Kitchen & Bath Design News

AUG 2014

Kitchen & Bath Design News is the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade.

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50 | Kitchen & Bath Design News August 2014 By Elizabeth Richards Product Trend Report T he vanity can set the style and tone of the bathroom, adding elegance and luxury to the space. At the same time, it must be set up to perform a variety of functions, from storage to a comfortable place to primp. As people create sanctuaries for relaxation in their baths, the style of the vanity becomes increasingly important in the overall feel of the space. "Consumers want to use the bath to create a sanctuary in their homes and strive for a "spa-like" experience regardless of the space available," says Jacqueline Todd, product director for Twin-Star International in Delray Beach, FL. "The notion of luxury and the idea of escape is something that's really at the front of the consumers' minds, so the speci- fcation of the bath is changing dramatically," adds Andy Wells, v.p./design and trends for Jasper, IN-based MasterBrand Cabi- nets, Inc. That means people expect practical and beautiful vanities that refect their personality, he notes. This makes free- standing bath pieces more appealing, as well as wall-mounted vanities with deep drawers. "As cabinet makers, we need to provide thoughtful, purposefully designed cabinetry rather than a line of measured SKUs," he says. A personal touch, high functionality and thoughtful storage are important in current vanity trends. Designs are moving toward the transitional or contemporary, and while white fnishes are still popular, natural tones, grays and some use of color are all showing up. That's according to manufactur- ers recently surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News. "We are fnding that homeowners seem to want it all – stor- age, but in a compact size, and elegant pieces imbued with functionality," says Javier Korneluk, U.S. managing director for the Miami, FL-based Laufen North America. "Bathroom furniture is a key purchase that can last for de- cades if chosen carefully, and people are looking for pieces that refect their values and even transport them to a diferent place. Sustainably made vanities are in demand, as are handcrafted and American-made pieces," says Naomi Neilson Howard, CEO/ founder of Native Trails in San Luis Obispo, CA. She notes that consumers want pieces that are unique and personal, but that also ofer all of the modern conveniences. "People are interested in one-of-a-kind pieces that have character to spare and that have a story to tell – but they don't necessarily want something one-of-a-kind that's old and rickety from the fea market. They want the exclusivity of a one-of-a-kind piece but with modern amenities like soft-close slides and full-extension drawers," says Neilson Howard. For example, Native Trails' Vintner's Collection turns wine barrels and staves into solid bath furniture and mirrors that include soft-close drawers, and have a distinctly weathered look that hints at their history, she says. Nathaniel Mucha, v.p. sales/bath for Fairmont Designs in Buena Park, CA says that bathroom furniture continues to grow as a category. "People want something that is both practical and has its own unique characteristics. Bathroom furniture, versus bathroom cabinetry, ofers this." The hottest trends in vanities focus on personalization, high functionality and thoughtful storage, with white, gray and natural fnishes remaining strong. The Verona Large Sink Chest from Ambella Home Collection is ofered in rich brown with a black rubbed fnish and an Ivory Cream marble top. The chest measures 48"Wx22"Dx36"H and features ample storage behind two doors. A Balsa porcelain sink comes installed. Circle No. 155 on Product Card The Kartell by Laufen collection from Laufen North America includes products from Kartell fashioned from plastic, available in seven diferent colors, that coordinate with Laufen's ceramic pieces. The line includes shelving, seating, towel racks and a range of other items. Circle No. 159 on Product Card Mid Continent Cabinetry has introduced four new door styles, four new fnishes, eight new styles of accessories, and countless new cabinet sizes and styles within the last year. Three gray tones – Stone, Flint and Slate – are among the newest fnishes from the company. Shown is a bath vanity in Thomas door style in oak with Slate fnish. Circle No. 158 on Product Card The Cityscape Collection of luxury medicine cabinets from NuTone features a range of units inspired by cities in California. Crafted from polished stainless steel for a refective, high-end look, all of the cabinets are frameless. Avalon, shown, includes internal shelving on the cabinet doors that is customizable. It ofers the option of surface or recessed mount capabilities and has a 26" width and 30" height. Circle No. 157 on Product Card The new Made vanity series from Hastings Tile & Bath features sleek design and is optimal for customization. Available in several sizes and functions, the cabinets are ofered in matte and gloss white plus four oak fnishes (white, brown, gray, light) or 51 colors (including metallics) with matte, gloss or matte lacquered oak fnish. Circle No. 156 on Product Card

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