Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
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44 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | April 2015 Product Trend Report QUIET IMMERSION Sometimes, the experience of just immersing oneself in hot water is more relaxing than all of the added bells and whistles of therapeutic tubs. "Simple soaking tubs – non-jetted bathing – is enjoying huge popularity today," says Katrina Aure, marketing manager for Anaheim, CA-based Aquatic. Freestanding soaking tubs are continuing to gain popu- larity in showrooms because of the striking look that can be achieved when making this the centerpiece of a bath, says Aure. But, in reality, smaller spaces may make that aesthetic harder to achieve. She stresses that most of the company's business still comes from drop-in tubs, where the desired look can be achieved through the deck that surrounds it. Eric Moore, interior designer at the Kohler Design Center in Kohler, WI, concurs that current trends for tubs focus on the striking statement that freestanding baths make in the bathroom, and agrees with the issue of space constraints. "While there is a wide variety of bathroom sizes and layouts, sometimes home- owners hesitate simply for the concern of space," he remarks. Miranda Mars, in marketing and business development for Colleyville, TX-based Clarke Products, agrees that soaker sales are on the rise, and that the demand for freestanding units has increased signifcantly in the past several years. "Style is a key driver, as well as diferent master bath combinations," she reports. Jean-Jacques L'Henaf, v.p., design, American Standard Brands in Piscataway, NJ, adds that the demand for jetted tub and hydrotherapy products continues to decline. Several factors, including a desire for a cleaner design as well as the trend to- ward freestanding installations, have contributed to this trend, he reports. "As master bathrooms are becoming more common, freestanding soaking tubs are defnitely the masterpiece that homeowners are seeking," L'Henaf notes. E xperiencing spa-like pampering in the sanctuary of their own homes is high on the list of many homeowners, whose exceedingly busy lives beg for a place to relax. Hydrotherapy products – from jetted and soaking tubs to steam showers and sauna rooms – allow for total relaxation at the convenience of homeowners. Relaxation doesn't look the same for everyone, however, so fexibility of products and design tops the trends list. Simplic- ity in both design and use is also key for today's homeowners, as are unique and customized experiences. Accessibility is also among the top and growing trends, as the age of the population and length of time people remain in their homes shift. So say manufacturers recently surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News . "We are seeing a revival of bathing with con- sumers. People are recommitting themselves to bathing as a way to relax and treat themselves to in-home enjoyment," says Haley Davis, bathware product manager for Mansfeld Plumbing Products, in Perrysville, OH. "The many opportunities to cus- tomize the bath experience, from whirlpool or air systems to chromatherapy mood lighting, make the in-home spa experience an achievable, enviable and enjoyable occurrence for consumers." With time-deprived lives, a tub is a luxury, says Michael Kornowa, director of marketing for MTI Baths in Sugar Hill, GA. The tub is a place to bask in a few moments of peace and quiet every now and then, while showers are being used for daily hygiene. "People are looking not only for a customized product but a custom in- stallation; they want to make it truly unique and truly theirs," he says. By Elizabeth Richards Simply Relaxing The home spa experience continues to trend upwards, with soaking tubs and steam showers gaining new interest. The Couture Collection from WETSTYLE is inspired by the unique and delicate ridges found on seashells. Hand- crafted from WETMAR BiO, an eco-friendly material that is non-porous and resistant to stains, bacteria and UV rays, the tub features two asymmetrical angled slopes that mimic waves. Its thermo-insulating properties permit less energy consumption to warm bath water and provide a higher level of heat retention than traditional acrylic- based products, notes the frm. The freestanding tub is ofered in True High Gloss interior and matte exterior. Circle No. 203 on Product Card The palette of marine paints from Sherwin-Williams can be used to brighten tubs from Barclay Products. The Kaleidoscope tub, shown, showcases the most request- ed colors for special order tubs. Circle No. 200 on Product Card Custom-Cut Saunas from Finnleo Sauna & Steam begin with cus- tom layouts, and are personalized with a range of luxury options. For customization, options include: LED backrest or valance lighting, two-tone wood combinations, rock walls, glass fronts, sound sys- tems, digital controls and heaters. Circle No. 201 on Product Card As part of MTI Bath 's Boutique Collec- tion, the Halo freestanding tub features a simple circular design, measuring 52"x52"x26", a relatively small footprint that consumes little foor space. A built-in seat provides added comfort, and a size- able depth allows for submersion. The Halo is available as a soaker tub or as an air bath with 20 air jets, a heated blower and a waterproof remote control. Fash- ioned from MTI's proprietary Engineered Solid Stone, a non-porous mixture of natural ground materials and resin, the tub is environmentally friendly. Circle No. 202 on Product Card Clarke Products has recently introduced the Your Spa system, which combines both hydrotherapy and air bath features. The system is equipped with an interac- tive control panel for creating a personalized bathing experience. Standard features include: keypad with temperature sensor and readout on control panel, LED Chromotherapy light, multiple-speed heated blower with rheostat type control allowing for pulsating or continuous action, channel-fed air system for a gentle massage, automatic purge cycle to cleanse air channels, 9 adjustable hydro jets and 1 rotary/massage lumbar jet. Circle No. 204 on Product Card