Outdoor Showers Are Now a Form of Art

January 12, 2012 byOceanHome

The outdoor shower moves from utilitarian to work of art. By Perry Patois Outdoor showers are a means for ridding the grit that clings to kids and adults alike after a day at the beach, but today, they are as much an artistic statement as a cleaning mechanism. Christopher Grubb should know. As president of Beverly Hills-based Arch-Interiors Design Group, Inc. Arch-Interiors Design Group Arch-Interiors Design Group, he’s designed and built an array of outdoor showers, mostly for homes in and near Malibu. For him, the outdoor shower is more than just a tool. “I like to make it stand out,” he says. “It should be a focal point.” One of his latest projects (above) emphasizes the outdoor shower as part of a backyard escape. The glass mosaic-tiled shower is positioned vertically to emphasize the height, and the tiles sparkle in the light of an adjacent fire pit. “It was all about, ‘How do we bring this into the landscape as a piece of art that is also functional?’” says Grubb, who is also fond of adding attractive drain covers,he recommends California Faucets, which, he says, take on a jewel-like form. “It blends in and becomes a whole nature experience.” Outdoor showers are usually considered part of the architecture of a house; however, for oceanfront homes, Grubb recommends blending the shower into the outdoor landscape. Grubb, who prefers freestanding showers to wall-mounted versions, uses woods—from teak to redwood—to accomplish the effect. Options for outdoor showers are also becoming more luxurious. While handhelds and foot washes are conventional, Grubb has started adding rainshower heads and body jets. “It’s like a full spa experience,” he says. Aqua Adagio and Arc Column The outdoor shower has become so must-have that many manufacturers are unveiling specific lines.Jaclo , based in Cranford, New Jersey, manufactures high-end and stylized shower systems and accessories and offers a line of outdoor shower columns through its spa collection (inset). Its freestanding Arch Column and Aqua Adagio are 100 percent stainless steel, which looks sharp and is a bulwark against the outdoor elements. “Because the surface area of polished stainless steel is smooth, it’s hard to penetrate with outdoor elements,” says Jaclo’s Tim Mullally. He adds that polished stainless steel is the best material to use to keep outdoor shower fixtures looking young and new, though some designers employ copper to achieve a natural patina over time. Outdoor showers are already part of the environment, but being green is still important. Jaclo’s showerheads can deliver water as low as 1.75 gallons per minute. “Because you can never save enough water,” Mullally says.

The Get: Jaclo’s Aqua Adagio and Arc Column What do you get when you fuse minimalist design with high-end technology? Jaclo’s product line of freestanding outdoor showers, Aqua Adagio and Arc Column. The New Jersey-based company has outfitted showers at such hotels as Las Vegas’s MGM SkyLofts and New York’s Essex House and Parker Meridian hotels, so it knows its stuff. The pair of outdoor showers, part of Jaclo’s Spa Collection, are made from brushed or polished stainless steel and, when not in use, double as outdoor sculptures. Aqua Adagio has a waterfall and aerated foot-wash function, while Arc (left) has a rainshower spray function along with the aerated foot-wash function. Both are equipped with side mount controls. 800-852-3906. Counter Cultures Scott Mayoral Photography Counter Cultures Facebook

CALIFORNIA FAUCETS UNVEILS ITS SOLIMAR™ FAUCET

CALIFORNIA FAUCETS UNVEILS ITS SOLIMAR™ FAUCET
Streamlined design blends angular simplicity with well-placed curves, making a powerful statement in the bath. 
 Counter Cultures

(Huntington Beach, CA, October 18, 2011) Designed in collaboration with designer Ivy Lin, California Faucets new SOLIMAR™ faucet offers a fresh new perspective in modernity. Characterized by strong, angular lines that are softened by gentle sweeping curves, SOLIMAR makes a distinctive, minimalist statement in the bath.

SOLIMAR’s bold, rectangular spout towers authoritatively over thematically coordinated, widespread handles. Unique, convex escutcheons of generous proportion provide a more aesthetically pleasing platform for handles and spout by bringing geometric contrast to the design. The combination of curves and minimalist straight lines make for an eclectically unifying effect that is subtle to the eye yet sets SOLIMAR apart from other designs in its category.

SOLIMAR lists for $719 in Polished Chrome, $971 in Special Finishes, and $1150 in Premium PVD finishes.

About California Faucets

California Faucets has been providing its customers with the very best customer service and delivery of the finest selection of decorative fittings in the industry since 1988. With over 25 styles and more than 34 decorative finishes, California Faucets’ Custom Faucetry® allows you to combine any spout with any handle in any finish. Design choices now exceed two million, and offerings range from traditional and transitional to contemporary and art deco. And with the Virtual Faucet Creator®, a revolutionary new online tool by California Faucets, you can create thousands of designs with just a few clicks of the mouse.

As part of Custom Faucetry®, California Faucets offers Thermostatic Shower Systems, Tub and Shower Sets, Trim, and Bathroom Accessories. California Faucets’ products are sold at prominent decorative hardware and plumbing showrooms and at select kitchen and bath dealers nationwide. For more information, call 1-800-822-8855 or visit .California Faucets
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San Miguel and Other Bathroom Designs

This is a good example of how to mix finishes and come out with a stunning design. The sinks are carved rustic travertine, the faucets are California Faucets Weathered Copper finish. The mirrors are bronze made locally in San Miguel de Allende. The Lighting is Satin Nickel and the towel hooks are Oil Rubbed Bronze.

The Morrocan influenced bathroom has a 24K gold faucet from California Faucets mounted directly in the mirror. The sink is a sandcast bronze vessel from our Counter Cultures showroom. The wood work is from Manuel Padron in San Miguel de Allende.

We didn´t do this bathroom but it looks like something we could have done. Oil Rubbed Bronze Balboa floor riser faucet from California Faucets mounted over a free standing tub that could be from Aquatic whirlpools.

California Faucets new STYLE DRAINS

FOUR NEW STYLEDRAIN® DESIGNS
New shower drain designs from California Faucets have bathers stepping in style

California Faucets has introduced four new patent-pending StyleDrain designs, each with its own distinctive decorative characteristics. The smart new additions keep the eyes returning again and again to the shower floor for another glimpse of a new concept in shower drains: Style. What was once a functional device is now a conversation piece and finishing touch to bath decor.


The expansion of the StyleDrain collection bolsters the first-of-its-kind notion that showers drains need not be industrial looking, round metal plates with visible sheet metal screws. The new forged-brass-finished designs, called MISSION, WAVES, DECO LINE, and DECO SWIRL, are as easy on the installer as they are the eyes and the soles of the feet. Installers in the know prefer StyleDrain to conventional round shaped drains, because cutting and fitting tile around the patent-pending square-shaped design makes installation a much easier task. Consumers choose StyleDrain for its decorative characteristics and flush grill, featuring smoothened edges and no visible screws for noticeable foot comfort. In addition, the functional benefit of StyleDrain is its extraordinarily fast draining capacity that handles water flow at the highest level of efficiency, even when tasked with simultaneous body sprays, rain bars, multiple showerheads, and more.





In terms of style, the new StyleDrain designs are as individual as your four closest friends. MISSION, a timeless, classic look, is clean and symmetrical with a pattern of 64 small squares in eight rows of eight to suit those who like everything in its place. WAVES has a set of five soothing transverse waves that take the popular spa-inspired water theme under foot. DECO LINE, with shapes reminiscent of the Frank Lloyd Wright architecture upon which American art deco was built, will appeal to decorative arts aficionados. And DECO SWIRL offering a cross-cultural, retro experience, a la the Roaring Twenties meets the psychedelic sixties, with art deco shapes displayed the way Andy Warhol might have envisioned it.
StyleDrain complements California Faucets® wide range of designs perfectly, from custom faucets to shower systems. All six StyleDrain designs are available in a selection of 30 decorative finishes. List pricing for the four new StyleDrain designs, which includes the decorative grid and the entire drain body, is $349 in Polished Chrome, $414 for a Special Finish such as Satin Nickel, and $460 for a Premium Finish such as English Brass or Black Nickel.

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SANTEC´S NEW FAUCETS

Santec is proud to announce the launch of its new luxury faucet collection. The Vogue collection embodies the warmth of traditional style re-imagined through twenty-first century craftsmanship. Luxury lives in the finely machined details of the uniquely shaped faucet. A classical pedestal supports a beautifully turned cannon-shaped element which gives rise to the elegant shepherd’s hook spout. Vogue sets an aesthetic and manufacturing precedent for Santec. The distinguished widespread marries several parts seamlessly making one dynamic yet refined visual statement.

Santec is continuing its tradition of offering beautiful faucets and trim at prices for everyone. The addition of three new collections to the Estate series is reason to celebrate for builders and homeowners alike. Santec's Estate series proves that style is universal. The purity and elegance of the Bravo and Maggio collections makes a beautiful contemporary statement. Bravo and Maggio's clean lines reflect an urban high society stylishness. The Arko collection is transitional tranquility fit for most any bath.

•Designer: Vogue collection and Ultra collection

TO SEE THE WATER FLOW CLICK ON THE LINK:http://www.youtube.com/user/SantecFaucet#p/u/0/EIIa9nC53XE
Santec is proud to announce the launch of its most unique luxury faucet collection to date. The Ultra collection takes pure and simple geometric forms and composes them into an expression of modern luxury. The unapologetic angularity of the faucet is juxtaposed by a flow of water that is surprisingly laminar and gentle. Ultra is the product of an intimate cooperation between design and engineering. Carefully engineered by Stefan Tuineag, Ultra utilizes unique interior geometry to create its beautiful flow. The Ultra faucet makes a new statement in the world of modern design.

Fiesta Counter Cultures Cabo

Above,Ernie from the boat Co. with Roger of Counter Cultures and Arq. Jesus.

Below Alejandro from BH with Gabriela from Counter Cultures.

Monica from Cabo Furniture hanging with Carolyn from the Gringo Gazette.

Yurko and Vanessa from Cemex with Ramon of Aldi Kitchens and Cristina from Diarq.

Rafael of World Mark Resort and Oscar from Quetzal.

Here's Wayne and Yahel from Playa Grande. This was thier first wedding anniversary! After the party they headed over to Tropicana for Cuban night! Wayne and I discovered we went to the same University in Texas. Small world.























Arq. Benjamin from MCA with his brother hanging out with Arq. Angel from Querencia.

Ingenieros Carlos and Alejandro from BH

Construccion y Mantenimiento.

Interior Designer Leah and Arq. Ana Paula from Del Mar Development getting the scoop on Sun Valley Bronze from Marc.