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Twenty years ago you'd have been hard-pressed to find
a bathroom with more than a simple commode, a sink
and a shower stall. The bathroom's role was practical,
utilitarian and, quite frankly, boring. You got in, you
dried off, you got out. Not anymore. By outfitting your
master bathroom with luxuries like entertainment
showers, T.V.-clad whirlpool tubs, mirror-covered T.V.
screens and waterproof speakers, the room can function
as a lavish, spa-like oasis with every conceivable comfort
conveniently at your fingertips. All it takes is a little
creativity and careful planning to incorporate a bevy of
electronic products into a bathroom, making it a space
that's so enjoyable you may never want to leave it.

The Right Tub
T.V.'s and speakers can be added to the walls of just about
any master bath. But for a nice, neat package, consider
buying a shower or a bathtub with entertainment components
built in. Integrated into the perimeter of Jacuzzi's LaScala
entertainment whirlpool bath, for example, are a 42-inch
plasma T.V., surround-sound speakers, an AM/FM radio and
a CD/DVD player.
With this many gadgets surrounding the tub, a hand held
remote control is a must. Keeping in mind that conventional
clickers and moisture don't mix, Jacuzzi created a
splash-friendly unit that floats.
Built-in entertainment systems offer bathers a choice in
music and video. Manufacturers are also giving users more
flexibility and comfort by integrating into their whirlpool tubs
intelligent jets and lights that can be easily programmed to
create several unique water treatments. The Whirlpool tubs
in Kohler's Experience line of whirlpools, for example, include
a variable-speed motor for 18 different hydromassage
treatments, with colored lights that activate in one of eight
sequences for a water-based chromatherapy session. The
jets, lights, heater and water flow are all controlled either
from a built-in keypad or from a floating remote.

The Right Shower
Showers have come a long way in term of functionality. No
longer is the shower stall merely a place to jump in, quickly
soap up, rinse off and jump out. Designed with lavish
amenities such as multiple showerheads, integrated
footbaths and steam generators, even stereos and T.V.'s,
the shower has evolved into a miniature home spa.
These feature-packed showers let you customize your
bathing experience. From an electronic control pad inside
the BodySpa Shower from Kohler, for example, you can
adjust the intensity and direction of the water flow for just the
right degree of massage action.

Controls are also helpful in a shower like the Temazkal from
Bain Ultra. Although this product does function like a typical
shower, it's really more of a "therapeutic space." The
Temazkal combines luminotherapy, thermotherapy and
aromatherapy features in one compartment. At the press of
a button, you can begin a luminotherapy session where
halogen lights help synchronize the body's internal clock and
combat sleep-related disorders. Switch to the
thermo-therapy setting, and you'll feel like you stepped into
a sauna. Finally, by adding few drops of essential oil to the
Temazkal's diffusers, you can bask in your own private
aromatherapy room.

There's also a way to tan while you shower. Integrated into
the Idrolux shower system are sleek panels of tanning lamps,
which can be activated with or without the shower.

If Jacuzzi has its way, you may not even need a towel to dry
off after a shower. The Ambient Air Body Dry System,
optional in Jacuzzi's Summer Rain shower series, emits warm
air through multiple heated jets to completely dry your body.
A control panel lets you adjust the temperature and airflow to
your liking.

Maintain that feeling of warmth all the way down to your toes
with a radiant floor heating system from a company like
Warmly Yours or Nuheat. The system comes in the form of
an electric mat that is applied between the floor and the
subfloor of your bathroom. The system usually includes a
programmable remote so you can set the floor heat to kick
on right before you leave your bed. Naturally, it is easiest to
install a mat underneath hard-surface flooring when a home
is under construction, so be sure to plan accordingly.
For more info on Radiant Heat Click here

The Right Sound
For years, homeowners have been carting radios and
boom-boxes into the bathroom. After all, it's a great place to
get your morning news or catch the weather report while you're
getting ready for work. Fortunately, technological innovations
now make it possible to hear your favorite stations, as well as
music from a CD player, without any noticeable equipment in
your bathroom at all. The same whole-house music system
that feeds tunes to the family room, patio, master bedroom,
kitchen and other rooms can also reach the privacy of your
master bathroom. Once you've decided to utilize a
whole-house music system in the bathroom, the biggest
decisions you will need to make are where to put the speakers
and the control keypad.

Waterproof speakers are definitely the way to go in a
bathroom. OWI, for example, makes a speaker that's designed
to fit perfectly into the space of a four-inch shower tile. These
water-tight speakers are meant to get wet, but beware: Even
though some manufacturers claim their speakers are
waterproof, the products are actually better kept dry. (If you're
concerned about the integrity of the speakers, mount them in
the ceiling instead.)

If you do decide to mount speakers overhead, consider a
single-point stereo speaker like the Virtuoso from Sonance.
When space is an issue, you may have room for only one
speaker anyway, and even in larger baths, there is often so
much packed inside the ceiling (plumbing, electrical wiring,
vents and other necessities) that there may be only one good
location for an in-ceiling speaker. If nowhere else, place a
speaker above the whirlpool tub. This is the one spot where
you'll sit long enough to enjoy a lengthy stretch of music.
Click here for Speakers

The Right Light
In most households, the only room that's totally free of
distractions -- as long as the door is shut tight -- is the
master bathroom. Having the lights on low, instead of at the
ordinary get-ready-for-work bright ,is the perfect antidote for
an overworked mind and body -- especially if there's hot,
bubbly water involved. A simple lighting control system can
be used to set different lighting scenes within the bathroom.
One scene might switch off the lights over the vanity and
illuminate the sconces around the whirlpool tub to a soft 20
percent intensity, all with one button press.

The Right Windows
Thanks to technology, your bathroom can have big beautiful
windows without forfeiting your privacy. Any size or style of
window shade can be motorized to raise and lower at the
press of a button, which is particularly helpful for skylights and
that hard-to-reach window over a whirlpool tub. You may not
even need to use a button at all if you tie the motorized
window treatment to a photocell. Sensitive to sunlight, a
photocell can trigger the shade to lower at night but stay open
during the day.

As with many electronic systems, it's best to plan for motorized
window treatments as early as possible in the construction of
a home. The type of window treatment (be it wood blinds,
roller shades, Roman shades or drapes) and the weight of the
fabric will determine what kind of motor you'll need. Each
motor is wired to a central electrical panel. By planning for
the motorized treatments early, you can install the necessary
wiring before the walls of the home go up.