It may evoke fond memories, but grandma's crocheted toilet paper cover needs to go.

Really.

Same for the clunky chrome scale and the dusty plastic chrysanthemums.

Updating your bathroom doesn't mean tearing down walls and living in clouds of drywall dust — it's as simple as a trip to the Bemis Bath Shoppe, a store that not too long ago transformed itself into an award-winning oasis of bathroom design.

Both the facade and interior have won awards, and if the almond brick and glow of peachy lights shining behind large windows looks familiar, it's because an image of the facade was chosen as the official logo of the Wisconsin Main Street organization.

"Bemis Bath Shoppe is truly one of the 'foundations' of the downtown revitalization program in Sheboygan Falls," Nancy Verstrate, executive director of Chamber-Main Street, said. "They constantly update their business plan for the store and keep in tune with their developing and changing customer base."

Pamela Butler Channel, designer and owner of Nest in Sheboygan, was chosen to remodel the space, and created experiential zones, complete with nine vignettes showcasing the heart of the Bemis product line — the toilet seat.

"(The) vignettes are aesthetically beautiful as well as inspirational," Butler Channel said. "Each features a specific type of toilet seat. They encourage you to take these ideas … and incorporate them into your own home."

Butler Channel created a seamless blend of art and technology — 150 different toilet seats, available in 94 colors, mingle with educational story boards depicting product use and benefits.

Lori Zeier, store manager, led the way to the family bathroom that featured the Easy Clean & Change toilet seat hinge. With a turn of her wrist, she rotated the hinge caps and easily removed the toilet seat.

"Most people aren't aware that a seat like this is available," she said, "so having a vignette like this helps."

In the guest bathroom, the Whisper Close hinge was skillfully incorporated into the onyx Italian-made Alesio seat. Installed on a white toilet, the look is crisp against the grain of the wooden floor.

The Whisper Close allows the seat to close slowly and silently, a feature that's perfect for children's bathrooms and late-night visits in a master bath.

Outside the master bath vignette, a closet is hung with cozy robes, and plump slippers and soft pajamas sit on shelves. The effect is warm and inviting, much like the bathroom that waits beyond.

"We sell a whole complement of bath products, accessories, and linens," Zeier said. "We want to offer more than just toilet seats."

A plummy floral needlepoint rug echoes the color of the mauve walls. A dark cherry cabinet holds towels, creamy soaps and scented lotions, and it's easy to imagine grabbing a robe and running a relaxing bath, unaware of the technology that makes the space enjoyable.

Nowhere is that more evident than in the Barrier-Free bathroom. Seafoam walls highlight a variety of products that help users maneuver with ease.

"We feature safety side-arms on the toilet, as well as seats with lifts on special hinges," Zeier said. "People are pleasantly surprised to see that they have so many choices."

For those customers who need help sorting through color selections and toilet seat options, Zeier and her staff are on hand with ideas and advice. "We'll give them different options to refresh their look."

The staff at the world-famous Kohler Design Center is also fully trained to guide customers through the process of updating a bathroom.

If you're considering a serious remodeling project, though, manager Cindy Howley suggests you see them before any walls come down.

"Do your dreaming and planning before you visit a contractor or remodeler," she said. "Knowledge is power and we want people to give it a lot of thought at the front end."

Diana Schrage, interior designer, said one of the greatest skills the employees possess is "active listening. We pay attention to what the customer is saying – do they need a lot of information, or a simple solution?"

Both are available in abundance at the Design Center .From elaborate retreats to simple, restful spaces, the rooms on the second floor offer a wealth of ideas for any size project.

"We constantly create fresh looks," Schrage said.

In the Country Spa suite, designer Clodagh fused wood tones and primitive materials with technology. Schrage used the suite to demonstrate the important design idea of selecting a toilet first and letting other pieces serve as focal points.

Here, the separation of space into "his and her" zones is a trend that Schrage is noticing.

"It's more than a trend, it's a definite direction," she said. "Most people don't know they have the space to do something like this until we show them."

Along with the trend toward separate spaces comes the need for the toilet to have its own enclosed space, something that can be achieved with a divider in wood, stone, or even a simple curtain.

With more than 100 floor plans to choose from, visitors can select one or have the design staff customize a plan specific to their needs. Some of those needs might require special products, and the Universal Design suite is an excellent example of this.

The room can accommodate both children and seated users, and has plenty of clear floor space with an open shower and toilet area arranged for optimum ease.

Schrage turned the handles of a faucet with her wrist, demonstrating how "this product moves easily with a different part of your hand," a good solution for a user with mobility issues.

Schrage also encourages customers to mix up their products, and in the L'Amant room, designer Laura Kirar does this wonderfully.

Cross-shaped tub handles mix with polished nickel faucets. The look is united by a bronze étagère set with wood.

"Mix your styles," Schrage said. "It's not only OK, it's cool."

She also advocates incorporating layers into the design process, in the form of audio, aromatherapy and tactile experiences.

"The bathroom is as significant and important to us as any of the other rooms we have," Schrage said, "so furnish it with the same care you would the rest of the home."