Elevate your bathroom’s appeal by including a touch of luxury.
Photo courtesy of Maison Valentina
Looking to remodel your dreary bathroom into a personal spa that you can escape to after a long day at work? From tiles painted with Italian designs to plush armchairs, today’s bathrooms are going all out with elegance and sophistication.
Functional Furniture
Between bulky towels, bottles of shampoo and conditioner, and cleaning supplies, there’s a lot that needs to be stored in a bathroom with no place to put it. For added elegance and storage, incorporate a large armoire or chest. Now that your clutter is out of the way, you have room to decorate your bathroom with luxury pieces, like an armchair or dressing table, that elevate that spa look and give you a place to unwind.
Photo courtesy of Tom Tailor
Bathroom Sink
Let’s face it — nothing makes a busy morning worse than bumping elbows with your partner in the bathroom. Say “goodbye” to that early-morning fuss by adding an elongated double sink with a marble countertop or blocking out a space on either side of the room for a separate sink for each person. To elevate your bathroom sink’s appeal, prop a large metal, marble or hand-blown glass bowl on top of your counter and decorate the surrounding space with a matching soap pump.
Photos courtesy of Maison Valentina
Luxurious Lighting
It’s a new year, which means you need to leave that ugly overhead lighting behind and invest in lights that warm up your bathroom and add a touch of class. Opt for soft lighting by hanging a luxurious chandelier over the bathtub and placing a lamp on your dressing table. To enhance your bathroom sink, place lighting fixtures on either side of your mirror. These changes will completely transform your cold bathroom into the oasis of your dreams.
Photo courtesy of Sweetpea & Willow
Framed Mirror
It’s time to swap that frameless wall-sized mirror for a framed mirror that hangs on your wall. From plain silver or gold to ornate designs, framed mirrors are an easy way to show off your unique style and enhance your bathroom. Need more storage? Purchase a mirror that doubles as a cabinet, where you can hide your toothbrush, mouthwash and skincare.
All in the Details
You’ve got the armchair, framed mirror and ornate chandelier — what’s next in your bathroom transformation? Amp up the details! Turn your bathroom from a basic spa to a high-end haven by decorating your space with Italian tiles that frame your mirrors or doorways. You can also add more sophistication by decorating with Persian or Turkish rugs, plants and artwork. By incorporating details in every corner of your bathroom, you’re able to highlight your own personal style while adding interest to your space.
Photo courtesy of Tom Tailor
Architects, designers, artists and more often pull inspiration from their surroundings to create unforgettable final products. Tectonic accessories, designed by Rogerseller, were created with the idea of earth’s most enigmatic natural processes — tectonic plate motion — in mind.
A series of floating plates make up the enchanting collection. They can be placed in various planes and axis’ to each other, representative of the plates that make up the Earth’s surface and their dynamic interaction with each other.
An intriguing addition to any bathroom, these elements are undeniably modern, yet pull from an ancient process that began over three billion years ago. The sleek finishes are appealing in both their function and style. These accessories are the perfect detail to finish your space.
The linear design provides a bold signature aesthetic that appears throughout the collection, which is available in a selection of the Rogerseller Natural Elements finishes.
The accessories feature multiple-length towel rails and shelves (with the option of custom tile inserts), a combination shelf and towel rail, angled and straight robe hooks, double or single paper holders with shelves and a vertical heated towel rail that provides greater heating efficiency.
Each rail, shelf and robe hook is of equal height, allowing installation as a continuous linear feature wrapping around the bathroom.
Photos courtesy of Rogerseller
One of the biggest debates in kitchen and home design is this: should granite be replaced by marble, or quartz? While more developers are looking toward quartz as an alternative to marble, neither one clearly outweighs the other. But there are four different categories that compare the two materials, and can help both developers and homeowners decide which one best suits them. Their appearance, durability, maintenance and overall cost can play a part in choosing which one is better to replace granite.
For appearance, it is largely a matter of preference. According to MSI Surfaces, while Quartz is more uniform in its design and color, it can also mimic the look of natural stone as well. Meanwhile, with marble, each slab is one-of-a-kind. If you have marble as your kitchen countertop, no other counter will be the same as that one. The uniqueness adds a classic beauty to any room.
Renderings courtesy of KAR Properties (Marble)
Marble
Quartz
Appearance
- One-of-a-kind
- Natural stone rather than man-made
- Uniform in design and color
- Man-made, but mimics natural stone
Durability
- Can get stained or discolored more easily
- Overall, durable and dependable
- Direct sunlight or UV rays can cause irreparable discoloring
- Overall, durable and dependable
Maintenance
- Sitting water can cause discoloration or stains
- Overall, more maintenance is required
- Hot pots or pans sitting on it can scorch the stone
- Overall, less maintenance is required
Price
- More expensive per square foot
- $50-150 per square foot
- Less expensive per square foot
- $40-100 per square foot
In terms of durability, both are great options. Quartz is man-made, but is increasing in popularity because of the material’s durability. Marble is from many different countries around the world, and is also a durable but natural material as well. With quartz, however, any direct sunlight or high UV rays can cause irreparable discoloring, according to Polycor. Although both can gain chips on their edges and other minor damages, neither are fragile or impractical for everyday use. For durability, both quartz and marble are great options.
Marble requires more maintenance since it is natural stone. Sitting water on a marble countertop can cause discoloration and stains. For individuals with a busy lifestyle, quartz would be much easier to manage. But with quartz, make sure not to place any hot pots or pans on the counter — doing so could scorch the material. In terms of overall maintenance, however, quartz is generally a better fit.
Rendering courtesy of RIVA Residences (Quartz)
Rendering courtesy of Akoya Boca West (Quartz)
Rendering courtesy of RIVA Residences (Quartz)
Lastly, marble is usually more expensive than quartz. MSI Surfaces explains that while each square foot of marble is only slightly more expensive than quartz, that price tag can quickly add up when designing a whole room. Despite the overall added price, however, marble can add to a home’s value, so it might be worth it in the long run for some homeowners and designers.
While quartz is more practical in terms of durability and maintenance, nothing is like the one-of-a-kind material found with marble. In the end, knowing both materials’ advantages and setbacks can help determine which one works best.
Rendering courtesy of RIVA Residences (Quartz) Rendering courtesy of Akoya Boca West (Quartz)
Arabo
Pettina
Filigrana
Piazze
Cubo
Prisma
The new Ombré finish for kitchen and bath faucets from Kohler uses an innovative technique that melds two vibrant metal finishes together to render a subtle but striking transition from light to dark.
Kohler has taken a familiar product and, inspired by the worlds of fashion and modern design, created an uncommon showpiece that is unlike anything else on the market.
The Ombré Vibrant finish makes use of Kohler’s proprietary physical vapor deposition process, which bonds the finish and faucet together at the molecular level, to create an incredibly strong surface that is both scratch- and tarnish-resistant. The finish comes in two fabrications: Vibrant Rose Gold to Vibrant Polished Nickel, and Vibrant Titanium to Vibrant Rose Gold.
The Ombré Vibrant finish is available on a curated selection of Kohler plumbing products: Components and Sensate. Homeowners can express their personal taste by using faucets with this finish as an integral design component for their home décor.
The word ombré, French for shadow or shade, has been seen on everything from haute couture gowns to celebrity hairstyles, and its ingenious use on what could be seen as an everyday product further establishes Kohler as the industry leader in finish innovation.
Photos courtesy of Jillian Rosone.
Blending the best of classic and opulent French style, the latest collection from THG® Paris has been curated alongside renowned French interior designer and decorator Stéphanie Coutas.
The collection, entitled “Montaigne,” embodies a French sophistication that is enhanced by Coutas’ choice of material. Finding beauty in nature through her signature use of Grand Antique d’ Aubert marble, Coutas marries this traditional material with her unerring eye for the codes of luxury ‘‘à la française.”
The prestigious marble, revered for its natural black and white coloring, is native only to southwest France and has a rich historical past, decorating exquisite structures such as Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome, the Palace of Versailles and the tomb of Emperor Napoleon.
“The Montaigne Collection stems from this idea of transformation, this is one of our specificities: we like working with raw materials, transforming them and thus magnifying nature,” says Coutas. “Hence this idea of a marble tap, a rather raw element, which has been shaped into something luxurious, inherent to a refined universe.”
“Montaigne” sheds light on a traditional French marble enhanced by contemporary French artisans.
The collection is also offered with cross or lever handles and in various configurations for basins, matching bathtub and shower systems and a range of matching accessories.
Growing up in Hong Kong, Coutas, an interior designer and decorator, has retained an intuitive appreciation for the mixing of cultures and “art de vivre” refinement with no show of ostentation. Her neoclassical and contemporary designs can be found in a number of luxurious residential projects and hospitality spaces in France, Europe and the Middle East.
“Making us nostalgic for quintessential eras in French history, Stéphanie Coutas revisits artful designs from the past which she honors in a most noble way,” says Pedro Uranga, North American director for THG Paris. “We are humbled to have her signature designs featured as a tribute to the transformation of nature from raw to refined.”
Striving to bring the unsurpassed beauty of natural materials into people’s homes, Stone Forest lets the natural world dictate its bath designs. Using procedures that involve saw cutting and polishing, each of these sinks are unique in the face of mass-manufactured products. From a 650-pound sink carved from onyx to a pedestal cut from basalt, here is the latest from Stone Forest.
Barrel Pedestal Sink
Stone Forest’s Barrel Sink is more than a sink, it is a functional sculpture. Carved from a single block of sumptuous, semi-translucent onyx, the barrel sink weighs in at 650 pounds, yet because of its translucent nature, when lit from within using an LED rope light — the sink takes on an ethereal quality.
Bronze Chalice
Designed by Santa Fe artist David Hoptman, the Bronze Chalice is created from sand-cast bronze and handcrafted by artisans. Now available in white bronze, the stunning chalice offers more latitude in faucet choices, as the new material is a complement to satin nickel and chrome. Like all other natural elements, it is a living finish, so it will achieve a weathered look with use and exposure to the elements of everyday living.
Purple Onyx Wabi Vessel Sinks
After two years of searching, Stone Forest has once again been able to source small blocks of this semi-precious stone to create its perfectly imperfect naturally shaped vessel sinks. Each vessel is truly unique as each stone is highly variable in terms of color, crystalline structure and veining. Onyx is the perfect material for those looking to add a stunning, natural accent to their space.
Triple Basalt Pedestal
This rustic pedestal is perfect for those seeking an organic contemporary style. Each set of three plinths is cut from a single column of basalt and features a combination of natural and polished facets.
Veneto Pedestal Sink
Inspired by classic Italian design, this striking, barrel-shaped vessel is carved from a single block of multi-color onyx. The sculpture includes a cavity in the back that can accommodate a light source to enhance the luminosity of this architectural form.
Verona Vessel
Stone Forest balances formality with modernity in this traditional design with a contemporary touch. A wide, inviting basin, this unique vessel sink is offered in two varying sizes of either honey, multi-color onyx or the new silver travertine.
Exuding power, elegance and timelessness, black finishes are making their way into kitchens and bathrooms.
Whether glossy or matte, black finishes offer a dramatic departure from traditional stainless steel and chrome finishes. Offering a dynamic edge to any space, black has become one of the hottest finishes for decorative plumbing and hardware.
Offering an array of striking black finishes, California Faucets Kitchen Collection is making it easier than ever to personalize the kitchen sink area.
“Black has broken through the barrier of traditional finish colors in a big way, especially in the kitchen,” explains Noah Taft, California Faucets’ senior vice president of marketing and sales. “Homeowners are finding black brings warmth and elegance to a room, and it’s a refreshing change from chrome and stainless steel.”
California Faucets now offers a variety of premium black hued finishes for its recently-launched Kitchen Collection. Some of these finishes include Matte Black, one of today’s hottest finishes for faucets and decorative hardware, and Black Nickel, a space-age finish blending the gleam of nickel with shades of black.
Corsano Culinary Faucetin Carbon Black (PVD) with Stainless Steel Spring
Corsano Series Pull-Down Faucet Ensemble in Matte Black
Whether it’s a bathtub, lighting fixture or sink, black finishes are also making their way into the bathroom. From the creative minds of Newport Brass, Hastings Tile & Bath, Drummonds, Franz Viegener and Buster + Punch come a series of curated interior fittings with an engrossing black coat. Drummonds’ Serpentine Tub helps bathers unwind and relax with its soothing black finish.
Designed by Arne Jacobsen, Hasting Tile & Bath’s VOLA: HVI comes in both glossy and matte black.Buster + Punch’s HOOKED 6.0, an industrially designed chandelier, is made up of several pendants and finished in solid metal with matte black detailing.
Buster + Punch’s HOOKED 6.0, an industrially designed chandelier, is made up of several pendants and finished in solid metal with matte black detailing.
Newport Brass’ Victoria lavatory faucet and Chesterfield tub filler are definitely worth their weight in gold. Newport Brass designed these collections to work in concert with one another — giving homeowners and designers ample choices for their design schemes.
Each of the collections are available in a stunning gold finish and despite their unique design, pair perfectly within the bath. Designers and homeowners can easily mix and match the fittings within these two stunning collections since both are made of solid brass construction and are available in 27 finishes.
With a classic take on traditional design, the Chesterfield tub filler comes with an integrated diverter and hand shower. With a similar aesthetic, the wall mounted Victoria faucet, like all other lavatory faucets by the brand, is WaterSense® labeled and even exceeds the requirements at 1.2 gpm.
Available with either cross handles or ADA-compliant lever handles, Victoria’s spout curves gently adding a distinctive aesthetic to the bathroom space.
Photos credit of Newport Brass
A partnership between Duravit and Studio 804 will help to pave the way toward a more innovative, accessible and sustainable world of design.
Rendering of the 2018 Studio 804 house
Duravit has joined forces with Kansas-based Studio 804, Inc. to promote the benefits of innovative, adaptive architecture and design. Studio 804, Inc. is a not-for-profit that annually builds and designs a home that represents sustainable, affordable, and inventive building solutions. Duravit will donate a variety of bathroom product for the 2018 house, highlighting the impact of forward-thinking, modern bathroom design.
“Our partnership with Studio 804 is a testament to the value of their program,” says Duravit USA President Tim Schroeder. “The effort, research, and care that goes into every Studio 804 project is something Duravit is incredibly proud to be involved with, while the company’s goal to create thoughtful, sustainable design aligns with our own core values.”
Duravit X-Large Vanity in Studio 804 Bathroom
Duravit’s Darling New Mirror
Duravit will donate product to correspond with the project’s modern design and accessible features. Signature collections, including Darling New, X-Large and Delos, will be on display. Featured items include:
X-Large wall-mounted vanity: Offering plenty of storage space and subtle elegance, the X-Large vanity unit combines function with form. Perfect for small spaces, X-Large highlights maximized storage, accessibility and sleek design solutions.
Delos Mirror cabinet: Designed by EOOS, the Delos mirror cabinet utilizes innovative, non-glare LED technology and modern, minimalist forms to deliver a design-centric mirror with storage and technical solutions in mind.
“Duravit has been an ideal partner for Studio 804 throughout the years,” says Dan Rockhill, a professor within the school of architecture at University of Kansas. “The brand’s focus on innovative, lasting design matches our goals in addressing today’s evolving housing needs and shifting lifestyles.”
The 2018 house will be adjacent to Brook Creek Park in Kansas, situated to maximize views of the natural landscape. The house was designed with an open-space, flexible floor plan in mind to accommodate a variety of living situations and varying needs of the inhabitants. The project consists of both a 1,500-square-foot main house and a 500-square-foot dwelling unit, allowing for greater flexibility and multiple, adaptable living situations. Following in the footsteps of previous years, students will aim for an eleventh LEED Platinum building by limiting their impact on the environment and utilizing advanced building technologies.
Studio 804 is expected to reveal their 2018 housing project in May 2018.
Photos courtesy of Studio 804, Inc.