Trend Watch: The Next Freestanding Soaking Tubs Will Be True Vessels of Wellness
Freestanding soaking tubs were recently identified by Luxury Property Specialists as one of the top luxury bath trends.“Freestanding bathtubs epitomize elegance and relaxation, boasting designs and materials that range from sleek to rustic,” the Best of the Best guide declared. “These statement fixtures often serve as an artistic focal point for the room, not to mention offering an indulgent soaking experience.”There’s just one small glitch. As synonymous with luxurious spaces as they are, freestanding tubs are not known for having wellness features integrated into them. Drop-in tubs, as well as shower spaces, have typically been the instruments for the “at-home spa” experience, delivering everything from hydrotherapy and steam to aromatherapy and chromatherapy. That reality is beginning to shift.One American manufacturer, Hydro Systems, has been spearheading the integration of wellness systems into freestanding tubs. “Hydro Systems is currently the only manufacturer to add hydro therapies to freestanding bathtubs,” says Ashley Steinhardt, a Hydro Systems representative in sales and marketing. “We’ve always been a company that strives to accommodate our customers’ needs through customizations, so this was a natural progression.”In 2023, they introduced the innovative Cold Plunge system to their freestanding tub line, which reduces the water temperature to 37°F. Cold water therapy for less than five minutes a day has been known to improve sleep, reduce inflammation, boost immunity and regulate hormones. “Cold Plunge is our newest innovation,” she says. “We’ve been selling a lot of these.”Next followed the addition of two other hydrotherapies to their freestanding tub collection. Hydro Fusion enables longer, more comfortable soaks by keeping water heated at a constant temperature. Hydro Indulge infuses the bathwater with millions of “microbubbles” (oxygen-rich air molecules) that more deeply penetrate pores, helping to exfoliate, cleanse, heal and restore skin. “I hear from people who have been in car accidents or have skin ailments, and water therapy can be very healing for them,” Steinhardt adds.This wasn’t Hydro Systems’ first entrée into the freestanding-tub-meets-wellness space. The company was among the first manufacturers to introduce thermal air technology into freestanding tubs more than 25 years ago. “In 1978 when my grandfather started this company with my dad, whirlpool therapy systems were only offered as drop-in tubs,” says Steinhardt. “Awareness around wellness and self-care has grown over the last few decades. We saw it really take off during the pandemic as more people wanted to practice self-care at home. At the same time, we’ve seen a dramatic turn to freestanding tubs. Many homeowners have already created their ultimate self-care sanctuaries with steam shower systems and saunas, so we thought, ‘Why not have the benefit of hydrotherapy in a pretty freestanding tub too?’ It’s the best of both worlds. We realized we could accommodate that.” Hydro Systems has already seen a surge in interest in freestanding tubs with integrated hydro therapies. As more homeowners look to transform their baths into personal spa sanctuaries, this niche is expected to grow. Steinhardt reveals that the company is continuing to explore new therapy options for the freestanding market. She predicts that more freestanding tubs will offer personalized wellness features in the future: “People are out in the world all day, and they want to come home to a safe space. They want to disconnect and have the ultimate in self-care, right at their fingertips whenever they need it. Now, they can have the beauty of a freestanding tub and the ultimate spa experience at home.”Spa-Like SoaksThree splashy freestanding tubs from Hydro Systems that double as vessels of wellness.Marquis Tub Photo by Shelby Bourne Photography | Design by Anne Marie BartonNiantic BathtubPhoto by Erika Bierman Photography | Design by Holly Viane InteriorsAlamo TubPhoto by Kyle Santee | Design by Loyd BuildersThe post Trend Watch: The Next Freestanding Soaking Tubs Will Be True Vessels of Wellness appeared first on Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Blog - Luxury Home & Style.
Where Comfort Reigns
What makes a house a home, and a home a sanctuary? I’ve been thinking about this as I’ve been on my own real estate journey recently. The idea of sanctuary goes beyond aesthetics or personal style; it’s about finding and creating spaces that actively promote well-being. It’s about cultivating a sense of refuge from the stresses of the outside world. We all deserve to feel comforted and protected in our personal spaces.This month, we delve into the transformative power of creating sanctuaries within our own homes. As the world continues to spin at a rapid pace, the need for spaces that nurture and soothe has never been greater.In our interview with renowned interior designer Allison Babcock, we explore her philosophy on crafting havens of tranquility and how she draws inspiration from her coastal New York base. She shares her secrets of creating spa-like bathrooms, and reveals her what’s in and out for 2024.Diving deeper into the idea of sanctuary, we embark on a visual journey through the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury world with two curated property features. These editorial narratives cut right to the heart of sanctuary, highlighting two of the most personal spaces in the home: the primary bedroom and the bath, which were explored in our Best of the Best guide. These enduring rooms, hand-picked by our editorial team, remind us that a well-designed bedroom or a calming spa bath can be the places where we can recharge, realign our energies and simply be our authentic selves. And then there’s an exclusive tour of a newly listed, endlessly chic designer compound in L.A.’s quiet Benedict Canyon listed by Jade Mills that perfectly embodies the idea of sanctuary.If anyone understands the movement towards sanctuary in today’s luxury homes, it’s our Luxury Property Specialists. Let them guide you on your journey towards finding your own personal sanctuary this year.The post Where Comfort Reigns appeared first on Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Blog - Luxury Home & Style.
Stylishly Serene: Dream Bedrooms
A sanctuary is a place where someone feels safe and serene. Within our homes, the primary bedroom serves as a sanctuary within a sanctuary. It’s the intimate space where we begin and end our days, and seek refuge from the outside world. The concept of sanctuary is as personal as a fingerprint, so even the dreamiest of primary bedrooms today can look and feel very different. Some bedroom retreats may take design cues from the hotel world, incorporating an adjoining sitting room for unwinding at the end of the day or a dedicated cappuccino bar to start the day. Reading nooks or meditation rooms are also increasingly popular additions. Many, though not all, will be oriented towards a view – whether it be water, mountain, or city. And if a primary bedroom has a private balcony? Perfection. Calming color palettes and warm, layered lighting are common, and can immediately set the tone that this is a space for relaxation and retreat. Natural elements like wood, stone, plants and fireplaces are favorites, as they promote a sense of well-being. High-quality luxury bedding and textiles ensure a restful night’s sleep. Blackout shades, aromatherapy, or soothing sounds also go a long way in creating “ambiance.” Adding personal touches – like artwork, photographs and decorative pieces from a homeowner’s travels – can also go a long way in transforming a primary bedroom space from a mere sleep zone to a sanctuary optimized for true R&R. No matter what your idea of sanctuary is, we’ve collected three of the most haven-like bedroom suites in the Coldwell Banker Global Luxury world at the moment. 5310 N Bay RdMiami Beach, FL 33140The views make the room. It’s the case for this splashy primary bedroom suite in Miami Beach. Envisioned with a warm modernist aesthetic, the sun-lit space brings serenity and everyday comfort into striking harmony. An adjoining sitting area with a custom media divider pulls double duty as a prime viewing spot for both game-watching and admiring those stunning bay views from floor-to-ceiling glass walls. Dual bathrooms and oversized closets elevate it. Listed by Danny Hertzberg of Coldwell Banker Realty, Miami BeachCosta Verde EstatesDominical, P, Costa RicaConsider your serenity tank filled from the moment you walk inside this dream Costa Rica bedroom suite. Boasting wide open views via a disappearing wall from its elevated position, the bedroom fosters deep connection with nature by effortlessly merging with the breathtaking tropical surrounds of Whales Coast, which lies just south of San Jose.Listed by Daveed Hollander of Coldwell Banker Vesta Group Dominical3018 Kingfisher PointChuluota, FL. 32766The primary bath transcends mere functionality in this opulent Orlando-area estate, a 2014 Parade of Homes Grand award-winning estate by Hill Gray Seven’s Gregg Hill. The upstairs retreat harmonizes rustic elegance to perfection with a romantic stone fireplace, arched windows and a private deck, perfect for lounging under the Florida sun or presiding over your domain. Listed by Karan Wienker of Coldwell Banker Realty, OrlandoThe post Stylishly Serene: Dream Bedrooms appeared first on Coldwell Banker Global Luxury Blog - Luxury Home & Style.
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