Need to go to a place to unwind or
exercise stress away after a hard day's work?
Well, call that a number three and
head for the bathroom
By Nadine Kam
Assistant Features Editor
Star-BulletinTHE days of the miserable bathroom, hidden away in a dark recess in the bowel of a home, are gone. Once a place meant to be visited in secret and for the briefest of moments, new bathrooms are brightly lit sanctuaries which demand attention and all the leisure time you can afford. Words like "meditative," "sumptuous" and "romantic," that were once reserved for luxury hotel suites, spas and perhaps your boudoir, are increasingly becoming fixtures in bathroom speak.
Photos by Judy Dawson, CKD, of DESiGNER Kitchens and Baths, and Macario
Glass blocks let natural light in. In some cases, shoji doors
open to the outside -- a wonderful place to relax.
Those in the throes of remodeling, according to kitchen and bath designer Judy Dawson, are increasingly opting to tear down walls to enlarge the bathroom. The extra space is needed to house jacuzzi tubs, treadmills, Solo flex machines, his and her sinks, as well as space to lounge -- a mini spa in the comfort and privacy of your own home. At the least, they are opening that dank, mildewy old bathroom to the invigorating glow of natural light that filters in through skylights and/or opaque glass blocks.Dawson, past president of the National Kitchen & Bath Association, will be among the building and design specialists answering home and remodeling questions at "Ask the Experts" booths set up at American Savings Bank's Even Better Home Show. The show, themed "Discover a Better Place," continues through Sunday at the Neal Blaisdell Center, with experts on hand throughout. Dawson will be among those working the booth noon to 5 p.m. Sunday.
"Bathrooms were an ignored area for a long time," Dawson said. "The focus was on kitchens. People are still spending a lot of time at home, so they're also looking at family rooms and entertainment centers. It's only been in the last year or two that people have been taking more interest in the bathroom and the idea of having it become a luxury retreat."
The bathroom before renovation.
Photos by Judy Dawson, CKD, of DESiGNER
Kitchens and Baths, and MacarioFor some, luxury takes the form of a soaking tub or a Jacuzzi tub, with ledges for the placement of plants and seashells, as well as the usual soap dish and shampoo. Others might do away with the tub and opt for a bigger shower, with multiple shower heads.
Dawson's bathroom in her St. Louis Heights home presents a model for what a master bathroom could be. "I'm a firm believer in the idea of filling the bathroom with things that you really love. I put in fresh flowers from my garden every two or three days. They don't have to be fancy. A spray of bougainvillea or a few plumeria blossoms adds a vibrant touch of color."
If you're just looking for a cheap fix, she insists, "Throw out those old towels with holes in them and use things that are decorative on their own. Buy color-coordinated items. Take out that nice crystal vase stored in the closet and store it on the counter."
Her bathroom is stark white, accented by the black of sink cabinetry and bath tub, and artwork in white, black and blue. A skylight allows for light and ventilation, which in turn, helps to keep mildew at bay.
"Everybody wants to be in a room that's bright and cheerful," she said. Even those who can't afford to knock out a portion of a wall or install a skylight can alter a room's aura simply by changing the lighting.
"The trouble with old bathrooms is the incandescent lights they use are not true to natural daylight," Dawson said. That unnatural light is not conducive to shaving or applying makeup. New lighting fixtures making use of color-corrective fluorescents can cost as little as $100 to $150. This and a fresh coat of soft white paint will go a long way in updating your bathroom.
Additionally, she said that sconces that bounce light up to the ceiling, give a room a soft glow rather than "something that's going to glare at you."
Those with the means and a wall between the bathroom and another room have been tearing out that wall to enlarge the bathroom and make it even more functional, with the placement of exercise machines. The bathroom, in effect, doubles as a gym room where there's no membership fee. And, instead of dripping perspiration throughout the house on the way to the shower, all you have to do is step off the treadmill or stationary bike sitting nearby.
Some are also opting to put the washer and dryer in the bathroom also, so there's no need to haul dirty clothes from one end of the house to another.
In some instances, the tub is moved directly into a corner of the bedroom for soaking and luxuriating at the end of the day. The remaining bathroom then has room for the toilet, sink and a bigger shower.
Photos by Judy Dawson, CKD, of DESiGNER Kitchens and Baths, and Macario
Even exercise equipment has found its place in the bathroom
of the '90s -- which also features his and her pedestal sinks.
Updating a bathroom by refurbishing walls and fixtures and replacing cabinetry will run about $5,000 to $8,000, according to Dawson. Major remodeling involving plumbing and altering the floor plan averages about $20,000, she said, but can run as high as $60,000 depending on materials used.She said that prices quoted in mainland magazines and some local publications that refer to national estimates "are not realistic for Hawaii. It generally does not reflect the cost of labor, shipping, rents and storage facilities -- the cost of doing business here.
"People say they can't afford a professional, but I say they can't afford not to have a professional come in," Dawson said. "People don't understand that a bathroom is far more complicated than a kitchen. Mistakes with plumbing can be so costly, that most of the time people who are trying to save money cannot save anything by doing it themselves."
One aspect of new bathrooms that doesn't get much mention is the addition of safety features such as grab bars in the tub and shower. Like it or not, baby boomers are aging, and Dawson tries to gently raise this point with clients.
Modifications to consider include wider doors for easy access, a bench in the shower to allow one to sit instead of stand, and a second shower head that allows one to adjust the shower from a sitting position.
Dawson said that a little advance planning will go a long way in adding to a house's resale appeal as the population grows older, as well as ensure you'll have a bathroom that will suit your needs for a long time.
"Definitely, surroundings have a great influence over the way people go through the day," Dawson said. "I find it pleasant to wake up in the morning and go into a room that's cheerful and soothing. You just get up and you're ready to start the day."
Here are a few more tips and trends for bathrooms:
Pedestal sinks -- Instead of being surrounded by cabinetry, these sinks stand on one leg, creating a more open look. These can start at $200 in a hardware or plumbing store, but the average cost is about $600, depending on design, trim and finishes. The disadvantage is you'll have to find another place to store your cosmetic doodads.
Here are other events that will be part of the EVEN Better Home Show:
The facts
