Design trends for the bathroom

Read article : Design trends for the bathroom

No longer are lavish bathrooms reserved for the wealthy. Modern designers are bringing luxury bathroom hardware to the mainstream market.

More than the ordinary

Ditch the ratty shower curtain: frameless glass screens will make your bathroom look elegant and more spacious. They’re also practical, since they have fewer nooks and crannies to clean.

Toilet paper holders are usually fairly prosaic, unless they are made of rubbed bronze, gold brass or have an inlay of Swarovski crystals.

Go chasing waterfalls

With an ever-increasing range of showerheads, nozzles and wall mounts designed to emulate gentle rainfall, it’s easier than ever to lose track of time while you scrub up.

• Incorporating elements of hydrotherapy, some designs use multiple wall spouts that release opulent streams of water from varying directions toward the lucky soul in the shower.
• Perfect for the minimalist or the small bathroom, the ceiling shower is installed flush against the ceiling – you choose whether you stand under a rain shower or a ‘blade’ of water.
• Other fixtures drawing inspiration from nature are waterfall or elephant spout faucets. With a thin, wide mouth flowing from a sleek, often curved fitting, waterfall spouts live up to their namesake by pouring out a steady screen of water. Made for baths, showers and sinks, they look amazing but are possibly not suitable for use in areas with water restrictions.

Black is the new chrome

Taps have traditionally been made with polished copper or chrome, but now black is gaining popularity in contemporary bathroom design. Favoured for its subtle finish and softer appearance, matt black taps resist the lasting impression of fingerprints and make a bold statement.

Fill your bathroom with sound and light

If you like to sing in the shower, evolving technology is putting the music right into your showerhead. With the use of wireless speakers and Bluetooth connectivity, designers are finding new ways to flood your shower with culture, both classical and modern.

LED technology is also being put to use in baths, taps and showerheads which change colour to reflect the temperature of the water as it flows through.

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Bathsphere

The ultimate in bathroom hardware would have to be the Bathsphere by Russian designer Alexander Zhukovsky. Essentially, it is a hanging, clear glass sphere that acts as both bath and shower, with settings for you to alter its internal temperature, humidity, light, sounds and smell – and even simulate rain.

You can easily create your own luxurious bathroom with the help of some designer hardware, so why not give it a try?

Turn your Bathroom into a Spa, by Joseph Pubillones

Read article : Turn your Bathroom into a Spa, by Joseph Pubillones

As Americans hustle and bustle to make ends meet and the work hours extend well beyond 40 hours per week, stress is an all-time high. Stress is responsible for triggering incidents from panic attacks to illness and even cardiac arrest. This is why the spa business is booming at an alarming rate. While some business folks may get the occasional perks of downtime to book a day at a spa, most American families do not have the luxury of time. Bringing the concept of the spa to your home is becoming quite popular.

Creating an at-home getaway is the goal when transforming your bathroom into a spa. There are several factors to consider in such a home improvement project. To get your bathroom to capture the spa feeling, you will want to capture as much room as possible. You will need more room to accommodate a luxurious tub to soak in, a large shower with massaging jet sprays, or perhaps a steam unit to transform your shower into a steam bath, a bench inside the shower, and a place to sit down and relax.

Give good consideration to plumbing fixtures and hardware. These valves and controls are important because they are tactile items, which affect the way you perceive your spa-bathroom. They are also effective to express a sense of luxury and relaxation.

The colors that are used in spas are deliberately chosen to reduce stress. The colors that are most used as those inspired by the sky, ocean and earth. These colors are usually very light. While they may seem washed out, these colors that are dusty and seem to insinuate another are the best. Like a soft white with an aqua green shimmer, or a beige that reflects salmon paired. These pale colors work the best when paired with white, gray or espresso cabinetry and trim.

Today's new spa-bathroom combinations also make a statement with tiles and stone treatments. The more exotic the marble, granite or quartz, the better. Sometimes great slabs are book-matched for an incredible organic pattern on walls and floors. Mosaics are historically tied to baths since pre-Roman times, and today with advances in technology, micro tiles can be laser cut and assembled to create the most incredible and fantastic patterns and designs.

Other items to be considered in the design of a spa-bathroom:

Candles: For burning at specific times, can be soothing. I would suggest a subtle aromatherapeutic scent. Small votive around your bath area can be beautiful, but also give off a relaxing glow.

The Best Linens: Accessorizing you bathroom with a nice bathrobe, thick absorbent towels, and bathmats are both useful and make your slippery surfaces safe.

Flowers and Plants: Are a great invigorating element of nature to add to your spa-bathroom. Plants are great because they help clean the air and give off oxygen.

Music: Part of the spa experience is too soothe your body and soul. Music is the best therapy to aid in relaxation and stress reduction. Spas pipe soft music everywhere for a reason. Add a couple of new jazz CDs to your repertoire and you are well on your way.

Joseph Pubillones is the owner of Joseph Pubillones Interiors, an award-winning interior design firm based in Palm Beach, Fla. To find out more about Joseph Pubillones, or to read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.