SPECIAL SECTION: HOME IMPROVEMENT
THE GREAT ESCAPE –
YOUR BATHROOM
Though your bathroom may not spring
to mind as the place to hold your next
cocktail party, with the right accoutrements,
your bath can be a great place to hang out
and enjoy life. And if you live with family
members, it may be the only place in your
house where you can truly be alone for a bit.
Besides just being a place to “get ready”
to meet the day, it’s also a relaxing space to
recharge your batteries after a long week at
work. Hydrotherapy is one of the best ways
to relieve stress and help tired, overworked
muscles. With tons of specialized
showerheads, you can have everything from
the sprinkle of a gentle rain to an invigorating
massage to bring your body back to center.
And a nice relaxing bath in a soaker tub can
make the world go away for a while.
Does all of this sound like a fantasy?
Maybe not. According to designer Mary
Laipple, Director of the Kitchen and Bath
Design Studio at 84 Lumber, you may be able
to make updates to your bath for less than
you might expect.
“If a homeowner is just updating and
not moving plumbing, heating ducts and
electricity, the makeover can start at around
$10,000,” says Laipple. And the choices for
today’s bath are incredibly enticing. Laipple
says that many homeowners are opting for
larger showers that will not only get you
clean, but can also bathe you in LED lighting
that changes colors to suit your mood.
You can also enjoy your favorite music in
the shower to either calm you down after
a stressful day, or pep you up for the daily
routine.
Vanities and bath cabinetry have also
arrived in the 21st century. Vanities are no
longer empty-shell cabinets that open to a
cavernous interior with little customization.
Current options for drawers and cabinets
include specialized areas for storing your
blow dryer neatly away and stackable storage
options for makeup. And while you’re
standing in front of that vanity applying your
makeup, you can watch TV in the mirror!
New technology allows your favorite TV
program to be projected onto the mirror,
so you can keep up with the latest baseball
scores or check the weather before going out.
Slate and marble tile are always elegant
options for bathrooms, but one of the latest
trends in baths are porcelain tiles that mimic
wood. These tiles come in sizes up to 48” and
can be laid to look like natural woodgrain,
without the worry of water damage. Laipple
notes that the woodgrain appearance really
warms up the bathroom.
And speaking of warm – your toilet can
be warm too. Homeowners can opt for a
“throne” with a retractable base that comes
out and heats your feet as well as the seat of
the toilet. And new touchless flushing helps
prevent the spread of germs among your
family, along with a bidet, which ensures a
much cleaner experience.
You spend so much time in your bathroom
every day. You owe it to yourself to make
it a more enjoyable place. And, according
to HGTV.com, bath remodels often offer a
return on investment of more than 100%!
KITCHEN CUISINE
Whether your cooking style is Chicken
Cordon Bleu, or just some great Pad Thai
take-out from the corner restaurant, you
need a place to prepare your meals that’s fun,
organized and feels like home.
Even in today’s hectic lifestyle, you’ll
probably spend a significant amount of time
each day in your kitchen.
Though it’s a significant investment
to update your kitchen, it’s a worthwhile
endeavor from both a personal standpoint
and a financial one. And like bathroo