Who says that functional needs to be ugly or boring? When you are working with professionals, you can have function AND beauty. Take a look at this beautiful project by Michael Menn Ltd.! We were tapped to provide our Siteline cabinets for a streamlined, budget-friendly solution!
As you can see, function is a priority. Michael’s team provided lighting in the toe-kick area for illumination at night, a zero-height threshold in the shower, shower seat that folds up, and a number of grab bars that aren’t institutional looking. We also provided a tall storage cabinet with roll-out shelves at a height that makes them easy to access and a storage bench where the owners can rest while toweling off after their shower. This bathroom is calm, beautiful AND provides a haven for the owners to enjoy for many years. Thank you, Michael, it’s always great to partner with you!
Last week we talked about some of the results of Houzz’ Bathroom Trend report, in which they polled around 1500 users from across the country to find out what trends are shaping choices for bathrooms. Here are some more trends we’re seeing which can assist you in considering what’s important to you for your remodel or new build.
You have a love-hate relationship with tubs. They’re either eliminated entirely for a larger shower or they become a star in the bathroom in the form of free-standing, flat-bottomed tubs, or deeper soaking tubs. Gone (for the most part) are the Jacuzzi tubs of old. Sometimes clients have old tubs that seem to take over the whole room and don’t get me started on the tiled stairs leading to it!
Floating vanities are becoming more popular! I find that you can still have great storage without the heaviness of cabinets sitting on the ground. This trend also speaks to the tilting towards a more “Modern” design aesthetic.
Premium features worth the splurge. Remodels and new construction always have trade-offs between splurges and saves. I assist my clients in finding the right balance between getting the best products and also the best look for the investment. Sometimes we scale back in one place to allow for a to-die-for element somewhere else. Here are the items that respondents felt were worth the splurge (and I agree);
One piece toilets with dual flush and bidet seats -in some respects this choice actually saves money because you don’t need to buy a toilet and bidet and being able to reduce water usage per flush saves on the water bill.
Rainfall shower heads and dual showers – many of my clients are taking advantage of these along with body sprays and hand-held wands for a full water experience!
Soaking tubs – we touched on this earlier and last week as well. There are so many fabulous tubs out there that can become focal points of a spectacular bath while allowing you to have a “Calgon take me away!” moment. For those of you too young to get that, google “Calgon, take me away!”
While these trend reports can help guide you in creating the bath of your dreams, professional assistance from designers, contractors and architects are the absolute best way to protect your investment and ensure your dreams don’t become nightmares!
It was great attending this educational event hosted by Caesarstone at Café La Cave! Ellen Cheever, one of the very first educators in the kitchen and bath industry, an icon and inspiration to me and many other designers is giving her farewell address to the industry. She will be missed but leaves behind a phenomenal legacy to generations of kitchen and bath designers!
KBIS Presentation (left); with Michael Menn and Nancy Jacobson (center); with Nancy Jacobson and Ellen Cheever – kitchen educator extraordinaire! (right)