One reason many people visit the Parade of Homes is to get inspiration for their home’s interior — whether they’re buying a new home or just want to spruce up their current one. From colors and finishes to products and accessories, the Parade of Homes is an excellent resource to see what’s trending and what might appeal to a specific family. In the Spring 2016 Guidebook, readers will see a wide variety of trends in photos and words from area designers. In particular, we took a good look at what’s new for bathrooms.
Class-Act Bathrooms…
This Ain’t your Daddy’s Bathroom.
By Carla Waldemar
“Homeowners are looking for luxury in their bathrooms, no matter what the size,” shares Kirsty Froelich, Design Director for The Tile Shop. The most popular tile tones are white, light grays and soft neutrals paired with stunning glass and marble mosaics. Transitional styling — a blend of contemporary and traditional looks — continues to be the fashionable favorite. Tiling your space from floor to ceiling with large format tiles adds a contemporary feel that many homeowners are looking to achieve. Faux wood continues to be a hot look. The technology used to mimic real wood has improved dramatically the last couple of years- making these tiles a great look for both walls and floors.
Faux wood is taking on a whole new look in this shower from The Tile Shop.
The home spa still is gaining steam, says Leslie Meyers, kitchen and bath designer at Mingle’s showroom: “a zen-like feel that’s open and airy,” yet luxurious in tone, fostered by elegant materials like marble and natural stone and faucets in popular finishes of brushed brass, chrome, and even glimmering crystal, echoed in crystal chandeliers and sconces. Leslie notes “calming” color choices such as white and gray with perhaps an accent pop of turquoise. Steam showers, soaking tubs, heated floors (go, Minnesota!) all encourage relaxation, while technology can now provide anti-fogging mirrors, mirrors with TV inserts, and medicine cabinets with lift-up fronts that conceal charging stations. Today’s cabinets step up to a “furniture” look in traditional settings, while transitional/modern aficionados select cabinets “floating” above the floor to contribute to an open feel.
Neutrals and patterns create an elegant look in this bath design from Mingle.
Boomers are planning for their future aging by installing grab bars and curbless showers, she reports. “And walk-in bathtubs,” adds Melissa Kapla, showroom manager of Ferguson Kitchen and Bath. Melissa also spotlights the continuing spa trend underscored by a palette of grays among “crisp, clean neutrals,” accented by top-choice fixtures of chrome, with polished nickel trending at its heels. But don’t forget the bling: “Crystal,” she notes, “is popular, shining in clean-lined, softer, contemporary settings. “Freestanding tubs have become a showpiece (whether actually used or not), along with jazzing up the shower with dual and hand-held heads” plus, thanks to new technology, digital rather than manual controls and—ta da!—music. “Kohler offers blue tooth capabilities in the shower,” she sings.
Large format tiles and a geometric tub create a classic look in white.
The 2016 Spring Parade of Homes is sponsored by The Tile Shop and Wells Fargo Home Mortgage.
