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.

Kaya free-standing resin tub at Signature Hardware

According to New York designer Kent Brasloff, vice president of programs for the New York chapter of the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), free-standing tubs have largely been a high-ticket item but are now appearing more and more in the middle market. “For those with the additional space, they make a nice change by adding a sculptural element,” says Brasloff, who notes that these tubs are generally better in a non-urban environment due to space and weight restrictions. “This type of tub is a tricky fit in apartments, but in larger condos and single-family homes they can add a feeling of luxury and the sophistication of ‘spa,’” he says.

Brasloff suggests choosing a tub made of a material suitable for your space. Cast iron tubs are extremely heavy, for example, while those made of resin and fiberglass can be light by comparison. “Cast iron, however, retains heat better than any other product on the market and is available in a wide range of colors—it is also among the best at resisting scratching, fading, and chipping,” Brasloff notes. “Fiberglass, on the other hand, is the least expensive option with regard to price and is very easy to install,” although fiberglass products have a “higher risk of scratching and fading, as well as cracking.”

Herbeau Medicis tub in weathered copper and satin nickel. Photo: stylehive.com

Acrylic tends to crack and discolor over time but does provide a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, pleasing to many tastes and wallet-friendly, Brasloff adds. “Wood and stone are both bold choices that make a distinctive style statement, yet both reflect top-of-the-market pricing and require a high level of maintenance to retain their beauty.”

Relatively new to the market are solid surface materials that retain heat well; come in an endless variety of shapes, sizes, and colors; and can be easily repaired. “Prices for these tend toward the high end,” says Brasloff. “And you can also expect fairly long lead times with this product.”

Old-fashioned copper and brass tubs conduct heat at extremely high temperatures, are high-maintenance and extremely expensive, but they can offer either vintage or contemporary decorative impact and provide a stunning focal point.

Browse ten top bathtub models in our gallery Free-standing Tubs: Soaking up the Luxury

For more on bathroom remodeling, consider:

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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.

1. Top it off. “An outdoor room is best if it is covered with some kind of roof, or the suggestion of a roof,” Maier says. “For example, I like pergolas with lots of vine growth. They are romantic and so gorgeous, however they lack some practicality that most people need—what do you do when it rains?” His preferred option? “Custom canvas awnings are my favorite; they’re less expensive than you may think, and they create the effect of adding a room onto your house.”

Photo courtesy: Andrew Maier

2. Create a glow. “Lighting is best when many sources of light are used, preferably around the perimeter of an outdoor room,” says Maier. “A good rule of thumb is to use no overhead lighting of any kind, unless maybe it’s a shaded lantern with a low-wattage bulb. Also think about hiding the source of the light. A soft wash of light cast on a wall is so much nicer than seeing the glare of a spotlight.”

Maier also recommends bringing lamps outside when the weather is fair. “Decrease the wattage in the light bulbs by 50% and use buffet lamps on a bar or a big chunky lamp on an end table,” he advises. “Lampshades glow at night and make the space feel much more ‘room-like’ than any other thing you could possibly do.”

3. Stay grounded. “Try adding a synthetic outdoor rug to the mix too,” says Maier. “They are widely available in the retail and custom market, and they make the room feel finished and clean.”

4. Consider the context. “Whether it’s a pergola, covered porch, patio, or pool house, consider keeping the style of your outdoor room in sync with the style of your home,” Maier suggest. “You’ll be happier in the long run if you don’t try to create a tropical tiki hut for a Georgian colonial.”

Photo courtesy: Andrew Maier

5. Make it cozy. Defining outdoor spaces with comfortable furnishings and easy-care fabrics enhances their comfort and allure. “Outdoor fabric companies are now making softer, less “plastic-y”, and more ‘fool-the-eye’ weather-resistant fabrics than ever before,” says Maier, who prefers muted colors for outdoor rooms.

“Colors for outdoor fabrics should never be too artificial—keeping some ‘muddiness’ in the colors of the fabrics will ensure that in the harsh light of day, things still look natural and not jarring,” he says. “When I sit in an outside room, day or night, I want my eyes to be relaxed—not overly invigorated by a whole bunch of bright, busy fabrics.” He also gravitates to large furnishings in outdoor rooms. “I like an outdoor sofa or lounge chair that is grounded, bulky, and invites you to fall into it—when you’re outside, nothing small and fussy ever seems comfortable,” he says.

As for materials, Maier suggests going for what stands up to the elements best. “Teak sometimes works, but a woven synthetic faux-wicker type of sofa or chair that you see so often in catalogs these days is great, because it can easily be blended with other ‘less matchy’ things—from a pair of old iron occasional chairs coated with chippy paint to a modern coffee table.” Having a few major pieces that match is a good place to start, says the designer, “but mix up the rest to ensure that the outdoor room feels homey and personal and not stiff.”

To see more of Andrew Maier’s work, visit his website here.

For more on outdoor living, consider:

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Arbors: A Garden’s Best Friend
Bob Vila Radio: Outdoor Living Adds Value

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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:

1. Establish a focal point. “Keep color, pattern, materials simple,” says Duggan. “Do not load up with details, but do introduce one element that is bold or intricate, such as an elaborate mirror or pendant fixture, to create a focal point. As well, original artwork can have a huge impact in a small space.”

2. Include clever storage. “Use a wall-hung vanity rather than one that sits on the floor,” says Duggan. This type of unit not only creates an airier feeling in small space but also eases maintenance. “Recessed medicine cabinets and toiletry niches also take up less visual space,” he says. “I even recessed a small magazine niche in the wall next to the toilet in one bath. It was very functional and took up no space.”

Photo courtesy: Lawrence Duggan

3. Opt for frameless shower doors. “Use clear glass to maximize visual space,” Duggen recommends. “They are also easier to clean than shower curtain liners.”

4. Add interest with a mix of tile sizes. “I like to use large (24″x24″ or larger) tiles with minimal grout lines that match the color of the tile,” says Duggan, noting that a consistent tone gives a sense of more room. “That said, I also like to mix it up by using small tiles on the floor with large tiles on the walls or vice versa. The juxtaposition keeps things interesting.”

Robern Candre Light Sconce

5. Employ both direct and indirect lighting. “Use recessed lighting if possible over the tub or shower and sconces or wall lights at the mirror,” Duggan suggests. “Decorative lighting should be slim-lined. Try to find fixtures that have subtle details that won’t overwhelm.”

6. Use a variety of materials. In addition to tile, Duggan likes to layer in marble, wood, metal, and paint to bring in subtle textures with polished and honed finishes. “Polished tile walls work well because they reflect light,” says Duggan, who recommends selecting a honed stone countertop for balance.

7. Stick to one type of metal finish. “Mixing brass hardware with nickel faucets is not clever,” says the designer. “It’s just confusing.”

8. Be judicious with color. “The color palette in a small space should be simple—using one main color in a variety of shades throughout is soothing and calm,” Duggan notes. “In fact, I prefer all painted surfaces to be the same color—even the ceiling. If you introduce a secondary color, do it in small splashes.”

9. Go vertical. “When space is tight, put a hotel shelf above the door or high in the shower for towels,” says Duggan. “Or, in the bath of one of my clients, who stood 6’6″, I created a custom recessed medicine cabinet that measured 24″ wide and 50″ tall. He could reach those high shelves!”

For more information on the interior design of Lawrence Duggan, click here.  For more on small bathrooms, consider:

5 Small Bathroom Space-Busters
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Planning Guide: Bathroom Remodeling

9 Designer Tips to Maximize Small Bathroom Design Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com

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.

Eldorado Stone Mantel Detail

The newest surrounds, which belong to The Soho Boutique collection, add the look of clean-lined limestone to the company’s already diverse selection of surround profiles.

They  come in three colors—Oyster Shell, Oak Barrel, and Summer Wheat—to complement different kinds of décor, from classic traditional to minimalist modern.

The surrounds are also available in three surface finishes—a smooth Honed finish, a weathered, rustic Travertine finish, and a European-style Antique Castello finish—enhancing the customizable design possibilities.

And best of all, the fireplace surrounds can be installed by qualified DIYers in jut five easy steps. You can see the product and installation in the video below. To find out more, visit Eldorado Stone.

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Eldorado Stone’s “Non-Stone” Fireplace Surrounds Home Improvement, Home Remodeling & Home Repair - BobVila.com