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Bante Design LLC specializes in Integrative Lifestyle Design (ILD): healthy design solutions for the home, office or retail space. Integrative Lifestyle Design is a fusion of Eastern (Feng Shui) and Western (eco-friendly, healthy home) design philosophies while taking into account our client's needs, goals and lifestyle requirements. We take pride in designing spaces that are beautiful, healthy and supportive to all of the space's uses. Bante Design LLC/3E Products brings Integrative Lifestyle Design into our client's spaces through Design, Education and Products. We offer Design hourly consultations or complete remodel/re-design of a space. Education on healthy home design, feng shui and variety of other topics is offered through workshops/seminars for adults, teens, businesses, and our newest addition, healthcare organizations (spas, hospitals, physician offices) and/or client's who suffer from mental/physical ailments that require special care. Our media division, Eden Place Productions, has developed TV shows/segments to promote healthy design, healthy travel and "feel good" TV on people doing good works in the community. Our product line, 3E Products, proud of our eco-friendly cleaners, environment sprays, books and Feng Shui Chocolates. We invite you to visit the specific pages and Portfolio page to see what Bante Design LLC/3E Products can offer you and/or your company. We have nation-wide availability (our clients range from Alaska to Florida) and we are happy to custom any of the workshops to your organization's needs. Recent guests include: Jay Johnson, Design2Share
Date / Time: 6/7/2009 11:41 PM UTC
June Specials from 3E Products-There are 2 gift packs available this month!! One for weddings & one for students/teachers:
http://www.snapvine.com/bp/-u4DaEe_Ed6XygAwSFxytA
Hi Everyone! Biolet: My FAVORITE product and people at KBIS. Mike and Peter were knowledgeable and funny (and hey, don’t you have to be when dealing w/self-contained composting toilets?). Biolet has been in business for 35 yrs of Swedish engineering and focuses on just composting toilets. They strive to make these toilets design and user friendly-the Biolet can be used indoors and/or outdoors! The Biolet uses evaporation and aerobic decomposition to transform human waste into a nutrient rich, hygienically safe product called “humus” (can be used on decorative plants or mixed in with an outdoor compost pile). More info at www.biolet.com. l The only composting toilet to offer the same convenience as a flush toilet. l Safe & reliable l Can be installed anywhere w/out connecting to a septic or sewer system. (perfect for camping, by the pool, garage, cabin, barn, boathouse). l Models available for areas w/out electricity. l Only needs to be cleaned every 2 months, depending on usage. Kolher: Kohler besides having the most fabulous, incredible, awe-inspiring booth (I heard it was 20,000 sq ft!) they continue to lead the way in design and in partnering with various conservation charities & Habitat for Humanity. There latest partnership is the site www.SaveWaterAmerica.com . All you have to do is register and Kohler will donate $1 in water-conserving Kohler products to Habitat for Humanity. It’s a great site w/a water quiz so you can see your water usage. l Has a line of water-saving showerheads, faucets and toilets. l Kohler has been at the fore-front of water conservation products going back to the 1970s. l Kohler’s goal is a net 0 environmental footprint by 2035 by incorporating energy efficiency, using reclaimed water & re-using water, cast iron sinks are made from 93% reclaimed and recycled material, incorporating LEED and GREEN build practices in their factories & buildings. l Kohler has partnered with the EPA’s WaterSense program. Visit the EPA website for more info www.epa.gov/watersense TOTO: I’m also a huge fan of TOTO bath fixtures. Incredible design, great technology and literally THE COOLEST toilet ever made in the Washlet (if you haven’t seen or used this toilet…you need to! It will literally spoil you for any other toilet…). TOTO also values and focuses on eco-friendly, sustainable and water conservation in their design-what differentiates TOTO from Kohler is a more minimalist approach-almost Asian inspired- in their offerings. Simple, clean lines and efficient. l TOTO’s manufacturing process has been engineered to recycle extensively, reduce energy and landfill wastes and save water. l The Washlet is a comfortable, hygienic and ecological toilet that can be used with any décor. Touch the remote control (I told you this was cool) and a nozzle extends from under the seat for a “soothing warm water cleansing” thus eliminating the need for toilet paper! Other features are a heated seat, a setting to move the nozzle, SoftClose seat, and a quick release feature to remove the seat for easy cleaning. l The upgraded Washlet offers an air deodorizer and dryer function, as well as an auto-flush function w/sensor technology. This is a water-saving device as the sensor will “sense” the weight that is in the bowl and use only the amount of water needed to flush waste away-less waste, less water used. OK-so now you’ve got your tricked out toilet (maybe w/the remote control!)…but what about the rest of the bathroom? Let’s talk faucets… Faucets are the jewelry of the sink and add that little bit of sparkle that can help turn an ordinary bath or kitchen into a show-stopper. As stated previously, the main theme at KBIS 2009 was eco-friendly and water conservation. The trend was definitely towards hands-free faucets or sensors. With these faucets you can set the temperature to a pre-determined temp (perfect for a guest bath/powder room/kid’s bath), for universal design and/or for water conservation as the water shuts off automatically (also great for a kid’s bath). Here’s some of what was “hot” at some of the booths and what you’ll start seeing this fall: From TOTO bath fixtures: l Concealed EcoPower Electronic Flushometer Valves convert potential energy into kinetic energy that is stored in a capacitor to power the valve.-the faucet powers itself to provide economical and ecological returns on investment. No charging of batteries, no wiring, 2 cover-plate sizes and pistons instead of a less durable rubber diaphragms are just a few of the advantages. l Wi-Touch-hands free faucet operation is a simple, east-to-install, add-on that allows you to achieve both simplicity and a clean living space. The wireless remote can be placed anywhere w/in a radius of 3 feet from control box and can be added to any manual bath/kitchen faucet. l Ethos High-Efficiency Faucets (water savings plus design excellence. Designs are inspired by Chicago, NYC and Los Angeles. The new 1.5 GPM (gallons per minute) increase overall value by helping to save water and featuring a new aerator design to optimize flow saving 31% on water usage. Brizo (www.brizo.com): Brizo has a strong commitment to GREEN design through water conservation, water purity and environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes. Brizo works with the EPA and has several WaterSense labeled products which use about 20% less water and perform as well or better than their counterparts. l The Vesi Channel faucet replicates the sound of a babbling brook while reducing water consumption by 36%. l They use H2OKinetic technology which is the study of water in motion. By controlling the water’s shape, velocity and thermal dynamics, Brizo’s showerheads can make a 1.6 gpm flow rate feel like a 2.5 gpm. l Diamond Seal Technology leads the way in helping to save water and maintain high water quality. This technology uses a valve with a durable diamond coating to create a faucet that lasts up to 5 MILLION uses…10x longer than industry standard. l Using Inno-Flex waterway with PEX-C tubing is also featured in the Diamond Seal Technology. This lead-free solution helps to safeguard water purity. l Brizo is compliant w/CA law AB1953 which mandates that after 1/10 all faucets sold in CA contain no more than .25% lead content in waterway components. Brizo has already met this standard in most of its products. More states are, or already have followed in CA’s lead w/this mandate. l All Brizo plants recycle the water they use. They recycle excess brass and re-purpose it to make new faucets. They use water-based metal cleaning methods that eliminate the need for ozone-depleting solvent degreasers. Moen: Moen is another company that has made a commitment to the environment by instituting a strategy to address all aspects of environmental management. They have partnered with the EPA, the US Green Building Council and the National Assoc of Home Builders to advance their GREEN initiatives. Moen recycles more than 90% of all metal scrap, return product and manufacturing by-product (oils and solvents) has reduced water consumption by reusing up to 70% of water usage. l Moen is the #1 brand of faucet in North America. l Bath faucets optimize water-flow w/out sacrificing performance by featuring a 1.5 fpm flow rate. l Flow-optimized showerheads use 30% less water with a single and 3 function option to outperform the single 2.5 gpm flow rate. l Hands –free faucets are activated by infrared sensors and control water flow for maximum water and energy savings. l Flow optimized aerators help to force air into the water stream to maintain pressure and restrict flow from 2.2 gpm to 1.5 gpm saving you 32% less water. These are a simple add-on to any faucet. l One of the neatest items is the M*PACT common valve system which is patented by Moen. This allows the consumer to change the faucet style easily without replacing the plumbing! l Moen also has an extensive line of commercial products as well. See the website for details. l Go to www.moen.com/sustainability for more information. Delta: Besides have the BIGGEST faucet I’ve ever seen as part of their booth (literally 10’x20’ AND it worked!) they had some really nice new designs coming out. Delta is also using the Diamondhead Technology that Moen is using reducing water flow to 1/5 gpm. They also had a dual-flush toilet that is comparable to Kohler’s. l Delta’s DIAMOND Seal Technology offers no leaks and no lead. Delta also uses the Inno-Flex PEX tubing to help in the creation of innovative designs. l The Pillar Kitchen w/Touch2O technology makes for turning on the faucet w/messy hands a breeze, just touch w/your wrist or forearm. l Delta has expanded its offering of water-efficient showerheads featuring H2Okinetic Technology by creating larger water drops while using 36% less water. Some other great trends that are occurring in bathroom design, is the incorporating of more universal design elements AND making them aesthetically pleasing…NOT making a bathroom looking like a hospital bathroom. As the population is aging, even if YOU aren’t retiring in the near future-incorporating Universal Design features into a bathroom remodel will not only add value to your home if you are selling in the near future BUT will ensure that your bathroom is ready if and when it may be needed for you or your family. ***Universal Design features aren’t only for the elderly BUT for those who’ve been in an accident, suffer from arthritis or a broken bone! *** Let’s look at showers first. One of the coolest design options I saw was for shower drains (I know, I need to get out more apparently…). First up is Quick Drain (www.quickdrainusa.com). Quick Drain won the “Gold Award-Best in Competition” at the 2009 KBIS show. This is a low-profile channel which can be retro-fitted easily into an existing shower stall. There is NO height added to the existing floor or change of slope around the drain. The 1-way slope and channel drain allow for large tile use on the shower pan. Although Quick Drain can be installed anywhere water drainage is required, the most popular is a “wall” installation at the far side of the shower-opposite of the entry (in case you need to wheel a wheel chair in or use a walker, thusly there is no transition that could impede entry). l QuickDrain can be installed in bathrooms, laundry rooms, pools or garage floors. l QuickDrain is super easy to install and can be used with all flooring materials. l The drain cover/strainer is height adjustable to work with any flooring thickness. l Achieve a continuous floor with no breaks. l Eliminates the need for a shower pan. l No more stepping on the drain! Next up is Beyond Barriers for barrier-free showering and bathroom safety accessories. (www.akw-mediacare.com) This is a wonderful site to check out all of their products-leading the way if the Tuff-Form Pan which creates a wet-floor shower on wood or concrete for installation of ceramic tile of commercial grade non-slip vinyl flooring with the benefit of a TRUE zero threshold entry. The pan can be cut to any shape/size w/in 6” of drain. The other featured shower pan is the Mullen Shower Pan. The Mullen does NOT require use of water “retainer” to keep water from running out. Can also be used on wood or concrete. Other products include: shower seats, grab bars and half-height shower doors. Next up is the grab bar…and who knew grab bars could be made stylish? Well, one of my favorite new companies is HealthCraft out of Canada. Now only do are they an eco-friendly company (they recycle paint and metal to use in other products, & try to recycle whatever else they can in the manufacturing process) but they have designed products that make you WANT to install grab bars in your bathroom! First off, WHY do you want/need a grab bar? They help increase independence, reduce caregiver strain and help to provide for personal safety. HealthCraft offers a Superpole system that can be used in other rooms, besides the bathroom, to help you get up from your favorite chair or maneuver over a bathtub threshold. This system can be installed anywhere in a matter of minutes. A variety of accessories are available for this system. Other products include: the Dependa-bar w/5 locking positions, a Bath board which works in conjunction with the Dependa Bar for easy storage, the Serena Seat (a really stylish wood folding seat in for the shower), and easy mount grab bars and rails that can be installed in a variety of positions and angles. The Invisia Collection is the “designer” line of grab bars-which are also multi-use. Grab bars in circular shapes AND that can hold soap, toilet paper or over a tub faucet…It’s great and so simple! This is wonderful addition to ANY bathroom. HealthCraft is also committed to the environment: l Products are designed AND manufactured in Ottowa Canada, with the facilities bordering acres of protected forest, farmland & natural habitat. This reduces transportation costs and CO2 emissions that are a result of long-haul transport. l Efforts made to source locally and recycle materials for and from products-steel, aluminum and stainless steel. Scrap metal is used for other products and/or recycling scrap pieces and metal chips. l Brazilin Walnut is a new material HealthCraft is using as it’s decay resistant when in contact with water and resists rot, mold & mildew. It is 3x stronger than teak. l Powder coating is used instead of liquid paint which also incorporates a bio-remediating part washing system, rinse water recycling and the option for powder recycling.
Biolet: My FAVORITE product and people at KBIS. Mike and Peter were knowledgeable and funny (and hey, don’t you have to be when dealing w/self-contained composting toilets?). Biolet has been in business for 35 yrs of Swedish engineering and focuses on just composting toilets. They strive to make these toilets design and user friendly-the Biolet can be used indoors and/or outdoors! The Biolet uses evaporation and aerobic decomposition to transform human waste into a nutrient rich, hygienically safe product called “humus” (can be used on decorative plants or mixed in with an outdoor compost pile). More info at www.biolet.com.
l The only composting toilet to offer the same convenience as a flush toilet.
l Safe & reliable
l Can be installed anywhere w/out connecting to a septic or sewer system. (perfect for camping, by the pool, garage, cabin, barn, boathouse).
l Models available for areas w/out electricity.
l Only needs to be cleaned every 2 months, depending on usage.
Kolher: Kohler besides having the most fabulous, incredible, awe-inspiring booth (I heard it was 20,000 sq ft!) they continue to lead the way in design and in partnering with various conservation charities & Habitat for Humanity. There latest partnership is the site www.SaveWaterAmerica.com . All you have to do is register and Kohler will donate $1 in water-conserving Kohler products to Habitat for Humanity. It’s a great site w/a water quiz so you can see your water usage.
l Has a line of water-saving showerheads, faucets and toilets.
l Kohler has been at the fore-front of water conservation products going back to the 1970s.
l Kohler’s goal is a net 0 environmental footprint by 2035 by incorporating energy efficiency, using reclaimed water & re-using water, cast iron sinks are made from 93% reclaimed and recycled material, incorporating LEED and GREEN build practices in their factories & buildings.
l Kohler has partnered with the EPA’s WaterSense program. Visit the EPA website for more info www.epa.gov/watersense
TOTO: I’m also a huge fan of TOTO bath fixtures. Incredible design, great technology and literally THE COOLEST toilet ever made in the Washlet (if you haven’t seen or used this toilet…you need to! It will literally spoil you for any other toilet…). TOTO also values and focuses on eco-friendly, sustainable and water conservation in their design-what differentiates TOTO from Kohler is a more minimalist approach-almost Asian inspired- in their offerings. Simple, clean lines and efficient.
l TOTO’s manufacturing process has been engineered to recycle extensively, reduce energy and landfill wastes and save water.
l The Washlet is a comfortable, hygienic and ecological toilet that can be used with any décor. Touch the remote control (I told you this was cool) and a nozzle extends from under the seat for a “soothing warm water cleansing” thus eliminating the need for toilet paper! Other features are a heated seat, a setting to move the nozzle, SoftClose seat, and a quick release feature to remove the seat for easy cleaning.
l The upgraded Washlet offers an air deodorizer and dryer function, as well as an auto-flush function w/sensor technology. This is a water-saving device as the sensor will “sense” the weight that is in the bowl and use only the amount of water needed to flush waste away-less waste, less water used.
OK-so now you’ve got your tricked out toilet (maybe w/the remote control!)…but what about the rest of the bathroom? Let’s talk faucets… Faucets are the jewelry of the sink and add that little bit of sparkle that can help turn an ordinary bath or kitchen into a show-stopper.
As stated previously, the main theme at KBIS 2009 was eco-friendly and water conservation. The trend was definitely towards hands-free faucets or sensors. With these faucets you can set the temperature to a pre-determined temp (perfect for a guest bath/powder room/kid’s bath), for universal design and/or for water conservation as the water shuts off automatically (also great for a kid’s bath). Here’s some of what was “hot” at some of the booths and what you’ll start seeing this fall:
From TOTO bath fixtures:
l Concealed EcoPower Electronic Flushometer Valves convert potential energy into kinetic energy that is stored in a capacitor to power the valve.-the faucet powers itself to provide economical and ecological returns on investment. No charging of batteries, no wiring, 2 cover-plate sizes and pistons instead of a less durable rubber diaphragms are just a few of the advantages.
l Wi-Touch-hands free faucet operation is a simple, east-to-install, add-on that allows you to achieve both simplicity and a clean living space. The wireless remote can be placed anywhere w/in a radius of 3 feet from control box and can be added to any manual bath/kitchen faucet.
l Ethos High-Efficiency Faucets (water savings plus design excellence. Designs are inspired by Chicago, NYC and Los Angeles. The new 1.5 GPM (gallons per minute) increase overall value by helping to save water and featuring a new aerator design to optimize flow saving 31% on water usage.
Brizo (www.brizo.com): Brizo has a strong commitment to GREEN design through water conservation, water purity and environmentally-friendly manufacturing processes. Brizo works with the EPA and has several WaterSense labeled products which use about 20% less water and perform as well or better than their counterparts.
l The Vesi Channel faucet replicates the sound of a babbling brook while reducing water consumption by 36%.
l They use H2OKinetic technology which is the study of water in motion. By controlling the water’s shape, velocity and thermal dynamics, Brizo’s showerheads can make a 1.6 gpm flow rate feel like a 2.5 gpm.
l Diamond Seal Technology leads the way in helping to save water and maintain high water quality. This technology uses a valve with a durable diamond coating to create a faucet that lasts up to 5 MILLION uses…10x longer than industry standard.
l Using Inno-Flex waterway with PEX-C tubing is also featured in the Diamond Seal Technology. This lead-free solution helps to safeguard water purity.
l Brizo is compliant w/CA law AB1953 which mandates that after 1/10 all faucets sold in CA contain no more than .25% lead content in waterway components. Brizo has already met this standard in most of its products. More states are, or already have followed in CA’s lead w/this mandate.
l All Brizo plants recycle the water they use. They recycle excess brass and re-purpose it to make new faucets. They use water-based metal cleaning methods that eliminate the need for ozone-depleting solvent degreasers.
Moen: Moen is another company that has made a commitment to the environment by instituting a strategy to address all aspects of environmental management. They have partnered with the EPA, the US Green Building Council and the National Assoc of Home Builders to advance their GREEN initiatives. Moen recycles more than 90% of all metal scrap, return product and manufacturing by-product (oils and solvents) has reduced water consumption by reusing up to 70% of water usage.
l Moen is the #1 brand of faucet in North America.
l Bath faucets optimize water-flow w/out sacrificing performance by featuring a 1.5 fpm flow rate.
l Flow-optimized showerheads use 30% less water with a single and 3 function option to outperform the single 2.5 gpm flow rate.
l Hands –free faucets are activated by infrared sensors and control water flow for maximum water and energy savings.
l Flow optimized aerators help to force air into the water stream to maintain pressure and restrict flow from 2.2 gpm to 1.5 gpm saving you 32% less water. These are a simple add-on to any faucet.
l One of the neatest items is the M*PACT common valve system which is patented by Moen. This allows the consumer to change the faucet style easily without replacing the plumbing!
l Moen also has an extensive line of commercial products as well. See the website for details.
l Go to www.moen.com/sustainability for more information.
Delta: Besides have the BIGGEST faucet I’ve ever seen as part of their booth (literally 10’x20’ AND it worked!) they had some really nice new designs coming out. Delta is also using the Diamondhead Technology that Moen is using reducing water flow to 1/5 gpm. They also had a dual-flush toilet that is comparable to Kohler’s.
l Delta’s DIAMOND Seal Technology offers no leaks and no lead. Delta also uses the Inno-Flex PEX tubing to help in the creation of innovative designs.
l The Pillar Kitchen w/Touch2O technology makes for turning on the faucet w/messy hands a breeze, just touch w/your wrist or forearm.
l Delta has expanded its offering of water-efficient showerheads featuring H2Okinetic Technology by creating larger water drops while using 36% less water.
Some other great trends that are occurring in bathroom design, is the incorporating of more universal design elements AND making them aesthetically pleasing…NOT making a bathroom looking like a hospital bathroom. As the population is aging, even if YOU aren’t retiring in the near future-incorporating Universal Design features into a bathroom remodel will not only add value to your home if you are selling in the near future BUT will ensure that your bathroom is ready if and when it may be needed for you or your family.
***Universal Design features aren’t only for the elderly BUT for those who’ve been in an accident, suffer from arthritis or a broken bone! ***
Let’s look at showers first. One of the coolest design options I saw was for shower drains (I know, I need to get out more apparently…). First up is Quick Drain (www.quickdrainusa.com). Quick Drain won the “Gold Award-Best in Competition” at the 2009 KBIS show. This is a low-profile channel which can be retro-fitted easily into an existing shower stall. There is NO height added to the existing floor or change of slope around the drain. The 1-way slope and channel drain allow for large tile use on the shower pan. Although Quick Drain can be installed anywhere water drainage is required, the most popular is a “wall” installation at the far side of the shower-opposite of the entry (in case you need to wheel a wheel chair in or use a walker, thusly there is no transition that could impede entry).
l QuickDrain can be installed in bathrooms, laundry rooms, pools or garage floors.
l QuickDrain is super easy to install and can be used with all flooring materials.
l The drain cover/strainer is height adjustable to work with any flooring thickness.
l Achieve a continuous floor with no breaks.
l Eliminates the need for a shower pan.
l No more stepping on the drain!
Next up is Beyond Barriers for barrier-free showering and bathroom safety accessories. (www.akw-mediacare.com) This is a wonderful site to check out all of their products-leading the way if the Tuff-Form Pan which creates a wet-floor shower on wood or concrete for installation of ceramic tile of commercial grade non-slip vinyl flooring with the benefit of a TRUE zero threshold entry. The pan can be cut to any shape/size w/in 6” of drain. The other featured shower pan is the Mullen Shower Pan. The Mullen does NOT require use of water “retainer” to keep water from running out. Can also be used on wood or concrete. Other products include: shower seats, grab bars and half-height shower doors.
Next up is the grab bar…and who knew grab bars could be made stylish? Well, one of my favorite new companies is HealthCraft out of Canada. Now only do are they an eco-friendly company (they recycle paint and metal to use in other products, & try to recycle whatever else they can in the manufacturing process) but they have designed products that make you WANT to install grab bars in your bathroom! First off, WHY do you want/need a grab bar? They help increase independence, reduce caregiver strain and help to provide for personal safety.
HealthCraft offers a Superpole system that can be used in other rooms, besides the bathroom, to help you get up from your favorite chair or maneuver over a bathtub threshold. This system can be installed anywhere in a matter of minutes. A variety of accessories are available for this system. Other products include: the Dependa-bar w/5 locking positions, a Bath board which works in conjunction with the Dependa Bar for easy storage, the Serena Seat (a really stylish wood folding seat in for the shower), and easy mount grab bars and rails that can be installed in a variety of positions and angles. The Invisia Collection is the “designer” line of grab bars-which are also multi-use. Grab bars in circular shapes AND that can hold soap, toilet paper or over a tub faucet…It’s great and so simple! This is wonderful addition to ANY bathroom.
HealthCraft is also committed to the environment:
l Products are designed AND manufactured in Ottowa Canada, with the facilities bordering acres of protected forest, farmland & natural habitat. This reduces transportation costs and CO2 emissions that are a result of long-haul transport.
l Efforts made to source locally and recycle materials for and from products-steel, aluminum and stainless steel. Scrap metal is used for other products and/or recycling scrap pieces and metal chips.
l Brazilin Walnut is a new material HealthCraft is using as it’s decay resistant when in contact with water and resists rot, mold & mildew. It is 3x stronger than teak.
l Powder coating is used instead of liquid paint which also incorporates a bio-remediating part washing system, rinse water recycling and the option for powder recycling.
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