Wed 2 Jan 2008
Tap dancing
Despite being the smallest room in the house, there is no denying that bathrooms have the ability to sell properties. Roger Hunt uncovers the latest trends in the water world.
"As fashion and innovation have shaped and influenced kitchen design in recent years we are now seeing the focus swinging towards the bathroom," says Graeme Fuller, Bellway Homes' group technical designer. "The key to a successful bathroom layout is space; it adds value to the home and enables a more distinctive approach to design."Current trends include simple contemporary suites with clean sharp lines; flat, angular brassware, perhaps wall mounted. Modular sections of designer woodgrain furniture, rather than the old fashioned fully fitted runs of mini kitchen units, and mood, coloured lighting has a dramatic effect on the atmosphere whilst bathing, thus creating a simple wow factor."
Gill Few, channel manager for Kohler Mira, agrees that bathrooms are now a key considerations for homebuyers. "The pressure is on to achieve attractive design while battling against the spiralling costs of increasing regulation and demands on space. For many housebuilders, the need for efficiency is leading to a simpler, more standardised approach to specification. This, however, may not inspire the homebuyer and ultimately misses out on the profit potential of the bathroom."
Mira Showers is increasing its range with a suite of new miniature mixer showers that are half the size of conventional mixing valves, yet are claimed to deliver the same performance. As well as offering a more minimalist looking shower design, the Mini range makes showering more comfortable by increasing the amount of free showering space within the enclosure.
As an alternative to brassware, Crosswater is offering a range of fixed shower heads made of glass. Ideal for a minimalist look, as no shower column is visible, they are made from reinforced ten-millimetre-thick glass and are available as a single or double head.
Aston Matthews solution to the problem of bulky looking shower panels is its new Acquazzurra and Acquatonica units which are built into the wall to sit flush with the tiles. The multi-function shower includes an over-head and hand held shower plus body jets while the Acquazzurra has a blue or white LED light.Increasing sophistication of the en suite is one of the key bathroom trends identified by Aston Matthews' director, Howard Birch. "While the main, family bathroom continues to be fairly safe in terms of style, we have found that developers are more adventurous when it comes to the en suite. Contemporary products such as countertop basins and wall-hung sanitaryware are being specified to provide the wow factor. Walk-in showers with sophisticated fittings are also very much in demand."
At the mid-top end of the market David Osborne, Roman's managing director, believes brands are increasingly important. "Like in the kitchen, people are now demanding recognised names. They want all their showering pieces, the enclosure, tray and valve, to be all one brand and their sanitaryware also to fall under one brand. At this end of the market people are also demanding more unique enclosures with a bespoke feel."
Roman's specialist curved bath-screens are available curved to different degrees and are compatible with many major shower bath and corner baths. They feature contemporary minimal framing and clear glass.
The installation of shower enclosures causes costly call backs and snagging for many housebuilders. One of the major problems is that the silicone seals around the tray can flex and break over time causing the shower to leak. Adamsez is offering a 'no silicone' solution that works on the basis of water control. Specially designed deflectors divert sprayed water back into the tray while any escaping water is diverted back into the bowl from a channel on the outer flange. The system now comes as standard on all Adamsez enclosures and walk-in screens. "The extra spacious shower enclosure is certainly securing more sales in recent years, particularly in the new build sector," says Heather-Joy Crawford, Adamsez's marketing director. "There is a real element of luxury to a large enclosure that appeals to housebuyers and this is why it is excelling in today's bathroom climate. Consumers are increasingly seeking to emulate the high luxury bathrooms of boutique hotels and exotic spa resorts in their own homes and a compact enclosure simply doesn't live up to this dream."
At Waterfront Bathrooms, sales and marketing director Rob Stewart thinks bathroom accessories are too often overlooked by mainstream developers. "They are seen as something of a retro-fit headache. But, for a consumer moving into a new home, high quality accessories that have been pre-considered and planned as part of the overall bathroom, and then installed, can add a tangible sense of finished quality."
Waterfront has recently unveiled KH2, the next phase of its design collaboration with Kelly Hoppen. KH2 features new monobloc deck and wall taps, as well as a 'tower' version which offers a selection of alternative spout lengths. Along with new hi-volume shower heads, the wet room showering suite comprises a thermostatic mixer control with flexible diverters for personal spray control of hand, head or body jets.
Continuing the contemporary theme, Elle is a brassware collection from Italian designer and manufacturer Bonomi, available from bathroom distributor Aquaplus Solutions. The extensive range is characterised by a delicate design that uses flat rectangular tube brass finished in chrome and cylindrical ergonomic controls for simple one handed operation.
Bathroom and kitchen distributor, the PJH Group has launched its new Naples sanitaryware collection which complements many modern bathroom styles. With a choice of four basin options, Naples is suitable for any sized bathroom or cloakroom and has both a full and semi pedestal option. A close coupled WC pan and cistern, with dual top flush, fittings and seat is also available.
At Croudace Homes, product and specification coordinator, Alison Hamblin, raises a very real issue. "Our baths, showers, taps and WC cisterns will all come under review when we have to reduce water consumption per person with 'Code for Sustainable Homes' requirements. On the other side of the coin, the Code could be leading bathroom design in the near future as we strive to achieve the requirements for new homes."
"Despite the very popular sixties revivals for bold colourful wallpapers and furniture, we are still firmly backing white as the only colour for chinaware and built in storage. The worktops for our storage have up until now been in beech but, I suspect, we will be considering one of the new colours like walnut for 2008. Other new ideas coming through quite strongly include freestanding furniture which is on trial at the moment.
Ideal Standard, has introduced its Daylight collection combining ceramic sanitaryware with modular furniture. Included is a washbasin in five different sizes, a mirrored cabinet, plus a choice of nine furniture items, such as tall side cabinets, offered in three alternative colours.
Exuding a modular feel, Escudo is the latest contemporary bathroom range from James Theobald. It provides extensive storage options, including tall units and mirror cabinets.
"Utilising fitted storage solutions with reduced depth remains popular in spaces such as en suites and cloakrooms," explains Steve Brooks, joint managing director at Theobald's. "In addition, bathroom furniture allows services to be easily concealed coupled with creating a look that provides the builder with a greater perceived value."
Bathroom furniture manufacturer Ambiance bain offers 16 resin colours as an alternative to laminate worktops on many of its fitted and modular furniture ranges. The resin concept allows the essential elements of the bathroom, including basins, worktops, up stands, shower trays and shower wall cladding, to be created from the same material, resulting in a totally coordinated interior.
The Utopia Developer Collection of rigid bathroom furniture, designed specifically for the housebuilder and available exclusively from Arrow Distributors, is available in key colours, a versatile range of sizes and three door styles.
According to Stamford Cartwright, Arrow's marketing director, today's bathroom trends are towards bright and light reflecting finishes such as high gloss furniture and slab tops. He adds: "The space for bathrooms is ever decreasing so we are finding that designers are expected to be increasingly clever with their use of space, especially since the regulation for ground floor toilets in all new builds."A new side-sliding mirror from Shades' Individual Range is designed for situations where the basin is positioned under the window, leaving nowhere to hang a decent sized mirror. The mirrored door simply slides across to where it is needed so is ideal for housebuilders struggling to cram more bathrooms into properties.
Finally, Demista has launched a range of three steam free bathroom cabinets designed to complement all bathroom styles. These incorporate the Demista system which is claimed to keep the mirror steam free, even in the steamiest bathroom.
First published in Show House Magazine January 2008.
The greatest care has been taken to ensure accuracy but some information contained within this article may have changed since it was first published.
Posted by Roger Hunt
in Adamsez, Ambiance Bain, Aquaplus Solutions, Arrow Distributors, Aston Matthews, Crosswater, Demista, Ideal Standard, Mira Showers, PJH Group, Product Portfolio, Roman, Shades, Theobald's, Waterfront on Wed 2 Jan 2008
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