This charming sequel to the wildly popular Toilet Paper Origami is now available at Amazon.com!

Fold…crease…smile! Add joy and memorability to any bathroom with an artfully-folded roll of toilet paper. Learn to make snow-capped mountains, shooting stars and swimming swans; palm trees, tropical fish, and ships at sea; fantastic fans, flowers and foliage; birthday cakes, candles and bows—plus assorted holiday and hospitality motifs. Toilet Paper Origami on a Roll is a whimsical way to brand a business, make a hotel distinctive, or surprise your friends and family. It’s a perfect potty-training reward for toddlers, and a delight for anyone. Illustrated with more than 300 black and white photographs, step-by-step instructions teach 32 fanciful designs for styling the end of a toilet paper roll! www.tporigami.com

Any mother can tell you what a challenge it is to help a young child wash their hands at a public restroom. Children are heavy to lift. And the difficulty multiplies if you are also holding a baby, purse, and packages. If parents know of a place that will make the job easier, you can bet your boots they'll go out of their way to find it. Step 'n Wash was invented by one such mom. It's an ingenious retractable step stool for restrooms that is out of the way for those who don't need it, yet will easily unfold with the flick of a foot for those who do. Priced under $500, any business can install a permanent piece of fine customer service for less than the cost of a single newspaper ad. Watch a video demo at www.stepnwash.com and learn how to make your shop a family-friendly stop.

Imagine automatic restroom faucets that break out in song when the water starts to flow. Well, guess what? It's been done. Possessing the most unique feature among the bathroom faucets I have seen, "Singing Sinks" is an art installation in the first-floor restrooms of the Denver Art Museum. This creative effort — the work of Jim Greene — was added to the North Building collection in 2001. These restroom faucets sing "Row, Row, Row Your Boat," escalating into a round as more faucets are activated. If you think the high-speed Xlerator hand dryer is worth talking about, wait 'til you see these!

A memorable way to add a splash of color to a restroom is with a urinal or sink that is shaped like a flower. Check out these fantastic creations by Clark Sorenson. His hand crafted sculptures are made of the same durable, high-fire porcelain as other commercial fixtures. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind work of art, yet fully functional and meant to be used. For more information, go to www.clarkmade.com.

Several Minnesota businesses realize that a stylish restroom pays off. " Customers increasingly expect wow factor to continue into the restroom, " reports Alyssa Pederson of the Winona Daily News, and business operators are rewarded with ongoing referrals from customers who are quick to tell others about a good find.

November 19th is World Toilet Day. It's a day founded by the World Toilet Organization to celebrate the importance of sanitation and raise awareness of the 2.5 billion people (nearly half of the world's population) who don't have access to toilets and proper sanitation. The World Toilet Organization is working to bring awareness to this critical situation. If everyone works together - we can make a difference.

Public restrooms can be downright scary. With slimy floors, dirty doors, slippery seats, rickety stalls, and creepy webs hanging from vents, they're not a venture for the faint of heart: only the weak of bladder. But look how one fun-loving retailer makes a scary bathroom into a good thing for Halloween! Trader Joe's has incorporated the fun of the season throughout their store, and thoughtfully decorated down to the last detail ---- including the restrooms. The entire hallway to the bathroom area is covered with spooky paper and ghastly graphics.
Better yet, you won't hear any screams coming from these doors. Trader Joe's is committed to keeping their restrooms clean and well-appointed. The wise Trader knows a good bathroom is a top reason to shop at his store. Read more to see how restrooms rate in Trader Joe's Fearless Flyer.

Since the theme here at the Bathroom Blogfest 2009 is "Flush the Recession and Plunge into Forgotten Spaces", let's talk plungers. When toilet water is rising, ya gotta love 'em, but plungers are traditionally just so darned ugly. Worse yet, they tend to become focal points. In a perfect world, plungers would be kept tastefully tucked away, yet easily accessible, in a supply cabinet. If they must be stored in full view, plungers don't have to be unattractive eyesores anymore. Plungers have come a long way, and with a little bit of looking, an unobtrusive, or even attractive, plunger can be found.

Plunger Pointers

• Colored plastic plunger handles are simple and stylish. The best include clamshell covers to encase the rubber end.
• Make a plunger disappear by finding one that blends with your flooring.
• Paint wooden plunger handles to match the bathroom walls.
• Woven wicker plunger covers are pretty and textural. Google to find these.
• Visit www.plungees.com to find plungers that can serve as an artistic accent, or brand your business with a custom imprinted handle.