Design | Wellness | Cabinetry
Those who have dreamed of showering in the rain will be interested in the KOHLER ‘Real Rain’ storm shower head that is designed with 775 different nozzles and the innovative Katalyst air-induced technology that recreates the feeling of raindrops in varying sizes. Continue reading “Real Rain from KOHLER”
This weekend Wetsyle, a Montreal-based manufacturer of premium bath furnishings, is introducing their new W2 brand at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF).
“W2 is a new brand of products that is simplified in design, shape and fabrication. It is available at a more modest price point to reach a broader audience of people passionate about beautiful design.” – Mark Wolinsky, Wetstyle president
The W2 brand will include 3 free-standing tubs, 2 of which are designed to fit within the footprint of a traditional soaking tub alcove 60″ long x 30″ deep. This is such great news for remodelers who struggle to find stylish tubs under 60″ in length. Another great feature I like about the tubs is the hidden overflow drain.
The new tubs are made by hand with WETMAR BIO, a proprietary stone composite material that is slip resistant with natural insulating properties.
The W2 Wave Tub is inspired by a gently rolling ocean wave. The elegant lines of this tub will work in both Transitional and Contemporary Bathrooms.
The W2 Straight Tub features tapered lines and rounded corners for a more modern profile.
The W2 Cloud Tub, the largest of the three, has a delicately rolled rim and beautiful lines that give it a timeless transitional look. Incorporating the optional base transforms this tub into a traditional statement piece.
Sometimes people ask me what I read when I’m surfing the web. Here’s a collection of posts that I found worthwhile.
Over on Hadley Court, Leslie Carothers put together a great post discussing the true remodeling costs and important remodeling considerations for kitchens based on data from industry professionals, Houzz, and Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs Value Report.
The Founder of KBCULTURE.com, Leslie Clagett always covers what’s new in appliances and innovative technology. I liked her post showing GE’s new combination of their Café Refrigerator with hot water dispenser technology with a Keurig K-Cup Brewing System. I think we all like the idea of being able to remove one more appliance from the countertop area. Sadly, it won’t be available until later this year.
“As an innovator in the personal beverage system industry, Keurig is excited to partner with GE and to be the first to offer hot single-cup technology right from a refrigerator.”
In addition to Blogs written by designers, I also read Blog posts from manufacturers. I recently discovered that Systempool, part of the Porcelanosa Family, offers the new Attica shower enclosure collection.
A large part of the value of an Attica enclosure is the availability of customization. Systempool realized that not all bathrooms are shaped the same – some have sloped ceilings, steps or structural columns that have to be addressed.
Jeanne Chung is a gifted Interior Designer whose blog is titled Cozy•Stylish•Chic. Her posts are fabulous and I hope one day soon we will meet. (We’ve both been on Modenus BlogTour trips but not together.) I am sharing her post on 3 Must-Have Luxury Kitchen Appliances from Thermador.
My favorite of the three is the Freedom Induction Cooktop which is the first full-surface induction appliance with the flexibility of a natural-mapping user interface. This technology recognizes cookware size, shape and position, and delivers heat to these targeted areas (up to 13″ x 21″),while all other areas not in contact with a pot remain cool.
The new trimless model with first full-color touch-screen interface can heat up to four pots at a time. The 36″ cooktop is built with 48 individual 3-in. heating elements below the surface of the appliance, which translates to a 63 percent more effective cooking area on the surface.
This year brought us the use of matte black fixtures in the bathroom with the declined use of oil-rubbed bronze. Matte gold finish gained ground in fixtures, lighting and accessories – especially in higher end homes.
In 2014 contemporary bathroom design requests surpassed traditional. For 2015 I expect clean, contemporary design will still be most popular with curbless showers and suspended vanities incorporated into designs for continuous sleek tile floors.
LED lighting will not only be used in lighting fixtures on the ceilings and walls but also underneath suspended vanities and recessed to accentuate free-standing tubs.
Homeowners want bathrooms that are easier to clean and the corners and crevices behind free-standing tubs can be difficult to reach. Installing a tub in a semi-recessed design allows the bathroom to look more spacious and modern while eliminating the need to clean behind the tub.
In addition to providing easily accessible storage for bath salts and other bathing items, the partial platform allows for additional plumbing options for the tub filler placement.
The semi-recessed tub installation requires skilled installers that can carefully craft a deck that follows the contour of the tub.
As the 2015 progresses, more manufacturers will make installation easier by offering half-skirts to consumers. Cladding the surrounding decking will become faster and easier.
The semi-recessed tub can also be installed at variable heights providing customization for homeowners and plumbing solutions for drain configuration in bathroom remodeling.
Leave a comment if you think this trend will take off or if you think it’s too custom to get a foot-hold and will flop. Here’s to a prosperous and creative 2015!