Does anything feel as luxurious as a warm towel on a cold autumn morning?   Mmmmm….  Cozy!

With the Thermique Heated Glass Towel Warmer, you can have have that wonderful warm fuzzy towel without sacrificing style, or the environment. 

By utilizing a thin conductive film, sandwiched between two layers of tempered glass, the Thermique warmer manages to avoid the use of oil or other liquids to circulate heat through the system.  Once turned on, the warmer will run for 2 hours before automatically shutting itself off to conserve energy, and because warmers enable a quicker drying time for towels once they have been used, towels stay fresh longer, and don’t require washing as often.   Having a young son, who requires FREQUENT trips to the shower to wash off various mud and muck, I am SO on board with the idea of washing fewer towels!

Thermique makes both a freestanding, plug in unit, and a wall mounted unit.  Both are available in a variety of finishes.  My vote is for the freestanding unit, as it could also be used in a mudroom to dry out coats in the afternoon, or a laundry room to dry out delicates during the day.  I’m all about multipurpose!

To find out more, visit the Thermique website, or their online store.

Thanks for visiting!

Rachel

they usually look like this. Hmmm…  not the most inspiring look for a room, is it?

Now this is a bit more like it!  Designed by European firm Tell Me First, these Art Glass Radiators are fully customizable with any image you provide.

The image is enclosed in glass, which then provides an effective screen for the thin line radiator concealed behind it.

They also make a clear glass floor and wall mounted radiator, which looks like it would work beautifully in a bathroom.

Since radiators are still pretty rare in Southern California (although my 1925 Spanish Revival house looks like it was originally plumbed for them), I don’t have enough knowledge to say whether these are a great solution or not.  If any of my Europe based readers have seen these, I’d love to get you opinion in the comments below!

All images - Will and Jane Fowler

Created by Will and Jane Fowler out of used surfboards, and then covered in glass and mirror mosaics, each shower is completely unique.

Combining whimsy and functionality, these surfboard showers are also beautiful works of art.

You really couldn’t find something that evokes summer on a sandy beach more than this.

To find out how to order your own bit of righteous recycling, you can contact Will and Jane Fowler here.

Case in point, this lovely little vanity by Waterfall Bathroom Furniture.  Designed most especially with children in mind, the “The Mailbox” vanity is made in Canada of FSC certified wood, and comes with a matching footstool that tucks neatly underneath.  Available in 13 different low-VOC finish colors, to match most decors.  You can even order it with your choice of either a Caesarstone or a 3-Form countertop.

And if you are looking for something a bit more elegant, there is always “The Louis”…Whether you are a princess or a just wish you were, “The Louis” has an elegance that is sure to please.  And how charming is that Robin’s Egg blue?

And for those who are seeking simplicity, there is always “The Minimalist“, a no fuss solution to limited materials use that still provides needed storage, while taking up the same basic footprint of a pedestal sink.

There are several more great designs available, and I encourage you to take a look at them and let us know what YOUR favorite is.

Nowhere I have traveled has the humble toilet been more intriguing.  From the literal hole in the ground at a park rest stop, to the futuristic, captain of the Enterprise, push button laden, wash, blow and style model I was warned not to use at an acquaintances house, the Japanese are the masters of the W.C..

Other than the really comfy, but slightly disconcerting heated seats that seemed fairly ubiquitous, the single most logical thing I saw was the integrated sink.

“Why don’t we have these back home?” I exclaimed.   “What an incredibly sensible way to save space and water!  Where can I get one?”  It took me almost fifteen years to find out.  What was considered a fairly standard item in Japan back then, is only just now capturing the interest of the rest of the world.

The toilet above was recently put on the market by Australian dual flush experts Caroma.  Like all integrated sink set-ups, this one diverts the clean water that normally goes straight into your toilet tank, and sends it through a small spigot where it can be used to wash your hands.  The now soapy water (aka greywater), drains down into the tank to be held there for the next time the toilet is flushed.  Genius!

Image via Dezeen

Here is a modernist take on the idea, by Gabriele and Oscar Buratti.  Stylish, yet somehow not all that comfortable looking.  Still, it uses water wisely!

Think an integrated sink is a great idea, but not terribly interested in ripping out that brand new Toto you just had installed?  You can always get one of Gaiam’s DIY tank top converters, as seen above.  It even has a soap dish.

Image via Yanko Design

However, if you don’t mind waiting awhile, you might want to hold out for this ultra compact, high concept, all in one bathroom design by Dang Jingwei.  Not only does it have an integrated sink, but it even has a mirror, a table/shelf, and a drawer, in case you want to store you toothbrush and toothpaste, um… for those times when you, er… brush your teeth at the t….  On second thought, maybe you shouldn’t wait for this one!  But it is a pretty interesting design, no?

So, survey says…

Thank you so much to our guest blogger this week, Susan of Susan Serra & Associates.  Due to her MANY other commitments, she was only able to offer us two posts, but they are great ones!  You can see them here, and here.  We hope to have her back at some time in the future, so she can tell us more about greening the kitchen!

On a more somber note…

Image via Treehugger - SFI certified clear cut; Steve Ringman, Seattle Times

Treehugger writes about the ongoing debate about whether the USGBC should accept SFI (Sustainable Forestry Initiative) lumber as well as the more stringently regulated FSC certified wood.  I’m going to write my two cents worth on this next week, but for now please feel free to read my post about why FSC certification matters on HomePortfolio.com.

Next up, the death of the incandescent bulb at Toshiba, a challenge from Green Your Decor and Sylvania, and a toilet that, um, separates your, um… oh just read it!

Image via Inhabitat

According to Inhabitat, Toshiba will no longer be manufacturing incandescent bulbs.  What a bright idea!

green your decor is throwing down the energy gauntlet (and having a giveaway at the same time)!

And finally, as seen on Interior Design Magazine’s Design Green blog, the NoMix toilet.  Yep, being concerned about the environment started out with separating plastic from glass recyclables, now in several European countries it’s something else they are planning to separate.  Very environmentally sound idea, but do you think other areas of the world would also accept it?  I’m thinking particularly of the U.S., where people are still unsure about what duel flush toilets do, much less something that has a built in strainer.

And on that note, I wish you all a wonderful weekend!

Like an extension of the natural world, the irregular topography of Gore Design’s Signature Erosion Sink has a beauty all it’s own.

Created in a studio which uses no chemical finishes, heavy metal pigments or plastics, this sink is only one of the many designs they offer with a nod to nature.  Gore Design also strives to maintain their commitment to green design practices by using additives such as fly ash both to strengthen their mix, and reduce the amount of Portland cement necessary.

If you have a minute, you really should see their tongue in cheek “obituary” for traditional concrete.  You just know someone had a lot of fun setting up those shots.

Image via Designer Drains

Yes, I know you’re laughing at me now – it’s not fancy jewelry after all – but hear me out.

These are Designer Drains, and they are made in the U.S.A. out of reclaimed .060″ thick stainless steel.  You can get them in around 30 different patterns, and four different finishes.  Both round and square shapes are available.

The next one may just be my favorite…

If Captain Nemo ever needed to spiff up his shower, the Oceana Octopus would be perfect!

For a less shocking, if equally oceanic look, the Nami’s stylized wave pattern would be beautiful.

Custom orders are welcomed, and the patterns can also be cut out of just about any material, including brass and travertine.  Adaptable to both indoor and outdoor drains.