January 18, 2001

Marvelous master baths

By STACIE CARLSON
Special to the Record-Eagle
      Whether expanding existing master bathrooms or building from the ground up, consumers can consult experts for help in creating a bath that meets their needs.
      "There are a lot of exciting new trends we're seeing in the bath area right now," said Mary Lappan, kitchen and bath designer at Home Link in Traverse City.
      According to Lappan, people want comfort and that includes the pampering that, until now, has only been associated with professional spas.
      "We see a lot of whirlpool and shower combinations enclosed with glass. People are tending more toward a clear look," said Lappan.
      "People are interested in easy-to-clean areas, so we encourage marble, tile and Therma-foil cabinets. The Therma-foil cabinets are molded to fit a frame, come in a variety of colors, and hold up to humidity," added Lappan.
      Another trend is toward marble with a granite look and texture for durability. It's elegant, but doesn't cost as much as granite.
      For those looking to remodel an existing bathroom, Lappan suggested choosing the dimensions of bath accessories desired prior to remodeling. That way, overcrowding is minimized.
      For the do-it-yourself types, stores likeHome Depot in Traverse City and Petoskey are an option for bath accessories.
      "Traverse City is very diversified, with many people building a second home or remodeling an existing area," said Richard Och, kitchen and bath designer at Traverse City's Home Depot.
      Och noted that bath areas are unique to each customer and best viewed as an individual process.
      "Trends in northern Michigan are toward natural woods, while in other areas of the country white and off-white seems to the rage. We see a lot of oak, hickory, pine, and maple cabinetry with either tile or wood floors," said Och.
      In addition, many consumers are expanding existing bedrooms into bed and bath suites by removing a wall.
      "We're seeing a lot of expansion in the bath area, with people putting in whirlpool tubs and pedestal sinks," said Och.
      When remodeling, Och suggested consumers focus on functional features and designs, as well as overall color schemes.
      Color is a major focus for Scott Brady, owner/partner of Brady Kitchen and Bath Renew in Garfield Township.
      "People are trending toward brighter, lighter colors including a lot of off-white, bright white, and almond colors," said Brady.
      The key is to lighten up areas that previously may have been shaded with the dark, rich tones of the 1970s and '80s.
      "We have a process called speckling where we use a base color and speckle another color over top; it gives cabinetry a Corian look without the cost," said Brady.
      For those remodeling an existing bath area, Brady suggested ceramic tile or sometimes hardwood floors for their durability in humid areas, as well as a spray-in coating for shower and bath.
      Perhaps the most important item to focus on when remodeling, however, is adequate ventilation, particularly in older homes. Lack of good ventilation can cause mold and mildew.
      Brady also noted that the old clawfoot tubs are making a reappearance with chrome accessories.
      At Pohlman's Interior Remodeling in Grawn, owner Dan Pohlman said customers have been wanting whirlpool and jacuzzi tubs and walk-in showers. Keeping safety in mind, some are converting bathtubs into showers with safety bars and seats.
      "We use a lot of ceramic tile on floors and woods or solid polymer surfaces in cabinetry," said Pohlman. "Many of our polymers are made to emulate stone surfaces like granite or marble."
      Always, however, he said, safety and accessibility to bath areas is important.
      "Most people have ideas for bath accessories, but sometimes space just doesn't allow it," said Pohlman.