Style guide

Bathrooms are firmly in the limelight today. No longer the last room to be considered when building or renovating, the bathroom is making its own design statement.

Much of this interest can be put down to international trends and the extensive range of designer products now available.

Plumbing Plus co-ordinator Jeremy Britton says consultants at the company's stores nationwide are noticing several new trends. Most noticeably, the number of bathrooms in new homes is increasing.

"In more upmarket properties it's not uncommon to have an ensuite for almost every bedroom," he says.

"Homeowners are still wanting clean, uncluttered looks and good functionality, but we have noticed changes in the minimalist tapware collections. These are now tending towards geometric, rather than curved shapes. Handles and shower heads, for example, are often square, triangular or rectangular."

Britton says basins also are frequently rectangular, with elongated, double-basin styles a popular option. Vessel basins also continue to be in demand.

Other noticeable trends include squared-off cisterns and back-to-wall toilet suites, which avoid dust traps.

"Solid wood furniture is also becoming sought after. Another increasingly popular option is for customers to specify fully tiled shower enclosures," Britton says.

The projects shown on these pages illustrate some of the latest products in Plumbing Plus stores. Each bathroom was designed by store consultants.

Northland Plumbing Plus manager Serena Morris designed the bathroom of the Kerikeri house featured on the facing page. This room has a clean-lined, uncluttered look, enhanced by Italian Milano Fly basins and Mamoli Picot tall tapware. The vertical lines are further reinforced by a tall wall cabinet.

Morris and consultant Sue Tustian co-ordinated the guest and family bathrooms for Mataka Station in the Bay of Islands shown on this page. Featured products include the freestanding Kohler Presqu'ile tub, Duravit Vero square-edged basins and Paini Pixel bath spout. Cantilevered fixtures enhance the spacious look of the rooms and ensure the spectacular outlook is not obscured.

A third bathroom was designed by Nicky Jacobs of Zip Design Centre the Plumbing Plus store in Mt Maunganui in conjunction with homeowner Erica Trebilco and interior designer Jacquie Bain. This bathroom features a freestanding Viaoduo tub from Kaldewei.

Jeremy Britton says each Plumbing Plus outlet is independently owned and operated, so customers are assured of personalised attention and service.

"Plumbing Plus recognises how difficult it can be to pull together an overall look," he says. "Consequently, the design consultants can help with every aspect of your bathroom design from maximising its functionality to working out the finer details. They can help with storage, ventilation and lighting issues, for example."

If you wish to do some initial research for your project, bathroom planning kits and comprehensive catalogues are available from all Plumbing Plus outlets.

Britton says homeowners get the benefit of the group's united buying strength, which allows access to an extensive selection of quality plumbing supplies at competitive prices. These products include some of the top brands from Europe, America and Australia.

"The Plumbing Plus product range has grown along with the trend towards more sophisticated interiors," he says. "All products are selected for their versatility and hard-wearing qualities. But they're also chosen to meet the exacting requirements of homeowners who want fixtures and fittings that incorporate latest technology and fashion trends."

Britton says many of the top local designs match the best international brands on offer, but have the added advantage of being tailored to suit New Zealand lifestyles and our water supply systems.

For information on Plumbing Plus or the address of your nearest store, visit the website: www.plumbingplus.co.nz.

Story by: Trendsideas