Designg directions
Future-proof your bathroom choices with a look at the latest ideas and innovations
Following trends can be a risky business; no-one wants their new wet area to look dated before the year’s out, particularly after you’ve spent blood, sweat and tears – and a fair bit of cash – creating it. But with more than 300,000 bathroom installations projected for the coming year, keeping up with international ideas and tracking attitudes to colour and materials is one way to ensure that your plans are current. Daniella Santilli, bathroom business manager at Reece, braved the ISH bathroom fair in Frankfurt, Germany this year – it’s an overwhelming experience, with 260,000 square metres of bathroom inspiration, 2400 exhibitors and more than 200,000 visitors. We asked her to distil a few of the big-picture ideas she found there, and translate them into ideas for local renovators.
look & feel
Reece’s research identified two trends that are key to the Australian market this year. “The ‘Nordic Minimal’ look represents the continuing move towards clean lines, fine silhouettes, neutral colours and a contemporary aesthetic with Scandinavian-inspired accessories,” says Daniella. For those renovating period homes, or looking to nod to old-world charm, the ‘Traditional’ look “retains some of the classic features and preserves heritage character while still enjoying a contemporary bathroom,” she adds. Think you’re a ‘Nordic Minimal’ fan? Use a palette of grey and white, with accents in pale timber, blush and warm metallics.
fixtures
Basins, baths and even toilets are heading in a more elegant direction, as new materials allow for finer edges. “Designers have pushed the boundaries to achieve impossibly fine edges and architectural lines,” says Daniella, citing Swiss brand Laufen’s innovative SaphirKeramik material, used by designers Konstantin Grcic and Toan Nguyen to create refined designs with previously unachievable straight walls, resulting in simple, delicate yet durable pieces. Think Patricia Urquiola’s ‘Sonar’ collection for Laufen – the range is a beautiful example of the possibilities of SaphirKeramik with the design incorporating rippled edges inspired by sound waves.
finishes
While the metallic finishes of recent years are still present, Daniella saw a move towards more matte surfaces. “We are seeing metallics step in a new direction, steering away from
the traditional sheen and favouring a more subtle, brushed effect,” she says. She saw more complex interpretations, too, with surface effects such as dimples and finishes which appear different from multiple perspectives. Think Alape’s ‘Metallic Dark Iron’ basin, which features an enamel coating with an almost metallic look.
smart design
Technology is changing the way our homes work, and fast. In the bathroom, this translates to sensor-activated fixtures, and thermostatic shower systems that can be set to your favourite temperature, spray pattern and strength. The humble toilet suite is entering a new era, too, with new rimless designs that mean better water circulation and easier cleaning, and customisable bidet functionality to bring us closer to the European or Japanese experience without the clunky looks. Think the Roca ‘Inspira In Wash’ smart toilet, as seen in The Block’s master suites. For more info on bathroom innovations, visit reece.com.au.