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Here is a great example of an intense colored light and its effect on the water spray; steam and water come to life with the incorporation of colored lighting. Four LED pool lights installed on the ceiling of this steam shower create this look.

Tip: Red, green and blue light-emitting diodes (LEDs) can be installed to create any combination of colorful or white lights. It's important to make sure the lights are all installed in the same direction so that the pattern and reflection of red, green and blue is consistent.
by holger hoos design
There are so many shower fixtures available, and many feature built-in lights. The look is impressive. Consider fixtures that are controllable — many are a fixed color or show blue, green and red.

Tip: Take care in the framing and construction of these shower ceilings. Some of these lights can weigh more than 20 pounds.
by BeautifulRemodel.com  
A backlit art piece like this one is a great way to add something special to a new shower. The lighting is remote controlled and can cycle through all the colors of the rainbow.

With the right installer, anything is possible!
by Zeus Remodeling
This shower is as much a work of art as a shower. The backlit slab on the back wall casts all sorts of great lighting around and serves as only one source of light for this shower. Something like this needs special planning with an electrician and a tile setter.

The underbench light would make a perfect nightlight for this bathroom.

Tip: Keep light features on separate switches so you can layer the lights as you like.
by 186 Lighting Design Group - Gregg Mackell
Any shower light should be on a dimmer. I took this shot with the light set to half strength. Taking a long steam shower at the day's end will be more enjoyable in low light.

This shower features a center rain head, so two shower lights were installed to give lots of light, even when they're dimmed.

Tip: There are many different types of shower lighting, and the proper dimmer needs to be purchased for each. For example, low-voltage LED lighting often requires a special electronic dimmer. These can cost a pretty penny to install, so be sure to consult a professional before choosing this option.
by John Whipple - By Any Design ltd.
If you love sparkle, then consider choosing tile with a little shimmer. Many types of mosaic tile have iridescent properties, which really take light well. The small mosaic on the back wall here will glimmer and sparkle with the right lighting levels.

Tip: If you or your spouse suffers from migraine headaches, consider a colored lighting system. A soothing bath and a long steam with just the right color might make things a little better when those pounding migraines kick in.
by Pepe Calderin Design- Miami Modern Interior Design
This shower drain has its own LED battery pack, which activates when the shower turns on. When water enters the drain, the LED light comes on. The designer incorporated the light so the clients would have more illumination and a way to orient themselves in the shower.

This can be a handy feature if you find you have trouble seeing when things steam up in the shower.
by BY DESIGN Builders
I like how this shower uses the light to accent the back wall. The downlighting showcases the rough texture of the natural slate tile. Be careful with this type of setup on a regular tiled wall, since lighting can showcase tile lippage and make a great installation look sloppy.

Tip: Try to keep lights as far from walls as possible to reduce highlighting on tile lippage.
by bw design group
This custom MTI air tub (or "bubbler") has wonderful built-in lighting. If you have the option, choose four LED lights in a tub over two. The grid lighting on the back wall is made of individual fiber optic strands set into an installation of stacked slate ledge stone.

Tip: Source your LED lights from a reliable store. Place the LED color driver (the driver is what changes the color of the lights — many are remote controlled) somewhere out of the way. Many can generate a little noise and a little heat, so a proper electrical box is key to a safe installation.
by John Whipple - By Any Design ltd.

Comments

Hi-Lite Manufacturing Co. That Pepe Calderin design is mesmerizing. It has never occurred to me to pay attention to the iridescent properties in tile.

I guess I never associated light with them because they're so cool to the touch. I think of the muted surfaces of stones or pebbles.

Such a beautiful photo and work. Thank you for putting this together.
4 months ago · ·
John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. We also have iridescent glass tile as an accent for our kitchen pot filler stove niche detail. I'm always attracted to the shimmer from these tiles. Just like a fish to a lure! The sparkle is so appealing.

The drain with the blue light (two pictures up) is made from ACO and you can learn more about there LED kits here; http://www.quartzbyaco.com/linear-quartz-drain

Here you can see a version of the ACO lights and the RED LED kit.



These LED lights come one when water hits the linear drain and stops about 30 seconds after the shower ends. The colours available are Red, Green. Blue and Rainbow.
4 months ago · ·
John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. Missing Tip:

When installing lighting systems in a shower remember that one day they might need servicing. I love using oversized rain heads mounted to the ceiling as both a shower fixture and back up access panel.

I was first turned on to LED lighting by Holger Hoos Design here in Vancouver. This one project really woke me up and showed me with the right planning even a tiny space can be turned into a "Dream Spa".

Project: Bauhaus 1 Bathroom

Below are pictures of Dornbrachts 'Big Rain' which serves this shower as the primary shower head and back up access panel if needed.

The other is of my Kitchen Stove Niche detail with the pot filler, side lit shelf and ACO linear drain.

Red Lights

Yale Town Quick Drain USA Channel Drain installation
4 months ago · ·
John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. Another easy way of installing sound and light together is with the help of ThermaSol's Chromotheraphy fixture. The steam shower below gets all this intense light from the ThermaSol Pro speaker light kit.

The light driver is more than enough for this tub converted to steam spa space and the sound is outstanding.




More info on ThermaSol's Speaker and light system here; http://www.thermasol.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=280&mItem=187
4 months ago · ·
Hi-Lite Manufacturing Co. You should post the supplemental materials as a part 2!!
4 months ago · ·
llrandolph Who manufatures the LED drain lighting? Putting in similar shower base. Thank you.
4 months ago · ·
CAROLE MEYER I love the backlit slab. Not so keen on the bright colored lights, but they are interesting.
4 months ago · ·
John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. The shower LED lighting is a lighting kit from ACO systems. The lights come in red, green, blue or rainbow settings and are rechargeable. If you watch the video above you will see the charging pack and the light itself.


JW
4 months ago ·
astraea Maybe it's just me; I like light in rooms .. especially bathrooms, but it's a BATHROOM .. not a nightclub! Wonder how much these lights add to the cost & complexity of bathroom renovations?
4 months ago · ·
Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR Nightclub? Oh yeah! You can have a LOT of fun in a bathroom. Just sayin ....
;0)
4 months ago · ·
John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. The costs of these lights can add a pretty penny but really raise the daily enjoyment of the shower or steam shower. The ThermaSol speaker and light kit is over a couple grand and produces great light and sound that can be played through your cell phone or Ipod.

The custom niches we build are priced about $1,500 all said and done.

Some of the shower fixtures are price in the $800-$7,000 price point. "You can't take it with you!" lol

A couple of LED pool lights can be ordered for under $500.00. A couple of pots for maybe $300.00

If planned from the start the complexity is not so bad. It's deciding at the end of the job that you want the lights where it gets difficult.

The LED light kits I use in my niche builds cost under $400.00 for the complete kit. The extra waterproofing and mitered tile cuts add the real cost in the build. But this could be done much simpliar if a lesser standard was followed.

JW
4 months ago ·
llrandolph Thank you for the LED shower drain light info...will look into it.
4 months ago ·
calikym Lighting is important anywhere in your house and the bathroom is usually overlooked. I'm so excited about the possibilities but if my general contractor doesn't know how to install, etc., where should I direct him? Do you ever do lighting plans and consults? If so, I'd be very interested. Thank you.
4 months ago · ·
John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. Calikym I do not do a lot of consulting I do however share a bunch of play by play pictures online. If your builder is looking for some help maybe he can learn from my pictures.

Recently I password protected most of my Photobucket account. Have him email me when you get closer to this stage. sales@no-curb.com

The ACO drain lighting is so easy. You don't even need to order it from the start. If you decide you like it you can order it later. It only works with the ACO linear drains.

JW
4 months ago · ·
lc29 My master bath is missing a shower light,.I don't know what the previous owners were thinking when they put a lot of money into remodeling (granite, steam and high end fixtures), but overlooked a shower light. My future remodel will make sure there is light in the shower!!
4 months ago · ·
Pangaea Interior Design, Portland, OR lc29 -- That's a shame! I bet they were slapping their forehead after it was all done and too late. Every shower I design for a client has a light in the shower ceiling without exception. Lights in the niches are a very nice touch too and really let you see what you have in there. A single ceiling fixture in the middle of the room and one light above the mirror just doesn't cut it in a lighting plan these days.
4 months ago ·
John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. Our most current project.

This shelf up top is back lit. The side is lighted with LED's and tucked around the corner is a hidden shelf.

I'm hoping the soap, razor, shampoo and conditioner can be all tucked away from view.

With the lights off the niche looks so great. I find the baby blue colour the best light to work by and like the orangey pink colour with the white shelf the best.

Tiling is nearly done on this one. Then we start the custom electric mirror and medicine cabinet.

JW
4 months ago · ·
John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. One shot from farther back.

You can see the MR 16 bulbs hanging down as well. We installed a total of six MR16 down lights for the primary light source in the bathroom.

The coloured lighting will be for soothing a pounding migraine or "Heating Things Up" in the master shower.

Wink Wink. Nudge Nudge. Know what I mean... Say no more LOL

JW
4 months ago · ·
Darzy Let's trip the light fantastic!
4 months ago ·
Pink Fortitude, LLC "Well you can tell by the way I use my walk, I'm a woman's man no time to talk...." With a shower like these, I would be singing disco songs on my way to work every day.

Thanks for the ideabook and enlightening us. Even though I'm just a simple girl, I still like to see all of the fun new ideas on Houzz.
4 months ago ·
John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. Thanks HJ. If you have never taken a steam shower in a private home spa like the one's shown above you truly can not appreciate the experience the colour brings to the table.

We are only a few days away from wrapping up another job downtown that has loads of LED lighting. I believe the lady of the house was concerned it might be a bit extreme but you need to remember that these lights are dimmable and can be layered.

Bauhaus 2 Bathroom

Bauhaus 1 Bathroom

Both of these LED lights are set to white. But can be changed to colour when the mood is right.

JW
4 months ago ·
John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. Found this fun project online for a beach house themed bathroom project.

When it comes to custom shower lighting it appears the sky is the limit.


4 months ago · ·
jeniecegoellner There are some easy ways to accomplish this in an everyday home without going to a full new light fixture. Many bathrooms have a single light over the tub/shower. There are LED color lights (many that have a remote to change colors) available for as low as $25. I found on that fit in my fixture that can change to 20 different colors either as a static color or on a random mode. It's great. Give's me a bit of a spa feel and I can change my color by mood. Blue for more calm, red if I want to spice it up, yellow to give me a sunny outlook for the day. So while it would be nice to be able to do some of the fancier things, you can treat yourself with just a single bulb.
4 months ago · ·
holger hoos design Very nice, John!

As the designer of the Bauhaus bathrooms (http://www.houzz.com/pro/hhoos/holger-hoos-design), I have extensively worked with colour-changing LED lighting. In Bauhaus 2, we used 5 independent systems, our most complex deployment so far. Can you produce visual cacophony in a space like that? You bet! But you can also do that with a palette of paint.

What this kind of installation is designed to allow you to do is to paint a space with light. The results can be quite spectacular (I will post some pictures soon), and the various combinations of colours can match, enhance or change your mood surprisingly effectively. True, it's not cheap, but compared to high-end fixtures and finishes also not that expensive.

Also worth keeping in mind: With an appropriate controller, RGB LED lights are always dimmable, so subtle touches of colours can be achieved.
4 months ago · ·
John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. When is Bauhaus bathroom #3 starting up Holger?

:)

JW
4 months ago ·
frenchdecor @jeniecegoellner thank you for information. Could you please tell in which store you purchased the light? I don't need colorful light for everyday use (no frills, prefer a very!! good task light), but once a week (Friday Beauty Night) I would like to make a spa mood. For now I use only scented candles, but for $25 worth to try something new. I would really appreciate it.
I like posted pictures and thanks for the new ideas, but it's too late for me.
4 months ago ·
jeniecegoellner @frenchdecor I have seen them at most major harware stores in the past. The one I bought for myself was on amzon though since I had a bit of an odd shapped fixture above my tub in the bathroom. The most felxibility of sizes are there. Enjoy Firday Beauty Night.
4 months ago · ·
Pegasus Lighting These shower lights are absolutely dazzling! Any one of them would make me super excited to wake up every morning. Thanks for mentioning how shower lights should be on a dimmer. I find people don't often think of putting one in there, but they make all the difference!
4 months ago · ·
Rio Brewster The back-lit onyx is my dream shower - looks like a lot of people in austin are doing that because all the onyx slabs I found had sold stickers on them.

Probably couldn't have afforded it anyway.
4 months ago ·
EnvironmentalLights.com What a great bathroom! Add in the new Kohler ipod streaming showerhead and it's a party! If you're looking for great waterproof LED strip light solutions like shown above, please visit EnvironmentalLights.com or call to speak with one of our engineers. Free advice and free product selection on any size project. (888) 880-1880

http://www.environmentallights.com/led-rope-and-strip-lights/led-strip-lights.html
4 months ago · ·
nwidrick I like it
4 months ago ·
calikym @John, I am just reading your comment. I will contact you via email. I am in love with all of the lights but just need a plan for my contractor. I am down to studs but have had the plumbing roughed in. We have been installing new floors throughout the house but I am SO undecided in the master. It's my favorite place! Anyway, your contributions are so valuable. Talk soon. I am happy to compensate you for a lighting consultation. My husband is very much against interior designers (we got burned badly!) but this is really a niche you own.
3 months ago ·
John Whipple - By Any Design ltd. Here is a peak at some simple LED lighting systems. One is from a hotel room in Italy. And the other a light up mirror I built here in Vancouver.



3 months ago ·
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