<p>I have subscribed to Fine Homebuilding for the last few years. Many of the articles are geared towards contractors and I think generally would be of more interest to some one who is designing and building a home. I am also a big fan of the Not So Big series. I had an email from Tauton Press in the last couple days, the books are 25% off.</p>
<p>Our master bath renovation will be finished next week (yea!). My husband is 6 feet and I’m 5’2". According to my contractor, most bathroom cabinets are now installed at 36" but I felt it was too tall for me, so we put them at 34".</p>
<p>One cool thing the contractor did was install an outlet in one of my vanity drawers so I wouldn’t have to keep the hair appliances on the counter.</p>
<p>We did skip the body sprays (very pricey plus we don’t have a huge shower) but we did do a bench, a second hand held spray (but not on a bar - afraid it would take up more space than husband was willing to give), a shampoo niche, two corner shelves plus we made the shower barrier-free (for the possibility of a wheelchair). The contractor also reinforced the wall behind the tile in case we ever want to install a grab bar.</p>
<p>Thanks for the suggestions, I was also thinking of one of Stewart Brands books: How Buildings Learn: What Happens After They’re Built ( just read an
interview)- I have picked up Fine Woodworking for H, but despite the amount of tools he has & the size of his workshop, I am not seeing the anticipated projects!</p>
<p>I think this was the showerhead we just bought @ Costco- the spray is adjustable & it looks kinda snazzy.
[Amazon.com:</a> Showertek Green Choice Adjustable Showerhead Combo: Home Improvement](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Showertek-Green-Choice-Adjustable-Showerhead/dp/B002IQW8TK]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Showertek-Green-Choice-Adjustable-Showerhead/dp/B002IQW8TK)</p>
<p>I use a rain shower a couple of months a year when I work in another state, I personally don’t care for it; I like a long shower, I like the heat penetrating my body, but I don’t like to have the water running over my face the entire time which forces me to drop my head forward and look at the ground and strains my neck.</p>
<p>Our MB came with an oversized jacuzzi tub, I am a real bath person, but I prefer the smaller, cozy, enclosed shower/tub as with the sliding doors shut, I stay warmer. I do use our big tub, but would never have chosen it.<br>
I sound really picky, but you asked!</p>
<p>In the last 9 months wa have redone 2bathrooms ( by choice) and are now thrown headfirst into a bunch of flooring and kitchen choices due to a burst pipe. If you like CC, you will like garden web.com. Go to the forums which are very helpful and people are generally polite to a fault. Lots of great ideas and photos. Folks are very willing to share knowledge and sources. Bath forum is very active…you will get fast answers to your questions there.</p>
<p>dragonmom-thank you! I need another non-obnoxious site in which to hang out now that our son is out of college!</p>
<p>Now, my husband will not be thrilled with the new ideas I may accumulate!</p>
<p>Get a 16" seater
with a hinny washer.</p>
<p>Once you use a 16", you 'll never use the short one.
A hinny washer lets you not used the bath as often
:)</p>
<p>Re: Vessel sinks. They are beautiful but I notice my local Lowe’s (which used to carry a ton of different ones) have very few now. Everyone I spoke to, when remodeling a bath, said that unless they are installed <em>precisely</em> right, the water tends to splash out on the user. They are also difficult to wash your face in as there is usually not a whole lot of space between the faucet and the top of the bowl. Next time you see one, mime washing your face (never mind the funny looks from passers-by) to see if it works for you. Mostly they are used in powder rooms that are more for looks than practicality. </p>
<p>I have brushed nickel fixtures in all my rooms. I love it and don’t find it difficult to keep nice…Chrome spots like the devil and I loathe it. The easiest to keep nice is the dark bronze. Nothing shows. </p>
<p>If you like pedestal sinks but not the lack of storage, I’ve seen some nice bathrooms with two individual sinks with storage between. </p>
<p>[Bathroom</a> Vanity Ideas: Pedestal Sinks and Freestanding Cabinetry](<a href=“http://www.kitchenbathideas.com/bathroom-design/bathroom-vanities/bathroom-vanity-ideas/?page=19]Bathroom”>http://www.kitchenbathideas.com/bathroom-design/bathroom-vanities/bathroom-vanity-ideas/?page=19)</p>
<p>And if you are looking to spend a bit less – 'cause every bit helps – HomeDecorators.com has a nice selection of handsome furniture style vanities and bathroom fixtures at reasonable prices.</p>
<p>[Bathroom</a> Furniture - Bathroom Vanities - Bathroom Cabinets | HomeDecorators.com](<a href=“http://www.homedecorators.com/Bath/]Bathroom”>http://www.homedecorators.com/Bath/)</p>
<p>Question - If you install a taller vanity, does it complicate plumbing for water pipes (and venting for pressure etc)?</p>
<p>No, it makes no difference how tall your vanity is.</p>
<p>Thanks Mathmom. There will be a big change from our 32" vanity if we switch to 36"… still not sure if this is a job for DH or professional. Perhaps we’ll just take the plunge and do a total renovation - the house is 17 years old.</p>
<p>Go Pro! Things amateurs should not mess with include major plumbing, electrical and brain surgery.</p>
<p>You haven’t mentioned what kind of toilet you are installing. Are you considering the super duper toilet that automatically lowers the heated washlet bidet seats?</p>
<p>Toto toilets were a total splurge when we built this house. DH couldn’t believe how much we spent. Five Toto toilets w/ 3in pipes…5years…ZERO clogged toilets…priceless!!</p>
<p>I think I’m going to score with a elongated/ 16" Toto, Bowl. No tank. Butt the bowl is at Habitat for 20 bucks. Going to get the tank for $100. </p>
<p>:) here’s to keeping legs crossed. ;)</p>
<p>One thing to think about if you go with the taller bathroom vanity is the placement of your existing electrical outlets. We remodeled a rental property and installed a new tall vanity that blocked the counter-level power outlet. It wasn’t a big deal to relocate it a few inches higher, but it did involve an electrician so was an extra expense.</p>
<p>We’ve had to replace three toilets over the years and, for different reasons, have used a Kohler, American Standard and a Toto. The bathroom with the Toto was the only one that allowed us to choose whatever we wanted and that is the one toilet that hasn’t had a problem. (I think it is called the Ultramax model.) Our new house will have only Totos.</p>
<p>
:D</p>
<p>10 char</p>
<p>I recommend this book to everyone planning a remodel or a re-decoration:</p>
<p>[Amazon.com:</a> Make Your House Do The Housework (9780937750339): Don Aslett with Laura Aslett Simons: Books](<a href=“http://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-House-Do-Housework/dp/0937750336]Amazon.com:”>http://www.amazon.com/Make-Your-House-Do-Housework/dp/0937750336)</p>
<p>It is a wise book about making good choices now to make your life easier later. We fall in love with a certain look or light fixture and never ask ‘how hard is this to keep clean?’ I never followed all the rules 'cause I don’t want a house I can just hose down (except sometimes!) but it helps you see past the bells-and-whistles to how something will fit the lifestyle you have, not necessarily the one the house magazines want you to have.</p>
<p>Extra wide doors (wheelchair capable) and Zero clearance shower lip-don’t need to trip over or step over. </p>
<p>Hand grips for getting into/out of bath-showers, Hand grips near the Facility. They can double as towel rack.</p>