Next Generation Shower Drain Systems

The shower is no longer conceived of as a wet cell, but has become an inherent part of a whole room approach to bathroom design – showering is thus defined more and more by curb-less designs that do without shower trays. This style of showers require a new generation of floor drains to help maintain the boundary between wet and dry zones in your bathroom.

There are many advantages to using a linear slot drain in your bathroom shower. The most obvious is the sleek continuous look your shower floor will have. Removing the shower curb and letting your floor tile cover the the whole area will make your bathroom appear larger.

Quick Drain USA’s high-quality, stainless steel linear slot drains come in various sizes from 32″ to 60″ making it an easy choice for your next project. These 1 1/2″ wide drains have the lowest profile in the industry and are available with both side and bottom drain outlets. This linear channel drain is also very easy to clean. Everything is removable (including the shower linear drain cover and strainer).

For curved shower applications ACO Haustechnik has linked up with Glamu to create a free-standing shower enclosure. The shower drain system holds the curved glass element firmly in place with only one side fixed to a wall. ACO offers designer grates for their drains with 5 pattern choices that can optionally be lit with colored LEDs.

The Poresta Slot Floor Drain by Illbruck is well suited for the most minimalist bathrooms. The grateless 7mm drain positioned directly against the wall gives the shower the appearance of having no drain. Water disappears into a barely noticeable shadow gap.

August 10, 2009

Kitchen Critique

There are many things about this picture that I like and there are some I dislike. I like the open feel and the contemporary hood.

I like the deep chocolate color on the walls although I think I might like it more as an accent color on the right wall with a different color on the back wall.

I like the tall pantry cabinets for their ample storage and sleek, hardware-free fronts.

I don’t like the low wall cabinets. As you can see by the picture only a few books will fit under them. I also dislike the white end panels on the base cabinets. I’d rather see the wall cabinets either hung higher or sitting all the countertop. I’d remove the white end panels and run the countertop over the sides to the floor. If the wall cabinets are to sit on the countertop prefer the countertop not to match the cabinets so closely. I think a white marble would look better.

The sole beam across the ceiling also bothers me. I don’t mind the white on white but I think the ceiling would be more interesting if faux beams were added to create a nice visual rhythm.

This kitchen would also probably be very dark at night. Additional lighting should be added at the sink and at least one prep area.

What do you think on the T-shape kitchen? I think it might make more sense if there were a table and chairs located on the right side to create an eat-in kitchen. They might have been removed for the photograph to show off the cabinetry. The corner of the sofa may have been moved into the frame to keep the space from looking too empty.

July 31, 2009

Magnetic Artwork

A while ago I wrote about how you can add some whimsy and color to your kitchen with the top-mount refrigerators from Amana. Now you can achieve new flair using your existing refrigerator with a magnetic artwork kit from Motifo

One pack of 1296 magnetic tiles contains six colour-coded designs for creating your own masterpiece or you can use the Motifo templates to make portraits of Audrey Hepburn, Muhammad Ali, Pink or Yoda to name a few.

A pack costs $79.95 from motifo.com, where you can also download the new design templates regularly added to the site.

Obviously you can use these anywhere they will stick. I think they could be used to liven up a plain steel entry door or bank of filing cabinets.

July 29, 2009June 1, 2018

Freestanding Indoor Waterfalls

Here’s a great idea for adding the soothing sound of water and a little privacy to a bathroom without blocking out light.

This new Bellaqua Series waterfalls from Harmonic Environments are free standing making them ideal for an apartment dwelling where you don’t want a permanent installation. This waterfall series requires no external plumbing and pricing begins around $12,000.

If you closely follow the practice of feng shui you may want to place this fountain in your home office or use it to add balance to the architecture of your home. In feng shui, water represents wealth and a well-placed water feature in one’s home or office is believed to bring good luck, health and prosperity to the people and places near where they are placed.