By I prefer showers over baths — the convenience, the flexible temperature control, the splash instead of the soak — though I concede that tubs usually offer a more thorough degree of escapism. That is, until I got a glimpse of Toto’s Legato Overhead Rain Shower with LED lighting.
The Legato showerhead features built-in, hydropowered LED lighting.
See 8 examples of high-end shower fixture options
This is the kind of thing that makes me wish I could try every product I write about. But in order to avoid an embarrassing situation in the Toto showroom, let me just assume the Legato Rain Shower is as soothing and stylish as it looks. For one thing, it’s flush with the ceiling, which somehow makes the whole rain shower thing a more authentic recreation.
And then there’s that ring of light around the diameter, an LED strip lit by hydropower. The motion of the water flow generates the electricity, so you wouldn’t be spending any extra utility dollars to achieve the dramatic effect. In fact, I’d say that’s a pretty economical way to create just about the most comforting and alluring shower scene I’ve ever seen. Now, if I could just try it, even just once…
The Legato Overhead Rain Shower is manufactured by Toto, a company that prides itself on fusing engineering and aesthetics. This new release will likely fortify that reputation.
How cool. The Legato LED ceiling mount showerhead (by TOTO) also has a proprietary Shape Memory Alloy (SMA) valve system to ensure a consistent water temperature. You can even shower during power outages in the dark of night or pre-dawn hours, all with soft lighting that is gentle on the eyes and enhances skin tones, albeit only while the water's running. The problem might be that you'll look so good in the shower that you won't want to leave it.
I found TOTO's EcoPower rain showerhead listed for $1,900, but one source offered a sale price of just under $1,000. That still seems like an awful lot of money for a showerhead, but you have to consider all its advantages. The enhanced skin tones under the LED lighting alone might be enough of an ego boost to justify the expenditure. Then there's the fact that the Legato features instant and total water cessation when turned off — no residual water loss through drips or leaking. Finally, no more drips in the shower.
Where do I buy one?