We’re pretty stuck in our ways in this country when it comes to bathroom fixtures. Despite decades of marketing efforts by fixture manufactures, it still comes down to: Toilet? Yes. Bidet? No. Urinal? No. Of course there are exceptions, but for the most part we accept the standard toilet and reject the rest. As an…
After living in her 1950s Woodland Hills ranch home for 14 years, Cathy Nordlund set out to do something she had never attempted before –completely gut and redo one room to her heart’s desire. But because of her pragmatic disposition — after all, she was trained as an engineer — Cathy was mindful not to…
When I posted my bath vs. shower poll a couple of weeks ago, I assumed it would be a 50-50 split and I would prove my point: that we bathers are a powerful voting block. I was wrong. We got whooped. The totals so far on this question: Which is more important, a great shower…
In response to our lively discussion about the pros and cons of pedestal sinks (I’ve pretty much decided against it for my bathroom, thank you all), L.A. designer Enid Harris sent in before-and-after photos of her own recently remodeled guest bathroom. Here’s the story, in Enid’s own words: I recently remodeled my Westwood townhouse and…
Question: I am buying an older home with four smallish bedrooms. (actually two are very small and two are OK). I can either keep all four bedrooms or use one to expand the current master bath (which is a 3/4 bath). To add a tub to the master suite, I need to sacrifice the smallest…
When a reader suggested recently that nobody takes baths anymore, I had a serious reaction to that. My morning bath is almost like a religion. I get to read and soak and brush my teeth and moisturize and all kinds of neat activities that help me “peace out.” I can’t stand showers. How can you…
You know what’s needed during a stressful remodel? A shower experience! This new offering from Kohler is so over-the-top decadent that, well, it demands to be tried out. The Kohler DTV custom showering experience combines water flow and temperature, chromatherapy (colored lights), sound, and steam mist with aromatherapy to create individual showering experiences. Let’s say…
Astute eco-reader David sends in this helpful missive: “We just found a great posting on green alternatives for countertops. The list includes Richlite (used in a new green house in Claremont, pictured at left) and others. It also talks about why other materials are not so eco-friendly.” The list is at Get With Green, which…
I’m considering a pedestal sink for my 40-square-foot bathroom and I wonder if it’s a mistake. It’s exactly what I want for the space, and it’s consistent with the vintage look of the house. But I’ve been warned by a designer I respect that I will regret installing that sink and that I will eventually…
This is the master bath shower in a house that was rebuilt after the tragic Cedar Fire of 2003, which Wikipedia says was the second-largest wildfire in California’s recorded history. But from the ashes of the San Diego County fire came this opportunity to rebuild, and thus this shower. The flooring is slate, and the…