Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.
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Product Trend Report The Melinda freestanding tub from MTI Baths is fashioned from acrylic and features a transitional design. It now comes in one or two tones in complementary or contrasting colors. A stylized rolled lip transitions into a fat top, widening out on one side to accommodate deck-mounted faucetry. Circle No. 178 on Product Card Incorporating elegant natural lines to achieve this transitional look, the ROHL Vincent Shower ofers a modern look. Included in the Vincent Thermostatic Shower Package is a handshower set and body sprays, along with showerhead. The shower system is available in Polished Chrome, Polished Nickel and Satin Nickel. Circle No. 180 on Product Card The Artos F803-5 Kascade Dual Function Showerhead from Westover provides a waterfall shower experience or more traditional rain delivery. The sleek, contemporary-styled showerhead is ofered in Chrome and Brushed Nickel fnishes. Circle No. 179 on Product Card In these digital times, there are consumers who have learned to do everything with their phone in hand. Rohl says, "As the digitally native consumer begins to age and remodel [his or her] home, it is expected that electronic technology, backed up by phone and tablet application, will be in higher demand." These consumers feel disconnected, he says, if they aren't able to use their phone in everyday life. "Therefore, operating options for showering connected to their phones is required and anticipated to grow. How much they will actually use this technology remains to be seen," he states. Wilson notes that consumers want a wide array of technological innovations. However, it's not about technology for technology's sake, but rather about comfort. To that end, he points out that Bathwraps RANE Walk-In Tub features provide aromatherapy, chromatherapy, air spa, and jets that allow for a rehabilitation setting in the home. "Consumers love having these diferent technological features that are consumer friendly for all ages," he maintains. PERSONAL STYLE Options have always been important in the bathroom, as people like their spaces to reflect their personal taste as well as their individual needs. "Any time [consumers] are able to customize their own thing, that's a good selling feature," says Zar. She has seen a rise in subway tile in the shower, and says Aquatic will soon be introducing a family of subway tiles into its line. When it comes to style, she notes that tile is often chosen frst for a remodel. "Even if they don't do a tile-up shower, even if it's just the backsplashes, that gives them their color palette to work from," she says. A desire for a natural stone look is also on the rise. Hartley says that brown tones are trending. Although white used to be considered the best choice for making the bathroom look bigger, he says the opposite is actually true. A darker color in the surround can help make the room look bigger since, for contrast, the rest of the drywall is painted a lighter shade. Some people, he says, are asking for a lighter color, but with patterns and a stone look, rather than stark white. Finishes are also changing, says Hartley, with the polished looks waning and Oil-Rubbed Bronze or Brushed Nickel colors rising. Hirschhaut sees a developing focus on granite and stone looks in the bath. "So much of our business used to be white. Now, white is a very small part of our business," he points out. Rotelli says he's been using a lot of large-format porcelain in the wet areas. "A large 12"x24" porcelain tile material can give a nice seamless look of tile, but not come with all of the hassles of multiple grout lines and joints to maintain," he says. In addition, he notes that warmer hues are popular, including Dune, a new warm grey color for Kohler Company. While Brushed Nickel Constructed of sandstone with rich, natural veining, the Papillon Bathtub from Stone Forest evokes elegance and organic simplicity. The tub features a very distinctive, free-fowing shape. Circle No. 185 on Product Card The Noble Co. has introduced the FreeStyle Linear Drain to allow for a single-slope shower base, which accommodates the use of large-profle tiles and enables drain location versatility. The drain is intended for curbless, barrier-free and handicapped showers. Constructed of one-piece, seamless PVC or ABS, it is equipped with a membraneclamping mechanism to ensure a watertight connection with the waterproofng membrane of the shower base. Circle No. 181 on Product Card The Vara Spa 5 Function Handheld and Fixed Mount Combo Showerhead from Niagara Conservation saves 20 percent over standard showerheads with a 2.0 gpm fow rate. The showerhead includes fve spray settings that provide a consistent output of water regardless of pressure. Circle No. 182 on Product Card Meditub's 31"x40" tub is constructed of industrialstrength acrylic for beauty and durability. The tub can replace existing shower stalls and can also be used in small bathrooms. It comes with a stainless steel frame and adjustable feet for ease of installation and leveling. Circle No. 184 on Product Card 54 | Kitchen & Bath Design News September 2013 Moen's Arris bathroom collection features a modern, sleek look with sharp 90-degree angles and clean, tubular spouts. The suite is compatible with the company's ioDIGITAL system and features a 10" rainshower, an EcoPerformance rainshower and 14" shower arm. Circle No. 183 on Product Card This multi-outlet shower system from Danze features a traditional showerhead, ceiling-mount showerhead and a handheld option. Danze ofers several style types: traditional, transitional and contemporary to match any bathroom décor. Circle No. 186 on Product Card The Nuance option from Produits Neptune allows the owner to match the color of the bathtub to that of the bathroom. There are fve colors available for the company's freestanding models: White, Black, Red, Green and Purple. Circle No. 187 on Product Card