Hansgrohe: The Origin of Shower Rails

Hansgrohe Axor Urquiola shower set

How an invention freed people’s hands when showering 

It revolutionised the bathroom: The shower rail or Unica has been around for 60 years now – and it was invented by Hans Grohe, the founder of the shower specialist Hansgrohe SE in Germany’s Black Forest.

Frequently it is the seemingly simple ideas that change the world because they make life simpler, more convenient and better. The shower bar is such an innovation with a sustainable impact. In 2013 it became 60 years old. Today it is taken for granted in bathrooms across the globe: the shower bar.

It was discovered by Hans Grohe, the pioneer of Germany’s sanitation industry, in Schiltach 60 years ago. It came on the market in 1953, under the brand name Unica: A milestone in the history of Hansgrohe as this innovation made the company the shower specialist at the time and has characterised its approach to innovation to this day. 

In addition, however, the invention of the shower bar was a significant watershed in the development of the bathroom. This is because first of all, it changed users’ behaviour by enabling “hands-free” showering – with a height-adjustable hand shower. Secondly, this brought about the emancipation of the shower from the bathtub. This heralded the advent of separate showering areas in the bathroom, changing its architecture in the process. A genuine bathroom revolution! 

Hans Grohe

Hansgrohe’s Unica was the world’s first shower sliding rail in 1953

For more information go to http://www.hansgrohe.com.au

Happy Holidays

Frost Camouflage hook, black

Vola Hv1 basin mixer, brass

Menu Norm toothbrush holder

Villeroy & Boch Loop vanity basin

Duravit Darling New wall hung pan

Grohe Power & Soul handshower

KOS freestanding bath

Pantone's Colour of 2014... Radiant Orchid!

'Since 2000, the Pantone Colour Institute™ has been designating a Colour of the Year to express in colour what is taking place in the global zeitgeist. A colour that will resonate around the world, the PANTONE Colour of the Year is a reflection of what people are looking for, what they feel they need that colour can help to answer. Not necessarily the hot fashion colour of the moment, but a colour crossing all areas of design which is an expression of a mood, an attitude, on the part of the consumers.

The colour for 2014?  The captivating, magical and enchanting Radiant Orchid. An invitation to innovation, modern and versatile Radiant Orchid encourages creativity and originality. Imbued with a harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and its rosy undertones emanate great joy, love and health.' 

via Pantone

Radiant Orchid is probably one of the harder colours to translate into the bathroom, we've put together some of our favourite Orchid-hued images as inspiration to tackle this tricky trend. 

Pairing this tone with brass tapware is a winning combination, its the type of colour that works well with both traditional and contemporary fixtures and definitely not for the faint-hearted!

Brass & Copper Tapware

                                                                                                                                                                   

Not long ago we posted about the metal finish trend happening in the bathroom industry. 

We've had a great response to this trend and are specifying more and more of our tapware in finishes other than polished chrome.

So we thought it would be fitting to share some more inspiring pics of this metal-fever! 

Astra Walker Icon, Ultra

Vola 111 & A83, Brass

Vola 871, Brass

Melbourne home via The Design Files

Duravit Vero basin, similar taps by Brodware

Vola 111, Brass

Vola HV1, T12 & A83, Brass

Vola 500T1-590, Brass

Vola HV1, Copper

Norm Architects

'NORM.ARCHITECTS was founded in 2008 and represents the vision of Jonas Bjerre-Poulsen and Kasper Rønn. Situated in the heart of Copenhagen, NORM works with residential architecture, commercial interiors, industrial design, photography, graphics and art direction. 

Both Jonas and Kasper are trained architects, but even though they share the same taste in aesthetics, their different approach to design and architecture is what makes NORM stand out. 

In spirit with the tradition for Scandinavian simplicity NORM strives to cut to the bone in their designs. To find the simplest shape for a given task without forgetting the beauty of the shape and the details, in order to reach a point where there is nothing to add and nothing to take away that can make the product better. Like true Scandinavians they pride themselves in their culture and history, and hope and aspire to create new norms for Nordic design.'

NORM's aesthetic translates beautifully in their bathroom design. The rooms are chic and sophisticated, a perfect example of how to do minimal bathrooms well.

NORM have also designed a myriad of products for well known brands including stools, tables, kitchenware and lighting. We are very excited to announce that we will be stocking their bathroom accessories very soon, so watch this space!

via norm.architects

Top 10... Basin mixers

Basin tapware is considered the 'jewellery' of basins, so choosing something fabulous is always important.

We've put together our current top 10 based on design, quality and overall greatness. 

Zucchetti Isystick, Axor Citterio

Astra Walker Metropolis, Paco Jaanson Only One

Paco Jaanson Batlo, Zucchetti Bellagio

Vola HV1, Brodware City Que

Sussex Voda, Gessi iSpa  

Inspiration: Design Through Time... Part 4

For our final instalment of the Design Through Time series, we've decided to focus on the 1990's.

This was an exciting time for bathrooms as it was the first time celebrity designers collaborated with bathroom manufacturers.

Philippe Starck collaborated with brands such as Duravit, Rapsel and Axor Hansgrohe to create bathroom collections that introduced the 'furnished' bathroom to the world.

  Bathroom fittings were now being seen as designer pieces and the style of the time was minimal, simple and tranquil so that we could focus on the basics: the enjoyment of water.

We've put together a 90's inspired colour scheme of black, white and a lot of chrome.

The 90's were all about city living and an urban lifestyle so the fittings should be contemporary and sleek. Many designers followed in the footsteps of Starck and even now a decade later Starck is still designing great ranges for bathrooms, allowing the general public to have their very own designer pieces.

Duravit Starck 1 back to wall toilet suite

Devon & Devon Prisma tiles

Hansgrohe AXOR Starck accessories

Rapsel X-Treme wall basin

Hansgrohe AXOR Citterio basin set