Attention to specific details is important when designing your bathroom. Marble, granite and semiprecious stones are hot materials used in the bath. These mid- to upscale stones have helped turn showers into retreats. Faucets, the jewelry of the bath, can be offset with chrome, two-toned metal finishes, 14-karat gold or stainless steel with the option of retractable or electronic hands-free faucets designed with the consumer's convenience in mind.

Shower doors define one of the greatest changes in millennium baths. New doors are manufactured in powder coated finishes, with rounded curves in all different colors. By opening up the space that was once limited to bathing areas, many consumers have redefined their showers as retreats, not just a place to cleanse themselves.

Glass is in! People are incorporating glass sinks, glass countertops and glass block into their bathroom designs. This innovative product is porous and provides the consumer with many different options. "Glass is no longer being manufactured in basic green but is offered in colors such as cobalt blue and yellow. Its uses are extremely versatile," stressed Burton. Wood is also back. Wood sinks are another personal touch which consumers can incorporate in their bath design.

The hot colors for the upcoming year are natural and neutral colors from chameleon to biscuit. "People are starting to experiment with different colors. They are designing a bathroom with biscuit counters, a white sink and then introducing a third color as an accent," Burton stated. "People want a splash of color incorporated in their bathroom designs. It not only personalizes the room but livens it up."

With more products in the bathroom industry than there are people to buy and sell them, NKBA recommends that individuals begin the process of remodeling or new construction by gathering ideas. Shelter magazines, design books, home and garden shows and designers' showrooms are all great places to view the wide variety of products available.

Members of the National Kitchen & Bath Association can help make all of your bathroom dreams come true. For more information on members in your area, or for your free kitchen and bath planning kit, call 800-843-6522 or visit the Association's website at www.nkba.org.

Handy Tips for Year-'Round Cleaning
By Deborah Burnett

Rugs
When vacuuming Oriental rugs, never let the sides or fringe come in too close to the beater bar of the vacuum. Instead, roll five or six inches of the fringe side onto the body of the rug, shake loose any dirt and then unroll and vacuum the center. To really clean the area close to the fringe, use a broom and sweep really hard.

Countertops
Use WD-40 or a high-quality furniture polish sprayed directly on a scratched countertop surface to conceal deep surface scratches and blemishes. Let it set a few minutes and then rub into the surface in a circular motion. Be sure to wipe up the excess before preparing any meals.

Never use vegetable oil to season or clean butcher-block countertops because they can spoil or turn rancid. Instead, use a lemon cut in half rubbed directly into the wood.

Floors
When cleaning vinyl floors, be sure to dry-mop regularly with a soft mop. Using a broom will scratch some surfaces. Do not use wax on a new vinyl floor; instead, wash and clean the floor with a warm water and vinegar solution. Use 1-1 proportions. This homemade cleaning product is also great for old floors, too!

Deborah Burnett, a noted author, lecturer and television personality, appears frequently on LIFETIME, HGTV, TNN, QVC and other major television networks, sharing her unique decorating and home design concepts with millions of viewers across the country.

Dressing Up Your Home
Provided by Papier Interiors and Design Group

We see them everywhere in various stages of "undress"... big, beautiful houses with interiors that are not completely furnished. Houses need a lot of help to turn them into the family retreat, the ideal place for entertaining and a reflection of personal style.

Dressing the windows is a good place to start creating privacy and a sheltering atmosphere. There are exquisite window shadings that are available offering great versatility with opaque vanes and sheer light-filtering materials. Drapery treatments added over shades create warmth and act as graceful "picture frames" to the windows.