Black is the new white

The signs have been there for a while. Following the revival of colour in architecture and design, black ceramics are probably the most radical break with the “white” past. The Villeroy & Boch Memento collection promises more exciting prospects.

When we think of bathroom ceramics, we inevitably think of glossy white surfaces. We are even willing to certify them a high degree of cleanliness and, therefore, hygiene. But this viewpoint is changing for the second time. Considering that it was chic to design colourful bathrooms as an expression of zest for life back in the 60s, we have now arrived at the colour black following the revival of colourfulness. What at most avant-garde designers presented in their “daring” designs just a few years ago has long since reached the premium segment. Black ceramics are conquering the bathrooms of the world.

Thanks to high-quality processes, we can now select surfaces for ceramics from a host of colours, as we now can with the Memento range. The Apple design is just one example of how black stands for exclusivity, thus increasing the product's appeal. So it is only a matter of time before this trend reaches the mainstream. Consumers are now going so far as to choose a stylish black not only for things with a relatively short service life, but also sanitary ware in the bathroom, which tends to remain unchanged for more than 20 years. In this regard, consumer acceptance has fundamentally changed. Black surfaces are now perceived as particularly elegant and of high quality.

Villeroy & Boch responded to this development years ago by providing planners with high-quality ceramics for their designs. Initially, there was a certain amount of scepticism surrounding the effort that might be needed to clean and look after the dark sanitary ware, but these concerns have now vanished thanks to the experience gained with the high quality of the ceramic surfaces. More and more clients and building contractors are prepared to follow this new approach in bathroom design. This opens up new design possibilities for designers and planners.

In addition to monochrome solutions, Villeroy & Boch Memento offers a wealth of décors for ceramic surfaces. A large selection of patterns and colours allows a wide range of products to be offered ex-works in order to create a customer’s very own spa. The ceramic specialist from Mettlach also offers individual décors for use in the premium commercial sector. More and more companies in the hotel sector, for example, consider this as an opportunity to strengthen their market presence and to let their guests enjoy the feeling of luxurious exclusivity.

Black is the colour of many timeless design classics – and it is the interior trend for 2019.  As the first black shower toilet on the market, the ViClean-I 100 Black Edition makes a real statement and is predestined for exceptional, contemporary bathrooms. For a coherent aesthetic, the Black Edition can be coordinated perfectly with the surface-mounted washbasins from the Memento 2.0 collection in Glossy Black.