Archive for the ‘Modern Bathrooms’ Category

Travertine and its uses

Thursday, January 21st, 2010

Travertine is a natural stone material from the limestone family and is formed with calcium carbonate and is usually found in the form of deposits near warm or hot springs. Used as a building material in ancient times notably for the Colesseum in Rome and the Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Paris.

There are many forms of finish to be seen in Travertine stone which is soft and delicate to look at and the classic aged look of Travertine tumbled stone will warm your home. Where you use Travertine stone will to a large extent decide on the finish and colour that you finally settle on. Travertine in its purest form is white, but impurities can cause the colour of travertine to vary and to be yellow and brown. Travertine is normally available in standard or natural and honed where the where the indentations have been filled and honed.

Given that travertine is a natural stone tile, it is essential that you pick the right type of tile for your need. Usually honed travertine tiles are best for use in high traffic areas and rooms exposed to moisture such as kitchens and bathrooms. The natural travertine is more suited to typical domestic use in living rooms and common areas. Travertine is a cheaper option that marble or granite; it’s a solid middle-market buy that combines affordability with style.

Matki Showers and enclosures

Thursday, April 30th, 2009

Matki Showering prides itself on sublime innovation and effortless style. Indulgent, handcrafted, functional – Matki shower collections offer consumers premier shower enclosures, shower trays, mixers, taps, and basins. Competing with the most luxurious brands in the world and appealing to the most discerning of customers, Matki showers are a mark of pride-of-ownership that remains unrivalled in today’s marketplace .

Eleven collections ensure interested parties can find a style that matches their taste and space.

The Matki Walk-In is composed of glass and is entirely freestanding, allowing it to be installed even in the centre of a room. Matki also offers curved, corner, and recessed walk-in models. The Matki Wet Room collection offers bathers seamless glass panelling, chrome fixtures, and an all-inclusive showering solution. These Wet Rooms can be installed on a wall or in a corner.

Those looking for a sliding door shower enclosure should examine the Matki Classica collection. Low profile trays and thin enclosure glass make this an elegantly slim bathroom solution. In addition to corners and walls, the Classica Inline Door shower enclosure can be recessed into a wall.

The Radiance collection offers bathers curved corner units, meant to complement modern and traditional bathrooms alike. The Matki Radiance Collection also contains straight sliding door, pivot door, and recessed, inline door models. The Illusion and EauZone collections reach toward minimalism, using thin doors and minimal framing elements, while the Mirage collection provides consumers with a curved, double-door look. The functional Colonnade collection recesses itself into almost any wall.

The advantages of having a bathroom bin

Tuesday, March 31st, 2009

A bin is a simple accessory, but it can make a huge difference to your bathroom. Having somewhere to throw away used items such as face wipes, cotton buds, make-up removal pads and empty soap packets is always useful and will make your bathroom look tidier.

There are many different styles of bins available. Home Office Design provides waste bins that are available in colours such as blue, white, vanilla, black and much more, so it is easy to find a bin that will suit the colour scheme of your bathroom.

If you prefer a wastebasket, then there is a selection of styles available, including square wastebaskets, small wastebaskets, large wastebaskets and much more. You can also purchase a wastebasket set, which comes with a basket for storing towels or clothes. Wicker wastebaskets look attractive in the bathroom and are available in a variety of colours.

For extra comfort, it may be a good idea to purchase a sanitary bin for your bathroom. You can use an ordinary bathroom bin for sanitary products, but sanitary bins are more discreet, which not only gives you a little privacy but also makes your bathroom look much tidier.

For hygiene reasons, it is a good idea to make sure that you empty your bins regularly. Used face wipes and make-up pads can cause bacteria to spread and sanitary bins that are not emptied can also be unpleasant. It is also important to give your bathroom bins a wash regularly to get rid of germs.

Choosing the right bath for your bathroom

Tuesday, March 17th, 2009

The bath is one of the most important items in the bathroom. If you are looking to buy a new bath, then you need to choose one that will not only fit your bathroom properly, but will also be the right size for you. You will need to decide whether you would like a twin bathtub, or a normal sized bathtub. Larger bathtubs will use up more hot water, so it may a good idea to stick to just a single bathtub so it is not as expensive.

There are many different styles of baths to choose from. If your bathroom has a designer look, then you may wish to buy a more stylish bathtub, such as a corner bathtub or an oval shaped bathtub. There are also many other different shapes of bathtub to choose from. If you want your bathtub to match other accessories, then you may wish to buy one that is a similar shape to other items in your bathroom, such as an oval shaped bath to match an oval shaped soap dish. If you want a romantic theme for your bathroom, then you can even buy a heart shaped bathtub.

If you have a disabled or elderly family member, then it is a good idea to buy a bathtub that has all the right facilities. Walk-in bathtubs are the best option for elderly people, as it saves them having to climb over the bath edge. Some bathtubs also have a slip resistant floor, which is useful for elderly or disabled people. There is also a seat and a handheld shower for convenience and safety bars available for wheelchair users.

Catalano Bathrooms

Wednesday, March 11th, 2009

Catalano bathrooms are an Italian designer brand which has become very popular in the UK over the last few years.  Primarily, this is due to their style which is very angular, yet rounded, always bold and making a statement.

Suites are also available in a variety of colours, from white to black, with some earthy, natural colours in between.  This use of natural colours reflects the colour of natural stone and looks at home in any modern and well lit bathroom, where the whole ambience is created by natural hues and light.  It is, however, worth bearing in mind, if you go for a colour other than white that you need to consider carefully how the suite will look in a few years time.  Will it retain its chic identity or simply look out-dated?  What happens if the surface/finish is scratched?  If so, can it be repaired and can you live with it, if not?

But if classic style with a contemporary feel is to your taste, then a Catalano style bathroom will undoubtedly suit you perfectly.  The costs of these bathroom suites are more than standard suites, but then this is style which you simply will not find in every store up and down the country.  Given that the range on offer is amazingly versatile, it will be excellent value for money and you will find that the flexibility on offer with where you fit the taps or whether the wash hand basin sits on a pedestal or is free standing, means that it is akin to having your own personally designed suite, for a fraction of the cost!

Making your bathroom as luxurious as possible

Saturday, February 21st, 2009

Since the bathroom is the best place for relaxation, you will want to make it as luxurious as possible. There is a variety of top quality bathroom furniture available to give your bathroom a touch of luxury. Large glass vanity cabinets, deep baths and large shower enclosures are all items that you can utilise.

Whirlpool baths are perfect for adding a touch of luxury to your bathroom. Bella Bathrooms, a bath store, offer luxury baths for under £80.00, which is ideal for anyone looking for a more affordable option. The store’s whirlpool baths are also reasonably priced and are much cheaper online than in the showrooms.

If you are tired of your boring bathroom, but cannot afford a new tub or shower, then there is a selection of products that will add a hint of luxury, such as massage oils, soap, bath products and scented candles. Showerheads can be used to add an element of luxury to your bathroom and are reasonably priced.

Spotlights or low lights can also give a luxurious feel and installing a dimmer will allow you to control the degree of light, so that you can create an ambience that is comfortable and relaxing. Darker colours, such as red also create a more luxuriant feeling.

Having extra heat in your bathroom improves the level of comfort. Install heated flooring or use heated towel rails to make your bathroom cosier when it comes to stepping out of the bath or shower. Fluffy towels are also perfect for adding a little luxury.

Using bathroom accessories to make your bathroom look stylish

Wednesday, February 18th, 2009

Every bathroom looks better with accessories, even with something as simple as a toilet roll holder or a mirror. There are many styles available that can make your bathroom more luxurious. By choosing the right accessories and style, you can give your bathroom a more creative look, making it much more than just a place for basic needs.

If you are creative, then you may wish to choose accessories that are different colours to give your bathroom a mix and match type of appearance. If you prefer a more designer look, then it is good idea to choose accessories that are the same colour, so that you can match them up to give your bathroom a set theme. One easy way to match accessories is to purchase items with the same brand name. There are many top brands to choose from, many of which offer accessory packs at reasonable prices. Bristan Group, for example, are a top UK bathroom supply company who offer accessory packs for around £30.97, which is a suitable price for those who are looking for affordable and attractive accessories.

Different companies offer different styles of accessories, so it is a good idea to look around and see which accessories would best suit your bathroom. For example, Bristan do free standing toilet roll holders that would be ideal for those wishing to achieve a designer look for their bathroom. Bristan also provide products for those who wish to have an art deco style for their bathroom. Their art deco wire soap and sponge basket is priced at just £52.97 and would make a great addition to any bathroom.

If you are wishing to achieve a look that will impress any visitors to your home, then choosing luxury accessories such as soap dispensers is a good idea. Miller Fine Bathroom Interiors has a selection of soap dispensers and lotion bottles with pumps for reasonable prices. For a designer look, try selecting clear glass soap dispensers or soap dispensers with a frosted glass finish.

Having a luxurious bathing experience

Wednesday, February 11th, 2009

There are a wide variety of products you can use to make your bath or shower a more relaxing experience. For a luxurious shower experience, there is a selection of shower gels to choose from. Original Source, a UK company who specialises in bath products, offers a wide selection of shower gels, with flavours such as lemon, tea tree, lavender, vanilla milk, cocoa and much more. They also offer shower pouches in a variety of flavours, including watermint and lemongrass.

Bath bombs, bath crystals, bath balls and salts are ideal for those who are looking for a luxurious bathing experience. The Bubble Store, a UK store, offers a wide variety of these types of products. Their bath bombs are just £0.75 each and come in a variety of flavours, including tropical fruits, lemon and lime, lavender and peppermint and more. You can also buy these bath bombs as part of a lucky dip that the store offers at a discounted price.

The Bubble Store also offers lots of other great items for the bathroom, such as oil soap, fragrance soap, body butter, lip balm, bath foam and much more. These items are sold separately as well as in gift packs for around £14.99. Their bath crystals come in a selection of flavours and are priced at £1.20.

If you have children, a bubble bath can make their bathing experience more fun. Bath toys such as rubber ducks can help make your bathroom more suitable for children. Bubble baths are offered in a variety of interesting flavours, and some may be more suitable for children than others, so have a look around and see what kind your children would like.

Renovating your bathroom

Monday, January 19th, 2009

If your bathroom is in desperate need of repair, then you may want to think about renovating it. You may need replace your plumbing or fix up any areas that have become damp or mouldy from exposure to water. You may be able to take care of some of these jobs yourself, but if you do not feel confident, then the best option is to hire someone who has experience of bathroom renovation.

Jobs such as installing baths, toilets, sinks or tiling can either be done by you or perhaps a family member, if they have the experience. Seeking out a professional will be more costly, but it is the best option for getting the job done properly if you have any doubts about your own DIY ability.

If you are looking to extend your bathroom, then you will need to do lots of planning to decide which areas need to be worked on. If you are on a low budget, then it may be better to buy more storage items rather than building an extension. Extensions can be quite costly, so it is essential that you make proper plans before commencing work.

If you are looking to remodel your bathroom completely, then you will also need to upgrade any old plumbing. Having a modern bathroom with new plumbing will enhance the value of your home. Replacing mouldy carpets or wallpaper will provide you with extra comfort and also make your bathroom look cleaner. Any damp areas, such as around the bath or shower will need to be treated.

Painting your Bathroom

Sunday, November 30th, 2008

If you choose not to tile your bathroom, but instead decide to paint the walls, and then make sure you choose a waterproof paint which is specially designed to cope with the steamy conditions which running baths or showers will create.

Decorating a bathroom is no harder than painting any other room of the house, but if your suite is fitted, be sure that you cover it up well prior to starting, so that it doesn’t get any splashes of paint on it. It’s very easy to think that you will be so careful that this isn’t really an issue, but paint does and will, drop off your brush and can very easily ruin a bath.

Prior to painting, make sure that your walls are flat and that any rough patches of plaster have been sanded down. Painting will show up any tiny imperfections on your walls and exaggerate them, so take extra care to prepare them so that they look like a blank sheet of paper and are completely smooth. You may also want to patch-up any other imperfections, which can be quicker than if you simply try to sand down the rest of the wall.

Painted bathrooms can look very good, but may be a little ‘cold’ in atmosphere, so you may want to think about introducing a little warmth, with splash-backs over the bath and wash hand basin. A splash-back is simply a couple of rows of tiles, which act as a way of preventing water soaking into the walls.