BrIT GIRL: French connection

Kitchens & Bathrooms News,
assistant editor Britta O'Boyle

Assistant editor Britta O'Boyle visits Ideo Bain in Paris to see what Ambiance Bain has to offer

Paris is probably known for being one of the most romantic cities in the world. And having dinner on a boat down the river Seine, with the Eiffel tower sparkling in the background is probably one of the most romantic things you can do. It is almost proposal worthy! Although, probably a little less romantic when you are with 20 retailers, none of you with your respective partners, but hey, who is complaining. You’re in Paris!

Romance by night, bathroom furniture products by day. Ambiance Bain exhibited along side a number of manufacturers including Duravit, Hansgrohe, Villeroy & Boch and Geberit at this years’ Ideo Bain exhibition. The company presented a number of beautiful new collections, including the Plaza range which features a SMO basin that can be specified in the full range of colours. The turquoise basin on display was striking, and the padded version of the furniture displayed in a brown colour won my approval in an instant with its different look, not to mention it ever so slightly looked like Cadbury’s Dairy Milk.

The Kitoi range featured a solid surface material along with back boards and the Dolce range can be specified with laser etching. But that wasn’t all. The company has also introduced a van featuring a range of products designed for the UK market. The van features numerous displays including a tall fitted WC unit alongside a small basin, designed for a cloakroom setting, as well as an curved basin furniture unit that curves inwards. The van will travel around the UK to present the products to retailers and designers. After a few months, it will return to France to be re-fitted with the latest products from the show and complete its UK circuit again.

                And Ambiance Bain was also responsible for one of the four ‘Immersion Space’ areas which looked at ‘bathroom spaces of tomorrow’. Designer Mathilde Bretillot created a concept space using blocks which could be opened or closed to reveal areas such as a walk in shower, wellness room or gym. The idea was to make the smaller space, for example the wellness area, become part of the larger room, rather than closing yourself within it. The concept was created using a white solid surface material for the shelving, along with back boards, which could be any colour or wood. The shelving within the concept could be moved depending on its purpose.

                I might not have witnessed any proposals, but I certainly witnessed some lovely products. And I am looking forward to seeing some more at my first kbb Birmingham. Paris has got it. But so has London - and we have a Queen to go with it!

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