Botticelli marble vessel sink from Kohler
Unlike standard bathroom sinks, vessel designs sit above the counter surface. Reminiscent of historical bedroom washstands that consisted of a wash basin and pitcher for freshening up, current vessel sinks utilize modern materials and designs to sculptural effect.
Contemporary minimalist drawer vanity. Photo: lkrunk.com
Traditionally, bathroom cabinetry was limited to small medicine cabinets above the sink and sink vanities with limited storage space. That’s changing.
In small bathrooms today, homeowners are putting in space-saving plumbing arrangements in order to use every cubic foot of their vanities. It takes some ingenuity, but if you can install the drain, trap, and supply lines and valves close to the wall, then you can buy a vanity with several deep drawers that slide under the sink. Drawers allow better organization of miscellaneous bathroom items—hair dryers and tissue boxes, etc. Drawers also make it easier to see and reach stored items.
If you don’t want to buy a new vanity, or if rearranging plumbing is not your cup of tea, one option is to install a pull-out drawer under the trap with shelves to either side of it. (ShelvesThatSlide.com sells DIY kits at a fair price.)
After so many years of classic chrome and nickel faucets dominating in kitchens and baths, bronze finishes are finally starting to get their due. While the sleek, silvery look will never go out of style, homeowners have a lot more choice now that manufacturers have embraced bronze and keep introducing new variations on the finish. As real bronze ages, the color can change dramatically, and these finishes reflect that unique quality of the metal.
Symmons' Elm Collection lav faucet in Seasoned Bronze finish
Apron-front sinks, once a great spot to scrub a deep pot, soak dirty dishes, or even wash the baby or pet, are a staple of traditional country style. Today’s models are now easier to retrofit or install in standard cabinets.
Instead of a deep apron-front sink requiring a custom base cabinet, innovative manufacturers like Kohler and Native Trails have created shallower versions to fit in standard base cabinets with ease.
Kohler's “Whitehaven” sink with short apron, from $990 for 30” wide and $1090 for 36” wide. The enameled cast iron finish resists scratches, stains, and burns, and comes in 18 color options.
Editor’s note: Since bathroom remodeling is an expensive undertaking, we reached out to Nate Berkus—TV host, designer and master of smart, budget-frinedly room transformations—for his advice on updating a dated bath. Here’s what he had to say:
Nate Berkus. Photo: Sam Jones
Consider the space. If you don’t have a lot of room, a full cabinet vanity—while enticing for the storage—might make the room feel small. Instead, consider a pedestal vanity. To make up for the missing storage, consider lidded baskets as a place to stow away all your products. If your space allows for a vanity, consider one that is open with places to stack towels.
Many people say their ultimate fantasy as a child was the idea of being allowed to run amuck in the toy store. Once you hit adulthood, however, your fantasies alter quite a bit, which is how I came to fall in love… with the tile store.
Marble-patterned ceramic tiles with decorative mosaic insets and border
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:
Bathrooms are, like it or not, wet areas. Even if the rest of your house has gleaming hardwood floors, they’re not the best choice for bathroom floors.
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Listen to BOB VILA ON BATH FLOORING OPTIONS, or read text below:
You can renew your tub or shower area without the expense, effort, and environmental cost of junking your old tub.
homedit.com
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Listen to BOB VILA ON TUBLIFTS, or read text below:
Bob Vila Radio is a newly launched daily radio spot carried on more than 60 stations around the country (and growing). You can get your daily dose here, by listening to—or reading—Bob’s 60-second home improvement radio tip of the day. Today, it’s all about Bathtubs.
doubledogremodel.com
Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Listen to BOB VILA ON BATHTUBS, or read text below: Read the rest of this entry »
