The Modenus Blog Tour recaps continue! Last post I shared some of my kitchen trend discoveries from KBIS2015, the 51st Kitchen & Bath Industry Show held last month in LasVegas. Today I've got the scoop on what's trending in the bath.
I have to say it, personalization is also at the top of the list for bathroom style and function. I saw lots of new options for faucet finishes. Were you getting tired of brushed nickel? Nice to see something new in that arena.
I saw a lot of contemporary design for the bath, minimal clean lines, simplicity but with quality materials.Affordability is definitely achievable. For example you can have the quality of Kohler with their basic Sterling line or luxury of their exclusive Kallista line.
Brizo introduced its new Rook collection for the bath, with a subtle reference to chess. Its their latest suite of luxury faucets, fittings and accessories for the bath. This collection combines a low spout architecture and crisp octagonal details for a stately yet modern design.
Brizo also has something for you if you're a little "twisted" and I love it. It's the Virage Collection 
Free standing tubs and tub fillers- The popularity of free-standing tubs created a whole new plumbing fixture, the tub filler. They were everywhere!
Creativity with tile- It's not just subway tile anymore although there are even a lot of interesting variations on this popular style.
I can't leave you today without a nod to the number one booth in my opinion. I wasn't alone as it was also voted most innovative booth of the show. The award went to AquaBrass for their Buckminster Fuller inspired geodesic dome. This innovative concept wowed me but they went all the way with my favorite combination art + design. With and artist on site creating beautiful artful bathtubs! This was to introduce their new Kanvas collection. It brings art to the bathroom in a limited series of hand-painted freestanding bathtubs, each one signed by the artist. The tubs are stone resin and offer a choice of three hand-painted exteriors: bright and bold Graffiti has a youthful, urban edge; nature-inspired Pax invites bathers to a soothing Zen-like experience; and architectural Mosaik brings timeless elegance with its classic yet modern look.
Aquabrass also introduced something that's going right on my dream list. The Aquazone, a revolutionary shower and bath concept that provides the best of both worlds. Molded into a single, space-saving wet zone unit requiring only 60"X60" of space. North American-built, its strong, one-piece construction is solid Lucite acrylic with a reinforced base. And with two integrated wheels and six adjustable levelers, it rolls into place easily, saving time, materials and labor costs.
Not only was the booth full of great new products and finishes with the occasional thoughtfully placed message, they thought outside of the box and into the dome!! Kudos to the creators and congrats.Up next: We're not done in the bathroom yet! Here's the Jeopardy question: "The number one plumbing fixture supplier in the world" Who is ??????
The New Brass
As you can probably imagine, I see my fair share of stainless steel and brushed nickel finishes in plumbing fixtures and cabinet hardware. It's pretty much been the "go to" finish for ages. Some clients will go for shiny chrome, which I happen to love as it enhances any contemporary design very nicely, thank-you-very-much. It's also usually less expensive. However today I would love to invite you to consider another option that has captured my attention of late.
It's what I call "the new brass". There is just something about the look that appeals. Perhaps it's because it's such a complete departure from stainless? New brass looks like old brass which is its charm and it's definitely more at home in traditional types of design. Classic design can be fresh new and yes, even modern. The Elan Vital faucet, by Watermark Designs, shown above, features their New Age Brass finish and you can customize it however you wish, sort of like a Tinker Toy! It's also available in 38 other finishes.
There is just something about this little ensemble that I love. It's greater than the sum of its parts. You can find out all the deets here.A word of advice, if you're loving this look too and considering brass, make sure to specify "un-lacquered brass". This finish will change over time developing a patina. If you're not up for that, you can get lacquered brass which has a protective coating and keeps the finish stable.The following pic, courtesy of Houzz.com is what I mean about traditional design crossing over into modern territory. The marble, brass and even the artwork are all traditional elements arranged in a lean simplicity that screams (ok perhaps it whispers) modern.
Transitional Powder Room by Chicago Interior Designers & Decorators Buckingham Interiors + Design LLC
Note the door hardware is chrome and that's ok! There is a perfect balance of brass.