Retreat, relax and recuperate

It's the most private room in the home, but homeowners are no longer content to treat the bathroom as out of sight, out of mind. These days, it's a place we use as a quiet escape from life's daily stresses.

While much depends on the overall design concept, the fittings and fixtures should enhance this and perform to the high standards you demand.

German company Hansgrohe has been at the forefront of manufacturing bathroom fittings for more than 100 years. During that time, it has established a reputation for introducing new technologies to the bathroom, and for working with renowned designers, such as Philippe Starck and Antonio Citterio.

For example, Hansgrohe made its first hand shower back in 1928, then 40 years later, made another breakthrough with the first hand shower with an adjustable spray.

These days, the company has three main brands the Hansgrohe range of faucets and showers, the Axor designer ranges, and the Pharo collection of Shower Panels and Shower Columns. In all three ranges, Hansgrohe continues to offer innovative products to designers and homeowners.

Hansgrohe's latest shower is the Raindance. The large, completely flat shower head has a 6in diameter twice the width of a conventional hand shower. The result is a fuller spray for total coverage and a new shower experience.

Raindance has five spray settings, from a gentle rain to a whirling massage using its three individually rotating sprays. Hold the shower close to the skin for an intense pulsating feeling, or further away for a wider, soothing effect.

Hansgrohe has also designed an innovative rotating shower head holder, the Raindance Allrounder. This allows you to move the shower head into an infinite variety of positions effectively combining the functions of overhead spray, hand shower and side showers into one easy-to-use unit.

Alternatively, you can attach the Raindance hand shower to a Raindance Unica Double wall bar a 6in-long wall bar with an integrated hose guide.

Raindance Air is a fixed overhead shower. This 9.5in-wide fitting injects 100 liters of air per minute in with the water to create a gentle stream of large soothing droplets from its 180 openings. A 7in wide version is available, too.

Hansgrohe has also continued to develop its Pharo range of Shower Panels and Shower Columns. The new Pharo Helis Shower Panel, created by Phoenix Design, is a completely pre-assembled shower system with a graceful, sculpted look.

Made of state-of-the-art casting resin, the panels are during the production process, but set to become extremely hard and shatterproof. Although the material resembles glass, it has a softer, warmer finish with an easy-to-clean and acid-resistant surface.

Pharo Helis offers a complete shower experience by combining the overhead spray, Aktiva hand shower, and five side sprays for a full body massage. Thermostatic controls with scald protection ensure the temperature is just right.

The new Pharo Shower Columns embody Hansgrohe's concept of wellness. Distinguished by strong, clean lines, the freestanding columns allow you to create an open-space shower setting.

Pharo Shower Columns incorporate adjustable body sprays, and can be fitted with either a Raindance Air or Clubmaster shower head.

For more details, contact Hansgrohe USA, phone (800) 334 0455. Email: info@hansgrohe-usa.com. Or visit the website: www.hansgrohe-usa.com.

Story by: Trendsideas