Immerse Your Senses

Have you ever had one of those days where you just wanted to get away from everything and everyone and immerse yourself in your own little world? Close your eyes with me and imagine yourself floating aimlessly down a slow moving stream on a cushion of water and air bubbles.

The birds are chirping off in the distance, your body feels light as a feather, your breathing smooth and deep. You are on the verge of sleep but you are aware of everything that your body experiences.

You are at peace with yourself, you feel safe and secure as the sumptuous arms of the water caresses your body with its soft swirling fingers. Your being feels wonderful, like nothing you have ever felt before.

Your ears are partially submerged below the surface of the water and all you hear is the dull thumping vibrations of the easy listening music tantalizing every nerve of this vessel of bliss called your body.

The swishing water changes color around you; from blue to green to yellow to red and back again, each color heightening your senses in an undulating orchestra of harmony and perfection.

You are in pure ecstasy; you wish it would never end; you want to feel like this forever…Man, wow that would be the ultimate fantasy of relaxation. Could this be for real or is such a thing only possible in our wildest intimate daydreams.

Not according to Kohler, who has taken your secret desire and made it a reality. Just don’t tell your significant other or they may get jealous of your affair with your bath tub.

The Fountainhead VibrAcoustic combines the resonance of sound waves with the tranquility of water. This bathtub introduces an unheard of experience in bathing by completely enveloping you in sound vibration, chromatherapy and music.

Four pre-set instrumental compositions subtly guide your mind and body into deep relaxation. Let go of all your stress and allow the soothing vibrations of the music traveling through the water take you to places you never knew existed before.

Serene and Sumptuous Soak

Based on the science of sound therapy, the Fountainhead VibrAcoustic bath helps to slow your breathing and heart rate, gently reverberating throughout your entire body. VibraAcoustic technology uses sound wave vibration that has been proven to ease stress and enhance a feeling of health and vitality.

This synchronized blend of music, colored light and sound vibration along with the perfect water temperature combine to create an incredible bath experience that will enhance your calm and put you into harmony with your inner self.

With two integrated stereo systems, you can hear the music above and below the water thereby completely immersing yourself with sound. Each color change is choreographed to the gentle rhythms of the music making this a multifaceted holistic experience that engages all your senses.

If you prefer your own music you can easily play your own tunes through your own computer or the MP3 interface. The bathtub itself has gentle sloping curves that echo the curves of your body as it cradles your neck and head.

With these claims of ultimate relaxation, the VibraAcoustic bathtub would be a welcomed fixture in any bathroom.

But with a price tag of $9000 which does not include installation, the VibraAcoustic bathtub is for those who are really serious about their leisure. With an exposed deck installation of 88 x 48 x 24, installing this puppy into a small bathroom is out of the question.

All in all Kohler has a good idea that has shown some sound results from testimonials we have read. The VibraAcoustic bathtub is not just a bathtub; it is your own private refuge from the outside world that can transform an everyday occurrence like taking a bath into your own relaxing therapeutic home spa experience.

You can surf our other categories on how to resuscitate your dream bath by learning renovation tips and ideas, increase the usabilit[...]

Get Aligned With Proper Construction Principles

You enter your bathroom and get a sense of disconnection, you can’t quite place your finger on it but it just seems a bit out of alignment. Most newbie remodelers are either unaware or just have not been thought the principles of good washroom design. Straight lines, curved lines, edges, corners and decorative features of your room’s fixtures and furnishings create a visual abundance of pathways of sight within your lavatory.

Reduce Visual Interruptions

Unfortunately there are no absolutes when it comes to designing a room with style. So how do we overcome these pragmatic issues and optimally use these lines as a design element in your bathing area to create harmony and make the space feel more integrated? Based upon the fundamental principles of home decor, congruence can be created by strategically aligning the room;s components as much as possible. Synchronization creates a smoother visual transition within your lavatory’s space thereby reducing any optical distractions as your eyes pass over the crest of the objects.

Your Eyes Must Flow Around the Room

Any straight object, surface or edge in your bath creates a horizontal or vertical track which in turn carries the eye along its plane. Lining up architectural features such as the top of your door with the top of your mirror with the top ledge of your window sill with the top of a linen cabinet creates visual consistency that causes the eye to flow around the room as it moves from one component to the next without interruption.

Using Perspective

So now that you understand the importance of linear pathways in your bath, you can consciously apply these composition principles to the layout of your powder room. For example to make the room appear longer than it actually is, you can carry a narrow strip of contrasting tile along the length of your floor to draw attention to the feeling of perspective and distance.

Bridging the Gap

Another way you can apply lines as a construction aid in your bathroom is by tying two unrelated design elements together despite their differences based upon proximity. An illustration of this would be when it may be impossible to position bath fixtures so that the edges are parallel. By introducing an edge of wainscoting/molding or a strip of tile, paint or wall paper, you can still tie the features together by creating a visual representation of continuous unity that forces the eye to bridge the spatial gap.

Using Optical Paths to Your Advantage

To effectively use visual paths in the room you must first understand just how parallel objects contribute to the overall three-dimensional feeling of the area. In nature strong horizontal striations emphasize quietude and in your bathing chamber they reflect a more contemporary mood. An emphasis on vertical points in the compartment is more static and elicits a sense of tradition and formality.

Make the Room Feel Wider

To create a more volumetric looking washroom in a thin space, cross the narrow dimensions of the floor or ceiling to make the room feel wider. This effect can be created by simply placing beams across your room ceiling or horizontal tile on the floor. And don’t forget about the inclusion of diagonal strokes to create drama and movement within your bathing space. To add a sense of sumptuous grace and elegance to your home spa include curves and round edges, a classical bathtub, rounded countertops and tall flowing faucets.

Control how the Room is Presented

Good bath configuration highlights the best features in the room. Use visual trajectory to overcome the ugly restroom syndrome. While some of the composition of a lavatory is essentially generated by the space itself, using lines as a design element allows you to visually control the way your restroom looks and feels. Focusing on points of optical intersection to enhance the graphical flow of your washroom is of itself a personal choice, but you must not sacrifice design for f[...]

Lifestyle Changes Create Necessity

Compartmentalizing your bathroom can increase functionality and privacy. If you have an ugly bathing space that you are embarrassed about, it’s time to upgrade it so that it is not longer offensive and more user friendly. The washroom is one of the most frequently remodeled rooms in the home because house owners not only want more bathing spaces in their homes but they also want more amenities as well.

One important factor that will influence the design of your lavatory is the changing lifestyles of today’s families. Segregating areas into usable sections is in. Modern lifestyle trends dictate that powder rooms must accommodate the morning rush hour. This development has created more demand for bathing facilities with more space and more conveniences.

Multiply Your Rooms Capacity

According to statistics, the average size of a bath has doubled in size since the 1970’s. His and her sinks, separate tubs and showers, and separate dressing rooms have spurred on the trend of typology in rest rooms to appropriately divide the space , effectively increasing privacy, functionality and the flow of grooming tasks and traffic.

Designing a functional room requires planning, good information, and careful thinking about your layout. Look at dividing up your bath compartment as an opportunity to de-clutter the room. The one thing that will affect the design of the chamber is the amount of space you have. Needless to say you must work within the confines of the area. In essence you must divide and conquer your rest room space. Victory shall be the cry! Onward my fellow reno crusaders…

Sharing The Amenities

Experience has shown that a shared washroom is best utilized as a series of separate alcoves . The argument with this notion is that that is fine and dandy in a larger bath where space is plentiful but may be next to impossible in diminutive sized lavatories. While the size of your space does come into play, through the clever placement of your fixtures or by the inclusion of partitions you can still offer a sense of privacy and help alleviate traffic jams.

If it is just two of you in your residence, a simple solution for a sectioned bathing space is to position the toilet and sink on opposite walls. Another bright idea is to place a half wall of tile or partition between the tub and vanity table to distinguish one function from the other and provide a semblance of privacy when grooming or taking a bath.

Space Utilization Ideas

When compartmentalizing your bathroom you must allow enough space for each fixture and function. For example; if your toilet is in a separate enclosure, will there be enough room to step in and comfortably close the door behind you? Another useful recommendation is to separate the vanity and sink from the bathing area, this enables one person to shower while the other user is fixing their hair or brushing their teeth.

Of course a fogless mirror might be helpful in order for this to work. A good place to start planning when splitting up the roo m is to think about your daily routine. Reflect on what you normally do in the morning and before you go to bed and arrange the stations so that tasks do not overlap or hinder a second person if you have to share the space.

Reduce Clutter and Increase Accessibility

One important concern with compartmentalizing your bathroom is storage. It is important to think about where things will be stored to reduce clutter and increase accessibility of sundries. Sunken compartments in your walls are a great asset for maximizing underutilized space. When getting dressed, a separate dry area for hanging your clothes would be a bonus so you don’t have to exit the room to get dressed in the morning.

Or if possible, what about making your bedroom closet accessible from the washroom, this would also expedite the dressing process. And don’t forget about mechanical and electrical codes. Placing your plumbing on exterior walls is a bad id[...]

Protect Your Family

Consumer and government reports have stated that the bathroom is one of the most dangerous rooms in the house! Grab bars are safety devices designed to enable a family member to retain stability and reduce exhaustion while standing in the bath. These bath accessories can hold some of your weight while maneuvering to sit on the toilet and allow you to have something to grab onto in case of a slip or fall on slick bath floors but there is more to these simple devices than meets the eye.

Once considered a luxury or simply a requirement for aging homeowners for tub and shower safety these fittings are now becoming the norm for middle class households. And while they are commonly installed in locations that contribute to falls they can be placed in any area of the house to greatly increase the safety in any home environment.

Bring Style and Security into your Lavatory

As their use has become increasingly popular, interior designers have learned to incorporate these accessories into the bathing facility not only as a safety component but also as a decorative element that sports an elegant style to enhance the space.

Manufactures have also caught on to the popularity of these items and have listened to consumer demand for more interesting railing designs to come out with an assortment of colors, shapes and sizes to meet the specialty and accessibility needs of specific individuals.

Injury Free Future

The most common reason to install grab bars is to increase accessibility and safety for individuals with a variety of disabilities or mobility issues but why wait for a mishap to happen. As common sense will tell you it’s best to have a map before you enter the woods because it will be too late when you get lost. Preparation is key to any successful endeavour. Not only will you not have to install one in the future but you will also be prepared if the unthinkable happens and you or a loved one slips and falls.

Choosing a Model

Researchers have found that the most comfortable thickness to hold on to is one that has a circumference of 1.25 to 1.5 inches that is installed approximately about an inch and a half away from the wall in order to grip the fixture effectively.

When choosing a grab bar model it’s important to select fittings that are durable. While there are various materials out there, a stainless-steel construction that supports up to 250 lbs. will guarantee longevity and a sturdy support.

Increasing Accessibility at Home

Location, location, location, we have all heard how important this is in business and believe it or not the same rule applies to homeowners. One of the most popular places to install a handrail is above the toilet bowl and on the adjacent wall next to the toilet where individuals using a wheelchair can support themselves while transferring to the toilet seat and back to their mobility device.

When grooming, these rails can also assist home owners who have trouble sitting down. Another benefit of these handy supports is added stability if you have balance problems while seated or need help rising from a seated position, then a grab bar could effectively assist you with these matters.

Shower and Tub Fittings

The other common place to install handrails is in a shower or bathtub. Grab bars not only help the individual to maintain balance while standing upright or moving around but they can also be used to help in maneuvering in and out of the enclosure to lessen the possibility of injury.

Assisted Living Trends

One of the new developments in assisted living is floor to ceiling grab bars called security poles. These full length rods can be used in the bathroom or bedroom to help one get out of bed or get up from the toilet. And like most hand rails can be used to help support caregivers to lift a person if they need to transfer the individual from one room to another.

If you are installing hand rails in a new bathroom reinforce them with blocking. On the other hand if you are placing t[...]

How Much Space Do You Need?

Plan the installation of your bathroom vanity counter top with care. Measuring your countertop for replacement allows you to estimate not only how much space you have but will also help you determine the cost of your replacement materials. Because the top side of your counter is such a large prominent work surface and the fact that a fair amount of activity in the washroom takes place here. There its presence normally dictates it as being the centerpiece of your overall bath design.

If your surfaces are looking a bit dated or is damaged and needs replacing, there are many solutions on the market that are affordable and durable. In many respects planning and measuring your countertop for replacement is easier than planning for any other room in your home because bathrooms are normally the smallest room in your house.

Although space restrictions may limit the size of the work surface of your vanity as well as whether or not you have purchased a stock vanity base, there are still options you can incorporate into your design to overhang and increase the usable surface area of your vanity countertop.

The Center Piece of Your Design

Just remember when designing and measuring a lavatory countertop for replacement that it should not overwhelm the vanity or the room but fit comfortably into the space to balance the rest of your fixtures in your lavatory.

Your countertop is one of the first things that you notice as you enter the room, an off kilter work surface will create an unbalanced look and possibly unsightly tapered edges where the top surface meets the backsplash.

You can purchase building materials by the foot or by square footage, either way, before installing a new tabletop for your old vanity; it is paramount that you make sure the cabinet frame is level.

Calculating The Square Footage

The tools you will need when measuring your surfaces for replacement are: a carpenter’s level, measuring tape, ruler, pencil and some graph paper to record your dimensions. To calculate the length, width and square footage you must first begin by measuring and recording the flat top side of the back working surface of the fixture.

This is important when remodeling your bath because even if your counter is not in a straight line, this measurement will help gauge the amount of material you will need to obtain when evaluating the surface for replacement. When measuring, a good rule of thumb followed by most renovation professionals is to measure three times for accuracy.

Also to get an accurate account of the width, try to measure at the side edge so that the width of the backsplash does not interfere with your measurement. A typical bat h countertop measures about thirty-four and a half inches long.

Will Your New Counter be Larger or Smaller?

An important consideration before you measure your vanity top is whether you will be using the same area occupied by your current work surface or whether your remodeling plans incorporate an expansion of your existing counter space.

If you find that you can squeeze out more surface area out of your present layout by extending the ledge past the vanity and along an unused wall then you must realize you will have to purchase a much larger slab of surfacing material in order to build your custom expansion. Of course, the only stipulation with an extended counter is to make sure there is enough room to move around without bumping into other fixtures in the room.

There are many choices in affordable surface materials that are heat and stain resistant to be used for your grooming station. So keep in mind that you don’t necessarily have to make an expensive investment in granite when there are numerous prefabricated resources available.

Another thing to remember when replacing your vanity top is that you should measure the distance from the ground and also take into consideration the floor area occupied by the counter and vanity unit, not just the designated top of the work [...]

Capitalizing on the Money Already in Your House

A home equity loan can get you the grooming space you have always wanted. If you have been thinking about renovating your old bathroom but don’t have any extra cash stashed under your mattress but you at least own your home, then revamping the old bath may be closer than you think.

This is a type of loan in which the home owner uses the equity in their house as collateral; so in essence, the funds become secured against the value of the property. These types of allowances can be used to finance major expenses such as a washroom home improvement project or rudimentary household repairs.

The way it works is that the financing creates a lien against the borrower’s property, thereby resulting in a reduction of the actual home’s equity. The only real prerequisite to getting a this type of funding is that the homeowner is required to have fair to good credit history, and reasonable loan-to-value and combined loan-to-value ratios.

Home equity financing is sometimes referred to as a second mortgage and is usually, but not always, for a shorter borrowing term than your original mortgage. With that said, most of these lending arrangements are a one-time lump-sum advance that typically includes a fixed interest rate which is based on the going prime interest percentage at the time plus a slight margin.

Use This Type of Financing With Caution

While this might seem like a fair offer to consider, homeowners are cautioned against getting this type of funding unless they are absolutely sure they can afford to pay it back. The reason for this is simple: the creditor will seize the residence to regain the amount that was originally given to the homeowner by selling the property.

Homeowners will find that they do not experience many difficulties when being considered for a home equity loan and this is especially true for those that have bad credit. This is because lenders know that they do not have anything to lose and the possibility of getting back the money they invested in giving out the cash is far greater.

This comes from the fact that many people treasure their homes and will do just about anything to not default payments and this is the lender’s favor. In addition to this, the possibilities of selling the seized properties are endless given the number of new and existing homeowners that flood the real estate market in search of new property to buy or invest in.

Getting the Most Bang for Your Buck

When considering this line of credit for bathroom renovations it is important to get many offers from various lending institutions. This increases the chances of getting the best offer for the house in question and also getting attractive interest rates that will not burn a hole in your pockets. It is also best to ensure that careful planning has also gone into the bathroom renovation project to guarantee a higher return on your investment in doing the upgrade.

It would not make any sense to secure the large sum of money that comes with a home equity loan to only add a small value to your residence in the future—the sacrifice would not be worth it. For those that are in commission based jobs and earn unpredictable monthly salaries, the best option is to get a small home loan that is easier to manage.

Fully Understand the Terms of the Lending Agreement

The bureaucratic red tape that is present in many home improvement loans is not present in home equity financing; nevertheless, it is important to understand the terms of the arrangement before signing any agreement. You will need to know if you will be penalized for paying off your loan early and also what percentage of interest and principal your monthly payments will cover. Failure to do the necessary research can mean being faced with a balloon payment at the end of the lending term or being forced to pay penalty fees for retiring the loan.

Home equity credit advances are generally quick approved financing that open many doors f[...]

Leave Behind Lackluster Lighting

Artificial lighting has the power to dynamically impact the feel of your bathroom, whether it is calm and relaxing or purely functional. Lighting fixtures range from decorative classical style wall lamps to trendy modern recessed down lighters that are non obtrusive and add a sense of purity and simplicity to the decor.

In this audio we look at the several different types of artificial illumination: ambient, task and accent lighting. At minimum your washroom needs two types of artificial lighting to create impact: the bright and lively kind that gives clear bright illumination and the soft, subtle, relaxing kind for those quiet moments when all you want to do is let go of all your worldly cares.

Bath lighting that sizzles with excitement!

Love to Renovate

Save Money and Resources

Using energy efficient devices in your bathroom not only helps the environment, but products that reduce water waste can also save you money by reducing your monthly utilities bill. Your washroom is obviously a place where liquid flows freely out of your taps, your shower, and your toilet and it’s important to introduce ways to con serve whenever possible so you can realize those cost savings.

When it comes to water saver technology, many fixtures are relatively inexpensive and are fairly easy to incorporate into your bathroom. There are obviously many different types of water saving devices out there; most are available online or at your local hardware store. This article will focus on three low flow products: low flush toilets, low flow showerheads, and low flow faucet aerators.

Dual Flush Water Saving Toilet

Low flush toilets are a great addition to any lavatory simply because normal toilets are extremely wasteful. Think about this when it comes to flushing your toilet: the average, regular model uses about 3.5 gallons (13.2 litres) of water for every flush, while low flush fixtures use about 1.6 gallons (6 litres) per flush. For an average family of four, that amounts to a substantial reduction that will shrink your consumption by about 16,000 gallons (60,566 litres) per year. What an impressive environmentally friendly solution!

Reduce the Waste

Low flush toilets aren’t a technological marvel, they’re simply part of a solution to easily conserve water at home because they use only the amount of liquid needed to properly flush. This environmentally friendly product installs just like a regular toilet and the initial cost outlay is not that much higher. Given all of the water you’ll conserve and the amount you can reduce your monthly bill by, you’ll realize great savings over the life-span of this fixture.

Another great option for your liquid conservation system is a dual flush toilet. These washroom implements can be a great part of your green living strategy. Dual flush toilets do exactly as the name would suggest: they give you the option of two different types of flushes, depending on what you are (ahem) flushing. This is a more manual method of water conservation but also gives you control by allowing more liquid use when you need it.

Of course, it is also possible to turn any regular toilet into a low flush, water efficient product. All you have to do is get a one gallon (4 litre) jug that you can fill with water and seal. Place this jug in the tank of your toilet, which will act as a low-tech water displacement device. Then, each time you flush, your tank only fills as much as the gallon jug will allow, thus creating a low cost water saving device you can implement right away.

Energy Efficient  Fixtures

Most people realize that taking a shower is a great conservation tactic over taking a bath. But to reduce your water depletion even more, you should consider installing a low flow showerhead. These energy efficient products work by simply reducing the flow of H20, but they don’t affect the pressure or the quality of your shower. Low flow showerheads can reduce your water use by as much as 70%.

For even greater liquid reduction, you can install an on-demand showerhead that also comes with a shut-off button, thus turning your shower into an ultra water saving device. What this does, is let you easily interrupt the water supply while you lather up or shampoo your hair. Water that would have gone down your drain and be wasted, is now stopped when you don’t need it, and quickly turned back on when you want to use it.

More Water Conservation Products

Another excellent, easily installed device is a faucet aerator. These handy products reduce water use by adding air into the flow. You won’t notice a change in your water pressure, but you will notice a reduction in your utility bill. Faucet aerators are easy to install and can be connected to most existing taps with a few basic plumbing tool[...]

High Style on a Limited Budget

Have you ever walked into a friends or neighbour’s bathroom and said to them in awe, this is incredible! How can you possibly afford such materials? And then to your amazement they let you in on their little secret and told you everything was a synthetic imitation of the real thing. The idea of fabulous fakes has been around since around the 1930’s when plastic laminate was first introduced into the consumer marketplace. Everyone wants their bathing space to look wonderful but not every person can afford expensive oak or real marble. Manufactures keen to fill this eager need have been hard at work creating building supplies that simulate natural stone and wood products but are far more competitively priced and require much less maintenance.

Flexibility and Enduring Resilience

From countertops to ceilings, flooring resources and wall panels, these sumptuous synthetics are available in an extraordinary amount of colors, patterns and finishes to mimic just about any naturally occurring building material created by Mother Nature. Because these surfacing supplies are man-made fibres, they can be pre-formed into any shape and installed quicker and more economical than their naturally occurring counterparts. Science and technology has made laminate flooring compounds that imitate, tile, wood and stone for sure footed durability and lasting brilliance. And for the budget conscious, resilient vinyl floor covering comes in a variety of ready to use and easy to clean manufactured patterns that resemble the real thing.

The Real Deal With Superior Compounds

Solid surfacing was introduced to master builders about three decades ago and the home improvement community has not looked backed since. What makes this synthetic so likeable is the fact that it is not only tough, has color throughout the whole compound (usually made of polyester or acrylics) but the fact that it is malleable and can be formed into any shape. This pliability makes it the perfect thing for architectural edges and integral under-mount vanity sinks with the look and feel of stone. Tub surrounds can be custom made to produce an elegant design by forming an intricate edge trim to simulate a variety of faux-stone finishes. Dress up your counters and surrounds by incorporating great looking edge treatments and give your bath a sense of distinction.

Health Conscious Choices

Today’s building composites mix quartz compounds with man-made resin to create coatings that are nearly invulnerable to everyday bathroom use. They can be mass-produced to duplicate the pigmentation, veins and swirls of naturally occurring physical components that even a seasoned interior designer would be hard pressed to tell the difference. And to sweeten the deal even further, advanced technology has even integrated an antibacterial layer into the product that repels mold and mildew so your home spa stays safe and clean for allergy sufferers. To top it off, the composition has been engineered to resist the chemicals and acidic cleaning substances that can inevitably stain natural stone such as marble or granite.

Look Almost as Good as Stone

Solid surfacing or composite materials can seamlessly fit right into any home décor and these stone look-alikes offer the homeowner low maintenance with the feel of luxury that can be blended with traditional building elements. These surfaces are exceptionally hard and durable, not easily scratched and resist staining. Surface damage can be sanded out fairly easily. If you ever had to deal with the sometimes trying maintenance schedule of natural stone you will appreciate the fact that these manufactured composites do not need to be sealed for protection or to enhance its lustre. Sometimes the real thing isn’t always the most practical building supply.

A Genuine Treatment to Meet Your Low Maintenance Needs

No one can dispute the splendour and extravagance of natural stone, just be prepared to put in the effort to keep it look[...]

Don’t You Make This Newbie Mistake

So what do you do now? Having a remodeler redesign your bathroom can be a fun and exciting experience or it can turn out to be a horrendous incident straight out of Nightmare On Elm Street. If you do not choose a qualified and honest remodeler, your bathroom renovation project could literally cost you a small fortune, and could be a very disappointing venture.

Knowing what to look for in a remodeler, is the first step to hiring the “right” person for the job. So it’s very important to do your homework! In this audio we tell you the steps you must take to protect yourself from the scam artist that prey upon the innocent home owner.

And remember you can always check out The Canadian Home Builders Association, and The National Association of Home Builders, to find some of the best contractors in your area.