KBB - September 2015 - 51

TRENDS
wholesale business unit for Moen, who added that many consumers
choose a showerhead with a diverter mounted to the shower arm
with a hand shower attached.

Steamy, Creative Benefits

Besides the obvious hygienic benefits, many people take a shower
to relax and rejuvenate. A survey contributed to by cognitive psychologist Scott Barry Kaufman, PhD, and commissioned by Hansgrohe showed
that 72 percent of people have experienced new ideas in the shower,
and 14 percent take showers for the sole purpose of generating creative
thoughts and insights.
As one of today's biggest health trends in the bathroom, a steam
shower is thought to help the body push out toxins and generate a lasting
feeling of wellbeing. Created by moisture-saturated air heated to about
110 - 118 degrees, the steam shower promotes healthy skin, cardio health
and weight loss, easier breathing and stress relief.
"More and more studies are proving the health benefits of steam, so
that's what we are attributing the increase in home steam showers to,"
said Martin Siwy, vice president of sales and marketing at Thermasol.

The Power of Therapy

1. From Acquadolce, a collection of multi-functional showers offers
multi-sensory and space comfort: rain, waterfall or mist, white light,
chromotherapy and touchscreen technology. A simple square or
rectangular shape gives a sense of extreme lightness to the shower.
Circle No. 215 or visit kbbonline.com/freeinfo
2. The Odyssey Digital Shower from Delta Faucet Company allows
consumers to control shower function with a user-friendly touchscreen panel. Unlike other digital showers that require separate access panels, this is the only one to use a standard rough-in, which
reduces installation time and allows maintenance in front of the wall.
Circle No. 216 or visit kbbonline.com/freeinfo
3. Hansgrohe's Axor LampShower by Nendo fuses a lamp and a
showerhead to give the bathroom a cozier feel. The product is available in ceiling- and wall-mounted versions with a chrome finish.
Circle No. 217 or visit kbbonline.com/freeinfo
4. Grohe has expanded its Retro-Fit Shower System to include three
new models with a showerhead, hand shower and shower arm option. The first model of the Tempesta Cosmopolitan 100 showerhead,
shown here, is a 25-in. rail model with a standard shower arm. Circle
No. 218 or visit kbbonline.com/freeinfo

For homeowners looking for a truly spa-like experience along with
steam, there are aromatherapy, chromotherapy and music options.
"You can enjoy aromatherapy by adding essential oils, and chromotherapy can help set the mood with different lighting - whether you want
to relax or energize," explained Jeff Carney, vice president of sales and marketing for Steamist.
The popularity of essential oils has spurred on their use in the shower,
where diffusers and sprays will release different natural scents to alleviate symptoms like headaches and anxiety. Chromotherapy uses specific
colors and intensities to create different effects, like soft blue light for relaxation and bright orange to awaken. Music therapy is the most well
known and verified for reducing stress, decreasing pain and even aiding
memory and immune function.
"There's a lot of evidence suggesting that these do actually have a
positive effect on people," said Siwy."Soothing or pumped-up music, along
with the aromatherapy to help elevate your mood, can really set the tone
of your day. We live in such a high-stress time that anything people can
do to help alleviate that is really important for overall health benefits."

Shower Sprays

Function

Directed Hole Pattern (Standard)

A rounder, softer droplet that
maintains temperature easily

Random Spray Pattern

Water bursts out of cone -
higher pressure and less water

Massage Spray

Pulsates out of a small number
of holes

Aeration Spray

Water infused with air for a
softer feel

Mist Spray

Forces water through tiny holes;
intended to invigorate

Twirling Spray

Massages while moving in a
circular pattern

A guide to the various types of shower sprays and their functions

www.kbbonline.com / September 2015

K+BB

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KBB - September 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of KBB - September 2015