Design Trends from New York

Window dressing at Artistic Tile in New York 

A trip to New York is always inspiring design-wise, but especially so when the ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair) is in town. Recently I visited the Javitz Convention Center where this exhibition of the latest and greatest in global design was held in late May. Over 500 exhibitors from over 30 countries showed off their best new product designs in a range of home furnishing categories including kitchen and bath. I returned with a round up of fab finds in decorative plumbing from some of the quality brands that we represent in our Beverly showroom ... 

Seen at ICFF, also in our showroom: Morphing Tub by KOS 

Agora Collection from Zucchetti

Zucchetti KOS unveiled their new Agora Collection which is a fusion of both traditional and modern design aesthetics. The collection includes elegant taps and tub fillers, plus a sculptural tub and wash basin.

From Victoria + Albert: A modern take on a vintage soaking tub.

The Drayton Collection from Victoria + Albert stood out with its bold, all white re-design of a classic slipper tub. 

The clean and simple lines of this Victoria + Albert limestone vessel pairs beautifully with the graphic pattern of a mirrored-front black vanity.

Axor Starck Organic lavatory faucet designed by Phillipe Starck for Hansgrohe.

The newly introduced Organic lav faucet from the Axor Hansgrohe brand is a minimalist design by Phillipe Starck that offers dynamic water saving features. Water is released in a pearlized spray that reduces the actual amount of water that is used by about 50%. The temperature control is at the top of the fixture, while the on/off valve is at the bottom of the spout which reduces the delay in the time it takes to shut if off after done with use.

There are many world class designers in the Axor Hansgrohe stable. Read about them here.

The Duravit brand displayed a new collection, the Happy D.2. It comes in a range of sizes, from powder room petite to much more expansive. With its rounded edges this collection has a distinctly feminine quality. The newest option in finishes is a brushed linen look that is a warm greige in color – not quite gray, not quite beige, with a hint of pink. Hopefully we will have a sample in our showroom soon.

New warm-gray brushed linen finish from Duravit

The Happy D.2 suite // photo courtesy Duravit

There was a lot of warm gray at this years ICFF including this transitional painted vanity cabinet from Fairmont Designs. This model will actually be in our Beverly showroom in the near future. It, too, is available in larger widths (up to 48 inches) and has an optional matching mirror to complete the look.

Brizo had an eye-catching display of new free-standing tub fillers at the show. Each model complements the distinctive design of an existing lav faucet from their fashion-forward bath suite collections. 

Style Modern by Samuel Heath

Samuel Heath introduced a new Art Deco inspired lav faucet and tub filler collection that has a definite Great Gatsby air.

Style Modern by Samuel Heath

THG Paris at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair

THG Paris is a luxe brand that we offer through our showroom. While not currently on display, any of our sales associates can help you place an order for your next over-the-top design installation. I fell in love with their new crystal knobs made in collaboration with Baccarat. They are based on a lotus flower shape and come in red, blue, black and crystal clear.

Petale de Cristal from THG on display at ICFF

Dragon Widespread Lavatory set in brass from Altmans

We do have a large display of Altmans products in our showroom. This ornate brass dragon faucet, however, is not currently in house, but I do know some fabulous local designers who would include this in their “faucets are the jewelry of the home” design plans.

I Ballacchi Taps // 100 Fountains Project: Fantini for Africa

Another item I would like to get in our Beverly showroom were these colored taps from Fantini, especially the bright Designer Bath orange version in particular. How fun would these be (with matching colored spout, of course) in a modern powder room or child’s bath?

The mission of the 100 Fountains Project: Fantini for Africa is  “ ... to bring water to those who do not have it, to give greater dignity to everyday life and the hope of a better future. Good water changes lives: having it close to your home, within reach, simply pouring out when you turn on the tap, transforms behavioural and hygienic habits unexpectedly and radically.”

Every 10 sets of I Ballocchi taps sold will finance a water delivery system in the villages of Masango in Burundi, Africa, one of the poorest countries in the world where children spend most of their days fetching water, leaving no time for education or play. 

There were other booths that got my attention at the ICFF that are worth sharing ... 

From Stone Source: Tile trends included inkjet porcelain that resembles salvaged materials, along with gray palettes warmed with cream and gold tones.

Oceanography inspired lighting and objets d’art from designer Gilles Caffier of Paris. Such remarkable textures!

Jessica Rosenkrantz and Jesse Louis-Rosenberg of Nervous System

photo courtesy: Nervous System

A very cool product shown at ICFF was digitally fabricated lighting, furniture and jewelry by locally based Nervous System of Sommerville. Using computer simulation and 3D printing technology, delicate orbs in organic shapes appeared almost etheral. I really loved the pendant lighting along with the option to customize designs.
 

And I couldn’t resist posting this very cool use of copper piping by exhibiting artist TJ Volonis. If you’d like to try your hand at fashioning some pieces of your own, contact our trade side, Salem Plumbing, for materials. The inspiration, however, is up to you!

I discovered even more inspiration during a private blogger tour of the 41st Annual Kips Bay Decorator Show House, which was also happening in New York during my visit. To learn more about this outdoor bath by West Chin Architects and see other fabulous New York designer spaces, click here. 

Do You Love Your Home?

Greg and Gayle Nowak, Bonnie Collins, and Donald Egan

Winners of the Northshore Magazine

“Love Your Home” Design Event Challenge

photo courtesy Northshore Magazine

At a recent Northshore Magazine event, held on April 4th at Landry and Arcari in Salem, MA, several readers who were faced with challenging spaces in their homes, were the fortunate winners of free design solutions from North Shore home design experts. After many readers submitted photos of rooms that were not working for them, along with a “fix this” wish list, three specific challenges were selected to be solved by Howell Custom Building Group, Sue Adams Interiors, Landry and Arcari Oriental Rugs and Carpeting, Lucia Lighting and Design, and Designer Bath. The three challenges were chosen based on the idea that other homeowners might have similar projects that are not moving forward because they also are in need of a combination of both professional insight and product recommendations.

Home owner submitted “Before”

DESIGN CHALLENGE #1: Existing space includes two full baths, a utility closet, and a master bedroom closet.

• Second full-size bath is not necessary.

• Would like a half bath, creating more space to move washer and dryer up from the basement.

• Would like to update baths with new fixtures, plus a walk-in tile shower for the master bath.

rendering by Howell Custom Building Group

The first step in the virtual re-design process was a site visit from Howell Custom Building Group to two of the locations. After taking measurements of existing conditions, the expert draftsmen at Howell went back to the drawing board and executed 2 and 3-dimensional floor plans of newly defined spaces including new bathrooms for two of the homeowners. Floor plans were created with the help of interior designer, Sue Adams, who suggested improvements to the spaces along with selecting new fixtures from Designer Bath with the help of showroom consultant Mindy Sevinor-Feinberg. 

Mindy with Sue Adams at the Love Your Home event on April 4th

“Sue has so much knowledge and expertise. It is always a real pleasure to work with her, and insightful as well!”

– Mindy Sevinor-Feinberg

photo courtesy: Steamist

A Total Sense steam shower from Steamist was a recommended addition to the existing master bath in Challenge #1. Just a few of the benefits of steam shower therapy include: relief for allergy sufferers, the alleviation of joint pain, and improved circulation. The new laundry room, which would include a half bath, was designed to include classicly inspired fixtures from Kallista.

photo courtesy: Kallista

laundry room rendering by Howell Custom Building Group

DESIGN CHALLENGE #2 required a virtual makeover of the attic space in a local Victorian home. New fixtures were requested for the existing bath along with a room plan for the under utilized attic space which had become a catch all/storage area with no real function. Sue Adams suggested adding custom bookshelves to each side of the room to provide decorative and useful storage, comfortable seating in the turret section of the attic to accompany this newly acquired reading nook, and new but Victorian-inspired bath fixtures in the attic bath. A fresh color palette of pinks and greens was chosen along with a vibrant striped carpet from Landry and Arcari plus dramatic lighting from Lucia Lighting and Design. The virtual end result is a welcoming space within the existing footprint of the home that provides additional real estate without having to add on or change the existing roofline.

rendering by Howell Custom Building Group

a sitting area with lighting from Lucia Lighting and Design

carpet from Landry and Arcari

Benjamin Moore paint color choices

fixtures selected from Designer Bath

fo attic bath in this Victorian home

DESIGN CHALLENGE #3 involved sourcing carpets and furnishings for a local home with ocean views. Below are a couple of the mood boards designed by Sue Adams that incorporated selections chosen to warm up the space while keeping the focus on the outside view. Seating arrangements were also recommended. 

carpets from Landry and Arcari with furniture and lighting selections

by Sue Adams Interiors and Lucia Lighting and Design

Sue Adams with her carpet selections

from Landry and Arcari

After the unveiling of the design challenge solutions, guests at the Love Your Home event were able to visit information tables set up by each of the participating home design experts and were able to pose their own challenges or ask questions about the selections made for the winners.

Beezee Honan of Designer Bath

Lucy Dearborn of Lucia Lighting, Julie Arcari of Landry and Arcari,

and Susan Howell of Howell Custom Building Group

The evening also included a couple of giveaways including a raffle prize featuring a $2,500 mini-home makeover that included gift certificates from each of the participating home experts. Proceeds from the event raffle benefitted Merrimack Valley Habitat for Humanity.

To see more photos from the Love Your Home Event held on April 4th, visit our Facebook page. Be sure to pick up future issues of Northshore Magazine for updates on this event, the winners and their virtual makeovers. To see images from the related “Love Your Home” Pin It To Win It contest, visit our Love Your Home inspiration boards on Pinterest.

If you have a design challenge that needs solving, consider giving one of our North Shore home design experts a call. We are all happy to help!

Designer Bath orange ...

Kallista // Northshore Magazine, May/June 2013

Have you seen any of our recent ads? When deciding which photographs to feature, I have to admit that the product images that have pops of orange always get my attention. Combined with shades of gray and we are in business!

Zucchetti Jingle lav faucet // Boston Globe Magazine

Style Issue, Spring 2013 

Brizo pot filler // Boston Home Magazine, Spring 2013

Some images are chosen because they are fun ...

Grohe “Singing in the Shower” Guy // Design New England, March/April 2013

Or because they are gorgeous ...

Kallista // New England Home Magazine, March/April 2013

Sometimes the pictures help our customers imagine how their baths could look ...

Runtal towel warmer // Boston Globe Magazine, April 21, 2013

(Print and save! Coupon valid through April 30th!)

And some images are chosen to get attention ...

Have you seen this guy on TV lately? Channel 5? HGTV? Bravo?

Seriously, who can resist a cute little puppy? If you prefer adorable babies, we have one of those, too, in our new TV spot. Check it out here. We all love to share pretty pictures (follow us on Pinterest to see more), but at Designer Bath and Salem Plumbing Supply we also love water, and we care about how our customers experience water on a daily basis.

Hansgrohe faucets // Boston.com

The products in our showroom are chosen because we can stand with confidence behind their excellent quality. Some say it’s the little things in life that really matter, and we agree. Paying attention to detail, providing the best possible customer service, and offering beautifully manufactured products that are a pleasure to use. Morning, noon, and night. 

Next time you visit our showroom, let us know where you have seen us. We would love to get some feedback on whether our “pops of orange” campaign is getting your attention!

Bath Therapy

photo courtesy: MTI Baths

This past week, three of our showroom consultants were hosted for several days by MTI Baths near Atlanta. MTI is well known for its high quality, made in America, custom bath products that range from soaking tubs to air baths to shower bases and more. While MTI has spent decades focusing on the creation of innovative products of the very best quality, they should also be recognized for their company-wide commitment to expressing gratitude. “We have made a careful study of happiness and have found that being thankful is just about the best way to attain contentment,” their CEO, Katherine Adams, states on their website. They sincerely appreciate their customers and take great strides to take care of their needs and overall satisfaction. This is one of the main reasons we offer this like-minded brand in our showroom.


The Japanese soaking tub pictured in the photo above was in one of the guest rooms at the lodging where our consultants stayed while in Atlanta. There is no doubt that this is luxurious. But besides being beautiful and inviting, it is important to note that an escape to the quiet solitude of a warm bath (no matter what size tub it is) can also lift the human spirit, providing serenity and “a haven to renew and refresh the body and mind. Air bath therapy produces the effect of well-being throughout the whole body. It relaxes the muscles while stimulating the production of our natural analgesic hormones know as endorphins.”

– A Salute to Japanese Bathing, MTI website


While some might rely on multiple shower jets to wash away their cares of the day, there are times when a long, quiet soak in a warm bath can soothe the nerves and perhaps provide a bit of momentary comfort and peace. Go ahead, take a time out. You certainly deserve it.

This post is dedicated to first responders, samaritans, medical professionals, civic leaders and law enforcement agents in and around the city of Boston. We thank you.

Our Passport to Design Winner!

Passport to Design $20,000 Home Makeover Sweepstakes winner Scott Goodby

with the Passport to Design showroom partners at Landry and Arcari in Salem.

photo courtesy: Boston Magazine

We are excited to announce the winner of the Passport to Design Home Makeover Sweepstakes: Scott Goodby. Scott’s name was drawn by Boston Magazine as the winner of the $20,000 prize which includes gift certificates totaling $20,000 from the five participating showrooms: Designer Bath, Circle Furniture, Tile by Design, Lucia Lighting and Design, and Landry and Arcari Oriental Rugs and Carpeting. Scott will be able to shop at each of the five showrooms and choose items to “make-over” his home.

Over the course of the Boston Magazine sponsored promotion period (which began in October of 2012 and ended in mid-March of 2013) homeowners, design professionals and design enthusiasts were invited to attend a series of five seminars, one at each of the participating showrooms, to learn the latest home design trends.

Wilson Kelsey designed master bath // photo courtesy: Sally Wilson

Seminars began at our Designer Bath showroom with a presentation titled “From Studs to Stunning” where guests learned trade secrets to designing the bath of their dreams. Other seminars: Circle Furniture presented the latest fabric and color trends at their Cambridge showroom, Lucia Lighting and Design’s three-story Lynn showroom illuminated the newest and brightest lighting technologies on the market, Tile by Design presented expert tips for creating a masterful backsplash, and Landry and Arcari shared a wealth of information on choosing the perfect carpet. For a recap of these seminars, visit our Passport update page.

January 2013 // Bloggers Passport to Design Showroom Tour

Local design bloggers were also invited on a special one-day tour of five of the showrooms located on the North Shore. Each blogger posted, tweeted and instagrammed what they saw and loved at the Passport to Design showrooms. For links to each of their posts – and to check out their “favorite faucets” seen here at Designer Bath – click here. 

At Designer Bath, we have enjoyed sharing our showroom with many new visitors over the last six months.We sincerely look forward to assisting new and existing customers with their future home-makeover projects. If you have never been to our Beverly showroom, feel free to stop by anytime (or call ahead to schedule an appointment) and one of our showroom consultants would be happy to give you a tour!

While you are in the area, consider visiting one of our Passport to Design partners. We have a lot of great design resources here on the North Shore that make shopping for a home design project a successful and enjoyable experience.

Passport to Design Update!

On March 14th we held the final seminar in the Passport to Design series at the Salem showroom of Landry & Arcari. Check out our recap of the event on our Passport to Design page. It is hard to believe that the six month promotion period has ended! Stay tuned for an announcement from Boston Magazine of the winner of the $20,000 Home Makeover Sweepstakes!

Lucy Dearborn, Lucia Lighting & Design with Jason Sevinor, Designer Bath

photo credit: Barbara Lynch Photography

“The Passport to Design promotion had a wonderful conclusion at Landry & Arcari’s Salem showroom. I feel very fortunate to be a member of a program with such wonderful, local business establishments. Not only are they lots of fun to work with, I know when I send referrals to them our customers are in great hands. Promoting other local businesses is a great opportunity. And if it makes the customer’s project go smoother, achieving a better result, what’s better than that?”  – Jason Sevinor