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In the Know Bath Trends: Bath Suites Set a Modern Tone for Unified Design

2009-10-08T12:16:00.000-07:00

Clean uncluttered lines and fluid harmonious shapes are the classic trappings of today’s modern bath.

To begin the process of remodeling and renovation of the bath space (guest, powder or master), the first thing to do is evaluate the space boundaries. While your original bath was probably nice when the home was initially occupied (if you aren’t in new construction), now it is likely seriously dated.

Designers suggest the time had arrived to embrace a refinement of scale. For sophisticated homeowners’ with a desire to transform the master bath, for instance, (from entryway to dressing area) into a naturally relaxing and personalized therapeutic retreat, decorplanet.com is perfect for you. There are a number of fine-tuned choices to make, including sourcing for the latest color, material and finish trends in addition to the product mix. Review the offerings on decorplanet.com and you’ll see exactly what’s hot in the marketplace now. Let us be your guide and resource.

Luxury Bath Suites Get Noticed

While mix-n-match certainly has its place design-wise, some manufacturers are offering product suites that embrace the “hotel to home” standard of luxury, putting emphasis on the “coordinated look.”

Our product offerings allow you to create a product suite that will enhance your décor to the nines. You’re the decider — choosing which products will best fit your “suite.”

Those in the know, recognize that suites are the latest story in contemporary bathroom styling. Here’s an idea for your consideration based on our product selection for a modern budget-minded suite pairing (think guest or powder room):

Bath Vanity: $299

The uber-hip Cristallino is designed with Italian panache. It has sleek and innovative appeal is based on a number of elements:

Glass Bowl
Stainless Steel Accents
1 Wall-Mounted Storage Shelf
Chrome Faucet

Toilet: Demeter Dual Flush Toilet $289

A fantastic modern design dual flush toilet. This toilet gives you two flushing capacity options.

Assorted Bathroom Accessories

Choose a package of accessories with modern design nuanced in a number of product configurations. We’ve opted for the Magnifico Series for this suite. Products in the series come with Quadruple chrome finish and tempered glass (where apropos).

Round magazine wire basket: $67.76.
Glass toilet brush set wall model: $51.04.
Towel Ring: $29.82
Make-up mirror, wall model: $109
Bath towel rack with towel bar: $111.39
Shelf with railing, 21 inch: $122.41
Glass soap dish, wall model: $14.57

In essence, this budget-minded concept suite is still chock-full of a top-notch product line-up that’s both good-looking and well priced with a minimalist/modern sensibility to it too.

Your total for all of the above? A little over a $1,000!

And just think — it’s modern, original, functional and smart. It’s also a huge convenience to purchase from one source. That’s right, count on decorplanet.com, we’ve got the goods. And be sure to check out all our high quality bathroom vanities.

Bathrooms Demand Big Style: Even the smallest space deserves great products and innovation

2009-10-07T08:39:00.000-07:00

For today’s savvy consumer, bath design is more about relishing than rushing. It’s a trend that’s growing thanks to high drama and sanctuary retreat-like baths bandied about on television design programs and found in luxury hotels where consumers escape for weekend relaxation getaways.

As such, bathrooms have become the dream projects of choice (for both remodelors and new home builders). One significant reason is the caliber of product choices. A definite must-have is glass mosaic tiles used on an entire wall or as accent pieces. In addition, residential steam showers reign. Today’s showers have it all and then some — steam, multiple showers and sprays, even dry heat. While faced with space and/or existing plumbing restrictions, customers are choosing zero-clearance walk-ins with all the special features that make a product more desirable, such as his-and-her showers with two entrances, personalized settings and heated seating. Our Ariel Platinum DZ963F8 Steam Shower is the height of upscale trends all the way — from its wooden floor boards and luxury nozzle with acupuncture massage and rainfall ceiling shower to its glass enclosure and decorative lighting. It’s got it all for just under $3,000.

Face it; bottles, gadgets and grooming products overflow from today's bathrooms. Bathroom storage is more of a priority than ever. The cabinets of old don't cut it because they're boxy and uninspired. Furniture for storage is today's look, and it's often a necessary addition when you work in smaller bathrooms where you simply can't add a lot of cabinetry. Furniture-style vanities from contemporary to antique at Decorplanet.com fulfill this niche beautifully. Such pieces are also used to create a visual center point. For instance, we love the mid-sized Raffinato (priced at less than $900) with its dimpled chrome sleekness. It offers storage with a large medicine cabinet coupled with extra space underneath the striking gray glass countertop. We’re also big fans of the modern lines of the Radioso model, akin to sophisticated boutique hotel bath cabinetry. It offers mega storage with a European style set-up composed of cabinets above head and to the side as well as beneath the sink and countertop area. For less than $1,200 it’s a winner (plus it comes in a variety of colors, including pale mint green, sky blue and soft turquoise). More like a dresser with loads of drawers, Model RGN021 features a fully functioning top drawer that contains storage on both sides of the bowl, center drawers that are fitted around plumbing and large bottom drawers for towels and linens. This stunning unit (with carved rope detailing) is priced at less than $900. All three are options outstanding.

Open shelves and wall cabinets are increasingly popular. The variety of items offered on decorplanet.com (nearly 25) is in keeping with this design orientation. Quadruple chrome finishes paired with high durability tempered glass shelving is stylish, functional and affordable. See decorplanet.com’s open shelving under Accessories in the Shelves category on our web site.

Perhaps one of the most noteworthy bathroom design trend is the blurring of the line between the bathroom itself and surrounding spaces. This is manifested in several ways: first with the emergence of transition spaces, such as morning kitchens, juice/wine bars or small supplemental laundry areas, which connect the wet and dry areas; and second, by creating seamless, door-less transitions between the bathroom and the master bedroom or closet.

Consumers are tearing down the walls and making the whole space feel like a retreat. The introduction and evolution of technology — plasma screen and two-way mirror televisions, complex lighting control systems and built-in surround sound and auto-fill programmable tubs — further bridge the spaces. Without a doubt, the advancement and marriage of technology with bathroom features and functions will continue to create some wonderful toys for now and in the future. On decorplanet.com you’ll find innovations-plus every time you check us out, including tub combo steam shower units such as AmeriSteam ASP 216 with an integrated Whirlpool tub (with a capacity of 66.05 gallons). Priced at less than $5,000, this is a high-end item that can’t be missed, especially for the ultimate at home spa bathroom design. Impressive, it even includes an underwater spotlight.

The biggest change in bathroom design is really the homeowner’s expectations and desire to have very strong design. It used to be 'just make it look nice,' but now it needs to be a really unique, beautiful, well-designed space. It's not just the things, it's the look and how everything integrates — and this rings true across all price-points.

Stylish Venting: In search of exhaust systems with chops

2009-10-06T08:19:00.000-07:00

Today’s style-driven kitchens are always proving that appliances and accessories are now — perhaps more than ever — smart, stylish and efficient. We can’t hear it enough: Kitchen spaces are all about the marriage of beauty and practicality. So what exactly is grabbing the attention of homeowners? Not just cabinetry that maximizes storage space and access, but also the fact that the European minimalist look is still maintaining its push. Sleek lines continue to be the order of the day.

Keeping up with the trends, the 16 range hoods offered on decorplanet.com (both wall mounted and island mounted options) certainly fulfill this design perspective. Kitchens have systematically become cleaner visually, with far less clutter. The latest advancements in technology and design have brought the range hood to the forefront of kitchen décor. This integral piece of kitchen equipment has been significantly and brilliantly reinvented.

Evidence of this fact can be found in the Cavaliere (Model 218D) in two sizes, 30-inch range hood and 36-inch range hood. This wall mounted range hood is composed of only the highest industry quality #304 Stainless Steel 19 gauge coupled with clear tempered glass. This clever combo (glass and stainless steel) adds light and modern elegance to your kitchen decor.

Both of these range hoods are well priced at slightly less than $500. Since wall mounted (wall-chimney) range hoods are fitted where there are no cabinets, they provide a strong focal point. If you want to create a professional kitchen vibe where gourmet cuisine is the norm, these hoods are the design solution you’ve been looking for.

Vents serve a useful purpose in the kitchen as they draw stale air filled with grease, odor and moisture out of the room. Critically, the range hood's noise level, power and efficiency are crucial to its performance. Homeowners seeking new range hoods are looking particularly for products that provide able and effective smoke removal capability under all cooking conditions. It’s been proven that proper ventilation produces great IAQ — Indoor Air Quality — to protect people from unhealthy indoor pollutants, according to the Home Ventilating Institute.

If a range hood purchase is in order, we’ve got a couple of key factoids:

The days of noisy range hood ventilation are long gone.

Significant advances have been made in manufacturing. Thankfully, range hoods today are 50 percent less noisy compared with those from just a few years ago. Experts advise that the noise level should not exceed 2.5 sones on its lowest level (this figure is in keeping with all range hoods sold on decorplanet.com). For example, the Cavaliere model’s noise level is pitch perfect at low speed: 0.4 sones. That’s quality for you. The Cavaliere offers a motor that is a dual chamber/dual centrifugal/ 218W upgraded low noise version too. FYI: a sone is the amount of noise emitted.

Additional range hood design advances now make your life easier.

Coupled with air output and noise levels, range hoods now include dishwasher-friendly aluminum grease filters, making clean up a snap.

Halogen bulbs make a BIG difference.

The introduction of Halogen bulbs give you more light for cooking, but also save you money on your electricity bill.

LED goes multi-purpose.

LED technology and ambient light sensors (that automatically turn on and off) are a plus for both nighttime ambience and safety.

The bottom line in range hoods is that kitchen planning has evolved into something of an art form. So if you’re building a new kitchen or have renovation ideas in the works, the wall mounted range hood could be the best starting place for your next design inspiration.

Monochrome is [still] in. Black, White remain timeless

2009-10-02T13:41:00.000-07:00

Playing it safe with neutrals? You’re just like a lot of us. There is, say the color pundits, always a place for classic white. Think touches of brilliance, literally.

What we’re seeing is a modern color story — a level of continuity that is never ending in home décor and on the runways. That’s right, the fashion color palette (more often than not), correlates directly to what’s happening in the home. So … think refined and classic. Elegant colors with longevity are white, black and gray. It’s all about slight nuances in shading, pristine and not quite white and deep, rich tones of black with hints of shining silver (along the lines of faucet finishes). Yes, it is actually that simple.

As for that runway analogy, it really is true. The Pantone Color Institute reports, “Pairing a bold color with a basic piece or freshening up a look with bright accents addresses the need for practicality, as well as fun.” And, “thoughtful, cautious neutrals provide a dependable backbone.” Now, think about color options in terms of bath sinks, toilets, vanities and more.

Even “biscuit” and “black black” continue to be the choice for plumbing fixtures, according to major bath fixture manufacturers, who once relied only on classic white as the mainstay. These hues have now been recast for vanities too. Add drama to neutrals through accessories, wall color and decorative objects, say the color experts.

To utilize black and white in your bath design, here are a few points to consider:

Black and white are dramatic on their own, but if you are itching for more hues, add in a textural floor rug in a vivid shade or even a lighting fixture.
Color shy? Don’t despair. Add color in a small dose (let’s say in the powder room, for instance). You’ll definitely make an elegant modern statement by pairing a vessel sink in powder puff pink (for example) with a black or white toilet.
Go for a pairing that meshes the color story with ease and sophistication by incorporating sinks with patterns, such as plaid designed vessels or ones with black and white zebra striping.
Be careful not to create a “polka dot” effect with a black pedestal sink or a white toilet. Mixing and matching is a plus when it looks like it’s been done on purpose, but not when the room ends up feeling like it has yet to be completed.
Focus on creating contrast. Start with a piece you love, such as a vanity, toilet or tile pattern and take it forward from there. But be careful not to create a black hole with a dark hue that literally takes over, making a small space look even smaller than it already is.
Black and white is a color story that is limitless. Once you decide you want to use black and white, you’ll be amazed at how many manufacturers have been turned on to the color combo in their design portfolio. Peruse mainstream home and décor retailers as well as online shopping venues and you’ll find vanities, sinks, toilets, tiles, towel bars, soap dishes, soap caddies, magazine racks, and more. You know how it goes, once you think about doing something, it seems to show up everywhere.
"Sensual minimalism" is a term being used frequently by design firms that embrace black and white for the modern bath aesthetic. The term translates to fixtures and accessories with “soft edges.”
Upscale restaurants and bars have been incorporating velvety black and creamy white for bathroom interiors. If you need inspiration to redo what you have at home, check out the bathroom the next time you dine or have cocktails, you’ll be surprised with the ideas you just might come up with.
The spa ambience is achieved through dim lighting and the pervasive use of monochromatic hues. If your bath is doused in this color, maintain the sensibility with your linen choices too, by treating yourself to plush luxury with high-quality white towels.

So if you’re thinking about integrating black and white into your design scheme, then you’re likely already thinking clean and linear. Those two elements definitely fulfill a dramatic design scenario — whether you’re striving for sophisticated elegance or minimalism at its best— the neutral palette is [still] touted for statement making bath interiors.

Now, if the modern color story of black and white is on the drawing board for your new bath or renovation (or if you’ve been recently inspired), check out the latest products on www.decorplanet.com, they just might be apropos for your personal style and provide the color continuity you seek while fitting your budget too:

Design Junkie? Wear the Badge Proud.

2009-09-18T09:04:00.000-07:00

Paying attention to HGTV design TV while perusing through a stack of national design magazines? You’re not alone. Our design and sourcing team here at decorplanet.com is comprised of veritable junkies. Join us on any given day, and design with a capital “D” is the focus.

Being design savvy is the newest of hobbies, like collecting boutique wine or playing golf. Really. “Don’t you realize,” said one design junkie to another, “in order to transform my home into a personal retreat I have to watch and read it all!”

Speaking of reading and watching it all, we know how important the bath is. We’re experts at it! Nowadays, it is the consummate feel good space. The luxury bath market has gained a significant share of consumer dollars over the last few years. But something else important has happened recently — a sub-set of the luxury bath market is now going (and growing) stronger than ever — it is luxury for less. This means accessing top quality look-alike designs that echo the high falutin’ (and high-priced) items that are both aspirational and inspirational.

Lucky for you, this is exactly where decorplanet.com steps in. What you see here is all about top quality, the latest designs and the hottest trends. We’re one of the most affordable solutions to finding value-priced bathroom vanities, sinks, faucets and even bath accessories.

If it looks deluxe, homeowners want it.

Elements that enunciate the space as the ultimate sanctuary are being shipped from our warehouse daily —from detailed faucets, fittings and accessories to vessel sinks and stylized pedestal sinks, double sink vanities, contemporary vanities, decorative medicine cabinets, mirrors and more.

Seeking double sinks with high style: Check out the Unico, a contemporary baroque style vanity, with a rich espresso finish, this double sink vanity (with the latest in clear glass vessels) is classic and striking. It’s a favorite among design aficionados.

So is the chic and minimal, Fiamma, a glass bathroom vanity that’s idyllic for a small space with big style. It’s also got plenty of masculine loft appeal. The combo of chrome hardware and deep green hues is a winner.

And as for Cortese 32" vanity this classic is special too. Curvaceous design, glass shelving and a waterfall faucet coupled with a rich chocolaty finish is in keeping with what you’ll see in gorgeous estate homes.

So, if you haven’t realized it yet, you’re as much a luxury consumer as the next guy. For one thing, luxury consumers yearn for specialness in their experience. Because luxury is tied up with creature comforts, consumers who achieve a luxury lifestyle are unwilling to make do with less or give up continued luxury. Rather than exclusivity, the luxury consumer values the ability to express a personal point of view, an attitude and uniqueness. That’s you, right?

So get ready to really multi-task. Watch design TV while flipping through those fave design magazines and let your new (and on-going) source that can’t be beat be decorplanet.com

Quality and Flair Highlight Powder Room Sink Trends

2009-09-16T08:38:00.000-07:00

Despite being a petite space, designers believe all bets are off when it comes to the powder room. Here, all indicators claim the vessel bowl as king. By sheer virtue of its size, the powder room doesn’t have the same demands as a master bathroom where durability and clean-ability are priorities. Many designers have alluded to the fact that they tend not to specify vessel bowls in master baths, but will do so with gusto in the powder room, where it’s all about the “wow” factor. Even still, function-wise, keep in mind that some vessel bowls have a countersunk bottom to allow for complete draining. You get the best of both worlds with this niche: function and beauty.

The bowls on decorplanet.com that make a huge decor impact but won’t break your budget are numerous. Consider thick, tempered-glass vessel sink with rounded upper edges. Here are just a few options:

Imagine any of the above items in your home. Now picture the following scenario happening: Guests close the door (to the powder room) and start turning things over, even checking labels because they are curious about how you did it! That’s the best impetus for pulling out all of the stops.

Let decorplanet.com be your guide to “pulling out the stops” since it leads us to several big trends in vessel sinks, which include:

jewel-tones
color changing fiber-optics
fractured surface materials to reflect light.

Through the use of creatively designed vessel sinks (i.e., seated above the countertop), designers are able to add rich colors into the powder room. On decorplanet.com, we showcase several a colorful bowls for your decorating pleasure, including:

Shapes are intriguing too. Not all are what you might expect. For example, one of our favorites is the Concentric Square Glass Vessel Sink for $109.

The future just might hold even more compelling uses of materials. There’s a chance we’ll even see welded steel making a resurgence, in vessel bowls. Shallow, wide basin sinks are definitely popular right now, as are the waterfall like faucets that go with them.
Spa bathrooms have led to more refined materials, reports designers in the know. Rectangular shaped porcelain sinks in soft pastel spa tones lead the pack right now.

So now that you’ve got your vessel, time to choose a faucet. Here are our rules for doing so:

Select counter-top mount faucets since these are designed to purposefully be higher than your standard faucets, or
To save space, choose wall-mounted faucets.

Check the faucet product category on decorplanet.com to guide you in your decision making process. We suggest you review vessel faucets. The list is a sub category of bathroom faucets on our web site. Decorplanet.com makes it easy for you with photos and size detailing too.

Provide function and luxury while enhancing your home’s value through the bath

2009-09-15T08:10:00.001-07:00

Which room in the house is the ultimate refuge? Just ask a designer and they’ll tell you it’s definitely the master bath. Today, homeowners have caught on to the notion, seeking out products that help to create the essence of a retreat. Join in. Begin by sourcing everything you’ll need to update your bathroom at decorplanet.com. Our moniker says it all: “Your preferred vendor for home and bathroom supply products including bathroom vanities, bathroom faucets, bathroom cabinets, mirrors, and shower panels.” With brands in our roster like Toto —products that integrate seamlessly into your daily lifestyle, and Danze — one of the world's largest manufacturers of brass faucets, your needs will most definitely be met.

The best part? You won’t have to go high dollar to get reliable products in styles you like. Want even more reason to shop decorplanet.com? Innovation has gone mainstream. Meaning, finishes, technology and colors plus functionality now allow products to be accessible to a much wider audience. We’re talking you!

When the housing boom was at its height, spacious master bathrooms were always found in new construction. Today, bathroom remodels carry their own cachet — having been touted for adding value to your home and actually generating up to a 90 percent return on an investment of any home remodeling undertaking (other than the kitchen). In some such projects, space may be taken from another room in the house to create additional bath space (i.e., you can often steal space from a closet). Even in a small space, indulgence is possible. For example, instantly update your bathroom decor simply by installing a lavish new faucet (take note, diminutive fixtures perfectly suit small baths); or enhance your surroundings with contemporary flair with a streamlined pedestal sink or go vintage with a traditional white porcelain basin and furnishing-esque antique vanity.

And here’s all the more reason to source your goods through decorplanet.com — the cost of adding a new toilet, shower panel, pedestal, vessel sink and faucet, closet storage and more adds up. Big time. Our site offers you deep discounts on some of the most luxurious products bar none.

Our line-up offers a couple ideas for you to consider when adding new products to your bath:

Uncluttered design gives the bath a chic, modern look. For elegantly curved styling that complements both modern and traditional baths, consider the Danze Antioch Roman Tub Faucet in chrome, with Soft Touch Personal Shower. And it’s priced well too, at only $350.00
Different styles of bathroom faucets, from pull-down to wall-mount are available in a variety of shapes, sizes and dimensions. You can select from a distinguished array of faucet choices, which include Danze Opulence, a striking Single Handle Vessel Filler (just under $250) along with the integral and exquisite handle design of the Danze Tiburon Mini-Widespread Lavatory Faucet in brushed nickel (just under $220).
Making a minimalist statement requires a specific kind of perfection because everything in a minimalist space is totally revealed. Even high efficiency toilets bring out a more than a bit of high design to the bathroom. Consider our price range for toilets: $140 to $900 plus. There are styles for any design schematic, such as the appealing sculptural elongated form of the "Monterey" Royal 1009, a contemporary European toilet with water saving dual flush system for just over $500.
It’s all about enhanced comfort and convenience with our whirlpool bath systems. Invigorating all over massaging tubs are it, and with prices ranging from just over $2,000 to just under $5,000, Come on, you definitely need (and deserve) one. Check out the 20 Air Bubble Jet System on the Royal SSWW Whale or SSWWA513 (among 22 others on the decorplanet.com site).
Showers have a prominent place in bathroom retreats. Refresh and feel good by adding in a new shower panel. Decorplanet.com has all the bells and whistles you could ask for, with nearly 20 unbelievable choices in striking finishes to suit any and all design motifs. Consider the Acrylic body, thermostatic valve with 6 body jets and an 8” rain shower (chrome plated hand shower). Both corner and wall installation brackets are included with this perfectly priced item at just over $500.
Even storage adds to the overall ambience. If your vanity doesn’t offer enough storage, then put over-head drawers right above it or a cool streamlined medicine cabinet, such as Model # MXCA001, priced well at just over $200. Or add an adjunct linen cabinet. Black cabinetry with elongated drawer handles fits the bill, model # STN659 runs for just over $430.00 and is sure to come in handy.

Remember, any bathroom can become your own personal retreat while also adding value to your home. At decorplanet.com, we believe in interiors that reflect a total look, full of quality goods and your personal style. We’re here to assist you so that the products you ultimately choose for your bath retreat work in harmony with your lifestyle—not just for today, but also for years to come.

Get the Popcorn! Watch Decorplanet.com on YouTube

2009-09-14T10:40:00.000-07:00

If you’re interested in seeing what Decorplanet.com has to offer, our website is the resource for bath vanities, sinks and related must have accessory items and more. Hands down. But now, we’re taking our design expertise and all we offer to the social marketing level — and we’re calling it our Insider’s Guide — “YouTube meets DecorPlanet.” Now at your disposal, you’ll find visually eye-catching videos that combine easy listening commentary on select products with great images that showcase our outstanding array of lux for less bathroom vanities. You’ll also find informative easy to follow instructive installation videos for the DIY marketplace. It’s a non-stop plethora of information.

How do you find us on YouTube? It’s a snap. Just search YouTube.com for Decorplanet.com and you’ll find one video after another after another. It’s addictive. Going shopping like this gives a whole new meaning to the word shopaholic!

We know that most of us are turning off the television and watching videos online (go ahead, admit it!). And since YouTube is the destination, we simply didn’t want to feel left out.

Decorplanet.com is now connected with a broader audience of design savvy homeowners. There are lots of you out there! Get to know one another. Thanks to our YouTube videos, even more homeowners are now accessing our website. And on the flip side of that, we’ve gotten rave reviews from current customers who love the “up close and personal” feeling that our YouTube videos present. While still photos are always useful, there’s nothing quite like seeing each item from a variety of angles and having a chance to truly visualize space dimensions, storage capabilities, and slow closing drawer mechanisms among other compelling product benefits such as our simple one touch pop-up drains, one of our best selling sink features.

See for yourself. Turn off the TV and head to YouTube.com to find decorplanet.com.

Function then Beauty: Key elements of Good Bath Design

2009-09-10T08:34:00.000-07:00

The bathroom is unlike any other room in the house.

It is the place for:

Meditation and introspection.
Relaxation and refocusing.
A communal experience.
A secluded and tranquil retreat.

Review the offerings on decorplanet.com and you’ll find that the latest European modern bathroom trends embrace the best in materials and minimalist forms. Distinctive characteristics (walnut, stainless steel, glass and assorted finishes) make vanities particularly appealing as strong design statements.

But before you go there, know that the bathroom is a space that warrants planning and much thought. So first and foremost, how will it be used? That’s an important consideration because intimate rituals are performed in the bathroom that not only cleanse us of the day’s excess—both physically and spiritually—but it’s also a place for us to shed our exterior and fully examine and become conscious of our interior.

To assist with the process, at decorplanet.com we put our designer-savvy thinking caps on and organized a few important points:

Who will be using the bathroom?

Will guests be using it? Make a statement with an nontraditional sink.

Will children be using it? Then provide a pullout step under the vanity.
Visualize the needs of the users, including you. Do you need a privacy zone allowing several users to occupy the space at one time? What activities will take place in the bathroom? Make-up, hair care, bathing, dressing, exercising, laundering, reading, lounging, showering?
Finally, contemplate water relaxation elements such as: sauna, steam, and whirlpool. What are your preferences?

Hone in on:

The primary time of the day the bathroom will be used.

Address privacy issues with window and door treatments. For instance, glass is an architectural element that can define zones and lighting requirements. Explore what is available before getting too involved with the smaller details.

Storage integration.

You can never have too much bathroom storage. But first, take inventory of what you absolutely have to store in the bathroom and what can be placed in a hall closet (if the bathroom is too small). Ledges and shelves form an abstract sculpture of useful storage. Vented base cabinets can serve as hampers. Roll top garage-style space savers hide sink clutter. And, note that designers advise you to recess shallow shelving between wall studs.

Characteristics of your household.

Are you right handed? Left-handed? Have physical limitations? How tall are you?

Accessible design accommodates users of all ages, sizes and abilities. The objective of a great multi-user design is that it creates as few obstacles and barriers as possible. Grab bars can double as towel racks and easily be incorporated into a design as a stylish element. Hand held showerheads are convenient for users of all ages and size. Tubs should always be set into decks wide enough for the user to sit on comfortably and safely.

While the kitchen is a high-level design room, without exception, the bathroom too demands many decisions whether for a remodel or new construction. And unlike other rooms in your house where furniture can be moved on a whim, the bath is much more difficult (and expensive) when it comes to relocating fixture and plumbing sites. So … planning is key. Take our advice and then the fun stuff will follow. We’re talking about everything offered at decorplanet.com, from sinks and vanities to storage accessories, shower panels and more.

Trendy Bath Vanities, Sinks and Faucets offer Feng Shui Asian Fusion Flair

2009-09-09T13:52:00.001-07:00

There are a host of options at your disposal. Double-sink vanities, custom storage hutches and wall-mounted cabinets— all merging form and function. All you need to do is determine your style statement—contemporary, traditional, vintage, Asian inspired or Old World. At decorplanet.com, luxury for less is constant. That’s why the stock cabinets offered on our site are not only well-priced but composed of only the highest quality material, construction, finish and accessories your money can buy.

As for your design style, let’s say it’s Asian inspired. You wouldn’t be alone with interest in that motif. The American bath culture has indeed changed. Stressed homeowners seek refuge and solace and that’s why so many of us are creating environments in our homes conducive to the Eastern concept of “centering.” You don’t have to be a certified Feng Shui master to recognize this increasing trend. Which translates to simple, clean lines and minimalist features that are a signature of the Asian-influenced design leaning. So hot in home furnishings, it’s not at all surprising that this thematic has made its way into the kitchen and bath. It’s a measure of good design.

It’s all about global style. From deep soaking tubs, exotic shower waterfalls
and sinks (vessels in particular, see decorplanet.com’s goldfish glass vessel sink, for instance) that sleekly exemplify the art of Zen.

As homeowners integrate Japanese koi ponds into estate home entryways and lanai water features (as in a tranquil Asian-style lushly landscaped courtyards), the Asian-motif’s grace and beauty continues to be used for accessories, flooring and
furniture. In hardgoods, there are plenty of Asian-inspired looks, including:
faucets with a bamboo-like sculpted finishes (see decorplanet.com’s Danze South Sea Single Handle Lavatory Faucet and
Danze South Sea Roman Tub Faucet with Soft Touch Personal Shower), along with drawer pulls reminiscent of bamboo, wood cabinetry inspired by Asian aesthetics and a sink series with its square wooden basins modeled after a traditional Japanese
soaking tub.

Clean lines and simple forms specifically characterize vanity cabinets defined by Pacific/eastern cultures. Asian design can be more asymmetrical. It is subtle, yet dramatic, and creates a peaceful ambiance. What’s noteworthy about Asian fusion basics is that some of the products aren’t even necessarily defined as such. But what makes them work so well is that they offer a “less is more” point of view with linear, sleek and contemporary sensibilities that combine unique and differentiating elements. Peruse decorplanet.com to see this aesthetic at play.

Accessories go from Hotel to Home: Often Forgotten Important Bathroom Features

2009-09-09T11:06:00.000-07:00

Ranked high on the list of what most people want in a bathroom setting are privacy and personality. Personality comes in all sorts of ways: funky design, subdued colors, Zen surroundings, traditional or formal fixtures. Even bathroom mirrors showcase individuality.

Perhaps one of the best ways to showcase your personality is to pay attention to the small stuff. What that means exactly is — accessorize! Bolder decorating decisions have raised the echelon for tank levers and paper holders, which are fast becoming feature pieces in the bath rather than late additions. As people have become more confident in their decorating abilities, manufacturers have paid attention to what’s needed style-wise at home. They’ve designed more ingeniously with top-of-the-line finishes, always imaginatively too.

Trends and product options are constantly evolving and changing. Here at decorplanet.com we’re pros at trend spotting. We believe that “hotel quality” accessories are the most coveted, so that’s what tops our list of offerings to you. With ten categories to select from, you’ll see in an instant that we’ve taken accessorizing your bath seriously.

Think beauty, simplicity and clean lines. You can even select a finish that allows you to mix-and-match with your overall bathroom décor. Our 10 categories of accessories are:

If you think those hotel toilet paper rolls are fab, we couldn’t agree more. We have only the highest quality award-winning European design award-winner in our product docket — it’s ultra-modern and sleek too. The Glorioso Series tissue holder with cover (Model VG71126) is priced remarkably at $34.45 and highlights a quadruple chrome finish, heavy brass construction with precision laser cut technology.

Matching accessories have always been a part of the high-end luxury market. But now the category is driving through all price points. Top designers tout soap dispensers, towel bars and tooth brush holders. It’s amazing!

If where to hang your luxury towels is a design dilemma. We’ve got the solution. Go for something special with the square towel ring, part of the Ultimo Series (Model VG70924). This is a bestseller with a modern sensibility. Its unique original design shows off a quadruple chrome finish that makes it easy to upgrade your bathroom. Listed for more than $95, it’s yours for just under $60. Or if an elongated towel bar is more in keeping with your design motif, the double towel bar, at 23" is also available in a quadruple chrome finish. The Estratta Series (Model VG72240) offers stunning modern looks with heavy brass construction and a European design hotel quality motif.

To assist your decision making process even further, we sell coordinated sets. Talk about streamlining the decision-making process, right?. Consider that for just under $100 you get a complete chrome finish design package (Model VGS1100) comprised of:

24” Towel Bar
Towel Ring
Paper Holder
Double Robe Hook
Tumbler Holder With Frosted Glass
Soap Holder With Frosted Glass Dish

There you have it. Bathroom Accessories are a marvelous feature that can add your personal touch into the bathroom, especially if chosen with your design inclination in mind.

But beyond our reputation for originality, high style and design, you can always count on decorplanet.com for something extra special — Free Shipping!

Design Ideas: It's all about function

2009-08-28T15:21:00.000-07:00

Here we go again. It’s about customized details. It’s about function. In today’s bath, outfitting with upgrades translates to everything from soaking tubs to heated floor tiles (even towel warmers with a hotel-to home cachet). Comfort is the underlying motivation.

Designs for the bath have become a lot more interesting. Materials have improved, styles are more varied and thanks to the fact that homeowners have become much more savvy about it all, pricing also matters. Decorplanet.com pays attention to pricing and quality, bringing our customers sound pricing for the best products with the very best features. To make it all happen, we pay close attention to what’s the latest and greatest in new products and design.
In our role as trend trackers, we’ve come up with the following points of interest:

Control Room

The electronic age has reached the bathroom, where toilet seats warm or lift up automatically; remote controls for the shower set the time and temperature for our morning wake-up call; and automatic faucet sensors (like the ones you see in commercial establishments) have been developed for residential bathrooms. Our Shower Panel and Steam Showers categories offer lots of the latest options.

Customize Me

Corner toilets and corner wall-mounted sinks save valuable space in a powder room. Our Ordinato Modern Vanity fits the bill. Accessory shelves add much needed storage where space constraints limit the size and scope of the bath vanity. Also plentiful on our site, peruse our Bathroom Accessories for what’s hot and new too.

Bathroom Bling

The basic glass sink bowl has morphed into a more artistic form, including colored tempered glass that is crackled or swirled and Venetian glass mosaic vessels that are made by hand. Years ago there weren’t faucets to support that style of sink, but today the choices are innumerable. Take a look at our Swirling Sea Glass Vessel Sink or our Honey Glass Vessel Sink (among others) in the Bowls category on decorplanet.com. Like ceramic, copper and stone, glass has become another amazing medium.

Space/Storage Solutions

Forget that old particleboard vanity. Fashioned from glass, wood and steel, the vanity (console) brings furniture pieces into the powder room. When space is at a premium, vanities allow for extra storage by being equipped with under the counter cabinets, drawers, ample counter space and possibly corresponding medicine cabinets and accessory-shelving units. Furniture style vanities are not only functional, but are created with a variety of natural materials such as wood, glass and stone to accommodate any unique bathroom setting. Check out Distante in our Modern Vanities category or Palermo in our Antique Bathroom Vanity offerings and you’ll see there are plenty of decisions to be made.

Spa Bliss

As if luxury materials aren’t enough, spa-style treatments are being incorporated into bath fixtures for the home. Some showerheads even feature the art of light therapy. Led-lit shower streams change colors to promote relaxation and well-being. Bath systems offer chromatherapy or aromatherapy options. In some cases, bath water is illuminated in eight colors or bubbles release essential oils into the skin as you soak, promoting stress reduction and peaceful sleep. Decorplanet.com’s on it, with two important product categories showcasing Steam Showers and Whirlpools.

WELCOME TO OUR BLOG

2009-08-28T15:05:00.000-07:00

Welcome to our blog.

This is the place to read about the inspiration behind our product choices, the latest trends and to stay informed of the sales and other exciting happenings on our web site.