Basically out of sight, unless you look up, you still need to pay attention to the ceiling finish. For the most part, a light-colored paint, sand-textured paint or popcorn-textured finish is all you need. Some of you may prefer a monotone or faintly patterned wallpaper as another possibility. But once in a while you run into a situation that requires a good deal more creativity.



Consider, for example, a house that had the scuttle hole into the attic located directly above the vanity and in plain sight. Not the most attractive thing to have in a bathroom, which raised the question of how to camouflage it so that it was invisible. Believe it or not, there was a way.

Redwood lumber was nailed over the hinged hatch until the hatch was fully covered. This determined the shape of the redwood section. The pattern was then repeated over the entire ceiling, rotating each section ninety degrees, resulting in a finished ceiling not unlike a parquet floor. As for the scuttle hole, it's totally invisible until someone gets on a ladder and opens it. Only the home's owner knows where it is.

Miscellaneous

There are a few other things you need to concern yourself with so that all elements of the finished bathroom work together. The light fixtures, faucets and door handle all need to co-ordinate, both in design and finish. Same goes for the mirror. Older or traditional bathrooms look best with a framed mirror while more contemporary ones are better suited to a large plate glass mirror.

Door and window moldings need to be given a little thought as well. Don't just paint them white and nail in place. You may find that darker or natural finish moldings will act as a frame to light colored walls. Also, a crown molding at the top of the wall functions as a visual break between the wall and the ceiling.

Finally, don't ignore the door. If you prefer a painted door, be sure that it co-ordinates with the rest of the bathroom. However, if you opt for a solid hardwood door ?whether oak, cherry or whatever ? consider using either a transparent stain or a clear satin finish. This brings out the beauty of the wood without hiding it under a coat of paint. And considering the price of solid hardwood doors, why would you want to do otherwise?

Pay attention to the finishing touches before starting your remodeling project and, when it's completed, your bathroom will be a thing of beauty and a joy forever.