The evolution of clean
By: Beverly Allen - June 18th, 2007
The showers that first appeared in North America homes in the 1870s were primly utilitarian devices, consisting basically of an inverted watering can and a hand pump. But it wasn’t long before design flourishes were added to this new-fangled accoutrement to hygiene, according to The Elements of Style, an architectural dictionary edited by Stephen Calloway.
By the 1890s, shower fixtures had become increasingly common in homes, and frequently incorporated Art Noveau-influenced water motifs and graceful, stylish lines. Ever since, shower design has been evolving.
The ongoing trend toward ablution as art was evident at the Kitchen/Bath Industry Show, held last month in Las Vegas, where the showering piece de resistance had to be Kohler’s Ambient Rain WaterTile, which incorporates 
“chromatherapy”, an oft-disputed theory that posits that light and colour have a positive effect on physical and emotional health.
Even if using the 21-by-21-inch shower panel, which lights up with palettes such as Sunny Cloud and Sunrise, has no tangible health benefits, it’s probably fun to wash the workday blues away while being bathed in flattering pink hues. While this product is not yet available in Canada, it’s a signal that increasingly sophisticated use of light is poised to be the one of the next big trends in bathroom design.
If you can’t wait or don’t care which colour you wash in, Kolher has a basic overhead Water Tile showerhead—flashing lights not included— that sells for about $310 and up, and is available at Taps Wholesale Bath Centre (www.tapsbath.com) and EMCO showrooms (www.emcoltd.com).
Quebec-based BainUltra has a unit on the market that combines light, heat and aroma to create a spa experience. The Temazkal is an all-in-one shower stall that its makers say will soothe sore muscles, eliminate “toxins” from the body and help with digestion.
The Temazkal uses dry heat, which can be adjusted between 68 and 149˚F, while a fine mist comes with the touch of a button. The aromatherapy feature is activated by placing essential oil onto a diffuser. There’s also a light-therapy feature, which its makers claim can help treat insomnia, jetlag and seasonal depression.
The Temazkal unit comes in two styles; one with acrylic walls that sells for a suggested retail price of $8,999 and a customizable wall-less unit that sells for a suggested retail price of $9,999. For more information, go to www.bainultra.com. For a local dealer, call 1-800-463-2187.
For those bathroom budgets don’t run to six figures, Hansgrohe’s Phara ShowerArc system offers relatively affordable luxury. It consists of an arched piece of chrome-plated brass that can be fitted wall to wall in a shower cubicle or in the corner of a traditional bath. A seven-inch overhead showerhead and three sets of vertical jet spray help the user get clean all over, while a four-inch hand-held shower helps with those hard to reach spots. Prices for the ShowerArc start at $3,244. For more information or to find a dealer, go to www.hansgrohe-usa.com.
While it’s nice to dream big, you can always kick up your shower by simply replacing the showerhead. Delta’s new Arzo fixtures feature striking, geometric lines that work well with contemporary design. Aimed at trend-conscious urbanites, the line comes in chrome and stainless steel finishes and has a wide, drenching showerhead. Prices start at about $340. For a list of dealers, go www.deltafaucet.com.
Price Pfister has just launched a line of showerheads in rustic burnished metal finishes, which is another big trend in home décor, especially when applied to kitchen and bath fixtures. The Marielle line comes in rustic pewter and bronze finishes, and sells for about $300 at home improvement centres. For more information, visit www.pricepfister.com.