Combining Rustic Charm With Innovative Design

With so many luxury brands which focus on design, it can be difficult to choose! If you are look for a vintage look without sacrificing quality or the ecosystem, here are two of our favorite providers. Look for the EPA partnership to ensure your purchase go towards a water-conserving product!

Graff

With industry-leading designs and concepts like floor-mounted tub fillers, Graff serves up a large variety of options for contemporary, classic, and transitional design.

The Canterbury floor-mounted tub filler from Graff is just one example of their eye for vintage design, This Victorian style filler is mounted to two sturdy floor pillars, which gracefully support the bridge mounted hardware-typical of Victorian styling.

The handshower includes an optional ceramic handle insert, and the collection is available in polished chrome, Steelnox satin nickel, olive bronze, polished nickel, neo brass and antique brushed nickel to give a wide breadth of options to choose from.

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Newport Brass

Every Newport Brass product is constructed of solid brass, features quarter-turn ceramic disc cartridges, stainless steel braided supplies and 3/4″ Roman tub fillers. The price fluctuates by finish, of which there are 26.

Every Newport Brass faucet is custom-made to your specifications, and each design in available to mix-and match for a limitless variety. Many of the faucets feature an intrinsic vintage look, but it is up to you to decide which brand of classic is your favorite.

These are only two of the list of brands available at Plumbtile which not only provide superior design and quality, but help you make the transition to green living easily.

Kitchen and Bath Style Ideas From Kohler

Kohler is known for its innovation and design ideas which stem mostly from natural sources – the drama of a lotus flower can easily be turned into a faucet or showerhead in the minds of the Kohler artists.

To help us use their products in a way that suits our own needs and tastes, Kohler also presents kitchen and bath showcases to inspire our own interior design. Below is a video of one modern-yet-classic kitchen with warm and inviting colors and seamlessly integrated fixtures.

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Of course, the bathroom is not to be forgotten! While it may be one of the smallest rooms in the house, the bathroom creates quite an impact on the entire feel of your home, and really says a lot about you! You want your bathroom to send the right message and be a space that you simply love. With all of those water-consuming features, it is also more and more important to think on green alternatives. This video showcases some of Kohler’s finest ideas in the green living movement.

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There are, of course, many brands who have begun to manufacture their products to be more eco-friendly, so pairing a water-saving Kohler toilet with tile, glass, faucets, and showers from other brands to create your very own look is not a crime! Some of our favorite green companies can be found on this page to give you unlimited possibilities.

Kohler Introduces a Virtual Product App for The Flipside

Kohler has released a new app for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch which gives users an interactive demo and product locator of their Flipside shower head. This app is not only fun to play with, but completely free!

The Flipside Demo app is Kohler’s first mobile app, but we hope to see many more from this industry leader in design and innovation.

The Flipside shower head allows the user to change the direction and type of spray with the simple touch of a finger, a perfect motion to simulate on the touch screen of our favorite mobile devices. This lets the user demo the different options and spray functions and see exactly how easy and intuitive this shower head is to use. Each water position also displays more info about the product and experience descriptions.

When downloading the app, you will also receive a short video which showcases the Flipside in action, giving you ideas on what to try out with the application. The product locator will give you a quick list of the showrooms nearest you to get your hands on the actual product.

While it may not be as addictive as your daily fix of Angry Birds, Kohler’s demo app for the Flipside opens the door for many similar applications from other brands. What else can be demoed virtually and on-the-go? It could be an entirely new way to shop!

You can also learn more information about the Kohler Flipside shower head on our website, and download this free app directly from the Apple Store here.

Luxury Spa Treatment Right at Home

Today’s showcase features two of the best spa quality tubs you can find for your home. Whether you are looking for a massage experience or supreme soaking and relaxation – or both – you can trust on these companies to provide you with the perfect balance of function, style, and price. And you can trust Plumbtile to bring you the eco-friendly versions!

Jado Porcher

The Jado Porcher fusion brings together two harmonious worlds of aesthetics. Specifically, the Ecosilent Whirlpool and Smooth Air bath models let you easily add spa-like options to your bath time.

Powered by an integrated pump and motor that’s practically inaudible, the Ecosilent Whirlpool baths offer relaxing hydrotherapy in a tranquil environment. The pump and in-line heater work together to reduce energy consumption, while the EverClean antibacterial circulation system ensures the whirlpool stays clean longer.

The Smooth Air massage system produces full bubble immersion from perfectly smooth air jets and is available in all Jado Porcher air bath models

Hydro Systems

The Hydro Systems reputation for delivering superb personal bathing satisfaction continues with each new series they create, and the customized options available for each mean you get nothing but your absolute dream tub.

In particular, we love the Yvette for its perfect spacious design and comfort. It is available as a Heated Soaking Bath, Whirlpool, Thermal Air or Combination Whirlpool-Air Bath.

The Alexis is also a wonderful option for oversized tubs with a slightly different design. It incorporates two sloping back rests, arm rests, and is also available as heated, whirlpool, thermal air, and combination.

Of course, the Plumbtile site features dozens of other spa-quality tub options from brands like Americh, Duravit, and ToTo. Don’t forget to check out our sale page to see out hottest deals on tubs and bath accessories!

Who Wants Free Starbucks?

For a limited time, Plumbtile is offering a FREE $5 Starbucks card to every person who likes the Facebook page. When you go to www.facebook.com/plumbtile, you will be presented with the details of this giveaway. No catch – just like and get your card!

Note that these cards are delivered electronically, so please be sure to provide the email address you want them sent to. We can’t deliver them without it!

Benefits of being a Plumbtile fan:

  • Photos of events and hot new products.
  • Specs of all the latest up-and-coming designs and company news.
  • Updates about our best sales before anyone else.
  • Interesting articles and information on “going green”.
  • And so much more!

…not to mention that FREE Starbucks card. Go ahead, have a drink on us.

We hope to see you all there!

Our Favorite Strange Toilet Designs

For a bit of fun at the end of the week, here is a look at some of out favorite strange toilet designs. Everything from a true “king’s throne” Herbeau toilet (featured left) to a wide open mouth is on the list! It is very interesting to see what many designers and joksters can come up with!

This video is also featured on the Plumbtile YouTbe channel.

 

What are the strangest toilet designs you’ve ever seen?  We’d love to read about them in the comments section!

You can also see more fun and interesting bath and kitchen designs all over our site at plumbtile.com

Dwell on Design 2011 Roundup

Dwell on Design time! This past weekend was Dwell magazine’s 7th design conference held at the LA Convention Center, and we went over to take pictures of the highlights of the bath and kitchen section of the show.

Organic lines and natural materials were big this year, and both concepts made themselves known in the rundown below. Click past the jump to see what they had to offer. Continue reading →

Preview of Dwell on Design 2011

Dwell on Design 2011 will be held from the 24th – 26th (that’s next weekend, folks!) at the LA Convention Center. Not only are we at Plumbtile very excited for this event, but several of our own top brands will  be there!

As many of you know, only the top brands and best designs are selected to appear at Dwell on Design, and this year promises to surpass your expectations. Here is some specific info on our favorite brands who will be there:

Blanco – Booth Number 537. Blanco will be presenting innovative sink designs such as Blanco Precis, Blanco Perfoma, Blanco Cascade, Blanco Purus 1, and Blanco Culina, designs that were produced from start to finish in three materials.

Brizo – Booth Number 339, will be featuring premium faucets and distinctive designs such as Loki, RSVP, Siderna, Talo, Venuto sets, and a Virage Sensori Shower.

Duravit – located at booth 543, and will be showcasing brand new and exciting designs by Starck, Matteo Thun, and Sieger Design for residential and public building use.

Hansgrohe – Booth Number 447, will be bringing its newest additions from top designers Antonio Citterio and Philippe Starck, which will include showerheads, faucets, and shower pipes.

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Kohler – Booth Number 247. Kohler will be featuring the new Numi, a remarkable porcelain toilet with climate-control, an I-Pod dock, and a built in bidet and deodorizer.

Lacava – Booth Number 115, will be presenting eco-friendly products including Torre Pedestal, Trevi Toilet, Trenta Pedestal, La Scala Faucet, Twin Set Bathtub, and La Scala Vanity.

Native Trails – Booth Number 220. Native Trails will be bringing a variety of sinks and bathtubs such as a Savannah Vanity, Maestro Ananda Sink, Chardonnay Vanity, Aspen Tub, Cuzco Vanity and Tatra Sink, Sumatra Vanity and Laguna Sink, and Yanamah Vanity and Eclipse Sink.

Toto – Booth Number 321, will be presenting the ultimate bath experience from Upton Faucets, Aquia One-Piece Toilets, Kiwami Showers, to Neorest Faucets and Toilets.

WetStyle – Booth Number 340. WetStyle will be featuring eco-friendly natural stone composite materials and sustainable hardwoods from floating sinks to premium bathtubs and various motifs.

We would like to congratulate all these brands before the exhibit and hope to hear lots of great news and stories after the event!

Top 5 Ways to Create a Spa Experience in Your Bathroom

How awesome would it be to create a spa experience in your own bathroom?  After a grueling day at work or wrestling with the kids, wouldn’t you like to relax in a cozy tub or wash away the day in a refreshing shower? At Plumbtile, we strive to offer you that exact experience with the highest quality from top name brands. Here are the 5 best ways to create a spa experience direct from us to you!

1. Large Shower Heads

Large, oversized shower heads are a huge trend today, and not only for their looks and fantastic function. These provide full–body coverage over clean water in fact, many of them, such as Hansgrohe shower heads, use less water than the smaller, traditional models. You can relax easily and guilt-free knowing that you are not harming the environment to do so. You will come out of one of these showers feeling rejuvenated after a tough day’s work – or invigorated to start one.

2. Soaking Tub

For a longer period of relaxing, soaking tubs provide a very unique experience. These are slightly different than your grandmother’s tub, and do wonders to melt away your cares and worries quickly. The designs are almost always edgy and contemporary, but still flawlessly fit into almost any décor or bathroom design.  Stone Forest is one of the leading producers of luxurious tubs and sinks. They come in many shapes and sizes, and they will even customize one to suit your specific taste through the use of natural materials such as bronze, copper, and especially stone.  As a bonus, they offer matching vanities, sinks, and pedestals.

3. Lighting,

Lighting is so essential in creating the right environment for the full spa experience. Too much light will ruin the entire experience, but you also need more light during other times of the day, so the real trick is placement.  In areas where more light is needed, such as around the vanity, don’t shy away from using what you need. To switch from this to lower lighting, use recessed or even underwater lights that are less bright and create more of an ambient glow than a harsh glare.

4. Natural Stone Tile

It’s no secret that here at Plumbtile we just LOVE pebble tile. Not only is it easy to use, but it creates a wonderful and authentic feel to any patio, bathroom, or even kitchen. There are, however, plenty of other options for natural stone tile. If you are not a fan of pebble tile, or simply need something to compliment its use, try options like the Mandala Tile Etrusco Collection to create a neutral, yet pleasing and forward thinking design.

You don’t need to have a large budget to implement just one or two indulgent elements to your bathroom. Something as simple as upgrading your shower head can do wonders. For more ideas, inspiration, and clearance items, feel free to stop by the Plumbtile site.

Do you have an item or design element that makes your bathroom a sanctuary of relaxation? Share it with us by commenting below!