While people think of complete bathroom remodels, the first few items on their mind are the vanity, sink, toilet, and lighting. During the redesign process the faucet can often get over looked, but in the end design of it all, the faucet is a very important asset to any bathroom remodel, large or small. Whether you are doing a complete bathroom remodel or just an update on your current bathroom design, here are a few things to keep in mind while choosing the right bathroom faucet for you.

The first thing to think about while deciding on a new bathroom faucet is your sink. The new faucet will need to compliment your sink and be designed to work with your sink and not against it. Bathroom faucets are available in many different designs to match along with sinks, these designs include: 8 inch, 4 inch, single hole, and wall mount. Some bathroom sinks have build in faucet holes, so you should measure the distance between the 2 outer holes to determine which faucet will work for you. If you have a vessel or under mount sink, a single home faucet or wall mount faucet may be best for your needs.

After you have figured out what style of faucet works best for your needs, now is time to think about what design will work best for your needs. The 8 inch bathroom faucets are normally available in 3 pieces, the tap, and hot and cold handles. A great factor with the 3 piece faucets are that if your hole measurement is not quite 8 inches, it will still work with your sink. The 4 inch bathroom faucet designs are designed a lot like the 8 inch models, only on a smaller scale to accommodate for the space issue.

Single hole bathroom faucets feature a stem where the tap extrudes from and a single handle normally located on the top. Some single hole faucets do feature two separate handles for the hot and cold, but its still generally the same installation.

Wall mountable faucets can be found in an array of style such as a 3 piece with your tap, and hot and cold handles, 2 piece style with your tap and a separate single hot and cold handle, or a single unit with built in tap and water temperature handle. An important thing to keep in mind while installing a wall mount able faucet is that height of the people using it, you would not want to install it too high for a shorter person to be unable to reach, or too low for a taller person to have to bend down too far to access the faucet.

The next step while choosing your bathroom faucet is the look of the faucet. Faucets are now available in more styles, shapes, sizes, and finishes then ever before. It’s very important to choose the faucet that matches the styles of your bathroom to bring the entire bathroom together and flow nicely.

Another thing to remember is that it’s a good idea to match all of your bathroom fixtures finishes, like your faucet, your shower head, and tub faucet. It is also a good idea to compliment your new faucet with accessories, such as towel bars, hook, toilet paper hold, and toothbrush holder, that match the faucets finish and bathrooms style.

There are many ways to add additional style and value to your home that are inexpensive the ones mentioned above are just a few suggestions among many ways to improve your home and get the best return on the money you spend on it while staying in your budget and adding great appeal and value to your home.

Installing Any Vessel Sink is a SNAP

How to Install A Vessel Sink

Want to have a new bathroom vessel sink? Vessel sinks are relatively a new product on the market so many are left with a lot of questions on how to install these modern bathroom sinks. Well don’t worry, it’s an easy process that we will walk you through! We will show you how to install your new Bathroom Glass Vessel Sink, Stone Vessel Sink or Porcelain Vessel Sink…. Easy Steps, Video, Step By Step AND Options for Sink Placement.

	Things You’ll Need: Vessel Sink Drain Assembly Support Ring for Rounded Bottom Sink Vanity or Pedestal Faucet Countertop of your choice Plumbing Equipment
	Mosaic Onyx Stone Bathroom Vessel Sink – New Style from ModernDanish	Choosing your Vessel Sink….. Materials Available are Stone, Porcelain, Glass, Metal, Concrete, Acrylic, Wood and basically anything a hole can be cut in the bottom of! We recommend you purchase in this order… 1. The vanity for your space size limitations 2. The Vessel sink that will work on that specific vanity – with any size limitations it may have 3. The Faucet you like that will work with your vanity and sink selections, with any size limitations they have. ** Wide selection of over 300 different bathroom vessel sinks available from www.ModernDanish.com.
	Black Granite Bathroom Countertop – Pre Made and Pre Drilled with Faucet and Drain Holes from ModernDanish	DO YOU HAVE YOUR COUNTERTOP? What to look for…. Ideally, the countertop should already have the holes predrilled to accommodate the sink and the faucet (if you are using a deck mounted faucet). You should have at the least positioned the sink and faucet where you want them, and penciled in where the cuts need to occur. In a laminate or engineered countertop such as Corian, the holes can be made after the countertop is mounted, however if a mistake is made in cutting, its going to be a messy job to remove the top and start all over. So in a perfect world, the top should already have the holes drilled for the fixtures. Our granite, glass & Marble tops that we sell with our vanities are always predrilled with faucet and drain holes to help make the installation process as easy as possible. **Pre Fabricated Solid Granite, Marble and Glass Countertops – Sizes 22″ and 31″ Wide – Available from www.ModernDanish.com – Colors Black Granite, Crema Marfil Cream Marble, Frosted Glass, Black Glass, Red Glass, Silver Glass and Clear Glass.
	Hardwood Pedestal Vanity in Natural Oak Finish and Hot Wenge Espresso Finish – Exclusive to ModernDanish	INSTALL YOUR COUNTERTOP….. Get ready for your sink Use standard clear or colored silicone to attach your stone sink to your wood base cabinet if the manufacturer recommends. Sometimes there are vanities that have “risers” that hold the top – small metal supports that sit in all 4 corners of the vanity and lift the top up and support it. These can also be adjusted for different height as needed to level the top. When attaching a stone top to the wall, use a thin line of clear silicone but DON’T do that stage until very late in the installation process. It will be hard to re-remove again and you may have to move the vanity during the plumbing process.
	Green Onyx Vessel Sink with Requred Support Ring in Jumbo Size / Chrome Finish from ModernDanish	Vessel Sink Installation & Placement….. RECESSED INSTALLATION WHERE PART OF THE SINK IS INSIDE THE COUNTERTOP Place a bead of silicone caulk at the base of the sink where it will touch the countertop. Put the sink gently in place. Try to move it slightly to position correctly, wipe off excess caulk. Use a level to make sure your sink is perfectly situated before the caulk dries. Attach the drain assembly following the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific sink. Screw on or tighten the nut firmly to hold the sink in place to the counter. Connect the drain to the P-trap underneath, then connect to the drain pipe on the wall.
	Add a final layer of under side caulk where your bowl and counter touch from the underside of your countertop if you can reach it. Exactly where your sink touches your countertop you want to clean and perfectly apply the caulk all around the perimeter. As it dries and looks is how it will always look so if you have not done a good job with cleaning and applying so it looks pretty you wont be happy with the finished project. We have found applying the caulk with your finger and using a rag to clean your finger often works best. Clean the very edge perfectly before leaving the work area so next morning you will have a pretty bowl / countertop edge. Vessel Sink Installation & Placement….. ABOVE COUNTER INSTALLATION WHERE ALL OF THE SINK IS ABOVE THE COUNTERTOP You will need to have purchased or received a support ring to place over the drain hole. This support ring is to support the round bottom of the sink and keep the bowl from “rocking” after it is installed. Place the support ring over the drain hole & put the sink gently on top. Try to move it slightly to position correctly, but do not use any silicone or caulking in this process. Attach the drain assembly following the manufacturer’s instructions for your specific sink which is generally dropping the “Head and Neck” pipe through the sink and support ring and hand tightening on the bottom with the supplied nut. Screw on or tighten the nut firmly to hold the sink in place to the counter. Connect the drain to the P-trap underneath, then connect to the drain pipe on the wall. You may need to buy an extensions because the location and height of the drain had changed. ** All Parts needed for typical Installation available from www.ModernDanish.com, Support ring $19.95, Drain $32.95 +
	Vessel Sink Filler Faucet in Chrome Finish from ModernDanish	Vessel Sink Faucet Installation…. Check placement location before you do anything – the faucet should be very close to the bowl – usually from 1/2″ to 2″ away from the very edge. It is usually easier to install the faucet prior to putting the vessel sink into final position. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions that came along with your vessel faucets. Make sure to connect cold and hot water tubing to the correct source on the water line. Use a ring of plumber’s putty around the hoses as you screw together. Make sure that all the connections are tight. Turn the water input valves on and check for leaks.
	FINAL CHECK…….. Any Leaks ? When everything is in place, check for leaks by turning on the faucet. Check around the drain, the drain itself, and underneath the sink for leaks. If you find any leak, use appropriate steps to remove the leak like adding a strip of plumber’s tape or slightly tightening your connections being careful not to over tighten your bowl. ** Many Modern Vessel Sink Filler Faucets available from www.ModernDanish.com – All the hottest finishes & styles OTHER NEAT IDEAS FOR HOW TO ACCENTUATE YOUR NEW VESSEL SINK….. -Lighting is everything with all the great colors and foils of today’s vessel sinks. Try some different light bulbs, different wattage to bring out the bling in your new sink! If you only have a 2 bulb fixtures, consider changing to either a 3 or 4 light. -Working with Onyx – A great stone material that allows you to really play with lighting. We have a great number of customers who under light their onyx bowls and countertops by adding lighting inside the cabinet. The lighting can be switch operated or hard wired to the wall switches. -Sealer – How often? If you have a stone vessel you want to keep it highly polished and sealed well. If you don’t the stone will loose its luster and not be a colorful. -Glass Sinks – After you have taken the plunge and added this modern work of art to your bathroom why not upgrade your faucet or shower head to match, really give your guests the wow factor! -Add a modern shower curtain, add new accessories, minimalize your bathroom removing clutter and cleaning up. All the small things should be in baskets or stored away in a cabinet. Add a bamboo mat and keep your bathroom simple, modern and elegant.
	Tips and Warnings Do not over tighten your Drain! At first you should only be hand tightening your drain thread nut under your sink – there is no need for a big wrench at this point! This puts a lot of extra tork on your sink and commonly sinks are left over tightened which can cause problems when combined with hot and cold water, temperature and other elements.

Installing a new bathroom vanity and bathroom sink is a project that will make most people cringe, but with just a little knowledge and enthusiasm it can be performed by anyone. If you are renovating your bathroom and have decided that replacing your bathroom vanity is something that you are going to do, you should consider these tips and tricks. The vanity is the centerpiece of your bathroom, so you will want to begin by choosing one that is the size, color, and texture that best compliments your decor.

When looking for a bathroom vanity you will have a large variety of sizes and styles that you can choose from. Start sorting through the choices by acknowledging the type of theme and furnishings that you would like to have in your bathroom. Decide on the layout, color scheme, decor, and any accessories you want to include. Write notes down and keep record of your ideas, as they can turn out to be quite helpful.

Having trouble thinking of a theme to coincide with the rest of your home’s decor? Don’t worry. Nowadays, it’s common practice to decorate each room with a different theme. If you have a southern, country style living room but would like a sleeker, contemporary decor for your bathroom, you should decorate your bathroom the way you want! Many homeowners are finding that by decorating each room in a different theme they really get to express all of the wonderful styles that they want to represent the home. If you need ideas, try browsing through magazines or home-decorating books to find some styles that fit you.

The next step is to create a budget list and begin pricing furnishings. You can replace your bathroom vanity and stay within your target budget more easily if you keep track of your goals and budget with a list. By planning out your strategy and utilizing these tips, you can ensure that you have covered every step to assuring the bathroom of your dreams.

After you have chosen and purchased your new vanity it is time to begin installation. Below are some of the basic steps that I follow. If you are not comfortable with the plumbing part of the installation, make sure to contact a licensed and trusted plumber.

Step 1. Turn off the hot and cold water supply lines connected to your old vanity sink and disconnect the water supply lines.

Step 2. Remove the sink trap. You will want to put a pail or small bucket underneath it to catch any dripping water.

Step 3. Detach the sink top from the vanity, usually held in place by some type of caulk. You may use a utility knife to cut along the caulk line to aid in the sink top removal, but be careful not to damage the wall.

Step 4. Unscrew the screws that are holding the old vanity to the wall and remove vanity from room.

Step 5. Measure the location of the drain pipes and water supply lines and find the locations of the wall studs. Use these measurements to mark on the back of your new vanity.

Step 6. Cut a hole where the drain pipes and water supply lines will be located.

Step 7. Move your new vanity into position using the measurements you recorded and screw it into the wall.

Step 8. Grab your new sink and install your faucets, drain pipes, and any other plumbing accessories to the sink following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Step 9. Install the new sink onto the top of the new vanity.

Step 10. Reconnect the drain pipes, sink trap, and water supply lines.

Step 11. Turn your water supply lines back on and check for leaks. Tighten the fittings if you see any leaks.

Step 12. Enjoy your new bathroom vanity!

Though some bathroom trends are simply for aesthetics, many bathroom trends seek to improve our quality of life; these include hands-free faucets, ergonomically designed toilet seats and double-sink bathroom vanities.

Dual Sinks
Double-sink vanities give busy couples a chance to get ready at the same time. Instead of fighting over who gets to use the sink during that morning rush, a double-sink vanity lets both husband and wife brush their teeth and complete their other morning routines – at the same time! Of course, traditional single-sink bathroom vanities are also available, and these can feature the latest in sink trends, including copper and glass basins.

Storage Space with Style
One trend is toward greater storage in the bathroom: Bathroom storage can be found in vanities and in wall and floor cabinets. These pieces of furniture are increasingly as varied as the furniture you’d find in your living room: From gorgeous, traditional details found in solid wood bathroom vanities, to the brushed metal found in a bathroom vanity with a modern twist; today’s bathroom storage solutions are made to fit any decor.

Brighten Up Your Day
To complement a bathroom vanity – and an entire room – a new bathroom trend is to accentuate the bathroom lighting. As part of a bathroom vanity set – which includes a bathroom vanity, sink and mirror – lighting rails are also made to match the exact specifications of the rest of the set. These lighting rails feature the latest electronic technologies, including modular, low-voltage cathode systems and LED lights.

Look in the Mirror
And while mirrors have for a long time been part of a bathroom vanity set, as have medicine cabinets, a new bathroom trend combines the two in a stylish way: Instead of the drab-looking medicine cabinets of old, the current bathroom trend combines the gorgeous, wood styling found on living room-quality mirrors and cabinetry with the functionality of a medicine cabinet.

Even though you might not think of your bathroom as the epitome of style, today’s bathroom trends are centered on good, practical design.

There are several things to think about when purchasing a new bathroom shower faucet for your home. For instance, a relatively straightforward choice between one-handle and two-handle shower designs, or more complex decisions like whether you want a regular valve, thermostatic valve, or pressure-balanced valve faucet. These decisions will be important in determining which shower faucet will have the honor of making it home. This year’s NKBA Kitchen and Bath Industry Show had some great modern shower styles ranging in price from $450 to $2950. Many in the showcased shower fixture arena made use of cascading water rain fall shower heads, glass waterfall shower heads, wall mount and ceiling mount rain fall systems, and a variety of wall jet systems.

What’s the difference between one-handle and two-handle designs?

The most popular design for bathroom shower faucets tends to be the one-handle design. The main benefit of this design is the simplicity, as users need only a single handle to adjust the volume and temperature quickly to a comfortable level. This is an excellent option for any bathroom, but especially that of an elderly person or child, as it is easiest to use.

If going for a more traditional style in your bathroom, try the two-handle shower design. This option gives the bathroom a distinct elegance and is generally more common among typical shower fixtures.

What should I choose, a regular shower valve or a thermostatic shower valve?

The most affordable choice for a shower valve is the regular valve; they are also the most common. The main downfall to the regular shower valve, however, is that they don’t regulate the temperature or pressure of the water. This means that if someone flushes an adjacent toilet your shower could receive an unwanted burst of cold water. To avoid this situation there are pressure balanced valves, that most states now require, which prevent instant changes in water from hot to cold or cold to hot.

Thermostatic valves measure and regulate the temperature of your shower water, keeping it constant once you are fixed on a setting. They also allow you to change the volume and the temperature separately for a versatile shower. Shower valves can also be customized to meet your personal needs as well with additional benefits such as a handheld shower or body sprays.

When deciding which type of shower faucet will work well for your home, keep in mind the styling of your current bathroom. If you already have a two handle faucet it will be cost effective to replace it with another two handle faucet. If you are redecorating and want a faucet with the simplest use, consider purchasing the one handle faucet. Also, remember to look into regular, pressure balanced, and thermostatic valves that work best in your bathroom.

When redecorating your kitchen or bathroom the one upgrade that you should consider making first is your faucet. Faucets are one of the most helpful tools in assisting all of your kitchen projects and can make an eye-catching centerpiece to complement your kitchen or bathroom decor. When deciding the faucet that is right for your project consider the latest and greatest in modern faucet design – the solid stainless steel faucet. A favorite among culinary kitchen faucet lovers, tall pot filler style faucets are the latest and greatest available in the marketplace.

Stainless Steel Kitchen faucets along with stainless steel bathroom faucets are some of the most durable and versatile faucets products in today’s market. There are many stylish options available to help personalize your kitchen or bathroom. Available in both polished and brushed metal finishes, solid stainless steel is the best material choice for your project if durability and longevity are what are after.

Stainless Steel Material Production

Durable and timeless, stainless steel sinks are popular for their clean, modern look as well as their resilience.

From contemporary to classic, stainless steel works well with any type of décor and complements almost any countertop or work surface. It’s also the ideal choice for coordinating with professional style appliances.

Stainless steel not only looks sleek and professional, but it wears well too. It’s hygienic and easy to maintain. More durable than porcelain or cast iron, stainless steel is highly resistant to heat, most household stains, and rust. Because stainless steel is a forgiving material, it’s easy on dropped dishes and glassware.

Stainless steel sinks are easy to care for. Water spots and mineral deposits can be prevented by rinsing thoroughly after each use and wiping dry with a clean, soft cloth. Non-abrasive cleaners are ideal for regular maintenance.

Stainless steel sinks will show day-to-day wear, including minor scratches. Over time this wear will become uniform with the sink’s grain, creating its own unique character, much like the patina on fine silver.

Faucets that are plated finish are a different production technique, plated finishes are less expensive but stainless steel faucets are molded of solid material – expensive labor & material make stainless faucets more expensive to produce. The labor and material costs are considerably more expensive in the stainless steel production process.

Features of stainless steel and what makes it superior to other metals:

• 100% stainless steel construction
• High quality finish – no plating in the process
• Highly resistant to heat, most household stains, and rust
• Pot Filler styles feature extensible outlet
• Spout and head free to turn 360°
• Unlimited faucet placement locations
• Lever on the left, right or front allowing full freedom also to left-handed users
• Stainless steel surface is available Polished or Matt brushed finishes
• High grade ceramic disks cartridge
• Hygenic and easy to maintain

Adding new accessories can be one of the simplest ways to harmonize the appearance of your bathroom and solidify it’s desired style. Bathroom accessories help keep your style updated and, with a wide variety of possible applications, surge your inner creativity. Towel bars, vanity storage shelves, soap dishes, glass wall shelving, toilet paper holders, floor rugs, soap holders, bathroom mirrors, robe hooks, toilet seats, and towel rings are all accessories that can offer a sophisticated update to your decor and make a huge difference in the characteristics of your bathroom.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when choosing new bathroom accessories is the space and size of your bathroom. If a bathroom is very small then try and keep accessories to a minimum; too many accessories can make a bathroom feel cluttered and sacrifice the desired atmosphere of the bathroom. If you are redecorating a larger bathroom feel free to add more accessories if the size of the space can handle it. Use your best judgement and be classy when putting together your decor. Flow of space and color should always be a main concern. Accessories should accent and frame the style of your bathroom, not distract from it. Remember, many finishes are available to help blend together the finish of your faucet and existing bathroom fixtures.

Among the most popular accessories to use in the bathroom are toilet paper holders and wall mounted towel bars. Towel bars can bring unique color and detail to the bathroom with the use of a decorative towel or wash rag. A variety of paper holders are also available depending on the styling and size of the bathroom, ranging from wall hung to pedestal top holders for larger bathroom spaces. If in need of some storage space and organization try bathroom vanity shelves. These shelves can be used to store miscellaneous bathroom supplies and are often really helpful when there are little or no cabinets in the bathroom.

Towel rings work well right beside the sink in a guest bathroom. This accessory can also be a great focal point in a smaller bathroom and there are many decorative styles to choose from. Towel bars should be hung at about 48 inches above the floor, or 36 inches in a children’s bathroom. It is important to make sure there is enough room for the towels to hang freely below the bar. Double towel bars can give the bathroom an elegant touch and add extra room for family bathrooms. Paper holders can be hung on the wall, or free standing depending on the style of the bathroom. For bathrooms with tile walls or cabinetry, you may want to look into a wall hanging standing paper holder to avoid unnecessary items cluttering the floor.

Unique soap dishes can also be an important accent piece for your remodeled bathroom. Soap dishes traditionally have been porcelain and plain. Newer versions include teak and bamboo soap dishes in contemporary designs as well as stone natural soap dish designs. Using bar soap holding styles are also ECO friendly avoiding disposable pump dispensers that in additional to disposable water bottles are burdening our waste systems unnecessarily.

Having bathroom accessories can have a wonderful impact on the appearance of your bathroom. Choosing the right number of accessories and the accessories that fit the purpose of the bathroom is important to establish the look you desire. Having too many accessories can make a bathroom appear cluttered when their purpose is to do the opposite. The perfect accessories complement the bathroom and assist in the organization of the bathroom. ]]> http://moderndanish.net/featured/bathroom-accessories-add-your-own-flair/feed/ 2 http://moderndanish.net/featured/the-importance-of-lighting/ http://moderndanish.net/featured/the-importance-of-lighting/#comments Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:14:39 +0000 ModernDanish http://moderndanish.net/?p=247  

When remodeling your bathroom or kitchen, choosing the right lighting fixtures to accent the room is a considerably important decision. The choice you make will set the tone for the style and be a key factor in determining the overall atmosphere of the room. The lighting décor you choose should gracefully compliment the rest of your kitchen or bathroom fixtures and exhibit the ideal characteristics that liken your taste. While shopping for your new lighting fixtures, keep in mind some of these important aspects and helpful suggestions.

A crucial thing to think about while deciding on your lighting décor is the mood and atmosphere that you would like to exhibit in your kitchen or bathroom. Depending on the design you select, lighting can show a bold and vivid style or serene and elegant style. It can give you and your guests the warm, delightful feeling of a cottage home or the plush, modern ambiance of an upscale penthouse. Knowing this, you should be very specific about the style lighting fixture and décor you choose to design your kitchen or bathroom.

In general, going with common accent lighting will give your kitchen or bathroom atmosphere one of a softer, more gentle feeling. On the other hand, ambient lighting generally brings a bolder, more lively feeling. Another type that one might choose would be contemporary chandelier lighting, which offers a bit more lavish touch. Be sure to consider the color and shape and the importance each has on the overall declaration of the room. Bright designs such as abstract art glass pendants will inspire a more striking, energetic aura, while sleek styles of a flush mount lighting fixture will create a lustrous, modern look.

When pursuing your desired style also make sure to consider the precise placement of your lighting fixture. One thing to keep in mind is that when you direct light into the mirror in a bathroom or kitchen the light gets reflected more directly, creating a vivid, but also more unnatural look. A great place for modern lighting fixtures is above or on the side of mirrors, which causes little reflection and offers more direct light. Another idea is to strategically place lighting above portraits or other key items that you might want to bring focus to in the room, as even the smallest touches can make beautiful, resounding statements.

The relationship between mirror depth and light intensity is also an extremely important, but not so commonly thought of, aspect to consider while choosing your fixtures. The amount of light and reflection should collaborate with one another to make a bond that will balance and harmonize the room. Too much light will create a straining glare for you and your guests, while not enough light will make the mood of your kitchen or bathroom dim and lifeless.

Remodeling your bathroom or kitchen is always exciting and fruitful, but there is a lot to consider when it comes time to choose your perfect lighting fixtures. Color, shape, style, location, and intensity should all be finely tuned. Making your dream room come alive is an intensive, but highly rewarding accomplishment that will make a profound statement in your home for years to come.

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