kitchen or bathroom can be done in many ways. After all, families spend large quantities of time in both rooms, so you should enjoy them to the fullest. The most important thing to rememberis that the rooms should reflect your taste—a favorite color, a collection of items you already own or hardware that creates just the right accents. One easy way to personalize your room is to use faux painting, which creates texture or visual interest. There are several techniques that can be used throughout the home, including color washing, sponging and ragging— and all of them are easy enough so that even first-timers can create beautiful accents. Another easy idea is stenciling a border. Don’t limit yourself to stenciling on a wall. This tech- nique also works well on floors (simply protect your masterpiece with a few coats of polyurethane). You can create you own design or buy a precut template. Adding a backsplash design or a dramatic color scheme is another idea. There are thousands of tile murals already available, or if you're looking for a unique, one- of-a-kind scene, you may want to have one custom designed. And though you may not give much thought to knobs, pulls and handles, it’s important to remem- ber that these items are the hands-on aspect of a room—what give a kitchen or bathroom its “feel.” Hardware, including hinges, handies, knobs and pulls, can help personalize both kitchens and bathrooms. For instance, Amerock offers a comprehensive line of decorative hardware for the kitchen and bath in an array of sizes, shapes, finishes and accents. Its latest collections, Westerly and Rochdale, were inspired from loft aesthetics and professional kitchen designs. The Industrial Chic line of retro-inspired kitchen hardware, including Rochdale and Westerly collections, allows consumers to incorporate masculine and authen- tic features into their kitchens. Amerock has expanded its rich legacy into the bathroom with the introduction of Markham, Clarendon, and Saybrook Classic collections. The line Arrondi, Saybrook hardware includes designs that complement any home decor in 100 percent stainless steel and a brand-new polished nickel finish as well as satin nickel, oil-rubbed bronze and polished chrome. To learn more, visit the Web site at www.amerock.com or call (800) 485-6959.
