08 May 2012

Salone Internazionale del Bagno

The biennial Salone Internazionale del Bagno in Milan showcases the latest innovations and developments in bathroom fittings, furnishings and accessories. Mandi Keighran reports from this year's fair.

Every second year, Hall 22 at Milan's Rho Fiera plays host to the latest innovations in the bathroom industry with the Salone Internazionale del Bagno. While much of what is on show was launched in September last year at Cersaie in Bologna, there was still plenty of new product on display and the trends were easy to identify.

Perhaps in reaction to the current economic climate, many companies were launching more affordable collections. These cost-effective products, aimed at a younger market, employed bright colours and bold forms.

The use of timber in the bathroom was another emerging trend. Japanese design studio Nendo's collaboration with Bisazza was the most beautifully realised collection on show in this area. It responded also to the return to craft in design that we have seen emerging over the past year. Handcrafted bathtubs in larch wood were complemented by timber and white resin accessories.

Axor's collection designed by the Bouroullec brothers, which was launched last year, was another example of this trend.

Kaldewei launched an enamelled shower floor panel that is discreetly integrated into the wall. The innovation enables bathroom designers to devise new concepts for floor-level shower areas.

Zucchetti launched 'Savoy' – a new range of tapware designed by Matteo Thun with Antonio Rodriguez with a contemporary yet classic style. CEO of the Zucchetti.Kos Group, Elena Zucchetti described the new collection as: "We wanted a collection that reworked the classic idea of elegance, but had on-trend allure."

Victoria + Albert also picked up on the trend of bold new forms with their striking new 'Cabrits' bath and 'Cabrits 55' basin. The unique double dip design mirrors the contours of the volcanoes of the Caribbean national park of the same name, and has been specially designed to fit the body. The form cradles bathers, providing support to the mid and lower back.

Antonio Lupi showcased their new products in a stand that was designed to be suggestive of a domestic environment. The stand out product here was 'Exelen', a new system to furnish the bathroom by Gabriele and Oscar Buratti.