Most resolutions and goals have gone south since the new year was ushered in. Who could ever have predicted such a global detour?

One thing is certain: Demands on the home have spiked during the pandemic. And more than 100 million Americans have been working remotely, according to Gallup.

While many activities are on hold -- travel, concerts, sporting events -- the more time we're spending at home, the more inspired we are to make changes. We're dreaming more about those spa baths and vacation-inspired outdoor spaces. Remodeling most definitely is on the table for a growing number of Americans. It's all about making spaces more beautiful and more efficient.

According to a survey of nearly 1,000 U.S. homeowners by Houzz, nearly 4 in 5 (79%) are considering major home remodeling and design projects -- and the bath is close to the top of the list.

Along with the pivoting, there's an unexpected twist -- one that surprisingly has to do with cancel culture. In the real estate world, a major conversation affecting the parlance of residential listings is percolating. The "master bedroom" and "master bath" are being canceled. It's about the adjective "master," which is being called out for racial or sexual connotations. So now real estate professionals are struggling with substitutes like "primary" bath. Nothing has stuck, so far.

One thing that won't change is the continuing desire for bath customization, no matter what the size of the room. Many homeowners, especially those who are remodeling, are moving away from cookie-cutter styles. They're opting to show off their personalities with choices of bath fixtures, surfaces, cabinetry, hardware and lighting.

Showers are more bespoke -- tapping into personalizing experiences with multifunction sprays and rain faucets. There are more choices for faucet handles. Brizo's new Kintsu collection even offers custom inlays to match any material, in addition to standard teak, concrete and mother of pearl.

Wellness and smart tech continue to drive some bath selections. The desire for a chill-out ambience is piquing interest in soaking tubs. A new showerhead from Moen offers four different aromatherapy experiences: Tropical Day, Zen Time, Energetic Morning and Sweet Morning. It works much like your Nespresso maker -- pop in a pretty colored capsule and voila! INLY, a French company, makes the recyclable aluminum fragrance capsules, filled with essential oils that offer a range of scent combinations, like lemongrass, neroli and vanilla; lavender, vanilla and tea time; lemon, pine and citrus; and berry, geranium and vanilla.

Freestanding or soaking tubs still dominate the bath landscape. And they continue to evolve. Even classic white is getting a fresh look. Kallista's new Argile collection (pronounced ar-zjeel; it means "clay" in French) adds a raised textural pattern to its sculptural bathtub and vessel sink. The cast stone material has a matte finish called Honed White.

Besides stone, concrete, quartz and resin, metals are making a statement, and these allow a range of alluring shapes. Thompson Traders' new Quintana collection, designed by Kara Cox, mixes lustrous silver and brushed gold.

While integrated sinks are a standard in modern design, vessel sinks are attracting a new audience. Bowls have been extended into more shallow basins, ovals or rectangular, with squared or rounded edges. These are especially suited to the European style of floating cabinetry.

Round shapes -- the bigger the better -- also are emerging as a new favorite in mirror design. Many bath mirrors have integrated LED lighting, some of which can change colors.

Floating vanities or counters have gained traction, not only for the aesthetic but for the practicality in tight or narrow spaces, as well as easier cleaning. They also may include towel bars or racks, but any of these add-ons are done in minimal style that keeps the look light.

Washstands draw interest, especially with more industrial style in stainless steel or blackened steel frames. In Europe, some are finished in powder-coated aluminum in soft blue-green or terra cotta. The sink-on-stand takes on a more glamorous look in polished brass with marble.

Still, there are plenty of options for vanity furniture. Retailers like Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn sell vanities as well as faucets and accessories in a wide range of modern and traditional styles. Materials include painted, stained or natural wood to special finishes like textured shagreen (at RH, with white marble top, brass pulls, and brass sabots on feet). These pieces are well-crafted; the cabinet for Ambella Home's Labyrinth vanity easily could stand in an elegant living room.

Pendant lighting has become a popular decorating tool in the bath. Just as it's utilized over an island in the kitchen, pendants now are suspended over vanity countertops. They're often hung in multiples, sometimes in different sizes, at staggered heights and asymmetrically. The style is not limited to modern.

In a traditional bath designed for the Infant Welfare Society of Chicago's Lake Forest Showhouse and Gardens, designer Joey Licht suspended a luxe Baccarat crystal pendant to one side of the gray bath cabinet, which was trimmed in gold, to blend with gold plumbing fixtures from Phylrich.

Gold is having a moment -- in faucets, hardware, lighting, towel bars, accessories, even tubs. Touches of gold sparkle in wallcoverings and porcelain tiles.

At the same time, a more relaxed, eclectic approach is affecting the use of metals -- just as in kitchen design. In some instances, manufacturers are mixing up silver with gold, gold with matte black.

Surface materials and finishes also are being mixed, coordinating different stones and tiles. Layering is an especially effective way to create interest. Matte and glossy are coming together, much like a tabletop trend in porcelain dinnerware. As matte black has moved from faucet to sink and tub design, that combination is especially striking.

Choosing a magenta tub requires a fearless decorating attitude. But color and pattern have other avenues -- walls (wallcovering and tile) and floors.

Pattern in the bath couldn't be more intentional, sometimes at the core. Feature walls are gaining traction, largely driven by the diversity of porcelain tile. Italian ceramics trends for 2020 underscore patterns as well as color and surface effects. Many of today's graphic patterns are inspired by terrazzo, rare marbles and semiprecious stones with distinctive markings, striations or exaggerated veining, flora and bold geometrics.

Beyond strong aesthetics, smart tech also is finding its way to the bath, especially because millennials are seeking high-tech function. Faucets that respond to voice or the swipe of a hand, and the touchless approach like that in airports are even more appealing now because of the pandemic. Antibacterial and self-cleaning ceramics are upgrades to toilets, as well as those that combine bidet functions. Imagine: No more toilet paper angst.

Whether you prefer a refreshing rain shower or a long soak in a tub, the bath has become more of a sanctuary than ever before. So it's no surprise that some are splurging on the extras that make it special.

Sources

-- Ambella Home, 877-242-3939, www.ambellahome.com

-- Antoniolupi, 312-329-1550, www.antoniolupi.it

-- Brizo, 877-345-2749, www.brizo.com

-- Delta Faucets, 800-345-3358, www.deltafaucet.com

-- Duravit, 888-387-2848, www.duravit.us

-- EveKare, 224-294-0400, www.evekare.com

-- Fantini USA, 212-308-8833, www.fantiniusa.com

-- Kallista, 888-452-5547, www.kallista.com

-- Pottery Barn, 888-779-5176, www.potterybarn.com

-- RH, 800-762-1005, www.rh.com

-- Scavolini, 212-219-0910, www.scavoliniusa.com

-- ThermaSol, 800-776-0711, www.thermasol.com

-- Thompson Traders, 336-272-3003, www.thompsontraders.com

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Creativity in All Corners

At the 2018 installment of Eurocucina, the kitchen and bath show held every other year during Salone del Mobile in Milan, the Italian brand Scavolini debuted an interesting concept for the bath. The idea: a reinterpretation of gymnastics wall bars. The ladderlike wood wall-mounted system incorporates components of bath furnishings -- lights, shelves, storage and mirrors, as well as a framework dedicated to physical exercise.

It seems smart, especially now.

Besides looking at lifestyle for cues, there's also a bit of fun in function for the bath.

In recent years we've seen a lot of options in showerheads and sprays that change up the force of water from drops to gentle rain. Finishes have ranged from chrome to stainless and burnished brass as well as black matte. But last year Delta teased with a new model: one with pattern, which they debuted in a camo version.

In January, at KBIS (Kitchen and Bath Industry Show) in Las Vegas (one of the last trade events that didn't get canceled), Delta wowed with a delightful display of colorful patterned showerheads -- a new way to add personality to the bath.

While hunkering down, trying to stay out of the path of a novel coronavirus, some of us got lost in a maze of puzzles, livestreaming or Netflix binging. No doubt, we found ourselves gazing at our living spaces in a new light. Living there 24/7, we began to examine every stitch of furniture and the art (or lack of) on the walls. The walls! What do we love? What do we hate? What can we change?

OK, blame it on Zoom fatigue. It's inspiring a lot of stuff out of the usual comfort zone. Tie-dying? Check. Becoming a wine expert? Giving it a whirl. Acquiring another language? You've got time until your next trip out of the county. Mastering your barista skills? Oh, you've really been missing Starbucks.

Some are fighting boredom with change. Grabbing a paintbrush and dipping into a different color. Reimaging a room. Installing some shelves. Who even knew you could DIY?

The truth is, even a small improvement or decorative purchase for the home can make you deliriously happy these days.

Here are some ideas, kind of a random mix of what you can tackle -- even a little DIY.

Working from home

Now that many of us have embraced working remotely, we actually may not miss the commute. But we know what we're missing if we've created a makeshift space. Whether or not you create a dedicated home office, some tips are welcome.

New York Designer Daun Curry says that we need to consider comfort, function and livability in order to create a workspace tailored to our needs. Simple furniture is best, but you don't have to sacrifice style. The size of a desk or work table really determines the time spent organizing or rifling through documents and work accoutrements, she says.

"All should be easy to find and within reach," she says. "Think of your work station as a chef's mise en place: a place for everything, and everything in its place. Whether you're a minimalist or maximalist, find what works best for your process -- jars, binders, trays, boxes."

This is especially important if you don't have a dedicated office. So you need to tidy up at the end of the day. A rolling file cart may help.

As for feel-good inspiration, consider the color of the walls. Curry recommends a light, soothing palette, combined, if possible, with an abundance of natural light.

Also, the biophilia trend that has been growing in office design is also applicable at home. It's a refresh of the notion of communing with nature. "Fresh cut flowers -- even wildflowers -- add surprising cheer," she says.

You'll find lots of how-to tips for selecting furniture online. One excellent source is Room and Board (www.roomandboard.com). On the website (and on its blogs) you'll get guidance on finding the perfect ergonomically suitable office chair. Some of its bestselling chairs are from Humanscale, a New York City firm known for simple, functional, sustainable products.

Organize and display

So there's this blank wall in your kitchen. What's the best combination of form and function? A set of floating shelves is one solution. Shelves are handy for stacking plates for everyday use, or for displaying decorative crocks or vessels. And they offer a resting spot for that trailing vine you want to connect with.

Try out a patterned backdrop

You've lived with white or neutral walls. For a long time. You may never have considered wallpaper, but today you can try it out and not fear long-term commitment. Tempaper is the leading manufacturer of removable, environmentally safe and friendly wallpaper. Its eclectic patterns cover a range of styles and colors. You can create a statement wall, line a bookcase or highlight stair risers. The paper will go wherever your imagination takes it.

Bookshelves and more

Floating open bookshelves have been trending for some time. They are an integral part of design in European kitchens, often featured as the most fashion-forward cabinetry. One of the reasons these etagere-like models have been so popular is that they are so versatile, handling basic storage like books. They travel from kitchen to living spaces to bedrooms. Some have staggered shelves, which adds to their graphic punch. Some come in circular shapes; others are asymmetrical. They work well as room dividers.

Serve with style

OK, so you really miss entertaining. But while you're waiting to invite a few friends over for cocktails, why not treat yourself? How long has it been since you bought a serving tray or cheeseboard? There are so many options, which come in a range of materials, including wood and stone. We love the new stoneware serving trays at Jayson Home. The fresh blue and green tones and soft plaid patterns are pretty just sitting on the counter. But they'll handsomely set off that Parmigiano, smoked Gouda and blue cheese.

Swipe left or right

One lesson learned during the pandemic: how to properly wash our hands. For those who are especially skittish about touching surfaces and still can't find Lysol spray anywhere, you might consider a touchless faucet. It makes more sense now than ever before. Many faucet manufacturers have them. Most are modern, simple styles. We especially love them in matte black, like Kohler's Setra design.

Set your table with style

Change it up. Make an effort to set the table, to make it special, even if you're ordering in. There's a gorgeous new collection from Schumacher, designed exclusively for Williams-Sonoma. It includes stoneware made in Portugal, table runners, placemats, napkins, accessories and pillows whose patterns are inspired by textiles.

About that biofilia

Talking to plants was sooo '70s. But the benefits of living with them are well-documented. They are said to reduce stress, lower your blood pressure. And they can help you sleep better because they give off oxygen at night. A vase filled with flowers adds so much life to interiors. Just look at design magazines for some cues. If you fear you don't have a green thumb for plants, try succulents. They don't require much fussing.

Art

Get lost in a dream. It's easier with the backdrop of a beautiful mural. These days, you don't have to hire an artist to paint a stunning landscape. York Wallcoverings is one company that produces gorgeous digitally produced works on linen. It just might be a tranquil water scene framed by lush foliage to transport you. There's even an ethereal cloudlike mural in indigo called Dreamchaser.

Go right round

Round serving platters may corral your favorite go-to herbs on a counter. Or use them to arrange charcuterie, restaurant-style. Cambria loves the shape for its quartz table accessories, and its Lazy Susan takes it up a notch.

Sink into style

Farmhouse sinks have been in vogue for some time. Thompson Traders, a company known for its bespoke hand-hammered kitchen and bath pieces, has launched a new collection with designer Kara Cox. The farmhouse sink pairs nickel with brass in a visually stunning design.

A new face

Replacing cabinets may not be an option. But how about refacing them? The latest laminate options are sophisticated, with stone and wood look-alikes that are most convincing.

Get a grip

Decorative hardware can breathe new life into kitchen and bath cabinets or furniture. Some of the most fetching options today pair black with burnished gold.

Enjoy the season

Summertime, and the living is ... still a little strange. But enjoy it while you can. Cherry motifs embody the season. At Sur la Table, there's a charming collection of dinnerware, serveware and linens printed with scattered cherries teamed with stripes and plaids, some in all-American red, white and blue.

Create a tablescape

Styling a mantel or tablescape is so much about collections. Good retailers do it well. Flamant, a Belgian-owned shop well-known in Paris, gathers a set of white ceramic vessels in varying heights and shapes. And it's magic.

So by all means, check out those mini tutorials or retailer websites or blogs, like how to create container gardens. Or how to style a bar cart. Organization meets aesthetics in the best way. The best part is, you'll have the ingredients to toast your efforts.

Sources

-- Anthropologie, 800-309-2500, www.anthropologie.com

-- Cambria, 866-226-2742, www.cambriausa.com

-- Cristina Buckley, info@cristinabuckley.com, www.cristinabuckley.com

-- Daun Curry, 212-480-2593, www.dauncurry.com

-- Ethnicraft, 917-513-0069, www.ethnicraft.com

-- Formica, 800-367-6422, www.formica.com

-- Jayson Home, 800-472-1885, www.jaysonhome.com

-- Kohler, 800-456-4537, www.kohler.com

-- Ornamental Moulding and Millwork, 800-779-1135, www.ornamental.com

-- Schumacher Collection at Williams-Sonoma, 877-812-6235, www.williams-sonoma.com

-- Tempaper, 732-920-2654, www.tempaper.com; some Tempaper products available at West Elm, 888-922-4119, www.westelm.com

-- Terrain, 877-583-7724, www.shopterrain.com

-- Thompson Traders, to the trade, www.thompsontraders.com

A good night's sleep is essential for body and mind. These days, some folks have been collecting more Z's than usual -- up to 12 hours. But it's not all sweet dreams. In fact, there have been many reports about vivid nightmares. Blame it on the pandemic.

Because it's an invisible enemy, the virus is transforming into scary things. So says Harvard professor of psychology Deirdre Barrett, who has been studying sleep behavior for three decades. The expert has analyzed dreams for survivors of traumatic events, including 9-11.

Grasshoppers with vampire fangs, fantastical figures, including mega-images of the coronavirus itself, zombie apocalypse and even "Twilight Zone"-esque scenarios, like "Hollywood Squares" images of endless Zoom meetings, multiplying to infinity and beyond.

Researchers from multiple countries, including the Lyon Neuroscience Research Center in France, are studying the pandemic dream phenomenon, attributed to coping mechanisms reflecting anxieties caused by sheltering at home, being cut off from usual routines, work, friends. Plus, sleep patterns are changing because many have stopped setting alarms. There's even a website, www.idreamofcovid.com that asks people from around the world to share their dreams.

At UCLA Sleep Disorders Clinic, there's another issue under study: "COVID-somnia." Sleeplessness apparently is triggered by the diminished light exposure people are getting because they're staying indoors more.

Spending a lot of time at home has caused many to take a candid look at all their living spaces and imagine how aesthetics and ambience can be improved.

What better place to start than the bed? Each spring and summer, fresh new palettes and patterns blossom just like the landscape, and many are inspired by nature. There are plenty of how-tos online about dressing the bed.

"Keep it simple!" advises Leanne Ford. The Pittsburgh interior designer, known for her "modern yet lived-in aesthetic," hosts "Restored by the Fords" on HGTV with her contractor brother, Steve.

Ford recently created a furnishings collection for Crate and Barrel and described her new bedding on her Instagram account: "There's nothing better than a beautiful, simple bed. I went rogue and didn't put any pattern or design on any of the bedding we created. Simple colors can mix and match and make for an always-pretty bed."

Ford's palette is quiet: charcoal gray, blush, natural and white in linen and cotton percale.

"The bedding is meant to be relaxed," says Ford. "Neutrals to make you feel calm. Soft, breezy fabrics that look even better a little rumpled. There's no pressure to make your bed perfectly -- or at all.

"Plus, for me, it's all about how bedding feels, so we concentrated on the fabric. I wanted to make simple plush and crispy sheets (know what I mean?) and linen and cotton duvets that will all live easily together."

You may have noticed a lot of linen as you've surfed retail websites for bedding. It's been as integral a part of European bedding as cotton for some time -- and not just white and ivory. It's cool to sleep on in the summer, and the inherent wrinkling makes it more forgiving. There are beautiful, rich palettes that parallel those in home decor, from Scandinavian pastels to a more vivid rose, a range of blues and ochre that we've seen in Parisian stores such as Merci. We're finally welcoming linens into American bedrooms, along with velvet -- another strong trend. Velvet has been super popular in upholstery (and draperies) in recent years.

Bella Notte, a luxury brand based in the San Francisco Bay area, produces a selection of pre-dyed artisan washable luxury bed linens in luscious colors. Its statement: "Inspiring the expression of your elegant and bohemian soul, we celebrate modern romanticism and the inherent creativity in all of us. By preserving a passion for color and craftsmanship, each couture piece we offer is designed for the curation of your home sanctuary."

Besides linen and velvet, here are some of the trends crossing the pond:

-- Peacocks. Animals, insects and butterflies all have captured the imagination of print-makers. This year, the distinctive iridescent blue and green plumage has fanned out into home decor. Peacocks were featured on fabrics, bedding and wallcoverings from several makers. At Grandin Road, a quilt printed with peacocks and cherry blossoms graced the cover of its spring look book.

-- Floral motifs. You can be sure to find some every spring and summer, because who doesn't like feeling like you're in a garden? Mega blooms have been popular for a few years, usually on solid backgrounds, like the Haana overblown floral, a very linear graphic of blue on white at Crate and Barrel. Smaller scale is starting to make a big impression. The Italian brand Fazzini Home introduced several patterns inspired by the 19th and early 20th centuries.

-- Mini prints. Along with a shift in floral scale, smaller patterns also are gaining traction, especially those with seasonal appeal. At Garnet Hill, there's a white collection with different beachy themes, like Adirondack chairs, turtles, sea shells, buoys, sand dollars and whales.

-- Handcrafted looks. Quilts, appliques, hand stitching -- all continue to be in demand. At Anthropologie, artisan quilts often show globally influenced designs.

-- Trim, fringe, tassels and other embellishments. Borders, ruffles and embroidery are lending character to a lot of bedding. Even if you prefer all-white, mixing in shams that are punctuated with color is an excellent way to instantly change personality. A single accent pillow, like the hand-painted and embroidered pillows from Charlie Sprout, available at Anthropologie, pop like a piece of art.

-- Expressionist abstracts, watercolor-y floral or geometrics add artistic dimension to the bed. Watercolor Dots at West Elm take on very different vibes on a light or dark ground.

-- Organic. There's a lot more emphasis on sustainability, and descriptions often underscore natural fibers -- better for the environment and you. Hemp, Tencel or Lyocell (a sustainable fabric regenerated from wood cellulose), and bamboo are among the eco-friendly fabrics now available in bedding.

Some websites, like Serena and Lily, offer stylish tips on dressing the bed. Stack a pair of pillowcases behind each sham, for example, and finish off with embroidered throw pillow. Play with scale. This could be with the scale of a print, or as Serena and Lily suggests, with pieces: a pair of Euro shams, pillowcases and oversized lumbar. Layer to the max. S and L's idea is with a series of different-sized pillows, but this concept can extend to sheets, comforters and throws as well.

At Anthropologie, there's a whole page on "Arranging the Perfect Bedroom." The retailer asked home-styling expert Anne White for tips on mastering the delicate balancing act between form and function. "It there's a space that deserves a little extra thoughtfulness and attention, it's this one," says White.

It's all about "curating calmness." White says there's nothing like a peaceful bedroom, whether you're unwinding from a busy day or prepping for another. In our current pandemic-dominated world, the emphasis on de-stressing has never been more acute.

White says your bedding should make you feel relaxed and ready for sleep. "The same goes for decor," she says. "If clutter tends to make you anxious, consider minimalist accents in your bedroom. Feel most inspired when surrounded by beautiful objects? Curate a handful of meaningful vignettes."

Vern Yip, from HGTV's "Trading Spaces" and author of "Vacation at Home" (Hachette, $27.50), recently talked about turning your bedroom into a stress-free zone on "LIVE with Kelly and Ryan" on ABC-TV. "Get your bedroom ready, Yip advises. "Start before actually going to bed."

The most important part, Yip says, is to make a bed feel incredibly welcoming -- "come on in, relax." He advises only soft lighting, like bedside lamps, and using dimmers. And, the best tip: Do a light spritz with sheet spray to keep sheets smelling fresh in between changes. Also, put a nice fluffy robe on the bed and a pair of slippers just meant for the bedroom suite, so they're clean and sanitary. The goal: "It's my safe space. Just chill and relax."

Three years ago, Arianna Huffington spoke in Chicago at NEOCON, a global design show for the contract industry (office, hotel, health care, retail, etc.). Her remarks included her own sleep rituals. Huffington's experience with exhaustion and sleep deprivation led the founder of Huffington Post to create a new platform: Thrive Global, dedicated to raising awareness about well-being.

While she recommends taking a hot bath with Epsom salts (yes, add candles!), slipping into PJs or whatever is dedicated to sleeping, one recommendation stood out: Get rid of any blue light. Meaning your mobile phone. Huffington doesn't even keep hers in her bedroom.

Some sleep experts suggest meditating before bedtime. Others advise maintaining a cool temperature in the bedroom. And some swear by melatonin.

Whatever works. We could all use some good shut-eye

Sources

-- Anthropologie, 800-309-2500, www.anthropologie.com

-- Bella Notte, check website for store locations, www.bellanottelinens.com

-- Crate and Barrel, 800-967-6696, www.crateandbarrel.com

-- Fazzini Home, www.fazzinihome.com

-- Garnet Hill, 800-870-3513, www.garnethill.com

-- Grandin Road, 866-668-5962, www.grandinroad.com

-- Neiman Marcus, 888-888-4757, www.neimanmarcus.com

-- Serena and Lily, 866-597-2742, www.serenaandlily.com

-- West Elm, 888-922-4119, www.westelm.com