Phoenix Woman - The Best of Bath

PHOENIX WOMAN—THE BEST OF BATH

It’s no secret that homeowners are sinking money into luxurious whirlpool tubs, showers reminiscent of rainforest deluges, and impressive sinks and faucets. After all, bathrooms do recoup their value and offer a superb place to relax and rejuvenate. When looking to revamp the bathroom, the biggest question may be “Which style should I go for?” With new options in luxury bathrooms, choosing from among them can be overwhelming. Keep the following ideas in mind to incorporate the “best of bath” in your very home.

BATHROOM BAUBLES
“Bathroom bling” has become the best way to showcase new design trends. Today, fancy fixtures feature strips of diamonds, crystal accents and precious gemstones. Lindsey Schultz, senior designer of Scottsdale-based firm Ownby Design, recommends keeping items such as Swarovski crystal knobs to a minimum because then, they retain a special quality. “Real contemporary bathrooms have been moving away from hardware altogether,” she adds. “Having pulls integrated in the door and drawer faces creates the most clean, minimal look.”

BATHROOM MUST HAVES
- Heated floors
- Towel warming drawers
- Secondary laundry rooms connected to master bath and closets
- Steam showers
- Limestone, travertine and marble remain the most popular choices for flooring, showers and countertops
- Basalt (lava stone) tiles are becoming popular for all bathroom styles

SHOWERED WITH OPTIONS
Showers are gaining in popularity since most busy homeowners don’t have the time to enjoy their soaking tub. There have been several innovative shower fixtures introduced to the market and Schultz says if you have the space, large showers with his and her showerheads are very popular. “Shower fixtures that include a personal hand shower in addition to a fixed showerhead are heavily requested as are in-wall body sprays,” she adds.

THE FINISHING TOUCH
Luxurious finishes are the key to a stylishly seamless bathroom. While decadent whirlpool bathtubs, showers with all the fixings and a gorgeous backsplash in the finest glass tile make an impact, the “wow” factor will be lost if your fixtures sport an outdated finish. “Stay away from polished brass because nothing will make your home look more dated than that finish,” Schultz advises.
For the modern bath, many customized finishes such as a matte gold and carbon are hitting the scene. “The satin nickel and stainless steel finishes are always popular for contemporary bathrooms, and in the last few years, polished chrome has actually made a comeback,” Schultz says. “For the transitional and traditional bathrooms, satin nickel and oil rubbed bronze are the most popular choices.”