Among all the fixtures, faucets, plumbing and potties at KBIS — the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show — there are some noticeable trends. As I filtered through all the kitchen and bathroom commotion in Las Vegas this week, here are the three trends that stood out:
DIGITAL
Though it always sounds a bit ridiculous at first, there is no denying that digital technology is changing this industry dramatically. Though high-end toilets that play music and remember your "bulk waste habits" are on the more silly side, temperature control and conservation settings will no doubt become more commonplace.
• ioDigital - Moen
Moen's digital showering system allows consumers to digitally control temperature and flow with precision. Available with their shower, tub and vertical spa collections of faucets and hardware.
• DTV Prompt Shower System - Kohler
Kohler's new simpler and more affordable digital shower option for consumers who want precise control on temperature, conservation settings and ease of use.
• Washlet B100 - TOTO
TOTO adds to their popular Washlet series of technologically advanced toilets and toilet seats with the introductory level Washlet B100. With basic features like warming, washing and unique shape that fits almost any standard toilet, it is sure to increase the popularity of Japanese toilet technology.
• Numi Toilet - Kohler
Kohler's most technologically advanced toilet, the Numi is "the finest in personal comfort and cleansing" and features motion activation, bidet, air dryer, heater, deodorizer, touch screen remote, music docking station, presets and a tankless sleek and compact design. See also "Hands-On" With the $6,400 Kohler Numi Toilet.
RETROFIT & RENOVATE
The kitchen and bath industry is responding to the needs of the thousands of homeowners and urban renters who wish to upgrade their existing homes. These products make retrofit and renovation easier with standard sizing and smart solutions to make DIY even easier (if that's the route you choose).
• Robern's R3 Series
A new standard in medicine cabinets the new entry-level line from Robern features Beveled or Plain mirror options in 7 standard sizes — ideal for retrofitting and upgrading existing medicine cabinets and mirrored cabinetry — they're designed to replace existing standard medicine cabinets but with high-end features that include 1" flange to hide gaps, paint lines or any wall imperfections, anodized aluminum construction, 3 mirror construction (exterior door, interior door and interior back) and slow-close hinges.
• M•PACT Common Valve System
"Moen's M•PACT valve makes it easier to upgrade the style of the bathroom without replacing any faucet plumbing. A common-valve design allows for a quick faucet change within minutes: simply unscrew the handles and spout, lift them out and replace with the new style."
• Vault and Whitehaven Sinks
These 2 new short apron front sink models from Kohler are available in a slim 7" apron option that allows you to retrofit an existing industry standard 36" sink with a modern farmhouse sink (stainless or cast iron) into your existing standard cabinetry. With this option, the sink is still 9 inches deep, but the apron is shortened to fit a standard sink base cabinet.
MORE RETROFIT & RENOVATE
• Grohflex by Grohe — "a new universal valve system that
accommodates the full spectrum of shower applications - from a basic tub-shower setup to a multi-
function custom shower."
TRANSITIONAL / CONTEMPORARY
Nearly every vendor I spoke with talked about their newest designs that were destined to be in high-demand due to their strategic aesthetic that was a nod towards traditional but just modern enough to appeal to today's consumers. While I personally prefer more modern and edgy design (Kohler's Toobi comes to mind), these collections will appeal to the masses and are attractive to a wider range of consumers.
•90° Bathroom Collection
Sleek contemporary bathroom faucets, fixtures and accessories that finds the perfect place between traditional and modern.
• Treshem Bathroom Suite
A full range of options from Kohler for a neo-traditional bathroom — everything from toilets, sinks, vessels and bathroom cabinetry that is stylishly contemporary without being too modern.
• Aimes Soaking Tub - TOTO
Adding to the existing Aimes suite, TOTO chose a rectangular and angular tub design to meet that not-too-modern consumer.
MORE TRANSITIONAL / CONTEMPORARY
• Silas Faucet Collecton by TOTO
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Comments (24)
I love my ToTo toilet (Neorest600)! After living in Japan for 5yrs it was a must when moving back to NYC. After having a heated seat you will not want anything else.
http://www.totousa.com/Neorest/Neorest600.aspx
is there any trend to convert from tub to stand-up shower? i'm thinking of removing my tub which is never used to a nice tiled shower.
I'm with notarepublican. I have been thinking about taking my bathtub out too. I live in a condo with 1 and a half bathrooms. A shower would be more useful (as I age) and more dramatic too. A realtor friend said no way, bad resale value, but I’m still considering it.
Does anyone know where those white wine glasses came from? Or were they painted for the photograph?
A nice bathroom is very calming at the end of the day. In addition to the soaking tub, a nice bowl that can be filled with water to wash one's face... Give it a try. Fill a bowl and wash your face without the faucet running. The lack of noise is amazing.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/liquidstereo/4264096704/in/set-72157600195882099
Cheers!
same old same old every year. i almost feel sorry for the design staff at u.s. kitchen and bathroom manufacturers. it's got to be frustrating trying to appeal to the u.s. consumer who is afraid of being too modern, by endlessly producing boring "contemporary" and "transitional" pieces that looks no different than the familiar and safe.
Personally I gravitate more and more to original old designs...finding a tub that someone is using as a horse trough...the digital fancy stuff simply has more parts and issues that will need repair and cost too much. I'm all for water saving measures, but other than that...give me the old stuff...tried, true, sturdier.
Why is the ToTo soaking tub so freaking angular? Why would I want to lay back in a tub that might cut my neck off if I leaned it back? Improve on the curves of a comfy clawfoot.
as i said, must get boring designing for u.s. consumers
@ Notarepublican ... we live in a condo and removed our tub preferring a walk in shower with more room, to a tub we never use. It is great, we love it. We found a shower pan that can be tiled that fits in the same space as a tub, so it's fully sealed and HOA approved. Some buyers may be deterred by a lack of tub for resale but I think many people are shower only these days.
I removed my tub and love my shower - and will love it more as I age. Depending upon how many years it is until you expect to sell, and where you live, the folks who buy may just rip out your whole bathroom. But, yes, conventional real estate wisdom is not to do it. I decided that I can't spend my life worrying about resale values.
The angles aren't bad. I don't have/use this tub but remember - the water (buoyancy force) will be supporting your body.
We also removed a never-used tub and replaced it with a walk-in tiled shower in our apartment. LOVE it.
I would never have bought an apartment without a bath - to each their own! I do think a *large* stand-up shower could be a selling-point for certain buyers, though.
Cherrie Ward, could it be that that is the "foot" end--since you would probably want to look out the windows? I agree, otherwise...
I think remodeling to remove a home's only bathtub is a problem if you may end up having kids or selling your house to a family that does. Kids can only be bathed in the kitchen sink for so long.
We took out our tub and replaced it with a walk in tiled shower. We added beautiful Aging in Place features: Marine teak handrails, rainshower head and a handheld shower wand, we could wash anything in there kids, dogs, etc.
While the Moen idea to have screw-on faucets and handles is brilliant, I cynically felt it's mainly just so they'll have more sales as soon as this year's trendiness becomes yesterday's news.
On the other hand, these pix are almost all great eye-candy and I enjoyed looking, a lot!
i'm another one who wants to get rid of the tub & have a walk-in shower. the only thing stopping me is the cost of a complete reno, because i'll have to remove the existing tile (which is probably from the 50s & wraps around the bathroom up to about 5') to get the tub out. saving my pennies, though ...
oh, and also: no digital anything in my bathroom, thanks.
We got a Toto S300 Washlet a year ago. Good deal on eBay. Bought it on the recommendation of friends who spent time in Japan.
The whole household loves it. More than worth the money. I think when we redo our other bathroom we will go with a Neorest instead of an add-on Washlet. I love that pressurized flush, automatic lid (no hands!), and that sleek all-in-one look.
I like the old school styles - antique sconces, lavish towel bars - and yes, a 10 jet shower with an overhead rain spray. They can go together - trust me. I also found a really cute solid bronze Duck faucet at LookInTheAttic.com with feather wings for on/off knobs. And great towel bars, rings, hooks with matching switch plates. How great is that?
Moen's digital showering system and Kohler's digital shower would go perfect in a frameless shower enclosure.
Wow what a post, it will take me a while to get through this one :)
I too replaced the tub with a shower in my condo's second bathroom. It was ironic that those who said taking out a tub was a bad idea never used the tub in their own home. Also as the baby boomers age, tub baths will become less and less a viable option.