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Fantasy in wood and brass: The bathroom is a good place to indulge decorative whims and fancies that might prove tiring elsewhere in the home. The almost cathedral-like atmosphere in this bathroom has been built up around an ordinary white bath panelled in dark wood to match the elaborately carved wood and glass panels which […]

Until quite recently anyone doing regular workouts was dubbed a fitness fanatic or health freak. Not so today: we’re all much more aware of the need to take care of our bodies. There’s been a boom in health clubs which offer everything from pampering steam – rooms to punishing circuit training. But regular visits can […]

WATER TREATS A whirlpool bath is pleasantly relaxing and may give temporary relief to arthritic or rheumatic joints, but take medical advice before using a whirlpool if you’re pregnant or have a kidney complaint. lf you’re unsure what you want, some suppliers will let you try out different systems. All whirlpool effects involve electric pumps […]

Power showers with a multi – function shower head give a soft or torrent spray or invigorating needle jet. There are also massage shower heads or for all – over action, a special frame gives a series of side jets. A steam shower may be ideal in a spare room or landing space, as a […]

For a general programme to increase well – being, aim for a balance of three main elements: aerobic exercise such as cycling, rowing or jogging; body toning – spot exercising of one specific area, perhaps with weights; and relaxation! Water treatment – a whirlpool bath, steam shower or sauna. Draw up a realistic timetable for […]

Very handsome effects can be produced by imaginative use of plain tiles, either on their own or combined with more decorative styles. Ordinary whites and neutrals are generally less expensive than vivid hues, but if you are tempted by anything particularly vibrant make quite sure you won’t tire of the result after a while. Tiles […]

One of the most attractive ideas to give a fine finish to tiling is through introducing a border. These can range from delicate bands of a fine pattern to bold, wide friezes. Borders can be added to ceiling or dado level or can round off a partly tiled surface. Running a border or frieze around […]

For anyone sharing a home with young children, teenagers or elderly people, or regular overnight guests, the advantages of an additional toilet, particularly one downstairs, are self-evident. lt relieves congestion during family rush hours and saves children and adults having to climb flights of stairs in a tall house and it also means guests don’t […]

In addition to proximity to the soil stack, where you choose to install a loo is limited by the requirement that a room containing a WC must not open directly on to a living room or kitchen and, for obvious reasons, there must be a ventilated lobby in between. As a hallway can act as […]

Installing an additional loo off a bedroom or on a landing is practical when space permits. lf you are planning a bath or shower room en-suite to the main bedroom, take into account the location of the existing plumbing. lt may be more realistic to switch rooms if another, nearby bedroom allows for easier conversion. […]