When form follows function
EAGO Modern Bathroom Design
Europe’s unique design ethic has created some truly stunning architectural spaces and products. Why shouldn’t your bathroom benefit from European design, too?
Apple CEO Steve Jobs was arguably the god of good commercial design. His secret? He took his cues from Europe. When he designed the first Mac, he drew on European designers. After queueing for hours at the opening of his stunning Apple stores, people unknowingly walked on flagstones shipped from Florence. He understood that Europe has forever been the world leader in design, whether in fashion, architecture, or home furnishings.
Jobs raved about modernist design, such as Bauhaus, which came from a school in Germany founded by Staatliches Bauhaus. Bauhaus exquisitely married the way something looked with the way it worked, using a simple maxim: form should follow function. Under movements like this one, European designers shed the stuffy, muddled design ethics of the past in favour of sleek, refined modernism that emphasises simplicity.
On the continent, modernist schools such as Bauhaus transformed design in every walk of life. As their style swept Europe, they found their way into everyday settings such as homes, cafes, work spaces and theatres. Artists were trained to work hand-in-hand with industry. Environments flowered with light, open interiors, in which the arrangement of lines, shapes, light, color, tones and textures complemented each other freely and easily.
European Bathroom Design
As European design found its way into the home, it created uncluttered spaces that were simple and minimalistic. But European design doesn’t mean austerity, or harshness. Rather, it elevates the home as a work of art, creating a playful space where sensual elements can thrive. Many of us have become used to accepting classically lackluster and basic features in our homes without thinking about the deeper appeal to our artistic senses. European design evolved by marrying craftsmanship with mass production, and retaining beauty in everyday objects.
The modernists use earthy elements such as stone, water, wood, metal and air to create an expansive, natural feel. The use of teak or wood accents, unusual metal finishes and stone floors or décor are common in European design, as is incorporating a sense of spaciousness whenever possible. Expanses of glass instead of acrylic enhance the natural elements. Classic and unadorned geometric shapes help to simplify the environment and calm the mind.
A strong emphasis is placed on practical, user-friendly features and functionality is important. Designers are encouraged to break from old paradigms, and to focus attention not only artistic expression, but also on innovation, convenience, and day-to-day comfort. As an example, toilets in the European style are sleek with a one-piece design and no mounting bolts. They are considerably more hygienic, easy to clean and simple to install. With space at a premium in Europe, placement of tub, toilet and bath along with shelves and nooks is carefully considered.
Many retailers in North America have tended to focus on cost first, and design second. This has created a vacuum for European bathroom designs here. While others continue to drive down costs with stuffy, widely available and uninspiring products, Perfect Baths innovates by working directly with cutting-edge factories to bring Canadians superb European designs at nominal cost. Its goal is to work closely with clients to create a dream bathroom experience.
If you want to see how a uniquely European design could transform your bathroom from a merely functional room into talking point, come and talk to us.
Content Submitted by www.perfectbath.com
