Sleek, Modern + Compact Treadmill | SpaceWalker Review

When Hubby and I moved from our suburban townhouse to our rural lakehouse we happily traded interior space for lake frontage, but losing a full height basement and third bedroom has proven to be a little more challenging than we thought.  We miss some things about our old house - including a spot to stash a treadmill, which we actually used quite often.  I had a friend who was a real fitness enthusiast and when we were too busy to connect in person we'd schedule "treadmill dates".



We would each put on our bluetooth earpieces and chat while we walked, neither of us minding that conversation was made more difficult by the whir and buzz of our treadmills.  Before Hubby and I moved to the lakehouse we sold the treadmill because we had no place to put it and we assumed we'd just naturally get fit by spending our time in the great outdoors.  We were right - in the warmer months.  We swim, stand up paddle board, bike, walk, canoe and sail (it's a surprising core workout).  In the winter though, we hunker down and eat indoor s'mores in front of the fireplace.  A wonderful way to embrace hygge, but terrible for our health!

Determined to get active during our hibernating months, Hubby and I started to shop for a small treadmill that we could fit into our office closet - formerly a nook with a filing cabinet and antique trunk:
  

We spent months emptying its contents until we had a beautiful blank slate that we plan to morph into a mini home gym with some additional DIY-ing (like adding some ventilation, an outlet, maybe a shelf for some weights and a small TV?).  But the first step was finding a durable treadmill that is compact enough to fit in there.  Many treadmills on the market need a massive walk-in closet to hide them or,  like our old one, they are too heavy and bulky for me to move on my own.

Eventually I found THE most perfect compact treadmill that's small, sturdy and capable, but it looks so stylish that it doesn't even need to be tucked away.  It's the Spacewalker by BodyCraft.  As my lovely Mom is demonstrating, it is so compact that not only can we store it in the closet, we can use it in there too!

I reached out to BodyCraft and they generously provided one for review (I was not otherwise compensated) - but I would purchase this treadmill in a heartbeat.  Most of the treadmill is a gorgeous creamy white but it does have a glossy colorful side, which comes in black or red.   Let's petition them to manufacture one in turquoise!

It is shipped fully assembled and although it weighs 90lbs, once it's out of the box it is surprisingly easy to move around.  Both my Mom and I can do it alone, thanks to a sleek design that's easy to hold on to - and a pair of sturdy wheels.

Once it's folded up, it's unbelievably compact - there are so many places I could tuck this in my home: beside the tallboy dresser in the bedroom, into our coat closet, or even behind the TV!

You can also flip it onto its side and tuck it behind a sofa or place it at the end of a bed as a bench.

Did I mention that this compact treadmill doubles as a small treadmill desk?  It's the perfect size to rest a laptop.  I have to admit that I will need some more practice to be able to walk and reply to an email, but it's perfect for watching YouTube tutorials or easier work tasks that don't require quite as much brainpower or coordination.

In terms of using it, I love how simple it is to operate.  This treadmill has everything I need: cupcake cup holder, built-in pulse sensors, quick access start/pause button, LED display, and a safety key that immediately turns off the machine.  Even though it's small, it's very sturdy, with a steel reinforced laminated melamine under the deck that can support someone up to 300lbs.  Although the deck is compact in size, even when I am walking at a good clip (you can do up to 4mph), it feels perfectly stable and I never feel like I'm going to run out of room.  I actually like how low it is to the ground because I used to feel a little dizzy on our old treadmill, which felt so high that I was convinced I'd get decapitated if I was running while the ceiling fan was on.  

You can read about all of the treadmill features on the BodyCraft website. 

 

BodyCraft is offering readers $200 off (using the code DANSLELAKEHOUSE) which brings the total to $799, plus free shipping in the US.

Hubby and I are thrilled with this treadmill because it can be a bit of a struggle to find that perfect balance between form and function in a small home.  I'd love a six bedroom home or epic finished basement where I could have a photography studio, a sewing room, a home gym, a proper guestroom, a room for the pups, a chest freezer...  But I don't.  I have a perfectly lovely two bedroom house with a weird little fish room, a bunkie I only use in the summer, and a basement that's five feet tall with no visible stairs leading to it (what a mystery).

Products like this help me feel so much more content with the space I have.  Who needs a massive home gym when I have a compact treadmill that looks sharp, functions beautifully, and helps me make the most of the space I have?   



Stay tuned for the rest of this closet turned home gym transformation...

A huge thanks to BodyCraft for sending me the compact SpaceWalker treadmill.

P.S. Thanks also to my beautiful Mom, for being my model.  Her striking leggings and teal (!) top are designed by a local designer who has her own factory in Katmandu, Nepal, with two retail locations (Elfarrow Apparel): one in my hometown and another on Salt Spring Island, BC.   

The Felted Wool Ball Rug We All Love

In September I shared some of my tips for keeping my house clean, even with two messy puppers.  In that post I wrote about the routine we've created, which helps contain the dirt and sticks and leaves and mud.

I will admit today that when the weather is really, really, really cold I cheat and sometimes let the dogs out through the patio doors instead of bundling everyone (namely, me) up for a trek outside through the carport.  They don't drag in any mud or muck this time of year, which is why I'm okay with being lazy about this, but they do bring in some snow so I always keep a mat by the back door to prevent them from tracking in water.

And I've been through a few mats, for various, annoying reasons.

Somebody chewed the fringe on the rag rug I had there, so that was out.  Some mats were super slippery, others looked too outdoorsy - some of them the dogs refused to let touch their bodies, so they'd leap over them and onto the hardwood.  I even tried a chic bath mat, thinking it would be absorbent.  I know, I play fast and loose with decorating rules but, in my defense, it looked less bathroomy online.  In person, everyone asked about the bath mat in the dining room. 

It's been a revolving door of door mats.

When Sukhi, a company that sells quality, handmade rugs, reached out to me, I immediately fell for this felt ball rug and decided that this rug might just be the rug to solve our problems.

Unsurprisingly, the humans love it.  It's teal and made of felted wool balls (!!!) - you know how much I love felted wool balls - so it solves the problem of being stylish.  The size was perfect and didn't cover the vent (that's a win for hubby) and it's really absorbent which helps protect the hardwood floors from snowballs.

It's no surprise I liked it, but what surprised me was how much the puppers love it.  As soon as I unwrapped it, they dove for it but I wanted to wash the floors - and their stinky bodies - before putting it out, so I hid it under the bed.  Szuka couldn't reach it, but Hynda army crawled her way under there to snuggle it in secret.

When I finally slid it out from under the bed for photos, I barely maneuvered it a few feet when Hynda hopped on.  It's been awhile and nobody has tried to chew it.  I think they love it too much to hurt it; they each just snuggle it and chew their toys on it because the felted wool helps them grip stuff nicely.  When they come in from outside, they're content to chill here for a bit while I dry their feet off a little.  And now I only get compliments - no more questioning stares - about the back door mat.

Success!   

If I had the money, I'd buy a massive one for the living room which is a huge compliment from me, because I don't love area rugs.  But this feels so plush underfoot, I can only imagine how cozy it would make the living room feel this winter.  The craftsmanship is gorgeous and each rug comes with a tag that says who made it, which is a nice personal touch.

Sukhi has an amazing selection of handmade rugs from Nepal, India, Morocco, and Turkey.  The quality is amazing, plus you can customize so many of the designs - you'll find everything from flat weave to woolen loops.  You can even customize a felt wool ball rug like this one, in different patterns and sizes.  The selection is eye-popping.  According to the company, the artisans have great pay and working conditions, and that's always something I look for when I'm shopping.

I know how labor intensive making felt balls can be...

Thanks to Sukhi for sending me this gorgeous felt wool ball rug.  Szuka, Hynda, Hubby and I love it!  None of us were otherwise compensated and all thoughts, opinions, and puppy bums are our own.

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The Leesa Mattress: is a Mattress in a Box Really Comfortable?

Disclosure: Leesa® provided a king mattress as compensation for writing this post. However, all thoughts and opinions stated here are my own.

After finishing our DIY walnut plywood bed, Hubby and I started to casually shop for a mattress.  We bought our mattress 10 years ago and after hauling it back and forth across the province, it was starting to show its age.  Actually, I started to show my age, waking up each morning trying to figure out if it was my bones or the mattress that was groaning and creaking so loudly.



When Leesa® Canada reached out to me to review one of their premium foam mattresses, I was thrilled - if a little reticent.  I had seen the advertisements on TV, read the glowing customer feedback, and even poured over the positive reviews on other blogs, but I was still a little nervous about how comfortable a foam mattress could be because our guest bed has a solid foam mattress that I find very firm and somewhat uncomfortable (but it was made in Ottawa and I always liked supporting local).  I was worried this would feel like that one does: unforgiving, unyielding, super firm and clunky.

But I was too curious to turn down the offer!

We arrived home late one night to find the Leesa® mattress waiting for us in the car port.  We lugged it inside and couldn't believe that a comfortable, king-sized mattress was hiding inside.  The next morning, following the instructions, we opened up the box, placed the rolled up mattress on our box springs, and watched it unfurl.  In minutes, it was already puffed up.  An hour later, everything was looking much more taut and firm.  The progression happened SO quickly, I could barely capture it on camera:

BOOM - a mattress!

The process was accompanied by a very loud hissing noise and, as explained, it did off-gas for a little while, but the smell went away within a few hours.  Then we were just left with a lovely new mattress:

I was still skeptical.

We waited until evening to test it out and, surprisingly, it's really comfortable.  Unlike the solid foam mattress in our guest room, this mattress feels like it molds to the contours of my body, cradling every inch - without being too soft.  I have struggled, off and on, with back pain and I'm really sensitive to mattresses but this one feels really good.  How do I describe this?  Like my bones kind of sink into the mattress, but still feel supported. 

Honestly, it's difficult to describe because after the hundreds of mattresses I have slept on over the years, in hotels and the homes of friends and family, this feels unlike any other.  It just feels really good.

Inside the mattress is a different composition than what I was expecting.  The top layer is a 2" cooling foam, the middle is a 2" memory foam, and the bottom layer is a 6" dense core support foam, which results in a mattress that feels like it's custom designed.  It's really hard to believe this was all crammed into that small box!

 

My fears were all unfounded because I am really impressed.  Hubby and I both find it really comfortable and I no longer wake up with aches and pains that I think the slumps and dips in our poor old mattress were causing.  The only weird thing is that even though it's now firmed up, I still can't really sit on the edge of the bed because it just collapses under me, which is an adjustment but not a deal breaker.  

If you've been hearing about the Leesa® mattress to and find yourself wondering if it might be a good purchase, know that it comes with the guarantee of a 100 night risk-free trial and free shipping.  Mattresses are a big purchase and this mattress is no exception (the king rings in at $1290CAD, which isn't peanuts), so I like that you can have some time to make sure it's the right fit.  Judging by the overwhelmingly positive feedback from both bloggers who received this mattress for free or were compensation to review it - and customers who parted with cold hard cash to buy it, I think this mattress is a solid buy. 

I plan to provide an updated review when I've had a chance to test this mattress beyond the 100 day return policy and I'll share my thoughts then.

In the mean time, has anyone taken the plunge and ordered a mattress online?  This technology just boggles my mind.  If you've been wanting to try out the Leesa®, there's a promo code for readers to get get $100CAD off the price: lakehouse.   

I was provided the Leesa® mattress for review, but was not asked or encouraged to provide a positive review.  I think the unsolicited, positive feedback speaks volumes.  Plus the company donates a mattress to a shelter for every 10 that are sold. Plus they're made in America!    

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VQ Hepburn MK II: A Bluetooth Radio with Vintage Vibes

I've had a chance to review the VQ Hepburn MK II radio for the past few months and it is just the cutest thing ever!  I was expecting more of a turquoise, but the vintage-inspired teal green that came in the mail has definitely grown on me (it photographs much more blue). 

Even though Hubby and I both love music (really, though, is there anyone who doesn't?), we hadn't gotten around to buying a radio, even though it was on our wish list.  In the truck we splurge on an annual satellite radio membership because commercial-free music makes our hour long drive into town so much more fun.  In the lakehouse, though, we were listening to the commercial-free music channels on TV.  Those channels served the purpose for inside, but outside we were stuck with Hubby's old radio from 100 years ago.  Because the CD player was broken, we were limited to a few local radio stations and, frankly, silence is better than the jibber jabber and endless commercials - it's just not what we want to listen to when we're chilling out by the lake. 

We just couldn't decide what kind of radio to buy, because the options were dizzying.  We kept putting off the decision, as we too often do when we feel overwhelmed.  When VQ reached out, I was thrilled to discover a new-to-me brand offering a radio that ticked off all of the boxes for me:  easy to use, vintage styling, and great battery life - delivered right to my door! 

VQ makes different models with different features but the Hepburn MK II has been perfect for us.  It can play AM/FM stations - if I ever have an inexplicable urge to listen to an afternoon of Metallica while trying to win a cruise - but it also connects via Bluetooth to other devices, meaning we can easily access the playlists on our phones. 

 

I was really impressed with the Bluetooth connectivity - as opposed to a style that requires you to dock a phone - because it's great for parties.  After Hubby's holiday work party this year, some of his friends came over to our hotel room because we had the snazzy sunken living room.  Hubby's terrible music was immediately jettisoned and someone else quickly substituted their favorite playlist, without having to dock their phone - and risk leaving it behind by accident.  Better still, compatibility wasn't an issue - any phone with Bluetooth connects and the range is incredible.  I think the fact that we could easily connect a new device at 3am after imbibing way too much speaks volumes about the ease of use. 

Perhaps my only complaint is that the speakers could be louder.  You can definitely crank up the tunes inside - and when we're hanging out by the fire pit it's just right - but I was hoping for something with a little more oomph.  For a petite little radio the sound quality is amazing though, and because the battery lasts such a long time it's easily transportable.  But it's not the kind of radio you can drive away neighbors with - just saying.  If you're in the market for a cute little radio for home or the office and are after something that looks as good as it sounds, I recommend checking out VQ.  It's a UK company but they've moved into other countries, including Canada, and lots of retailers carry their products now - and you can even find it on Amazon!     

This post was sponsored by VQ but I was not encouraged or prompted to provide a positive review - all thoughts and opinions are my own. 

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eShakti Customized Dress Buying Experience - an Unsponsored Review

I've mentioned my love affair with dresses - and how difficult it has been for me to find a cute dress with sleeves.  When I stumbled across eShakti, an online retailer that sells beautiful dresses you can customize (for a ridiculously good price), it seemed too good to be true.  I immediately Googled reviews and was disappointed to hear that so many people - including bloggers who had been provided a dress for free - had issues with fit and size.

I put off ordering for many months because of these bad reviews, but ultimately I couldn't resist ordering a dress when eShakti offered $30 off their already great prices to new customers!  I couldn't find anything I liked locally, so I was getting desperate.  I took the plunge!  Happily, I was thrilled with the dress I bought and promptly ordered another.  For anyone else who has been curious about eShakti, here are my thoughts on the process - including some tips for getting a great fit!

Here's a look at the first dress I ordered (I've taken a good long look but I'm hoping no one spots any goose poop in this photos - DON'T look for any, those are all leaves I swear!):

Below is a screenshot of what the dress looked like originally.  The inventory changes really quickly so this exact dress is no longer available, but if you search "Emma Dress" on the eShakti website, you'll see the same cut in a different print.  After my $30 coupon (plus adding $10 for shipping to the US), this dress was so affordable!



When you shop for a dress on eShakti, you'll see the different options available, which usually include at least half a dozen sleeve options, neckline options, length options (cut to your height), and even other details like removing pockets (who the heck wouldn't want pockets?).  You can even skip standard sizing altogether and just send in your custom measurements for a dress that's tailor made. 

I added sleeves but kept everything else - neckline, hemline ("just below knee"), pockets - the same to keep things easy.  I am a size 6 in dresses now - every now and then a 4 on account of my small chest - so I ordered a size S6 and found it fit really true to size, if a teeny bit snug (I don't think I could get away with an S4 from eShakti).  The only thing that surprised me was the length.  I ordered "just below the knee" because I have pretty long thighs so knee length dresses always look shorter on me, but I'd say this is more like a mid-calf.  It can always be hemmed so it's not a problem - I'm just surprised at the generous length!



I was worried that with customization options like this, and price so low, that the quality would be poor.  Nope!  My dress is cotton, fully lined, with a nice fit and flare style.  It's sewn so expertly and there are thoughtful little details like pockets and straps to keep my bra strap in place.  I have zero complaints about the quality and after numerous washes and wears, it has held up perfectly.  Deeply suspicious, I looked at the company's manufacturing before ordering and, apparently, although the clothes are made in India, the wages paid exceed the minimum wage by 70% and the factory is clean and safe.  Of course, I'm only basing this information on the eShakti website, but I'm confident that this isn't a brutal sweatshop situation.    
 

Those are all of the photos you get of this dress!  If I stay still for too long, someone thinks I could be doing something more productive, like doling out treats or offering two hour long puppy massages.  Clearly I'm not busy.

For my second dress, I changed a bit more: adding sleeves (I love three quarter sleeves so much), changing the neckline, and also changing the hemline (to the knee, as opposed to just below).  Once again I ordered a size 6.

I find this size 6 to be ever-so-slightly tighter, but it still fits me as expected.  Once again, the sewing is excellent, the fabric is a nice weight (doesn't feel cheap at all) and the little details continue to amaze me.  Plus I get a ton of compliments on both dresses! 

It doesn't look like the zebra print is available anymore (things sell out so quickly), but this is the style of dress before I made the changes (search "Crepe Print Sash Tie"):

I am not one who usually shops online for clothes because I can walk into a store, try on fifty things and emerge empty handed and famished from the exertion, so the odds of me finding something online that fits well are usually slim to none!  But I seem to have struck gold with eShakti, keeping these things in mind:

1.  Shop a sale!  There seems to always be a sale or deal so try to wait for one if you can.  With shipping my first dress was only $35.  eShakti literally emails me daily now, so I always know about sales - but those emails are so darn tempting!  I am currently eyeing up another dress and a top.

2.  Pick a style you've worn before and tend to gravitate toward.  I know that fit and flare dresses usually fit so that's what I went with, even though I've been finding that a lot of wiggle dresses work for my body now too.  I went with old faithful and was not disappointed because fit and flare is forgiving.  I recommend trying a style you know works, just to get a feel for fit and size before trying something really different.

3.   Allow time for ordering.  Dresses can take a couple of weeks (although mine arrived much faster), so if you're planning for a trip or event (or even just a season), order in advance to accommodate the manufacturing and shipping times.  I wish I'd ordered earlier because I would have liked a third summer dress, but by the time I got my second one it seemed too late to order one.

4.  Read measurements carefully.  The sizing seems very true to size to me, but make sure to carefully take your measurements to double check.  If you try the fully custom option, let me know!  I'm still a little nervous about that.  If you're at all worried the dress will be too tight, opt for a stretch cotton or knit cotton which will offer a little bit of extra wiggle room.  The two dresses I ordered have no stretch whatsoever, making an exact fit more crucial. 

5.  Don't dawdle!  Dresses sell out quickly - I missed out on the cutest retro black and white buffalo check.  Argh, I still think about it.  But I waited too long and - poof! - it was gone.

6.  Watch for duties!  I had my dress shipped to the US, but I've heard of Canadians getting slammed with duties and taxes, which isn't eShakti's fault.  I had no issues getting the dress shipped to the US, but ask their customer service questions about importing to other countries.

7.  Don't stress!  eShakti customer service is top notch and they accept returns so try not to stress too much.  They seem to really want to keep our business and make return customers out of us so if anything isn't to your liking, I'm sure you'll have no troubles.  Plus, because it's so inexpensive, once it arrives you can always take it to a tailor for minor alterations and still end up with a good deal!

If you have ever ordered from eShakti - or have tips for shopping for clothes online - I'd love to hear your advice and experiences!  I'm still trying to replace an entire wardrobe, piece by piece, and am struggling to find things I like, so I wanted to share this happy online shopping experience.  Plus, as an avid DIY-er, I guess I'm just thrilled by the customization available.  Now, I really should stop being so lazy and make myself some new clothes...     

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Bathroom Update: Shopping for a Towel Warmer

Although I have spent my entire life living in modestly sized spaces, with each subsequent move I've found myself in possession of an increasingly spacious bathroom...

My childhood home:  A bathroom so small, that you can rest your head on the sink and wash your feet in the tub while you sit on the toilet (for the record, I've never done this but I know it's possible).  It is the tiniest bathroom imaginable - my Mom is planning to renovate, but she has to be careful about what toilet she buys because some of the newer models are literally too long.  In addition to the small size, my parents only installed an outlet in there after I moved out, so it was pretty brutal getting ready in the mornings when I lived at home.  I was so routinely late for a morning philosophy class that the professor got in the habit of opening the door for me 10 minutes after class started, with such impeccable timing that I'd reach for the knob and the door would open, as if by magic (as an adult, I am now deeply embarrassed by this, but still fully committed to blaming that minuscule bathroom). 

My first apartment:  An absolutely HUGE bathroom because the toilet was between the sink and shower.  To me, it was insane.  Mind, blown.  If we squeezed in, Hubby and I could actually stand in the bathroom at the same time.

My first house:  Room for a VANITY.  With drawers!!  A whole gaggle of people could fit in there while it was being tiled.  At one point one of the tilers dismissively referred to the bathroom as small and I scoffed, "uh, excuse you, this is NOT small; this is huge because there are four of chatting in here right now."

This lakehouse:  Insanely large.  We now have two sinks and a linen tower.  And there's room for hampers IN the bathroom - two of them!  In the bathroom!!  I could totally host a cocktail party in here.

I have finally made it in this world: I have a large bathroom.

Now that we have a bathroom clearly fit for royalty, we decided to add a little more luxury.  Heated floors don't really thrill us, but we decided that a towel warmer would be just dreamy on cold winter nights.

I started looking for the perfect towel warmer a little late in the game and was quickly overwhelmed - and disappointed!  So many shops only had tiny photos in catalogs and, for some weird reason, towel warmers are a special order in this city (where it's cold all the time) and we were getting ready to drywall so I needed to find a towel warmer quickly.  It was a frustrating shopping experience, so I expanded my search online and quickly found a shop with tons of inventory and a really great selection - appropriately named Only Towel Warmers.  I reached out to them about partnering with me for our bathroom makeover and the owner was generous enough to send a towel warmer for review.



I chose a modestly priced model - the Amba Radiant Straight Hardwired Wall Mounted Towel Warmer -  because that's what we would have purchased ourselves.  It was $330 at the time, but now it's reduced to $264.95 - which is such a good deal!  This is also one of their best selling towel warmers, and I can see why: it's stylish and contemporary, with a perfect size for a small space and a reasonable price tag to match!

Things to Consider When Shopping for a Towel Warmer:

There were some criteria we had in mind while shopping for a towel warmer, which I thought I would share for anyone else who might be earmarking towel warmers for a bathroom reno or update.  These are the questions we asked ourselves:

Wall mounted or hard wired?
We don't have a lot of floor space in our bathroom, so wall mounted was definitely the better fit for us.  Easy!

Style & finish? 
Wow.  There are so many different styles available - there is literally something for everyone, but we had our hearts set on a modern, streamlined towel warmer that would look like it was part of the same Kohler Purist line our faucets and sconces belong to.  We also wanted brushed nickel (matchy-matchy!) and this model fit the bill!  The brushed nickel finish matches the Kohler fixtures perfectly and with similar styling, you'd never guess that it's not part of the same line - which is exactly what I wanted.

Reading through the glowing reviews from Only Towel Warmers, it looks like the owner, Michael, has tracked down specific styles/finishes for customers - so I think that whatever you're in the market for, he can find.  Seriously - some of them are designed so beautifully, you might not even know at first glance what it is, like the Amba Elory.  You can even get fun colors!  Or, if you can't find the right look, you can design your own towel warmer!

Hang towels on hooks or drape on a bar?
Some of the towel warmers we considered have handy hooks, while others only have bars, so we could have found a model to suit whatever our preference is for hanging towels.  What I love about this model is that we can drape towels, robes, PJs, on the top of the vertical bars (makeshift hooks!) or drape them on the bars as designed.  It's a versatile design, despite its small size. 

How many towels will the towel warmer need to hold?
This was an easy answer for us, but for larger families or home with lots of guests, this is something to think about!  There are really large models available - and some clever, super long ones for compact bathrooms with lots of occupants.  We picked a style that had just enough room for two folded towels, side by side, and we mounted it high enough that we could still fit two generous clothes hampers below.

Size?
We didn't realize towel warmers came in so many different widths and heights!   We paid particular attention to measurements, making sure not only that two towels could fit side by side, but that we were maximizing the wall space we devoted to the warmer.  

Hardwired or plug-in?
Because we had walls open during the reno, hardwired was ideal for us, but I love that you can add a plug-in towel warmer to any bathroom without having to renovate!  My Dad has a plug in one in his damp, basement bathroom to help his towel dry in less than ideal conditions.   

Is a timer necessary?
Ours came with an optional timer that has a schedule - so handy if you bathe or shower at the same time every day!  We don't, so Hubby is thinking of replacing it with one that will count down but I don't mind this model of timer at all.  It's a handy to feature to add on.

Budget?
The price range for towel warmers really varies, but you can easily find one to fit almost every budget.  For modest bathroom renovations, it's a nice treat if you couldn't afford more luxurious updates like heated floors or stone counters.  It really does lend a spa-like quality to even the most humble bathroom!

Once we had these questions answered, it was easy to pick the best towel warmer - especially because Only Towel Warmers is set up so you can shop by brand, price, or sort by hardwired/plug-in.  Here are some helpful towel warmer shopping FAQs for anyone who might be shopping for a towel warmer in the future.



Why I Love a Towel Warmer in the Bathroom

I am so thrilled we decided to add a towel warmer to our bathroom plans!  It heats up quickly and it's such a treat to dry off with a warm towel - especially on chilly nights.  I sometimes squeeze Hubby's towel over and drape my pajamas on the towel warmer too.  The bathroom get pretty warm and steamy with the shower portal gone, but it's still nice to dry off with a toasty towel!  Plus the towels dry much faster afterward, which is a plus!

It works so efficiently, I don't even really need to weave the towels in and out - they get toasty no matter how they're draped on the towel warmer, which is a relief because my enthusiasm for doing this waned after a week:

How to Install a Hardwired Towel Warmer

We were able to install our hardwired towel warmer really easily because we had walls open and wiring was being done anyway, so it's an idea to flag if you have a bath reno on the horizon.  If you don't, Only Towel Warmers sells a ton of plug-in models - even a plug in of this exact version. 

Installation for us was fairly straight forward.  Because we had removed all the drywall it was easy to put wood cross pieces between the wall studs where the bar was going to be mounted.  Hubby loved this extra security for install!  If you don't do this step, don't worry, because you can just drill holes and use anchors in the drywall.  Hubby also installed the electrical box and ran the wires straight down to the basement at this time (our basement is unfinished, making access easy).  Once the drywall went up again, he simply installed the bar and connected the wires as per the included instructions.  We worked together so I could hold the bar as he connected the wires on the bar to those in the wall.  It was super simple to install.



I am so enamored with this luxurious little touch!

Shopping with Only Towel Warmers was so straightforward and easy.  They have outstanding customer testimonials on their website and I can say from my experience, the customer service was top notch.  The company is a family-owned business, located in the States, and I'm honored to be able to partner with and promote family businesses when I can.

Disclosure: I was provided my towel warmer for review, but was not prompted, encouraged or ask to include any particular information in my review.  I'm completely happy with the product and the customer service, which seems to be the general consensus among customers.  If you're shopping for a towel warmer, chat with the experts at Only Towel Warmers.  You won't be disappointed, I promise!

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How to Drill a Hole in Ceramic Tile

Hubby and I recently conquered a major DIY phobia: drilling holes in tile.  In the townhouse bathroom we skipped it altogether by purchasing a tension shower curtain rod and suction-fit soap dish for our freshly tile tub surround.  With the lakehouse bath reno, we asked the tilers to drill the holes for the handheld shower bar and wriggled out of that task.  We were two for two!  You can imagine our dismay when we opened the box for our new toilet, only to realize that it required drilling THREE holes into our brand new tile floor.

Womp womp woooomp.  (Also, why?)

Spoiler alert: we did it, without cracking or damaging the tile!  Here's what we used + instructions for how to safely drill into ceramic tile, plus a couple of tips we learned the hard way (is there another way?)

Supplies:

• Drill with variable-speed trigger (comfy grip is a bonus!)
• Eye protection
• Spray bottle filled with cool water
• Old towel
• Brand new glass and tile carbide-tipped drill bit (3/16" to get our hole started)*
• Brand new glass and tile carbide-tipped drill bit (3/8" the size we ultimately needed)
• Painter's tape 
• Knee pads (optional)

*Purchase a brand new drill bit because the sharpness will reduce the risk of chipping or cracking the tile.  Because these bits are drilling into such a hard material, they do wear out quickly.  Ours was purchased from The Home Depot and was labelled clearly for ceramic tile.  Porcelain tile requires a different bit - ideally a diamond-tipped bit.  Again, at the hardware store these bits should be labelled clearly so you can find the right one for the job.

Step One:
If you're drilling into a wall, you'll want to protect the surface below - just in case you drop a drill bit (or the drill, thanks to a serious hand cramp).  We drilled into our floor tile, but we still put down an old towel to kneel on (knee pads would have been awesome) and kept another towel nearby to wipe up water and gunk.

Step Two:
We marked where we needed the holes and then applied a piece of painter's tape, marking again (measure twice!) where the holes should go on the tape.

Step Three (Optional):
We didn't do this but wish we had: apply a tiny bit of grease to your drill tip before using, because the water will cause some rust spots to form.  You need a brand new drill bit for drilling tile, so it's likely we won't use this much anyway.

Step Four:
We filled a spray bottle from the buck store with cool water and sprayed the end of the bit with a couple blasts of water.

Step Five:
Applying constant pressure and using a low speed (we did about 400rpm, you can even start at 100 or 200 rpm), we started drilling with the smaller carbide-tipped bit.  The tape helped keep the drill from skipping - and protected the floor in case it did.  With the hole started, we removed the tape and kept drilling.

You might be wondering why we did this miserable job twice?  Drilling a pilot hole helps guide the bigger bit.  The bigger bit on its own would probably run away more easily - you can see in the photo above its tip isn't as sharp.  Drilling a pilot hole also reduces the amount of work the larger bit has to do, which reduces heat and stress in the bit.  Ultimately, we wanted to avoid the bit breaking and applied the same practice from metal and wood working to our tile drilling job: start with a smaller bit to create a pilot hole.

Step Six:
This was a two person job: Hubby drilled and I continually sprayed the tip of the drill bit/hole (not the drill).  The water helps remove some of the dust and debris as well as keep the tile and bit cool, which prevents the bit from overheating and breaking.  Every now and then we'd pause, and I'd wipe up the water and mortar that oozed out, and then give it a fresh blast of water before we started drilling again.

Steps Seven (to a Million):
Drill, drill, drill.  Drilling into ceramic tile requires persistence because you have to work very slowly, being careful not to apply too much pressure on the drill.  We really had to clear our schedules for drilling these holes because the low speed meant this task took a long time, with a few breaks in between.  On one break, we quite literally watched an episode of 2 Broke Girls, on another, we made dinner.  I'm certain we were too cautious, because when the tilers drilled the holes they certainly didn't fanny about with them for an entire weekend (on the other hand, they probably had a better, more expensive drill bit).  Hubby says this really created some major pain in his hands from holding the drill for so long - just a head's up!

Step Eight:
More drilling!  When we were through with the smaller bit and had successfully drilled a hole, we switched to the larger bit and repeated the process to actually make the hole size we needed to install the toilet.

And, voila, a hole in our brand new tile floor (weep).  Please take some time to marvel at it, because a lot of energy went into making this one hole:

Rockwell Tools generously offered to send us a tool to get projects done around the lakehouse faster, and although I wanted a mini table saw, Hubby was pumped for this cordless drill and driver (our other drill is corded).

It was a good choice because we gave our new drill a spin during this project and there were some great features that helped make the task easier, like a comfier rubber grip (major plus) and a light, which helped us a lot because we were working in a dark corner of the bathroom. 

The shorter length made it easier to use in cramped quarters and the two-speed drive was just what we needed for drilling tile.  The handle is closer to the axis (the line of the drill bit), which makes it easier to put even, linear pressure on the drill when drilling - ie. downward pressure.  For future projects, like driving screws into drywall, the adjustable clutch is a plus (and something our corded drill didn't have), because an adjustable clutch stops the drill from over-driving screws.  The battery level indicator is nice so we don't run out of juice, mid-task. 

I'm so excited because the stone counter tops and aqua sinks are getting installed today!

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