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S@H You call yourself a bathroom evangelist. Why?
BS Three decades ago, bathrooms weren't a priority. You had a choice of avocado, gold, white or pink tiles and fixtures, and the rooms were as big as a closet. My father ran a plumbing company, and my husband, Robert, and I started Waterworks to sell bathroom fittings and fixtures similar to what we'd seen in Europe. So we took a leap of faith and opened a showroom in the United States. But when we asked architects to come and see the showroom, they'd say, "Why?"
S@H What changed the thinking toward bathrooms?
BS A few things. For one, hotels realized they only had two opportunities to impress a guest: in the bedroom and in the bathroom . So those two rooms had to be memorable. Hoteliers succeeded, and people came home and said, "I want that." About the same time, Jacuzzi made a whirlpool bath designed for the home -- they'd formerly only been available for therapeutic use in hospitals. I also think the idea of a big, beautiful bathroom started making sense. With both parents in the workforce, a retreat became important. You couldn't lock the kitchen, but you could lock the bathroom door.
S@H We've witnessed a huge movement toward the spa bath. Will that trend continue to be strong?
BS Yes. The bathroom as day spa is a more recent phenomenon that's developed in the past five years. Now people aren't thinking so much about the hotel they stayed in but about re-creating the spa they went to. Spas have become more mainstream, largely because we're all so busy and crave tranquility. S@H What are the key elements of the spa bath? BS Everything revolves around water, from the oversize soaker tub, maybe even with a run-off trough to create a waterfall effect, to the highly functional shower with multiple settings and jets. The sound of water is hypnotic, and the feeling is soothing. The bottom line is that the spa bathroom is about personal comfort -- yours, not your family's.
Image courtesy of Waterworks
3 Comments
We are considering a frameless glass shower but have heard they are next to impossible to clean effectively. Do they need to be cleaned after every shower? The look is great but will it last or does the glass become etched. I would appreciate any ideas or comments you may have. Thank you, Shirley
Depending on the water in your city - make sure you have a water softener and the water will not leave a film on the glass. Also just use a sqweegie (!) after each shower - it takes 20 seconds to wipe down the glass - they sell really nice chic stainless or clear plastic ones at better home/bathroom accessory boutiques. I have had framelss glass showers for the last 12 years and never have any problems. good luck!
Depending on the water in your city - make sure you have a water softener and the water will not leave a film on the glass. Also just use a sqweegie (!) after each shower - it takes 20 seconds to wipe down the glass - they sell really nice chic stainless or clear plastic ones at better home/bathroom accessory boutiques. I have had framelss glass showers for the last 12 years and never have any problems. good luck!