Hydrotherapy

The bathroom as a sanctuary seems to be the mantra of our increasingly frenetic times. No longer simply a utilitarian room in which to wash, it has become one of our favourite spaces to retreat; a refuge that revives the body and soul. With a focus on pleasure and well-being as much as function, the new direction in bathrooms is towards individual style, escapism and touches of glamour. “I like to think we have said goodbye to minimalism,” says Debra DeLorenzo of Debra DeLorenzo Design. “For me it’s about texture, pattern and the ornate in the bathroom.”

Though practicality and hygiene will always be paramount in the bathroom, Debra’s comments reflect a shift in decor from the pared-down, stark look of a few years ago towards a softer, less structured feel. Bold wallpaper, colour on the wall and in fittings, vintage furniture and even chandeliers are making an entrance. “The bathroom has become a haven,” notes Sarah Davis from Plumbing World. Sarah cites the influence of working mothers in particular on the more relaxed, feminine feel to our bathrooms. “In what other room in the house can you lock the door and escape?” she observes. “It’s about indulging ourselves and soaking in a bath with a glass of wine.”

As Sarah points out, the bathroom may often be the smallest room in the house, but we are cocooning ourselves in luxury within its tiled walls. Soft Egyptian towels, French-milled soap and sweet scented lotions in exquisite bottles are the small touches that make the difference.
Accessories are one of the simplest ways to transform and update a bathroom, but we are also investing in beautifully designed basins, baths, showers and tapware to make our bathrooms stand out. Roger Arlidge, director of bathroom store Interio, says European manufacturers have raised the standard and are working with talented designers. “We are seeing a lot of attention to detail on things like basins, incorporating swirl patterns such as vines and leaves. People are choosing quality and a more individual look.”

Andrea Barzotto of bathroom supplies company Metrix agrees and notes the continuing trend to vessel basins set on a wooden or marble top. “People are wanting to make a statement with their bathrooms but it has to be something they can live with long term. A unique piece such as a stone or marble basin will have that wow factor, yet it’s also a classic design.” Andrea says that the fashion for square shapes in ceramic ware continues but the lines are softening. “There are more curves in the designs coming out of Europe.”

Claire MacLean of Elegant Bathroom Design also notes a softer, more feminine look coming in. “The square shape is still there but corners are rounded off on sanitary ware to give a gentler effect,” she says. Claire says that people are still tending to play it safe in the bathroom, preferring neutral tones, but are moving away from minimalism. “They want to pep it up a bit and introduce a little more style. Freestanding furniture is very popular, as are decorative tiles. There’s also a big demand for functionality, such as wall-hung deep drawers for storage.”

Claire says there is a shift away from the dark timber of recent years to a softer, painted look. Coloured veneers are beginning to make an appearance as well. Looking to the future, an investment in water conservation continues with companies such as Caroma launching the “smart flush” toilet, which uses considerably less water than a regular cistern. “Dual and half-flush are the standard now,” says Karen Felton of Caroma, which supports the new system of water-efficiency labelling to be introduced next year.

Although perhaps not eco-friendly, a period-style or designer bath is still highly desirable. Great Baths specialise in beautiful claw-footed porcelain baths. The company’s owner, Nigel Kennedy, says people tend to favour new reproduction baths over resurfacing these days. Perhaps the ultimate in indulgence is a freestanding bath in the centre of the room – often incorporated into the main bedroom. Debra DeLorenzo, whose styling for Mico Bathrooms reflects her love of classic design, says en suite bathrooms are often bigger now than the main bathroom. “The en suite is seen as a personal sanctuary, a shared space for couples away from the children.” Indicative of this is the trend for large double-headed showers that “drench” the user.

This seemingly widespread penchant for “water therapy” is evident in the increasing demand for massage showers, steam rooms and spa baths. On a more modest scale, creating the spa experience can be as simple as running a bath strewn with floating flowers and relaxing by candlelight for an hour or so, escaping to another world.

LAUNDRIES
Once relegated to the garage or a tiny utility space, laundries have become a major feature of the modern home. New products must be functional and stylish since they’re often on display in our open-plan homes.

“Today’s laundry often occupies a prominent space close to the main living areas, generally in close proximity to the kitchen or the bathroom,” says Fisher & Paykel’s marketing manager Roger Bridge. “This means the washing machine and dryer need to look good while meeting demands.” One such demand is for bigger washing machines; there’s also greater awareness of energy and water efficiency, says Roger.
Organising the space is important, particularly when room size is limited. Companies embracing the trend toward smart laundries include Robinhood – its stylish ‘Supertub’ has a large, moulded stainless steel sink and deep drawers for storage. In small spaces, the slim-line model ‘LaundraSlimPlus’ from Aquatica has a clever pull-out spray tap.

Designer Debra DeLorenzo recommends continuity between the kitchen joinery and fittings (such as tapware) and the laundry to keep the look sleek. If combining a laundry and bathroom she will often conceal the laundry in a cupboard – a clever trick that works equally well in the kitchen. “Don’t forget rails and space for drying inside,” is her advice.