Splish Splash!
Dear Joe,
I have a standard built in tub in my bath, that is opposite the door. It has the usual built in rod for a shower curtain, but I don't like this because the curtain starts too far below the ceiling and stops far above the floor. I want to make it nicer, but this pace is a rental, so I can't put in glass doors. I was wondering if there is such a thing as a shower curtain that goes all the way between the floor and ceiling.
Joyce
Dear Joyce,
As yet, there is no shower curtain on the market that is made to run from the floor to ceiling.
A shower curtain that completely shuts off the tub area would shut off the light source and would also be subjected to the humidity from the shower.
It has always bothered me that standard shower curtains are too short ( usually about six feet ) —they always stop too far above the floor. For some of my clients, I have had shower curtains custom made. These have attached to the standard shower rod and rings, and been backed with a separate white or clear liner. In these cases, the shower curtain was made to stop about half an inch off the floor.
Another treatment that I have used consisted of a separate curtain that the ran from floor to ceiling. It was mounted on it's own rod and moved independently of the liner curtain. Since we wanted to create a "wall of fabric," the curtain was not tied back, but was able to be moved back and forth for easy access to the tub.
When the tub is in use, the decorative curtain can be pushed completely to one side to let in light and let out steam. By the way, a tieback drapery arrangement is never good unless you want to leave it that way permanently. The fabric will always retain it's wrinkles when hanging and takes too much fuss to restyle.
As far as fabric is concerned, the best choice here is going to be polyester since it will hold up to the humidity and occasional splashes of water.
Dear Joe,
Got a cheap solution for a new bathroom floor? My rental apartment has a bath with an ugly pink tile floor, and I hate pink! I can paint the walls whatever I like, but what about the floor?
Nellie Phobia
Dear Nellie Phobia,
The fastest, cheapest and butchest solution that I can think of is industrial carpeting.
This is what is called "berber weave carpet" in the trade, as opposed to a cut pile carpet. It is basically a flat surface consisting of looped fiber. You will see it in office buildings and other commercial places, but it is also good in the home. The great thing about using it in the bath is that is dries very fast and is very durable.
The carpeting is made in many different colors, and sometimes geometric patterns. For the best—and butchest—effect in a bath, use a dark color, such as gray.
It is easily installed using no more than a tape measure and scissors or utility knife. You don't even have to put a pad under it, and probably won't have to use carpet tape.
When you move, just roll it up and throw it out!
Best of all, there are loads of remnants at carpet stores that can be had for just a few dollars.
Please send your questions to jos.riceinteriors@att.net . In the subject box, fill in "WCT Design".
Joseph rice is an interior decorator who offers full decorating services. With 25 years of experience, he specializes is hard-to-treat-windows. You can reach him at 773-271-2361, through his Web site ( www.josephriceinteriors.com ) or at the above e-mail address.
