The trends at the ISH 2011 in Frankfurt am Main

The trends at the ISH 2011 in Frankfurt am Main

White shines through

VDS investigates current bathroom trends / Comforting wood / French boulevards, anyone? / Bathrooms demand more space / Showers expand horizontally / Bathtubs with multiple uses / Individuality and comfort / The pursuit of durable products

Frankfurt am Main / Bonn – (vds) Is it part of the general desire for a pure, pristine environment? White, always the Germans’ favourite colour for bathrooms, is experiencing a further lease of life this year and stands out among the rather brownish iridescent sahara, reed, mocca and cappuccino tones. At the ISH 2011, the world’s greatest sanitation show, white, whether in piano finish on wardrobes, or sprayed on the back of glass fronts or in a sleek silky variant on washstands, was to be found everywhere that new lines were presented. For those who want to brighten up the occasionally understated effect of white with more cheerful colours, German manufacturers like to use genuine wood or remarkably similar wood veneers as comforting contrast. This is the finding of the Vereinigung Deutsche Sanitaerwirtschaft (VDS) in its first report on trends.

Is it a back-to-nature statement or just a desire for living material? There is no better material than wood for demonstrating masterly craftsmanship. This applies particularly to the light, ever-recurring country-house style. It also applies, however, to opulent bathroom designs, to which manufacturers devoted themselves at the mid-March trade fair in Frankfurt – in modern interpretations and in keeping with the contemporary slogan that “you can always allow yourself a little more, if you don’t go too far”. This trend manifested itself in giving new series names reminiscent of French boulevards, such as Elysée or Esplanade. The relevant lines represent a renascence of the classical boudoir. Dressing tables, wall cabinets and gentlemen’s commodes are making a golden comeback. Wardrobes have doors suggestive of classical suitcases. Instead of handles they have fine straps, hand-sewn out of real leather.

The bathroom penetrates the living quarters

However one does not always have to have piano finish, gold or leather to make the bathroom look like a living room. According to the VDS this trend is already well established. Equipped with day-beds, armchairs, cushions and a new self-confidence, the bathroom is making increasing inroads into the living quarters and is claiming more and more square metres for itself – not least because white furniture needs space to achieve its effect. Generously proportioned washing areas, horizontal rows of cupboards and shelves or free-standing bathtubs testify to this. Now fittings are also taking up more space by flattening themselves and expanding horizontally. Instead of being concentrated, water now plays on the hands in pleasantly caressing individual jets, reports the manufacturer.

Showers, on the other hand, seem to have flattened out completely, according to the latest fair news. Their tubs are increasingly “flush with the ground”. After use the doors can be folded away, thus changing themselves into wall panels behind which shower nozzles or gel can be well hidden. Furthermore mirrored glass makes the bathroom seem several times larger. Even if the bathrooms are becoming larger, the designers are still determined to come up with furnishings with multiple uses. A favourite object is the bathtub. Properly upholstered, it can be turned into a comfortable day-bed, or it can be fitted with a sound module that can be connected to an MP3 player, thus providing individual musical entertainment.

Individuality is not a word that one is used to hearing in the bathroom context. The furniture ranges in particular resemble a design jigsaw with which one can make ever new combinations. Often in the style of modern architecture with straight lines, no visible handles, and equipped both inside and outside with the inevitable bathroom LEDs. And there is another term that one neither can nor should forget when installing a new bathroom, and that is comfort.

Comfort for all

The most consistent representatives of this trend are the washlets which, from the pre-warmed seat through the cleansing water jet for the private parts to the night light, offer functionalities for old and young users while at the same time looking really smart. The VDS considers they ought to be an object of desire for those who have not yet passed 50 but are already pondering the consequences of growing old. Not only the question “What is going to happen to us?”, but also “What kind of a world are we going to leave our children?” is playing an increasingly important role in the thoughts and plans of many parents. Measures and techniques for saving water are being addressed and given preference. In addition, buyers are giving attention to timeless forms, good quality products, and environmentally benign, durable materials. This takes us to another important trend: throwaway items have no place in the bathroom. It is durable brand products that are wanted.

Captions

Fig. 4142
White, always the Germans’ favourite colour for bathrooms, is experiencing a further lease of life this year and making a bold impact.

Photo: Vereinigung Deutsche Sanitaerwirtschaft (VDS) / Keuco

Fig. 4144
New sanitary series, whose names sound like French boulevards, are bringing about a renascence of the classical boudoir. The dressing table is making a comeback.

Photo: Vereinigung Deutsche Sanitaerwirtschaft (VDS) / burgbad

Fig. 4145
Not only bathrooms, but also fittings require a greater surface area. The new models are becoming quite flat, but are expanding horizontally.

Photo: Vereinigung Deutsche Sanitaerwirtschaft (VDS) / Dornbracht

Fig. 4146
Showers appear to have gone completely flat. Their tubs, including the plugs, are becoming more and more “flush with the ground” and are barely distinguishable from their tiled surroundings.

Photo: Vereinigung Deutsche Sanitaerwirtschaft (VDS) / Kaldewei

Fig. 4147
Shower doors are turning into wall panels, behind which shower nozzles or gel can be well hidden. Furthermore mirrored glass makes the bathroom seem several times larger, while imaginative lighting systems provide exciting shadow plays.

Photo: Vereinigung Deutsche Sanitaerwirtschaft (VDS) / Duravit