Galleries: Trends & Inspirations
Seeing Product Perfect at ICFF
Handle the Art from Folwell Studios had on display the most wonderful collection of sculptured pulls, knobs and door handles. My favorite of course were Phido and Phiphi (because I love dogs), but each piece has been lost wax cast, chased, patinaed and polished by hand individually – and signed.
Stone Forest’s Papillon tub is the kind of tub – if I am going to have a tub – I would want in my bathroom. It is a statement-making piece inspired by classic Italian design with a tapered, barrel-shaped vessel carved from a single block of Cumulo granite. Papillon is also available in Carrera, sandstone, limestone or black granite.
The Élan Vital wallpaper design from Flavor Paper is mesmerizing. The company teamed up with Manhattan-based floral designer Ovando, who helped create a modern interpretation of a still-life artwork that uses his flower-arranging skills to evoke a similar reproduction of the flowers on a much grander scale. Flavor Paper worked closely with the designer to create and photograph a selection of flowers that represent a wide variety of species not found in classical still-life paintings.
A toilet that does it all? It’s called the SpaLet AT200 dual-flush smart toilet from DXV by American Standard. Indulgent bidet functions enabled by a sensor when you sit down? Yes please! It is also highly water efficient – it’s WaterSense certified by the EPA – and offers a range of automated features (the seat lid opens itself) for an enhanced hygienic experience. It also offers a night light in the bowl and around the base, as well as a remote control.
THG-Paris is celebrating its 60th anniversary with the introduction of Numero 60 – a beautiful tap handle hand engraved with a stencil and then filled with gold powder and polished. It also features a gold-plated crystal top placed over the company’s well-known cross design.
Pelle’s Lure sconce was definitely an eye-catcher for me, because, well, I couldn’t stop looking at it! The fixture is a cast paper flower with hand-sculpted petals spotlighted by a suspended LED source and held by a slender brass arc.
Adding extreme function and convenience in the kitchen, Franke launched its new Chef Center, an integrated sink system that includes two removable, anti-microbial compartments that can serve as a composter, wine bucket, storage bin – and the list goes on. It is available with a variety of accessories, including a cutting board, colander, grid, mobile drainer board, push-button-controlled strainer basket and the company’s Roller Mat. The Chef Center will be available in August.
The Vola built-in, heated towel rail from Hastings is a modular system of bars that can be positioned between 500 and 2,100mm. It features a self-closing timer and two handles – one for on/off and one for temperature control.
MGS exhibited three new finishes for its plumbing fixtures: antique brass, copper and gold. The gold finish is plated in 24k and can be applied to polished steel for a glossy finish or brushed steel for a matte look. The brass and copper finishes are coated with a galvanic process to ensure more corrosion protection.
Arvina vessel lavatories from TOTO offer clean lines and simple geometric shapes and are ideal for smaller bathrooms and/or powder rooms. For larger spaces, they can be doubled for a vanity in a master bath. TOTO has introduced three new Arvina vessel designs, including one square and two round.
Hubbardton Forge, known for its statement light fixtures – displayed the newest addition to its Four Seasons collection – Summer – but my favorite is Autumn, with its hand-forged leaf designs. The light fixture also features an LED light guide that is independently adjustable from the sculpture itself.
Vinotemp displayed new solutions for wine storage architecture reflecting the needs of today’s collector. The company’s new system uses Epicureanist modern peg racking metal pins that allow for flexibility while cradling wine bottles. It makes the bottles look like they are floating in mid-air and features Vinotemp’s self-contained Wine-Mate temperature and humidity controls.
Rocky Mountain Hardware’s Trousdale collection was borne out of a collaboration with Kravitz Design – headed by none other than famous musician, Lenny Kravitz. A line for both doors and cabinetry, Trousdale was inspired by the Trousdale Estates neighborhood in Beverly Hills, Calif., and features sleek architectural elements, angular profiles and textural effect. Each of the 16 available pieces is offered in 10 finishes, with customization available to suit individual needs.
The ZOE faucet from KWC was inspired by the company’s kitchen faucet with the same name and offers a spout that rotates 45 degrees in either direction – making it easier to rinse the basin without getting water on the countertop. Who doesn’t want the same function offered in the kitchen in the bathroom as well? ZOE is offered as a single-lever, widespread or wall-mounted fixture and is available in chrome and Splendure stainless steel.
Lunada Bay debuted the Contourz collection of 3D and flat field concrete tiles that can be used on the floor, as exterior cladding and, in some cases, on a feature wall. The tiles can stand alone or be used with other materials for a mixed-media effect. They measure just 8mm thick, and the collection is made up of three rectangular field tiles; Fanfare Hes, a 3D form of symmetrical surfaces folding onto one plane; Flayme, a rectangular field tile with flame-like elevations; Trifecta, a triangular tile with elevated, sloped cuvrves; and Zen Break, a 3D sloping rectangular tile.
With NYC’s ban on new wood-burning fireplaces, HearthCabinet’s Ventless Fireplaces are a sight for sore eyes. The fireplaces are designed without the need for a flue, chimney, gas line or electricity, and installation is easy. They use a safe, clean-burning, gel fuel cartridge system and feature a top-hinged, locking, steel-mesh screen door for safety.
Another eye-catching light fixture was displayed at the Louis Poulsen booth – Patera – which was created through a partnership with Olivand Slaatto. Inspired by nature, the ball-shaped pendant floats, spreading light in every direction, and features circles, angles and holes.
JCK&D’s hardware is off-the-chains innovative and includes such pieces as this cameo-inspired knob designed by co-owner and jewelry designer Jessica Kagan Cushman. She likes to use colorful powdercoatings, fossils and semi-precious stones in her designs.
Victoria + Albert added the Tubo 20 thermostatic wall-mounted shower mixer to its Tubo Collection. Tubo 20 offers easy-to-use controls and a separate, handheld shower attachment, and its 8-in. crescent-shaped showerhead features rub-clean rubber nozzles.
Fantini presented three new finishes for select lines. Gun metal blends burnished blends of blue and dark gray for depth, while warm copper bronze creates a bright and rosy effect, and British gold offers a calm, graceful alternative. Each new finish is obtained with physical vapor deposition treatment, which applies a thin film onto the fixtures in a vacuum phase, keeping the structure of the surface unaltered. This process is also used in the biomedical fields, where it allows for variety of color tones while eliminating impurities.
Watermark Design offers a new collection of – yes you heard me – shower pulls, which are taking a step into the bathroom hardware arena. Made from solid brass, the pulls are available in four lengths and four configurations – one-sided pull, back-to-back pulls, one-sided pull with hook and back-to-back hooks. They are available in any of the company’s 40 available finishes.
American Standard’s Studio ActiVate toilet provides a no-touch flush with a wave of a hard within two inches of a sensor. If that wasn’t hygienic enough for you, the toilet and seat also include EverClean, a microbial additive that inhibits bacteria growth, mold and mildew on the surface.
Tracy Glover’s Koi Pond chandelier was another show stopper for me. It really needs no explanation, but it is displayed in an oval canopy in brushed nickel with stainless steel rods and is available in a variety of colorways, including antique or brushed brass, brushed nickel, black oxide and oil-rubbed bronze.
Artistic Tile’s Fortress is carved from the same Carrera marble that was used during the Roman Empire. Its textured diamond motif is reminiscent of medieval iron gates and studded shields carved from Italian marble. The tile is suitable for interior walls and some shower wall applications.
GROHE’s Essence New kitchen faucet features a pullout dual spray with a toggle function that allows seamless switching between spray and regular water flow. The S model is available with either a curved or straight spout and features a 28mm SilkMove cartridge. The M-XL models feature a swivel spout that can be set for a 90- or 360-degree swivel.
The Expo collection of bathroom furniture from GRAFF was designed by Italian studio Nespoli e Novara, who used the shape of a vintage carpenter’s bench for inspiration. The collection includes a vanity, washbasin, hanging shelves (shown) and a mirror and is made with such materials as wood and DuPont Corian.
Walker Zanger’s Stardust collection features mosaic tile that is waterjet-cut from volcanic basalt rock and then glazed for a textured, handcrafted look reminiscent of midcentury fat lava-style pottery. The white and silver glazes are reminiscent of the moon’s surface, and the colors relate to heavenly themes – with names like moon rock, solar and twilight.
The wall-mounted Diamond Illuminate fixture by Andrea Claire can be specified with a mirror for a colorful bathroom application. It includes a translucent wood envelope and a brass mounting box and is available in a variety of wood or metal finishes.
Chameleon Concepts debuted its Parsons Collection of customizable bathroom vanities. The door frame can accommodate a wide variety of insert options, including glass, tile, mirror, marble and fabric, and I was even told someone recently used photographs. The freestanding vanity can also be wall mounted and is suitable for any style of bathroom.