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Showers 101

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.

 

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!

 

 

Power-Baths

 

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

 

Drop In – Undermount

Acrylic

Cast Iron & Clawfoot Tubs

Solid Surface

Copper
Copper Tub

Stone Tubs

Wood Tub

Powderbath Paradise

Powderbath Power

A lot of times powder bathrooms get a bad rap. They can be tiny, hidden away, convenient, yet forgotten and not appreciated. At Evensen Design, we disagree!  These small spaces can pack a big punch and be little jewel boxes in your home. A place to incorporate that expensive wallpaper you love, the fabulous tile that is too busy for the kitchen, or even some humor. We believe you should take advantage of the smaller square footage and go wild and celebrate these small spaces with the design risks you’ve been dreaming of.

Powder baths are rooms we as designers always encourage our clients to have fun and celebrate their own personal style. While many of your guests may not make it all the way back to your master bath abode, most will make a brief stop in the loo. These little jewel boxes can give your guests a sense of luxurious solitude and elegant pampering. They are the perfect place to have some design fun or bring the overall concept of your home together in one place.

Depending on the style of your powder bath will affect the way the design comes together and the different decisions that need to be weighed. Don’t be deceived by its small size. There are more layers than you would think that can go into achieving a memorable powder bath design.

Water Closet Powderbath

What is your style?

What kind of powder bath speaks to you? Is it an elevated modern take for a refined experience, an impactful transitional style to leave you feeling welcome and at ease, or a uniquely funky surprise to inspire and wow you while wash your hands? Powder baths open up so many doors when it comes to their overall design. Make it different and make it YOU. You can get very specific on the details to help bring the whole look together.

Water Closet Chic Powderbath

 

What selections should you choose?

Powder bath selections are a key piece to attaining the kind of powder room you want your visitors to enjoy, and there are so many options to choose from.

First, what design item are you currently coveting? Wallpaper, Tile, A Sink, A mirror, ship lap? Then decide what do you want the focal point to be?

A wall covering is a fun choice for a powder bath tucked under the stairs. The square footage of walls can add up, so a small Powder Bath is the prefect scenario to have your favorite wallpaper to make a BOLD statement more cost effectively. In love with an expensive or busy glass tile? We recommend celebrating the vanity wall. By default, the vanity wall with the sink and mirror is the main focal point. BONUS! It will be a small area to cover. Let’s do a bit of math for a second. If your three wall master bath shower is 5’ x 4’ with a 10’ ceiling, you would need a bare minimum of 130 SF. In a powder bath that is 5’ x 4’ with a 10’ ceiling, you would need a minimum of 40 SF or even less if the vanity is wall mounted. (Subtract the area of the wall where the vanity is 4’ wide and 3’ tall and the vanity covers 12 SF) now you are at a minimum of 28 SF. The cost comparisons with an expensive tile at $50 per SF are $6,500, $2,000 and $1,400 respectively.  Have we convinced you yet?

Maybe it is not about the wall covering or tile, ship lap, or oak paneling. There are other examples of embellishments to add flair to this small under-appreciated space.

I also love to incorporate decorative lighting, a fantastic mirror, interesting sink or edgy faucet to the mix. Vessel sinks aren’t always functional for heavily used bathrooms like the kid’s baths or master bath but offer an interesting solution in a powder. Faucets are yet another piece of the puzzle not to be overlooked. Add that pop of brass, that may be too on trend for other areas of the home, or a sleek wall mounted faucet to take a modern bath to the next level. Lastly, what else do you need to complete the overall look? Your favorite smelling hand soap, flowers, custom hand towels, an antique mirror, three are so many options and opportunities to pump up that flair. Check out some our favorite accents below.

Did We Mention to Have Fun?

The next time you or someone you know are ready to push their design boundaries and celebrate their own personal style in their powder bath, Remote Design by Water Closet Chic is here to help. Book a consultation here.

Are you having design fatigue and want an inspired powder bath with selections already made? We can help you achieve selections inspired by these exact looks. Click here to download your desired design board for these procured materials.

Whichever direction you decide to take the design of your powder bath, always remember to have fun, be bold and celebrate your own personal style!

Powderbath Jewel Box

Tub or No Tub

Water Closet Chic

Tub or No Tub?

Welcome to the Evensen Design blog. Here you will find our take on the latest design trends, places we’ve traveled, and our favorite design products and materials that can help reinvent the way you live within your 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 the opportunities that come with working with what is given to us, fuels that drive to see a project through from concept to completion even more. The realization of a new and improved space should refresh and inspire the day-to-day interactions in what has now become our office, daycare, and home base in these uncertain times. One thing that is certain, we are all home now more than ever and with that our surroundings need to be flexible to carry us through the different seasons we will be encountering in the months ahead. A question many homeowners face is a debate that has sparked new ideas when it comes to your master bath. To have a tub or to not have a tub? That is the question.

Although we always recommend our clients to have a tub somewhere in the home to wash kiddos and pets, we are finding that it is much more important to have a killer master bath than squeeze a tub into the layout, that could restrict the flow and may never be used. This of course is different for every client, some clients could care less, but I personally LOVE a tub. In the current plans to renovate our own home, our tub may end up in the bedroom… but more on that later!

At Evensen Design, we always look forward to the challenges that come with reworking the design of a master bath. Hence our ode to Bath Design in Water Closet Chic. There are many options when it comes to celebrating the space and despite the square footage, this is an area that people tend to use the most. Not only does it need to flow and function for multiple activities, but it should serve as a well-oiled machine for morning and evening rituals that are transforming themselves as we all start to find our new rhythm in our new normal.

A No-Tub Design Solution

One project in particular comes to mind was for a young couple’s master bath renovation for a historical home in the beautiful neighborhood of Lakewood in Dallas, Texas. The owners wanted to have the master bath design be within the existing footprint of the current bath and closet on the second level of the home. The purpose of the renovation was to create more storage for day-to-day use, expand the shower to include a bench, and utilize finishes and selections to create a spa-like, serene feel, and a seamless blend within the vernacular of the neighborhood that would pay homage to the 1930s.

The current layout was restrictive for the young couple with three kids who needed to make better use of the space available to them. We were working within a limited amount of square feet and the pedestal sink did not provide any storage or vanity space, while the shower was small and only included an in-wall shower head. The tub was smack dab in the middle of the room and blocked the flow of the space and was actually being used as extra storage for toys, and towels. Another challenge we were faced with was the placement and use of closets. The master bedroom included a wall with three doors, that made the use of the closet space inefficient. A bedroom is meant to be a calming sanctuary from the stressors of everyday life, having three doors on one wall added to the visual clutter and made the overall closet situation satisfactory at best.

The Aftermath

We carefully formulated our plan of action, but the first main hurdle we had to overcome in this design was convincing the client that they did not need to have a tub. Here is my advice that I know goes against the grain–but hear me out. When designing a master bath, whether it is for a renovation or new construction you do not have to sacrifice valuable real estate for a tub. Don’t get me wrong, tubs are fantastic, but the function and beauty of a space are much more valuable to your everyday sanity and use. In my opinion, a beautifully designed Master Bath would be a fantastic selling point of any home, tub, or no tub. However, if you have the space, by all means, include a show-stopping tub in the design!

Before and After

 

In our project, Bob O Link, the finished product came out beautifully! First, we were able to close off the bedroom wall, combining the two closets into one. This provided space for a vestibule to the master bath and closet, that doubled as a lovely dressing room complete with full-height millwork for extra linen storage.

 

Water Closet Chic

In the bathroom, we started with an open footprint, providing us a blank slate for the design. First, we incorporated a custom vanity with outlets built into the drawers for ample storage and convenient placement for hair care tools that could stay in one place and minimize clutter. Second, we left the drains for the shower and toilet, to keep costs down. Since they were located to the back of the space, this worked in our favor. The shower was extended slightly into the closet to create space for a bench. Increasing the footprint of the shower and incorporating multiple shower functions produced a much more useable space and comfortable bathing experience.

Less is More

As for what the space where the tub used to be? We built a custom cabinet between the existing two windows for even more storage. It balances the vanity and creates a lovely focal point for the bathroom. With the money we saved on not having to relocate the plumbing, we splurged on the details, such as sconces, upgraded finishes, detailed cabinets, and of course the plumbing fixture themselves.

The neutral finishes selected were thoughtfully considered to pay homage to the 1930’s architecture of the home. The ceramic tile is a material you would find in homes of this era, but we mixed in a beautiful stone floor and counter for a modern twist and spa-like feel. We wanted the cabinets to feel more like furniture, so the design utilizes inset construction, a bead detail on the frame, and tapered legs to create a lighter feel and the illusion of space. The cabinets are painted a soothing gray to blend with our calming palette. We chose to mix metals with our plumbing, hardware, and lighting, to add interest. Lastly, the four scones throughout the space add layers of light creating a more intricate design that is not only visually enticing but also functional. In our new bathroom, you don’t even miss the tub. We absolutely love the flow of the master suite with an open layout, ample storage, and overall serene feel!

Our Selected Finishes

Tub or No Tub

NEUTRAL ELEMENTS:
1. Linear grain stone tile to tie into the wood floors
2. 6×6 gray/green tile – The square offset pattern pays homage to the original
3. Sherwin Williams Gray – offers subtle color but still keeps the bathroom light and airy.

 

 

 

 

 

MIXED METALS:
1. Intermixed to create visual interest.
2. We paired chrome finishes with the brilliant brass finishes and spec’d a striated wood mirror.
3. The paint on the frame has both gold and silver flecks (the mirror below has a similar finish).

 

 

Water Closet Chic

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

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