In order to kick-start our month’s Spotlight On feature on ‘A Year In Review’ (Products of the year 2018), we have highlighted what we believed to have been the game-changing product launches of 2018. Here is part one of our ultimate throwback…
When December arrives, the finish line is in sight for our industry as we all prepare to hang up our tools for another year in order to celebrate the holidays. But just before we do, here’s a little throwback to reflect on this year’s major product launches. From new lighting ranges to the future of furniture (and everything in between), we believe this year has been a significant 365 days, with these products launching with the aim to help take international hotel design to into a new era. So, here are our top picks from those launches.
1) Bisque – rustic and rose-gold finishes (Recommended Supplier)
Bisque, the UK’s first ever luxury radiator brand, unveiled two new distinctive finishes in spring ’18 that stole the show. Rustique and Rose Copper are two styles that have been produced using an oxidation technique, creating a truly authentic finish. These bespoke designs are made to order and are available exclusively on Bisque’s Classic collection of radiators and from its newly opened showroom in Islington.
2) Duravit – XSquare (Recommended Supplier)
In conjunction with designer Kurt Merki Jr., Duravit created a furniture range that launched in July ’18. The range is specially attuned to the design of the contemporary DuraSquare washbasins. The striking feature is the quadrant-shaped chrome profile edging the furniture. On the floor-standing model, the transition to the leg frame is absolutely seamless. The chrome profile accentuates the edges of both variants. It continues along the corner radius of the washbasin, creating harmony and a striking independence.
3) Hansgrohe – Power Rain
Image credit: Hansgrohe
Inspired by nature – think warm misty droplets – bathroom specialist Hansgrohe developed the new PowderRain spray, which many bathroom companies have followed suit. The product has been designed to make a shower feel like a warm summer rain experience. The innovative PowderRain spray is featured in a new Hansgrohe range of Raindance showerheads. In addition, as more and more hotel groups internationally pledge to reduce water wastage in their hotels, the PowderRain spray technology efficiently reduces water and energy consumption to help safeguard our planet’s natural resource.
4) Brintons (Recommended Supplier) & Timorious Beasties – The Craigend Collection
It’s nothing new that collaborations have been the focus on many suppliers’ strategies this year, with some companies going as far as partnering up with friends in different markets – all in the name of finding inspiration and pushing design boundaries. Brintons’ collaboration with Timorous Beasties is the perfect example of this – and to the suprise of nobody, the collection won Designer Collaboration of the Year.
The Craigend collection was launched in May at this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week and consists of nine designs that are inspired by textures and surfaces found naturally underfoot, all reimagined in the Brintons’ signature 80/20 blend of 80 per cent wool and 20 per cent nylon.
In designing Craigend, Timorous Beasties called upon their fascination with the often-brutal beauty of the natural world, as well as taking aesthetic inspiration from different crafting materials including paint, ink and fabric.
5) Geberit – AquaClean Tuma (Recommended Supplier)
Designed by renowned industrial designer Christoph Behling, the Geberit AquaClean Tuma fits harmoniously into any bathroom. Thanks to its elegant, streamlined design and compact shape (with a projection of just 553mm), the new shower toilet can add extra comfort to any sized bathroom, transforming them into an oasis of wellbeing.
The new shower toilet can be tailored to suit any bathroom due to its design cover, which is available in several colours and materials. This helps to perfectly coordinate with Geberit’s extensive range of flush plates.
6) Vaughan – The Tribal Collection (Recommended Supplier)
Among the showrooms opening their doors at Focus18 was Vaughan, which showcased a new collection with a strong focus on table lamps. Demonstrating that interior design inspiration can come from anywhere, its new Tribal collection is based on travels around the globe that Lucy Vaughan, the creative director of the brand, has experienced. The result is an array of vibrant lampshades, embroidered cushions and unusual upholstered chairs which aim to celebrate the craftsmanship and culture of fabrics Vaughan and her daughter have sourced. Each unique in their own right, the products within the collection is ideal for boutique hotels looking to create a statement, an editorial story we brought you one week ahead of this launch.
7) Moritz Waldemeyer – personalised lighting experience
Pushing the boundaries in design is something that comes naturally for lighting expert Moritz Waldemeyer. Perhaps working with the likes of Will.I.Am to create a jacket that lights up helps, but it’s his passion for taking lighting design further that keeps Waldemeyer firmly at the top of the lighting design food chain.
In May, he provided Focus18 a specially commissioned installation, which offered an unforgettable immersive experience of light, colour and movement. Waldemeyer’s piece allowed the consumer to put any light in front of a sensor, which would then reflect the colour onto the wall.
Waldemeyer continued to put his innovative foot forward as his studio become a supporting partner of The Brit List 2018, displaying yet another pioneering lighting installation.
8) Chelsom Lighting – Edition 26
Chelsom don’t do anything by halves, including how they lavishly launch new collections. Earlier this year, the lighting company impressed the world with the unveiling of Edition 26. Taking over London’s One Marylebone – and raising the bar of global product launches – the company showcased the the new items in spectacular fashion as each lit up the room with innovation, style and forward-thinking design.
If you launched an innovative product 2018, or know of a new product that you believe is a game changer in international hotel design, then we want to hear all about it. Please email Zoe Gurrier or call +44(0)1992 374059.
