Bathroom Ideas "Outside the Box"

Lately, I've spent a lot of time on bathroom design. It's been really fun! Looking through idea books, getting great inspirational images from my client, and shopping through catalogs has truly opened my mind to the versatile possibilities for the bathroom. There really is a solution to everything, sometimes you just have to think a little "outside the box!" Here are some great ideas I've found along the way...

Window-Mounted MirrorsRyan Associates General Contractors via Houzz

If you have a window in a seemingly inconvenient location, say, right where you want to mount a mirror, no problem! Just suspend the mirror in front of your window. It will just glow! Natural light is best for applying make-up anyway. With this solution, your face will be bathed in the sun. Here another installation :

Beall + Thomas Photography, Blackberry Farms design team

Bathroom Island

Better Homes and Gardens Bath Design Guide 2008

Islands are no longer just for the kitchen or closet. If you're running out of wall space and have enough room in your bathroom to float an island in the middle then go for it.

This Old House, Photo by Alan Shortall

You can anchor pretty much anything to your bathroom island. It can house your sink, bathtub, storage... whatever your imagination allows.

Faucet Location

Lori Carroll and Associates, William Lesch Photography

If you are working with a tight space, perhaps in a powder room, have you ever thought to mount your faucet to the side of your sink? This can save you the extra counter depth needed to otherwise fit the fixture behind the sink. I think it also suggests an edgy appeal. Here it is again:

Better Homes and Gardens Bath Design Guide 2008

A Twist on the Tub/Shower Combo

Design by Terry McGinnity for the Strings Hotel in Tokyo, Photo via Duravit

Here's an idea I'm applying to my current bathroom project. Having a sort of tub/shower "zone" in my situation was the best use of space but it really seems practical for other applications where you want a nice, large soaking tub with a separate, luxurious shower. It's nice to rinse of before or after a bath, why not have the shower right there? I think this solution is stunning and clever. Here's another take on that idea but still leaves the tub open to the rest of the bathroom:

Rhodes Architecture via Houzz

Below, another example of this tub/shower zone application. This is most similar to how I'll be applying the idea.

Feldman Architecture via Houzz

I am always looking for new ideas! How have you thought "outside the box" lately?

www.thekitchenandbathpeople.com

A Custom Kitchen : Sinks

We all want options. Demand (and, in some cases, need) along with designer innovation have led to some great options for the kitchen's "wet zone." With numerous options for sink depth, finish, style, and organization tools along with an endless variety of specialized and well designed faucets, the kitchen sink can be just as personalized as you!
The Cascade sink by Elkay has an integral drainboard and surrounding lip providing a perfect ledge for any accessories you choose, including a cutting board, wire rack, and colander. The drain board can act as a space to push these accessories out of the way when you need access to the whole sink. Embossing within the sink allows you to insert the wire rack at different levels, bringing dishes up to you and minimizing your need to bend over the sink.
Franke uses a similar lip design to support your sink accessories... but they take it a step further with an integrated knife rack and utensil wells!I love the open, industrial feel to this sink (it's really just the way the sink is installed). A great display for nice pots and makes everything easy to find... it reminds me of a chef-style kitchen. This is also by Franke.
For practicality's sake, here we have a shallow sink. This particular sink is from Moen. For anyone with back problems, this will certainly help alleviate any pains brought on from bending over to wash dishes. Like the wire rack in the Elkay Cascade sink, this bring the dishes up to you, minimizing bending. This is also ADA friendly. For anyone bound to a wheel chair, this sink's depth leaves plenty of knee space below (assuming you don't have cabinets in the way) and makes it easier to reach your dishes in the sink.
Kohler's Karbon faucet has style and function. With all its joints, you can position it to spray water exactly where you want and it will hold that position. It's like a little interactive sculpture for your kitchen, with a purpose! Being a brass and carbon fiber (the stuff road bike frames are made of, making them ultra light-weight) blend, the faucet can be manipulated with weightless fluidity.
Jado's Saffron faucet has the look you would expect to see in any chef's kitchen. This faucet brings professional kitchen design into the home. The high arching hose design provides maximum durability and flexibility and makes it easier to wash those large stock pots.Brizo's Pascal faucet is absolutely fabulous! This guy allows both hand-free and touch-control functionality which conserves water and makes clean up so much more efficient. Water can flow in both a spray or a stream. Just watch this video (link found on the upper-left side of the page) showing the Pascal in action. Quite the culinary experience. Touch free makes life so much easier when dealing with raw meat!!

Have you ever wondered how a custom sink might make your life easier? If you live in North Carolina's triangle area and are interested in customizing your kitchen, please contact us for more information at www.thekitchenandbathpeople.com!