SEVEN THINGS TO
FROM THE TOP: Quartz countertops are a top seller for its easy maintenance,
stain-resistance and ability to match most aesthetics; investing in a towel warmer
to ensure warm post-shower towels in the winter is a worthwhile splurge.
SPLURGE
ON
IN THE BATHROOM
Bathrooms have a major impact
on home value. But how to
spend wisely when remodeling?
We spoke with Marcia DuPree
at the Bath Splash Showroom in
Cranston to find out where
to indulge.
STEAM IN SHOWER
“This is a great splurge. There
are a lot of health benefits to
steam, from increased circulation
to stress management and better
moods.”
AIR-JET BATHS
“These also increase circulation
plus decrease muscle aches and
pains. I like the BainUltra Geysair
tub — it incorporates streams of
air to help maintain a consistently
warm water temperature.”
even if your hands are covered in pie dough. But this is
not the place to cut corners, according to Souza.
“It’s the number one thing to fail in a kitchen and
the resulting flood will wreck your cabinets if you
don’t notice it right away,” she advises. “Make sure the
internal pieces are not made from plastic — they should
be metal. On the automated ones, think about whether
you want battery-operated or hardwired, which can be
a problem in power outages.”
What about appliances? If you’re disappointed that
you don’t have gas service, induction cooktops are a
great alternative.
“Absolutely worth the money,” says Leah McLeod at
IZ Schwartz Appliances in Somerset, MA. “It heats up
quickly and is just as responsive as gas. Plus, clean-up
is easy because spills and splatter will not burn to the
surface like they do with traditional electric.”
A game changer in McLeod’s house is the Bosch
dishwasher with the My Way top rack. In addition to
being super-quiet, highly rated and extremely reliable,
it easily holds five cereal bowls which can free up some
valuable space in the lower sections of your dishwasher.
“Worth every penny, especially in a house full of kids,”
she says.
Steam ovens are another favorite because they help
retain valuable nutrients that are lost in traditional
cooking, and food is moister. The reheat mode takes
leftovers and turns them into a meal that tastes fresh,
a night and day comparison to something reheated in
the microwave.
Lastly, McLeod suggests spending a little more on good ventila-
tion. “Although it might not feel like a splurge because it’s not very
exciting, spending a little extra money on a better-quality hood with
a good capture area and proper airflow is really worth it,” she says.
“And this under-appreciated appliance keeps food grease off your
new cabinets!”
TOWEL WARMERS
“It’s always so nice to get out of
the shower in the winter to a nice
warm towel.”
WASHLET SEATS
“These are like bidet seats you
can put on your toilet without
needing an extra fixture.”
MIRROR WITH LED
LIGHTING
“These are always a great buy.
It brightens the room and
has better light for makeup
application.”
THERMOSTATIC
MIXING VALVES
“They give you more control
over the temperature and water
pressure for a more pleasant
shower.”
RADIANT HEAT
IN THE FLOOR
“Worth every penny.” ◆