DeAnna Radaj -- Ahhhh, the mighty throne . . . . Not the gold-encrusted chair one thinks of for royalty, but the usually white porcelain seat found in bathrooms across the world. These commodes . . . thrones . . . toilets are THE most important seat in the house for obvious and not-so-obvious reasons. We take our toilets for granted, that they'll work efficiently and hygienically and be aesthetically pleasing.

At the KBIS (Kitchen/Bath Industry Show & Conference) in Atlanta a few weeks ago, the commode was the star of the show. Trends in bathroom fixtures are ALL featuring water conservation and eco-friendly options. So, let’s talk toilets and, later, Father's Day!

It’s said that in the coming years, WATER will be the most sought after commodity, even greater than oil.

Biolet: My FAVORITE product and people at KBIS! Mike and Peter were knowledgeable and funny -- and hey, don’t you have to be when dealing with self-contained composting toilets? If you're thinking of saving water as one of Earth's most endangered resources, you should consider greening up with a Biolet. They've been in business for 35 years, with top Swedish engineering and a tight focus on just composting toilets. They strive to make these toilets well designed and user friendly. The Biolet can be used indoors and/or outdoors! It uses evaporation and aerobic decomposition to transform human waste into a nutrient-rich, hygienically-safe product called “humus” which can be used on decorative plants or mixed in with an outdoor compost pile. Here's my checklist of advantages:

• The only composting toilet to offer the same convenience as a flush toilet
•  Safe and reliable
• Can be installed anywhere without connecting to a septic or sewer system; perfect for camping, by the pool, garage, cabin, barn, boathouse
• Models are available for areas without electricity
• Only needs to be cleaned out every 2 months, depending on usage

Kolher: Besides having the most fabulous, incredible, awe-inspiring booth (I heard it was 20,000 sqare feet!), Kohler continues to lead the way in design and in partnering with various conservation charities and Habitat for Humanity. Their latest partnership is Save Water America; all you have to do is register and Kohler will donate $1 in water-conserving Kohler products to Habitat for Humanity. It’s a great site with a water quiz so you can see your water usage. Here are a few reasons why I love Kohler and their product line:

•  Has a line of water-saving showerheads, faucets, and toilets
•  Kohler has been at the forefront of water conservation products going back to the 1970s
•  Their goal is a net 0 environmental footprint by 2035 by incorporating energy efficiency, using reclaimed water, and reusing water; for instance, their cast iron sinks are made from 93% reclaimed and recycled material, and they've incorporated LEED and GREEN build practices in their factories & buildings
•  Kohler has partnered with the EPA’s WaterSense program.

TOTO: I’m also a huge fan of TOTO bath fixtures. Incredible design, great technology, and literally THE COOLEST toilet ever made. Drumroll, please . . . the Washlet! If you haven’t seen or used this toilet, you are missing out on the bathroom experience of a lifetime. It will literally spoil you for any other toilet (see below).

TOTO also values and focuses on eco friendliness, sustainability, and water conservation in their design. What differentiates TOTO from Kohler is a more minimalist approach; TOTO's fixtures are almost Asian inspired. The lines are simple, clean, and efficient. Here are my favorites about TOTO:

• TOTO’s manufacturing process has been engineered to recycle extensively, reduce energy and landfill wastes, and save water
• The Washlet is a comfortable, hygienic, and ecological toilet that can be used with any décor. Touch the remote control (I told you this was cool) and a nozzle extends from under the seat for a “soothing warm water cleansing,” thus eliminating the need for toilet paper! Other features are a heated seat, a setting to move the nozzle, SoftClose seat, and a quick release feature to remove the seat for easy cleaning.
• The upgraded Washlet offers an air deodorizer and dryer function, as well as an auto-flush function with sensor technology. This is a water-saving device as the sensor will “sense” the weight that is in the bowl and use only the amount of water needed to flush waste away; the less waste, the less water used.

Okay, DeAnna, we’re all set to remodel or re-design our bathroom with the latest and greatest toilets, but do you have words of Feng Shui wisdom for us? Why YES, I do! In Feng Shui philosophy, the bathroom corresponds with the WEALTH/ABUNDANCE of the family. We’ve all heard the saying “money going down the drain”; well this has even more meaning thanks to Feng Shui. Some basic Feng Shui tips for the bathroom are:

1. Make sure ALL drains are covered, doors are kept shut, and your toilet seat is down (that one’s for the ladies!). Drains should all have a plunger/stopper/cover; no exposed pipe. This goes back to the money going down the drain saying. This room is all about cleansing and washing dirt away from us, however in Feng Shui terms, we want to KEEP energy RISING and moving UPWARD not DOWNWARD and AWAY from us. Covering drains/pipes will help stop this.
2. Stay away from any water or beach themes in the bathroom. This room is already a WATER room (obviously) and while the WATER element is associated with money/wealth/abundance, an OVERabundance of WATER washes it away from us . . . literally. WOOD and/or METAL should be the element that is used here. Think garden or wood themes, or METAL accessories in a white color scheme will do the trick. Plants, real/pictured/accessories, need to be UPWARD growing. Think bamboo! The shape(s) to be considered here are rectangle/WOOD and/or circle/METAL.
3. Lighting is KEY is this room. You want a lot of natural light, if possible. If there is no light or limited natural light, make sure to get as bright a light as possible for your task and general lighting. Safety is your first priority in this space; cutting yourself shaving or putting on make-up with limited light is NOT good Feng Shui! Layer your lighting for atmosphere: general (which is your overhead light), task (for shaving/make-up application), accent (highlight any artwork or intricate tile work), and decorative (uplight or recessed can light for ambient glow for a relaxing soak in the tub).
4. From an Integrative Lifestyle Design perspective, detoxify this space with natural cleaning and bath/body products. If you can’t pronounce the ingredient on the contents label, do NOT purchase it. This room, above all others, is the room where you're most vulnerable as the products you use here come in direct contact with your body. You don’t want to use toxins and chemicals.

As we celebrate Father’s Day on June 21 (which is also the First Day of Summer) and our Ode to the Commode, here are some Feng Shui entertaining tips for your Father’s Day gatherings:

• Any BBQs should feature ingredients from sources that are local or that you know where they came from. Nothing beats fresh fruits and veggies from a local farmer’s market or your own garden! Make sure any meat is free range and steroid free.
• Colors in your design scheme should come from the FAMILY and CREATIVITY/KIDS area of the Bagua. Family is WOOD related and corresponds with the color GREEN. The CREATIVITY/KIDS area is METAL related and corresponds with the color WHITE/METALLICS. (A problem occurs here as in Feng Shui terms metal chops down wood, so add the WATER element here as a “mitigating element,” meaning you should add BLUE/BLACK). So your color scheme is GREEN, WHITE/METALLICS, and BLUE/BLACK. Shapes are CIRCLE/metal (plates), RECTANGLE/wood, and FREE-FLOWING LINES/water (bunting/blankets).
• To help your event be more GREEN and eco-friendly, get your plates and flatware from Core Sales. Products are bio-degradable and innovative-you can actually EAT the plate when you’re done!
• Need to keep your drinks cold? How about using the e-Cooler. These are eco-friendly containers made from natural and biodegradable resources. Just fill with ice and go!
• Stumped as to what to serve for dessert? Check out this new company called Raw Creations, featuring organic raw and vegan desserts. Desserts are gluten- and wheat-free, and they use no processed sugars or added sodium. Their menu items include cookies, cakes, brownies, tarts, and macaroons.

Here are your Feng Shui Father's Day menu options

WOOD

Spices: vinegar, parsley, tarragon

Herbs: basil, parsley, tarragon, dill

Veggies: leeks, butternut squash, sweet potatoes, beans, celery, lettuce, sauerkraut, arugula, chard, cucumbers, bamboo shoots, pickles, spinach, and tomatoes

Meat/Fish: crayfish, freshwater shrimp, lobster, liver, chicken

Fruits: cherries, raspberry, passion fruit, grapes, plums, apple, black/blue berry, lemon, orange, strawberry, grapefruit, kiwi, pineapple, rhubarb

Nut/seeds/oils: hazelnut, sesame seed, and oil

Dairy: sour cream, cottage cheese, yogurt

Beverages: sweet wines, chardonnay, semi-dry, hibiscus/rosehip tea, cherry juice, champagne

METAL

Spices: allspice, anise seed, cayenne/chili/curry powder, cinnamon, ginger, white/black pepper, bay leaves, cardamom, clove, coriander, cumin, mustard

Herbs: lemongrass, chive, thyme, nasturtium, watercress, peppermint

Veggies: garlic, celery root, green onions, kohlrabi, onions, pearl onions, radishes, shallots, turnips

Meat/Fish: chicken, goose, venison

Fruits: peaches

Nut/seeds/oils: unsalted/roasted peanuts, canola oil, long-grain rice

Beverage: spirits

WATER

Spices: cinnamon, caraway seed, cloves, sea salt, table salt, miso, soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce

Herbs: not applicable

Veggies: white truffles, black truffles, eggplant, butternut squash, chestnuts, carrots, bean sprouts, red cabbage, sea veggies, white cabbage

Meat/Fish: caviar, crayfish, ham. Lobster, ANY fish, lamb, pork, duck

Fruits: cherries, raisins, raspberries, grapes, plums

Nuts/seeds/oils: pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, millet, quinoa, wild rice, sesame oil, bulgur couscous, wheat flakes

Dairy/Egg: blue cheese, egg yolk, butter, cream, cream cheese, goat’s milk, egg whites

Beverage: mineral water

Happy Father’s Day!

DeAnna Radaj, owner of Bante Design LLC and its production division Eden Place Productions, is a designer who specializes in Integrative Lifestyle Design (the fusion of Eastern and Western interior design philosophies incorporating feng shui and healthy home principles). Ms. Radaj is an author/columnist, design consultant, and national speaker on topics like Healthy Home Design, Feng Shui, Design Tips & Trends, and Clutter (Why We Have It and How to Get Rid of It!). Ms. Radaj is the former editor of the WI ASID newsletter which featured her column, "The Business of Design," and she has been featured in print, radio, and TV. She has authored Designing the Life of Your Dreams from the Outside In and Feng Shui for Teens, and is a contributor to Design2Share, casaGURU, and the Diva Toolbox.