Some people don’t bat an eye when it comes to the shower and the morning (or evening) ritual of washing. But for those of us who are tuned into design, every little nook in the home begs for attractive details — even the lowly shower space. Fortunately, we’re spoiled for choice when it comes to bath products, to the extent that we can even find handsome options at affordable prices. If you’re looking to spec the ultimate shower space for a client or yourself, take a look at these new offerings, a few of which are surprisingly budget-friendly.
Axor: Axor Citterio E Thermostatic Module
The most recent collaboration with architect and designer Antonio Citterio is a fixture and fittings family that combines both modern and classic elements. For the shower, the collection offers a thermostatic module for two outlets with a single, unifying trim. The minimal controls range from a cross handle to dial or lever.
Axor
Coastal Shower Doors: Mantel and Core Collection Bases
Made with an anti-slip, antibacterial material, Coastal’s bases sport a slate-like appearance and come in eight colors (Pearl, Diamond, Sand, Jasper, Gravel, Onyx, Brownstone and Flint) with either a gold or chrome drain cover. The Core design is a flat slab with a square drain plate, while the Mantel style features a gentle bevel that slopes to a linear drain.
Coastal Shower Doors
Compotite Corporation: Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Collection
Celebrating three different periods of the legendary architect’s career, these three linear drain designs debuted at KBIS just last month. Mimosa’s ornate geometric-flower pattern derives from a glass prism designed by Wright in the 1890s; Haven’s play of varied-size squares and brackets recalls a textured concrete block Wright designed in the 1920s for the John Storer House in Hollywood, California; and Fellowship features positive and negative space cutting through a maze-like line pattern, adapted from a 1940s Wright interpretation of an ancient Native American petroglyph.
Compotite Corporation
Dornbracht: Vertical Shower
This high-end system (also shown at top) combines different outlet points to meet any desired shower choreography. Just Rain provides a rainfall trickle of large, pearl-shaped drops from above; Water Sheet produces a broad cascade of water onto the shoulder zone; Water Bars are two horizontal sprays that stimulate the back. Three programs — Balancing, Energizing and De-stressing — can be selected for just the right jet combination.
Dornbracht
Duravit: OpenSpace B
The original OpenSpace foldable shower enclosure was a hit when it launched in 2012 thanks to its collapsible flush-to-wall capability. So Duravit introduced the OpenSpace B model to offer four new dimensions that “open the door” to a wider range of layout possibilities. While it utilizes a new mounting bracket, it possesses the same minimalist look and collapsibility for when the shower isn’t in use, allowing the bather to reclaim space when needed. A full-height mirror panel can be substituted for one of the glass panels.
Duravit
Duravit: Stonetto Shower Tray
The EOOS-designed shower tray utilizes DuraSolid Q, a proprietary quartz-based material that closely resembles and feels like luxurious natural stone while providing Class B slip resistance without any additional coating. The base’s incline effectively drains but is visibly imperceptible, and a uniform cover conceals the drain outlet.
Duravit
Isenberg: In-Built Cascade Flow Showerhead
Also installable as a tub-filler, this cascade showerhead boasts a beautiful flush-to-wall design. It features a rubber lining to prevent drops and dribbles as the water is turned on or off, and its flow rate can be adjusted between two gallons per minute and 11 GPM. The trim plate measures 11.81 inches wide by 5.7 inches high and comes in several finishes including chrome, brushed or polished nickel and matte black.
Isenberg
Kallista: Pinna Paletta by Laura Kirar
Last month in our KBIS bath report, we shared our excitement for Laura Kirar’s latest collection for the bath fixtures company. Here’s a closer look at the shower controls from the series. The most stunning characteristic is the plume-inspired detailing on the handles that just adds an extra touch of elegance. The collection includes a water diverter and flow and thermostatic controls for showers. Finishes range from polished chrome to antique bronze and unlacquered brass.
Kallista
MGS: SO613 Multi-Sensory Showerhead
This flush-mount ceiling showerhead is a sleek, stainless steel square plate that integrates nine-color chromotherapy to calm, revitalize, de-stress, stimulate or relax the bather. It offers three types of shower experiences: rain, waterfall or spray (larger sizes feature two cascade waterfall openings). The unit is also available for recessed installation, and a waterproof remote control is included.
MGS
Moen: Square Velocity Rainshower
The manufacturer added a square-shaped head to this bestselling rainshower line this year, enabling designers to pair the affordable unit with other square-shaped shower fittings typically specified in contemporary bath spaces. Like its predecessors, the showerhead features Immersion Technology, which channels water into a circular pattern for consistent water pressure, and a durable, tarnish- and corrosion-free chrome or brushed nickel finish. It has a flow rate of 2.5 GPM (an eco model with 2.0 GPM is also available).
Moen
QuickDrain: WallDrain
A low-profile channel drainage system, WallDrain can be used in not only showers, but also larger wet zones yet is practically invisible as it sits flush along the wall. The ADA-compliant product is highly customizable, easily configurable online, installs in only hours and can be used with curbed or curb-free designs.
QuickDrain
Watermark Designs: Linear Shower Drains
Working with drainage-system company Easy Drain, Brooklyn-based Watermark introduced linear drains with a choice of four handsome solid-brass grate covers. The drains are ADA-compliant, feature height-adjustable support legs for leveling and come in seven lengths up to 48 inches and in 40 finishes.
Watermark Designs
