17 February 2011

Bath trends from Spain


As I've been saying all week, Tile of Spain had me in Spain for eight days to learn about the culture and people of Spain and to attend Cevisama. Cevisama is a massive trade show that celebrates the Spanish tile, natural stone and bath industries.

I'm a trade show veteran and have been to more kitchen, bath, tile and stone trade shows than I can count. But this last month has had me in three major trade shows outside of the US and it's been an eye-opening experience to say the least. I have volumes to say on that topic but I'll save that for later.

Here are some of the highlights of the bath designs I saw at Cevisama. As you look through these designs, pay attention to the shapes, colors and ideas. Most of this stuff will never make it to North America but the ideas behind the designs will. Eventually.

#1

#2

#3

#4

#5

#6

#7

#8

#9

#10

#11

#12

#13

#14

So there you have it, my highlights from Cevisama. Is there anything in those photos that moves you for better or worse? What do you think of the idea of suspended vanities? How about the idea of giving yourself less storage on purpose? Think about it, if you can store less stuff that means you have to have less stuff. I find that appealing but I have a feeling that I'm a minority in that opinion. I've numbered all of my photos here so let me know which one's your favorite and which one's your least favorite.

Again, a thousand thank yous to Tile of Spain for the opportunity to explore the Spanish design scene.

14 comments:

  1. Great Pictures. I still love the Rapsel Pluviae Shower. It looks like it was a fabulous trip.

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  2. Thanks! The vanity sink that accompanied the Pluviae shower was remarkable too.

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  3. I love the striated tile in #2, but the one tiny drawer in the vanity wouldn't do it for me. I like the floating vanities in theory. I'd ooh over them in someone else's home, but I'm a chick and chicks have stuff. I'm not terrifying in the morning - noone's going to think, "Good Lord, how thick were the beer goggles, that I went home with this girl?" but still I need my powders and jams and jellies to get out of the house in the morning.

    I love the tile in #12 & #9, too. Which one makes me run shrieking from the room? #1, not because I can't deal with color, but those particular pink colors gives me flashbacks of my second college apartment with it's dirty grout and shower that didn't work.

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  4. Thanks for all of your considered feedback. A lot of the stuff I saw works in theory but I can't help thinking that my life would be easier to live if I gave myself fewer opportunities to accumulate stuff rather than more.

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  5. Hah! And that's just the lavatories!

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  6. Ahh toilet humour. Once again you and Bob have crossed streams on your blog posts (sorry couldn't resist)

    I love the multiple horizontals common to European Bathrooms. Multiple heights and strong horizontals make the spaces so dynamic. Simplicity and clean lines found in #12 speak to me specifically. I'm loving the trend of ceramic wainscoting and wallpapers made possible with Digital Glazing. Makes so much more sense in a bathroom than the traditional materials.

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  7. Personally I love #12 - it has a unique sink for a small bath & #14 would be part of my dream bath. However one issue I see with the suspended sinks with storage underneath, no wheelchair access. I like the idea of designing a home that can be converted, without a lot of expense, to a home for someone physically challenged. Always enjoy seeing different styles however and Paul the pics are gorgeous!

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  8. You are more than welcome, Paul! You're not only a great voice in this industry, you're a heckuva guy to travel with. We appreciated every minute of time you spent with us. Besos!

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  9. love the clean lines of the last floating sink/counter combo (#14).

    glad you enjoyed your trip!

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  10. I really like #8...I like the elongated subway tiles! Great post...It seems that Spain has some beautiful tile products..

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  11. Ryan: Good one!

    Ginny: The storage below the sink is held in place with four screws so it can be relocated without too much trouble should the need arise later.

    Tile of Spain: Muchos besos a ti tambien. Muchos besos y muchisimas gracias.

    Christian: It was the best. Going to design shows outside of the US has been a real eye-opener.

    Eric: Some of the tile they make was really mind-bending and they use it in ways you'd never expect.

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  12. I love every photo, Paul. I like # 3's overall tile design, and its simple color. I also like the idea of less stuff, though # 14 is so appealing to me. Perhaps because of its bright color - green. I'm hopeful to see these in stores here in America. Especially in Tampa, Florida since most houses here have relaxed and light architectural styles.

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  13. You have a lot more faith in our area than I do Kathy. Hah! Thanks for your comment.

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