Retail Observer

AUGUST 2019 RETAILOBSERVER.COM 33 T he trend in bathroom design today is to create an environment where we can spend time relaxing, as in a spa. Thus designers and homeowners are paying increased attention to the aesthetics of the bathroom. Yes, your bathroom is a functional place, but that doesn't mean it can't make a strong design statement as well. The bathroom furnishing trends in 2019 aren't too far from what we've seen in recent years. However, the tile trend is bringing back colors and formats to match the vintage furnishings that will always be in fashion in every sector. Consequently, the novel choice of color palette is pale pink for the bathroom. But first let's consider some other new design trends in bathroom products. WOOD & STONE Stone and wood have only entered our bathrooms relatively recently. The demand is generally high for neutral and natural product selections, especially in a spa-like bathroom. Today's design choices include bathroom furniture in natural colors of wood and stone. For this very trendy reason, bathroom furniture is trending to match walls and flooring of wood or stone. Some might ask, "What's the appeal?" Natural materials give a feeling of comfort and warmth, and of course, beauty. Homeowners recall materials used in spas that lend a relaxing feeling to the environment. In addition to the bathroom's primary functions, it should serve as an environment dedicated to wellness. In addition to their aesthetic beauties, some stone materials have antibacterial properties, not to be underestimated as a bathroom element. FASHION WITH TILES The tiles of 1970s bathrooms have come back in fashion in 2019. We've recently seen hexagonal shapes and classic rectangles, both vertically and horizontally. Depending on personal taste, tiles can be chosen in basic white or the popular pastel blue and green shades. Today's tiles are manufactured in diverse formats and sizes for designs that create dynamic aesthetics, but in relaxing colors and compositions. Yes, you can have a trendy and original bathroom – but today's big news is pink, which we'll discuss below. NEW COLOR TREND – "PINK" Today, pink is a color not only for women. Male accessories and clothing have long included subtle accents of pinks. Pink in its most tenuous shade begins to peep out among the nuances of the bathroom as well. Antique pink, pastel pink and softer shades give the room a concept of style, relaxation and well-being to complement the prevailing shades of blue and green. The colors dominating today's trends are greys, pastels, blues, whites and shades of beiges. However, pink is a color that we've rarely seen in bathrooms. The retraction of the millennial pink from the hot design scene is affecting the rise of earth tonalities – beige, blond, forest green and ash charcoals. In the meantime, copper will continue its value for trendy design details, but the stronger preferences will march toward brass, black, and white metals, and pink will complement the surroundings. DECORATIVE PLUMBING FITTINGS We're back with an incredible selection of Italian faucets, both formal and high-tech, that are mixing things up in the bathroom. Bathtubs, sinks, and showers get a complete makeover when paired with the latest collections of modern faucets marked by innovative design and prestigious finishes. Faucets seem divided into two categories: modern minimalist and vintage-inspired. Modern forms are being manufactured in a wide variety of colors and materials. Bathroom faucets coordinated with floors and walls are featuring gold, bronze, brass, black matt, copper, brush stainless and grey tones. The luxury alternative adds crystals and gemstones in faucets and shower collections, as in the Palazzani Collections. Elegant once more, faucets in the modern bathroom are being reinterpreted via a clean mix of old-style character and contemporary design. In taps, we find a move into hipster or urban style peeping into the manufacturers' production lines. The square forms and flat and glossy surfaces of taps in black, brushed stainless steel and gold grant the interior designer an active role in configuring the perfect faucet, even as demand is growing for one-hole bathroom faucets. Essential yet strong lines are coming into play in fresh designs that pay tribute to the organic aesthetic, with tapered forms of crystals and gemstones in faucets and shower systems. Such beauty in decorative plumbing fixtures creates a purity of form. DECORATIVE PLUMBING INDUSTRY FOR THE USA MARKET The plumbing fixtures and fitting market was estimated at USD 74.72 billion in 2015, and is projected to 102.07 billion by 2021.The global market players in plumbing are Gerberit (Switzerland), Kohler Co. (USA), Jacuzzi Inc. (USA), Masco (USA), Lixil Group (Japan), Fortune Brands (USA), Toto (Japan) and Roca (Spain). Then we have Palazzani Italy, a small player serving over 30 countries through brick and mortar stores. The luxury plumbing fixture market is slated to surpass USD 26 billion by 2024, according to new research by Global Market Insights. I truly believe it is the moment for brick and mortar retailers to add decorative plumbing fixtures to their business model. As purchasing power rises, coupled with increasing demand for premium and advanced bathrooms and kitchens, these will be key factors fueling market growth in luxury plumbing fixtures. Marco Palazzani, Palazzani Italy Manufacturer and distributor of decorative plumbing fixtures www.palazzanihome.com RO

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