Bathroom design goes minimal

The international bathroom and kitchen specialist Ideal Standard has revealed its new collection of designer wares this weekend at the 100% Design exhibition in London.

The new taps, mixers, sinks, basins and bathroom furniture, designed by British designer Jasper Morrison, take a minimalist approach to the functional accessories of the bathroom.

The collection, given the title of the Super Normal, features blocky softened square shapes, oak furnishings and sleek, modern chrome handles and accessories.

Commenting on the collection, Mr Morrison explained the simplicity of the design was an antidote to the over-design of many of today’s consumer products.

He said: "Super Normal tries to concentrate on the essential purpose of a product, ensuring that it works with every day environments."

The fully integrated collection includes toilets that have a soft-closing seat option that uses special hinges to lower the seat and lid slowly.

Other innovative features in the collection are a single-hole basin, which has no overflow, and a built-in thermostatic shower valve.

The bath for Super Normal, which follows the collection's softly squared-off design, is also innovative - featuring a one-piece panel that curves around the bath's corners, so as to avoid the need for an end panel.

The ceramics in the collections are a classic white, in contrast to the oak and chrome of the furniture.

As well as the Ideal Standard brand, the Brussels-based American-owned company also runs the Armitage Shanks name in the UK.

The collection will be available from spring 2007. XXX