Have you ever stopped to think about how design impacts your health and well-being? Design is just not working if it doesn't make you feel good and that is what Mr. Steam is all about. One of my experiences on the Modenus Blog Tour Vegas was to attend Modenus Talks. This was a day long, interactive meeting of design minds and it is where I heard Martha Orellana, AKA Mrs. Steam, seduce us with the physical and mental benefits of steam.
Perhaps you already know too much about me. You know that my dream bath is going to include the TOTO Washlet but the other big must have is, of course, steam. I will find a way and, according to Mr. Steam, it's not so hard to do. But first, a word (ok a few) about what's in it for you. Steam is great for your skin but also for your whole respiratory system and is recommended for the relief of symptoms from colds, flu, sinusitis, bronchitis, allergies, asthma, throat irritation, arthritis and more. Sore, tired muscles? Rigid joints? Steam eases the pain. It also acts as a natural detox (which we all need now and then). 
Steam therapy is nothing new. The Greeks and Roman indulged and so did the Japanese and even Native Americans. Check here for more about this interesting tradition. 
We got to bathe in the steam at the Aria Spa courtesy of Mr. Steam. A lovely experience made even better with Tala. Tala Bath & Body is a new discovery for me and is a line of essential oils, clays, scrubs and soaps. Mrs. Steam traveled to Morocco to research and develop these products. The Arabic word for "bath" is "hammam" and there is a beautiful ritual associated with it that you can follow with Tala.
So now you're probably curious about what it would take to get steamy. Basically you need an enclosed shower area around 8' high with a slightly sloped ceiling (because of condensation). You'll need a water line, drain line and electric for the generator. A seat is a good idea and then you're ready for ten minutes of bliss. That's all it takes. 
Steam showers do not require special ventilation. With the shower door closed, very little steam escapes. At the end of a steam shower session, simply turn on the shower to condense the remaining steam in the enclosure before opening the door. Voila'! Next Up: Taking personalization to the kitchen with Wood-Mode and TopKnobs!
Honor Mother Nature with Style at TOTO
"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.
Big Trends from KBIS Part II
The Modenus Blog Tour recaps continue! Last post I shared some of my kitchen trend discoveries from KBIS2015, the 51st Kitchen & Bath Industry Show held last month in LasVegas. Today I've got the scoop on what's trending in the bath.
I have to say it, personalization is also at the top of the list for bathroom style and function. I saw lots of new options for faucet finishes. Were you getting tired of brushed nickel? Nice to see something new in that arena.
I saw a lot of contemporary design for the bath, minimal clean lines, simplicity but with quality materials.Affordability is definitely achievable. For example you can have the quality of Kohler with their basic Sterling line or luxury of their exclusive Kallista line.
Brizo introduced its new Rook collection for the bath, with a subtle reference to chess. Its their latest suite of luxury faucets, fittings and accessories for the bath. This collection combines a low spout architecture and crisp octagonal details for a stately yet modern design.
Brizo also has something for you if you're a little "twisted" and I love it. It's the Virage Collection 
Free standing tubs and tub fillers- The popularity of free-standing tubs created a whole new plumbing fixture, the tub filler. They were everywhere!
Creativity with tile- It's not just subway tile anymore although there are even a lot of interesting variations on this popular style.
I can't leave you today without a nod to the number one booth in my opinion. I wasn't alone as it was also voted most innovative booth of the show. The award went to AquaBrass for their Buckminster Fuller inspired geodesic dome. This innovative concept wowed me but they went all the way with my favorite combination art + design. With and artist on site creating beautiful artful bathtubs! This was to introduce their new Kanvas collection. It brings art to the bathroom in a limited series of hand-painted freestanding bathtubs, each one signed by the artist. The tubs are stone resin and offer a choice of three hand-painted exteriors: bright and bold Graffiti has a youthful, urban edge; nature-inspired Pax invites bathers to a soothing Zen-like experience; and architectural Mosaik brings timeless elegance with its classic yet modern look.
Aquabrass also introduced something that's going right on my dream list. The Aquazone, a revolutionary shower and bath concept that provides the best of both worlds. Molded into a single, space-saving wet zone unit requiring only 60"X60" of space. North American-built, its strong, one-piece construction is solid Lucite acrylic with a reinforced base. And with two integrated wheels and six adjustable levelers, it rolls into place easily, saving time, materials and labor costs.
Not only was the booth full of great new products and finishes with the occasional thoughtfully placed message, they thought outside of the box and into the dome!! Kudos to the creators and congrats.Up next: We're not done in the bathroom yet! Here's the Jeopardy question: "The number one plumbing fixture supplier in the world" Who is ??????
BigTrends from KBIS2015 Part I
Day two of the Modenus Blog Tour was opening day for the 51st annual Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS). The Bloggers were given an inside peek into many of the booths at the show and as we toured, trends most certainly did emerge.
"There is a three year lag between Europe and North America when it comes to trends", says Warren Ramsland, President of Top Knobs. Taking that into account, there were many differences between what I saw here and what I witnessed in Italy at Euro Cucina last year. Perhaps the biggest European influence that continues to pick up steam is contemporary design for both the kitchen and bath.
Laminates are enjoying a serge in popularity. This material is more widely used and experimented with by our friends across the pond but we're picking up speed. I was wowed by the offerings at Wilsonart who debuted their "Spirit of Mindfulness" collection of 27 exciting laminate colors and textures. Also introduced were a line of quartz counter tops in a great assortment of neutral, workable hues. By late spring, a selection of 50 patterns will showcase a full range of colors, textures and four structures: Fine and Small Scale, Medium Scale, Large Scale, and Veining and Movement. That is one of the things I love about quartz, the wide variety of pattern, or no pattern at all! I was impressed not only by the innovative product development at Wilsonart but also their philosophy. This press release statement says it all:"Fueled in part by a turbulent economy, today’s more budget-savvy and eco-conscious consumers have responded by making their homes the calm eye in the storm of life. For many, this translates to finding a spirit of mindfulness within themselves and expressing it in their surroundings."
One of the new Wilsonart quartz options showing beautiful veining. Photo courtesy of WilsonartCheck out the Wilsonart Visualizer to help you pick your counter top color. It's easy, fun and very helpfulTechnology is also taking the kitchen and bath world by storm. There were numerous examples but two stood out for me. A company called TechTop took home the Best In Show Award for their counter top charging technology. Simply place your phone, tablet etc. on the counter top and viola' it will charge, no plug-in required. 
This great idea is from LG Hausy, yes it's the same "Life's Good" LG that makes appliances. They make counter tops too. I also loved this Solna articulating faucet by one of my favorite brands, Brizo. How convenient, right?!Fifty Shades of Gray has moved on to what I call "greige". It's the new warm toned beigey-gray which I saw everywhere! Palettes are definitely neutral. A great example is the Tangent collection by Walker Zanger. Love the mid-century inspiration which I also saw a lot of at the show. 
Walker-Zanger deals in tile, marble and stone artistry. Their collections are arguably the most innovative I've seen. Case in point is their Sterling Row collection, inspired by menswear and a favorite at the show. I found it to be extremely sophisticated, eye catching and innovative. The collection was a favorite at the show. 
We saw more of the Sterling Row Collection later on the blog tour in The New American Home, so there's more to come!Perhaps the BIGGEST trend of the show was personalization. I mentioned this in the last post about Thermador but they were not alone. Here are a few more pics highlighting the concept. Frigidaire's SpaceWise Custom Flex refrigerators allow you to totally customize the shelves inside by moving the drawers and shelving to your desired configuration.
How about this great storage system by Rev-A- Shelf? I know we all want this level of organization in our lives, yes? Right now this is a prototype but the response from the industry was good so I think we can expect to see this in the coming year.
Enough for now? Well there's more to come.Up next: KBIS 2015 Part II where I'll tell you about all my great finds for the bath and more.
Perfect Party Mix: Poggenpohl, Blanco and More
One of the most delightful experiences I had on the recent Modenus Blog Tour during Design and Construction Week in Las Vegas (which I'm sure you've all been following on social media) was a penthouse cocktail party located in the Residences at Mandarin Oriental. 
We toured three suites in the sky, more than forty floors up, all featuring products by Blanco, Poggenpohl and Cosentino, makers of Silestone and Dekton. These exclusive residences were host to private events for the press and the design community.
The theme of the evening was "The Art of Performance". Products were complemented by elegant bronze sculptures by California-based contemporary figurative artist Richard MacDonald.
We also had living sculptures in the form of two very talented (and flexible) dancers.
Blanco's Precision Steel Art sinks were on show along with their edgy Culina faucets. Incidentally this popular sink style comes in a 16" smaller size perfect for prep or bar sinks. 
It features angular lines, something really original and different from your standard stainless steel sink.
I had the pleasure of interviewing the lovely Christy Emens, Communications and Marketing Manager of Blanco. She touts "livable design" which is Blanco's version of personalization. This involves not only a variety of sink and faucet sizes, but also accessories to add convenience in the kitchen. 
The Blanco One is a bit larger but still compact, plus you can trick it out with all kinds of goodies.Back to the party, The Art of Performance is all about how kitchens and baths can be beautiful as well as functional and I think they proved their point.
Cosentino showcased their new Dekton color, Aura. I love the continuous veining!
Poggenpohl's design statement continues the theme of "personalization", a major trend at the show. Your kitchen should be a reflection of your lifestyle.As a 123 year old company, Poggenpohl was instrumental in the development of the first modern day kitchens. The German company remains cutting edge in its design philosophy and use of materials. In 2014 they introduced Poggenpohl P´7350 Design by Porsche, the latest incarnation by Porsche Design Studio. The collection features a sleek new look achieved by the use of industrial mitering technology. Love!! 
Back to the party. Poggenpohl kitchen designer Anne Kramer, says “Our vision is to personalize each kitchen to the homeowner’s needs for entertaining, for cooking, for storage and for lifestyle. Unlike traditional homes, these residences are at the height of the Las Vegas strip. A rarified atmosphere where anything is possible." I think they succeeded. Next up: The Big Show: KBIS Trend Recap
Getting Personal with Thermador
The Kitchen & Bath Industry show (KBIS) is like Christmas morning for a designer, full of excitement and new discoveries. That's exactly what my experience was like this year as a member of the Modenus Blog Tour. 
Not only that, I also had the opportunity to meet and mingle with some truly awesome designers, the rock stars of our industry. Before we get to that, on Monday our group visited the Las Vegas Market located in the World Market Center, also the location of Modenus Talks, a meeting of the minds where the topic of the day was: The Power of Great Design - Improving Well Being at Work and at Home.
So awesome to think that the way we design our homes and work spaces impacts our health and well being, including mental health! Combine this with personalization, a significant trend across brands, and you have a winning recipe for client and designer.
Personalization means more options and choices to suit your individual needs. One example of this is the innovation at Thermador. Zach Elkin, Director Luxury Division at Thermador, spoke about how the brand embraces the culinary enthusiast.
This year, at KBIS, they introduced a new 30” professional style range with innovative features that provide more design possibilities. Sister company Bosch also introduced a line of smaller appliances proving that very good things come in small packages
Another big healthy trend is steam cooking. Trust me, you are going to be seeing much more of this. You can cook ANYTHING except popcorn in a steam oven and it comes out great, even pizza, crispy too! Steam is not just for veggies anymore.
I can't leave without telling you about Thermador's new Freedom Induction Range, the first full-surface induction appliance in the luxury appliance category. That means that there are no "burners", in fact the whole thing is one big "burner"! It has sensory technology that "just knows" ;)
Next up: The Perfect Party Mix: Blanco & Poggenpohl