We spend almost 3 years of our lives in our bathrooms, yet it is often one of the plainest rooms in the average home.  Do you dream to have a home with a luxury designer bathroom, or a powder room worthy of Marie Antoinette?  Europeans have been ahead of us and been enjoying this level of living for many years.  Designers in European shows such as the recent Cersaie in Bologna, Italy have been introducing new ultra modern styles that show a unique trend in bathroom tiles and sanitary wares.

The styles of tile that one can find today include; wood, fabric, flowers, metal, classical, and even ultra modern.  Additionally, there is a movement towards the use of bright and vibrant colors; what we might call extreme.  It is through the use of these common elements and textures that they create unique living spaces.  For example; nothing is more inviting than a bathroom with colorful ‘chrysanthemums’ boldly printed on the tile; especially considering today’s tile manufacturing technology allows for extreme texture and printing in relief.  One can spend hours just touching the tile and enjoying the various textures.

The common trend is to apply the designer tile to not only the floor, or around the bath tub, but on every possible surface; floor, walls, and yes, occasionally the ceiling.  Not only does this extensive use of tile create a complete and unified theme in the bathroom, but it also creates a very low maintenance space as future repaints are eliminated.  The size of tile has also changed; it used to be common to see small 20X20cm tile used exclusively, but modern lines are featuring 25X40cm tile, and even tiles as large as 31.5X52cm.  It may seem odd to use such large tile in as small a space as a bathroom, but it does create a very unique pattern, it speeds up installation, and of course reduces the amount of visible grout; thus reducing overall cleaning and maintenance requirements.

Though ceramic tile is traditionally the primary tile of the bathroom, even porcelain is being used for the most unique designs; providing beautiful patterns and textures, as well as some of the most durable and moisture resistant surfaces possible.
Some of the styles shown at Cersaie were:

Style: Ultra Modern
This line with its bold vibrant orange, high contrast black and white, and extreme texture create an ultra modern, one of a kind bathroom.  The large 25X40cm wall tiles create a monolithic look which also speed application.  The variety of colors and textures in the design provide for infinite creativity in layout.

Style: Flower
This line offers an attractive feminine design with a choice of blue or beige background tile together with an amazing floral decor tile in high relief.  The texture of the flowers is something that must be experienced, as these pictures do not do them justice.  The matching floor tile complement in color, and provide an attractive textured surface to reduce bathroom slipping.

Style:  Classic
The style of tile provides a clean mosaic tile pattern without complicated and tedious installation.  When a matching grout color is used, the 25X40 tiles appear to be a seamless mosaic of smaller tiles without the extensive grout lines which can discolor over time.  The use of a unique tile insert contributes a level of sophistication that other similar layouts cannot achieve.

Style: Animal Skin
The texture of this tile is reminiscent of the skin found on Alligators of Florida’s wetlands and swamps.  The use of a high gloss finish combined with vibrant colors and an unforgettable textured surface will create a bathroom that will amaze your guests.  The color range in the line allows for exceptional personal creativity.

Another complement to tile in the bathrooms are sanitary wares; new designs of sinks, toilets and bidets.  European manufactures have been experimenting with unusual shapes, shelf style basins, pedestal sinks, ultra modern toilets, and trendy colors.  What would a unique, custom bathroom be without a unique, custom sink and toilet to go with it?  Today’s modern bathrooms deserve more than the generic ‘white porcelain.’  New styles include a variety of base colors with detailed patterned overlays, often trimmed in hand laid 14K gold!  Toilets are equipped with modern pneumatic dual flush systems, and sinks with waterfall facets including integrated fiber optic lighting which allow you to visibly see the temperature of the water through color.
Some people would now interject; why bother with a fancy bathroom?  The smallest room in the house that can do the most to increase your homes value is the bathroom.  A designer bathroom that creates a unique and amazing space will result in a home with greater market value, a uniqueness that sets your home apart from others, as well as satisfaction when using the room.
Today, the world has become a smaller place.  Not only are we traveling to find new styles and themes for our homes, but those designs are being brought to your local bathroom and tile store.  These new pieces allow you to customize your bathroom, ensuite, or powder room in ways that you never believed were possible. Your bathroom too can become a piece of art; the envy of all!

By Demetrius Bazos; President
ISIS Ceramic and Porcelain Inc.