As far as grab bars go my gut take on all of them is this; They look to industrial and remind me of public toilets - for the most part, cheap and hospital like. I sourced an excellent supplier here in Canada that can custom make them for me in any size. These custom grab bars are pricy but worth the money. I also received a package from GreatGrabz showcasing their complete product line and this company has some tasteful good looking grab bars - Are all these ADA approved - I'm not sure. Can they stable you if you slip or loose your balance? I bet yes. I install extra blocking for all my clients in the 50 - 70 year age range and we discuss this in concept stage. There is no need to install grab bars until you need them, but at the first sign of dizzy spells, new medication or an injury a grab bar can not only keep you in your home longer - it can save your life. Order your grab bars so that they, your glass door handle and towel bars all look the same - this adds to the upscale look and a cheap grab bar doesn't cheapen the whole ensuite. If your building a shower bench it's nice to pull up with a grab bar as you get older. I made the mistake of installing my last one on a 45 degree angle and this is not to code. I offered to change it (my cost) but my client loves it as is. I can't get my 83 year old Nana to allow me to install more grab bars in her shower (I fixed a botched install a number of years back when she hired a Medical Supply Store to upgrade her Burnaby home.) - she wants them when she is old she says.... :) If you can upload a picture of your bathroom layout it will be much easier to advise on best location. The ADA guidelines are very specific and have been time tested for sure. Extra grab bars or hand held location for getting in and out are key. If you have a shampoo niche a place to grab and hold on will reaching for shampoo is a good idea as well. If you want the best - remove the curb, build a wet room with level access shower entry, add in grab bars and built it right the first time. If you build your next bathroom to last into your golden years you will be so happy you spent the extra $5,000 grand or so to make it perfect. I have replaced showers with 4" curbs that clients could not step over - think about that a 4" curb in your shower is to high to get in. To shower with this bad hip involves being driven to the local pool to shower in a public wet room. Not me... I'm 41 and building my curbless shower as we speak. For younger and older couples alike who have the time and desire to shower together - Grab bars can only open up new options in bathing department - I'll leave this where it belongs - with your imagination! Here is a link that might be useful: Great Grabz

Funny how the salesman for my contracting place and the foreman who's actually doing (well, supervising) the work disagree on things. The salesman didn't want to do a niche. The foreman is fine with it. He said they like to build their own niche rather than use one of the prefabs - that the tile work comes out better. I don't know if I believe this (based on comments here from bill & mongo), and of course, his will be more expensive than the prefab, but I'm so happy they're willing to do it at all, I'm doing a happy dance! He said once they demo the bathroom, we can determine what size niche will fit and exactly where to place it. :-)

rhome - You're awesome! When I come up with something for the lights, I will surely let you know. Semi- flush? I hadnt thought about that. I was definitely worried about a jumbled pendant view from the great room, but a semi flush would solve that. remodelfla - Looks like I'll stick with 3 over the island. We plan to do undercabinet lighting and cans as well. Why do you hate cans? The electrician also recommended cans all the way around the kitchen like in a U shape around the island. Is that ok?

Pls post a pic of the area