DURAVIT says the trend this year has been towards minimalistic design in the bathroom, integrating clear lines with smart technology.

“Whether ceramic, acrylic or furniture, the lines are generally light and clear,” says a spokesman for the company. “Personal furnishings such as carpets, chairs or lamps give the bathroom an individual touch and create a comfortable atmosphere.”

He says that when it comes to bathroom furniture, walnut, oak or chestnut real-wood veneers remain popular.

The bathrooms specialist offers a surprising range of new finishes in terms of furniture, such as Linen in the Happy D.2 series by Duravit. “This décor finish features a distinctive, structured surface with a linen-like, almost natural look and feel,” the spokesman points out.

Technology is increasingly used intelligently in the bathroom and enhances comfort or well-being. “At Duravit, the latest technical highlights include a sound system that is invisibly integrated in the mirror cabinet and that brings first-class audio quality into the bathroom. This system can be easily controlled via the standard user interface of a Bluetooth-compatible device,” continues the spokesman.

Well-designed shower-toilets are also generating a growing amount of interest and acceptance. Duravit has extended its product range and adapted its SensoWash Starck C for the DuraStyle and Happy D.2 complete bathroom series. This makes the shower-toilet even more attractive for the project sector, the spokesman points out.

Another highlight from the DuraStyle series is the rimless WC (water closet) with its innovative, dynamic flushing technology that ensures optimum hygiene and short cleaning times.

Germany-headquartered Duravit is a major global manufacturer of sanitary ceramics, bathroom furniture, accessories, shower trays and baths, whirl and well-being systems, SensoWash shower toilets and ceramic kitchen sinks.

With increasing internationalisation, the successful introduction of new products and investments in modern production technologies, Duravit has continued to consolidate its good market position.

In 2012, the company intensified its marketing activities and, by introducing new products such as SensoWash C or the multi-award-winning OpenSpace shower enclosure, highlighted its own high standards in terms of design and technology. The new products introduced at the beginning of 2013 generated very positive response. These include the DuraStyle and Happy D.2 complete bathroom series, as well as the X-large universal bathroom furniture series, which cater to the market trends.

Elaborating on the DuraStyle series, he says: “An understated ambiance in particular gives the personality space to breathe and scope for self-fulfilment. And DuraStyle does exactly this: the work of Matteo Thun & Partners, the new bathroom series is deliberately simple and reduced – and blends harmoniously into every ambiance.

“As good design only becomes apparent when considered within the context of its surroundings, all relevant parameters – interior, architecture, environment, culture – flowed into the development process, and this holistic approach is central to DuraStyle.

“Incidentally, DuraStyle has its origins in the existing Duraplus segment, which architects have long since considered a classic. However, DuraStyle goes even further: the deliberate restraint of form opens up tremendous design freedom and makes the programme interesting for virtually all applications. This is why DuraStyle comes in two versions, one for the project sector and one for the home. It is aimed precisely at setting a new standard in the bathroom.”

Turning to the Happy D.2, which has been designed by Sieger Design, he says the latest collection is elegant, versatile and timelessly modern.

“The best proof of this is the washbasin: it is available as a furniture washbasin with matching vanity unit whose elegantly curved fronts complement the curves of the washbasin, as a surface-mounted washbasin on consoles and as a classic pedestal or half-pedestal unit. In the model with radii at the wall, the basin seems to lift visually from the wall, creating an almost floating effect – and this sense of weightlessness features throughout the series. The furniture washbasin sits on a height-adjustable metal console that also serves as a towel holder.

“Happy D.2 brings a new elegance into the bathroom. This is achieved thanks to the fine radii of the rounded corners that feature throughout the bathroom programme – and that give Happy D.2 its distinctive, archetypal design,” he points out.