When Colaluca received a request for a combination walk-in tub and shower that didn’t have an “institutional feel” to it, he dug in.

A second generation wholesaler and a licensed plumber, Colaluca started by researching ADA tubs available from Mansfield Plumbing. Once he identified the Restore^TM Walk-in tub as the best solution for his customer, his next task was to think outside of the box to create a unique combination shower experience.

“My client didn’t want the hospital-type feeling of an ADA-certified tub to dominate the new bathroom design,” says Colaluca. “To give the tub a ‘softer feeling’ I tried thinking outside the box and decided to take off the outer shell and rebuild the base. This allowed me to tile around the base to match the tile throughout the entire shower. Then I added a ‘sitting bench’ outside the tub.

“With that accomplished we had to make the shower fit next. The access door for the Restore combination air and whirlpool tub is now positioned across the front with the seat next to the tub. We added a hand-held shower in the tub and incorporated the full shower outside the tub area. Both of these fit perfectly in the designated space, making it more like an in-home spa.”

Coming up with creative solutions is something Colaluca specializes in on a daily basis. With five locations in New Hampshire and Rhode Island, Colaluca and his father Rico decided in 2005 to expand their company’s business by opening a state-of-the-art showroom called Your Kitchen and Bath Center. Then, in 2016 Smithfield Supply created, built and opened a hands-on interactive training room. The dedicated space offers employees and their customers the most updated training on plumbing, heating and HVAC products.

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At Mansfield Plumbing, 12 uniquely-styled lavs are available in our Affordable Style Designer Series of suites. The Brentwood Lav boasts a traditional design and is available as either a square tiered under-counter sink or a drop-in sink. The Barrett Lav also comes in a traditional design with a square pedestal sink and a drop-in sink.

For a soft, transitional style, the Essence self-rimming lav is clean and timeless. A pedestal sink with optional towel bar offers a functional and distinct appearance. The Enso Lav features a contemporary style with sleek, smooth lines. Sink options include a standing pedestal and a drop-in sink, plus an above counter oval vessel with a wood vanity.

The Montclair Lav has an eclectic personality — the perfect balance between traditional and modern elements — and comes in a pedestal style or a drop-in sink. Finally, the Waverly Lav offers clean, crisp lines in a traditional English-inspired design for both its pedestal and drop-in sinks.

To make a distinct statement in a bathroom, the Reo Vessel Lav can’t be surpassed. With arched sides and a deep oval sink, Reo Lavs have a personality all their own. If a round vessel sink is required to create a standout guest bathroom, we also offer several options: the Tempo, Luna and Monet sinks.

“There are an abundance of stylish lavatory options we create, including the Verona pedestal sink and the Razionale above counter vessel lav,” says Adriana Miller, product manager for Mansfield Plumbing. “The Verona is a smaller pedestal sink primarily used in small secondary bathrooms. The clean simple lines of the Razionale make it a favorite for homeowners looking for a minimalist contemporary shape. This sink was created to meet the growing trend in square styled vessels for the home.

“No matter which ‘lavish lav’ is selected, homeowners have options with Mansfield for quality-crafted lavatories that can be found in drop-in, under counter, above counter, vanity tops and pedestal styles.”

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            “The sanitaryware industry has seen a distinct escalation in the growing consumer demand for cleaner toilets this year,” says Gary Pember, vice president of marketing at Mansfield Plumbing. “People are tired of the almost daily chore of cleaning toilet bowls and rims … they’re looking for easy-care solutions combined with high performance toilets.”

Pember says that this push toward cleaner toilets is being addressed by unique changes in toilet products by many manufacturers. “From the development of easier to clean glazes on the toilet to advanced developments of waste removal to built in washing treatments, manufacturers are working hard to answer the demand from consumers for cleaner toilets,” says Pember.

“We’re closely following industry trends and have already introduced the PuraClean^TM bacteria-resistant glaze finish for toilets this year. We plan to develop even more ways to address this cleanliness issue in the future.”

Water-Saving High-Performance Toilets

According to Pember the desire for reliable, high-performing sanitaryware products is a recurring trend that ties in with the desire for low water usage of toilets.

“We said last year that water efficient toilets are here to stay and we stand behind that statement,” says Pember. “Homeowners want one-flush confidence while knowing they’re minimizing water usage.

            “As manufacturers, we’re continually trying to ‘up our game’ by developing products that answer this demand. We did that this year by introducing the Denali^TM Power Flush toilet — which moves 1,200 grams of waste with just 1.6 Gpf.”

Pember points out that WaterSense^® toilets, which generally use 1.28 Gpf or less water, remain top sellers in the industry. “In the drought-ridden areas of our country every drop of water counts,” says Pember. “Many builders, remodelers, plumbers and homeowners are reviewing their options for toilets using less water. This can include dual-flush toilets that use a lower quantity of water to remove liquid waste compared to using slightly more water to remove solid waste.”

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The Brentwood^® Suite boasts a traditional design with toilet options of the Brentwood 1.6 or the Brentwood 1.28. Both feature elongated fronts with ADA-compliant SmartHeight^TM seating and MagnaFlush high performance flushing technology. The suite includes five rectangular size choices of tubs (bath only, whirlpool systems or air systems), a self-rimming sink and an undercounter sink.

The Barrett Suite also comes in a traditional design with the Barrett 1.6 and Barrett 1.28 toilets with elongated bowls and SmartHeight seating. The Barrett Suite includes five options for rectangular-shaped bathtubs, whirlpool systems and air systems, plus a pedestal sink and a self-rimming sink.

The Essence Suite has a soft, transitional style that is clean and timeless. Similar to some other toilets available from Mansfield, the Essence 1.28 has a concealed trapway and an elongated front with SmartHeight seating. Five oval-shaped tub options include bath only, whirlpool systems and air systems. A self-rimming sink and pedestal sink with optional towel bar complete the suite.

The Montclair Suite features an eclectic personality — the perfect balance between traditional and modern elements. The Montclair 1.28 toilet features an elongated front bowl with SmartHeight features and a concealed trapway. A two-person tub can be ordered as a bath only, whirlpool systems or air systems. The Montclair Suite also includes a pedestal sink or a self-rimming sink.

The Waverly Suite offers clean, crisp lines in a traditional English-inspired design. The Waverly 1.28 two-piece toilet has an elongated front with SmartHeight seating. A deep, oval whirlpool with integral armrests is available in this suite along with a pedestal sink and a self-rimming sink.

The Enso^® Suite features a contemporary style with sleek, smooth lines. The Enso 1.1 and Enso 1.6 elongated toilets with SmartHeight seating feature a SmartClose toilet seat. Four sizes of tubs are available, including a bathtub, whirlpool systems or air massage systems. Sink options include a standing pedestal and a self-rimming sink, plus an above counter vessel with a wood vanity.

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One of the contest winners, R. Tews Construction & Design, Inc., submitted a new home featuring Barrett style SmartHeight toilets in three bathrooms. Each elongated toilet bowl was ordered with a SmartClose seat lid.

“We’ve used Mansfield Plumbing products since our company started 27 years ago,” says Jessica Falk, showroom manager and designer for R. Tews Construction & Design, Inc.. “Our company has limited showroom space so we work in concert with Gerhards to provide our customers with the opportunity to view a wide selection of products. We always recommend they look at the Mansfield product options for based on their style and performance.”

Located in Altoona, Wisconsin, R. Tews Construction & Design constructs up to 10 new homes and remodels homes, completing about 60 projects a year. “The partnership we have with Gerhards and Mansfield Plumbing works quite well for us, and for our customers,” says Falk. “We’re committed to using top-quality products like the Mansfield toilets, whirlpool and air tubs. This becomes a ‘win win’ for everyone involved.”

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Start with a temporary “tattoo” toilet seat cover themed for the holidays.  Or, place a motion-activated snowman that sings out his greeting when the light is turned on in the bathroom. There’s also an inexpensive musical toilet paper roll with holiday songs to capture your guests’ attention and get them smiling for the holidays.

Go all out with your holiday bathroom decor by selecting a holiday or winter theme for the bathroom and adding  shower curtains, towels and rugs in that theme.  Then, add in holly-shaped guest soaps and even fun Santa-imprinted toilet paper ! Finish off the bathroom decorating with a pinecone wreath on the wall and a gingerbread-scented air freshener.

With a fun focus on the bathroom this year as part of your home holiday decor, you’ll be able to give your guests more reason to ho-ho-ho when they think of your creativity!

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Start with a juvenile toilet from Mansfield Plumbing. The round front includes a bowl that’s just 11-1/4 inches high, making it easy to access for children. The “Elementary toilet” includes a custom made “slow close” toilet seat (the SmartClose^TM seat) to prevent slamming and banging once children are finished going to the bathroom.

“The Elementary is a great kids bathroom accessory,” says Adriana Miller with Mansfield Plumbing. “This is a high-efficiency toilet so it saves water with just 1.28 gallons per flush. Plus, it’s the perfect height for children to easily access, making it a life-saver for parents!”

Other tips to creating a kids bathroom include using a step stool with handles to make access to the sink easier and adding removable kids bathroom wall art to make the bathroom a fun place. If possible, create a theme of the kids bathroom decor with unique towels, wastebaskets and bath toys. Consider an ocean, beach or animal theme. When added all together, a kid-friendly bathroom can make the whole family smile!

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Mansfield Plumbing’s six collections in the Affordable Style Designer Series offer options for a stylish ADA-compliant SmartHeight^TM toilet, sink and bathtub (available in relaxing whirlpools or air massage tubs).

The Brentwood^® Suite and Barrett Suite boast a traditional design while the Essence Suite has a soft, transitional style that is clean and timeless. The Montclair Suite features an eclectic personality — the perfect balance between traditional and modern elements. The Waverly Suite offers clean, crisp lines in a traditional English-inspired design while the Enso^® Suite features a contemporary style with sleek, smooth lines.

“There’s nothing sweeter for a builder, remodeler or homeowner than to get coordinating bathroom fixtures all within one suite collection,” says Adriana Miller, product manager with Mansfield Plumbing. “While these products can certainly all be purchased individually, when used together they provide a striking combination of style, performance and affordability.”

The post Ahhhh …. the Suite Life! appeared first on Mansfield Plumbing.

– Chromatherapy Mood Light System – A wide spectrum of high-intensity colors in the Chromatherapy mood light system heightens the bathing experience. Available in Swirl-way Whirlpools and Ariance^TM Air Massage Baths, the system features brighter, wide-angle lights that provide impressive luminosity across a spectrum of RGB colors. The housings for the lights are smaller in diameter than previously offered and mounted nearly flush to the tub wall for a clean, minimalistic look.

– Hydro-v^® Back Jet System – Now offered as a fully-adjustable, low-profile jet in Swirl-way Whirlpools, the Hydro-v Back Jet System is everything a person could want in a personalized bathing experience. By turning the jet face clockwise, the forcefulness of the water flow can easily be increased or decreased, providing the bather with complete control of their back massage.

– Constant Heat – Available for Swirl-way bathtubs, the Constant Heat option includes a low-flow, high-efficiency pump that quietly and calmly moves the water past an inline heater. This maintains the warm water temperature for a long, relaxing soak.

– Brentwood^® Deck Modification – Decks of each Brentwood whirlpool and bathtub have been modified to be able to install a left-hand, right-hand or special nailing flange. This change increases the ease of installation in a tub/shower application and creates a water-tight installation.

– Swirl-way Basic Keypad – Newly-designed for a more tactile feel, the round keypad for Swirl-way basic package whirlpools makes it easier to turn the whirlpool bathtub on and off.

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