Bathing Beauty

By Betsy Kroll

First the kitchen crept out into the backyard, with super-stylized appliances and full-on living areas showing up on the patio. Now the trappings of traditional living rooms--lamps and elaborate furniture--are suddenly migrating to the bathroom. "Bathrooms are becoming more and more of a retreat," says Barbara Sallick, co-founder and senior vice president of design at Waterworks. "As that phenomenon evolves, people want better quality, more beauty and more comfort in their bathroom." So instead of the standard toilet and sink, newly styled bathrooms are elaborate extensions of the bedroom, furnished with pieces like Williams-Sonoma Home's Victoria Collection dresser, left, which can be used as a sink. Or Kohler's Purist Hatbox toilet, which looks like an ottoman. "The bathroom has become an area in the home that can reflect personal style," says Michael McGeever, vice president of Holdeverything, where a bamboo screen for bathrooms is a best seller.

TILING

Give bathroom walls a couture look with Angela Adams' new line of retro geometric tiles for Ann Sacks (www.angela adams.com)

FIXTURES

For a uniform look, match hardware with Moen's new custom toilet levers. For more information, check www.csi moen.com

IT'S ALL IN THE BAG

No longer reserved for the garden, Smith & Hawken's Ultimate Toolbag can be seen hitting the streets and the beach this summer as super busy multitaskers stuff everything from diapers to laptops and even overnight gear into the chic, roomy Cordura tote. Available in lime or pink at smithandhawken.com for $29.

A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK--OF WOOD

Recycling and redecorating now go hand in hand as more consumers are turning to the use of reclaimed materialsparticularly woodfor everything from furniture to cabinetry. Companies like New England-- based Staples Cabinet Makers build tables with lumber from 19th century barns. Scavengers can find old doors and fireplaces on websites like oldegoodthings.com and demolitiondepot.com