In-Home Spas Go Green

Our bathrooms have become in-home spas, sanctuaries that offer refuge from the stresses of our daily lives. Built-in aromatherapy systems, air baths, custom showerheads that mimic rainfall, and surround sound audio are just a few of the luxuries in demand. Today's best in-home spas also feature another important element - they're environmentally friendly.

Gary Howman, president of Howman Sales Group, and his business partner Anthony Blanda, represent many manufacturers of luxury kitchen and bath products. He says today's homeowners are more eco-aware, driving manufacturers to make more products that are recyclable, sustainable, and use less energy.

"People want to contribute to a cleaner, healthier world," says Gary. "Their choices in home construction and home improvement are reflecting this."

Gary explains that the new choices in luxury bath products are made of natural materials that can be recycled and reused. "Homeowners are choosing wood, ceramic and bamboo over synthetic materials," he says. "When they're done with it, it can go back to the earth."

Native Trails is one of the manufacturers committed to using eco-friendly processes and materials to make distinctive, luxury products for the home. The company's artisans make beautiful, hand-hammered sinks from recycled copper, and use reclaimed wood to create handsome vanities. The range of handmade products includes farmhouse and basin sinks for the kitchen, vessel and basin sinks for the bath, unique tubs, vanities, mirrors, drains and even handmade tiles.

Victoria & Albert, the leading manufacturer of freestanding tubs, uses an innovative solid surface known as Englishcast(tm) to make their products better for the environment. This blend of volcanic limestone and high performance resins is as strong as cast iron, but 50 percent lighter. The surface is also renewable, easy to clean, and more durable than acrylic. Victoria & Albert will soon introduce their new air tub, which creates millions of air bubbles to provide a gentle body massage. Air tubs are more energy efficient than whirlpools of the past, because the jets blow air rather than water. Consumers can look for this new tub to appear on the market by the summer of 2008.

Your bathroom mirror can even be eco-friendly. Kimball & Young's new mirrors use LED lighting, which uses significantly less energy than incandescent bulbs. LED bulbs last longer - up to 50,000 hours - and they're safer than incandescent lights, because they don't generate heat.

With many elements that are handmade or created from natural materials, green design represents the truest form of luxury, allowing you to do something good for the earth while pampering yourself.

Eco-friendly products for your home are available through Howman Sales Group. Call 704-400-0558 for more information. Email them at d-howmansalesgroup@carolina.rr.com.