http://www.kitchenbathdesign.com/green/2009/05/03/neat-product-alert-kbis-edition-totos-lucid/

In TOTO’s own words:

“With over 1,500 Research and Design Engineers on staff in its global network, TOTO is constantly innovating new products, materials, and technologies to enhance its customers’ experience in, and the serene beauty of, their bath space.   “Continual innovation is an important aspect of our commitment to excellence,” said Lenora Campos, a company spokesperson.  “Our goal is to anticipate the needs of the consumer before those needs become apparent.  Each of these new innovations is ahead of its time.” 

TOTO’s new Luminist is a hybrid epoxy resin that combines the translucence of glass with exceptional impact-, heat-, and stain-resistance of a marble surface.  These qualities enable TOTO to craft from it bathtubs and lavatories that are not only beautiful and durable, but also can also be lit from below, opening up myriad design possibilities for subtle, ambient effects to influence the atmosphere of the bath.  This blend of qualities – beauty, lucidity, and durability – makes Luminist a designer’s fantasy material come to reality.  Luminist belongs to a family of materials – epoxy resins – that is more commonly found in airplane wings than the high-end bath.  This hybrid epoxy resin can withstand temperatures of up to an industry-high of 680°F — not to mention its ability to withstand scratching and high impact.  Its excellent machining properties make it versatile to use and easy to repair, and, as a toxin-free epoxy resin, no volatile organic compounds are released during its production, which benefits the environment.”

Pretty neat stuff.  More to come!

After a turbulant year in the plumbing industry, we have some good news to report for 2009. Moen, which normally released a price increase on February 1 of each year has announced that will not be raising any prices at this time. Instead, they will be lowering the prices on all stainless steel sinks by 15-28%, depending on the model (-15% Excalibur, -20% Lancelot, -28% Camelot).

Now is the perfect time to take advantage of this offer while prices are low! Visit our showroom at http://www.aquaesulisshowroom.com to make an appointment, or stop in one our our Meyer locations today!

Moen has added a twist to traditional kitchen sinks and dramatically expanded its stainless steel sink line with the introduction of its new Lancelot® undermount sinks in a variety of shapes and sizes. These new undermount sinks all mount below the countertop for fast, easy kitchen cleanups.

The Lancelot sinks are available in exciting and innovative new shapes, such as oval, round, and trapezoid, and consumers can create their own kitchen look in unique double and triple bowl undermount configurations. The number of possible designs with the new Lancelot sinks is endless. These new available configurations dramatically expand the layout options available to interior designers and design conscious homeowners, giving them the flexibility to meet individual tastes and current trends with the familiar look and quality of stainless steel.

Available in varying shapes and depths (6″, 8″, and 10″), these heavyweight, 18-gauge stainless steel sinks are as beautiful as they are durable, thanks to their lustrous satin finish. They also provide superior sound deadening and condensation control.

The new Lancelot line is among the most extensive available. While the new trapezoid, oval, and round bowls add excitement and style, the line is also available in popular single, double, and triple bowl styles with complementary bar sinks.

All new undermount sinks easily install to all solid surface countertop materials, including granite and marble, and carry a 15-year limited warranty.

Check out the 4 newest models of the Moen Lancelot Undermount Kitcken Sinks:

 

View our entire collection of Moen Lancelot Kitchen Sinks

View our collection of Moen Bath Accessories

22376 Stainless Steel

22377 Stainless Steel

 

22372 Stainless Steel

22373 Stainless Steel

Source: http://www.moendepot.com/moen_lancelot.html)

Although most often it is the smallest room in a home, the powder room is an often-overlooked area for making a big impact on a home’s design. If you measure the value of a room by how much traffic it gets, this space could be viewed as the most valuable in the entire house. Chances are that most visitors to your home, both personal and professional contacts, will make a trip into the powder room at least once during their stay, while your master baths will remain unseen.

Taking advantage of this and remodeling a powder room to make a statement is both effective and cost-efficient. The budget of a powder room project will be much lower than that of a master bath, and it takes just a few small changes to add the “Wow” factor that you are looking for. You can get the bathroom of your dreams that showcases your personality and style to your guests without making a vast financial commitment.

Some tips for making the perfect powder room:

• Small square footage means less flooring. Take this info account and splurge of a unique tile that wouldn’t be cost-effective for a larger room. Since the sink in the powder room is used primarily for just washing hands, you can go with a painted sink or one made of glass, bronze, cast iron, or mosaic without worrying about wear and tear. Make this the artistic focal point of the room.
• Feel free to go a little wild with the decorating. Since the powder room is not a main focal point like a living room or kitchen, it is perfectly accesptable to use bold colors, accessories, and patterns.
• Use the money that you’re not spending on a shower/tub on picking the perfect, statement-making toilet for your space. Consider a trendy new one-piece toilet to get a clean, modern look. As a bonus, they are also much more compact and can maximize the use of your square-footage.
• Since you will not need much storage in this area, forego the medicine cabinets and countertops. Focus instead of a pedestal sink or antique vanity.
• Use decorative mirrors, borders, and small accent pieces to create a customized look that will save money and create the illusion of more space. Small touches make a huge impact in the small area- add an artistic touch to transform your powder room rather than splurging on an artistic piece.
• Dress up your powder room with coordinating accessories. You can find matching faucets, towel rings, toilet paper holders, robe hooks, and wall sconces from most manufacturers in a variety of finishes to really put the finishing touches on your design. Remember- these pieces are like the “jewelry” in your powder room and are very effective and getting you the polished look you desire.