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Q: What Should I Consider When Decorating My Half Bath?

You would freak out if you knew how many years the average person spends using the toilet. It's not a pretty fact, but it's a fact that your toilet can be in a very beautiful room (and that's what counts in the end)! Nicola Chernicoff and Irwin Weiner take you onsite to a powder room and in this episode they will cover the resale value of adding half baths to your floor plan, what elements make up a typical powder room as opposed to a bathroom, how to add whimsy and style to bathroom decor, the latest trends and appliances to make this room greener and higher functioning, the early days of bathrooms (and we're talking sitting on stone, people!), the glam days of powder rooms, Irwin's pet peeves about bathrooms (and other outrageous bathroom humor), and a special tip about quiet, energy-saving toilets.

Update on January 4, 2010 by

Design2Share

Tub Truths & the Inside Scoop on Whirlpools and Air Jets: It's fashionable for many homes to feature a soaking tub with some kind of mechanized whirlpool system for weary visitors in a guest bathroom or in the tried-and-true master bedroom ensuite bath. There are pros and cons to be aware of. Let's try to guide you through the weeds.

First, there are two main choices on the market for "swirling systems" for soaking tubs: whirlpool and air jet.

In the whirlpool system, your tub's motor takes water in from the tub and sends out jets of water around the bather's body.
In the air jet system, bubbles of air -- not water -- are pushed out by the tub's mechanied system. There is no recycling of water from the tub.

There are pros and cons to both systems. Here is the list of considerations for the whirlpools out there:

Whirlpool systems shoot out powerful jets of water. The fresh jets are great for a stimulating, deep massage effect and can also be regulated for gentler effects.
Whirlpool systems can be used with both cast iron and acrylic tubs. Both have their advantages and disadvantages -- cast iron tubs have a great, solid feel and are difficult to scratch or mar; acrylic tubs offer more body-contouring sculpture to their tub forms, but the acrylic can scratch.
Some people dislike the fact that whirlpool-based tubs have the motor built directly underneath the tub. It can be noisy.
Whirlpool critics believe that whirlpool tubs are difficult to clean. Dirty tub water is constantly recycled through the motor and mechanical system of the tub.

Kohler manufactures both whirlpool and air jet tub systems. Their round Riverbath Whirlpool tub is featured in the photo above.

How do air jet systems stack up? Here are the pros and cons:

Air jet systems send out bubbles of air around the bather's body, and this can be extremely relaxing and gentle.
The motor and pump system for air jet tubs can be placed remotely, so any motor noise can be contained and the bathing experience is less noisy.
Air jet systems are cleaner than whirlpool, as air is blown from the pump into the tub without circulating dirty tub water.
Air jet systems usually don't provide powerful massage-inducing results, the hallmark of whirlpools.
Air jet systems are only available with acrylic tubs, which are easier to scratch (although quite appropriate for the body-contouring that works well with gentle, relaxing air bubbles).

BainUltra is a premiere air jet bath and home spa manufacturer (see one of their Elegancia models above). Its wide variety of options give you amazing choices for tub design and color, air jet controls and jet strength, spa extras that include color therapy and music while you soak, and -- our absolute favorite option -- a heated back, with temperature controls to give your back muscles the ultimate way to unkink from the busy workday.