10 Affordable Ideas That Will Turn Your Small Bathroom Into A Spa

Read article : 10 Affordable Ideas That Will Turn Your Small Bathroom Into A Spa

After a long day at work, there’s nothing better for your body and mind than a spa visit. However, as the cold weather creeps in, most would rather skip the pricey trip and just stay warm at home. Given that the gloomy winter weather can snap your energy and make you feel depressed, you need a soothing sanctuary in your own home.

So, why not turn your bathroom into an at-home spa? Like most spa services, your bathroom offers a private space where you can take a relaxing shower or warm bath to de-stress. All it takes is a few more elements to evoke the spa-like atmosphere. In this article, I'll show you how to enhance all five senses by recreating the ultimate spa experience right in your small bathroom.

If you want some professional help, we can connect you with bathroom remodeling pros in your area ready for your spa project.

Sight

The visual appeal of your bathroom is the key element for setting a spa-like vibe. Most spas tend to embrace the “less is more” philosophy, as a minimalist style can help open up a room, giving the space a serene and restful feel.

To help you achieve the similar “clean and comforting” spa look in your small bathroom, here are several tips:  

Paint Your Walls with An Earthy Palette

Nature-inspired colors, such as brown, gray and green, can give your bathroom an organic feel along with a calming effect. Nevertheless, if you have a rather small bathroom, opt for a lighter and more neutral color scheme. Beige, light gray and pale green, for example, can lend a soothing sense, as well as a spacious feel to your small bathroom.  

Install Dimming Bathroom Lights

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If you prefer a late night, romantic bath before bed, consider installing recessed ceiling lights or wall scones that come with dimmer controls. With the help of a dimmer, you can soften your lighting and get the spa-like feel when you need a soothing soak in the tub.  

Installing dimmer controls involves complex circuits or electrical wiring issues. As a result, I highly recommend leaving such work to a professional electrician. According to our database, the national average price to hire a local electrician is $293.

Create A Warm Feeling with Faux Wood Tiles

Although wood flooring can surely evoke the feeling of peace and warmth, it’s never an ideal material for damp areas. Fortunately, thanks to today's technology, homeowners now have another viable alternative. That is, faux wood tile. Faux wood tile is indeed ceramic or porcelain tile that imitates the natural textures of wood. It not only has a higher resistance to water, but also comes in a variety of patterns that can match any spa bathroom décor.

Clear Toiletry Clutter 

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Clutter usually gives us stress. That’s why spas always keep their toiletries hidden and in order. However, storage space is usually a serious issue in small bathrooms. Thus, when it comes to hiding all toiletries, most will get frustrated.

Well, it’s time to get rid of those old and expired toiletries you won’t ever use. By doing so, you should be able to free up a significant amount of cabinet space.

Still need to borrow some counter space for your go-to toiletries, such as cotton balls and Q-tips? To avoid visual clutter in your bathroom, try organizing these items in clear glass jars. Believe it or not, jarred toiletries will look just like a part of your décor.

Touch

You may not be able to afford expansive hydrotherapy facilities on par with your favorite spas, but you can absolutely give yourself that spa touch with these affordable bath amenities:

Pamper Yourself with A Small, Deep Soaking Tub

Just because you live with a tiny bathroom, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a relaxing soak in the tub. Bath manufacturers are offering a wide array of scaled-down tubs that are no longer than five feet, but deep enough to soak.

Looking to create an exotic Zen style bathroom? You can’t go wrong with the traditional Japanese soaking tub. Compared to other small tubs, Japanese tubs are much deeper, allowing you to submerge your entire body from the neck down. Better yet, most of them even come with built-in seats, so you can sit comfortably and safely while enjoying the hot bath.

Sound like a good addition to your spa-like bathroom? Don’t forget to ask your local contractors for free installation estimates.   

A Massage Shower Head is A Must-Have

Many homeowners assume a soaking tub is a must-have item in a spa-like bathroom. Yet, chances are that you only use it occasionally, not to mention it may make your small bathroom feel crowded. A massage shower head, on the other hand, won’t take up any extra square footage. Additionally, you’ll definitely use it everyday.

Of course, it would be awesome if you could install both products in your bathroom. However, if you do have budget and space concerns, here's my advice. Sacrifice your tub for an upgraded shower along with a fancier massage showerhead. The spa-like shower will surely satisfy your relaxation needs. 

Warm Up With Heated Towels

No one would like to wrap up a nice, healing hot bath or shower with cold towels, especially during the winter. To retain heat within your body, there’s no better way than indulging yourself in comfy, warm towels after a long session of hot water.

That’s why towel warmers are becoming a popular addition in recent bathroom remodels. You can enjoy the cozy warmth within reach by installing a towel-warming drawer in your vanity. If you want to dry your towels at the same time, towel-warming bars will be a better and cheaper option. Plus, its wall-mounted design can save more space!

Smell

Your rejuvenation journey can’t be completed without aromatherapy, since scents are famous for boosting one’s health and mood. For instance, the easiest and fastest way to wake our brains up in the morning is showering with peppermint-scented soap. Need a good night’s sleep? Lavender and jasmine lotions will surely come in handy.

Except for body care products, the addition of scented candles or old diffusers can also enhance your sensual experience.

While Candles Can Add Some Ambience, Oil Diffuser Provides Safety

Everyone, particularly ladies, enjoys unwinding in the tub surrounded by burning candles. Why? In addition to lovely smells, the flame of fragrant candles can add a warm ambience to your bathroom, making the space feel romantic. However, for forgetful homeowners, oil diffusers will be a better and safer choice. 

Sound

Let’s face it. Taking a long soak in the tub can be somewhat boring. You might see some of your friends mount TVs in their bathrooms. Well, before you copy that idea for your spa-like bathroom, think twice. It’s true that a bathroom TV will keep you entertained. But, does it help you keep a tranquil mind? Probably not.

Have Some Calm Music For Your Bath Meditation

You can create a meditation playlist on your phone and play it through a waterproof Bluetooth speaker. With such a calming backdrop, you’ll take a relaxing soak as long as you can.

Taste

The last sense you should bring into your at-home spa retreat is taste.

Yes, taste.

Of course, I’m not telling you to have a taste of your bathroom; I’m implying that you should take your bath experience to the next level with a glass of wine or champagne.

Use A Tub Tray to Hold A Glass of Wine, Champagne…

Don’t assume drinking a glass of wine while bathing will make you sound like an alcoholic. In fact, this idea has been in vogue for a while. If you take a trip to your local home improvement store, you’ll find there are different types of tub trays available on the market. And almost all of them come with a wine holder design.

Conclusion

Getting the benefits of a spa treatment in your own home is not as hard as you think. With just a few bathroom renovations and additions, you can immediately turn your bathroom into a private oasis, even if it’s short on space.

Is your small bathroom a spa sanctuary? Tell us about it in the comments section. We love seeing successful remodeling examples from our fans.

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Showers - Shower Spa for Your Master Bath

Read article : Showers - Shower Spa for Your Master Bath

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Are you looking for a way to reinvent the showers in your home? A new shower spa for your master bath is a great way to have the ultimate shower experience. Most people really love to take their nice long hot showers, and so do you. So, why not do something nice for yourself and indulge in a shower spa for your master bath today.

So what is so special about a shower spa anyway? Well, for some people a shower is just a means for getting clean, but others find the experience a way to unfold from a long hard day. There are even some people that try to take more than one shower a day because they enjoy the way it makes them feel. These are the people that you have to remind about water conservation. For these people, their showers are an integral part of their day and a shower spa is the perfect solution for them. A quality shower spa will provide many streams of water that will pulsate over your entire body. They usually feature an overhead shower canopy of some sort where a gentle flow of water can engulf you with pure bliss. Furthermore, a great shower spa will feature a handheld shower head that will allow you to get to any place on your body that needs extra attention. Here are a couple of shower spas made by Pulse.

Shower Spa: 1013 Kihei Shower System

This shower spa is a pre-plumbed Kihei Anodized Aluminum Shower System that can replace an existing shower arm and head, so there is no re-modeling expense. It can be installed in about 30 minutes. This shower spa can transform any shower with it's sleek design, built in mirror, and glass shelf. It features a relaxing rain shower head that sends a cascading gentle stream of water over your entire body, as well as six invigorating two function multi-directional water jets, a multi-function hand held, and a tub spout. The shower spa panel offer many options such as a mirror for the men who like to shave in the shower, the hand held custom shower head that is perfect for the ladies to use while shaving their legs, and the glass shelf that holds the shower gel and shampoo. Getting this shower spa for your master bath will update your room and enhance your shower experience. After installing the 1013 Kihei, you just might catch yourself taking a couple of showers a day instead of one.

Shower Spa: 1016 Mojave Hand Hammered Copper Shower System

This shower spa is the granddaddy of them all. If you want your master bath to scream luxury, then this is the shower spa for you. This shower spa is an impressive elegant piece that adds a statement about your taste in refined luxury. The 1016 Mojave Hand Hammered Copper Shower Systemas well as the 1013 Kihei Shower System command a five star rating in customer satisfaction. This shower spa features an authentic hand hammered copper panel with all brass components which are in a oil rubbed bronze finish. This shower spa has a 6 inch rain shower head that is also constructed of brass as well as a hand held shower wand for versatility. It also has 4 dual head brass constructed body sprays with rub clean and anti-scald technology built in. It is a southwest inspired shower spa with a modern day expectation. This shower spa for your master bath will add to the value and beauty of your home.

When purchasing a shower spa you should research all options and styles available. This will enable you to pick out the very best shower system to suite your needs. Purchasing a unique shower spa will add value and bring beauty to your master bath. There are many models and styles to choose from to fit your décor. Enhance your shower experience today with a new shower spa that fits your budget.

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Smith & Vandiver Aromatherapaes Spa Shower Tablets review

Read article : Smith & Vandiver Aromatherapaes Spa Shower Tablets review

Move over bubble bath – these tablets turn showers into spas!

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It seems like all of the fun bath products of the world are made for those who actually enjoy taking baths as opposed to showers. Since I’m a devoted shower girl, things like bath bombs, oils and bubbles and the like are lost on me. Well, today I’m here to tell you that finally, there’s a fun product for us gals who prefer the stream of the shower over the steam of the bath.

Smith & Vandiver Aromatherapaes Spa Shower Tablets are designed specifically to be used in the shower. Unlike similar products that are designed to help relieve congestion and contain ingredients like menthol, Aromatherapaes Spa Shower Tablets are packed with soothing ingredients like chamomile and neroli to give you a true spa experience at home. There’s no medicinal quality to these tablets—they are a pure spa-like indulgence!

For around $5 you receive five individually-wrapped tablets. The Spa Tablets have been recently redesigned and are available in two scents. I received the De-Stress with Chamomile & Neroli for review, while other wht review team members received the Orange, Geranium and Peppermint Energize. Since I have used Smith & Vandiver products in the past, I can tell you that S&V really do chamomile RIGHT. The chamomile essential oil they use in their products truly makes you feel like you’re standing in a field of chamomile flowers. It’s amazing.

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To use these little tablets, simply open up a package and place the tablet on the floor of your shower, away from the direct stream of waterfrom your showerhead (you don’t want the tablet to dissolve prematurely). Then, just go about your business and allow the tablet to work its magic. Almost instantaneously, you’ll be able to smell the wonderful, soothing aroma of essential oils. All that’s left to do is breathe deeply and relax.

These tablets are multi-functional, as you can also toss one into a sink filled with warm water for a spa-like experience outside of the shower, or you can put one on your nightstand to emit a soft, relaxing fragrance as you sleep.

Aromatherapaes Spa Shower Tablets are certified 100% natural, and my Neroli & Chamomile tablets contain sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, maltodextrin, chamomile essential oil and neroli essential oil. That’s it!

Pros:
• Provides an at-home spa experience for about $1 per shower
• Natural ingredients
• Powerful enough to fragrance a 15-20 minute shower
• A great option for those who prefer a shower over a bath

Cons:
• You may require 2 tablets per shower if you tend to take longer showers
• Fragrance might be overpowering if you’re not a fan of essential oils

So I guess you bath gals don’t have the corner on fun products after all! Please check the comments, where the wht team will weigh in with their thoughts on the Aromatherapaes Spa Shower Tablets.

[ratings]

Gianna is our expert on drugstore and budget beauty. She is the writer/editor of Nouveau Cheap, a blog that’s devoted to finding quality products that don’t break the bank.

Disclosure: This review includes products that were provided by the manufacturer/PR firm for our consideration. For more info, or any questions, please see our disclosure policy.

Luxe baths evolve into personal spas

Read article : Luxe baths evolve into personal spas

Settle in and have your achy muscles caressed. Breathe fragrant aromas of eucalyptus, lavender, sandalwood or grapefruit. Listen to Bach, Beethoven or cool jazz, and melt away stress in a steam shower.

Pamper yourself. You know you want to, and there’s no need to travel to an exotic location. Today’s luxe bath can be your own personal spa and so much more.

Like uber thread counts that determine a bed sheet’s degree of luxury, the number of jets and how many nozzles control the dance of water now are deciding factors in upgrading shower and tub features.

Even the lexicon has changed. Today’s home spa emphasizes hydrotherapy, and there is nothing ordinary about it. The water is healing and magical because of amazing technology.

“It’s all about de-stressing,” says Ann Roever, senior product manager of bathing products for Kohler Co.

Beyond the whirlpool, the choices today are dizzying. Consider how soothing or invigorating a massage you want. Then think about whether you want to add chromatherapy, which allows bathing in a pool of changing hues, or aromatherapy in a range of scents.

Showers simulating rain that virtually massages the body were a novelty a few years ago, but today most manufacturers offer at least one model. The German manufacturer Dornbracht offers a large rectangular rain shower that recesses into the ceiling and adjusts from the equivalent of a drizzle to a tropical downpour.

Hansgrohe’s Raindance Rainmaker features a “three-whirl massage” that goes from droplets to intense spray, plus four mood lights and two air-spray modes. It sells for just under $3,100 and looks like a futuristic feature from a spacecraft.

There now are WaterTiles, a Kohler trademark, which come in fetching square or round shapes, recessed for a cleaner look. Some are even directional, allowing adjustment of the spray to targeted areas. One of Kohler’s newest products is a sexy shower wand that provides a rain-like spray.

Glass showerheads offer another attractive design option in today’s home spa. Like other bathroom hardware, showerheads also are available in a range of finishes, including polished and satin nickel as well as oil-rubbed bronze. High-end models cost several hundred dollars apiece.

With so many body sprays, the inside of a shower these days may resemble a car wash. It’s not surprising that there’s a trend to open up the space and make it unencumbered even by glass doors, conforming to barrier-free universal principles. One of the more elaborate shower towers, the Waterhaven by Kohler, features seven water “ports,” a two- arched telescoping shower head, four movable body sprays and one handheld shower wand for $7,260.

Methven, an Australian company, this summer is introducing a spa experience called “shower infusions.” The infusions come from a small cartridge that fits into the base of a handheld shower wand, permeating the space with aromas as it hydrates. There are four flavors: Lift (a combination of grapefruit and pomegranate), Fresh (green tea and peppermint), Bliss (jasmine and ylang ylang, a tropical Asian tree) and Balance (lavender and vanilla).

Another company, Mr. Steam, offers in-shower music therapy speakers, aromatherapy and mood lighting.

The tub, as well as the shower, is not lacking bells and whistles. There’s the air bath that offers the champagne equivalent of tiny bubbles, which creates a soothing to invigorating massage. Some compare the air bath to bathing in hot springs. Or you can choose a soaking tub, a deeper tub also known as a Japanese bath.

Tubs no longer need to be tethered to a wall. Freestanding tubs in the middle of a room add a new dynamic to the bath. With crisp, angular lines or sculptural curves, these baths are showstopping artistic architectural centerpieces in an interior. One design from Agape resembles an enormous shallow bowl.

In an effort to stimulate the senses, MTI Whirlpool’s Stereo Water is an invisible audio system that delivers sound through the tub. State- of-the-art speakers are acoustic “transducers,” applied to the bath shell’s exterior surface near the waterline. The sound is evenly distributed within the tub, enveloping the bather in sounds of choice, from rousing rock to a calming concerto, according to the company.

Many tub extras can be monitored with the touch of a button on a control with digital readout. Some companies even offer remote controls that are submersible so you don’t have to lift your hand out of the water. Perhaps even more welcome are devices that baffle the sound created by whirlpool jets.

Of course, there are dozens of spa bath accessories, including ergonomically designed backrests and armrests, some heated to soothe tired muscles, neck massagers (Jacuzzi’s Fuzion 7242 whirlpool offers a cascading neck-massaging waterfall), heaters in tubs that keep warm water at a constant temperature, anti-fog mirrors and towel-warming drawers. Even pet spas manufactured by MTI Whirlpool are part of the mix.

As in other areas of the home, the emphasis these days is on customization. Pearl Baths Inc. offers “recipes” for specific therapies that direct sound, light and type of massage. SilverTag provides a computer-controlled environment with 18 showerheads and 30 shower frequencies, programmable with a touch screen. The price is staggering; it sells for about $100,000.

Bath design really began to evolve in the 1980s, when almost any room that was a candidate for remodeling got supersized. With an emphasis on health, fitness and cocooning, whirlpools were the centerpiece of the movement, with big tubs for two persons among the hot features. Footprints expanded, with space carved from extra bedrooms to create giant havens for relaxation, often with separate walk-in showers.

The trend took off in the ’90s, with more attention focused on healthy eating and exercise. Bath design continued to upgrade, and everyone wanted cabinetry that resembled furniture.

Recreating the day spa, or travel experiences at spas in luxury resorts, seems to be driving the 21st-century sanctuaries.

“With a day at the spa costing $400 or more, you can invest this money in your home and benefit over the long haul,” says Kohler’s Ann Roever.

The clean lines of the latest tubs and showerheads call out for a more minimal design style. Decorative accessories, furniture and fancy accoutrements (like dripping crystal chandeliers) arrived in the ’80s and still show up in traditional luxury baths, but the spa bath has taken on a decidedly more Spartan look.

The spa bath often features Zen-like environments. Vanities, basins and other furnishings often seem to float. Even toilets have morphed into more stylish forms, some more sculptural, such as rounded models recently introduced by Villeroy and Boch. Natural stones play a role; river rocks sometimes decorate tub surrounds and areas around showers.

Some detractors say the current spa trend smacks of hedonism and narcissism. A brochure from Pearl Baths suggests basking in a tub “reminiscent of Cleopatra” by adding flower petals or two cups of milk to the water. Still, there are therapeutic benefits. Bubbles promote circulation, and music and candles can be soothing.

“We think of the home spa as a place to relax, refresh, rejuvenate and retreat,” Roever says.

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.

Product>spa worthy shower systems - Archpaper.com

Read article : Product>spa worthy shower systems - Archpaper.com

Five standout shower fixtures that bring a five-star quality—via color, steam, or awe (or ahhhh)—to any bath.

LampShower
Nendo for Axor

The first of its kind and the second collaboration between Hansgrohe and Japanese design studio Nendo, the LampShower provides the ambiance and look of a house lamp, thanks to its waterproof LED bulb. It is available in wall- and ceiling-mounted versions.

(Courtesy Graff)

Ametis Shower System
Graff

Users can switch between gentle-flowing rain and waterfall settings with this halo-like system. An RGB LED is integrated within the ring and is capable of six different color options.

(Courtesy Grohe)

F-Digital Deluxe
Grohe

Designed to create “a home spa experience,” this system offers multiple color and light settings, streams music from smartphones, and emits steam to create a superluxe bathing experience.

(Courtesy MGS)

SO613
MGS

Combining Italian design with Swedish engineering, these flush, ceiling-mount shower canopies can be controlled by remote to cycle through nine different colors and three water settings, with two preset relaxing and energizing combinations.

(Courtesy Delta)

Zura Collection
Delta

The Zura collection blends rounded rectangular and triangular forms to create a modern and fresh style. The triple showerhead delivers strong water pressure and is available in three finish options.

Emerging Hotel Bathroom Trends | Hotel Industry Magazine

Read article : Emerging Hotel Bathroom Trends | Hotel Industry Magazine

Boutique Hotels Featured Hotel Industry Trends Hotel Interior Design Hotel News

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Hotel bathrooms have come a long way from being purely functional and have arguably become one of the most marketable parts of the hospitality experience. As a result they are often used to sell the hotel to potential customers. But are your bathrooms on trend? We ask C.P. Hart’s Ian Dutch to explore the emerging hotel bathroom trends.

Finishes and Forms

A strong trend we are seeing is the desire to mix and blend different materials and finishes. Designers and specifiers are experimenting with developments in materials and new combinations of finishes and surfaces, resulting in a more tactile and luxurious bathroom experience. Grey continues to be the dominant key colour trend and applied to bathroom furniture in particular, varying from the very light to the very dark with added elements of blue and green hues. This dominating palette is being mixed with the growing trend for natural materials and textured finishes over high gloss finishes.

Bathroom furniture units are being treated as design pieces in their own right, showcasing the beauty of wood or drawing upon contemporary new materials. Tactile textures are increasingly playing a more important role when it comes to planning high specification hotel bathrooms, with designers and specifiers thinking more about the way a bathroom feels as well as how it looks. Textured furniture pieces are also being stripped back to their wood form; a natural aesthetic has emerged as manufacturers celebrate the natural beauty of wood through distinctive grain finishes.

In addition to texture we are seeing experimentation in terms of sculptural shapes and forms, especially when it comes to brassware and washbowls, as small no longer means insignificant. Statement basins such as hand-blown lead crystal basins fuse Italian artisan craftsmanship with beautiful contemporary design. When it comes to brassware we are seeing graceful statement pieces that show an instinctive appreciation of the beauty of flowing water. Brassware in a gold or nickel material are being specified more at the top end of the market, while feature walls using gold leaf or metallic materials deliver a truly luxurious finish. Marble is being used as a form of wall art, applied alongside clean white sanitaryware and neutral walls.

Experience

The configuration of a hotel bathroom space is being reworked and re-examined, with bathroom and bedroom areas merging to create a hybrid space. At the heart of this is an emphasis on pampering which has become synonymous with hotel bathrooms. Contemporary baths are now deeper and more comfortable. The versatility of the latest composite materials allows more fluidity in shape and structure. Shower enclosures are becoming streamlined, but shower heads are now much larger in scale and replicate the cascading effects created by a waterfall or rainfall. Spa elements are becoming more practical to install, allowing guests to enjoy the luxury of steam in their room as part of an integrated shower enclosure (eliminating the need for additional space). It all comes down to personal comfort and relaxation, but translated in a way that works with the room layout.

The all-important vanity unit typically forms the centrepiece of the hotel bathroom, blending decorative and functional furniture elements to avoid a clinical finish and ensure the room becomes a living and breathing space in its own right. Large decadent vanity units that function as a dressing area for beauty treatments are also a key ingredient as they’ve become increasingly decorative in style and work as an extension of the hotel bedroom. Vanity units are being accentuated with strategic eye level lighting to enhance the experience and create a flattering effect. Mirrored cabinetry around the dressing area is multifunctional, offering 360° visual views through intelligent mirror placement, built-in shaver sockets and strategic internal shelving and storage for complete guest usability.

Technology

Technology is an ever-growing trend; from multifunctional brassware to all-singing, all-dancing showers, the bathroom is beginning to meet the needs of our technology driven culture, creating a more liveable space that strikes the right balance between design and experience. Digital showers emerged onto the market with button controls, but are now starting to feature simple touch screen controls that control the lighting, scents, varying water temperatures and pressures. And whilst digital showers are leading the way the rest of the bathroom is quickly catching up. Brassware is moving into a more digital realm, with manufacturers starting to incorporate technology in the form of a digital screen interface that controls flow and temperature. Baths will be able to be filled using a smart phone or tablet, and home spa elements are becoming more accessible and fit for purpose in the modern hotel as steam starts to be integrated into the shower enclosure.

Accessible Design

Where specialist accessible design guidance is required, C.P. Hart believes that an impressive bathroom should have universal appeal. Each and every functional component of the bathroom has to be considered to ensure practicality and durability is achieved throughout the entire bathroom. C.P. Hart’s coordinated Accessible Design range by Hewi is testament to our belief that DDA compliance need not mean unappealing and utilitarian design. Sleek and minimalist in style, the collection has been designed to aid mobility around the bathroom, providing support through subtle recesses and support rails which perfectly complement the range’s minimalist aesthetic. Support rails are sculpted to ensure they are understated yet practical, featuring easy to grip contours for those requiring support when standing up or sitting down to use the WC, shower or washbasin. The rails are available in either a rounded or square profile, in addition to a variety of length options. The shower seat is geometric in its design and available in clean white or architectural anthracite that complement the minimalist finish. Manufactured from high quality materials, the seat has been designed to be both comfortable and slip resistant due to its lightly structured surface.

C.P. Hart Contracts works exclusively on building and refurbishment projects, from luxury apartments through to hotels and commercial developments. For more information visit www.cphart.co.uk/pro or call 0845 873 1121.

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Home Tour: Remodeled Anderson Township barn becomes gorgeous modern dream home

Read article : Home Tour: Remodeled Anderson Township barn becomes gorgeous modern dream home

ANDERSON TOWNSHIP, Ohio — Jerry Whitney wasn’t looking to move, but he was looking for a clear route from his Anderson Township home to the airport on a day when interstate traffic was heavy. So he cut down Five Mile Road toward Kellogg Avenue.

“I didn’t want to miss my flight,” he said. “And then I saw this place and said, ‘Oh, my god, look at that barn.’ And then I saw a ‘for sale’ sign and Five Mile Creek behind it.”

He fell in love. When his wife of 14 years, Karen, saw it, she fell in love, too.

On Dec. 31, 2012, seven days after that first sighting, the Whitneys bought the 30-year-old horse barn and its seven acres at a 30 percent discount from a motivated seller. It cost them $300,000.

Fast forward 18 months and the Whitneys – who had no previous home construction experience – moved out of a 300-square-foot trailer on the property into a home like no other, a dream house they played a big role in designing and decorating.

The shock of the unexpected experience has worn off, but not the excitement and contentment they feel for their fully modern, energy-efficient barn house. Also still strong is their appreciation for their project partners – among them architect Marc McConnell, builder Paul Kapitula, Keidel Supply, A&S Lighting, Tate Builders Supply, Cooknee Cabinets, KBR Countertop Specialists, Home Depot, IKEA, The Container Store and Peoples First Savings Bank.

All these forces came together to produce a four-bedroom, three-bathroom showcase of modern architecture and engineering that surprisingly fits inside a big, old, round-top home originally built for horses.

Not only does the place run on a geothermal energy system that held down last summer’s utility bills to $90 per month, it is designed to be the Whitneys’ "forever home." The couple asked for and got what architects call “living in place” features that will allow the Whitneys, who are in their 60s, to stay in their home permanently.

The house’s hallways and doors are extra-wide. There’s a 4-foot-wide shaft just behind a door off the entry hall where an elevator to the second floor and its master bedroom can be installed if and when it is needed. Next to the shaft is a laundry room with a chute from the second floor. The master bathroom’s shower door is wide and wheelchair-accessible. Even the landscaping is designed to require minimal maintenance and no chemicals.

There are picture windows in every main room through which the Whitneys, for the rest of their lives, can watch the water rush down Five Mile Creek, lots of wildlife – deer, cardinals, doves, woodpeckers, nut hatches, tufted titmice and blue jays – and the moon and stars.

Take the Tour

The Whitneys – she’s from Bridgetown and is a University of Cincinnati graduate, he is from Lima, Ohio, and is a Xavier University graduate – wanted to retain the bones of the barn. And there’s no mistaking what it used to be when you turn off Five Mile Road onto their curved driveway. The house’s Quonset hut shape is enhanced by two second-floor dormers, a glassy grand entrance and the original cupola poking out at the roof’s center.

The barn’s industrial-strength foundation passed inspection with flying colors and was retained, but most of the interior – the stables, tack room and hayloft – was gutted to the arched laminated beams that support the rounded roof. To keep it water-tight during a 100-year flood, the entire house had to be raised 14½ inches.

Architect McConnell was so inspired by the place, Jerry Whitney said, that he sketched the floor plan in eight hours and then started marking off the layout with blue tape.

What strikes visitors upon entering the Whitneys’ home is its whiteness, its angular walls and windows, and its uncluttered, modern décor. Yet hints of the barn are there in the entry in the form of a frosted two-paneled sliding door that leads into the living room and a long, floating ledge made of chocolate walnut Jerry Whitney picked up on a one-day drive to Kansas City, Missouri, and back.

The Whitneys had hoped to repurpose two sliding wood doors in the old stable, but their condition was too poor.

“So we were in IKEA one day, and we saw those panels on some cabinets and said, ‘There’s our barn doors,’” said Jerry Whitney, a sales executive with a logistics software company.

The doors might leak a little heat, but the gas fireplace and heated, polished concrete floors keep the living room warm.

“My parents came here for two weeks in October, and they were so warm. My mother learned how to work the thermostat and kept it at 70 degrees. We practically had to kick them out,” joked Karen Whitney, a longtime physician’s assistant.

To the left of the entry hall and beyond the elevator shaft, laundry room and mechanicals closet are two bedrooms that share what the Whitneys call their “spa room.” The bathroom features sparkly, speckled gray quartz countertops, a dual-sink vanity with matching mirrors, a standalone soaking tub and a glassed-in shower with grass-like textured tile. Chrome is the metal of choice for the hardware and fixtures.

To be added to the “spa” features later this year is a fenced-in outdoor shower.

While family photographs in the bedroom at the front of the house stir memories, the bedroom in the back is filled with a mix of family-made art and heirlooms and images from vacations the couple and their four adult daughters have taken.

A glass door from the back bedroom leads to a covered concrete deck that stretches almost the entire length of the house. The deck faces Five Mile Creek and the woods of Withrow Nature Preserve and is accessible from the living and great rooms as well as the 2½-car garage.

Walking back to the entry hall, visitors pass a colorful Campari liqueur poster and a large portrait of an 11-year-old Jerry painted by the late College of Mount St. Joseph art instructor John Nartker.

Across the hall is a stairwell that reaches to the roof. It features a light oak staircase with stainless steel chords and rail and leads up to two more bedrooms, the kitchen and a beamed great room. The vaulted room includes a sectional couch and two stuffed chairs, a glassed-in wine closet, recessed lighting and one floor lamp, a 9-by-6 picture window, a gas fireplace, a big-screen television and a separate dining area with chandelier that faces the front yard.

The great room is where they wind down on weekends with wine and the Wall Street Journal or watch birds – on sunny or gray days.

“Even if it’s raining, we don’t care. With all these windows, it doesn’t matter,” Karen Whitney said.

Three bird feeders hang off the fully plumbed, second-story deck where the couple grills out with friends and watches the ever-running creek and forest.

The 30-foot-long deck is party central when the weather is nice, but the kitchen fills the bill in the winter. Stainless steel appliances, a long, two-tiered white quartz cooking and eating island and glossy white and textured gray European-style cabinets give the kitchen the modern feel Karen Whitney prefers.

“It’s a fun, fun, fun kitchen to cook in,” she said. “We hosted Thanksgiving last year, and I couldn’t believe how easy it was to cook the meal. There’s so much space and convenience.”

To the side of the kitchen and overlooking the stairwell’s cathedral-shaped window is a quartz-topped desk that the couple uses as command central, to pay bills and handle other household business. 

Two bedrooms are situated down a hall behind the kitchen, but before them is an inviting, steel-railed spiral staircase. Karen Whitney uses the slanted-wall and naturally lighted bonus room – which has two large cubbyholes behind doors for storage –for yoga, Pilates and TRX workouts. The third floor’s balcony hovers over the kitchen and great room and provides an up-close view of a special light fixture suspended inside the windowed cupola.

“My parents gave us that,” she said of the brass and crystal chandelier. “It came out of the old Shubert Theatre in Cincinnati.” It lights up the great room like a stationary disco ball, her husband said.

A guest room with full bath and the master with bath and massive walk-in closet are back down the spiral staircase and below the bonus room. The couple outfitted their closet with a system purchased at the Container Store that holds all their clothes and accessories. There is no dresser or wardrobe in their room, just open space and a clear view from the bed of the backyard and the rising moon.

“It’s the most wonderful bed to sleep in, until you have to get up,” Karen Whitney said.

'We Took a Gamble on it'

The Whitneys had just remodeled their contemporary house on Little Dry Run Road, which sat on a half-acre and was what they thought they always wanted. Leaving it was far from their minds – until they spotted the old horse barn on Five Mile.

“We took a gamble on it,” said Jerry Whitney, whose experience rebuilding vintage cars equipped him with mechanical skills and gave him confidence they could build their own home.

“Our financial adviser said, ‘You guys are crazy if you don’t do it,’” he said. So they did, but not without sacrifice. Living in a trailer during the treacherous winter of 2013-14 and storing their belongings in a nearby 20-by-30-foot shipping container for 18 months weren’t the only challenges they faced.

“We’d never built a house before or made all the decisions we had to make, sometimes instantaneous ones like when your builder asks, ‘What do I do now?’ and you’ve got to have a decision right then,” he said.

“We turned it into an adventure that we could write a book about,” Jerry Whitney said. “Karen’s quote is, ‘We never thought we would live in a dream house, and now we own one.’ To go from a normal house to this is just amazing. I swear we were meant to be here.”

Chance to See the Whitneys’ House

The 2016 green living tours by the Cincinnati chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council includes the Whitney house on Sept. 17 ($15 for non-members). To join the Green Living Member Circle, click here. The group will tour a modern house in Northside on Jan. 16.

Steam And Shower UK Unveils New Identity As Sensual Spas UK « MarketersMedia – Press Release Distribution Services – News Release Distribution Services

Read article : Steam And Shower UK Unveils New Identity As Sensual Spas UK « MarketersMedia – Press Release Distribution Services – News Release Distribution Services

Sensual Spas, previously known as Steam And Shower UK are one of the premiere online stores that offers a full range of steam showers from a variety of different brands.

England, United Kingdom - December 14, 2015 /MarketersMedia/ — Sensual Spas, previously known as Steam And Shower UK is one of the premiere online stores that offers a full range of steam showers from a variety of different brands. They offer a full range of spa related equipment from steam sauna showers to hot tubs and whirlpool baths. The store recently went into a metamorphosis phase to reemerge as Sensual Spas, continuing to build upon the highly trusted reputation of Steam And Shower UK by offering even a wider and more comprehensive range of products and superior customer services.

Sensual Spas' new identity stems from the sensuous nature of steam sauna showers, hot tubs, and whirlpool baths as great places to bond and relax with that special someone. Sensual Spa UK allows their customers to find the perfect steam shower, hot tub or whirlpool bath to suit their needs and enjoy in the privacy of their own home.

The store spokesperson said: “We at Sensual Spas UK are celebrating the launch brand new name and fresh perspective while offering the same great deals as before, with a new zest and style. We are certain that our buyers will appreciate our new outlook and brand. We still offer Interest-free credit and our lowest price promise, which we believe are our strongest selling point besides the high quality of our products and services. Our buyers benefit from Top brands Buy direct and get the best services. Even now as the UK's BIGGEST we use our buying power to offer fantastic deals on high-quality bathroom and sauna spa products. All our prices are guaranteed to be the cheapest online, that's our price promise, and low, unbeatable deals on the best spa items.”

The people behind Sensual Spas UK believe that bathing can be a sensuous, relaxing and rejuvenating experience that can be thoroughly enjoyed each time given the right setting and equipment, the store’s main objective is to allow people to equip their homes with spa related equipment from steam sauna showers to hot tubs and whirlpool baths which allow them to make the most of each bath by offering affordability, quality, and convenience.

About: Sensual Spa is UK's biggest and premier supplier of luxury steam showers and whirlpool baths. With years of experience and their reputation as the best has been built on a strong relationship with the customers and always give the best and most honest service available. For more information, please visit: http://sensualspas.co.uk

Andrew Ellis
sales@sensualspas.co.uk
Norton Avenue
Morecambe
England
LA3 1HE
0800 020 9545

Contact Info:
Name: Andrew Ellis
Email: Send Email
Organization: Sensual Spa
Phone: 0800 020 9545

Source URL: https://marketersmedia.com/steam-and-shower-uk-unveils-new-identity-as-sensual-spas-uk/99068

For more information, please visit http://sensualspas.co.uk

Source: MarketersMedia

Release ID: 99068

Bathroom products – bubbling over

Read article : Bathroom products – bubbling over

10-Feb-2011

The bath and shower products market increased nearly 6% between 2008 and 2009 and manufacturers have tried to maintain this momentum throughout the past year with a diversified offering, reports Julia Wray

The bath and shower products market increased nearly 6% between 2008 and 2009 and manufacturers have tried to maintain this momentum throughout the past year with a diversified offering, reports Julia Wray

Whenever consumers are forced to slash their beauty budgets they are far more likely to opt for a cheaper shower gel than switch their foundation or anti-ageing cream. But despite this danger in the face of continued economic instability, the global bath and shower products market enjoyed another year of steady growth to reach over $31bn in 2009, according to data from Euromonitor International.

“The global bath and shower industry has fared well in recent times, putting in a respectable 6% growth from 2008-9,” comments Euromonitor’s industry analyst, beauty & personal care, Carrie Lennard. “This growth rate was the same as the previous year despite the commodity status of bath and shower, meaning that the threat of trade down to cheaper brands and private label was greater than for most beauty and personal care categories.”

“Bathroom products are usually split into two sections – basic essentials and pampering, or special, products. The basics are everyday requirements at affordable prices – cheap and cheerful to get the job done,” adds Herbie Dayal, ceo of KMI Brands. “The trend is definitely to more luxurious products, with consumers demanding better fragrances, richer formulations, more exotic ingredients and more effective products.”

Bath & shower	31079.2	5.9
Bar soap	12412.2	8.5
Bath additives	3285.3	-2.3
Body wash/shower gel	9172.6	3.1
Intimate hygiene	1493.9	8.4
Liquid soap	3441.6	12.9
Talcum powder	1273.6	3.5

In terms of retail value growth was driven by increased sales in emerging regions such as Latin America (+20.1%) and the Middle East and Africa (+15.1%). More established markets experienced less dramatic expansion. “Western Europe saw just 2% value growth in 2008-9 as bath and shower is a very mature category,” says Lennard. “Growth in body wash and shower gel is expected to be slower than for other regions because household penetration is already high, leaving fewer users to convert from bar soap.”

World	31079.2	5.9
Asia Pacific	8469.3	4.8
Australasia	348.4	6.0
Eastern Europe	2115.9	2.8
Latin America	4438.6	20.1
Middle East & Africa	1770.5	15.1
North America	6030.1	2.5
Western Europe	7906.4	1.8

Standing out

As is often the case with commodity sectors, bath and shower product manufacturers sought to boost their brands’ profiles through a variety of initiatives. Radox ran a competition challenging customers to name its new Radox Shower Smoothie – due out in March.

Meanwhile Original Source (PZ Cussons) sponsored annual UK-based bike challenge Mountain Mayhem; the rationale being that after a muddy day’s mountain biking, participants can clean up with Original Source shower gels.

Other brands put the weight of their name behind CSR projects. Soap & Glory, for example, aimed to educate consumers about the issue of water shortage by encouraging them to take part in a 2-minute Rinse project.

“The earth’s biggest problem will soon stem from a shortage of water,” Victoria Montrasio, Soap & Glory’s global sales & marketing director explains. “Anyone who is able to reach out to a number of people has a responsibility to try to make a difference – I think a lot of companies are doing a great job educating consumers and giving back.” And although Montrasio notes that the success of such campaigns is “hard to judge quantitatively” she describes consumer response to the 2-minute Rinse as “amazing” and says it will definitely be repeated in 2011.

“Many new product launches now carry some type of environmental claim, although it need not always relate to the ingredients,” says Lennard. “Jo Malone’s range of bath products for French Connection, launched in November 2010 (although actually formulated by Malone 15 years ago), features the organic additive Eco Pure in its plastic packaging, which reportedly allows plastic to be fully biodegradable to water and carbon dioxide within a few years.

“And a new line of bath and shower products is set to launch this year called Stop the Water While Using Me (www.stop-the-water-while-using-me.com). Its environmental credentials are that the products are made using natural ingredients, have biodegradable packaging, and are sustainably manufactured. The product’s USP however is that it reminds people to turn off the tap when using the product, in order to help the environment.”

Sustainability was also on the agenda for Trevarno Organic Skincare, which launched a collection of palm oil-free soaps.

“The ever increasing global demand for palm oil means that even ‘sustainable’ producers can be contributing to devastating environmental damage in the continuing expansion of this industry,” explains Trevarno’s manager Richard Cox. “As palm plantations encroach further on forests and peat land this in turn is causing destruction of communities, biodiversity and contributing to climate change. We felt the only solution was to remove palm oil to help lessen the demand for this ingredient.”

Available in Nourish and Revitalise, Soothe and Calm, Cleanse and Protect, and Indulge and Relax categories, the soaps contain a blend of natural butters and oils as an alternative to palm oil.

Dove	Unilever Group
Lux	Unilever Group
Palmolive	Colgate-Palmolive Co
Nivea	Beiersdorf AG
Safeguard	Procter & Gamble Co

Dermatology crossover

Efforts by manufacturers to rise above the competition in a crowded marketplace has led to increased segmentation in bath and shower.

“In all beauty markets there is greater segmentation with more brands addressing different needs – high fragrance, naturals, seasonals, stress, spa and so on,” notes Dayal. “This is very marked in washing and bathing but also true in skin care, hair care and other categories. It implies that there is a steady stream of new products being marketed and innovation is what drives trial and continued growth in our business.”

Recently, such innovation has come in the form of bath and shower products claiming effects more usually associated with skin care.

“A significant number of bath and shower products launched by brands like Dove now make claims such as having intense moisturising or dermatological properties,” says Lennard. “It appears that dermatological bath and shower products may now be moving into the mainstream. Unilever’s Dove VisibleCare line of body washes, for example, claims to visibly improve the condition of the skin within three weeks.”

Indeed, Dove VisibleCare Crème Body Wash products contain a trademarked ingredient, NutriumMoisture, said to address lipid and protein damage. Also addressing moisture deficiency, Johnson & Johnson’s new 24hour Moisture Shea & Cocoa line includes two body washes – an exfoliating one and a radiance version.

For sensitive skins, Imperial Leather (PZ Cussons) introduced SkinKind – a range of hypoallergenic shower products, while Sanex launched Sanex Dermo Hypo Allergenic Bath and Shower Gels.

At the premium end of the market, Elemis (Steiner Leisure) introduced Elemis Skin Nourishing Shower Cream, which contains milk protein to help create an environment to correct skin microflora and regulate skin’s moisture content.

Launched in September 2010, Connock London’s range of bath and body products (including Comforting Body Wash and Soothing Bath Oil) contain moisturising kukui oil from Hawaii.

According to founder Amanda Connock, the oil acts as something of a dermatological panacea. “It is high in essential fatty acids and is very good at penetrating into the skin, so it gives an excellent moisturising effect,” she says. “The women in Hawaii use the oil everywhere – hair, body, skin – and for conditions like eczema and psoriasis.”

Michelin star cleansing

A recent standout trend has been for fruit scented bathroom products and the gourmand tide is showing little sign of turning. Indeed last year it accelerated with even more savoury and spicy notes added to the mix.

Henkel’s Fa launched a Yoghurt Body Smoothie Douche Créme line, comprising four fruity shower gels in a milk-based formula, while Palmolive (Colgate Palmolive) offered Palmolive Nutra.Fruit Shower Crèmes, containing moisturising cream swirled with fruit extracts. KMI’s Beautifully Delicious meanwhile brought a strawberry and pomegranate fragranced line of products and a limited edition apple & watermelon bubblelicious bath & shower gel to the table.

Spicy pink pepper provided the basis for Molton Brown’s paradisiac pink pepperpod bath & shower product, a feminine counterpart to its best selling re-charge black pepper bodywash. And pepper popped up again in Original Source’s Winter Black Pepper and Cardamom Shower Gel.

In fact Original Source took the food theme to another level with its new Gourmet range. Based on experimental flavour combinations, the range comprises Cassis and Cranberry Shower Shot, Lime and Sweet Chilli Spice and Chocolate and Mint Shower Melt.

New from Soap & Glory was The Breakfast Scrub, a blend of oats and sugar boasting a maple syrup fragrance. “Last winter, one of the Soap & Glory team at HQ used to make golden syrup infused porridge oats every morning and Marcia Kilgore, our founder, would always ask ‘what is that delicious smell coming from the kitchen?’ This was the trigger,” Soap & Glory’s Montrasio tells SPC. “The name of course comes from The Breakfast Club movie.”

Other launches were more traditional. L’Occitane brought out an orange blossom and sweet blackcurrant scented Fleur Chérie Bath and Shower Gel, while Yardley and Woods of Windsor relaunched under new management, an autonomous Yardley division. Yardley introduced a triple milled soap and shower cream in English Lavender as well as triple milled soaps in Lily of the Valley, Peony, Iris and English Rose. And Woods of Windsor now comprises Bath & Body Collections in True Rose, Lavender, Lily of the Valley and White Jasmine.

Spa inspiration

“Unless you live on your own and never go out, taking a bath may be the only part of the day you have all to yourself. So you want the experience to be as enjoyable as possible. You don’t necessarily want to jump in the shower and scrub yourself with a cheap soap that is likely to destroy your skin’s natural pH,” asserts Anna Doyle, founder of new natural spa brand occo.

But as tempting as a relaxing bath may be, consumers appear to have slashed both their me-time and their budget as bath additives took the biggest drubbing of any bathroom product sector, dropping 2.3% to $3,285m.

As Brid Costello, research analyst, Mintel International Group, explains: “The fast pace of modern lifestyles makes showers a more viable alternative to bathing for many people’s daily personal hygiene routine and brands are responding to consumers’ bathing preferences by offering shower products that are often at once convenient and experience oriented.”

Despite the trend leaning towards quick and convenient in 2010, however, those consumers seeking tranquillity were able to choose from several new launches designed to maximise the pleasure of bathing.

Inspired by ancient Norse rituals, Arran Aromatics created new bath, body and home fragrance collection Eydis, built around a clover, gorse and honeysuckle scent.

Looking further east for inspiration, spa brand Rituals introduced a Tao range, which includes three bathroom products: Wai Wang body exfoliating cream, T’ai Chi shower foam and Wu Wei calming cream bath.

Doyle’s occo also offered a spa experience from home. It launched with 65 skus – including bath and body washes – divided into six ranges named after the locations in Croatia which inspired their fragrance.

According to Doyle, the brand fills a niche for true spa products that are easily accessible. “I wanted the brand to be equally positioned through spas and in-store retail,” she tells SPC. “A lot of products sold in spas are treatments rather than lifestyle products and a lot of retailers have products with the word ‘spa’ on the label, but they’re not true spa products. I felt there was a gap in the market for a genuine spa brand that people could enjoy at home.”

The association between Turkish baths and rose petals was exploited by Lush which launched Turkish Delight, a smoothie shower soap containing rose absolute, rose oil and rose water. Lush also updated its cult bath ballistics (oversized, essential oil-based bath bombs) by adding a top layer consisting of ballistic mixed with shavings of bubble bar to create a foam trail.

Dead Sea Source (KMI) also introduced bath bombs (ginger scented in this instance) as well as a monoi-based product line.

Alternatively, Beiersdorf launched the ultimate in convenience: Nivea Double Effect Shower & Shave. Recognising that that many women like to shave in the shower, Nivea’s new product contains avocado oil, which ensures that the foam sticks to the skin allowing the razor to glide across to remove hair effectively.

And Lennard believes such products will have a competitive advantage moving into 2011.

“The potential for value-added body washes and shower gels remains strong as consumers continue to show a positive response to the most recent product innovations,” she says. Other product categories can expect a less prosperous year. “The bath additives industry is set to contract by $251m as time poor consumers continue to opt for showers. As a result of this habit the main growth in the industry will come from body wash, which is set to see nearly $1.5bn absolute growth by 2014.”

So to stay afloat in the bathroom products market manufacturers would be wise to follow their customers and focus on shower.

Swatting bugs
“Liquid soap sales have been particularly strong since 2009, driven by the H1N1 scare,” Euromonitor’s Carrie Lennard tells SPC. “Starting with the initial H1N1 outbreaks in Mexico in April 2009, sales of hand sanitisers skyrocketed, leading to 6% global growth in liquid soap over 2008-9.”
Manufacturers reacted quickly to the initial swine flu outbreak resulting in a wave of new products with antibacterial and antiviral claims, a trend that continued in 2010 with launches like Dettol’s No-Touch Hand Wash System, which senses users’ hands and dispenses antibacterial soap without them having to touch a potentially germ-infested pump.
The popularity of such products was highlighted by a recent poll commissioned by the American Cleaning Institute and the Personal Care Products Council in the wake of calls by special interest groups to ban the use of antibacterial agents in personal care, which revealed that 74% of US consumers used antibacterial soap.
And renewed swine flu fears over 2010’s winter months mean hand sanitisers will remain a good investment for manufacturers in the near future. “As there are still numerous highly publicised deaths due to swine flu, the scare is set to continue to mark the category out as holding major long-term growth potential for the duration of the flu outbreak,” confirms Lennard.

Burke Williams Day Spa in the Heart of San Francisco • We Blog The World

Read article : Burke Williams Day Spa in the Heart of San Francisco • We Blog The World

I love the concept of day spas, especially when you want an luxury escape for a few hours, where pampering is the order of the day. When we travel, we often review spas as part of our hotel stay, which is different than purposely making the time for yourself either on your home turf or when you are on the road and wish to indulge in a wellness experience. After all, isn’t your body worth it?

Meet Burke Williams,an urban day spa which has been around since 1984 and has quite a few locations in California. They drew most of their influence from some of the top European day spas. I had an opportunity to get a couple of treatments at their facility based in the heart of San Francisco, which is easily accessible for San Franciscans and travelers alike.

Above, is my favorite part of the spa – their massive hot tub. There’s nothing like a large hot tub and rarely do you find them, even at 5 star hotel spas. The lights were dimmed, which only added to the tranquility.

Nearby is a cold steam room which I saw a woman enter while I was in the hot tub and not leave for ten minutes. Brrr – I didn’t have the courage to try it although I’m certainly aware of the health benefits of cold water immersion and alternating from hot water to cold water dips. We reviewed Refuge in Carmel last summer that focuses on Thermal Cycle which is hot and cold water process mixed with relaxation in between. 

Exposure to cold water and ice baths, also known as “cryotherapy,” is a popular technique among amateur and professional athletes as well. At Burke Williams, they also have a very large hot steam room as well and unlike so many steam rooms I’ve tried over the years, it’s actually hot. On-site, they also offer a hot dry sauna, which I relaxed in for around 15 minutes before my treatments — you never want to go into a dry sauna after having a facial.

Spa Baths

They have two tubs in the spa set in a private room where you can take a therapeutic bath. There are many restorative benefits of hydrotherapy and worth doing whenever you have a chance. Here, traditional spa baths are available only in conjunction with another spa service.

Microsilk Baths are available for booking without another service, however, they recommend doing one in conjunction with a massage or facial.

Wetroom Treatments

I tried one of their Wetroom Treatments which are simply divine. While I’ve had body scrubs and wraps before, I’ve never had a salt scrub, which is so renewing for the skin. They talk about your natural glow unfolding from one of these treatments, which couldn’t be truer from how it feels and how your skin looks afterwards. Anthony described my arms as having a “glow” to them and “more radiant.”  

Purposefully designed shower heads envelop your body in cascading streams of water, after which you are scrubbed down with sea salt to remove dead surface skin cells — they refer to it as the Salt Glo, although if you have sensitive skin, you can opt for the sugar exfoliation process instead.

After the salt is removed, they wash you down (front and back) and then apply oil to leave your body feeling ever so soft. I absolutely loved this experience and would recommend adding to another service you’re doing that day. Obviously if you get a facial, do the wetroom treatment first. 

Sea salt photo credit: Seasalt.com.

Facials

Of course they offer a myriad of massage treatments, however I opted for the Anti-Aging Facial. If you’re over 40, I’d strongly encourage it.

They use professional H2V products which helps to regenerate and firm skin cells. Botanically derived stem cells and H2V R3 Transform with Matrixyl peptides repair damage, increase your skin’s resiliency, and boost collagen production. I definitely noticed a different to my face’s texture and brilliance after the treatment.

The Anti-Aging Facial

I absolutely loved this very targeted and customized facial designed to repair damage caused by extrinsic aging. They cleanse your face before applying a Vitamin C peel, their first major step of the treatment.

The 30% Vitamin C infuses the skin with protective anti-oxidants that neutralize free-radical damage and help reverse DNA damage. Key Ingredients for wellness geeks, include Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid, Bromelain and Papain. This peel is also added to your hands and covered with warm mitts.

Then, they spray the first enhancement: Age-Defy, which is naturally fragranced with apricot milk and is formulated with potent peptides to repair and actively firm the skin to help reduce fine lines and wrinkles. There’s Chlorella in this spray, which is a micro green algae anti-oxidant rich in protiens and amino acids, Antarticine; a peptide with ability to regenerate and protect skin by retaining moisture and water, heal wounds, increase collagen and elastin production, as well as boost hydration.

After the spray, they move into the 22 point acupressure massage, which is their signature and something they do with all facials. The second peel and my favorite one comes next — the Pro Beyond Pumpkin and Enzyme Peel.

This peel is by one of the skincare lines I like a lot – Eminence. Note: it tingles quite a bit when it goes on (a rarity for me),something to consider if you have very sensitive skin.

The peel helps to accelerate the exfoliation process by removing dead skin cells, reducing the appearance of pigmentation, fine lines and sun damage. The natural enzyme content of yam and pumpkin leave skin appearing firm and radiant.

Bromelain breaks down connecting structure that holds surface skin cells together and papain breaks down surface dead skin cells for easier removal. It also includes Niacin &Vitamin B3 which when applied topically, acts as a vasodilator to increase circulation, bringing oxygen and nutrients to the skin’s surface.

She then did a Defy mask, which is a potent Resveratrol antioxidant blend that helps to protect and rich skin nourishing fatty acids repair and nourish the skin. Key Ingredients include Monoi oil, Evening Primrose oil, Dragons blood extract, Resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant typically associated with red wine. This helps to protect and nurture cells, improve cellular function, increase collagen production, and improve elasticity while also reducing inflammation.

Their second spray enhancement is a stem cell one which is naturally fragranced with Olive and Coriander and is formulated with skin rejuvenating Mexican Bamboo and Japanese Knotwood to signal skin cells and put them in repair mode. These plant based stem cells stimulate our own skin cells’ natural repair process to help eliminate fine lines and wrinkles.

Believe it or not, there’s more! Unlike so many spas that do not give you the full time (especially your full 60 or 75 minutes “hands-on), they are present every step of the way.

After the stem cell spray, they apply a Cranberry AHA Mask,  which is a special formulation designed to enhance the capabilities of the fruit acids combined with moisturizers to leave the skin looking fresher and more supple. Ceramides create a strong water binding capacity leaving the skin hydrated with a visibly smoother appearance. Key Ingredients include Cranberry kaolin, Citric Acid, Glycolic Acid, Lactic acid, Malic acid, Shea Butter, and Wheat ceramides. BRAVO!

They also massage your arms, hands and feet during the treatment before applying the final spray enhancement: Illuminating Enhancement. This one is naturally fragranced with Sicilian Orange and Honey and contains a time released form of Vitamin C that can remain active in the skin for up to a week. This active form of Vitamin C helps to inhibit melanin production while the citric activator spray instantly brighten the complexion.

Before you leave, they also apply an Eye-tox serum to reduce iron deposits under eye and improve hydration as well as a Youth Cell Activator, a Quench Moisturizer and Protect (their SPF).

Like all top notch facials, they did extractions after plenty of steam in the middle of the treatment as well.

While they offer some of the traditional custom facials you’d find at most luxury spas, including teen and gentleman’s facials, I wanted to also mention another unique one I’d love to try at a future time. While the Four Layer Resurfacing Facial is shorter than the anti-aging one, the process includes an intense 4-layer progressive peel to leave your skin hydrated and glowing. Papaya enzymes combine with beneficial Alpha Hydroxy Acids to erase fine lines and minimize imperfections. They also do a detox masque infused with antioxidants.

The Ambiance

Join me on a tour of the spa — you’ll absolutely love the ambiance and their wonderful attention to detail throughout.

 

Nail Pampering

You can also get your nails done in style. What’s nice is that they have over-sized chairs designed to hug your body. They offer hot cups of tea, a lavender-scented blanket for your legs, and an oatmeal pillow to support your neck.  

They also offer other unique services such as body polishes, waxing and advanced eye lifts as well as “sprays” as an add-on to facials, such as stem cell and age defy sprays, which as noted above is included in the Anti-Aging facial.

Below, the vanity room.

They also have a shop on-site where you can purchase water bottles, skincare products, leather bags, gifts and more.

Below is a view from one of the windows — it’s located on the top floor of a mall, the same level as a movie theatre and nothing else. Translation: it’s very secluded and enormous. Two thumbs up!! We would definitely return.

DETAILS:

Burke Williams Day Spa

845 Market Street #510

San Francisco, CA 94103

https://burkewilliamsspa.com

(415) 694-7980

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Note: I was hosted by the spa but all opinions expressed are entirely my own.

Founder

Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.

She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.

Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.

Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.