SMART BATHROOMS: A SANCTUARY, AN OFFICE ADD-ON, AND MORE – PART ONE OF TWO

|| SMART BATHROOMS: YEP, THEY’RE A THING NOW || 

Centenarians in the 21st century might remember a time when indoor bathrooms were new. Indoor plumbing apparently caught on, for various reasons, more quickly in the US than in other parts of the industrialized world. Even psychologists have noted Americans’ insistence on and delight in private residential bathrooms. 

The upgrades and progress for bathrooms are a long way from the first indoor water closets. 

But as far back as 2006, sports agents were tricking out their bathrooms with flatscreen TVs to stay on top of their client's performance during games. Hands-free phones and other add-ons for the digital workspace became the norm for hard-driving, full-time-plus jobs. 

Some people may even remember the tales (which, according to the former president’s biographer, Robert Caro, were true) of Texas native Lyndon Johnson voicing letters for dictation from the commode. 

At the other end, the bathroom has long been a sanctuary, as any mom of school-agers knows. Personal time, guaranteed privacy, and five. freaking. minutes. of. silence. and relaxation. The bathroom escape is as old as the tub. 

Evolve Technologies is similarly invested in your home being able to have both sides of the digital world. Harness the relax/de-lax see-saw of work-life in the digital age. Fast, on-demand performance from countless digital devices, small and large. Fast, on-demand top-level functionality and convenience from home appliances, security systems, and much more. And all of it from the home. The smart home. 

|| HEALTH AND THE BATHROOM? SURPRISINGLY, YES || 

Evolve has talked about your home’s upgrade possibilities for the smart kitchen so that you can zero in on nutritional nirvana. We’ve also covered the home gym or fitness area, enhanced by seamless digital devices, features, and audio-visual. But the bathroom can also help create a wrap-around healthy lifestyle. 

One place to start is by not getting hurt. It’s considered a problem mainly for the very elderly, but bathroom slip-and-falls are dangerous for everyone. Reaching from the shower for the cord

on the blinds or turning off the fan if your phone rings while you’re in there--a tumble onto rock-hard tile can hurt. 

Evolve’s galaxy of automated, semi-automated, sensor, manually-adjustable lighting from makes it literally easier than flipping on a light switch. Also, modern-look motorized window treatments, from vertical curtains to stylish roman blinds, are programmable around your needs for convenience. 

Control4, the company that’s an established and innovative standard in home automation, has an integrative platform. Alexa, Google Echo, and related Android devices, along with thousands of other related apps, software, devices, or digital home setups, can be used. Nearly any app used for safety, cleaning, lighting, or window treatments, Evolve offers the best there is. 

|| HOLISTIC HEALTH AND THE WATER CLOSET || 

Lutron has the Ketra suite of natural sunlight-style fixtures and LEDs. 

Consumer Electronics Pro (CEPro) magazine on Lutron Ketra: 

“The system syncs the color, intensity, and warmth of the bathroom’s [or any other room’s] energy-efficient led fixtures with the outdoor lighting. The effect transforms how occupants experience light, establishing a closer connection with nature, elevating mood, and relieving stress, among other benefits.” 

Not everything at the gym can be recreated at home. But the sauna is no longer one of them. Smart and higher-end bathrooms are getting a steam upgrade. 

Relaxing spa steam is a great way to cleanse the pores or recover from a gnarly workout. In addition to multiple spray nozzles, some new showers have steam options. There are also steam-unit installations available for existing showers. The heat and steam are also a solid one-two punch for easier breathing if you have allergies. 

There’s science-backed power in steam too. Otherwise-healthy young-adult volunteers showed measurably improved breath volume after 12 weekly steam baths of only 10 to 15 minutes. 

|| NEW ERA OF UPGRADES || 

Bathroom possibilities are much greater. It’s not just perky Pinterest influencers on cable remodeling shows looking at paint swatches. Evolve Technologies can give you smarter bath options, but also much more of a room. 

up next in smart bathrooms: a sanctuary, an office annex, and more -- part 1 of 2: smart screens for weather and work, belting out your favorite shower anthems, letting company in a while finishing your hair, and much more.