A touch of luxury
DESIGNER BATHROOMS
How about a high-end audio system, a built-in iPod docking station or an LCD TV in your bathroom? That’s possible, thanks to innovations in the bathroom products sector. In terms of fittings and accessories, bathrooms are getting an image makeover. Bindu Gopal Rao explores the trends.
The market is flooded with a slew of products, all meant to glam up bathroom spaces.
Edition 11, designed by the design company Tesseraux + Partner, Potsdam, has been planned entirely according to the principles of formal simplicity and optimum use of materials. The centre piece of Edition 11 is the washbasin area with a washbasin and a vanity unit. The Royal Reflex series is an innovation in bathroom furnishing. The reflective glass fronts of the furniture, the sensuously shaped washbasin and the illuminated mirror cabinets transform every bathroom into a special showpiece – a place where design-orientated living has a magical allure.
A range of bathroom furnishings designed by Reiner Moll of molldesign, Schwäbisch Gmünd focuses on furniture where design, characterised by straight lines, fuses with comfort. Brilliant glass fronts lend an extravagant flair to the bathroom. Nitco has just launched three new series of floor tiles called Napoli, Oregon and Latina under its Naturoc category. Elvy Lifestyle has a series of accessories like the Lagoon Bath Set, Lagoon Waste Bin and Tissue Box, Enamel and nickel tissue box, Laundry Basket and a Royal Bath collection to jazz up the space that cocoons you from the outside.
Recently, Grohe launched its Grohe Spa collection which offers a range of products for unique bathing spaces matching personal lifestyle and preferences. Unlike a commercial spa, your home spa can be tailored specifically to suit your needs. Indulgences like your ideal water temperature and pressure just as you like it are at your disposal.
Abhijeet Sonar, Marketing Head, India sub-continent, Villeroy & Boch says, “Our latest innovations include ranges designed to give our customers ease of accessibility with style and elegance.
Our +Sound is a premium sound system designed in collaboration with a specialist for high-end audio systems. The sound has been perfected for the surroundings of the bathroom, with its smooth, acoustically demanding surfaces. The complete system is invisibly integrated in the bathroom mirror; sound and control signals are transmitted wirelessly via Bluetooth. iPhone, iPad and other Bluetooth-capable devices such as mobile phones and MP3 players can be used without a problem. With a range called Futurion Flat of high-quality Quaryl, Villeroy & Boch offers a series of very functional and at the same time beautifully designed shower trays intriguing not only for private use, but for high-end property customers as well.”
Trends
Traditionally, furniture is a word associated with bedrooms and living rooms. Today, high-end bathroom brands offer a wide range of furniture to add comfort, style and character. “Vanities, cabinets, wall units, base units, storage units and stools are some of the several pieces of furniture that can take bathrooms to the next level. Keuco offers high level of customisation with all its products in this category. No bathroom is ever complete without a good mirror.
Tech-savvy clients demand latest innovations like built in iPod docking station, FM Radio or an LCD TV to be integrated with their bathroom mirrors. These mirrors are also available with lights, sensors and cabinets to make them more useful and add better features. Keuco offers mirrors with “crystal glass” in over 75 different designs and sizes to suit every bathroom and incorporate these unusual client requests,” says Karn Agarwal, Director, Shanti Exim International Pvt. Ltd.
Rustic and matt finish tiles are the latest trend. People now prefer natural looking tiles with different surface finishes such as Lappato. According to Vandana Khosla, Creative Director, Elvy Lifestyle, “People are now focusing more on high-end fixtures and modern conveniences in bathrooms. The use of the latest technology has made this possible.
Earlier, head showers were the head turners with their fancy designs and water-spurting techniques. But now the concept has been substituted by multi-functioning appliances. You cannot overlook the significance and speciality of a steam shower, which is the hottest trend. It offers reclining seats, electronic temperature, steam generator, surround sound and controlled massage. The steam shower is a great draw, and is as enjoyable as the seats and other products.”
Blues, neutrals and bold accents are in. A trend for today’s bathrooms is to let colour take the spotlight. Blues have always been popular for bathrooms because they are a soothing, universally appealing colour.
“More often nowadays, different shades of blue are used together, in combinations with neutral whites and browns. Turquoise, teal and aqua are some shades that brighten a neutral palette and these hues are perfectly captured by a tropical theme that features beach-inspired decor and tropical wall decorations. Grey is another versatile neutral that is catching on in many interiors,” says Pooja Kejriwal, co-owner, Home Collective.
Organic designs are the favourite picks for high-end luxury bathrooms that are created with a harmonious balance between eco-friendly products and style quotient. Says Sonar, “Softer and natural shades such as cream, white, champagne gold, beige, sea blue etc have predominated bathroom colours.
This trend is getting a wider choice of bolder palates into the bathroom. Interior consultants are encouraging these palates to give the bathrooms a feel of cheerfulness. Bright and eye soothing colours have also taken the lead in the list. Newly appreciated are the entertainment areas in the bathrooms.”
Role of technology
Technology is a predominant element in our lives today, and a bathroom is no exception to this fact. The bathroom today has become a versatile space, courtesy innovative multifunctional fittings, which are high in demand.
“This trend is evident from the growing demand for shower systems, which combine the mixer, head shower, hand shower and body showers into one unit. Wall mounted fittings are a rising trend which again flows from the demand for better functionality.
The latest Grohe CoolTouch technology protects the surface of the fittings from getting heated up when hot water flows out of it.
Bathroom trends in terms of the shape of the fittings are preferentially inclined to softer edges in recent times.
Backlit icons in hi-tech bath fittings ensure good legibility even in reduced lighting and act as a further navigation aid, guiding the user through the features,” says Mathew Job, Managing Director & Vice President, GROHE India.
Environment-friendly
The bathroom is a space that uses the maximum water. Hence fittings are being designed to be green. A O Smith India Water Heating Private Limited recently announced the launch of EWSH, India’s only horizontal water heater with BEE 5 star rating. This is India’s first technologically advanced horizontal water heater backed by American technology that ensures that the water heater works efficiently in Indian water conditions.
Nitco tiles do not absorb any moisture from the atmosphere and doesn’t cause any harm.
Grohe has developed a technology called EcoJoy which allows you to reduce the consumption of water by up to 60 per cent and also contribute to energy savings.
These new products feature integrated water-saving technologies that restrict flow rates, allowing you to reduce water consumption without sacrificing on performance or design.
The result is less environmental impact and reduced running costs. Reducing water consumption also means less water needs to be heated for your perfect shower or for a comfortable temperature at the washbasin.
Says Agarwal, “Keuco has taken a step further and has introduced and entire series of fittings called the “Plan blue” that has been certified according to the Efficiency Labelling (WELL) classification system. With that, the single-lever washbasin mixer, PLAN blue from KEUCO, meets the highest efficiency class A, and received the maximum number of two stars in each of the assessed categories: flow and temperature.
The PLAN blue fitting contributes verifiably to careful use of valuable resources. Thus the flow rate of the PLAN blue single-lever mixer is merely 6l/min. instead of the conventional 9-12 l/min., and not only saves water, but also reduces energy consumption, and thus CO2 emissions, by using less warm water.”
Given the wide array of bathroom products, personalised bathrooms are the next big design destination.
Innovations Galore
* Villeroy & Boch’s +Sound is a premium sound system designed in collaboration with a specialist for high-end audio systems. The sound has been perfected for the surroundings of the bathroom, with its smooth, acoustically demanding surfaces. The complete system is invisibly integrated in the bathroom mirror; sound and control signals are transmitted wirelessly via Bluetooth.
* Keuco offers mirrors with “crystal glass” in over 75 different designs and sizes to suit every bathroom
* It also offers built in iPod docking station, FM Radio or an LCD TV to be integrated with their bathroom mirrors.
* Earlier, head showers were the head turners with their fancy designs and water-spurting techniques. But now the concept has been substituted by multi-functioning appliances.
* You cannot overlook the significance and speciality of steam shower, which is the hottest trend. It offers reclining seats, electronic temperature, steam generator, surround sound and controlled massage. While you are ready to pamper yourself with all its techniques, you will love to indulge yourself more in steam shower and its conveniences. All these are offered by Elvis Lifestyle.
* The latest Grohe CoolTouch technology protects the surface of the fittings from getting heated up when hot water flows out of it.
* Bathroom trends in terms of the shape of the fittings are preferentially inclined to softer edges in the recent times. Backlit icons in hi-tech bath fittings ensure good legibility even in reduced lighting and act as a further navigation aid, guiding the user through the features.
* Blues, neutrals and bold accents are in.
* A trend for today’s bathrooms is to let colour take the spotlight. Blues have always been popular for bathrooms because they are a soothing, universally appealing colour.
