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Imagination and technology have opened up an exciting new world of bathroom design options, from the functional to the utterly luxurious. Today's consumers can customize their bathrooms down to the last detail, and then infuse them with high-quality color, lighting and sound systems that used to be reserved for living rooms. In fact, a leading trend is designing the bathroom as if it were another living room. Major advances in plumbing have eliminated the need for an entire under-sink cabinet to hide the pipes and opened a new world of design opportunities. "Fixtures now come directly out of the wall," says designer Carolyn Robbins of San Rafael, California. "So instead of a cabinet, you can use a simple platform - a slab of rock or a panel of walnut - and set the sink directly on top. You could even bring your mother's dresser in and place a bowl on top as a basin." Lesley Pinder McCarthy, design manager for John Wieland Homes in Charlotte, N.C., is using a lot of vessel sinks in various colors, shapes and materials, including stainless steel, glass and ceramic. "White ceramic, especially set against brown or black, creates an Asian look," she says. "People want their sinks and faucets to look like pieces of artwork." Place a sink on top of a slim dining table or a console for a sleek look; add chrome legs for a high-tech touch. Minimize countertop clutter by installing shelving underneath to hold items such as fine soaps and gorgeous towels. "You want to expose these beautiful things that people love to see, because a bathroom is not just utilitarian anymore, but also beautiful," says Robbins. "People are living in their bathrooms today, instead of just coming and going. To encourage a leisurely visit, Robbins suggests putting in a chaise lounge covered in terry cloth, along with a matching ottoman to hold coffee cups and reading material. The ultimate in relaxation, of course, is a whirlpool tub or steam shower. Even trendier luxuries include radiant-heated floors; toilets with heated seats incorporating a built-in bidet, such as Jacuzzi's Refresh Personal Hygiene System; a shower "body" dryer that dries skin without the use of a towel; faucets with infra-red sensors for hands-free operation; mirrors with touch-screen capability for TV/Internet; remotes to control jet pressure and bath temperature; and recessed fixtures that can be raised with a remote or access panel such as Jacuzzi's Lift It TV Lift System. Create different moods with a sound system that can provide uninterrupted hours of music or nature sounds and use dimmers and other gadgets to adjust lighting with a touch of your finger. In a confined space such as a bathroom, you can feel free to express yourself. You can cover walls with bold colors, metallics or stripes. (This goes double for kids' baths.) If you prefer a monochromatic look, add visual interest with accessories such as bamboo baskets or personal mementos. Undecided? Pick a theme - retro, minimalist, Victorian. The last word in bathroom design trends is safety. Non-slip surfaces, easily accessible tubs and showers, heavy-duty grab bars and faucets with scald-guard protection have become widely available and will make your bathroom as safe as it is beautiful. |
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What are you interested in?Interested in reading about a topic we haven't covered? Email us at designteam@jacuzzi.com SourcesCarolyn Robbins Lesley Pinder McCarthy |
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