New Orleans was a fitting backdrop for the 21st annual Decorative Plumbing & Hardware Association conference. Held recently, the event was hosted in the historic French Quarter, with nearby Bourbon Street providing networking opportunities to view and experience emerging trends in product design. 

We are delighted to share highlights of some product launches that caught our attention, as well as a few of our favorite award winners. The 2022 conference was full of extraordinary designs. Reflecting the premise that every object in a home should have a story and mirror one’s individual style, these new products provide ample opportunity to make personal style statements in the kitchen and bath, all while retaining classic elements for years of future enjoyment. 

Let’s take a closer look at the winning entries from this year’s conference.    

Product of the Year: Water Delivery

Gessi partnered with renowned Spanish designer Lázaro Rosa Violán to create the eclectic Venti20 collection of bath hardware. With elegant detailing and simple lines, the award-winning series brings the infectious spirit and joy of the Roaring ’20s into modern times. 

Venti20 has a definite industrial vibe — notice the detailed handles, fluted bodies and reflective cuts — and adds interest with sofit curves and inviting textures. Each piece is carefully considered and balanced to look beautiful from every angle. 

Gessi expanded the collection to include all manner of mixers for basins, baths and showers, as well as freestanding tubs, washbasins and bidets — even towel rails and soap holders. Venti20 designs are offered in an amazing selection of fine finishes, from traditional favorites such as aged bronze and antique brass to modern options such as chrome and brushed black metal.

Product of the Year: Bathroom Fixture

Claybrook Interior caught the judges’ attention with its colorful rainbow of MarbleForm wall-hung basins. Six new color options — including forest green, brick, midnight blue, leather, nude and olive green — are joined by four new basin styles to really ramp up the number of design possibilities. 

Wall-hung basins are increasingly popular for their space-saving benefits and chic modern style. MarbleForm is a sustainable up-cycled product produced from reclaimed marble dust left over from the production of mosaic tiles. Using patented technology, the dust bits are combined with high-performance resins and color pigments to create a nonporous finished product that is extremely durable, stain-resistant, heat-retentive and easy to maintain.

Honorable Mention: Bathroom Fixture

The unique pleated design of the Bowie pedestal sink by MTI Baths received special notice at the show. The intricate detailing was developed in collaboration with Source, an Atlanta design firm. The sink is crafted from MTI’s SculptureStone material, a mostly organic mixture of ground natural minerals and high-performance resins that give the look and feel of real stone. It’s a great way to add texture and a bit of unexpected style to the bathroom.

The sink is available in a soft matte finish or a hand-polished deep gloss with eight different exterior color options. MTI also offers a coordinating Bowie tub to create a beautifully cohesive finished space.

And speaking of beautiful tubs, we must give a shout-out to the exquisite Sidley tub that was showcased by Acquabella. Featuring an effortless blend of modern chic and vintage style, the Sidley is visually stunning with classic lines and soft curves. A graceful rolled top rim mirrors a similar design at the foot, where the tub flows neatly to the floor. 

The tub is sculpted from Acquabella’s signature Dolotek material, an engineered solid-stone blend of natural stone and specialty resins that is eco-friendly, exceptionally durable and easily maintained. The Sidley tub measures 66 inches x 33 inches and is offered in a beautiful Snow White hue with a gloss or matte finish.

Networking, Discovering New Trends

It was great to see many of our favorite kitchen and bath brands at the DPHA conference. HamatUSA was there with its recently expanded Axiom Sink Collection. The new under-mount stainless-steel sinks offer a tight 10-millimeter radius corner, making the sink easy to keep clean while maintaining modern style. Every sink is handmade, formed by cutting the corners of the stainless-steel sheet, folding them into position, welding them together, and then buffing them to a smooth and uniform finish.

We also spotted The Sterlingham Co. with its beautiful display of brass towel warmers. Made in Britain using time-honored techniques, these towel warmers are a luxurious yet practical addition to the bathroom. They gently warm towels using floor- or wall-mounted warmers in both classic and contemporary designs. We particularly love their cascade collection, which stacks horizontal rails along the wall in custom configurations. 

The manufacturer also offers robe warmers and washstands, all handmade with the greatest care and attention to detail. 

The 2022 DPHA trade show was a great venue to discover new products and trends. Even more importantly, the event offered the opportunity to connect with dealers, manufacturers and others in the industry. Connectivity is a cornerstone of DPHA as it fosters a culture of professional development and successful collaborations. 

There’s something about establishing new connections that bring exciting energy, not only to the event itself but also to its members. We like to think that part of this energy inspires new product ideas and innovations like the ones described here.