BATHROOMS: TREND REPORT BATHROOM BLISS
Mariel Brown and Sarah Johnson at Seymourpowell discuss the sanctuary of the bathroomand the trends emerging for 2013
The bathroom has long been a place of sanctuary within the home. It is (for most people) the one room in which we have a lock to keep others out. Once inside it we can shed our clothes, re-connect with our body, refresh our spirits, and regain our composure. In the following article Mariel Brown and Sarah Johnson from global design and innovation company Seymourpowell explore three of the key trends that will be impacting this sacred space in the future.
PRACTICAL LUXURY In recent years we’ve seen a significant shift in attitudes towards
luxury.Many people are rejecting ‘bling culture’ and overt displays of wealth and are instead embracing a more restrained practical aesthetic. In the past luxury bathroom products reflected an aspirational lifestyle, not the messy reality of day-to-day family life, but this is changing. Increasingly we are seeing
designers exploring elegant design solutions that allow us to better manage key issues such as storage. Spanish designer Patricia Urquiola’s range for Axor, which incorporates a towel rail in to the end of the bathtub, is a fantastic example of how products can be both practical and luxurious at the same time.
TACTILE DELIGHT The bathroomis already a sensorial space, but it is set to become evenmore so as textiles and texture regain popularity in the home. This resurgence is attributed to an increasingly digitalisedworld and the need this createswithin us to find reassurance and comfort in the realworld. As the appetite for textiles and texture grows, designers are exploring newways to bringmore tactility into the home. Ross Lovegrove’s Freedom tap for Vitra,which focuses on dispensingwater in amore gentle way, shows that one of themost exciting opportunities for this trendwithin the bathroomis water delivery systems. By placing a greater emphasis on the
“As the appetite for textiles and texture grows, designers are exploring new ways to bring more tactility into the home.”
tactility ofwater designers are creatingmore immersive sensory experiences that allowpeople to lose themselves in themoment.
RITUALS OF ESCAPE Spaces that have an almost spiritual aspect are becoming increasingly important as people are increasingly looking forways to re-treat and re-charge their batteries. This trend is being driven by our ‘always-on’ culture. Whilst the urge to escape fromthe hectic pace ofmodern day life is strong, actuallymanaging to switch offwhenwe are at home is not always easy. As such, designers and architects are beginning to exploreways of helping people towind down through products and spaces that embody a sense of ritual. Japanese designers Nendo’s, recent bathtub for Italian brand Bisazza Bagnowith its calm geometric formand deep fill level is awonderful example of how contemplative and balanced atmosphere can be createdwithin the bathroomenvironment.
www.seymourpowell.com idtmagazine.co.uk | Interior Design Today | 29
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