Ah, The Spa - Marketplace Magazine, Judy Waggoner, Page 3

   Bidets, a European idea that has not caught on in the United States to the extent of being commonplace, are still requested in upscale homes either as a separate fixture or in a combination toilet/bidet.

   "I don't see them that much," Mac Swain observes. Johnson agrees that bidets are not a demand item but says they may be more of a "fashion statement" rather than a practical investment.

   Bathroom countertops are usually granite or luxurious, handpainted tile. Cabinetry including vanities, often look like freestanding pieces of furniture that are open at the bottom.

   Vessel sinks have recently gained wide popularity and although standard models can be found in local home improvement stores, customized versions are still chosen by those who want a unique look to their bathroom.

   Color is an important way to personalize any room, and that is especially true in bathrooms, which are intimate spaces. Nature, as well as culture, influences color palettes, and bathroom fixture manufacturers follow trends carefully.

"Colors certainly mirror our current culture, but at the same time Kohler designers are working to introduce new colors that we believe are going to be relevant, accepted and hopefully artistic and popular," says Mary Reid, vice president, industrial design, Plumbing Americas, Kohler Company.