Kitchen & Bath Business - May/June 2019 - 16

Trends

A Room in Which to Indulge
H o w t o d a y 's b a t h r o o m s a r e b e c o m i n g
destinations to retreat and revive

D

EALING WTH THE PRESSURE OF DAILY DEMANDS, distressing

headlines
and the constant influx of emails, texts and notifications, consumers
are looking to escape when they come home.The bathroom has only
recently become a space in which to linger and enjoy, and developments in wellness and technology have turned this formerly neglected
room into a luxurious oasis.
"Consumers want the bath to not only be a place for privacy but also for
self care, relaxation and well-being," said Daniela Fantini, CEO of Fantini.
"It is for this reason that architects and designers are committed to its design
and finding solutions in terms of aesthetics, technology and functionality
that can meet the expectations of consumers."

IDEALIZING THE LUXURY SPA

According to a recent report from the American Psychological Association, people of all ages are reporting higher stress levels. Having a place that
reminds homeowners of less-vexing times - such as a vacation - can make a
difference in lowering those levels of anxiety.
"More and more the hotels we visit on holidays inspire us to bring those
feelings of pure relaxation home," said Erica Moir, vice president of new
product development at Jacuzzi. "Recreating a memory of an amazing trip
and the experience at the hotel can bring you back to that escape without
having to go out of town."
Hotels and spas are further encouraging glamorous bathrooms with
their new designs, which often include lots of natural light, showers and
tubs with therapeutic features and soothing layouts and palettes. In these
luxurious spaces, everything seems cleaner, less cluttered and more efficient
than at home.

16

ABOVE The Euphoria Smart-

Control Shower System
from GROHE delivers all the
benefits of a fully customized system, including a
thermostat, showerhead
and hand shower. Features
include push-button technology, which makes it easy
to turn the shower on and
off, and intuitive icons select
spray, outlet and flow.

"All projects have a common theme: Homeowners are asking for a beautiful, spa-like bathroom that is easy to maintain," said designer
Michelle Fee of Atlanta-based Change Your
Bathroom. "Since the bathroom is the first room
your client enters when they wake up in the morning, it's a big responsibility to make it the most
thoughtful space that emanates this experience."
According to Fantini, this trend for a spa-like
space actually harkens back to ancient times when
the Greeks, Romans and Middle Eastern civilizations made a lifestyle out of the Turkish bath. In
those cultures, bathing was a therapeutic ritual that
played a huge part in health - mental and physical.
"The magic of water has always had to do with
the regeneration of the individual body and even
the collective body," said Fantini, explaining that
the traditional Turkish bath was a spa experience
that used a mixture of cold and hot water and
steam to rejuvenate. "Today, the market demand
is to bring the pleasure and benefits of this back
inside the house."
INTEGRATING WELLNESS WITH TECHNOLOGY

Instilled in showers, baths and even in mirrors
and lighting, recent developments in tech are allowing multiple therapeutic solutions to be subtly
integrated into luxury projects.
"This means that in addition to having a simple soaking tub, air bath or whirlpool bath, you
can also integrate aromatherapy, chromatherapy
and audio therapy," said Michael Kornowa, director of marketing at MTI Baths. "The sensory
therapies are beneficial unto themselves, but
when combined with the hydrotherapies, they
create a very powerful offering."
Hydrotherapy is what the ancients embraced,
and today it is still effective. Between steam and
hot or cold water, hydrotherapy can reduce 
pain, boost immunity, increase blood flow,

RIGHT The Veil Bathroom

Collection from KOHLER
features integrated lighting
adjustable for task, guide
and ambiance - or a combination - that works off of
circadian rhythms to more
naturally enhance wellbeing. Products include an
intelligent toilet, freestanding bath, lighted mirror and
three-piece vanity that work
together as a system.

BY ERINN LOUCKS

/ MAY-JUNE 2019 / KBBONLINE.COM / The official publication of NKBA (NKBA.org) and KBIS (KBIS.com)
http://www.KBBONLINE.COM http://www.NKBA.org http://www.KBIS.com
Kitchen & Bath Business - May/June 2019

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Kitchen & Bath Business - May/June 2019
