred to about $2,000. But if you have more money to spend, customization is key, said Barbara S. Roth, an interior designer and a founder of Camille Rossy, a design firm in Manhattan.

Photo

The aging-in-place renovations undertaken by Joyce Jed and Arnold Wendroff include an open kitchen and living area.Credit Emon Hassan for The New York Times

Ms. Roth described a client — a woman in her early 50s with multiple sclerosis — who wanted more cabinet space for her small, dated Murray Hill kitchen. But a place for a stool near the stove and counter was deemed as important as storage because it was getting harder for the woman to stand for long periods.

Continue reading the main story

Although no one likes to talk about age, health and physical disabilities, Ms. Roth said it is important to discuss these issues so an expensive renovation doesn’t become obsolete in a few years.

Because the client’s illness can lead to blurred or double vision, Ms. Roth also talked about installing extra lights and the importance of color contrast in the kitchen so the client could easily determine where the stovetop ended and the counter began. Her client chose ivory and white for the kitchen cabinets and backsplash, and black for the stove top.

“The goal was to not make the new kitchen look institutional,” she said.

For large or open kitchens, installing a movable island, either on wheels or with legs that have felt on the bottom, can be an easy addition, said Victor A. Mirontschuk, an architect and chairman of EDI International, an architectural firm with an office in Manhattan.

“Movable islands give people flexibility because you can push it out of the way,” to provide space when needed, he said, if a walker or wheelchair becomes necessary.

Photo

When renovating, Ms. Jed asked for a wide ledge around her bathtub so she can sit on it and “swing my legs over.”Credit Emon Hassan for The New York Times

Mr. Mirontschuk has designed movable islands for several multifamily developments. Although standard kitchen counters are about 36 inches in height, building an island at 34 inches or lower would also comply with regulations from the Americans With Disabilities Act, he added, because a lower counter works better for someone in a wheelchair.

Some people decide to make home modifications before the need arises.

Amy Lynn, 59, a benefits administrator for the town of New Canaan, Conn., said she had been waiting for years to redo two dated bathrooms in her raised ranch in Monroe, Conn. So when Ms. Roth advised her to shop for grab bars and a comfort-height toilet, which is about two inches higher than a regular toilet and makes the sitting-to-standing motion easier, as well as for new tiles and a sink, she was surprised.

“I just wanted new bathrooms, so I wasn’t thinking about what happens when we get older,” Ms. Lynn said. But with her knees already bothering her, the additions now “makes complete sense” and cost her only an additional few hundred dollars.

Ms. Lynn said she spent about $12,000 to renovate two bathrooms. Her master bathroom has a new shower stall with a built-in corner seat, a removable shower head and niches so shampoo bottles are kept off the floor. The other bathroom still has a tub, but the old glass door was removed and replaced with a shower curtain.

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A walk-in shower is ideal for people with leg and vision problems, since it gets harder to step in and out of a tub as you age, said Chrysanne Eichner, a senior occupational therapist at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in Manhattan.

Photo

A pullout kitchen drawer with pegs and a removable caddy from Häfele allow easy access to dishes.Credit Dan Smith

Building industry professionals are taking note. Since the National Association of Home Builders started to offer a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist program in 2002, nearly 7,000 contractors, architects, interior designers and occupational therapists have become credentialed by attending a three-day course, according to Elizabeth Thompson, a spokeswoman for the association.

Erik Listou, a founder of the Living in Place Institute, a professional training firm, said about 200 people have taken its Certified Living in Place Professional class, which started about a year ago. The firm offers the two-day program nationwide.

“These certifications bring industry professionals, like therapists, contractors and product makers to put ideas together” to make homes safe and accessible, Mr. Listou said.

Without divulging any specific data, Moen, a manufacturer of bathroom and kitchen products, said the market for its bath safety line has expanded over the past three years, after it started offering more stylish grab bars that match other bath products.

“When you remove the stigma that bath safety isn’t attractive, it invites consumers to purchase,” said Chris Nealon, a Moen product manager.

Photo

Iris Boteler, 99, lives in a NORC, or Naturally Occurring Retirement Community, in Northern Manhattan. She recently received a gift of grab bars through a nonprofit agency.Credit Emon Hassan for The New York Times

Joyce Jed and her husband, Arnold Wendroff, both 74, are ahead of the game at their home on the parlor and second floors of their three-story rowhouse in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Ms. Jed, a horticultural therapist, said she started to weary of the many steep steps she had to climb inside her home every day. If she is bothered now, she wondered, how would it be in a few more years?

Since the couple knew they wanted to stay in their home, they decided to spend about $150,000 to fix up their ground-floor space, which over the years had primarily been used to house visiting family and friends. They chose to widen a hallway and two doors, open the back room to install an open kitchen and living area, and add windows for more light, among other things. Ms. Jed said much of her focus was on the design of a new bathroom with a walk-in shower and a wide ledge on the side of the bathtub so she could sit and “swing my legs over” to get in.

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Soon after the construction wrapped up in April, the couple’s granddaughter Alyssa Jed was accepted by the Fashion Institute of Technology as a freshman and needed a place in the city. So for now, she is enjoying living on the renovated ground floor. But her grandmother said she feels good knowing that the ground-floor apartment is in move-in condition for the day that she feels even less inclined to climb the stairs.

“It was a big undertaking, but I’m glad we did all of this while we’re spry and alert,” Ms. Jed said.

Renovations that help people’s mobility will reduce social isolation as we age, said Kimberly S. George, the executive director of Rebuilding Together NYC, a nonprofit that helps seniors and disabled low-income residents improve the accessibility of their homes.

“Ideally, you shouldn’t rely on family members or friends to help you get around the house,” she said. “You don’t want your own home to be a hazard.”

Correction: January 15, 2017

A cover article on Jan. 1 about home renovations that can help older residents stay in their homes misstated the length of a certification course offered by the National Association of Home Builders. It is a three-day course, not one-day.

Continue reading the main story

Santa Ana riverbed homeless ask supervisors for portable bathrooms, showers

Read article : Santa Ana riverbed homeless ask supervisors for portable bathrooms, showers

More than a dozen homeless people living on the banks of the Santa Ana River – and their advocates – pleaded with the Orange County Board of Supervisors to bring portable bathrooms and showers to the encampment, saying people there are suffering because they lack access to basic amenities.

Yet the county said it is unlikely to do so because it wants to focus resources on long-term solutions to homelessness and does not want to encourage people to live in the area, which it calls unsafe.

Several homeless people at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting spoke about the daily difficulty they experience in finding bathrooms to use, places to clean themselves and locations to fill their water jugs.

Yvonne Martinez, who said she lives in a riverbed tent with her five children, ages 10 to 16, said she takes her kids to a nearby park to use the bathroom and bathe in public sinks so they can be clean at school. But she said Orange police sometimes tell her to leave the park.

“I’m here asking you guys to please help us out,” said Martinez, who soon after was contacted by the county’s public health workers and a nonprofit that helps low-income families find housing.

Homeless people living in the riverbed regularly try to use bathrooms at nearby businesses and if they cannot, sometimes defecate in buckets.

County spokeswoman Carrie Braun said the county had attempted to help people in the riverbed but that many had “repeatedly declined resources by county outreach and engagement teams.” She also pointed out that the county’s emergency Courtyard shelter in Santa Ana, which opened in October, still has space.

“For the county to provide short-term solutions like restrooms or showers to individuals encamped along the flood control channel does not encourage progress from homelessness to sustainable solutions,” Braun said. “The county will continue to focus its effort on long-term solutions that respect the rights and responsibilities of both the housed and unhoused in our communities.”

The county is set to open another year-round homeless shelter in Anaheim early next month. It is expected to shelter 100 people when it opens, focusing on quickly finding them permanent housing.

In late March, Supervisor Shawn Nelson directed staff to find county-owned properties that could accommodate an emergency homeless shelter or campground for homeless people. Nelson said Wednesday that he soon would be releasing his suggestions for potential locations that could be used for that purpose.

Last year, the county installed portable toilets at the Civic Center for the area’s homeless encampment but removed them after the Courtyard shelter was opened.

Molton Brown Launches New Body Gel and Body Spray

Read article : Molton Brown Launches New Body Gel and Body Spray

LONDON, April 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Molton Brown has announced the launch of two new products to its bath, body and fragrance collection. The two products, Vitalising vitamin AB+C body hydrating gel and Vitalising vitamin AB+C eau fraîche are a welcome addition to the brands original AB+C bath foam and shower gel.

Vitalising vitamin AB+C is a highly successful bath and shower product for Molton Brown. To further capitalise on its much loved fragrance and engage the existing dedicated AB+C ambassadors, Molton Brown has chosen to complete the product family, which is anticipated to become a unisex favourite.

Molton Brown has chosen to add two new energising products to the much loved vitalising vitamin AB+C bath and shower gel (http://www.moltonbrown.co.uk/store/browse/subcategory.jsp?categoryId=cat0021&categoryNavIds=cat0004%3Acat0021&addFacet=9004%3Acat0021), just in time for summer; a light body hydrating gel and a refreshing body fragrance.

The addition of the Vitalising vitamin AB+C body hydrating gel is rich in vitamin C, known to help combat the skin-damaging effects of airborne pollutants. It contains anti-oxidant vitamin A, B and C, sunflower seed oil, orange extract and flower water, and is an alternative to body lotion (http://www.moltonbrown.co.uk/store/browse/subcategory.jsp?categoryId=cat0025&navAction=pop&navCount=0) as it helps to instantly lock in moisture, providing long-lasting hydration to the skin. With its non-greasy texture, the gel absorbs into the skin without leaving a creamy feeling behind. White jojoba beads explode on contact to help lock in moisture.

The cooling hydrating gel format provides a key point of difference amongst Molton Brown's traditional lotions and creams and is more accessible to male customers. Most excitingly, the product has also been clinically proven to provide instant and long lasting moisturisation.

The Vitalising vitamin AB+C eau fraîche body spray (http://www.moltonbrown.co.uk/store/browse/subcategory.jsp?categoryId=cat0026&categoryNavIds=cat0004%3Acat0026&addFacet=9004%3Acat0026) is a spritz of zesty Mediterranean citrus and green fruits fusion.

The AB+C eau fraîche fragrance perfectly captures the light, refreshing nature of the product family and is anticipated to be well received, following feedback from introduction of Molton Brown's heavenly gingerlily eau fraîche.

(Due to the lengths of the above URLs, it may be necessary to copy and paste these hyperlinks into your Internet browser's URL address field. Remove the space if one exists.)

About Molton Brown:

The Molton Brown (http://www.moltonbrown.co.uk/) story began in 1973 when it opened its first emporium on South Molton Street in London's Mayfair. A groundbreaking hair salon, it was renowned for its totally natural, no-chemical philosophy and ethical haircare line. Early products were hand mixed in the salon from herbs and plant extracts; and were sold in hand-filled glass bottles.

Since its conception, the philosophy remains unchanged. Molton Brown products are still inspired and created through unexpected combinations of natural elements and its creativity, to constantly surprise and delight. From black peppercorns to kaffir lime leaves to Zambian malachite, each exciting new product fuses natural science with exotic flowers, plants and marine extracts sourced from around the globe.

The original ideology and sentiment behind Molton Brown's modest beginnings remains fundamental to the brand offering. Today Molton Brown is available in more than 70 countries worldwide in their own emporium, spas and online and in the world's leading luxury hotels and airlines.

PR Contact:
    Katie Powell
    APR communications
    Victoria House
    1a Gertrude Street,
    London
    SW10 0JN
    +44(0)207-3512227

SOURCE Molton Brown

Room for Living winners enjoy their makeovers

Read article : Room for Living winners enjoy their makeovers

Three Daily Herald readers received big upgrades in their homes over the winter, thanks to the generous sponsors of our fall Room for Living contest. All had written in and sent photos of the "problem areas" within their homes and were ultimately chosen to win specific packages.

Living room makeover

Cindy Walk of Fox Lake was the winner of the grand prize living room makeover valued at more than $8,000. She and her husband, Jim, have two children, including a 4-year-old with special needs. They have lived in their home since 2004.

"I love it!" she says of her renovated living room. "But it is an adjustment. No one can eat in the living room anymore."

The Walks received a $4,000 gift certificate from Steinhafels furniture store in Vernon Hills and used it to purchase a grayish slate blue sectional with a chaise lounge at one end, a storage ottoman, a light oak rocking chair and a distressed wood side table. They also purchased a rustic fireplace console with doors and shelves. Its simulated fire helps heat the home and there's room to mount a television above it.

Fox Lake resident Cindy Walk and her living room makeover project." width="600" class="lazyImg" />

  Fox Lake resident Cindy Walk and her living room makeover project. - Paul Valade | Staff Photographer

"They wanted a rustic lodge feel so she assembled a warm and cozy, but fun, room," said Anne Hildreth, design consultant for Steinhafels. "The sectional with the chaise, for instance, allows them to kick their feet up and relax and it has soft corners for their special needs daughter. We put a textured navy blue and cream patterned throw pillow with it.

"The fireplace television console adds an architectural element and focal point to the room and actually acts as a space heater, too. The fireplace is an LED screen, which simulates a fire," she said.

Walk added the rocker because her daughter often needs to be rocked in order to soothe her, Hildreth said.

"Cindy was so grateful for every dollar of product we gave her. She was the nicest, most deserving person who could have won. I felt good about myself after I helped her," Hildreth said.

Mel Alger of Alger Decorating in Palatine agreed, raving about how pleased he was to paint the room and help this winner, who was exceedingly grateful. "I always like to take time out to do this kind of work for nice people.

"Cindy chose paint for her living room and adjoining dining room that is somewhere between gray and tan. In certain lights, it looks bluish-gray and in other lights it looks tan. It is pretty cool," Alger said.

  This fireplace console from Steinhafels serves as a TV stand and also providessupplemental heat for the room. - Paul Valade | Staff Photographer

The Walks also received a $2,000 gift certificate from Yonan Carpet One in Rolling Meadows.

"When Cindy initially came to see me, we discussed all of her options for area rugs and what Yonan Carpet One could do," said Julie Boyko, designer and flooring consultant for Yonan. "I let her know that waiting until her new furniture was in her home was the best way to determine the style and size of the area rug she would need.

"Cindy returned to the showroom with the sofa fabric, accent pillow, paint colors and photographs of her room. After looking at many styles of carpet in our showroom, I suggested that she bring home several samples of the carpet styles she liked and look at them in her home setting and lighting," she said.

In the end, the Walks chose a fun and trendy style of carpet by Fabrica for its color, durability, ease of maintenance and luxurious feel. Yonan Carpet One also provided custom-fitted padding for under the area rug, which contributes to comfort, holds the rug in place and protects the hardwood floor from scratches.

"The rug features artistic swirls of color," Walk said. "I also got a matching runner for my galley kitchen since the rug had to be cut down to fit in my living room."

And when it came to lighting, the Walks received two 19-inch Bright Source lamps in green with sparkles from Lifespan Brands. They put them in their master bedroom (away from the children) and used the $2,000 gift certificate from Littman Bros. Lighting in Schaumburg for the living room.

"The Bright Source lamps provide two lighting experiences in one lamp. The motion part of the lamp emits a relaxing, soothing soft light, while the table lamp gives off a bright light perfect for any task -- reading, working and more," said Jennifer Courington, vice president of marketing and product development for Lifespan.

"We are so excited that we were able to participate in the room makeover contest with the Daily Herald. The lucky winner got to pick out two different lamps to decorate her newly remodeled room. We hope these lamps bring her family fun and light for years to come," Courington added.

The Walks chose coordinating rustic, bronze-colored contemporary Quoizel wrought iron lighting featuring butterscotch onyx shades from Littman Bros.

They cannot have any floor lamps because of their daughter so they received a chandelier for the dining room and matching sconces and pendants for the living room. The Walks also chose a 54-inch ceiling fan for the living room.

The Walk family also received a $100 gift certificate from Treetime Christmas Creations in Lake Barrington to upgrade their holiday decor.

"I am so in love with my new living room. It all came together beautifully. This was a huge gift to us," Cindy said.

Bathtub/shower conversion package

Betsy Lewis of Batavia received a partial bathroom makeover package valued at $6,500, thanks to the Room for Living contest.

"My entire experience with the replacement and installation of my tub were wonderful. I was able to look at multiple patterns and colors for the surface that was going to be on the walls around my tub. Since my old bathtub was pink and the tiles were small white squares, I was looking to update the look," Lewis said.

The whole bathroom dated to the 1950s with small tiles and white grouting and it stood out like a sore thumb compared to the rest of Lewis' updated home.

Living bathroom makeover." width="600" class="lazyImg" />

  Betsy Lewis no longer has a pink bathroom after winning the Daily Herald's Room for Living bathroom makeover. - Brian Hill | Staff Photographer

"I chose a beautiful white with some gray variation in it and a glossy surface. The new white tub and walls look amazing. The people who handled the installation were prompt, courteous and cleaned everything up when they were finished," she said.

Lewis also received a $1,000 flooring package from Yonan Carpet One.

"I chose large square tiles in white for the floor and partway up the wall behind the toilet. Previously, there was a big tile trim piece where the wall and floor met, but the new way is to butt the same tile up against each other there. No trim piece. The guy who installed it for Yonan was a true artist," she said.

Lewis already had a white sink and toilet and had white bead board on some of the walls and she took it upon herself to paint the upper portion of the walls a pale blue.

"My bathroom looks like it belongs in a hotel or a spa. It is absolutely beautiful! I am beyond happy," she added.

"We are thrilled to be able to educate the public about options for their current or future homes. We have fabulous shower and bath solutions that nearly everyone can benefit from and feel very fortunate to be able to give away a bathroom remodel to a deserving reader," said Dimitri Nacopoulus, owner of Bath Planet.

"We really enjoy reading the entrants' submission stories and looking through their pictures. But the best part for us is to look at the before-and-after pictures once our installer is done. It's a very rewarding experience for all of us here at Bath Planet," he said.

Lewis also received an iConnect by Detecto, 8-in-1 body fat scale from Lifespan Brands.

"We feel that having a good-looking scale complements a bathroom and is an important part of any bathroom decor," said Lifespan's Courington. "This scale, in particular, will give the bathroom winner of the Room for Living contest both tools and insight into their vital measurements such as weight, BMI, body fat, bone mass, muscle mass, body water and calorie intake, all displayed in easy-to-follow graphs on their smartphone."

Lewis also received a Detecto iConnect 8-in-1 body fat scale from Lifespan Brands.

Interior door package

Mount Prospect resident Lisa Piagari is deliriously happy with her interior door package from HomeStory Chicago, valued at $2,500, and her $100 gift certificate from Treetime.

"My new doors are gorgeous. It is amazing how much they update the house," Piagari said.

She was able to receive three bedroom doors, two bathroom doors and a laundry room door with her prize.

"I received more doors than I even dreamed of," she said. "I chose two-panel white doors with satin nickel hardware for the bedrooms and bathrooms. For the laundry room, which was an odd size, I chose a matching bi-fold door that has an amazing custom fit now. All of these white doors just make everything brighter.

  Lisa Piagari's new door to her son's bedroom. - Bob Chwedyk | Staff Photographer

"They are crisp, clean and current," Piagari added. "I am just thrilled. The difference they made in the house was a wonderful surprise."

She was also highly complimentary about the service she received from HomeStory Chicago. "All of their employees were efficient and very friendly. I would like to give all of them a really big shout-out."

Kate Zeller, general manager for HomeStory Chicago, was equally pleased with the experience.

"We feel passionate about being able to improve people's lives in their homes. In addition, we like to give back to the community by giving someone something they could probably not otherwise afford," she said.

"Ours is a unique service and by participating in the Daily Herald's Room for Living contest, we are able to let everyone know there is a door-replacement option for them that does not involve door frame replacement and is quick, easy and clean," Zeller said.