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JIM DEEN, PRESIDENT KITCHEN KRAFT • COLUMBUS, OH What technology trends/products are you incorporating most frequently into the baths you design? "Even though it's been around for a while, heated fooring with a programmable ther- mostat is more popular than ever. Someone can program it to kick on at 6:30 a.m., and by the time they get up at 7 a.m., it's nice and toasty. Then they can program it to turn of automati- cally once they're out the door. There are also products available now that can continue that heat into the shower foor as well as onto a bench and even up the walls. Our clients like it because a lot of builders here try to squeeze in as much square footage as they can with a new house. Often, that extra space will be above a garage for a master suite because it's cheap real estate. But even if you insulate the foor, it's still above an unheated garage and that room will always be 10 to 12 degrees colder. "Some of our clients are also taking technology to another level by including their baths in their home automation system, operating everything from the heated foors to speakers, televi- sions and blinds. You can program the system to 'scenes' that can be controlled by a tablet or smart phone. For example, you can program a morning scene to automatically switch on the lights, kick on the heated foor, open the blinds and turn on the radio or television – which can be embedded behind a medicine cabinet mirror – to your favorite station or channel. You can get ready for work, then leave and have everything turn of automat- ically, all without touching anything. It can get pretty advanced. "Upgraded steam units incorporate chromatherapy, aroma- therapy and music while tubs feature heated backrests and water heaters to maintain a certain water temperature. Some clients are also asking for technologically advanced toilets that include bidets and heated seats with more advanced units also featuring a foot warmer, automatic fushing and opening/closing, built-in speakers, a nightlight and docking station." What is driving the technology movement into the bath? "Technology itself is a driving force. It's in front of us all the time. People use their smart phones and apps to control any- thing and everything, including toilets, thermostats, door locks, etc. There is also more exposure to technology through TV shows such as [those seen on] HGTV." How does technology change the way your clients use their baths? "Technology creates a luxurious bath environment. While many of these technological innovations aren't inexpensive, people want luxury and, if they can aford it, they will include it." What is your favorite technology product to include in a bath? "I like to include music. It is very mood altering. When you frst wake up and are half asleep, you can play something to get you going, or at the end of a long day, calming music can move you to a tranquil place. Lighting also plays into that, and one inex- pensive product I like to include is dimming switches. For only a few dollars, you can create a calm and peaceful environment with the lights dimmed, or they can be fully on in the morning to help wake you up." STUART HARLE, AKBD; ALLIED MEMBER ASID CARRIAGE HOUSE DESIGN • TULSA, OK What technology trends/products are you incorporating most frequently into the baths you design? "We are seeing a trend away from whirlpool bathtubs. To compensate for that, we see clients decking out their showers with raincans, wall jets, etc. When they do keep a tub, we often specify those made of mate- rials such as volcanic limestone that retain heat better so they can soak longer. We also do a lot of heated foors and heated benches in the shower as well as steam showers, which include grout with new technological innovations including antimicro- bial properties to resist bacterial growth. They also have greater elasticity built into them for movement, which has become im- portant to us because we live in the earthquake capital right now. Fully decked-out showers are a hot trend, providing plenty of bells and whistles, as seen in this bath designed by and for Deen. Jim Deen included a Kohler Numi toilet in his own bath, which he recently remodeled. Photo: John Evans, JE Evans Photography Photo: John Evans, JE Evans Photography February 2016 • KitchenBathDesign.com 33