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Showers 101

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October 11, 2020

Showers 101
This blog entry is dedicated to my good friend Jean Butler, with who I am beyond grateful to have crossed paths at the beginning of my interior design career. She is the person who introduced me to my love of bath design and walked me through the eccentricities and choices clients have when designing their dream shower. The inner workings of your system can be a little confusing and there are quite a few items to consider when it comes to deciding how you would like your finished product to behave. Here is my breakdown of the different components, and how to decide what works best for you.

First and foremost, when deciding on what you need for the shower it is helpful to consider who the bathroom is designed for, your guests, your kids, or your master bath?

Back to the Basics

We are going to start with the most basic configuration, and one I know you are familiar with and is what you find in a simple shower. It consists of a pressure balance valve and the showerhead. The pressure balance valve is the most used system in showers, as it is the most efficient. As you increase the pressure, the pressure increases the temperature. This type of control is typically paired with one of three showerheads: the most common wall-mounted showerhead, a handheld showerhead, and in some cases a rain head. (There are other types of showerheads, but for this article, we will stick with the three basics!) You most likely see this most basic configuration in guest bathrooms and even at most hotels.

A Second Wind

The second most common configuration is a spin-off of the above and used wherever you have a tub/ shower combo. Typically reserved for Kid Bathrooms, a diverter and tub spout is added to the system, and voila, you now have a way to divert the water from the Shower Head to the Tub Spout.

Now that we have laid out the most basic systems, let’s move on to the fun basics of Shower Design!

Third Times a Charm

The Thermostatic Valve is quickly replacing the Pressure Balance valves in Master Bathrooms as well as upgraded Guest suites. The thermostatic Valve allows you to set the temperature, and then increase the pressure.  Think the same temperature every time you take a shower! No more guessing on which tick you last set it to.

Showers

However, with a Thermostatic Valve, you have to incorporate a way to control the water, so Volume Controls are required. The rule of thumb with most Thermostatic Valves is you can have up to THREE functions. Below are a few diagrams. Function implies one of the following: in-wall showerhead, handheld showerhead, rain head, or even side sprays for that car wash feel!

In an upgraded Guest Suite for example, you can add two functions; that would consist of a Thermo Valve, 2 – Volume Controls,  an In-Wall Shower Head, and a rain head. OR you can keep it simple with 1 -volume control and one shower head.  Hate the rain head? Then add a handheld by a bench for a nice upgrade.

In the Master, we have infinite possibilities (OK typically just 9, but still! – need to check my math) So let’s start with the size of the shower. More often than not, it is about 60” x 48” including a bench, and one thermo valve will suffice. In this scenario, we will have all three functions: an in-wall shower head, hand-held by the bench, and a rain head. Some of our clients opt to nix the rain head or hand-held and sub in body sprays.

If the shower is large enough for two thermo valves, we typically recommend 4 functions, two for each valve. One thermo valve will host an In-wall Showerhead and rain head, while the other valve hosts a separate in-wall shower head and hand-held. This is great for partners who prefer different temperatures while showering.

Keep in mind, a third function could be added to each showerhead but is typically limited by the size of the shower. For example, System One could include; in-wall shower head, rain head & body sprays, while System two could include a separate in-wall shower head, separate rain head, & handheld! That’s a lot of water in one place.

 

Now that we have hopefully clarified, but probably confused you, let’s talk about other upgrades!  The most requested is a Steam Shower. A steam shower requires a variety of considerations during the build-out, so make sure to add this to the design as early as possible in the process!  Steam Showers are what my dream showers are made of!

There are also a bit more extravagant upgrades that are not as commonly requested, but you tech gurus out there, feel free to check these out!

Kohler

The Edge // Shower Products

KOHLER Smart Showers is a unique option to give you high tech gurus another way to Smartify your home!  They provide digital shower solutions to help elevate your shower experience.

For a simple shower solution, MOEN has the perfect option to renovate your current bathroom! The Moen Annex Shower system adds shower functions, without having to replace your current shower valve aka open up the wall. The Annex attaches to your existing supply (your current showerhead), and voila you have a whole new shower experience! It also comes in a variety of finishes and styles.

Shower Head
Showers are confusing

 

If you are ready to tackle your bath design and need help on the design side, please book a consultation through Water Closet Chic and we will help bring your shower dreams home.

Happy Showering!

 

 

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Power-Baths

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September 24, 2020

 

Favorite Tubs

How to Choose the Right Bathtub for your Master Bath

Tubs on Tubs on Tubs

In our previous blog post tub or no tub, we dove into the many reasons why you don’t have to commit to a tub in your master bath. Many times the bathroom is too small, and squeezing in a tub can be intrusive to the overall flow of the design. Tubs inevitably take up a large portion of the overall bathroom footprint and if not frequently used, can be cumbersome to the layout, or worse, be repurposed as storage for laundry or bathroom toys. However, if you have the space, a thoughtfully placed tub can create a show stopping moment in your master suite!

For this article we are diving into some helpful questions to take into consideration should you choose to roll with the tub as part of your bathroom design. As mentioned in our previous post, many master baths are successfully designed with the tub out of the picture. For those who are daily bathers, love an occasional relaxing soak, or have little ones who need help bathing, a tub in the master bath can be a luxury and of course a gorgeous feature.

If you are undergoing a full master bath remodel or planning to do so sometime in the near future here a few tips to help you in finding your perfect tub.

  1. How Do You Use Your Tub?

    The first question you should ask yourself is how you and your family will use the tub. The usability of your tub can be broken down into a couple basic options: soaking and therapeutic. A soaking tub is the most common, and is exactly like it sounds, you can fill the tub to soak, bathe and relax! Soaking tubs are reserved for those who seek an in-home escape to a restoration oasis that is refined and still, no fancy bells and whistles here. They are also easy to clean and maintain! The second option is a therapeutic tub, with spa like features such as whirlpool, air jets, or chromotherapy lighting. With this option you are sure to be taken to a faraway place where only bubbles and fragrant aromas are welcome. No matter which direction you choose both options come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials that are sure to make your bath time a splash.

  2. Size & Location

    Nowadays tubs come in all shapes and sizes, and naturally your selection will first be dictated by the size of your space. A smaller bathroom may benefit from a freestanding oval tub, which offers a more efficient footprint than a rectangular tub that is deck mounted. Once you know a general location of where you would like your tub, measure out the space to see what your options are. Do you want to see your tub from the bedroom? Is there a window that is the prefect place to center a tub or do you simply need a tub regardless of the layout? If you are renovating a current bathroom, and are tying the new tub into an existing drain, you will need to consult with your contractor about the drain location. Center drain, left-hand or right-hand drain, will narrow your options a bit further. An adjoining piece of the puzzle is how the tub fits YOU!  When it comes to fitting the tub for you and your loved ones, it is a good idea to get in and fit it for yourselves. Is the slope inside comfortable, will a 60” long tub suffice, or do you prefer to be completely submerged and need an additional 6”? Will the kids be using the tub and is the water level right for them? Keep in mind the larger the tub, the longer it takes to fill, and the faster the water cools! All these choices can help narrow your search for that perfect fit.

  3. Built-In or Freestanding aka Spa Escape or Eye Candy

    Whether the tub is built-in or freestanding, your selection should be a continuation of the overall design aesthetic. Built-in tubs typically evoke that spa like, comforting and inviting moment, while freestanding tubs are synonymous with the coveted WOW factor of some incredibly special master suites. If you want to have the breathtaking impact in your master bath, more than likely you will find yourself leaning towards a freestanding option. These pieces have a sculptural quality so they can stand alone, and create a perfectly chic vignette. Freestanding tubs range in styles from the classical claw-foot tub, to a soft transitional skirted or pedestal, to a modern single ended or double ended piece. If you want to have the best of both worlds, and prefer the look of a freestanding tub, with therapeutic bells and whistles, brands such as MTI and Kohler have your back! Obviously, these options can cost bit more… the price you pay for luxury! Other brands such as Jetta and Jacuzzi have more cost effective options.Built-in or deck mounted tubs are more of a spatial commitment because they naturally take up more room. As stated in the name, the tub is either mounted above or under the surface material and built into a space. Deck mounted tubs are popular because the added surface area creates an ideal counter for products, candles, towels, or even a wine glass!  If you plan on bathing your kiddos in your master bath, it is the perfect place to perch, and stage your little one’s toys. It is also much easier to find built-in tubs with spa features, as the mechanics of the spa features can be stored in the platform surrounding the tub.

  4. Material Selection

    Tubs now come in a variety of materials! When it comes to the material selection, you will again want to decide how you anticipate using your tub. Materials can include acrylic, cast iron, solid surface, copper, stainless steel, and even stone. Acrylic and solid surface are the most commonly used in our projects, acrylic being the most budget friendly. Acrylic tubs come in a range of styles, are light weight, and typically easy to install.  Cast iron is typically reserved for Claw Foot tubs, and consists of cast iron coated in a porcelain enamel. They are notoriously heavy, and tricky to install, but absolutely stunning in historical homes! You can think of a solid surface tub as a perfect hybrid of the two. The solid surface most often consists of a composite material comprised of resin and natural stone. They come in a variety of styles, are lighter weight than cast iron or stone, but have heavier hand and retain heat more effectively than their acrylic counter parts. Victoria + Albert, have an absolutely stunning catalog of solid surface tubs.  If you are after a bold statement for your master abode, you may want to consider a more unique material such as copper, stainless steel, stone or even wood. Just be aware, each unique material comes with their own set of unique requirements for installations & maintenance. For example, stone tubs are absolutely stunning but be sure to consult with your G.C. on the weight of the piece, as you may have to have the structure reinforced, and copper will require some unique cleaning techniques!

Remember there is no one size fits all when it comes to the perfect tub for your master bath. I hope these tips have helped bring some light to your tub dreams and inspire you to choose something that is uniquely you, for you and your family to enjoy. If you are feeling overwhelmed by all the choices out there, please schedule a remote design consultation here. Water Closet Chic by Evensen Design is here to help. Below are some of our favorites tubs, ENJOY!

Here are some of our favorite tubs and where to find them.

Therapeutic Free Standing Tubs

The Edge
Product Focus
Therapeutic Free Standing Tubs

Product Focus the Edge
Product Focus

 

Drop In – Undermount

Product Focus
The Edge on Products
The Edge

Drop In - Undermount

Acrylic

Acrylic Tub
Product Focus
Product Focus

Cast Iron & Clawfoot Tubs

Cast Iron and Clawfoot Tubs
Cast Iron Tub
Cast Iron and Clawfoot Tubs

Solid Surface

Solid Surface Tubs
Solid Surface

Solid Surface

Copper
Copper Tub

Stone Tubs

Stone Tub

Wood Tub

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The Edge on Products

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September 24, 2020

The Edge on Products

The Edge on Products is your personal interior-design styling and sourcing agent. Evensen Designs’ Edge on Products is here to be your guide on procuring and implementing pieces that support and elevate you and your families’ lives. Here at Evensen Design, we can help you source your favorite pieces to incorporate them into your own environment by lending our hands-on approach in the form of Edge Product Design Boards that make it convenient to source high-end interiors from the comfort of your home. We pride ourselves on staying up to date on the latest trends and leading-edge interior design sources. Our selections come from our travels as well as our wide range of experience in the interior design industry.

Do you need help re-accessorizing your entry console, coffee table or other vignettes in your home? Sometimes all it takes is a little outside help to provide a fresh perspective on what could use a little tender love and care to give back that “WOW” factor into a room. Maybe during your time at home lately, you’ve noticed some new needs of your family that your current space is not designed to handle. Whatever the case may be, you will find everything you need here on The Edge on Products.

How it Works:

Above is an example of an Edge Product Design Board that we have procured for you. Once you’ve found your desired selections, we provide your source list for your final pieces where you can then purchase at your convenience. If you feel that you need a little more input, we are happy to collaborate closely with you to attend to any questions or concerns you may have.

Starting Price: $1,500.00

Our goal is to see to it that our expertise is easy and accessible to you so that we can tailor your vision and refine your personal space to suit your “new” day-to-day interactions. We hope to continue to inspire you and that you feel and see the lasting value in our Edge on Products Design Boards. We look forward to hearing from you. If you have any additional questions please feel free to reach out to us at interiors@evensendesign.com.

 

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Water Closet Chic

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August 19, 2020

The Edge by Evensen Design

Welcome to The Edge by Evensen Design! Let us help you reimagine your most intimate space, through our celebration and homage to bath design, or what we like to call Water Closet Chic. As ancient as the idea of a water closet is, the technology that goes into the eccentricities of it all is an ever-changing part of interior design. Finding the perfect configuration to best suit you and your family is the inspiration behind these dedicated pages and our way of embracing all the options that allow us to learn and grow when it comes to the leading-edge technology available to us.

Water Closet Chic

Water Closet Chic

The most integral part of your home and your daily routine happens in your bathroom. This is a place that you may not necessarily think of first when you consider where you spend most of your time, but the engagement you have within this area of your home is more important than you may think. Bath design is intimate and intricate and provides a personal space where you start and end your days. Here, you can find the privacy to prepare and conquer your to-do lists and where you can peel back those layers of productivity. This dwelling can be a dressing room for a much-needed date night or a haven for a spa day to indulge in a relaxing bubble bath. Bathrooms are our favorite spaces to create because of the key role they play in our everyday lives. We embrace all their shapes and sizes in Water Closet Chic.

Jewel Box of the Home

We work closely with each of our clients to develop their vision and tailor each personal space to suit the function and interest of their families. Renovations are our passion, and so are the opportunities that come with working with what is given to us. This fuels that drive to see a project through from concept to completion even more. The ability to mix different materials for a shower, or layering in lighting, or utilizing unique storage options all in one place are details that we align to match your preferences and future plans. We partner with key vendors to learn and source as much as we can to ensure you love your bath design as much as we do. Let’s connect to make your Water Closet your new favorite room in your home.

Make it Chic

www.aarondoughertyphoto.com

 

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Hotel to Home

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September 24, 2020

Hotel Inspired Interiors

The Edge by Evensen Design and the Hotel to Home Column

Do you feel inspired and reinvigorated by your travels and the places you’ve stayed? We do too, and we are desperately missing those escapes during these unprecedented times. Hotel to Home is our homage to hospitality design in the US and abroad. We are taking design inspiration from our favorite hotels and curating selections to recreate the ambiance in your own interior projects.

luxury Austin interior designer

Travel inspires, soothes, and allows us to enjoy and celebrate life. Like many designers, traveling broadens your horizons and brings you to think outside the box. This change of pace gives us a chance to absorb other cultures and ways of life that help make up different flecks of creativity to incorporate in our own environments. We take in our stays with all of our senses. Part of that ties into being able to relax, work, and play while finding a sense of place in an unfamiliar city. Nowadays there are many options when it comes to where you can stay during your travels.

Austin Interior Designer

Hotels give us a home base that should make us feel special, comfortable, and safe. Your home away from home can serve you with comfort and pieces of luxury that help make the voyage that much more special. Even a three-star hotel with tiny rooms in the Bowery can evoke a place of exclusivity if it is designed correctly. Most hotels of a certain caliber are painstakingly designed to do so, and the fastidious trained staff create a desired scene that is sexy, luxurious, avant-garde, and traditional. Here you will find our own personal obsession with the hotels we’ve traveled to and the places we’ve stayed. We may not be able to have a staff of our own at home, but we can create small moments from our stays around the world within our space to help remind us of those special times abroad.

Hotel Inspired

Bringing Inspiration to Life

Travel and the experiences you take in on every new journey help to keep those creative juices flowing. This bedroom suite, for example, was inspired by three separate experiences. First, a stay at the Proper San Francisco and an exuberant dinner at Villon influenced our palette for the Master Suite. Soft blues layered with emeralds and greens, as well as warm wood tones and pops of brass pay tribute the concierge’s threshold. We choose to incorporate these hues with slightly more feminine furniture and styling influenced by an equally exuberant stay at Maison de Luz in the heart of New Orleans.

De La Luz
Hotel to Home

The layered neutral backdrop of our bedroom was inspired by the calming hues of the layered neutral palette of the architecture and drapery in the guest rooms. Taking note, of course, of the mix of jewel tones, sculptural furniture, and playful lighting that all help to enhance a curated experience.  Lastly a stay in Paris, with the abundance of floral wall-coverings was another luxury we wanted to incorporate! Too busy for the bedroom for this client, but we were compelled to select something similar for the master bath. We knew this would make a stunning backdrop to the clawfoot tub with modern fixtures.

maison de la luz

 

Our goal is to effortlessly blend pieces inspired by our travels, but to also carefully blend with a client’s existing home and their own personality. In this case the Tudor Architecture, is one way we curate our own designs. Design is always an opportunity to find what inspires you and make it your own!

Our hope is that Hotel to Home can help do the same for you!

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Erica is always a real pleasure to work with. It's very delighting to see our light fixtures placed on these really wonderful crisp transitional homes. We look forward to working with her in the future!

- Bevolo Gas & Electric Lights

Working with Erica at Evensen Design was a wonderful experience that I would do again. She helped me complete the build of my new home in a way that I both love and could also afford and she did it in a timely way. She was also very knowledgable and professional and fun to work with. I would highly recommend her to anyone completing a project. She does beautiful work!

- Susan and David

Erica designed the interiors for several rooms in my home. She was a pleasure to work with and did a beautiful job. She was responsive, listened to my needs, and was happy to work with whatever budget I gave her. I've recommended her to many friends and will continue to call on her for design help.

-

Communication and listens. These are key elements to house construction going well and to being fantastic. Working with Erica was easy, fun and worth it. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend her highly and work with her again.

- Doug and Pam

I've seen Erica's work first-hand and it is absolutely amazing. She's creative, fresh, and thorough. I'm looking forward to seeing more of her work.

- SJH Properties

CONTACT US

512.815.2740
interiors@EvensenDesign.com
811 Nueces
Austin, TX 78701
Modern & Minimal ✨ // Hi Rise Bath with Laminate Modern & Minimal ✨ // Hi Rise Bath with Laminated Edge counter with white oak detail, layered nuetrals, marble pops & @wtrwrks tile.  #evensendesign #masterbath #waterclosetchic #elegantbathroom #bathroomdesign #luxurybathroom #bathroomgoals #whiteoak #details #bathroomdesignideas #austindesigner #warmtones
White kitchens make a statement with subtle detail White kitchens make a statement with subtle details ✨…In this kitchen, the contrast between the pecan island and zinc pendant lighting against the all-white cabinetry and tile design creates an elevated farmhouse feel 🤍⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀#evensendesign #kitchendesign #whitecabinets #timelessinteriors #details #contrast #pecanisland #pendantlights #elegantdesign #interiordesign #farmhouse #austindesigner
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