WiFi Bathtubs and Other Stuff of Dreams

Demand for home remodeling has weakened along with the rest of the housing business, but it doesn't cost a dime to dream about the new kitchen or bath you'll get around to doing, someday.

The National Association of Home Builders' remodelers council held its annual to-the-trade show in Baltimore last week. It was a fairly somber affair, with multiple sessions on how remodelers can tighten up business practices and make it through the downturn. Nevertheless, there was plenty of new stuff to check out, especially for kitchens and bathrooms, the most popular renovations.

I've grown a bit jaded by showers and bathtubs that have more bubbles and lights than a drive-through carwash, but I found a new pairing for the bath as spa: music and vibration. Kohler's new deep-soaking tub has underwater speakers and colored lights, but it doesn't disturb your bliss with whirlpool jets, bubbles or effervescence. The acrylic walls of the new "Fountainhead VibrAcoustic" tub vibrate gently with the music while you soak in calm water imbued with colored light. If you tire of ethereal spa music, you can use the tub's WiFi feature to tap into your computer's Internet radio or your iTunes playlist. The tub also has sensors that shut off the water once the tub is full. It starts at about $10,000. (I never thought I would be writing about a WiFi bathtub.)

A similar bathtub system was also just brought to market by MTI Whirlpools, based in Sugar Hill, Ga.

For the kitchen, I found a new countertop alternative for the thrifty remodeler -- upgraded laminate that better imitates the look of natural stone. It has a richer, deeper look and an uneven surface that makes it look less humble than ordinary laminate.

Wilsonart International's "High Definition" laminate and is priced about 20 percent above the traditional stuff. Formica makes a similar product, called a "Radiance" finish.

One of the givens of remodeling is that it puts your old kitchen out of commission. Someday, you might find a contractor offering to set you up with a temp kitchen made by Dwyer. It looks like a toddler's Little Tikes kitchen, but in stainless steel. It has a microwave, a small sink and a dishwasher big enough for about two place settings, plus drawers and cabinets. You or your contractor hook it up to hoses for clean and waste water (which dumps into a drain somewhere in your home) and a 15-amp electrical supply.

At $6,495, it's pricey for a homeowner to buy for temporary duty, but Dwyer is marketing it to remodelers who can wheel it from job to job to keep clients happy.

The show also offered good intelligence on design trends.

Jim Krengel, a St. Paul, Minn., designer who spends most of his time writing books and training others on kitchen and bath design, had a sensible warning: "Don't try to beat the trends," he said. They change too fast. That said, here's Krengel's take on those fast-moving trends:

Range hoods are becoming the focal point of kitchens. He likes contemporary metal hoods as well as elaborate "mantel" hoods that resemble a fireplace.

For countertops, glass is popular, especially as an accent. It can be tiresome if used throughout the kitchen, he said.