Someone locally is selling a new, misordered white Kohler Purist tub for like 1/3 of normal cost, and I almost jumped at until I realized it had BubbleMassage and not the Effervescence i wanted (tiny bubbles rather than the usual big ones that quickly float to the surface and pop). I'm still intrigued with this tub - it, and its rectangular cousin the Kohler Sok, are like bathing in your own personal infinity pool. It's also a rare 2-person tub configured so you can either face each other or (my preference) face the same direction side by side, both in reasonable comfort. But I just can't fit a 46"w tub in this house (and thats before the obligitory deck built around it) so it will have to wait until my next move, which hopefully won't be too long in the future. Things I like in a bathroom that I really have: another Ikea Godmorgan sink cabinet (4' long x 18") with Odensvik sink - what an incredible use of space with those four deep wide drawers, thanks to the sink drain plumbing that's quickly pushed to the back, and the glossy drawerfronts, full extension drawer glides, soft-close feature, and wall hangability, along with the thick, glossy glazed ceramic top and nice chrome pulls I used, fool everyone into thinking it's seriously high-end stuff. As with a previous poster, the 18" rather than 21" depth went a long way to making the room feel roomier, since the deeper vanity would have been right up against the door opening. Since the Ikea sink doesn't have a backsplash, I put large ceramic tiles on the wall that look like Carrara marble. Nestled amonst those tiles between the sink and medicine cabinet is a 4" tall strip of glass/marble/metallic accent tile from Porcelanosa. Like everything else at that modernist boutique, it's expensive, but since I didn't need much it didn't matter, and the presense of obviously luxury-grade accent tiles further disguises that everything surrounding it came from Lowes or Ikea. Ditto the Pfister Kenzo waterfall faucet, which only set me back about $125. Looks 4x the price it is. California Faucets thermostatic tub/shower valve. Central lever controls temperature, with temperatures embossed in the metal, giving it the appearance of a dial on a nice wristwatch; just set your favorite temp and it keeps it. Below and above the large temperature control are two smaller levers for water volume control that can be used one at a time or both at once, for tub spout and shower, or fixed shower and hand shower, without the need for a seperate diverter control. All three controls fit on either a round or rectangular metal bezel, and there are loads of styles and finishes to choose from. Higher than average flow rate too. Much better than the Hansgrohe thermostatic valve I used in another room. An infrared heat lamp strategically positioned in the ceiling in front of the mirror and vanity cabinet, right under where you stand in front of the sink and mirror whilst drying off and styling hair. Also on the ceiling is a Broan QTR080L exhaust fan/light - very quiet, and the light uses a standard bulb instead of some funky compact fluorescent lamp that can only be purchase from an electrical specialty store, which is the norm for new exhaust fan/lights it seems. I put a retrofit LED bulb in there, which makes it even more efficient than the fluorescent bulbs most of these force you to use, and it gives off a more natural light too. Toto Drake II commode (or its skirted cousin, Vespin II). High quality, doesn't clog, perfect 16-1/2" height, cleans the side of the bowl extremely well (rare in 1.28gpf toilets), has two large water outlets instead of dozens of tiny holes that collect mildew so you can toss your toilet brush away. It's also slender so the space around it looks roomier in tight spaces. I used the Church 1720 slow-close seats from Lowes, which cover up most of their own seams at the back further easing cleaning (the lid on these sticks out about 1/2" beyond the seat and bowl underneath which looked odd at first, but that lets you lift the lid without touching the sometimes soiled parts underneath which I like). Also from Lowes, the Kohler recessed medicine cabinets mirrored inside and out, 26"h with several widths available, most for under $200. Would like them even better if the hinges allowed the doors (mirrored on the inside) to open further, but replacement hinges are available if you need that. Still, these look very elegant and are also very functional, with height-adjustable glass shelves. Home Depot has similar units with doors that swing open further, but they're not as well made. In another bathroom I used the Lowes Allen + Roth 31"w x 22"d vanity top in Blue Pearl, my favorite granite color, which was only $200 a few months ago but has risen in price some since. It's available in several other colors and widths too, all including an oval white undermount bowl. Still a good deal for a high quality granite top that fits atop loads of stock cabinets, though I'd prefer if it weren't pre-drilled for an 8" widespread faucet, generally ruling out using a single-hole or wall-mount faucet. These aren't stocked in stores, but they're not truly custom/built-to-order, probably sitting in a warehouse somewhere, and there's only about a one-week turnaround if you order from their website and pick up in their stores. These do include a backsplash, and a sidesplash is available too. Finally, nice sculpted lever handles on the bathroom doors, which allow them to be opened by pushing upward using the top of your hand if it's wet or soapy. I'm not a germophobe, but I like being able to do this before I'm about to eat a meal and want my hands to be clean and disinfected, and have guests over who may not have washed their hands after using the restroom. When used in the normal fashion, pushing downward with your palm, they're easier to open than round knobs.

1) Should I go with a wall mounted toilet? Don't even know if my 1952 wall would fit the reservoir - how I can check that? It's also expensive...is it worth the $? We have a new wall mounted toilet in our hall bath and one in our very small master bath too. I really like the extra room and the openess it adds to the room ambience BUT... I don't like the fact that a toilet brush must be used VERY frequently. We have Toto fixtures (Aquia) and before we bought our second one, I thought about getting Duravit but then someone posted on this forum where they had the samee problem with the Duravit toilet. From what I can figure out (I've read this nowhere else), seems because the toilet is wall mounted, the "cavity" is much deeper instead of being a wider bowl like most toilets. Because of this, the procelain isn't wet all the time and "things" stick to it more easily. That is what I'm seeing. I wouldn't change our choice of wall mounted now that I know this but I AM very disappointed. Best decision I made was to include a wall mounted toilet brush adjacent to make it a little easier/quicker to clean. Amazon has a Hansgrohe brand for $50 which works well. Good luck. 2) Where to position the lights - the vanity will be custom made with off-centered sink. Do I need only one LED can in the middle of the room or a pendant above sink etc.? Can't have too much light IMO. If in doubt, add. 4) Wall faucet maybe to save space and easy to clean? No complaints about our wall faucet. would definitely do this again though in the back of my mind, I struggle with the idea of having problems accessing if there is ever a problem. Buy first rate fixtures and have a smart contractor is one thing that eases my mind a bit. 3) Where to put all of the bathrooms accessories - towel holders etc. I don't have any free wall space for that??? I bought a 4 ft wide medicine cabinet, Pegasus (don't get it from Home Depot - there shipping broke ours twice, finally ordered from Plumbers Supply). Also bought two "hotel" towel shelves for installing over the toilet for folding extra towels. You also have room at the base of your tub for a couple of hooks for towels (or a least one) looks to me. Or what about a swing out towel bar between the toilet and the wall with the pocket door. Even with the pocket door, looks like you might have room for installing just one side of thee swing-arm towel bar. http://www.smedbo.com/smedbous/products/loft/ls326.aspx

More confusion. Dim4fun says gfi is only required in shower for light and/or fan. Do all bath fixtures require gfi as it seems ginger light is saying? Omigosh, I am just going to use candles. :-] Maybe this isn't as confusing as it appears- perhaps I am not reading posts correctly, but it seems like everyone is contradicting each other. In a bathroom, where water is not going to touch a fixture, as in the vanity area or a sconce on a wall not close to a shower, is any fixture regardless of rating okay to use??? Are ratings totally voluntary as it seems gingerlight is saying? Is dampness from normal shower activity, i.e. steam or condensation, not a problem for fixtures rated for use in dry area? I really have considered looking just at outdoor fixtures, so I know they can be used near the tub (where there is no shower and the closest to the water they will be is 4 ft above water line and 1.5 ft away from edge of tub (4 ft below). Or can I use a dry rated fixture there? Anyone? Thanks, Your "dense" rated sister!

Two ideas presented here are silly but one I agree with. The draft is definitely a concern. However, from experience I know it is not necessary to wipe down a tub that is positioned in a shower room every time the shower is used. Secondly, this is not a newfangled idea. I had a shower room in my last condo (2004-2012). In this particular wet room, one stepped through the double-headed shower (7' x 6') to get to a raised platform with an alcove tub. Even though it was a traditional acrylic tub, it was a zen experience with lighting, music, and a view of the river. I cleaned the tub after use & weekly, but not if I was just showering. I sqeegeed the shower's glass wall and door after each use. When I sold the condo, the view and the master bath 'sold' the condo. I'm planning a shower room in my current renovation. The space is 9' x 7', on the second-floor w/a window looking onto the Master bedroom's porch (11' x 17'). This is still a work in progress but you can see the current Master bedroom plan below. There are two bedrooms on the north side with a jack n jill. My spouse and I have very different daily routines bc of work and how we spend leisure time; thus the bath/closet space is compartmentalized from the Primary Bedrm. All comments appreciated!