Our good friends at Reece were amazed at the array of incredible products and concepts on display at this year’s ISH, held in Frankfurt, Germany, and have put together a trend report based on their visit to the show. We were told the show “delivered a rich and diverse kaleidoscope of style, design and innovation in bathroom products that belied the relatively sombre mood of many European country economies”. So, here are the main trends, as reported by Reece:
Complete Integration
Integration was a dominant theme across many dimensions: the integration of the bathroom into the home, the integration of bathroom products with bathroom furniture, and the seamless integration of products within the bathroom space itself.
Sensory Experience
The new bathroom offers a totally immersive experience stimulating all the senses. Mood lighting within the bathroom, in showers and baths. Music and sound in showers, baths and built into mirrors and cabinets. Different spray styles and water flows. Total control over temperature. Vibration and massage settings in baths. And, perhaps the best illustration of this trend is the new “super shower” that offers a total, integrated sensory experience that brings together all these elements including personalised water scents!
Colour Accents
Use of colour in products was restrained but did go beyond the usual mono chromes to include splashes of bright colours. White and chrome was also popular, offering an elegant pairing. Muted hues of orange, red and grey were also used as accents.
Smart Water
Even more so than ISH 2011, technology has entered the bathroom and now is an integral part of the total bathroom experience. Infrared controls, touch panels and remote controls are used to drive just about every function in the bathroom – from setting the mood with lights and sound, controlling precise water flow and temperature through an extensive array of thermostatic mixers, setting personalised shower sprays, and even directing a multitude of toilet programs through the increasingly ubiquitous “tech toilet” hybrid bidet. The smarter technology products on show were built with the future in mind and capable of catering for new functionality.
Taps
Taps continued to represent the product category with the most variety and innovation at this year’s ISH. The show highlighted many old favourites including modern traditional styles, side and cross handles along with strong new looks. Long, elongated handles, touchless taps and retractable kitchen mixers were popular with thin, sleek-look taps a real standout.
Best in Show
Reece’s pick for best in show for the most integrated and innovative range was the Kartell by Laufen range designed by Ludovica + Roberto Palomba. This collaboration combines the iconic design of Kartell with the quality of Laufen to produce a truly fresh and considered range. Only a Swiss Italian union could produce such a fresh and distinctive range that conveys precision and emotion in equal measures.
For more information visit www.reece.com.au
