Lautus

What type of shower would you need

With showers it depends on the type of water boiler you have in your house as to       
what kind of shower system you should have installed as each type of boiler can       
handle different types of shower due to power and pressure of water.       
The different types of boiler and showers to suit their system are as follows       
       
Boilers that consist of a copper cylinder in the airing  cupboard require an         
electric shower ideally.These are also good for those wishing to save energy as         
they only heat the water when needed instead of having a constant tank of water       
pre heated.They  also run on a different water circuit to the rest  of the house so         
can be fitted in any house no matter what the boiler type.       
       
where the boiler has its copper cylinder placed in the airing cupboard but the         
cold tank of water is held in the attic it will require a power shower.With power       
showers they only pump the water they don’t heat it so the water still needs to be       
heated through the main water system that heats the water.       
       
With a boiler that has a cylinder in the airing cupboard with an expansion vessel       
on the side of the cylinder you would need to fit a mixer shower.There are two       
types of mixer shower there is the manual (which does not have a constantly       
maintained temperature if the water flow is changed)and the thermostatic system       
that has an in built temperature control.The thermostatic tend to cost a little more       
but prevent dramatic temperature change if for example some one turns on a tap       
downstairs or flushes the toilet.This making them the safer option if they are used       
by children or elderly people.       
       
A house that has no airing cupboard and has a combination boiler will have a         
mixer shower fitted.However the showers used with combination boilers are         
made specifically for use with this type of boiler.Another advantage that comes       
with the mixer showers is that most of the pipe work at the end of installation       
is hidden from view this meaning the area round the shower will look neater.       
       
For a cheaper option there is always the push on mixer which you simply push       
on over the tap spouts and the taps are used to adjust the temperature of the       
water.However this method is mainly used as a temporary solution as the hose       
connection to the taps is easily dislodged if knocked and controlling the         
temperature can be difficult.       
It is highly important to ensure you have the right shower  for your heating       
system so make sure it is professionally installed with correct advice.       

Feng Shui for your Bathroom

Bathrooms can be cluttered, stagnant places. Its a place where energy is disposed of, where its drained away. Its a place where things accumulate. It can be humid dark and may be in desperate need of a FengShui cleansing.       

The main problem with bathrooms explains Feng Shui expert Stephanie Roberts is that they do not fit anywhere in the bagua, the ancient FengShui map of space. This is because it was created long before indoor plumbing existed.
However, it does pose a bit of a problem for modern day bathrooms.       

In Feng Shui, position is important. While a bathroom doesn’t really fit anywhere in the home, some locations are more problematic than others. For example, a bathroom in the centre of the home is quite possibly the worst location, as it throws off the energy in the entire household. Dont fret. By placing a large crystal or stone in each corner of the bathroom you can help to stabilize the energy.       
Placing a mirror on the outside of the door is also recommended.       

Bathrooms have an unavoidable draining effect on the home. To minimize this effect, be sure to close the bathroom door at all times and to always put the toilet lid down after use. This will help keep healthy Chi from escaping.       

If you are fortunate enough to have a window in your bathroom, open it daily. Try and let in as much natural light and fresh air as you can. Bathrooms can be humid and stale places. Open windows can help get the chi flowing. If you do not have a window, pay close attention to your lighting. Bright evenly distributed lighting combined with a bathroom fan can help make up for the lack of a window      

Be sure to keep the bathroom as clean as possible at all times. Try to organize and store clutter and to do your best to avoid small objects that gather dust. This is a place of cleansing and purification. It needs to reflect its purpose.       
Leafy plants and bamboo are highly recommended as Chi movers. They also help to absorb humidity and add a bit of natural colour. If you have limited light in your bathroom, bamboo is ideal.       

Avoid using fabric in your bathroom decorating. Surfaces should be smooth and easy to clean. Fabric traps humidity, encourages mold and adds to the yin features of the bathroom space.      

Most importantly make your bathroom a sanctuary. It should be a place where you enjoy being .       

Make sure that when you enter the bathroom first thing in the morning and before you go to bed at night you leave feeling relaxed, refreshed and revitalized.       

Bathroom Showers

When choosing a shower, there are basically three options. There are shower tubs integrated tub/shower units and stand-alone showers. Once you decide on a style there are other decisions to be made, such as size and safety.       
Tubs with shower units are quite possibly the most common styles around. They consist of a bathtub with a shower unit installed over the tub. These are generally surrounded by three walls with a curtain or shower door closing in the fourth side.      
If this style doesn’t meet your needs, there is also combinedtub/shower units. A stand-alone shower and a simple bathtub combined, these pieces are gaining in popularity. Finally we have stand alone showers. These showers do not include a tub.       

Once you decide on the shower style that bests suits your needs, there are things to take into cosideration. If you are planning on using a swinging door for your shower, make sure there is enough room in your bathroom to allow it to open.       
Also be sure that there is some device in place to keep water from dripping out onto the bathroom floor.       
Size is also an essential element when choosing your shower. Prefabricated showers have standard sizes the smallest being 800x800mm. It is always a good idea to measure halls and doorways to be sure that the unit will fit through all passageways on its way to the bathroom.       
It facilitates the process having an idea of what kind of materials you want. When choosing a tub with a shower, the three enclosed sides can be made of fibreglass vinyl or, most commonly tile. Stand alone showers are generally made of acrylic, fibreglass, stainless steel or enamel steel. The benefits of using acrylic include affordability, light weight and the fact that it is easy to repair.       

While easy to clean, it is also easily scratched and discoloured. Fibreglass is the most economical option available. It is lightweight and easily installed and repaired. However it will show wear after ten-fifteen years. Iron is the most durable and the most expensive material around. Its finish is preferable to other materials, but its heavy weight necessitates a smaller unit.       

There is also always the option of having your shower custom built. These showers may use materials such as porcelain, ceramic or stone tile. Building and safety codes require tempered glass for the shower doors.       

Also keep safety in mind when choosing your new shower. All showers should have slip-resistant flooring or tile.       
There is an array of shower options out there. Prepared with the shower knowledge the only difficulty you will have will be choosing your favourite design.       

Mirrors and Bathroom Accessories

If you are low on cash, updating your bathroom accessories can be a great way to transform your bathing space.
You can coordinate your bathroom by buying matching towel bars, toilet tissue holders, toothbrush holders..
If applicable don’t overlook the shower curtain. This may be the focal point of the bathroom. Depending on the style youre going for, there are surely bathroom accessories to match.

To really bring the room together match the accessories to the bathroom hardware. Focus on colour coordinating. Choose a theme or a colour and stick with it from the wastebin to the towels.
For a small bathroom utilize plenty of metal and glass accessories. This will open up the space giving the illusion of a larger bath. When choosing a mirror, choose the largest one you can for your space. This will do wonders for a cramped bathroom.

If you decide to purchase a new mirror consider investing in a steam-free mirror. You will no longer have to clear the steam with your hand or towel after getting out of a hot bath. Because it automatically turns on when you flip the light switch.

House plants can add a calming effect to your bathroom. Surrounding yourself with a bit of the natural world can transform your bathroom into a tropical  getaway. Just be sure to choose plants that thrive in low light, high humidity and warm temperatures. Plants such as the ficus and bamboo are ideal for this type of environment.

Redecorating your bathroom doesn’t only serve a visual purpose, it also gives you a reason to organize bathroom clutter. Try purchasing matching baskets to organise bathroom clutter on open shelves and countertops.

Consider installing glass shelves to give your bathroom a contemporary, elegant look. Stacking a set of towels on your glass shelf is just one of the ways that you can bring the elegance of the spa home with you.

Let us at Lautus Design help you find the accessories that works best for you .

From Pedestals to Washstands - how to choose a sink

Experts agree that the basin is one of the easiest ways to give your bathroom a makeover. There are so many new styles available that you can transform your bathroom with just one piece of furniture.

Choosing and installing a new bathroom basin can be a bit daunting. There are several things you should keep in mind to make the experience as enjoyable as possible.

• First and foremost, take an honest look at your bathroom space. If you have limited space, a grandiose marble countertop will not be your most practical option.
• Take into consideration the location of the toilet, shower bath and cabinets. You don’t want to overcrowd the area.

This is the perfect time to re-analyse storage space. Are you in need of extra shelving or is extra floor space more of a necessity? A cabinet basin can provide you with an extra alcove to store towels, beauty products or whatever other items may be crowding your shower and limited shelving. However a pedestal basin will provide you with what may be needed floor space.

Once you have chosen what kind of cabinetry you need, you will be able to  choose the type of basin that fits your needs. If you choose a basin pedestal you may want to consider extra shelving or a medicine cabinet. However if a basin pedestal is not for you a console basin or washbasin may give the appearance of more space.

You will also have to decide how you want to mount your basin. An under-mount basin gives a sleek look, it is easy to clean and maximizes available counter space. Marble, Granite and Wood are the ideal materials for this type of installation. If you are installing the basin yourself, a top mounted basin is the
easiest to install. An elegant option is the basin mounted on top of a pedestal or stand.

Don’t overlook bathroom basin hardware. The taps are as essential to the overall design as the basin itself. Pick out a bathroom tap that goes with the basin and the general style that you are going for. Also pay attention to height. You want a tap that is long and high enough to reach the basin, but you do not want it to be too high, causing the water to splatter when it hits the basin.

Let us at Lautus Design help you find the combination that works best for you .

Bathroom: Taps and Fittings

If you are ready to remodel your bathroom but don’t have the budget, there are a few simple and economical changes you can make that completely transform your bathroom. Beginning with the tap and moving on to towel racks, cabinet hardware and bathroom accessories, you wont even recognise your new bathroom.

When considering new taps for your bathroom basin, it’s a good idea to start with the basics. Is the handle comfortable? Can you easily grip it with wet hands? While you may be more drawn to handles that are perfectly round for stylistic reasons they are more difficult to grip with wet or slippery hands than the handles with cross head design.

Apart from considering cross head there are also single or dual lever taps. A single lever tap is one tap that controls both hot and cold water depending on its position. A dual lever tap in contrast is made up of two taps, one for hot water and one for cold. Tap systems may have one spout for both taps or less commonly they may have two different spouts.

The next thing to consider is the material from which the tap is made. The most common material is brass. However chrome and gold plate are also used more so chrome these days. You may even find taps made with enamel or finished in ceramic shrouds. Keep in mind that the tap is generally only plated in the particular metal. Beneath the plating it is the same structure.

Also take into consideration the valves. There are ceramic disk valves or conventional valves. The ceramic disk valves may be more functional but they are significantly more expensive. It is up to you to decide how much you are willing to spend and if the price difference is worth it.

There are basically two types of tap designs; contemporary and traditional.
If you are looking for sleek, stylish taps then the contemporary route is right for you. However if your bathroom requires a more traditional or old-fashioned look check out traditional styles.

Never underestimate the power of changing your bathroom fittings. With just a quick trip to Lautus Design Bathroom showroom you can transform your bathroom. Items such as the towel racks, the toilet tissue holder, switch plates and cabinet hardware can be easily and relatively inexpensively changed, giving you a brand new, remodelled bathroom.

Choosing your toilet

Although choosing a toilet may seem to be an easy task, there are numerous decisions to be made. From tanks, to bowls to toilet seats, there are more options available than you may have previously imagined.

The first thing you have to consider is if you want a one-piece toilet or a two-piece toilet. While the one-piece toilets are more expensive, they certainly have their advantages.

• First of all, they allow for easier cleaning.
• Also,the one-piece design does not allow for leakage between the tank and the bowl.
• With the two-piece design, the tank and the bowl are purchased separately. You need to be sure that you purchase all necessary parts, as they are not included.
• Keep in mind that the seat does not normally come with the two-piece design.

When considering toilet bowls, you have two basic options; round and elongated.
Round bowls are space saving and have a wider variety of seats available to match your bathrooms décor. Elongated bowls are designed to optimize comfort. You can also watch out for a sanitary bar. This device assures that water does not accumulate beneath the tank toward the back of the bowl.
For the handicapped or the elderly, you will be able to purchase a disability compliant bowl. This is a taller bowl especially designed for easy access and increased comforf.

The u-bend is an important element of the toilet that is often overlooked. The u-bend is the curved tubing found at the sde of the toilet. Larger or glazed u-bends decrease the possibilities of clogging.

By law toilets are required to flush no more than 6 litres of water per flush. While that takes the decision making out of the tank capacity there are other things to consider such as flush valve size, flush levers and flushing systems. The flush valve is located in the centre of the tank. It releases the water with each flush; so the larger the valve the more water is pushed out of the tank. Flush levers are what activate the flush valve. You will need to decide if you want this positioned on the side, front or top of the tank.

There are two pressure systems available. The pressure-assisted flush system means that pressurized air is pushed into the bowl with each flush, thereby reducing the chance of clogging. However this system is expensive and requires higher maintenance not to mention its noise level. The gravity-flush system uses the weight of the water to create pressure when flushing. This system is the more common, the more economical and requires the least amount of maintenance.

Keep in mind that most toilets do not come with seats. Depending upon the shape of your toilet, round or elongated, you will choose a seat to match. There are also a variety of materials available; Oak, Wood composition, Vinyl, Plastic or polypropylene, to name a few.

Bathroom Furniture and Storage

Bathrooms are wonderful gathering points for all kinds of clutter. Hairsprays, nail polishes, towels, soaps and razors have a way of accumulating on countertops, shelves and even the floor. There are numerous organizational methods out there.

A good place to start is with bathroom furniture.

Bathroom vanities generally come with cabinets and drawers perfect for storing numerous items. However, with the increasing popularity of pedestal basins, there is also an increasing need for more storage space.
When considering cabinets, keep in mind that shallow spaces make it easier to find items while also taking up less space. Cabinets are ideal places to hide away daily items that tend to cause the most unsightly clutter. Plastic bottles, jars and beauty items can be tucked away while more elegant glass jars, perfume bottles and candles can be placed on open shelves.
When organizing clutter on open shelves, consider using small wicker or wooden baskets or even decorative coffee mugs. When hanging shelves or cabinets the wall space behind the toilet is often
overlooked.

Wet towels and robes are a common bathroom blunder. To avoid finding them on the floor, hang a few convenient hooks. There are shelves available that have a row of hooks perfect for towels and robes. Try hanging a towel ring next to the tub or use the space behind the bathroom door.
Remember that several hooks take up less space than a single rod. The options are only limited by your creativity. If you have the floor space but not the wall space, consider rolling extra towels up and decoratively storing them in large baskets or fruit crates.

Corner shelves can be inexpensive additions to the bathroom countertop. Baskets and decorative boxes can also be used to hide clutter and give your bathroom a cleaner lighter feel.

If you are not afraid of a little hard work, you can utilize the spaces between wall studs to create a new shelf. Maybe you need more storage room in your shower for shampoo bottles, body bath, bubble bath and other little luxuries. Maybe a built in shelf above the toilet would serve as a place to store aromatherapy candles,oils and lotions.

Trends in Bathroom Designs

The biggest trend in bathroom design, and one that encompasses various other trends, is the home spa. Bathrooms are no longer stark places used only for basic use. They can be luxurious sanctuaries, botanical gardens or modern marvels. They are, in essence, whatever you want them to be. There are number of trends that make up the home spa, ranging from bathroom size, fixtures, furniture, materials and more.

Bathrooms are getting bigger. They have to in order to accommodate all of the new fixtures and furnishings that are making their way into bathroom design. People are taking out walls and raising ceilings to be able to try out the new  features on the market. Bathroom fixtures no longer just mean a bathtub and shower and a vanity sink. More and more home-owners are choosing to separate their tub and shower. This allows them to try out the best of both worlds.

Whirlpool tubs are making the biggest splash among tub buyers. With their massage jets, ergonomical design and wide array of colours, shapes and sizes,t here is surely a whirlpool tub for every bathroom. Separate showers are also opening up the market to all kinds of innovative ideas. Luxury is not just about the bath any more. Massage showers and steam showers are all the rave.

Lets not forget about basins. Basin installations have become genuine works of art. The latest  trend is above counter basins. These basins are often made by true artisans. They become the focal point of the room and not just a place to wash our hands.

Believe it or not, recliners and chaise loungers are making their way into bath rooms everywhere. Now that bathrooms are larger, they can accommodate more pieces of furniture. What's more, bathrooms are no longer just for bathing, but for relaxing and  escaping as well. That's why televisions, stereos, DVD players and chairs are all becoming permanent installations.

Radiant heating has been around a long time. However, only recently has it  become a popular and practical way of heating the bathroom. Radiant heating is similar to an electric blanket beneath your bathroom tiles. It makes the transition from bathroom to spa room complete. No more cold feet when you step out of a hot bath. The same goes for early mornings. Most radiant heating systems come with  a timer that allows you to start and end your day with warm feet.

Bathroom materials are mixing and matching, creating new combinations that modernize or tranquilize depending on your goal. Nature-inspired materials are highly sought.

• Combining wood with stone is a wonderful way to bring the peacefulness of the woods into your home.
• Glass and chrome seem to be the latest bathroom trends.
• Glass tiles and chrome fixtures create a unique and  elegant combination.
• Materials as different as stainless steel and stone are  becoming winning combinations. The stainless steel gives a modern feel, while the stone softens the look.

Browse our product page for more inspiration or visit our showroom in Ashford.

Bathroom Styles and Themes

When mulling over how to style your bathroom,there are three main designers themes to consider; Traditional, Contemporary,and Country.
Choosing one of these themes may be a good place to start to get a better idea of how you want to  decorate your space.

Traditional bathrooms are elegant while also timeless. Delicate accents and refined touches can turn your bathroom into a timeless beauty. Here are a few suggestions to tap into traditional elegance.

• Focus on the details. Porcelain and brass touches paired with floral fabric can transport you to another era. Use floral themes in the draped curtains, vanity skirts and even wallpaper.
• Use the brass or porcelain accents on your bathroom fixtures, such as the towel ring, drawer handles, and faucet levers.
• Check out the nearest antique shop for little, decorative treasures such as hand mirrors, an old shaving kit, photos or musical scores.
• Use your family heirlooms, such as china, glassware or vases to hold bathroom items like wash cloths, towels,jewellery or soaps.

If a traditional theme is a little too romantic, you may consider a contemporary theme. Contemporary bathrooms are recognized by their clean lines, uncluttered spaces, woodwork and metal accents. Its a simplistic style completely appropriate for a bathroom setting. The simplicity of the design accentuates the sculptural uniqueness of each piece of bathroom furniture.
To achieve a contemporary look,

• purchase cabinetry and shelving in wood finishes.
• Mix your natural wood cabinets with a stone countertop and look for tiles in warm,earth tones.
• Be sure to clear out all clutter. Only leave decorative items visible.
• Think in terms of nature inspired pieces and contrasting elements.

With the contemporary look, you"ll be able to transform your bathroom into a calm, clean, relaxing atmosphere.

If neither the traditional look nor the contemporary is for you, maybe a country theme is. Country style bathrooms are not what they used to be. Country design means simplicity, handmade items, and natural materials. Imperfection is transformed into elegance and the old becomes timeless.
There are a number of vintage fixtures that are perfect for a country bathroom.

• Consider investing in a  claw foot tub, a pedestal basin or antique looking tap levers.
• Mason jars touched up with fabric or antique glass jars and bottles become perfect storage containers.
• Wicker baskets become ideal hampers and storage places for towels and wash cloths.
• Find a peg rack for towels and robes.Consider a throw rug,country candles and fresh flowers thus providing you with the perfect bath time retreat.

Browse our product page for more inspiration or visit our showroom in Ashford.