Bathroom
Be inspired by the latest collections from the Milan Design Week and transform your bathroom into a beautiful personalised space where you love to linger
Be inspired by the trends seen at the International Bathroom Exhibition
1 THE LIVING BATHROOM
This April, the “living bathroom” was the star at the International Bathroom Exhibition in Milan. “The bathroom will soon look more like a living room,” shares Mark Bickerstaff, director of new product development for kitchen and bath of Kohler. “There will be furniture and soft surfaces in the bathroom, and the materials that we use will continue to evolve—this concept goes beyond the functional aspects of the bathroom, turning it into a relaxed, personalised zone where you’ll love to linger.” The fair showed bathroom collections with streamlined details and various finishes that can be customised to complement modern interiors, along with versatile storage solutions that work well with many different decorative styles. The living bathroom concept suggests a variety of ways that homeowners can freely incorporate furniture and lighting that were previously not part of typical bathroom configuration. Decorative yet functional pieces like a bench, a lounge chair and table lamp can be added to the bathroom to personalise it further.
“THIS CONCEPT GOES BEYOND THE FUNCTIONAL ASPECTS OF THE BATHROOM, TURNING IT INTO A RELAXED, PERSONALISED ZONE WHERE YOU’LL LOVE TO LINGER”
2 BOLD COLOURS
Lively, eye-catching shades took the spotlight at this year’s fair. Standout collections include the Bagno series—designed by French designer India Mahdavi for Italian mosaic specialist Bisazza, the bathroom range combines various dynamic shades with a Pop Art-inspired aesthetic. Bringing a little shine to the show is Hansgrohe’s Axor Universal Accessories range, a modular collection of accessories designed by renowned Italian architect and designer Antonio Citterio. Kartell by Laufen amped up the retro mood at the fair with accessories that included statement pieces such as sunburst frame mirrors, racks and other pieces in a dynamic array of shades.
3 UNUSUAL SHAPES
Bathtubs and sinks in dynamic shapes were also spotted during Milan Design Week— they can serve as the statement piece in the modern bathroom. One example is Apaiser’s Sampan collection (featured on the opening page), which is designed by local architectural practice WOHA. Pairing Asian tradition with contemporary geometry, the collection comprises bathtubs and washbasins inspired by the silhouette of the traditional wooden boats.
4 SOOTHE YOUR SENSES
The latest innovations in bathroom design aims to recreate a spa-like experience within the home and the right faucets can make all the difference. Top picks include the new Grohe Atrio collection of faucets, which features a pared-back design and a range of polished and brushed metal finishes. The rain shower is another distinctive element of the spainspired bathroom. The Aquamoon by Dornbracht, which takes its cue from the moon, consists of a ceiling-mounted shower that melds seamlessly into a modern scheme. Within the semi-circle is a light strip that creates the perfect mood lighting that continues to glow during the shower. Complete the tranquil tableau with the Moon Dance line of Led-lit bathroom mirror lights developed by Sieger Design for Aliseo to provide just the right illumination for personal grooming and make-up application.