Fixtures provide same feel with less water

DEAR DEBBIE: We are putting in a new bathroom, and I’m feeling a bit guilty about planning an in-home spa with all the concerns about water conservation. How do you get around this dilemma? — Bernadette

DEAR BERNADETTE: An excellent question; water and energy (heat) conservation are major considerations when planning a new bathroom. Manufacturers have taken heed, and there are now products specifically designed to cut back on water consumption. For your shower, look for showerheads that deliver as much as one-third less water without losing the therapeutic effect you expect. Innovations in the manner in which the water is delivered, the number of openings, pressure and directional flow have been designed to give the biggest impact possible utilizing far less water. Check with your favorite manufacturer to see what energy-wise products it has available. Two sources shown here are a WaterCare showerhead by Grohe (www.watercare.com and www.grohe.com) and a Fluidics showerhead by Alsons (www.alsons.com).

You can conserve on hot water with faucets that have built-in thermostats. To up the luxurious feeling in your home spa, ask your bathroom designer or contractor about a heated floor, which appears to use more energy but in fact allows you to turn the house heat down.

DEAR DEBBIE: My wife and I are having difficulty agreeing on what color appliances we should purchase. Our cabinets are white, counters white with gray laminate, and backsplash white and gray tiles. The new dishwasher is white. Do they all have to match? I like the idea of a black fridge and stove, also stainless, but will these date? If we go all white, how can we jazz up the kitchen? — Maurice

DEAR MAURICE: The appliances should all match, or it will look like you haven’t finished renovating. However, if you decide to go for the black fridge and stove, there are panels available for some makes of dishwashers. Stainless steel has settled in and is still the hottest look. It will not go out of style anytime soon. The decision comes down to what you would like to see in your kitchen — there is no right or wrong choice. If you decide on white, then add some spice with an updated backsplash in copper tones and a fresh color on the walls; blue and copper will really perk up the white and gray.

DEAR DEBBIE: I have a large shelf over my front door that needs attention. There is no electrical outlet, and I would need a ladder to water any plants. Can you suggest a way to give this space a little style? Thank you. — Lisa

DEAR LISA: You may also find a recessed ledge or shelf in a hallway or stairwell. They are highly visible but awkward to reach for cleaning, so it is helpful to choose objects that need a minimum of care. If the ledge is deep enough, you could line up some modern baskets where you can keep items you don’t use on a regular basis. I suggest artwork leaning against the back wall, or a favorite collection of objects, but not too small, as they will be viewed from a distance. Install ceiling spotlights to highlight the display.

Debbie Travis is a columnist for King Features Syndicate. E-mail questions to her at house2home@debbietravis.com.