Unique Bathroom Sinks and Faucets

03/18/2013

 
Start with either faucets you really love or a special sink to design your bathroom around.  If you're choosing faucets, do you want modern, rustic, art deco, or old world? Single control faucets are easier for very young or very old hands, but double-handled faucets give better water flow and temperature control.  And for choosing your sink, do you want wall-mounted, pedestal, undermount, or vessel sink?  The right sink and faucet combination makes all the difference in how your bathroom looks.  
 

New Bathroom Technology Part 3

02/27/2013

 
The final step to putting your bathroom sanctuary over the top is to add either a steam room or sauna.  There are several manufacturers who offer freestanding units for your bathroom and at least one, Thermasol, who has a steam shower generator to turn your existing shower into a steam room.  The one to choose, sauna or steam, is a matter of personal preference.  A sauna is hotter, but you don't sweat as much.  Steam can help with breathing issues and makes you sweat more, but you have to be meticulous about keeping everything clean to avoid fungus and bacteria.    
 

New Bathroom Technology Part 2

02/26/2013

 


Kohler has a couple of innovative products worth mentioning.  Their Smart Toilet has a compact, streamlined design, an  LCD touch screen, a personalized bidet, a hands-free open & close lid, automatic deodorizer, illuminated panels, a built-in music system plus a heated seat & foot warmer.
Several manufacturers now have air baths.  The air bath differs from a typical whirlpool bath because it has numerous air jets to generate millions of bubbles for a gentler, more relaxing bath experience.  Whirlpools have a few forced-air jets intended to produce a more intense massage effect.  The air bath tub can be used as air only, water only, or a combination of the two. 
The other Kohler product is the VibrAcoustic bath.  It's hard to describe the full effect of this tub.  Basically, it broadcasts music sound waves and lighting through the water.  You can choose soft, slow tunes for profound relaxation or switch to an upbeat rhythym for an  invigorating experience to get you ready for your evening ahead.
 

New Bathroom Technology

02/25/2013

 

Last week we did some posts on creating a bathroom sanctuary and in the process found that there were too many new products to show all of them, so we'll spend a couple of days looking at new bathroom technology.  First is the mirror TV.  Unlike the small TV's on a metal swivel arm attached to the wall, this TV is undetectable when it's turned off.  And then when you're shaving or brushing your teeth in the morning, you can get caught up on all the news and weather.

Here's a futuristic faucet called the Smart Faucet.  It has face recognition software that allows it to adjust the water temperature and flow to each user.  The faucet also has a touchscreen so that you can check your calendar, emails, and the outside temperature all while you're getting ready for work. 


Here are a few more faucets that are more fun than smart.  They all have heat-sensitive LED lighting that tells you what temperature the water is by the color of the light.  While it's fun, it's also a safety feature, especially for small children.
 

Creating a Bathroom Sanctuary:  The Finished Project

02/22/2013

 
As people's lives are getting busier, more and more of them are choosing to create sanctuaries in their own homes, something that replicates a trip to their favorite spa and allows them to unwind and recharge every day, by choosing soft colors; luxurious appointments; soothing lights, sounds and aromas.  Here are a few bathroom sanctuaries.  Do any of them look like the one you visualized? 
 

Creating a Bathroom Sanctuary:  Fixtures and Faucets

02/21/2013

 
So what's left to finish your bathroom sanctuary?  You'll need lighting--soft, indirect lighting, a chandelier, or maybe even candles.  Next, a padded toilet, flowered sink, and finally . . . faucets--you can choose luxurious gold or a gentle waterfall effect.
 

Creating a Bathroom Sanctuary:  Bathtubs

02/19/2013

 
What kind of bathtub makes you think "sanctuary"?  Do you enjoy long, luxurious bubble baths in a deep-soaking tub?  Would you love to have a gorgeous view as you're relaxing in the tub? How about a whirlpool bath large enough for two?  Which of these tubs would you choose for your bathroom sanctuary?   
 

Creating a Bathroom Sanctuary:  Showers

02/18/2013

 
When you visualize a bathroom sanctuary, what image comes to mind?  Is it a luxurious whirlpool bath or a garden outside your window?  Or maybe it's a walk-in shower large enough for two, with a bench, rain showerhead, built-in niche for shampoo & soap, or an electronically- controlled steam system.  Here are a few examples of luxury showers and tomorrow we'll look at bathtubs. 
 

Ways To Keep Your Bathroom Warm in the Winter

02/04/2013

 
If you have a tough time getting out of your nice warm bed and stepping onto an ice cold bathroom floor, Laticrete has a product for you.  They offer a thermostatically-controlled mat that can be installed under the tile or stone in your bathroom.  It's even programmable so that your floor will be warm no matter how early you get up.
Another way to stay toasty warm is to get a towel warmer.  There are many different styles available in different finishes to match your bathroom.  Some racks warm hanging towels and others warm towels that are rolled up.  Either way, they're perfect to wrap up in after stepping out the the bath or shower.
 

Save the Pink Bathrooms

01/21/2013

 
Pam Kueber has a blog on the Retro Renovation website titled "save the pink bathrooms".  According to Pam, Mamie Eisenhower popularized pink in the 50's and it became the most popular bathroom color in mid-century modern homes.  Her concern is that as people are purchasing and renovating these homes, they are hastily gutting the pink bathrooms just because they're pink.
Pam is actively promoting keeping the pink bathrooms.  Either all pink or pink and black bathrooms were popular with any combination of pink fixtures, tile, walls, wallpaper, curtains, towels, and accessories.  Some homes have fixtures that are in good condition, but for those that need to be replaced, manufacturers like Kohler offer a line of pink bathroom fixtures and accessories.  The tile has generally  held up well because pre-1970's ceramic work was superior both in the making of the tile and in its installation.  
If you'd like a pink bathroom, but don't really want a retro toilet and tub, you can always go with a modern style bathroom.  That way you can get a sleek bathtub with whirlpool jets and handheld shower spray, modern toilet, matching bidet, and a sink with touch-free faucet.  And you don't have to go with the cotton candy pink of the 50's.  You can go with a vibrant pink in the fuscia family to make the white fixtures really stand out. 
 
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