New Homes & Lifestyles

Bath Trends that Indulge the Senses - by Christina MacDonald

With today's host of indulgent spa shower fixtures, faucets that add just the right mix of personality to the master bath and glamorous finishes to top it all off, it's really no surprise that the bathroom has become a centerpiece of the home. As people seek relief from their hectic lifestyles and choose to spend more time at home, many home owners are choosing to design their bathrooms to resemble luxurious spa retreats.

When designing your new home, choose which elements you want to splurge on among the new shapes, finishes and technological features available today. If you're interested in green bath products, look for low flow fixtures or eco friendly sinks made from renewable resources. Bathrooms were once were straightforward and functional-but why regress when there are so many luxurious products out there?

Digital Age Showers

With the advent of features such as chromatherapy, massage and sunless tanning now being added into the shower experience, the sky is the limit for new and innovative bathing rituals.

"The shower is definitely taking center stage now," says Beth Thorne of Beth Thorne Design, based in California. "As our lifestyles continue to become more complex and fast paced, our need for frequent self care and regeneration is more important than ever."

Thorne believes the convenience of a revitalizing spa-like experience at home is a worthy investment, especially for those with busy lifestyles. "From integrated audio to customized body sprays to programmable water features, showering has become an immersive experience," she says. "Many consumers are realizing this and are investing in luxurious shower environments with the latest product innovations."

To meet home owners' demand for innovative shower technology, several manufacturers have created products such as rainbars, digital hydrotherapy systems and thermostatic valves allowing a bather to set an ideal water temperature. Some steam shower manufacturers have added music, sound and scent options. These enhanced features allow users to enjoy stimulating colors through chromatherapy and relaxing scents from an aromatherapy steamhead, which releases essential oils into the air during the steam shower. Stylized remotes and controls are also available in traditional and contemporary versions so home owners can match their steam shower systems to their bathroom décor.

"The response to shower tiles, rain roofs and other new ways of delivering water in the shower has been enormous," says Jamie Drake of Drake Design Associates, based in New York. "It gives the opportunity to create the desired spa environment in a new way."

Personalize the Master Bath with Fixtures and Finishes

The master bath is one of the most personal rooms in the house. It can serve as a place to relax throughout the day, whether it's a late night steam or midday beauty regimen. Choose fixture shapes and finishes wisely by avoiding finish colors or overall designs that work against the serene atmosphere you hope to achieve.

The trend in faucet design is innovation. "New shapes, which are veritably 'space age' are capturing the attention of designers and home owners," says Drake. "Finishes of the highest quality are in demand. We are still seeing the continued popularity of nickel plate in all its guises (matte, polished, brushed) but equally important are all of the bronze tones from the darkest, almost black to the lightest, which radiates warmth. Gold is on the horizon and will be returning in a big way."

According to Thorne, home owners are leaning toward fixtures with clean lines, which are replacing the more ornate and traditional fixtures. She notes the renewed popularity of chrome finishes over brushed nickel finishes and warmer finishes such as oil-rubbed bronze and medium bronze tones on more contemporary styled faucets.

The Eco Friendly Wave of the Future

When it comes to going green, many home owners don't understand how much water they can actually save in the bathroom. By replacing regular showerheads with low flow showerheads or implementing touch free faucets, thousands of gallons of water can be saved each year.

Manufacturers are responding to demand for green products with a host of ecologically friendly fixtures; some save water and others are constructed from renewable resources. When purchasing a low flow showerhead, look for one that features a flow regulator as opposed to a flow restrictor. Flow regulators maintain the comfort while averaging an impressive 1.75 GPM (gallons per minute) conservation rate (2.5 GPM is the standard).

"In 10 years time, I see high tech shower systems with programmable electronic controls and faucets with hands free technology being fully embraced by average consumers," says Thorne. "The water saving effects of a low flow showerhead is defeated when you have six body sprays, so the real responsibility lies with the user being conscientious about their overall water consumption."

Green solutions are also available in sink countertops or basins. Bamboo is a 100 percent renewable material and can make a bold design statement. You can also modernize your bathroom with a stainless steel basin. Separated and recovered back into the recycling process, stainless steel scraps are recharged into an electric furnace for melting and reforming into stainless steel. Steel is self sustaining with an excellent environmental track record as a material that is actively recycled on a large scale worldwide.

Remember, your bathroom has the potential to be more than a simple place for the mundane morning and evening routine; it can be your personal sanctuary.With all of the luxurious fixtures, finishes and cutting edge showers to choose from, you can transform your bathroom into the ultimate spa experience while still going green with chic sinks and faucets. Explore different design avenues and choose elements that ultimately embody who you are.

Christina MacDonald is Publicity Manager for DRS & Associates, a fullservice agency that services interior design and building products industries. Previously, MacDonald was West Coast Editor for Kitchen & Bath Business Magazine.

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