Tag Archives: luxury
Planning your bathroom? Here are 7 top tips!
There are 7 key areas that you must address before starting your bathroom renovation. By planning ahead, you can save yourself both time and prevent many costly mistakes that may occur in the long run.
- Get the location perfect – Where is your bathroom currently located? Is it in the best place for the rest of the home? If not, now may be the best time to relocate. For example, it may be beneficial to move the bathroom from downstairs to upstairs or vice versa. Remember, this is your bathroom, so design the space to fit the features you want it to have, such as a walk-in shower enclosure or whirlpool bath.
- Is that the best price? – If you’re working with a limited budget, you don’t have to buy all your sanitaryware from the same supplier, or with the same brand. It’s useful to stick with the colour white as this will broaden your options, and be sure to check out your local bathroom discount warehouses and online retailers. Mix and match different installations to achieve the look you’re after at the best possible cost.
- Check your water supply – The performance of your water system will determine the outcome of water pressure within your new bathroom installation. There is no point in upgrading your bathroom without first checking that your water system will be up to the task. If your home currently has a gravity fed system, it may be an idea to check with your plumber to see if a pressurised system can be installed, so that you’re meeting a standard demand of 3 BAR (measure of water pressure). If an upgrade isn’t an option, then look towards electrical pump installations to give you that extra boost in pressure.
- Turn on the lights! - Imaginative lighting can make a big difference to your finished look – Don’t just settle for a single centre mounted light bulb. Experiment with spot lights on key features, such as the bath, with dimmer controls to create a real relaxing atmosphere. Low-voltage down-lights with directional fittings can provide clean bright lighting to create a spacious feel within your bathroom. Avoid pointing lights onto mirrors, and be sure to check that all your lights meet building regulations (IPX ratings etc).
- Consider your heating – The ideal option for bathrooms is underfloor heating, as it’s concealed and it can make a tiled or stone floor a lot more comfortable. Alternatively, you could incorporate hot water pipes between joists which can be added to your current central heating system (you will need a mixer valve to control the extra flow). Electric UFH mats laid within the tile adhesive are also another option. Towel rails are a no brainer – easy installation with maximum benefit both practically and cosmetically.
- Enough ventilation? – If you don’t consider ventilation properly in the early stages of development, your newly installed bathroom will quickly become victim to mould, and unavoidable musty smells. An electric powered extractor fan mounted into a top corner is the best option, and and can be vented straight outside or up through a ceiling. Some fans can be activated by movement or humidity level, but the common method of operation is incorporating it into your light switch.
- Optimise your layout – Having a shower, wash basin and WC is fine for a second bathroom or en suite, but a family bathroom needs to have a bath. Don’t try to cram too much into your new layout and try and stick to minimum practical working distances around each facility. WC’s for instance, require 45cm either side of the centre. Without spending too much cash, try using a computer program to help you decide on a layout. Google SketchUp (sketchup.google.com) is a great place to start.
So what are you waiting for? Get planning!
Source: Real Homes Magazine – June 2009
Labour MP puts Sauna on expenses!
The latest addition to the MP’s expenses fiasco shows how one politician utilised the taxpayer’s money to install a sauna in his home. The unknown MP, who is thought to be a senior Labour figure, claimed for the sauna to help with a current skin condition that required regular sauna sessions. It has been stated that this new discovery is bound to trigger a fresh storm in how MP’s are abusing the £24,006 second home allowance.
Many Ministers fear an uproar of unjustified claims will be uncovered once MP’s are to declare all expenses receipts this summer. It is believed that such embarassment could cause a number of members to quit in order to avoid further scrutiny.
As with this Minister, Di Vapor also believes that saunas are one of the best investments you can make for your body, so head over to http://www.divapor.com/infrared-sauna.php to see our full range.
For the full article, please visit the following link: www.telegraph.co.uk
Bronze age sauna discovered.
A newly discovered roundhouse and sauna has been discovered on a Cumbria Farm in Somerset England: March 2009.
The roundhouse measured 56 feet (17) in diameter, which was one of the largest roundhouses to be unearthed in Britain, and is estimated to be an impressive 3,000 years old.
Archaeologists uncovering the site found a large mound of burned stones, which suggests a sauna may have once stood there. A wide range of Roman artefacts were also found including shears, brooches, three Iron Age spearheads, loom weights, vast amounts of pottery and two skeletons.
Steven Membury, a historic environment officer at Somerset County Council, said: “We think the site began about 2,500 BC with ritual use around a spring where the burned stones were found”
“The idea that the stone indicate ‘sweat houses’ is just one theory”
“We can tell that the huge roundhouse burned down but we think we have one surviving post which we will be able to carbon date”
For the full story, please visit the following link: Bronze Age Sauna
Mirror Mirror on the Wall!
Creating a perfect bathroom retreat requires careful consideration and planning. Mirrors are an essential element in bathroom design as they can add dramatic effect along with a sense of space. Furthermore, a bathroom mirror will reflect any light coming into the room creating a brighter and more comfortable atmosphere.
But with so many different tastes amongst us, it’s difficult to decide on a mirror that suits your unique style and look. LuxuryBathroomMirrors.com gives us the option of creating a bespoke mirror with many different styles to choose from (for a very reasonable price at that!). Create a straight edged design combined with LED’s to achieve that modern contemporary look - http://www.luxurybathroommirrors.co.uk/ is definitely worth a visit.
Free delivery with all orders placed in the UK – Always a bonus!
Require a 3 minute dryer?
The new innovative Triton body dryer is set to join the growing range of luxury bathroom products.
Yes, damp towels in your bathroom may be things of the past. Now we can be dried on those drowsy winter Monday mornings by simply staying completely stationary as the Triton body dryer does the work for us. We have all had the pleasure of drying ourselves with an orthodox hairdryer, but now we can have this delectable feeling as soon as we step out of the shower.
Costing just 1p per minute to run (with a usual dry taking just 3 minutes) you can certainly see why the Triton body dryer has such a heavy price tag of £230. Expect to save money from not washing as many towels.
Not only does this simple yet ingenious invention reduce your carbon footprint, its better for you health wise as it helps reduce moisture in the air which will prevent the growth of bacteria in your bathroom.
The gadget comes with a wireless remote to help you choose an ideal setting, and the dryer may be doubled up as a room heater. Also, it may prove to be very useful for drying kids quickly or even pets.
This device is the height of lavish idleness and upon its release it has been labelled a glorified hair dryer. We’ll let you decide.
Clever Camping Contraption!
Camping is often associated with tents, the great outdoors, and campfires. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea due to the lack of luxury one can expect, but solar power is bringing a whole new scenario to consider. Imagine arriving back to base camp after a long hike around the neighbouring hills to a solar-powered outdoor shower?
Manufacturers claim this clever contraption is capable of heating 5.5 gallons of water to a refreshing 60º celsius, after just 2 hours on a sunny day (leave a few more hours charging time for a cloudy day!). Better still the solar-powered outdoor shower is fully transportable, so taking it from A to B shouldn’t prove to be too much of a chore. Maybe its time for all of us to reconsider our holiday destinations and keep camping a definite possibility!