Cast iron tub with claw feet. Photo: jakabare.com
To take the edge off the pressures of daily life, many Americans are cultivating ways to relax and de-stress in their own homes by turning their bathrooms into spa-like sanctuaries. New bathroom technologies—from steam showers, body sprays, and hydro-massage shower heads to towel warmers, chromatherapy components, and radiant-heat floors—have emerged in recent years to soothe tired muscles, relax the body, and calm the mind.
Central to many of today’s spa-inspired baths are freestanding soaking tubs, which have replaced the Jacuzzis and sunken garden bathtubs that were ubiquitous in design a few years ago. These old-style soaking tubs forego the noise and vigor of bubbling jets in favor of a deep, quiet soak. The tubs also come in a wide range of materials and finishes, such as wood, copper, and enamel, and often feature accents like old-fashioned claw feet or organic, modern shapes.
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5 Ways to Create a Perfect Garden Room
Photo Courtesy: Andrea Maier
Unlike the glass-enclosed garden rooms or conservatories in the UK—glazed interior spaces that provide visual access to the great outdoors—garden rooms in this country are generally open-air spaces (porches, screened-in sunrooms, covered terraces, or patios wrapped with tall hedges) that ease transition from interior spaces to an exterior garden or lawn.
Whether designed as a retreat for quiet contemplation or as an outdoor entertaining area for gatherings of family and friends, a garden room is most appealing when merged with some indoor creature comforts. Long Island, New York designer Andrew Maier offers these suggestions for bringing out the best in outdoor living spaces.
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- 9 Designer Tips to Maximize Small Bathroom Design
9 Designer Tips to Maximize Small Bathroom Design
Photo courtesy: Lawrence Duggan
Small baths can live large when designed with care. Choosing the right materials, fixtures, and fittings is key, as is thoughtful spacing planning and a considered emphasis on scale. For ideas on how to make the most of a compact bathroom, we turned to interior designer Lawrence Duggan, principal of Manhattan-based, full-service residential interior design firm LD Design, which specializes in custom kitchens, bathrooms, and built-in cabinetry. Here’s a roundup of his recommendations:
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Eldorado Stone’s “Non-Stone” Fireplace Surrounds
Eldorado Stone
Love the idea of a stone fireplace mantel but turned off by the high price? Eldorado Stone—one of the leading manufacturers of stone veneer siding products—delivers a welcome solution: fireplace surrounds that look just like those made of stone but at a fraction of the price, weight, and installation.
Hand-crafted with a proprietary blend of natural limestone, other minerals, and materials, each surround is finished in a labor-intensive four-step process to give it a one-of-a-kind look. Since the product consists of molded profiles rather than solid stone, it is easily shipped and comes complete with mounting brackets, trim, hearthstone, and mantel. Additional accessories are also available.
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