Special Report: Bath Trends From Valencia
Spain Design News: Minimal Sinks, Stacked Vanities — and Modern Glam
I just got back from Valencia, Spain, where the Spanish tile, bath and stone industries have gathered for a massive trade show called Cevisama. The mood was somewhere between ebullient and ecstatic, and Cevisama itself was a visual feast, filled with things that have made me reconsider everything I think I know about bath design. It was the third trade show I'd been to outside of my native United States in three weeks, and as has been the case all along, it was fascinating to see how things are done in different parts of the world.
I was brought to Spain to attend Cevisama by ASCER, the Spanish Tile Manufacturer's Association and its North American brand, Tile of Spain. I'm both a designer and a writer and for that reason, Tile of Spain was interested in having me see what they've been up to with my own eyes.
I was brought to Spain to attend Cevisama by ASCER, the Spanish Tile Manufacturer's Association and its North American brand, Tile of Spain. I'm both a designer and a writer and for that reason, Tile of Spain was interested in having me see what they've been up to with my own eyes.
| Most of the bath designs I'm showing you aren't exported to the United States or Canada yet, but count on seeing these trends come our way in a year or so.
Private Comment
Spanish designers don't shy away from color, and lime green seems to be the default bold color right now. This bath is notable for its run of low cabinets along the far wall. The stylist has books stacked on one side of it, but it's actually intended to be a bench. |
| Nearly every vanity cabinet I saw was wall-mounted. Counters tended to be minimized, and although there was a lot of minimalism, a lot of what I saw was this sort of glam-modern.
Private Comment
Interestingly, all of what looks like wallpaper in this bath is actually ceramic tile. |
| Floating counters with sinks with separate, floating vanities underneath them were everywhere too. This "stacked vanity" look was something I'd never seen before, and it appealed to me greatly. Notice, too, that the designer here has actually drawn attention to the grout lines in this tile and made them an integral part of this design.
Private Comment
Do you think something like that could ever work for you? |
| I saw a lot of integrated sinks, both singles and doubles like this one. By integrated I mean that the sink and the counter are made from the same material and appear to be a single piece. Just as is the case here, this technique is usually accomplished using a solid surface material. Private Comment
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| This vanity was one of the most interesting I saw the whole time I was in Spain. It's a single piece of vitreous china, the same material used to make toilets and ceramic sinks. I love the idea of a split counter like this and could see this in a powder bath anywhere.
Private Comment
What do you think of this kind of total integration? |
| There were occasional appearances of furniture-style vanities. From what I'm told, these vanities are very popular in Russia, and this style doesn't play a big role in Spanish design. Even so, it's absolutely fascinating to learn about different trends around the world. Private Comment
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| This vignette shows that same stacked vanity concept I find so appealing. Notice the orientation of the sink and the faucet placement.
Private Comment
Faucet-to-the-side is not something I've ever seen in the U.S., and it's a great way to use a larger sink in a really shallow space. |
| This is a fully-integrated sink and counter made from vitreous china. I think this suspended black box of a vanity looks rich without being too heavy. It's another example of the glam-modern I mentioned earlier. Private Comment
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| Bombé chest-style vanities, a style I equate more with Italy than Spain, were in abundance at Cevisama. This particular bombé vanity was one of the few I saw with a natural stone counter.
Private Comment
Something like this would and does sell in North America though they're still pretty uncommon. Why do you think that is? |
| This was the closest I saw to a North American-style vanity cabinet at the entire show. Notice that it's a very shallow cabinet with another faucet set off to the side.
Private Comment
I love how the shapes of the door and drawers work together. What do you think of the taller stainless toe kick? |
| Most of the double vanities I saw were wall-mounted side-by-sides like this. It makes sense to me to separate two vanities, and the fact that the vanities and the linen cabinet are floating give this entire bath design a lighter feel, despite the dark tile on the walls and floor. Private Comment
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| This was a great interpretation of the stacked vanity trend. As a bonus, the lower storage cabinets would work well as a bench. Private Comment
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| Talk about minimizing a cabinet! A setup like this would make a terrific powder bath. Private Comment
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| This bath is yet another testament to the Spanish embrace of color in bath design. The sink's been pared down to an absolute minimum, but the colors and different-sized tiles that surround that sink combine to make a surprisingly rich and inviting design.
Private Comment
Even though most of what I saw in Spain won't make it across the Atlantic for at least a year, count on these trends arriving eventually. The use of lime green is too pervasive in Europe right now for it not to show up here, and the idea of stacked vanities is too interesting for Europe to keep to itself. For better or for worse, what do you think of Spanish bath design? More: The latest tile trends from Spain Kitchen news from Cologne |
Comments

inkwitch says:
I love it! I can see these designs showing up in high-end condos as a space-saving solution. Europeans must have a lot less in toiletries given the minimal space they devote to it. No woman under 50 would make do with such limitations so I suspect this design trend will be limited to "guest powder rooms." They do have a zen quality in their simplicity.
15 months ago ·
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Curb Appeal Renovations says:
Thanks for sharing Paul - Jaimee @ Curb Appeal Renovations
15 months ago ·
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Paul Anater says:
It's amazing how much less junk you accumulate when there's no Target or Wal-Mart around. Most of those minimized vanities would work well as powder baths in North America, you're right. Part of me want to take the plunge in my own home. I'm intrigued by the idea of minimizing storage as an incentive to accumulate less stuff.
15 months ago ·
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kandy smith says:
I don't know, I just can't warm up to those looks.
They seem so cold and some almost remind me of bathrooms in department stores.
Sorry, just not my style I guess.
But thank you for letting us glimpse at everything there.
They seem so cold and some almost remind me of bathrooms in department stores.
Sorry, just not my style I guess.
But thank you for letting us glimpse at everything there.
15 months ago ·
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Raina Cox says:
#2 and the split level vitreous china make me insane in the membrane. Come on U.S. manufacturers - step it up!
15 months ago ·
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bldgahousesoon says:
these are ALL awesome in their own way! i'm so tired of the hideously boring, traditional, beadboard panelling and claw tub bathrooms in america. wake up to the power of color and being different! (i especially love the split level vitreous china sink --- keep it coming!!!)
15 months ago ·
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Paul Anater says:
Kandy: Thanks for weighing in.
Raina and Bldg: I'm with you two. That sink/ shelf combo stopped me in my tracks. That the faucet's mounted in a corner and not centered on the back is the perfect detail.
Raina and Bldg: I'm with you two. That sink/ shelf combo stopped me in my tracks. That the faucet's mounted in a corner and not centered on the back is the perfect detail.
15 months ago ·
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janet4784 says:
Cold, no place to set stuff down...no thanks. It's a bathroom. Be a tad practical.
15 months ago ·
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libelula says:
These ideas of wall mounted sinks, lovely modern fixtures turned in interesting ways,etc. have been in Spain and Italy for a long time. Every year there are little tweaks, just like the new automobile models at annual automobile shows. But sometimes it takes a long time for general acceptance.
I especially like the sinks which basically have the water running down to a bottom drain, without the drain in the middle, just an inclined surface. You see those used commercially with a stone sink. They are so pleasant to use.
I could see putting the large rectangular ceramic "panel" tiles in a foyer or small entrance, with a short "lip" tile at the top for placing a small nick nack. It's what I plan to do in a new apt. where the elevator arrives right to the foyer of my apartment.
Good "wooden" tiles are perfect for modern kitchens. Kitchens that get heavy use and have real wood look pretty sad after about a year or two.
I especially like the sinks which basically have the water running down to a bottom drain, without the drain in the middle, just an inclined surface. You see those used commercially with a stone sink. They are so pleasant to use.
I could see putting the large rectangular ceramic "panel" tiles in a foyer or small entrance, with a short "lip" tile at the top for placing a small nick nack. It's what I plan to do in a new apt. where the elevator arrives right to the foyer of my apartment.
Good "wooden" tiles are perfect for modern kitchens. Kitchens that get heavy use and have real wood look pretty sad after about a year or two.
15 months ago ·
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snowychris says:
I love the all-in-one top and wash-basin, but I wish bathroom designers would provide a 'lip' to prevent water spilling onto the floor and onto the join between wall and vanity top. I have seen and used lots of bathrooms like the ones above and they look lovely when just done, but are a real pain functionally. I know a 'lip' might spoil the lines for purists, but could look lovely if properly integrated - some on you designers, think practical as well as beautiful!
15 months ago ·
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jwynnebrosius says:
like the wall mount but would prefer less modern pure minimal look
not too functional for family
not too functional for family
15 months ago ·
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pmoney1942 says:
I love the floating vanity. I am redoing my second bath now using that concept. I love contemporary, clean lines, am not fond of the cumbersome, traditional look most here favor. I like the idea of the stacked vanity, I might add it to my project. Thanks for bringing back these beautiful designs. They are an inspiration.
15 months ago ·
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Danielle says:
Love these styles! Especially drawn to the side-mounted faucets...think I'll incorporate that idea.
15 months ago ·
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12steps4remodel says:
I have to echo the storage concerns of many here, but I do like the floating vanity look. I was looking at integrated sink/counters at IKEA this weekend and they have that narrowness that some of these have. I wonder when I rinse my face if I will have water everywhere???
15 months ago ·
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Tina says:
I love the asymetry of the side faucets ! I was never a "balance" gal, wanting one on this side and one on that side. I love all the looks shown here and the confidence that you've given me to know, I'm not weird when I want to try new looks. Just because The Jones' have it, doesn't mean it's "in". Dare to be bold and different. If it feels good to you, it's right.
15 months ago ·
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danthehandyman says:
It's always nice to experience a foreign take on bathroom design firsthand. Personally, I'm a big fan of what Vigo Industries has done with their most recent vanities: http://www.needplumbingsupplies.com/shopdisplayproducts.asp?id=41&mfg=Vigo&cat=Vigo+Vanities
14 months ago ·
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zillij says:
Europeans seem to have all the great design innovations, especially for small spaces! BTW, Home Depot (in Canada) sells a small vanity with the faucet on the side as shown in your pictures & I have been able to "enlarge" a very narrow bathroom by installing it. So the ideas are beginning to float over to North America already!
6 months ago ·
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calkelley says:
I understand the inherent beauty of simple lines, of sinuous form, the lure of innovation. But I don't understand the way designers/homeowners don't think practically, as small problems become major irritants.
Just moved into a house where the owners before redid the master and guest bath to the cost of a very fancy Mercedes. Breath-takingly exquisite. But wrought with problem after problem of purpose.
It makes no sense to me.
Form without thought to function, expense without thought to sense? Only if your goal is to invite others into your bathroom to show off - because for those living there, the total lack of practicality of the design makes it a daily pain in the arse...
Just moved into a house where the owners before redid the master and guest bath to the cost of a very fancy Mercedes. Breath-takingly exquisite. But wrought with problem after problem of purpose.
It makes no sense to me.
Form without thought to function, expense without thought to sense? Only if your goal is to invite others into your bathroom to show off - because for those living there, the total lack of practicality of the design makes it a daily pain in the arse...
3 months ago ·
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