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Return to Virginia Business - June 2002

Related stories:
-
Home sweet home
- Smart homes

- Directory of select residential real estate firms

Indulgent Amenities

Creature comforts are key when up-market homes hit the block. They can be built in or added to an existing house. Here are some new products you might want to consider when gold-plating your digs.

Kohler has come up with a product that allows you to customize your shower experience. With two telescopic shower arms, four adjustable spray heads and a hand shower option, the WaterHaven lets you decide just what body part you want to wash. Each of these seven "waterports" is individually adjustable. You can shower off and keep your hair dry. You can bathe a youngster without getting your clothes wet. Or you can direct all the ports on yourself to create a rainforest effect.

Airport bathrooms aren't anyone's favorite place. But they have an accommodation or two that makes life a little easier. This year, Delta debuted its E-flow faucet for home use. Like the airport bathroom sink, it turns on when you put your hands under the spigot. Battery-operated or hardwired, the E-flow can tell the difference between someone's hands and anything inanimate, like a towel that has landed in the sink. Expect to pay about $400. But think of what you'll save on cold medicine by shortstopping germ progression through the family.

Don't laugh. If you've ever stumbled into the bathroom in a semi-comatose state, only to be jolted by the shock of an icy toilet seat, check this out. Kohler has introduced a heated toilet seat. With just 15 watts of electricity, this smart seat promises never to be more than 30 degrees warmer than room temperature. Ask yourself if it's worth $100 to avoid the chilly seat.

Admittedly, some smart products sound pretty stupid. Like the Polara Refrigerated Range by Whirlpool. This combination refrigerator-oven came out this year with a price tag of around $1,800. This little combo allows you to put your frozen chicken in before you leave in the morning. When it's had time to thaw, the oven cooks it. If no one is home to take it out, it keeps the bird warm until dinner. Afterwards, it returns to refrigeration mode.

Return to Virginia Business - June 2002


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