NEWSLETTER - FALL 2006

Luxury Baths for the Rest of Us
By Buddy McMahon

Let’s see if this sounds like you. You are thinking of remodeling that ‘quaint’ 5x7 bath in your apartment. You’ve “had it up to here!” with how “yukky/70’s/pink/etc” it looks and something needs to be done. You’ve seen it done on Trading Spaces, Flip That House, even Extreme Makeover; how hard could it be

You start searching books and magazines for ideas and fall in love with many items, fixtures and features that you see. In reality, your small space seems to be a big problem, right? Are those lovely bathrooms HUGE, with picture windows overlooking the ocean or mountains? We can’t change the view, but with expert insight, you too can have a luxury bath “oasis” to relax in.



The space problem is common in this country, especially in urban areas. I made a career of working on 5 x 7 baths and I’m happy to say there are many, many wonderful and pleasing solutions to this problem. Let’s address a couple of myths that you have probably heard about bathroom renovation.

1.

You MUST have a bathtub in the residence for resale. Read: Don’t change a bathtub to a custom shower stall. I say NONSENSE! The majority of Americans take showers; converting a tub to a custom shower is totally acceptable, especially with more than one bathroom in the residence. Potential buyers will be thrilled that you expended the money and stress on renovation. There is little risk in changing your tub to a shower; one tub in the residence is enough.

2.

You will never recoup your entire investment. The good news from the real estate industry is that you more than recoup your investment. In New York City, reports indicate you can get up to 136% of your investment back upon the sale. How’s that for money well spent!

Now back to the original point. What can you do to the average 5x7 bathroom?

Convert a Tub to a Shower
Converting a tub to a shower stall is one way to maximize space. Typical tubs average 27” x 57” x 12” of soaking space, great if you are 4’7”, but most people are taller and can’t relax in 12” of water! If willing to swap tub-for-shower, you can add conveniences to enhance the shower experience, including a shower bench and hand shower. Ladies, how nice to sit on a shower bench while shaving your legs, a hand shower within reach for rinsing off?

Get Creative With Plumbing Options
There are many interesting plumbing options that can economically upgrade your shower experience. His & her thermostatic faucets allow you to set the water stream to multiple fixed temperatures; body sprays (up to six sprays or the “full tilt boogie/ car-wash”); rain-type showerheads (rainbar or large disc showerheads); and the ULTIMATE feature – a steam shower.

Let the Light Shine In
Believe it or not, illuminated showerheads are in demand. The water stream is lit from above: WILD! Only ONE brand is “UL-Approved” and MY HOME has it. “UL-Approved” means the product meets international safety standards. Viabizzuno is Italian made, yet 1/3 the cost of the non-UL Approved competition.

You probably know that the bathroom is the new oasis for busy workaholics, just as the kitchen is the social hub in the modern home. OK, NYC baths are HARDLY an oasis, but you can use some of the ideas above or pictures from the Rocky Mountain magazines as guidelines. A MyHome Remodeling Consultant can adapt your ideas and guide you to products that have the desired look but actually fit in your space.

Now, sit back (obviously not it the tub, it’s too small!), take a deep breath, close your eyes and imagine walking into your beautiful, soothing bath ‘oasis’ after a long hard day’s work. Turn on the steam shower, enjoy the fixtures and accessories you’ve chosen to GIVE you the relaxing experience, sit down on the bench and let the steam melt away the stress of the day.

Sound good? Give us a call. We are a design/build firm, and that means one call, one responsibility, and most of all, guidance through this often overwhelming process. Please have a look our website... give us call....and let’s get started!

Ask the Expert - Latest Trends in Luxury Spas
By Clodagh

The search for a personal retreat or sacred space in New York City can be elusive. However, think about well-designed spas. Just walking in can provide a sensory experience that removes you from the world outside, creating a momentary oasis that transforms your well being. Residences are increasingly being built to replicate this feeling. Clodagh’s latest project is as a designer for the Caledonia, a new condo development on the High Line. Clodagh has designed interiors that create a serene residential refuge, and the belief in materials and textures inspired by nature and the city is the foundation of The Caledonia’s design. Here, Clodagh shares her insight with us and inspires us to create our own retreats.

What are the latest trends in luxury spas?
Thalassotherapy (seawater therapy), male-centered treatments, the Asian influence has always been present, but now its becoming more prevalent (my personal favorite spa is Banyan Tree at the Westin in Shanghai), aromatherapy and meditation gardens, water treatments, multi-functional treatment rooms, and of course, recent trends in home spa design; more and more I see individuals who want to bring elements of the day spa or stay spa into their own space.

How can I translate them to my residence?
All these trends are really about relaxation and centering. It’s important to make your home spa a sanctuary. Create a sublime, gender-neutral ambiance, welcoming elements from nature: wood, water, fire, metal, plants, natural light, and stone. A fireplace in the bathroom is really quite perfect (and unexpected) in the home. If you can’t swing it, then candles will do the trick. Don’t get too frou-frou: clean lines and simple forms are the most calming.

What space saving tips can you suggest for city apartments with small bathrooms?
You can create a sacred space with the most humble tools – a small stone fountain, a single orchid, a wooden trough with fresh fruit. My bathroom at home is only 60 sf, and yet I keep a small refrigerator stocked with champagne and chocolate so that when I get out of the bath I can always snatch a moment’s worth of luxury. Don’t scrimp on the details: Make sure even the minor touches are given proper attention: Towel hooks, toilet brush, soap dish – these should all be made from quality materials. It’s a little more costly, but you use these items every day. And put your clutter away! Hiding makeup, toiletries, and the flotsam jetsam of life away in cabinets and drawers will streamline your space and make you feel just a bit more relaxed and in control every time you enter.

With deference to your logo: earth, wind, fire and the air between, how can I best bring the outdoors in?
Large windows and expansive reflecting pools are hard to come by in Manhattan so I suggest you concentrate on incorporating natural materials and finishes, (sustainable if possible!), candles, and plenty of plants into your space. Invite nature inside - Even a small kitchen window box can become a private herb garden on the 45th floor. A fish tank can become a vertical reflecting pool, and a mirror or a large sconce can substitute for a window. I love solid, sturdy pieces, reminiscent of the natural environment: a solid stone coffee table, or antique ladders to create the illusion of height.

A one-name wonder who started a fashion couture company in Ireland when she was 17, Clodagh has consistently and with visionary zeal conquered the world of design. Named after a picturesque waterway in Ireland and raised in Oscar Wilde’s summer home, Clodagh has brought her trademark mix of spirituality, a passion for travel, and love of all things natural to her current role as high priestess of architectural and interior design. Clodagh is an award-winning designer and an author, and her company, Clodagh Design International, includes Clodagh Design, Clodagh Signature and Clodagh Collection. Visit www.clodagh.com for more information.


Design & Trend Report Spa-Inspired Products From an Industry Leader
By Greg Mitchell

As a manufacturer’s representative for Hansgrohe, a renowned maker of luxury kitchen and bath plumbing fixtures, I often see the trends developing before they actually emerge into the mainstream market. Hansgrohe works with world-renowned designers such as Philippe Starck and Antonio Citterio who collaborate with our in-house technical team to create innovative products. As a result, our offerings are consistently on the cutting edge, ahead of the trends. One major trend that I have seen in 2006 is the transformation of the bathroom from a room where we perform basic functions such as bathing and grooming into a relaxing retreat and private sanctuary capable of providing an in-home spa experience. Some of the latest products on the market have gained popularity due to the “spa-ifying” of residential bathrooms. Here are five of the most-wanted bath items to consider when planning your own spa-like bathroom.

Designer Names = Designer Bathroom
Whatever design style they choose, today’s savvy consumer desires a cohesive design theme throughout the entire bathroom. No longer is a faucet simply a faucet; consumers today want form and function to merge and also look for consistency in design and finishes across all fixtures for a finished, designer look.

Thermostatic Shower Systems
In a car, the component that determines power potential is the engine. In a shower, that component is the shower mixing valve. Most standard showers have pressure-balance plumbing, which means you have to set the temperature and pressure every time you bathe. In contrast, thermostatic valves are capable of maintaining water temperature to within one degree of the bather’s setting and can also provide higher levels of water pressure. Consumers are discovering the advantages of choosing a thermostatic system, including safety, power, and of course, luxury!

Showerpanels
Favored for their sleek appearance, spa-like configurations, and easy one-step installation, showerpanels have gained popularity in recent years. Pre-plumbed and ready-to-install, showerpanels are designed to optimize the nourishing powers of water. Whether you want to experience the hydrotherapy of full pampering sprays or the pulsing energy of massaging sprays, showerpanels are rich in functionality and offer the consumer a brilliant solution to upgrading the shower, while making it possible to avoid complete demolition of the existing walls.

Showerheads – Bigger & Better
Showerhead size and the number of spray channels are ever increasing to provide maximum water coverage and satisfaction. Most spas feature “rain” showers, showerheads with huge faces and amazing water streams. The showerhead choices on the market today are endless, but a few criteria can help you narrow the selection. Before you shop, think about what size showerhead would best fit your bath/shower space, your likes and dislikes about your current showerhead, and your style/aesthetic preference.

Handshowers – Practical & Convenient
People everywhere are discovering what Europeans have known for years – handshowers provide all the functionality and performance of a showerhead with added versatility and convenience. You can pair a handshower with a wallbar, and create a height-adjustable shower to meet everyone’s needs. Don’t need to wash your hair this time? Simply slide the handshower lower on the bar and shower from the shoulders down. Remove the handshower from its holder for a convenient way to bathe the children, wash the pets, or to make shower clean-up a snap.

Bathroom renovation offers you the opportunity to incorporate these trends into your home. Think about what you want to get out of your new space. Is it a showerhead coupled with body sprays, or maybe an easy-to-install multifunctional showerpanel? Whatever you desire, be sure to shop around for fixtures and finishes, and check out Hansgrohe’s innovative products. Designed by world-renowned designers, Hansgrohe offers consumers full collections of coordinating bathroom fittings and accessories. Contact a MyHome Remodeling Consultant for more information, or visit www.hansgrohe-usa.com for a complete product listing.