"Tile! Ceramic tile, porcelain tile, glass tile, slate, onyx—as most people know, I could go on and on about the different sizes, colors, patterns and options. I like specifying things in a unique way to accent the various focal points in a bathroom [like in her bathroom design, pictured]. It is easy to pull everything together once the tile has been specified as well."
—Melodie Schooley, AKBD, Allied ASID, owner and interior designer,  Arrangements With Style, Pittsburgh, PA.


"I find the Hafele kitchen accessories an excellent source for high-tech, innovative and durable products. Their kitchen railing and pole-mount systems and the waste/recycling and interior storage options are some of the best in the industry."
—Alicia Valair, CKD, Allied Member ASID, owner, Lifestyle Design Interiors, Slidell, LA.


"Because the toilet is perhaps the most important functioning item in the bathroom, it has to be well designed and perform exceptionally. I recommend the Mirabelle brand toilets because they have a 3-in.-high flow flush valve, a 2 1/4-in. fully glazed trapway along with a fast-acting cleansing rim, and are very highly rated in both cleansing and flushing. I usually specify the comfort-height toilets with soft-closing lids."
—Alice Atkins McCoy, CMKBD, kitchen and bath designer, Ferguson Enterprises, Inc, Jacksonville, FL.


"In a bathroom, people tend to overlook the aesthetic power of lighting. I love to use chandeliers along with decorative wall sconces, both on a dimmer switch in the master bathroom, to set the mood."
—Karen Stewart, CKD, Creative Kitchen and Bath, Louisville, KY.


"My favorite item in the kitchen is still [an integrated] soap dispenser. It is simple and inexpensive. I hate to go into a newly remodeled kitchen and see a bottle of detergent on the counter. It destroys the whole image!"
—Joan M. Eisenberg, CMKBD, ASID, JME Consulting, Inc., Baltimore, MD.


"Limestone and travertine tiles or slab paired with high-quality metal tiles or fabricated details are one of my favorite bathroom material combinations. Simple but thoughtful layout designs with spare and clever use of metal accent often create a very appealing and timeless look. It also tends to highlight attractive plumbing fixtures, faucets and hardware."
—Andrea Srinivas, CKBD, owner, Andrea Srinivas Design, LLC, Seattle, WA.


"On floors and walls, I love using the new porcelain tiles that look like natural stone, as well as slabs of quartz—Cambria, Silestone, CaesarStone, etc.—or slabs of natural marble or granite, like Soterra. I also love creating steam showers, body jets, rain showers and aromatherapy nebulizers."
—Ed Hantel Ph.D, AKBD, owner, Hantel Kitchens and Baths, Nashville, TN.


"We at KBDC love to use Warmly Yours radiant heated floors and Zehnder towel radiators in all of our bath projects. In addition to the little bit of luxury they impart, both products are truly ‘green.’ When you get up in the morning you can enjoy a heated bathroom (and towels) by using the programmable thermostats. These two products, used individually or together, allow for a heated bathroom without the expense of heating the entire home with attendant wear and tear on the heating system, fuel costs, etc. Luxury and practicality—it doesn't get any better than this!"
—Lorey A.Cavanaugh, CKD, CBD, owner Kitchen + Bath I Design + Construction, West Hartford, CT.