Designing your dream bathroom

The Most Expensive Bathroom Ever Created: The Space Toilet

David — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:54:55 +0000

Think your luxury bathroom renovation cost a pretty penny? Then you need to lay your eyes on easily the most expensive bathroom ever: the space toilet. This zero gravity toilet designed for space shuttles was bought by NASA from Russia for $19 million for the international space station. That may seem like an astronomical sum for a commode, but considering how much brand new technology had to be developed and implemented, it would’ve actually cost much more for the U.S. government to create its own space toilet. This latest space age (literally) bathroom has been shared amongst 13 astronauts and cosmonauts and is an improvement on previous space toilets in that it offers more privacy and has a surprising water conservation feature that we’ll talk about later.

Because these toilets are used in space, there are some special considerations, both in how the toilet works and how it’s used.

Strapping In

Gravity is more useful in the bathroom than you may have expected. For instance, it keeps you on the toilet. In space, without the luxury of gravity, astronauts have to literally strap themselves to the toilet using ankle straps and thigh braces. Otherwise, they’d float away!

Vacuum Powered

You may have heard that toilets flush clockwise in the northern hemisphere and counterclockwise in the southern hemisphere (which may or may not be true), but what direction do they flush in space? The answer: they don’t. Space toilets are completely vacuum powered. The vacuum both serves to move waste into storage as well as kill bacteria to control odor.

Aim Carefully

Because space toilets are vacuum powered without water, accuracy is extremely important. To help you hit your mark, there are cameras in the commode that help you aim.

Waste Not

Space shuttles are like little self-contained ecosystems and nothing can go to waste. You may remember in the movie Apollo 13 when liquid waste was jettisoned into space, but today’s space toilets are geared more towards recycling and conservation. Liquid waste is distilled by the space shuttle into purified water that’s suitable for drinking (though most astronauts prefer not to!). In most cases, the recycled water is used in the Electron unit, which separates the liquid into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen is expelled into space while the oxygen is added to the atmosphere in the shuttle. So, if you don’t drink recycled waste, you end up breathing it. Still want to be an astronaut when you grow up?

Robert Thirsk – Space Plumber

Move over Mario Brothers, there’s a new super plumber in town. Robert Thirsk, a Canadian astronaut, has the honor saving the day with his space plumbing when the $19 million space toilet broke down. The toilet flooded one fateful Sunday, prompting Mission Control to advise that the astronauts hang an “out of order” sign on the door. Thirsk and a few other astronauts worked round the clock to get it up and running again. Coincidentally, Thirsk’s heroic repair was completed on July 20, 2009 – the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 landing.

So, what lessons have learned from the multimillionaire space toilet? Here are a few:

Commodes don’t have to talk up a lot of room – the less room the toilet takes up, the more room you have to decorate, expand your bathroom vanity or make way for a whirlpool or air tub.
Space age technology’s got to be green – while we don’t recommend recycling liquid waste in your own home, a low-flow toilet or a gray water toilet that uses shower water to flush is a good start!
Even expensive bathroom fixtures breakdown – find a good plumber and keep him on speed dial! Also, it wouldn’t hurt to have a spare bathroom – just in case.

Ocean by Bandini

All-about-vanities — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 15:26:26 +0000

Ocean is a sculptural washbasin inspired by waves movement of the ocean. Available in two different sizes and colors (glossy black and glossy white) it has the distinctiveness to be easily assembled on a line or at 90° edges following the wall corners. Ocean is made of Tecnoform a shiny acrylic resin very similar to ceramic and is resistant towards scratches and breaking.

Ocean By Bandini (Black)

Ninety Years of history made Bandini a reality in which experience, skill and design are rare for bathrrom products. A history marked out by a will to innovate, looking constantly for new technology, always more sure and sophisticated as well the will to push the limits in design, with a high aesthetic value as well as functionality.

Vela By Bandini

A History in which words like tradition and humanistic culture have been never forgotten.

Prisma

Realizing Design Pieces, in form of Modern Art Sculptures.

Atmosfera

Timeless objects, reflecting their beaut eternally.

Faucets becoming, real jewels in the bathroom.

Prisma By Bandini

This is the constant work that Bandini entrusted Marco Pisati.

This is the goal that preludes to a creation of a New Bathroom Aesthetics.

Marco Pisati designer fascinated by new materials and technologies, Marco Pisati experiments with new design ideas reaching into the most extreme and diverse fields: from the aerospace, designing the interiors of zero G inhabitable

Onda

space modules for the Italian Space Agency (ASI), down to the “nomadic” Earth landscape, designing the first example of an interactive nomadic office space (Motorhome ACI 2002) Invited to expose his works at the Leopolda exhibit space in Florence (Deep Inside / Image 2003) he showcased with Grado Zero Espace Company, a leading brand in the field of space textile, the prototype of an astronaut jacket in Diaplex, a shape memory fabric. He collaborates with different companies as: ASI, Alenia Spazio, Iacsa, Grado Zero Espace, Oerlikon Contraves, Iguzzini Illuminazione, ACI, Luminex, Bandini Rubinetterie, and Evology.

When Purchasing Bathroom Wall Tiles

All-about-vanities — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:30:50 +0000

There are many alternative ways to use wall tiles in your bathroom. Often bathroom wall tiles are small with a light colored grout. Many times they’re going to include some type of decorative element around the edges of the tiles. While it is not uncommon to see the bathtub surround or shower stall tiled a recent trend nowadays is to tile the whole bathroom. This implies that all the walls of the bathroom would be tiled from ceiling to floor. Another current trend in bathroom wall tile design is to use bigger tiles like 8.5 in. by 8.5 inch instead of the often four x 4 tiles from days gone by.

Bigger tiles are your best option if you’ll be tiling all the walls of the entire bathroom. Using bigger tiles can simplify the project and will often be less expensive than using small tiles. Larger tiles also mean a reduced amount of grout lines which will have to be cleaned.

Large Tiles

The spacing between the tiles will be a matter of taste. Rectangular lavatory wall tiles frequently look best when they’re placed close along with a slim line of grout between them.

Thin grout lines also incline to look best with glossy tiles as they don’t break up the glossy finish as much.

Thin Grout Lines

When choosing tiles think about adding a few tiles in contrasting colors spaced throughout the room. This may make a random pattern which can be very attention grabbing. This is an easy way to add some fascination and color to your lavatory.

Vary Tile Size

Another option is to get a tile that has a pattern which is analogous in color to your other tiles. These patterned tiles can be randomly positioned thru the room for a more delicate appearance. To add interest to the room you may additionally want to use dark grout rather than light. Dark grout can add visual interest and can also be easier to continue looking clean. Find bathroom wall tile here.

Stylish Mirrors For Decoration

All-about-vanities — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:34:12 +0000

Does a particular type of mirror have an effect on the way a place looks. Would not one mirror look just the same as a décor mirror? The answer is NO, a plain mirror and a decorative mirror will not bring about the same effect to a place.

A plain mirror will change the appearance of the place but a decorative mirror will brighten up the environment. I tend to enjoy my bath time and usually go into extra time when it comes to time spent in the bath. I have beautiful full length mirror than I love looking into as I bath. Besides helping me check myself out, it helps me relax and think things through. You should be able to get some good decorative mirrors for your home from anyone of the following: antique mirror, large unframed mirrors, floor mirrors

You can have one in your bedroom. Two options are available to you here. You can have full length side mirror or get a nice overhead mirror that looks down on you whilst you sleep. Some of these ideas you just have to try to be able to appreciate the beauty they bring to a place. Another option is fitting a mirror in your living room. Fitted in the right place, they will make the place look bigger and as if it has more furniture.

You can have them fitted in various places in your house. having it in the passage way will have a welcoming effect on your guests, in the other passages in your house just to add more life to it. Your house should really be a relaxing and comfortable environment and you can achieve this effect by putting some really stylish mirrors in your place.

Mirrors are not only limited to decorating the house only. They can be fitted in your business and they can do two things for you. They will make the place look nice and we all know they are an effective security measure. For those that have offices and businesses I recommend putting one in your reception area.

Prêt-à-porter New Bathroom Vanity

All-about-vanities — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 17:02:27 +0000

With Prêt-à-porter fashion enters the bathroom. Inspired by imagination and sophistication, Prêt-à-porter a new collection of bathroom furniture that goes beyond. This series features interchangeable doors made of wenge wood or rosewood. Available in 10 other types of wood, pre-composed with gray and silver ornaments, striped, zebra and lacquered.

“Its like a dress, you can change the style of your bathroom whenever you want.” The handles of the cabinet are integrated to give a refined touch, essential to all the pieces of the collection. Matching bathtub and sink made of Tecnoglass white, is available in six lengths that meet every need of modular space.

Completing the set is the Prêt-à-porter wall hanging mirror, with its smooth face, built-in lights, and available in whole or lacquered wood.

Kromos by Arblu shower Stall

All-about-vanities — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 15:47:26 +0000

Kromos by Arblu, a semicircular shower stall decorated with a black slate finish: an 8 mm sheet in Pietrablu, the new material in composite quartz, strong and indestructible over time. The space saving shape has the opening of the cabin on the curved side with a 50 cm door.

Arblu, active in the shower cubicle manufacturing sector since 1996, boasts a dynamic and creative staff; it is a company that is open to innovation and mindful of the new dynamics of living. Arblu has cleverly interpreted modern man’s increasing desire for aesthetic and functional equilibrium, providing a valuable instrument for the conservation of harmony ,energy and physical and spiritual well-being.

The Komos oxide finishing is available on all models of multifunction cabin : a resistant and inalterable laminate
reproduces the rust effect in a high performance proposal.

Komos Red

Refreshing and relaxing! The Komos features Six vertical water jets , which can be adjusted 30° in each direction and a rainfall shower. It is possible to choose between different types of jets, thanks to the lug positioned on the spray head.

Komos Six Shower Jets

Komos Rainfall

The Kromos offers a Turkish bath. An invigorating vapour bath, activated with a preset cycle lasting twenty minutes or customized program, to fortify the body while deeply cleansing the skin.

Komos Turkish Bath

Chromotherapy – Four LED spotlights according to preset or customized programs, create a colored light which penetrates the skin, enabling it to interact with the cells, thus re-establishing electrical and cellular equilibrium and improving biological functions.

Komos Chromotherapy

Runtal Velum – The Wave

All-about-vanities — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 21:06:14 +0000

The “Wave” towel warmer by Runtal expresses a contemporary concept, mixing design and sophisticated technology. Designed by King & Miranda. The wave motion captures spatial sensations with sensory qualities that communicate the level of sophistication and performance. A combination of aluminum profiles with ABS chrome produces a horizontal and vertical element . Low water content ensures the emanation of heat is constant and even.

The Wave

Runtal velum is easily adjustable for a variety of possible shapes to fit your spacial needs.

The Wave Extended - 6 modules

The attention to detail, the variety of colors and ideas for developing a furniture project suitable for the most exotic home, the workplaces, public spaces or institutions. The only down side is you cant get these in the U.S. yet. But you can get other great Runtal towel warmers.

Sesame Street in your Bathroom

All-about-vanities — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:08:15 +0000

Today is the 40th anniversary of Sesame Street. Not that you need me to tell you that. If you are one of the 75% of people that use google then you’ve seen the banner. I think people are still trying to figure out how google determines which events they make banners for.

2001

Well i guess I’ll leave that up to the folks at Google. But talking about Sesame Street got me wondering about the bathrooms on Sesame Street. In general you don’t see too often people going to the bathroom in shows. Ernie, however, spent quite some time in the bathroom with his beloved rubber ducky singing the famous rubber ducky song.

There was the origanl bathroom that ernie was seen in with his rbber duck. It was episode number 0078 and aired in 1970.

1976

In 1986 Ernie sang his famous reggae version called “Do De rubber ducky”. In this episode the whole Seaseme Street gang joined Ernie in his bath.

The Gang in the tub

Elmo

You can see Elmo pop out of the cloth hamper in the back. In this episode we get to see all that makes up the infamous bathroom of Ernie on Sesame Street. Here is a shot of his bathroom sink and faucet.

Sink & Faucet

Celebrity Bathrooms – 3 California Sun Bathrooms

All-about-vanities — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 15:17:06 +0000

Bathrooms of the rich and famous aren’t really meant for the public to be seen. Designed to be comfortable, functional and exude the style and preferences of some of the biggest personalities on the big and small screen, these bathrooms go to show that even big shot actors have time to infuse a little bit of tastefulness into their bathrooms. In this series, we highlight Californian bathrooms, which invite the natural West Coast sunlight in during the day but preserve the privacy during the evening.

Frankie Muniz

Best known as the star of Malcom in the Middle, Frankie Muniz drives a race car and keeps a quintessentially Californian bathroom in Los Angeles. With a luxurious, modern bath tub, clear glass shower doors and a low profile bathroom sink which compliments the spacious bathroom mirror well, this is a stylish bathroom for certain. The skylight and the plant bring a little bit of the outdoors in (or as much of the outdoors you’d want inside your bathroom!) while the hand painted window gives a customized look while adding privacy.

John Krasinski

John Krasinski, better known as Jim from the hit comedy “The Office,” has a functional, yet stylish bathroom located not in Scranton, PA, but in West Hollywood. The free standing bathroom vanity gives a homey feel to this well-lit bathroom. Krasinski goes green with a low flow toilet and the two handled bathroom faucet adds a touch of class.

Kevin Costner and Ryan Seacrest

Over in Los Angeles, Kevin Costner, star of such movies as Dances with Wolves and Waterworld, recently sold his plush pad to Ryan Seacrest, host of American Idol. This beach-themed bathroom has a distinctive, ornate bathroom faucet. The bathroom accessories help make good use of the space. The free-standing tub also opens up the space, making this relatively small area feel uncramped. The exquisite bathroom lighting is hardly needed during the day with the natural light streaming in, but the fixtures definitely add class.

As you can see, there’s no one feature that make these celebrity bathrooms distinctly Californian. With an eye towards inviting the outside in and choosing bathroom fixtures to exude personality rather than being generic and conventional, these celebrities have each made a unique mark on their opulent homes.

Small Wonders By Soli Besharat

3 Twist Knobs for your Bathroom Vanity by Top Knobs

All-about-vanities — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 17:56:32 +0000

Top Knobs crafstmen manufacture knobs and pulls using a blend of traditional craftsmanship and advanced production methods. their attention to details ensures that their products look and feel individually made.

Here are 3 beautifully designed Twist Knobs, a nice addition to an antique style bathroom vanity.

Medium Oval Twist Knob

Finish: Oil Rubbed Bronze
Height: 3″
Width: 1″
Projection: 1-1/2″

Small flower Twist Knob

Finish: Oil Rubbed Bronze
Height: 1-1/4″
Width: 1-1/4″
Projection: 2-1/8″

Large Flower Twist Knob

Finish: Oil Rubbed Bronze
Height: 1-1/4″
Width: 1-1/4″
Projection: 1-1/2″