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 | May 2015 Product Trend Report W hen designers are conceiving the perfect bathroom, fexibility is vital. This is particularly true with regard to sinks and faucets, which must provide optimal functionality while also being seamlessly woven into the overall design of the room. Often, the sinks and faucets serve as the fnishing touches in the bath, providing a designer look through the shape, fn- ish, silhouette or even the design of the water fow. Some of the hottest trends right now include clean looks that will endure the test of time, a variety of fnish and style options and the blending of diverse materials within a space. That's according to manu- facturers recently surveyed by Kitchen & Bath Design News . "The overall design style of the bathroom has a huge impact, dictating the faucet and sink choices," says Eric Moore, interior designer at Kohler Design Center in Kohler, WI. "These pieces are crucial to pulling everything together in the room." More thought is going into how people update the bathroom space to give it a stylish, yet timeless feel. "Whereas before it seemed everyone wanted the 'latest and greatest' when updating their bathrooms, now there is careful consideration taken before selecting products, colors and accessories to ensure that their investment can span design trends," says Benjamin Newcombe, senior product manager for Hansgrohe in Alpharetta, GA. The faucet is often considered the jewelry of the bath, both the highlight and fnishing touch of a beautifully designed bathroom, according to Lea Mendoza, senior product designer for Morrow, GA- based TOTO. "Just as when a woman dresses for an evening out and is careful to select the right jewelry to complete her outft, so do we consider very carefully what interior designs are trending so we have the right faucets to complement the total design of any bathroom," she says. CLEAN, SIMPLE STYLES Although there will always be a place for traditional design, manufacturers are seeing a move toward both transitional and more contemporary designs that ofer a clean, unfussy style. "Homeowners want a design style that will last, and not get dated quickly. Transitional style can be unique and bold in its own way, without being overpowering," says Serge Magarik, founding partner at Kraus in Port Washington, NY. He adds that today's fau- cets have simplifed shapes, complementing the sink rather than standing out on their own. Sinks with thinner walls and sharper edges are also gaining in popularity, he adds. "New technology is being used to create ceramic sinks with sleek designs that feature very clean shapes and a more modern look," he notes. Lou Rohl, CEO and managing partner of ROHL, LLC located in Irvine, CA says, "Transitional faucet styles give homeowners and designers more fexibility in a space." A particular fnish or handle style can help a bath feel either more traditional or mod- ern without having the faucet design dictate the space, he adds. Bathroom spaces are moving away from coastal, cottage and country, and toward a cleaner, contemporary look, says Judd Lord, senior director of industrial design for Delta Faucet Co. in Indianapolis, IN. "This trend has been rising for years and is anticipated to continue to grow," he says. "This doesn't mean spaces will be sterile. To the contrary, we are seeing cleaner, more minimal forms fnished in warm colors and textures such as dark bronzes and brushed nickels." Newcombe says that a clean and simple aesthetic allows the fnishes to make a larger impact visually. "This trend has grown in popularity over the last couple of years. In addition, I see a By Elizabeth Richards Delta Faucet Co. 's Tesla Bath Collection features a soft, contemporary style and includes the company's frst joystick lava- tory faucet. It is available with optional Touch2O.xt Technology, and can be paired with TempSense Technology, an LED light at the base of the faucet that changes from blue to red indicating temperature. Circle No. 204 on Product Card This line of Bridge Faucets from Strom Plumbing by Sign of the Crab ofers a classic vintage look with variable func- tion. The elbows on this faucet pivot, so the valves can rotate forward, backward or fully extend so the faucet can be used for an 8" or 10" center-to-center installation. Circle No. 202 on Product Card The simple design of the Anabel Pedestal Lavatory from Barclay Products adapts to a variety of styles – from traditional to modern, according to the company. A triangular indentation on the left side of the basin pro- vides an artistic touch. Circle No. 203 on Product Card STYLIN' SINKS & FAUCETS Dramatic contours are a hallmark of the CB221 foor-mounted column by MGS . The tall, slender column of solid stainless steel features a bold spout marked by strong lines and squared corners. Finishes for the bath faucet are brushed or polished stainless steel. Circle No. 200 on Product Card Houzer' s Opus series lavatory bowl features include all-classic curves in oval shape, 18-gauge T-304 stainless steel, a lustrous satin fnish and Stoneguard undercoat- ing to prevent condensation. The sink is available in an undermount or topmount version with optional overfow holes. Circle No. 201 on Product Card In keeping with the trend toward sculptural elements, Nantucket Sinks ofers a range of vessel sinks in sculpted shapes. Crafted from vitreous china, the sinks provide their own take on round, square, rectangular and oval shapes. Circle No. 205 on Product Card Today's hottest bath sinks feature clean shapes, lighter materials and a more modern look, while faucets are trending toward simplifed shapes and warmer fnishes.