"People First Innovation" is the guiding principle behind Toto, the world’s largest manufacturer of bathroom fixtures and fittings. TOTO is an un paralleled luxury brand creating beautiful and functional fixtures for the bath. What really impresses me is that at the same time the are heavily focused on water conservation, a leading global concern that needs more attention here in the US.
In 1989, in response to the state’s dramatic drought conditions and the growing need for water conservation, TOTO USA was established in California. Today they operate three manufacturing facilities in the US. I was amazed to know that 80% of all toilets on the Las Vegas strip are, you guessed it, TOTO! The brand first started nearly one hundred years ago in Japan. Today there is still a zen aesthetic to both the design and experience of the product. 
The Washlet is a must have in my opinion. There are lots of choices to make when creating a new bathroom. A few judiciously selected "special items" can make your bathroom awesome and this is one I'd pick. TOTO reinvented the toilet seat by creating the Washlet, which gives people a new way to be cleaner and more comfortable every day. Washlet seats can be installed on virtually any toilet and use pure, clean water –along with several TOTO technologies – to make their users cleaner and more refreshed. Ok we're taking personalization to a new level here but you must admit... In case you're wondering, there are many public restrooms you can visit and see for yourself. Here's where they are. If you do, get back to me. It would make a great blogpost ;) Speaking of blog posts, I also found this great post by engadget.com A Westerner's Guide to Japanese Toilets .In addition to this, TOTO uses a lot of technology designed to preserve both the environment as well as your water and energy bill. This even includes something called SanaGloss. TOTO’s patented, super smooth glaze that repels visible and invisible waste, making it difficult to adhere to porcelain. I'm all for less toilet cleaning!
Accessible design and real showers were a part of TOTO's interactive booth at KBIS2015! 
Up next: The other item not to be missed for your bath, Mr. Steam! You can easily plan it into your bathroom renovation.
TOTO, Total Luxury with a Conscience
There's nothing more luxurious than a TOTO toilet. There, I said it. Even the "design civilians" know about the TOTO toilet with tush cleaning features but since learning about this amazing company, in depth, I have begun to notice that TOTO toilets are literally everywhere! When you visit restaurants, airports, hotels and any number of commercial locations, check the toilet. It's probably TOTO. There's a good reason for that. Their products start with really listening to people and discovering what they need. They call it "People First Innovation".TOTO is the world’s largest plumbing products manufacturer offering a complete line of commercial and residential decorative plumbing fixtures including, not only toilets but showers, faucets, lavatories and more. They're at the top because they achieve a seamless integration of performance, conservation, technology and innovation. No small order and they've been doing it for over 90 years. TOTO was founded in Japan in 1917 and continues to be a global company with TOTO USA headquarters and state-of-art plant located in Morrow Georgia.We both know a TOTO product is an investment so let me tell you what you're paying for. Countless layers and hours of research and development are spent which results in superb performance and products that are environmentally responsible. Quality and worry-free fixtures translate into money savings and, even better, peace of mind. I'm not joking when I say research. While on the Modenus Blog Tour, I spoke with Lenora Campos, TOTO PR guru, who explained that TOTO studies, in depth, every possible type of matter that is likely to end up in the bowl. They are intrepid. TOTO's Dual-Max® flushing system, found on several of their most popular High Efficiency Toilets, offers the option of a 1.6 gallon flush or 0.9 gallon flush based upon need. I've heard consumers complain about the inefficiency of the one gallon flush. My answer to that is that quality varies in all products. The one gallon flush is not going away and I can tell you with TOTO it's a win-win concept. Even the materials used help conserve your time and water. SanaGloss® ceramic glaze - prevents debris, mold from sticking to ceramic surfaces, leading to fewer chemicals and less water in cleaning.In addition to the famous NEOREST toilet, TOTO also makes what they call a Washlet toilet seat which offers the same personal cleaning system that uses warm, aerated water to clean (similar to a bidet) and can fit right onto your existing bowl. All you need is an electrical outlet in the vicinity. Still not sure? You can actually try one out for yourself at a number of establishments. Click here to see where they are.
I was able to view many of the TOTO products at the recent Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) last month. The product selection extends beyond their famous toilets. I loved the Rain Showerheads. Not only are they lovely to look at but somehow they are able to make less water feel like more!
The Wyeth Collection also embodies TOTO's People First Innovation philosophy. A part of that is it's extreme "environmentally friendliness". It consumes only 1.5 gallons of water per minute without sacrificing an ounce of performance. The transitional design is also the product of consumer research. This look will be at home in a variety of decors. Wyeth tub and shower faucets are also available. Click here to visit TOTO's comprehensive website where you can see the many features and technologies they incorporate into their products. 