Ask the Builder: Unique bath fixtures set your home apart

It's that magical time of year. The International Builders and Kitchen and Bath Shows in Las Vegas are just weeks away. There are few convention centers in the United States large enough to accommodate all exhibitors.

I am fortunate to be a member of the working press. As you can imagine, we are treated like royalty at both fairs. Thousands of companies want us to come to their stands to see all their new products. I've been doing this for more than three decades. You must carefully choose how you want to spend your precious time.

Several manufacturers spend huge amounts of money on their trade fair appearance. One of them is Kohler. The stand is a feast for the eyes if you are interested in everything related to plumbing fixtures. I have been a master plumber for over 40 years and have installed hundreds of Kohler fixtures. I always enjoy seeing the gorgeous and elegant designs they introduce at the show.

This is not to diminish the efforts of some other major brands such as Moen, Delta and American Standard. I use a stunning Moen kitchen faucet every day here at my home to wash dishes.

This column is not gentle advertising for manufacturers. It's about how you can use some of their most unique products to set your home apart. Allow me to share a few stories that might inspire you.

A few years ago, a company introduced a bathroom vanity faucet that looked like it was made in the rainforest. The spout appeared to be made from a bamboo stalk. The handles were in the shape of small bamboo stalks. My wife fell in love with it. I ordered one and installed it in our basement bathroom. This faucet is still manufactured today.

The theme of the bathroom was tropical. We found two different wallpapers and a matching border that gives the impression of being in a grass hut with no glass. Through the openings you had a view of the beach directly behind the palm trees. The bamboo faucet piped water into a repurposed used copper basin. I drilled a drain hole into it, creating a sink set into a stunning piece of brown-colored marble. With different faucets you can create countless themes in your home.

My daughter did something similar in the toilet of her new home. The interior of her house is very modern. There is no woodwork around the doors or windows. The wall plate extends directly to the tile floor.

To bring that minimalist feel to her toilet, she found an antique wall-hung corner sink carved from a thick piece of marble. The artist created an arched, curved front that makes the sink appear like a giant shell.

I installed hidden L-brackets that were screwed to the sides of the wall studs. These protrude from the wall and the sink rests on them. The sink appears to be floating in the air. The crowning glory is a single-lever wall-mounted faucet with a long gooseneck spout. Everyone who sees this sink is amazed at it.

Do you think you could use the humble toilet to create an illusion in a bathroom? My son is doing it now. He and I were forced to use a wall-mounted toilet in a bathroom in the basement of his house.

Forget the image of the plain commercial wall-mounted toilets you see in airports, office buildings or schools. His toilet is a futuristic porcelain fixture with smooth sides. As crazy as it sounds, it is the most beautiful toilet I have ever seen. The water tank is hidden behind the tiled wall. There is a simple touchpad to activate the flushing process.

Are you planning to set up a luxury shower in your home? Maybe you're doing a major remodel or building a new home. Did you know that you can install multiple shower heads to create a real downpour if that's what you're looking for? You can even install speakers to surround you with the sound of a rain shower. The shower heads can be installed in the walls or in the shower ceiling.

If you choose to do this, make sure you or your plumber do the calculations to ensure there is enough water for your virtual reality shower experience. You may need 1-inch diameter cold and hot water pipes to supply your bathroom. If you don't do this, you may end up with water dripping from all shower heads and body showers.

You don't need to have press credentials like I need to see all these wonderful new products. At the end of February, YouTube will be flooded with thousands of videos shot by members of the press at the fair. Search for IBS or KBIS 2025 videos.

You can stumble upon all new kitchen and bathroom faucets from the comfort of your own home. You don't have to walk through crowded hallways, bumping into people, and craning your neck to catch a glimpse of the most popular exhibits like I usually have to do when I'm there in person.

Subscribe to Tim's FREE newsletter at AsktheBuilder.com. Tim offers telephone coaching calls if you're stuck on a home improvement job. Go here: go.askthebuilder.com/coaching

You might also like

Comments are closed.