Friday 31 August 2012

Feature Washbasins: Not To Be Overlooked


Some people believe the bathroom to be of relative insignificance in the home, simply a place to wash, bath and do your business; some rarely even take care of the little boys room.

At Bathroom City, we believe that the bathroom is of great significance, and when done correctly, your family bathroom can be the home equivalent of a spa; giving you a place to relax and unwind at the end of a hard day.

Many features of the modern bathroom are often overlooked as a style choice and are regularly over shadowed by more significant home purchases.

A cleverly designed bathroom really can inspire your guests and a combination of the right furniture and sanitaryware can create a relaxed ambience which is second to none in the home.

One of the many overlooked bathroom essentials is the washbasin. Often selected purely on price, simplicity and the ability to merge with current bathroom furniture, the wash basin rarely gets a look in when spending your ‘luxury item’ fund (not that everyone has one of course).

A feature basin can drastically alter the look of your bathroom, and turn a functional design idea into an ore-inspiring luxurious concept, reminiscent of a top hotel, spa or health club.

‘I’d love a bathroom like that’ is regularly uttered with disappointment on leaving a hotel: so why not give it a go? The range of feature basins from Kohler is a great way to start.

With elegant vessel, undercounter, console, cast iron and ceramic washbasins, the range of Kohler products offers both timeless traditional designs reminiscent of Edwardian or Victorian grandeur as well as unique contemporary chic to impress your guests.

Capturing light in your suite and offering a head turning elegance, the Lavinia, Facet, Mirovia, Briolette and Pallene vessels are a clear glass look which captures the luxury of the vessel basin with a highly detailed design.

On the other hand, for a sumptuous ceramic vessel basin, the Nepal and Persia design offer a highly detailed hand crafted design, for a more decorative, elegant look.

Antilia Wading Pool
Moreover, for a simple yet effective clear glass concept which oozes class, the Antilia Wading Pool glass is a hand crafted clear glass concept with light capturing characteristics that resemble water in various physical forms.

If a vessel basin isn’t you cup of tea, then maybe an undercounter basin offering a similar shape recessed subtly into a countertop or piece of furniture maybe your ideal solution.

The Lilies Lore cast bronze undercounter vessel basin is a traditional design which captures the essence of yesteryear with its beautifully engraved bronze basin, while the Kallos under counter basin is a highly detailed glass vessel basin which captures light in your suite and exudes contemporary vogue.

For the ultimate undercounter design, the Marrakesh countertop and Camber basin offers four different combinations of basin and countertop each providing a luxury design with meticulous attention to detail crafted from china, ideally finished with any of Kohler’s wall mounted brassware.

Simple shapes with extravagant detailing can make the humble undercounter a focal point in your bathroom suite and promise an unrivalled look which oozes class.

Finally, for a grand look while maintaining timeless tradition which will create an unforgettable bathroom look, a console basin is a sophisticated design with extravagance by the bucket load.

Chrome legs support the Kathryn Console Table which is an elegant look, combining a fireclay console top and stylish square tapered chrome legs.

Alternatively, for a more traditional look the traditional Kathryn console table with mitred corners sits splendidly on octagonal chrome legs which exude class and capture classic Edwardian grandeur.

Kathryn Console Table
Whatever you decide, try not to overlook the humble washbasin, it can really define your bathroom interior and make a good bathroom great. If you would like more information on the exclusive Kohler range that we stock then contact us through www.bathroomcity.co.uk and drop us an email, phone call or even pop into one of our showrooms.  



Tuesday 28 August 2012

Toilet Books

What exactly is a toilet book? For some reason, embedded into our culture, is the idea that some literature is simply absorbed best while on the loo.

What separates these books from the rest we don't know, but why not check out comedian Stewart Lee's take on the infamous 'Toilet Book'?



www.bathroomcity.co.uk

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Renovating Your 'One Pound Home' On Budget


Your ears may have pricked up at the term ‘one pound house’ recently, as the scheme is being put in place in the UK to help out lower income families.

Of course, ‘one pound house’ isn’t necessarily true, one pound gives you the right to control the property but not actually live in it.

To put it simply, one pound, gives you ‘the right to buy’ a property in the future at a fixed price: if a property is £90,000 it will remain that price exclusively for you over the next 3 years.

This gives people the chance to renovate old buildings, make profit or a family home, and get on the property ladder.

With all this talk of home renovation at a cost, we thought it necessary to add a few tips of our own concerning the bathroom area.

The first way to save on your bathroom is D.I.Y. Of course, don’t take on plumbing or electrical jobs if you’re not fully qualified, but simple jobs like removing wallpaper or old installations can be done with the right advice, a bit of common sense and a lot of motivation.

This not only saves you money but also makes it a lot easier to calculate home much professional man power is needed for a job, for example: if a wall is covered in broken tiles and a tiler has to remove them before they start work, it costs a lot more for them to do that job then it does for you.

In other words, any cleaning, painting or job that requires mindless smashing, do it yourself: don’t pay someone ten pounds an hour to do it.

Moreover, your second biggest expenditure is materials, and on a budget it is difficult to acquire luxury materials like marble countertops.

If you are renovating your one pound property to live, then why not try a simple lino on your bathroom floor, it is affordable and can be used as a temporary solution until you have enough money for a more durable finish.
Jax Tara Round Surface Top Basin available at Bathroom City

Another money saving alternative is to check out local car boot sales or antique stores to find a second hand vanity unit, which will not only be cheap, but give tons of character to your room. Try looking for a vintage style cupboard and simply add a surface top basin such as the Jax Tara Round Surface Top Basin, and you will get a stunning original design for just £40.


Bathroom essentials such as the toilet and bath can be easily acquired in sales, or as ‘seconds’ as long as the item doesn’t have any major defects and, if kept simple, you can gain a modern timeless look at an affordable price.

At Bathroom City, we have huge sales on all year round with thousands of modern products to choose from at budget prices. The Jax Drift range is one of our best sellers and offers a contemporary solution on a budget, such as the Jax Drift 410 Vanity Unit with Basin and Tap included for just £89.


Remember when renovating your home, think of resale, and keep it simple, modern luxury usually stems from minimalism, so choose simple items with a clean cut look: as long as you keep things clean and don’t clutter with unnecessary accessories, a basic bathroom design will always be a winner. 

Monday 13 August 2012

Bathroom City’s beginners guide to cocktails


We agree that a sumptuous hot tub or whirlpool bath can be the perfect luxury after a long hard day at work. As hot bubbles rise and massage your muscles, there really is no better way to unwind. With all this heat though, isn’t it right we accompanied a Jacuzzi with a delicious cool drink? Hot tubs can be enjoyed alone or with friends, either way, a few cheeky cocktails are always a delicious and sometimes eventful accompaniment to your Jacuzzi experience: so this blog is aimed at those who like the richer things in life…A beginners guide to cocktails.


Mojito

The word Mojito rolls off the tongue, makes you sound cultured and is often ordered abroad after a few drinks purely for the name rather than the taste but, if your not totally inebriated, you will discover that a Mojito is actually a refreshing beverage and more than worthy to join you in the hot tub.

2 parts white rum
1 part lime juice
Top up soda water
10 mint sprigs
1 part ice cubes
1 lime slice
1 table spoon of sugar


Long Island Ice Tea

Often over shadowed by more glamorous cocktails, while drinking abroad, the Long Island Ice Tea is very refreshing, and although the phrase “I got smashed on Long Island Ice Tea last night” is not often heard uttered around holiday resorts, the delicious half sister of the quintessential English cupper packs quite a punch.

½ part gin
½ part white rum
½ part tequila
1 part vodka
½ part triple sec
Top up cola
Dash of lime juice
Dash of lemon juice
5 ice cubes
1 lemon wedge
Dash of sugar syrup

Margarita

A simple classic which is often the culprit for the occasional holiday disaster but even more often the instigator of great times as well as being pretty damn tasty to boot.

1 part Tequila
1 part Triple sec
1 part Lime juice


Pina Colada

Again, another cocktail usually purchased to make you feel more exotic, the Pina Colada, when enjoyed before your taste buds haven’t been destroyed by an insane concoction of Belgium lager, Sambuca, Absinthe and Bombay Saphire (maybe not the latter) is actually a delicious concoction of coconut and pineapple.

2 parts gold rum
1 teaspoon cream of coconut
Dash of cream
3 parts pineapple juice
1 orange slice



Screaming Orgasm

The Screaming Orgasm is the wild card, certainly not a cocktail classic and has a slightly risqué name which hopefully doesn’t cause any offence to our readers, but it is worth mentioning due to its simple ingredients which can be found in any self respecting drinks cabinet.

1 part vodka
½ part Kahlua
1 ½ parts Bailey’s Irish Cream


That concludes our brief guide to cocktails, remember ‘parts’ can be judged on whether you wish your Jacuzzi experience to be pleasant or for you to be paralytic. Drink safe and enjoy the tub.  

www.bathroomcity.co.uk




Friday 10 August 2012

Be Inspired to Design


Want to reinvent your bathroom but have no inspiration? Keep looking at those dull lifeless walls and can’t seem to fathom a design? It’s difficult to begin designing a bathroom suite, without a keen eye for interior design; it may seem like a daunting process.

Not everybody is a top designer, and sometimes it takes a good showroom, sales person or just somebody who knows the field, for you to start visualising your dream suite.

If you are one of these people, you are not alone, everybody finds it difficult to imagine a personal ideal, even top designers. This blog is aimed to get those creative juices flowing and looks at some of the worlds finest bathroom designs. Some of them may feel worlds away from your current suite, but any look is possible with the right eye and inspiration.

 Southern Ocean Lodge, Australia


This designer hotel can be found in Kangaroo Island Australia and is around £1,200 a night.

Of course, the stunning view plays a key role in its overall beauty, but this style of bathroom can be easily acquired in your own home, it’s a simple freestanding bath and basins right?

By ignoring the luxurious nature of the suite and the bank breaking price tag, if you take the essence of the suite, a combination of real wood vanities, wooden features and minimal freestanding bath, the bathroom is in fact a simple design possibility for a standard home.

If you check out our freestanding bath range, we are sure you will find a design that could kick start your new suite, and moreover, check out the Pelipal range, you will discover a host of vanity units and double basins which capture a similar effect to this striking luxury suite.   







Lime Wood


Located in the New Forest, Hampshire, this vintage bathroom overlooks a stunning view of nature and costs a modest £295 per double room.

Again, simplicity is key, and the bathroom is a traditional freestanding bath, lit up by the sumptuous natural light of the outdoors, making the space grow and exude elegance; maybe that is something to take on board in the development of your own suite?



Clos du Lethe


In Languedoc-Rousillon, France the £180 a night luxury farmhouse takes a different approach to its bathing facilities.

While most opt for a freestanding bath, the Clos du Lethe has developed a wet room.

Wet rooms are the epitome of simplicity, no panels, no trays, just a simple shower kit and the appropriate tiling.

Amongst showering facility the bath holds a similar look, and hotel’s owner, searched long and hard to find the exact copper pipe to drill into the farmhouse’s age old walls, in order to fill the bath in just two minutes. 

Why not check out some of our contemporary shower kits on our website and begin developing a similar idea of your own?


Monday 6 August 2012

Bathroom Design Ideas


It is important to think about the bathroom design as much as the bathroom fixtures. If you’re thinking of remodelling your bathroom, consider adding elements of comfort and elegance. Think crystal chandeliers, gold plated faucets, marble flooring and a stained-glass window. Bathrooms are getting the royal treatment, elegance, softness and sophistication are the key words for bathroom décor these days. People are spending top dollar to get hand-made Italian tiles, custom-constructed and fitted hand-rubbed wood cabinets and its time you got in on the action!

Bathrooms are getting larger combined with dressing areas and walk in closets. Over sized bathtubs, separate showers, gym equipment and sauna rooms, the bathroom is quickly becoming a destination place in homes. Some homeowners are even tearing down walls and eliminating small bedrooms to create giant bathrooms that they can put their own design ideas into.

Eye appeal and convenience is just what you need, custom cabinetry is designed to provide maximum storage. Tall cabinets on either side of the sink area offer eye-level storage for bathroom necessities. A small bathroom will look larger with mirrored walls or cabinet doors. Consider having the cabinets cut shallower than usual and bump out the counter area around the sinks. It’s also worth considering having the countertop installed at two heights, the lowered area can then serve as a dressing table.

Ceramic tiles of all shapes and styles are the choice of the day. Many bathrooms have laminate or solid surface countertops, for any variety of looks and durability choose glass, ceramic, stone or metal tiles. There are many painted or embossed tiles to choose from, even in ceramic. These are especially useful to create a border around an area, a chair rail design or to frame a mirror or cabinet. Decorative tiles are sold by the piece so before you go shopping measure the space you’re going to tile so that you know how many tiles you’ll need.

Available at www.bathroomcity.com
The elegant bathroom you’re designing will definitely need two sinks. Block out a place on each side of the room for a single sink, each person will be able to use their sink without rubbing elbows. Some redesigned bathrooms have the sink in front of the window to take advantage of the natural light. Be sure to have cabinets handy if you’re thinking of using pedestal sinks, it will make the room more open. If you want to get the newest look in bathroom sinks, show a large bowl mounted on top of a bathroom counter. Artists and designers are using all sorts of materials such as marble hand-blown glass, gold-leafed glass or shiny metals.

Get rid of the large wall-size frameless mirror over your sink and replace it with a beautiful framed mirror. Chose frame modelling to enhance your space. With the traditional mirror dressed up in elegant frame, you might want to move the medicine cabinet out of the way or hang a mirror framed door over the cabinet.

The slightest amount of creativity and imagination can help to change a usually bare, cold space into a luxurious personal retreat.

Alex writes about home improvements and loves to make use of www.speedyservices.com tool hire to help keep costs down.

Thursday 2 August 2012

Guest Blog: A Pristine Bathroom Needs Pristine Water


You check the mirror above the vanity to make sure it’s straight and the final detail of your remodeling job is done.  You invested a lot of time and creative energy into improving the bathroom in your home. You did the research, picked out your favourite designs, and finally had the perfect fixtures installed. You are now the proud owner of the world’s most beautiful bathroom and all is well. Right?

From all outward appearances, you have everything you need, but there is one subtle detail you may not have considered. Now that you have a fantastically equipped bathroom, it’s time to treat yourself. Your bathroom is beautiful and you should be too. Unfortunately, the water that comes from your tap is treated with chemicals to kill bacteria and viruses. While those chemicals make the water safe to drink, it can also cause damage to your skin and hair.

If you have sensitive skin, chemical-treated water can cause itching or a rash, but even healthy skin will suffer from the harmful effects.  Most water treatment systems only add a small amount of chemicals to the water to disinfect it, but that small amount is enough to cause damage over time. These chemicals dry out your skin and strip it of natural oils which help keep your skin smooth and prevent wrinkles. Remember, when you have dry skin, you’ll probably have a dry scalp which means your hair has less moisture.  Without natural moisture, your hair won’t have its natural shine, bounce, or manageability.

So while you’re installing that perfect shower head, why not install a water filter at the same time. An activated carbon shower filter will reduce chlorine and other impurities from the water, making it safer and healthier for your skin. A filter reduces particulates and helps soften the water so you can feel the difference when you shower.  An added bonus- many of the shower filter systems can be installed on the water line so you don’t have to sacrifice your favorite shower head. 

Why should you have to live with anything other than the best water? Treat yourself to a more enjoyable shower experience and help keep your skin healthy.

Andrew Clement has been writing about water quality and treatment since 2009. He is a blogger for WaterFilters.NET and his interests include public health, water quality, and water treatment systems.