Milan Design Week 2016 Blog Series – Part Five BATHROOMS

There were so many beautiful bathrooms on display at the International Bathroom Exhibition, which was part of the Salone del Mobile Milano in April. The key themes that were apparent to me, as I wondered through the huge halls admiring the displays, were the warmth of colour coming through and the variety of shapes.

There was a lot of timber used to create furniture styled vanities. The timber was combined with a range of other materials, from powder-coated metals to stone and brass/copper.

A stunning timber vanity with a powder-coated frame wrapped around it, in a stunning blue.  Also note the matte brown, round basin.

A beautifully simple design for the vanity, made from timber with a top mounted rectangular basin. Note the storage cubby holes at each end.

A timber vanity combined with a matte black top and a black, top mounted, rectangular basin. Handless drawers.

A quirky take on the vanity, utilising a bicycle as the frame. For all the cycling enthusiasts out there, this could be a  great way to create a bathroom with a point of difference!

INTEGRATED VANITY BASINS

One piece, integrated vanity basins were also a huge trend at the show. I saw them made in powder coated metal, natural stone, engineered stone and metals such as brass.

Colourful, wall mounted basins with integrated drainage, made from powder coated metal.

Double vanity with integrated basins made from a marble look engineered stone. I love the gorgeous moody blue/grey used for the wall behind it.

A trough style vanity with an integrated basin made from an engineered stone with a timber type finish. You can use a product like Dekton from Cosentino to create this look.

This was a truly eye-catching vanity with a brushed brass finished, again a trough style but this one has a waste in the centre rather that an integrated slot at one end or the back. The finish of this basin was stunning.

STORAGE AND ACCESSORIES

There were a number of storage options available, ranging from a more traditional wall tower cabinet to seats with lids and chairs with elongated backs for hanging towels.

I saw some gorgeous little tables to place next to free standing baths, to overcome that perennial problem of where you are going to place your glass of wine or cup of tea whilst bathing!

Timber wall storage unit. Beautiful warm timber.

Wall storage unit with a combination of finishes.

Powder coated metal storage cabinet, with an open shelf at the bottom and LED lighting.

I love this chair with the extra high back for hanging towels on. You could also make one out of powder coated metal in a bold colour to add a real statement piece to your bathroom.

A great storage concept for your bathroom, doubles as a small seat with a lift up lid to the storage space.

I saw many variations of these little tables. Great for placing next to a bath.

Towel rail with shelf in the middle to hold all your bathroom essentials

Another variation on ladder style storage – very effective with the combination of timber and white, against a dark grey wall.

Love this little table for beside the bath, very simple in style, with a slot created to hang a towel.

SHAPES AND COLOURS

As you have seen from the vanities and basis above, there were a large number of square shapes in the bathrooms. This was contrasted by a number of displays that really took a more rounded shape to heart. Think oval mirrors and round basins.

Double, vertical oval mirrors above round freestanding basins.

Double, vertical oval mirrors above round freestanding basins.