natural wood tones throughout this lengthy bathroom. Dual vanity with marble backsplash over floating cabinetry places mirrors between lengths of window, while all glass shower takes up end of the room." alt="Sparkling mixture of bright marble and natural wood tones throughout this lengthy bathroom. Dual vanity with marble backsplash over floating cabinetry places mirrors between lengths of window, while all glass shower takes up end of the room." width="1024" height="681" src="src" />
Read article : Emerging Hotel Bathroom Trends | Hotel Industry Magazine
Boutique Hotels Featured Hotel Industry Trends Hotel Interior Design Hotel News
Emerging Hotel Bathroom Trends" title="" />
Hotel bathrooms have come a long way from being purely functional and have arguably become one of the most marketable parts of the hospitality experience. As a result they are often used to sell the hotel to potential customers. But are your bathrooms on trend? We ask C.P. Hart’s Ian Dutch to explore the emerging hotel bathroom trends.
A strong trend we are seeing is the desire to mix and blend different materials and finishes. Designers and specifiers are experimenting with developments in materials and new combinations of finishes and surfaces, resulting in a more tactile and luxurious bathroom experience. Grey continues to be the dominant key colour trend and applied to bathroom furniture in particular, varying from the very light to the very dark with added elements of blue and green hues. This dominating palette is being mixed with the growing trend for natural materials and textured finishes over high gloss finishes.
Bathroom furniture units are being treated as design pieces in their own right, showcasing the beauty of wood or drawing upon contemporary new materials. Tactile textures are increasingly playing a more important role when it comes to planning high specification hotel bathrooms, with designers and specifiers thinking more about the way a bathroom feels as well as how it looks. Textured furniture pieces are also being stripped back to their wood form; a natural aesthetic has emerged as manufacturers celebrate the natural beauty of wood through distinctive grain finishes.
In addition to texture we are seeing experimentation in terms of sculptural shapes and forms, especially when it comes to brassware and washbowls, as small no longer means insignificant. Statement basins such as hand-blown lead crystal basins fuse Italian artisan craftsmanship with beautiful contemporary design. When it comes to brassware we are seeing graceful statement pieces that show an instinctive appreciation of the beauty of flowing water. Brassware in a gold or nickel material are being specified more at the top end of the market, while feature walls using gold leaf or metallic materials deliver a truly luxurious finish. Marble is being used as a form of wall art, applied alongside clean white sanitaryware and neutral walls.
The configuration of a hotel bathroom space is being reworked and re-examined, with bathroom and bedroom areas merging to create a hybrid space. At the heart of this is an emphasis on pampering which has become synonymous with hotel bathrooms. Contemporary baths are now deeper and more comfortable. The versatility of the latest composite materials allows more fluidity in shape and structure. Shower enclosures are becoming streamlined, but shower heads are now much larger in scale and replicate the cascading effects created by a waterfall or rainfall. Spa elements are becoming more practical to install, allowing guests to enjoy the luxury of steam in their room as part of an integrated shower enclosure (eliminating the need for additional space). It all comes down to personal comfort and relaxation, but translated in a way that works with the room layout.
The all-important vanity unit typically forms the centrepiece of the hotel bathroom, blending decorative and functional furniture elements to avoid a clinical finish and ensure the room becomes a living and breathing space in its own right. Large decadent vanity units that function as a dressing area for beauty treatments are also a key ingredient as they’ve become increasingly decorative in style and work as an extension of the hotel bedroom. Vanity units are being accentuated with strategic eye level lighting to enhance the experience and create a flattering effect. Mirrored cabinetry around the dressing area is multifunctional, offering 360° visual views through intelligent mirror placement, built-in shaver sockets and strategic internal shelving and storage for complete guest usability.
Technology is an ever-growing trend; from multifunctional brassware to all-singing, all-dancing showers, the bathroom is beginning to meet the needs of our technology driven culture, creating a more liveable space that strikes the right balance between design and experience. Digital showers emerged onto the market with button controls, but are now starting to feature simple touch screen controls that control the lighting, scents, varying water temperatures and pressures. And whilst digital showers are leading the way the rest of the bathroom is quickly catching up. Brassware is moving into a more digital realm, with manufacturers starting to incorporate technology in the form of a digital screen interface that controls flow and temperature. Baths will be able to be filled using a smart phone or tablet, and home spa elements are becoming more accessible and fit for purpose in the modern hotel as steam starts to be integrated into the shower enclosure.
Where specialist accessible design guidance is required, C.P. Hart believes that an impressive bathroom should have universal appeal. Each and every functional component of the bathroom has to be considered to ensure practicality and durability is achieved throughout the entire bathroom. C.P. Hart’s coordinated Accessible Design range by Hewi is testament to our belief that DDA compliance need not mean unappealing and utilitarian design. Sleek and minimalist in style, the collection has been designed to aid mobility around the bathroom, providing support through subtle recesses and support rails which perfectly complement the range’s minimalist aesthetic. Support rails are sculpted to ensure they are understated yet practical, featuring easy to grip contours for those requiring support when standing up or sitting down to use the WC, shower or washbasin. The rails are available in either a rounded or square profile, in addition to a variety of length options. The shower seat is geometric in its design and available in clean white or architectural anthracite that complement the minimalist finish. Manufactured from high quality materials, the seat has been designed to be both comfortable and slip resistant due to its lightly structured surface.
C.P. Hart Contracts works exclusively on building and refurbishment projects, from luxury apartments through to hotels and commercial developments. For more information visit www.cphart.co.uk/pro or call 0845 873 1121.
Read article : Pics: Making a splash with bathroom decor
Cape Town - There is no more personal a room than the bathroom, and homeowners can use this private space to embrace their own personal style.
At the centre of any domestic bathroom is the ever-important basin and tap. It is important to pair the two to ensure a unique style and statement bathroom feature.
Craig Taylor of Bathroom Butler says spending time and money on designing a bathroom space is becoming increasingly important.
“From its former role as a hidden, exclusively functional space, the bathroom has achieved the status of a proper room, with the same importance placed on decorating it as the rest of the home. As such, it has increasingly become the object of the careful attention of both homeowners and architects, who treat it as a privileged space that can assume different functions.
“The bathroom of today is treated as a central core of the home – a place to linger and relax. We spend an increasing amount of time in our bathrooms each day, whether it’s bathing the kids, getting ready for work or a night out, or washing away the day gone by. Putting some thought into the design of your bathroom can make a huge impact on your experience,” says Taylor.
Modern moods go organic
The use of chrome, brushed satin or polished satin in tap material has an enduring elegance, suited to most bathroom styles. But the shape and profile of the tap can offer a different look and feel.
Jasmin Kraneveldt of tile and sanitaryware supplier Bathroom Bizarre says the trend is towards organic bathroom design, rather than opulence and colour.
“As well as incorporating the constantly growing eco-friendly trend, bathrooms this year will also adopt more open space, as well as striking sanitary fittings and showers that stand as features in their own right. It is all about interesting designs, practically attractive layout and clean and unfussy lines.”
The contemporary school of design that embraces minimalism and modern brassware is no exception. Clean, simple lines offer neat, fresh appeal.
A mixer allows for easy use and cuts down on clutter around the tap. A paddle or lever handle, whether situated on the top of the spout or at the side of the tap, is an effective way to manage the water source.
The spout is likely to be elegant and functional, with angular lines for a more dramatic, modern look. Square tap profiles that tie in with accessories can also bring an up-to-date look and energy.
Waterfall spouts are popular for baths and basin as they deliver water in a quiet, splayed fashion, rather than the usual stream.
Today’s taps are also environment friendly.
“The modern bathroom is fresh, elegant, slick and unafraid to experiment with new trends for the realisation of a relaxed living environment. And it is increasingly drawing from our natural surrounds to achieve this,” says Taylor.
Chrome continues to dominate the material choice for taps. It can be brushed or lightly buffed for an attractive appearance.
Black, diamond-finish taps, with single tap heads or mixers, offer a distinct texture and hue, which is highly contemporary.
The basin itself should be clinical, with defined edges and placed on a cool, modern surface, such as granite or Corian. Open cabinetry and suspended vanities complete a modern look.
“Floating vanities and free-standing baths make for clean, chic and modern-looking bathrooms. Fittings such as floating vanities which attach directly on to the wall can help create a larger-looking and more flowing space in the bathroom area, as well as providing a clean and modern atmosphere,” says Kraneveldt.
Basins can be found in a variety of interesting materials, such as enamel and steel. Glass and quartz offer new-age fabrics that modernise the interior of bathrooms. Other materials suited to the modern bathroom are copper and ceramic with a metallic finish.
Bette, bathroom suppliers, uses all-natural raw materials, such as glass and titanium steel, for the manufacture of a unique product that is strong, scratch-resistant, impact-resistant and permanently retains its shape.
This combination of steel and enamel means the product will keep its brand-new look for many years.
Water-saving taps are another must-have item in the up-to-date bathroom.
“Different faucet manufacturers use different methods to ensure their taps are water efficient – namely aerators, flow restrictors, and cartridges built into the mixers that lower the flow rate,” says Kraneveldt.
Traditional trends
A stand-out characteristic of traditional styles is the fabric used. Standard brass is an economical option and can incorporate other materials, such as pot metal or plastic. DZR brass is high quality, with the perfect amount of zinc included in the make-up. It ensures no leaching and guarantees a longer-lasting product, ideal for bathroom taps, and the brass can be polished to a high sheen.
The inset basin is placed directly into a pre-designated cavity. The rim peeps over the edge of the surface top, which is often placed on a full piece of furniture.
The underslung basin sits below the surface, creating a concealed receptacle that shows off the surface top. The hidden sink also has hygiene advantages as the top can be easily cleaned.
A set-top basin can also boast clean, simple lines.
Bathroom Bizarre has recently introduced a new imported range of ultra-thin basins.
A pedestal sink can conform to tradition, says Kraneveldt. “Freestanding pedestal basins are a great way to make a strong visual statement in a bathroom, thanks to their distinctive aesthetic, and they are a great option for a bathroom where space is at a premium.”
She says vintage-inspired pedestal basins have made a huge comeback. “It’s a pure example of what goes around, comes around.”
Old-fashioned spouts boast chunky base elements with vintage detail around the spout extension which can include ornate curves with a kink and “chess piece-style” components. And the handles of the widespread three-hole configurations are often traditional side handles. The ever-popular spider handles are still very much in vogue.
Classic basins need to conform to simple, clean lines and styles of installation to stand the test of time. Round and oval shapes offer a restful feel, ideal to pair with established tap styles. Although most traditional basins are in classic white porcelain, there are eclectic options available, such as stone and pure granite, offering a rustic take.
How you mount taps makes all the difference
The placement of spouts and bath and basin mixers or tap handles can alter the style dramatically.
The surface-mounted tap will make use of either a curved extension, with a sharp square edge that allows the spout to sit horizontally over the basin or bath or gently protrude over the lip of the basin. The lever is then situated either to the side of the spout or at the back, in the case of basins.
Wall-mounted spouts can feature a small curved end or a sharp 90 degree drop with a spout long enough to reach over the basin or bath
An elevated spout can be serviced by a wall mixer or paddle handle.
Wall spouts have a modern, up-to-date appeal and can be positioned to fill the basin directly from the wall.
