Thursday, September 29, 2011

Santa Rosa™ 1.28 gpf toilet

 


Do you have a small bathroom in need of a new toilet? Our compact Santa Rosa fits perfectly in even the most cramped spaces.
 http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/detail.jsp?&prod_num=3810

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

Elkay sinks + faucets

Mystic sinks and faucets take their cue from water itself with naturally flowing shapes resulting in gentle designs to a make softened contemporary statement.

Faucet Finishes: Vibrant Stainless

Warmer than chrome but cooler than nickel, the Vibrant Stainless finish offers a sleek style that pairs well with stainless steel.









Browse kitchen faucets: http://bit.ly/3OiEyL

Friday, September 23, 2011

WaterTile Bodysprays

Sleek, chic and flush against the wall, WaterTile bodysprays allow you to surround yourself with water, and can be installed anywhere for a completely customizable shower.

















Square WaterTile: http://bit.ly/rcKAjz
Round WaterTile: http://bit.ly/r7TUah




Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Super-duper replacement sink

The ultra-thin edge of Elkay sinks + faucets Avado virtually eliminates the barrier between the sink & countertop making it a super-duper replacement sink. Four different bowl choices with cool accessory options.
 

Whitehaven Apron-front Sink

Inspired by farmhouse sinks of the past, our cast iron Whitehaven apron-front sink offers a fresh design for today's kitchen.












Browse new apron-front sinks: http://bit.ly/nKjTHi
Get design tips: http://bit.ly/njrYIM

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Water Sense

For a single bathroom, installing WaterSense-labeled fixutres can help save more than 7,000 gallons of water per year- that's enough to wash more than 6 months worth of laundry.

Kohler TV Commercial - Possessions

Monday, September 19, 2011

5 Simple Ways to Go Green in the Bath


The bathroom is a great place to go green: it's a room where you typically find lots of toxic chemicals; and water and energy usage in the bathroom often far outstrip its modest size relative to the rest of the house. If you can find ways to cut down on chemicals and resource consumption in the bathroom, you can improve your impact on the environment. Here are some ideas:
1. Think Organic Cotton
Bath linens made from organic cotton are not only comfy and soft, but they require less pesticide to produce than regular cotton towels. Manufacturers that use the slightly more expensive organic cotton also tend to use natural dyes and softeners that are less toxic to the environment than man-made chemicals and are gentler on sensitive skin.
Consider replacing your vinyl shower curtain with a heavy cotton duck curtain, says Annie B. Bond, author of Home Enlightenment and executive producer of green living content at Care2.com, a site devoted to natural health. "The plastic in a shower curtain is PVC, and the plasticizers in PVC are hormone disrupters," she says. "Those toxic ingredients can become airborne. At the very least, air out the curtain in the sun until it doesn't smell anymore."

2. Try an All-Natural Approach
Natural bath products are friendlier to your skin than chemical-laden offerings from major cosmetics companies, says Bond, and they won't create toxic air pollution. She recommends visiting the Environmental Working Group's Skin Deep website, http://www.ewg.org/reports/skindeep2/index.php, to research products you currently use and discover healthy alternatives. Her favorite natural touches include 100 percent beeswax candles, which are natural air fresheners and do not contain potentially harmful petroleum products, and handmade soaps.
A bathroom in harmony with nature can be a true oasis. "Create an ambiance in your bathroom that is beautiful and serene," Bond says, "using whatever elements connect you personally to nature. My own bathroom was once a very dark, dingy place, but I put in a deep soaking tub and windows on two sides so I could lie in the bath and look out at the sky. It's really beautiful."
3. Be Water-Wise
A low-flow showerhead can reduce water consumption by 30 percent, yet still provide a pressurized spray, Bond says. Another nifty gadget, a grey-water diverter, sends used water from the shower or bath to a collection container for distribution to your garden.
Insulating your water heater and lowering its thermostat to 120 degrees makes a real difference in the amount of energy used to heat your morning shower, Bond says. And consider replacing your toilet with a low-flow model if it's more than 12 years old. Although 1995's National Energy Policy Act mandated that all new toilets sold in the United States use 1.6 gallons of water or less per flush, if your toilet is older than that, it may use anywhere from three to seven gallons per flush.

4. Use Recycled Building Products
Remodeling your bathroom? Seek out tile made from recycled materials for floors, baths, showers and countertops. Thanks to recycling's popularity, colors and finishes are plentiful. Recycled glass tile is a particularly good choice for low emissions.

5. Clean Green
Finally, get rid of the harsh chemicals you use to clean tubs and toilets. Pay attention to the government-mandated warning labels on cleaning products; the terms used, from least to most toxic, are "caution," "warning" and "poison/danger." Aim for products that say "caution" only, Bond says, or seek out environment-conscious brands like Seventh Generation and Ecover.
Lest you think green cleaners can't do tough jobs, try Bond's solution for clogged drains: pour a cup of dry baking soda down the drain followed by three cups of boiling water. If the clog doesn't dislodge, follow with a cup of vinegar. The fizzy reaction should overpower even the most stubborn clogs.

By Karin Beuerlein
http://www.hgtv.com/home-improvement/5-simple-ways-to-go-green-in-the-bath/index.html

Vox Vessels Sink





The sculptural, geometric design of the Vox Vessels sink collection creates a focal point in the bathroom, perfect for any modern space.








Browse Vox Vessels: http://bit.ly/pA4O4b

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Hip Bathroom Tile Trends and Styles from glass to metal to faux hardwood!

TILE TRENDS
What do copper, stainless, hardwood and glass have in common? They represent some of the hottest tile trends currently popping up in hip bathrooms. Here's what designers have to say about today's latest bathroom tile trends.
GLASS
"Glass accent tile is really exciting right now," says Bill Wolf, owner of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen in Grand Rapids, Mich. Used for backsplashes, shower walls and as accents on floors, glass tiles add a depth, sparkle and luminescence not found in ceramic or natural stone.
With a broad color palette, and finishes ranging from glossy to flat, glass tiles can fit most design schemes. When used sparingly, vivid glass tiles can provide exciting visual highlights. Conversely, when covering an entire bathroom wall, glass tile can create a luxurious spa-like atmosphere.
Bonus: Many glass tiles are made from recycled glass.


METAL
Looking for a tile that complements either traditional or contemporary bathrooms? Gary Fratianne, owner of Creative Kitchens, Baths and Closets in Westlake, Ohio, says the natural choice is metal wall tile.
"Much more interesting than those huge sheets of stainless or copper," says Fratianne, "small metal wall tiles allow the homeowner to create different patterns and designs."
The most obvious application for metal wall tile is the backsplash. For a polished, contemporary look, Fratianne suggests going with stainless steel, which is available in finishes ranging from satin to brushed. Warm bronze or copper tile adds a timeless beauty to baths with more traditional style
HARDWOOD
We all love the look of hardwood flooring, but most contractors say it has no place in a moist bathroom. The next best thing may be faux hardwood porcelain tile.
"The tile industry has gotten really creative at manufacturing tiles out of one material to look like another material," says Christine Jurs, owner of The Advance Design Studio in Gilberts, Ill. "A perfect example is porcelain tile made to look like real hardwood. It looks fabulous."
Available in 2-, 3- and 4-inch planks, the tile is much easier to care for than real wood. And porcelain's natural resistance to moisture makes it an appropriate material for bath applications.


"PICTURE FRAME" A WINDOW
When Wolf points out the tile-bordered window in his showroom, his customers invariably say, "I can't believe how sharp that looks."
For a totally finished look, Wolf may suggest removing a window's existing wood casing and replacing it with tile. "We call it 'picture framing' the window," he explains. Wolf typically recommends a natural stone or ceramic border tile with some depth for the best results. And to really tie the look together, incorporate tile used elsewhere in the room.

By Douglas Trattner
http://www.hgtv.com/bathrooms/style-your-bathroom-with-the-latest-in-tile/page-4.html

Monday, September 12, 2011

Spa-Inspired Bathroom

We all aim for that serene, spa-inspired feel in our bathroom. Even if you can’t afford to remodel your entire space, there are plenty of ways to create a relaxing environment.

See more design ideas: http://bit.ly/nQ8ca2 







GROHE Wall Plates

Friday, September 9, 2011

The Kelston Ensemble

The Kelston bathroom ensemble blends gentle curves and subtle detailing for a look that's not quite modern and not quite traditional.




Thursday, September 8, 2011

Elkay sinks + faucets

A uniquely designed laundry faucet that has a spout that bends and flexes into different configurations for maximum clearance and adjustability. The spout stays in place after it is flexed.

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Keepsake Contest

KOHLER is giving away products from their new Tresham collection, a trip to NYC and more! Visit Keepsake Contest tab for details: http://on.fb.me/nx0QG6

Basco Shower Enclosures

I Hate My Bath will be featuring Basco next Tuesday, September 13th at 10:30 pm Eastern/9:30 pm Central time on the DIY Network. For more information and other scheduled air times please visit this link: http://www.diynetwork.com/i-hate-my-bath/show/index.html.

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Use Cool Blue to Update a Classic Kitchen








Fresh Flair

Traditional doesn't have to mean predictable. When Christopher Nicolussi and Francis Devlin bought their 1880s foursquare in Ocean Grove, New Jersey, they knew they wanted a roomier kitchen for cooking and entertaining, finished to fit their style as well as the rest of the house. Previous owners had carved out a rental unit, turning the original coal-stove kitchen with its sadly sloped floor into a makeshift knotty-pine cook space for tenants. Architect Mark Pavliv suggested siting the new kitchen there but enlarging the space by annexing an adjacent bath and opening up a back staircase that had been walled off.

Washed Blue

General contractors Eric and Kevin McNerney got busy implementing the homeowners' vision of a traditional kitchen—with a few tweaks. The McNerneys relocated the bath, leveled the floor, rearranged doorways and windows, and neatly finished cabinets with molding and fluted panels. "It was tricky getting it all to work," says Eric, referring to a counter angled to smooth traffic flow, subway tile installed diagonally in a herringbone pattern, and a heat register hidden in the toekick. Pale granite countertops and porcelain floor tile contribute to the room's welcoming look, but what really stands out are the cabinets, washed with a blue finish and warmed up with brown glaze. "We knew we could do white," says Christopher, "but I'm so glad we did something different. We love it."

Gathering Spot

The peninsula, a magnet during breakfast and cocktail hour, was made with a cabinet and coordinated posts that tie the gathering spot to the cooking space, and topped with an inexpensive counter stained to look like walnut. On the wall, a shallow cabinet, minus its door, was recessed for display space.

Integrated Appliances

Custom cabinets enclose the microwave and fridge for a neat, flush look.

Pop of Green

Blocks of unexpected color on the back staircase walls and steps enliven the area around the peninsula.

Bonus Bar

A sliver of extra storage space allows the desk-like peninsula to serve as a drinks station.

Convenient Cabinets

Pullouts flanking the range keep spices and cooking oils at hand.

Charming Mantel

The herringbone backsplash, mantel, and corbels give the range wall its polished look. A heat register hides in the toekick.

Kitchen Before

The dated space, part of a summer rental in a two-family Victorian-era foursquare, seemed designed less for cooking than refueling.

Floor Plan: Before

At 150 square feet, the rental unit's kitchen was short on function and style. 

Floor Plan: After

What They Did

Enlarged to 230 square feet, ringed with cabinets, countertops, and appliances, and finished with light-reflecting materials, it's a combination cook's kitchen and social hub.

1. Annexed a 56-square-foot bath and closed up its window to create the range wall.

2. Angled a counter and cabinet to improve flow around the nearby peninsula.

3. Widened the opening to the new dining room (formerly the living room).

4. Opened up a back staircase that had been closed off.

5. Built a peninsula with a cabinet, posts, and an inexpensive countertop.

6. Moved the back door and a window to maximize usable space.