HOME decor MASTER BATH from page 31 huge, often approaching the size of a master bedroom. The master bath is "your spa, your relaxation center, where you can take your own personal time and space and enjoy a steam bath, sauna style," she adds. Today's master bath is "not just a little toilet in the corner." And if one looks hard enough, one may be even able to find the toilet, once the reason for the bathroom's existence. "Toilets are in toilet rooms these days," Scott says. "They are super popular; they separate the functional part from the relaxation part of the master bath." The changing role of the master bath reflects people's desire for more open space. "The more open you can make a bathroom, the more light you can get in and the better it works," Scott says. "People thrive on light- ing." To that end, tubs are now free- standing and walk-in showers are made of glass, rather than frames, to bring in more light. Freestanding furniture has replaced built-in drawers; and cabinets can now be hung from walls to free up floor space. "To a certain degree, bathrooms or master suites are becoming larger and are combined with how you inter- pret cabinet and personal bedroom space to create more of a flow," Scott says. Then there is the paradox: Even as some people are enlarging their master baths, others are contracting them. "Square footage has gotten big- ger over the past few years and now people are going in the opposite direction," Scott says, as they ask themselves how they can use space more effectively, without waste. The emergence of the master bath is in good part a reaction to the growth of the green movement. Environmentally friendly features include water and energy saving dual- flush toilets, low-flow faucets, heated floors and shower seats and quieter and more efficient bath fans for ven- tilation. A steam bath is cost effective and provides a truly relaxing spa experi- ence. The tub can cost less than $2,000; and low-flow faucets allow a steam bath to use less water than conventional bathing. Digital thermostatic valves pro- vide pre-set showering preferences, adjusting water temperature and water delivery to provide anything from a relaxing to invigorating experi- ence. Natural stone interiors, notably granite, are replacing laminates, Scott says. Textile trends are emphasizing a lot more natural fibers, including the very earth-friendly bamboo. Bathroom sinks are now installed in different combinations, such as glass and cast iron. Popular colors are embers, basalt and sea salt. BRIDGEFORD ° The Bridgeford faucet completes a traditionally styled kitchen without sacrificing 21st century performance. Old-world detailing is perfected on the Bridgeford kitchen faucet bringing modern functionality to a Victorian-styled kitchen. The faucet is available in oil rubbed bronze, brushed nickel and Starlight* chrome. COME VISIT OUR OUTSTANDING SHOWROOM 1977 E. West Maple Road • Walled Lake, MI 48390 248.669.7474 Chromatherapy lights and aroma therapy can be incorporated into the bathing experience. And that's for starters. The cable station Web site hgtv.com says customers can now choose from 381 colors and designs. Other popular accouterments include: • individualized and customized his-and-her sinks; • towel warmers ; • TV sets ; • chandeliers ; • recessed mirrors. All that's missing are comic books. Bleiberg's master bath encom- passes about 500 square feet of the couple's 1,600-square-foot-master suite "My master bath is very peaceful," Bleiberg says. It has earth tone col- ors, beautiful cabinetry and porcelain tiles A fireplace sits against one wall, parallel to one side of the free-stand- ing tub. Glass shelves adorn the tub. The master bath has one large van- ity, three smaller vanities as well as a makeup vanity. All the vanities have his-and-her sinks, except for the makeup vanity. The showering area is large enough for his-and-her showers, complemented with his-and-her tow- els, all topped off with a big bench where the couple can sit. As a test, Bleiberg invited friends to see how many people could stand in the shower. The number was 10. A geo-thermal system heats the floors. Bleiberg had lived in a convention- al four-bedroom home in Farmington Hills, with two full and two half baths, consisting of an unspectacu- lar toilet, sink and shower. She eagerly took on the decorat- ing challenges of her new home, not realizing that the master bath offered as many decorating, design and color possibilities as her other rooms. "I was very surprised at what I found," she says. "We were corn- ing from very common to 'Oh, my gosh." The master bath was the couple's splurge for their new home and they have no regrets, though it's pos- sible Bleiberg will never go out on Saturday nights. "I'll be a lot cleaner ... we will never leave the shower," she says.