Kitchen & Bath Design News

SEP 2015

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

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48 | Kitchen & Bath Design News | September 2015 met with the chal- lenge of creating great experiences wh i le usi ng a s l it t le water a s p o s s i b l e . N e w valves, as well as products that al- low for a variety of options, ensure that users still get the showers they need while being conscious of the water they use. "As a California-based company, responsible water man- agement is a part of our mantra," says Rohl. "We work closely with our domestic and European manufacturers to deliver the perfect balance of performance, while adhering to, and in some cases exceeding, the strictest water regulations in the country. In January 2016, new water regulations will go into efect in California. We anticipate these regulations to have a signifcant impact on not just California, but our entire industry," he adds. Taft agrees that water conservation is an important factor, particularly in drought-stricken states like Califor- nia. "As a result, some manufacturers are working hard to provide solutions that protect precious water resources yet at the same time not sacrifce the coveted spa-like shower experiences that are the hallmark of note- worthy bathroom design," he says. "Eco-Luxury is defning the plumbing market- place," says Newcombe. "Consumers are seeking high-end products that have the added value of being sustainable." In response, the marketplace ofers products that reduce energy bills, but are at the same time durable with high design, he concludes. According to Kulig, consumers and designers are incorporat- ing more touchscreen controls and screens that ofer Bluetooth and Wi-Fi to personalize their experience. In addition, he says, "Consumers are saying goodbye to basic shower controls and wanting to see more smart, user-friendly fxtures, such as ther- mostatic valves and valves that control multiple water sources. This gives the users more control over the water fow and the ability to create a consistent temperature of water." Chen notes that consumers and designers want a more minimalistic approach to the shower trim and systems, such as thermostatic valves with integrated diverters. "This allows more focus on the materials and set up used in the shower without the trim intruding on the design," he says. Noah Taft, senior v.p. of marketing and sales for Huntington Beach, CA-based California Faucets says that thermostatic showers provide a better experience than pres- sure-balance systems, but have been cost prohibitive for many. The frm's new StyleTherm shower system ofers the thermo- static technology at a more afordable price point. "It's like getting an iPhone or Android for the price of an old fip phone. Both allow you to make calls, but one has features the other simply can't touch. So if you can get the better product at the same price as the antiquated one, it's a no brainer." Thermostatic technology that includes integral volume controls consolidates the temperature control and volume controls all on the shower plate, providing a less cluttered look and lower installation cost, he adds. CONSCIOUS CONSUMPTION A shower is all about water, but with regulations becom- ing more rigid and consumers becoming much more aware of why conservation mat- ters, manufacturers are Product Trend Report The Italian-made INOX stain- less steel thermostatic shower system from Blu Bathworks in- cludes a sleek wand handshower with 60" spiral Neoperl hose and wall-mount diverter & mixer, available in satin or polished fn- ish. The system can be ordered with the optional two-way or three-way rough-in valves. The INOX handshower is Calgreen compliant at 2.0 gpm @ 60 psi. Circle No. 228 on Product Card As part of its RODA shower enclosure line, Basco Manufacturing has added the Cantour Door and Panel, combining features of the custom-built, luxury shower enclosures with the functionality and aford- ability of standard models. The Cantour Adjustable Width Door and Panel has a wide variety of opening sizes with its modular design and fve diferent size glass panels and two diferent size glass door panels, which are all available at a 76" height. Clear and Aqua- GlideXP clear glass options are available. Circle No. 224 on Product Card Lalique crystal, architect Pierre- Yves Rochon and hand-crafted bath atelier THG have joined forces to create the Perle series of bath fttings. With transparent satin crystal pearl droplets en- graved along the spout and cross handles, Perle refects a com- bination of classic French style and contemporary fair. Perle is ofered in chrome, nickel, polished luxbrass and gold fnishes. Circle No. 223 on Product Card Westover's Artos custom shower systems combine European minimalism with function. The showers feature fully customizable layouts with thermostats, volume controls, diverters, body jets, waterfall heads, slide bars, etc. Homeowners can choose from popular layouts with pre- confgured piping diagrams or from hundreds of possible custom confguration options. Circle No. 230 on Product Card The Ametis Ring from GRAFF, cre- ated by designer Davide Oppizzi, features a completely curved ring design. The dual-function show- erhead allows users to switch between gentle fowing rain and waterfall settings. Integrated RGB LED lighting provides a six-color spectrum for Chromatherapy. The lighting can be set to one color or cycle through all six colors. Made with stainless steel, Ametis is avail- able in chrome, architectural black and architectural white fnishes. Circle No. 226 on Product Card Steamist's new ShowerSense ofering is part of the company's Total Sense Home Spa Collection. ShowerSense allows the homeowner to use a sin- gle control – the TSC-450 – for customized steam settings, shower temperature and water pressure for up to three outlets, such as a standard shower- head, rain shower, handheld or body spray. Circle No. 225 on Product Card The Raindance Select E 360 Shower- pipe from Hansgrohe is a minimalist and el- egant shower system comprised of the Raindance E 360 AIR 1-jet show- erhead, the Raindance Select E 120 AIR 3-Jet handshower, a 63" Tech- nifex hose and a Porter S Handshower holder. The showerpipe has an anti- scald 100-degree safety stop. Its Select button feature has two functions and allows for simple water volume control. Circle No. 227 on Product Card The Aquazone from Aquabrass is a shower and bath concept molded into a single, space-saving unit. The patent-pending design features a shower foor and a full-immersion, ergonomically sculpted tub. Spills are captured by the shower's center-location drain, and the Aquazone retains warmth, with the shower base providing a post-bath drying zone. The unit, which features one- piece construction in solid lucite acrylic, requires 60"x60" of space. Circle No. 231 on Product Card The Perrin & Rowe Deco Therm Shower Package, available from Rohl, is part of the new Deco Bath Collection that takes its inspiration from the Art Deco movement in London during the late 1920s. The octagon shape is the foundation of the collec- tion's design and, on the shower, it's used in the shape of the trim plate and also on the handles. This shower package is complemented with either lever handles or cross handles. The product is ofered in Polished Chrome, Polished Nickel and Satin Nickel fnishes. Circle No. 229 on Product Card

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