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The heatwave has hit, the mozzies are out, and plans for the festive season are being made.  Summer is here.

If you’ve got a pool, live rurally, or are lucky to have an alfresco area in which to entertain, you’ll likely be looking forward to spending some quality time enjoying your own backyard.

One way to keep your outside area from creeping in, and potentially soiling and damaging the interior spaces of your home, is with the use of an outdoor shower. Outdoor showers are dominating the market at the moment, and their growing popularity is in part due to the superb practical functions that they boast.

Not only an effective way to wash off chlorine and salt (which helps to care for skin and bathers alike), an outdoor shower is also a great way to get rid of mud and dirt, grass clippings, or simply as a way to cool down after a long day of gruelling yard work. They can also be a great option for homeowners with dogs!

In addition to just being a great idea in general, an external showering area can also add aesthetic appeal to your home. Nothing completes a Hamptons/beach style vibe, or cruisy alfresco setting more.

outdoor shower 8 Vivid Slimline SS.jpg

Phoenix:  ''Vivid Slimline SS''

On the technical side of things, there are some requirements that vary between states and relate to whether an outdoor shower needs to have a roof and/or grated drain. It’s best to check with your installer or your local council if you’re unsure about this.

Another consideration is hot water. Many people will opt for a cold water connection only, as this is much easier to retrofit and a quick rinse after the pool is often all they need. If you’re wanting a more luxurious experience, or use your pool in cooler months and plan to shower outdoors then too, running hot water through your outdoor shower might be the right choice for you. Solar can be an option worth exploring if you’d like hot running water outdoors. Your installer will be able to guide you when it comes to the specific requirements of your family and your home, but it’s important to enter into any conversations with a firm idea of what you want.

To get the ball rolling and provide you with some planning inspo, we’ve listed some of our favourite outdoor shower ideas below.

Alfresco - A practical solution for post-pool fun, but also a beautiful style feature. Making the shower a focal point really brings this gorgeous alfresco area to life.

outdoor shower 1

Rainware:  ''Noosa''

Coastal - This creative outdoor shower in Noosa, NSW, demonstrates just how big a style statement an outdoor shower can make. Adding an outdoor shower to your home can add a coastal look and feel- imagine refreshing yourself in cool, cascading water on a scorching hot day- even if you are miles away from the seashore.

outdoor shower 2

Suburban - These two great staple designs provide easy practicality and demonstrate perfectly how an outdoor shower can be installed to fit neatly into an average suburban backyard. By utilising existing space and opting for a model with an all-in-one mixer and shower head function, these home owners have been able to add functionality to their home without compromising on space or style.

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Rainware:  ''Suncoast'' (left)              

Secret Garden - Don’t be fooled - outdoor showers aren’t just for coastal properties or those with a pool! They can add a gorgeous touch to garden areas, and make rinsing off after a big day of hard yakka easy and enjoyable.

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Pic spurce:  Homes To Love

Country Shower - Outdoor showers are great additions to farmhouses and country homes - or those adopting a similar style and look. They add a rustic charm to B&B’s or rural escapes, as well as being a convenient asset for people with horses or hobby farms.  We think this black shower head and mixer ensemble complement the dark colorbond wall gorgeously.

If you're thinking of sprucing up your outdoor area for summer with an outdoor shower, speak to our expert Showroom Consultants who can assist with all your requirements.

Great products at prices that can't be beaten!  Excess stock of new product - NOT seconds or damaged goods.

Basins, laundry tubs, sink mixers and much more!

Available to NSW customers only.  Pick up from Cook's Plumbing Supplies, Castle Hill.

Delivery option available - $25 delivery fee applies for Sydney metro area.

Click here for the Gumtree product listing

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If you have any queries please email us or call 02 9899 7477

 

Since September, we've been raising funds to assist 60 families who will need the support of Ronald McDonald House Greater Western Sydney this Christmas.

So far, $88,358 has been raised.  Our target is $115,200 and we need to get there by 11 December - can you help?

Mia and her family are just one of many who have received support from Ronald McDonald House Charities - made possible by the assistance we can all provide.  Here's Mia's story...

Mia 1

When 7 year-old Mia was confined to a wheelchair during treatment for brain cancer Doctors told her mother she may need it for balance for more than a year. Mia, from Gulgong NSW was only 5 when she was first diagnosed with a malignant and aggressive brain cancer called Medulloblastoma, in February 2019.

Together with her Mum Stacey, they travelled the 3.5 hours to The Children’s Hospital Westmead for life-saving treatment.  Mia and Stacey stayed next door at Ronald McDonald House Westmead for the following 205 nights, with Stacey’s mother joining them often for added support. Mia was painfully ill and frail over this time and Stacey recalls doctors saying her daughter may never again know life outside of the wheelchair again.  Stacey describes in her own words, what Ronald McDonald House meant to her and her family during this time…

“Imagine finding yourself suddenly in a foreign environment, with so much around you that you know nothing about and a fear of what the future holds for your seriously ill child. Then on top of that you have to find accommodation, so you can be there for the duration of your child’s gruelling treatment. You will never feel so alone in all your life.

Thankfully, we were taken care of by Ronald McDonald House Westmead (RMHW). Not only do they provide families with accommodation for as long as it’s needed, but also exceptional compassionate staff and volunteers, home cooked meals during the week and an understanding ear when we need to talk or vent.

In this shared environment we were able to engage with other families on the same emotional rollercoaster of heartache, frustration and fear. RMHW provides a peaceful and homely environment, that allowed us to relax a little and refuel to face another day of endless doctors and hospital treatment” Stacey Bennett, Mia’s mum.

Mia is thankfully now in remission, although she will need ongoing check-ups for some time when she will again stay at Ronald McDonald House Westmead.

Mia 2

Being a family business, Cook's Plumbing Supplies value and appreciate how important it is for families to be together at Christmas time. For seriously ill kids and their families being able to stay together, close to the hospital is vital for a child’s recovery and family’s wellbeing. RMHC GWS is a home away from home for families, providing accommodation and support.

With Christmas fast approaching we want to extend our support to the families who will be spending Christmas away from their homes at RMHC GWS.  From 21 September through to 11 December - together with our network of loyal customers & suppliers - we are helping raise money for RMHC GWS. It costs $160 per night to support 1 family. We would like to raise enough money to support all 60 families over the 12 nights of Christmas.

Please check out our fundraising page, which will explain the types of donations that can be made, and in what way those particular value donations will assist. There are set values, however there is also the option to enter a value of your choice. Also included is the most up to date information on current donations received, and a tally of where we’re up to with our individual target.

If you choose to make a donation, information and funds are directed straight to Ronald McDonald House Charities Greater Western Sydney via the fundraising page.

Help us spread the Christmas cheer and donate as much as you can to help us achieve our goal of $115,200.  Thank you so much for your support!

If you’ve seen one filtered tap you’ve seen them all, right?  Wrong!  There’s water filter taps, and there’s Taqua.

Don’t let your past experiences with filtration technology lead you to believe that this revolutionary product is anything but extraordinary. With a unique in-tap filtration system, Taqua is engineered to stand out. If you’ve been thinking about provided filtered drinking water to your family, we’d urge you to check this product out.

Taqua is an Australian branded product range of Takagi Co., Ltd., a leading provider of water purification solutions, gardening products and plastic injection and mould manufacturing in Japan.

What makes this product so unique?

The T-1 and T-3 products by Taqua are Australia’s 1st sink mixers with a filtration system that sits inside the tap. No tanks, water bottles or other bulky equipment, so you can save space in the kitchen.  It only takes 10 seconds to change, and is a very easy 3 step process. The system filters 4 litres of water every minute so you don’t have to wait long.  Perfect for the main kitchen and/or butlers pantry!

Taqua 1

Check out the 'How To Use' video...

 

The “I Grew Up On Tap Water and I’m Fine” Line Of Thought

Actually - truth be told - tap water isn’t the fountain of purity as you might have always thought. Australian tap water is treated with a range of chemicals which help to kill bacteria and certain microorganisms. This is a good thing for us.

The drawback is that there are also a whole host of other nasties floating in our precious h2O, that our treatment procedures don’t touch. These include: pesticides, toxic metal salts, and hormones, as well various chemical and microbes like lead, bacteria, and protozoa, which can leech into the water from our pipes.

Taqua 2

Water Saving

Along with the simple-step filtration system, the T-1 version has the ‘eco-shower’ water saving feature.  This style of flow allows you to save around 20% more water. In addition to the 'normal' and 'shower' flow options, an 'eco-shower' flow option has also been added.  This mode can be easily activated with the turn of the dial.

Taqua 3 Taqua 4

Taqua's T-1 and T-3 filtered sink mixers are now available for purchase online.

If you need more information, contact us - speak to any of our expert Showroom Consultants, who can guide you through all the features and benefits of these very impressive products.

The Urbane II Collection is a game-changer.

Featuring an extensive colour palette of subtly sophisticated shapes in 5 quality finishes (3 x PVD options, along with electroplated black, and timeless chrome), the scope of interior styles this range alone can produce is staggering.

PVD

Lending to the Urbane II collection's versatility is the fact that it comes with a choice of interchangeable trim kits.  This means you can mix and match and change colours on a whim. Though the concept of swappable mixer components has been floating around for some time, thanks to industry-leaders Caroma this technology will now be accessible to the wider market, and we expect to see the trend explode in 2021.

Being able to customize your fittings post installation gives homeowners much greater freedom in self-expression and guarantees the ability to upgrade as time goes on - without the need for expensive behind-the-wall work. So if you change your mind like you change your clothes, Urbane II is ideal for you.

On the quality side of things, all Urbane II mixers are 100% leak tested, with durable brass bodies and superior ceramic disc cartridges, which minimise maintenance and drips.

We’re really excited to see how this versatile yet quality range enhances our customer’s homes! To get the creative juices flowing and provide some mood board inspo, we’ve listed several colour concepts using the Urbane II below.

The Brushed Brass Bathroom

Brushed Brass has typically been significantly more expensive than other tapware finishes, and known to lose its lustre over time, but the PVD finish of the Urbane II means your colour will last longer, and at a fraction of the cost.

Although Brushed Brass fittings were seen first and used most often in heritage themed homes, modern interior trends have made this finish popular in contemporary styled spaces too.  A lovely Brushed Brass tapware ensemble looks incredible alongside timber accents and a backdrop of white, or with soft greys and plush navy blues for a cooler tone.

Brushed Brass lifestyle

Minimalist & Modern With Matte Black

The all-white bathroom is long gone, the mostly-black one is undoubtedly here to stay. Making its debut on the market in or around 2013, the popularity of matte black fittings and fixtures have now surpassed even that of chrome.

If you’re looking to update your home in a style that will go the extra mile and help you stay trending for a long time, you might want to opt for matte black. If you change your mind later, the interchangeable trim kit capabilities of the Urbane II mean you can easily change your bathroom palette too.

matte black

Gorgeous Gunmetal

2020 is the year of the industrial look- and gunmetal is the king of the metallic tapware trend.  For a masculine look, gunmetal fixtures look incredible with black and white accents and dark mahogany coloured wood.

Gunmetal

Brushed Nickel Is The New Black

Modern or traditional, brushed nickel suits it all, and this is one finish to keep an eye on in terms of trending styles. Because brushed finishes don’t show fingerprints or soap scum like polished ones do, this can be a great option for the time poor, or for a large family home.

Preceding the introduction of chrome in the 1920’s, nickel was actually the original finish for tapware, and as such can lend a warm, classical look. It’s association with commercial products in modern times does, however, give it a certain urban-chic.  This makes it perfect for pairing with soft greys, and modern subway tiles.

Brushed nickel

A vast range of products from the Urbane II collection will be available on our website soon.  In the meantime, you can contact our friendly Consultants who are expert in providing product and style advice.  They'll be able to guide you through all the options for Urbane II.  Our 'Book A Consultation' option allows you to liaise with our Consultants in various ways - whether it be in the showroom, via Zoom or phone.

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