We drink it, bathe in it, and admire it. Throughout the ages, the sound of water has inspired poets and lovers, kings and commoners. It is the essence of human life.

And now, in the heart of Vancouver, is a company that celebrates water's enchantment. Entering LuxSalon is akin to stepping into a wonderland of tubs, sinks, showers, and all other things plumbing. The look is upscale European, sleek, and eminently touchable – contemporary sophistication meets Old World quality.

A two-person soaker tub in scarlet Lucite Ice – okay, so I'll admit I thought it was tempered glass – reclines elegantly in the front window. Porcelain sinks range from an astonishingly compact corner unit brimming with what I consider a somewhat cheeky character to an oversized rectangular beauty with each side of the basin curving sensuously downward to the centre drain. Even the toilets are eye-catching – slim-profile and wall hung for space efficiency, there's a quiet undertone of classiness to each one.

I'm momentarily distracted by a display of angular faucets – many in the unadorned, single-lever style I so lust after for my own home – just as owner Hilly Vander Mee looks up from where she and another woman are adjusting a fitting on one of the display sinks. "It's so wonderful having a daughter who's so handy," Hilly says with obvious pride and affection. No kidding. In no time, Vivian has everything ready to go – I wouldn't have a clue where to even start.

As we check out the rest of the showroom, Hilly points out a few of the myriad details I would have missed. All Sphinx bathtubs and showers bases have leveling feet, an innovative feature that means you don't have to drill into a concrete flooring to connect the drain – plumbing can be installed above the existing floor. "And all our tubs are at least 63 inches long – some are 74.5 inches which is much more spacious than you usually find," Hilly adds.

We take a closer look at LuxSalon's wall-mounted washbasins, toilets, and bidets. The space savings are amazing, the look crisp and cosmopolitan. And since they can be installed at any height against the wall, you've just enhanced the daily comfort of your home. Even better in my books, because there are no awkward curvy bits to trap dirt and dust, cleaning is a snap.

And here's a new one on me: a urinal with a cute, cartoon-style fly – that would be the bug – glazed inside the bowl. "They use these throughout Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam." Hilly winks. "The guys aim for the fly and there's no splash – it helps keep cleaning costs to a minimum." I laugh but refrain from enquiring further.

As I prepare to leave, Hilly explains that LuxSalon is the sole North American distributor for Sphinx bathroom fixtures. Established in the Netherlands in 1801, Sphinx is a Royal Warranted factory and with markets across Europe and around the world. They are now part of the multibrand Sanitec Group.

LuxSalon is located at 192 West 3rd Avenue in Vancouver and also offers full design and installation services. For more information call 604-707-9131 or visit www.sphinxexport.com.