PICTURED ABOVE: CENTER: MTI S185 Juliet 1 Sculpture Stone Free Standing Soaker Bathtub. LEFT: Robern Cartesian Vanity with Robern Uplift Medicine Cabinet. RIGHT: Duravit Vanity with Duravit Lighted Mirror

European Luxury

BY BRIAN G THORNTON, IIDA
PHOTOGRAPHY BY LYDIA CUTTER PHOTOGRAPHY

EUROPEAN BATHS. The name alone evokes so many images and thoughts. With the advent of indoor plumbing, the flushing toilet, overhead showers and bathing tubs, the modern bath has come a long way. Centuries, in fact. It may be sparsely known yet archaeologists have unearthed evidence of water pipes dating back from 3000 to 4000 BC; Egyptians had copper piping around 2500 BC; the first known flushing toilet was invented in the Richmond Palace in the 16th century. The 1800’s brought us our first hotel in Boston with 8 indoor water closets. It is only fitting that the history of plumbing and luxury plumbing related products have their own roots in Las Vegas dating back to the 20th century.

Enter European Las Vegas with all its history. It’s safe to say 21st-century plumbing and tile needs are just a short drive away at the Las Vegas World Market Center. On February 22, European Bath Kitchen Tile and Stone’s sparkling new location was unveiled. Situated on the ground level of Building A, EBKTS has two separate spaces to accommodate all the product they now offer. The result is a massive step into the luxury pool. So, to whet our design acumen a bit more, the European luxury experience begins here.

PICTURED ABOVE: Slik Portfolio Mirrored Cast Iron Double Slipper Tub with Newport Brass Tub Filler and New Ravenna Orion Mosaic in Nero Marquinia and Aluminum Inlay in the background.

So why would a savvy contemporary consumer opt to go into the showroom versus shopping on line? The answer is you cannot replace the tactile experience of something so personal for the private quarters of your home. The bathroom is usually the first space visited beginning and last stop ending the day. Touching the hardware and fixtures, how it feels in hand, seeing the product materials and finishes in proper light all contribute to the showroom experience. You cannot get that online.

After its opening in 1987 and 32 years in one location, EBKTS has made the move. Over two years in the making, the decision was twofold as I learned from Camille Herd, Showroom Manager. “Our desire to move coupled with World Market Center’s goal to create a complete design resource came to a head and aligned at the perfect time. With this collaboration, we are excited to be part of creating a complete bath and kitchen resource for designers.” As Las Vegas is gearing up to take on more upper-end clientele and an influx of new homeowners in the valley, local designers and consumers alike wanted resources a bit more centralized. Ultimately, when the trigger was ready to be pulled, the synergy between Lee Hershberg, Vice President with International Market Centers/World Market Center and Camille Herd exploded in the best way possible and thus this partnership was born.

PICTURED ABOVE: LEFT: New Ravenna Ombre Jewel Glass Chevron Mosaic with Free- Standing Alape Sink. FOREGROUND: Bain Ultra Free- Standing Bathtub with Dornbracht Free-Standing Tub Filler. BACKGROUND: Dornbracht Horizontal Shower. The Horizontal Shower is modeled off the original Vichy Shower which was invented in Vichy France in the 1800’s. The slab that you lay down on is heated. There are three sets of two shower heads in the slab above which can act independently of each other to create a pulsing massage feature. TILE: The floor tile is Black Travertine by Elysium Tile. The wall tile is a dimensional tile called Diamante from the Stellar Collection by Sonoma Tilemakers.

Market trends absolutely influenced the move as well. Luxury is the key word and their opening brand mantra was “Luxury Is Arriving” a clever countdown campaign to build excitement and awareness. In addition to luxury, another trend is “For companies across all industries, the focus is giving ‘her’ the best experience possible; Her meaning that the purchasing power is in the hands of the woman of the household”, said Herd. Making the best of the decision to move was taking two spaces on the ground floor. The larger showroom space is a high-end bath and kitchen showroom. While the latter offers a variety of unique, artisanal, and exclusive tile & stone lines. The latter actually has a boutique atmosphere with a storefront right off the entry plaza. The Tile Gallery is welcoming to the public right off the main campus plaza.

Beyond showcasing the broad range of lines offered, the stylish product vignettes brilliantly deliver design solutions and inspiring dream spaces under one roof. There is the long passage they refer to as Inspiration Alley that draws you into the larger open showroom. Andrea Miranda-Hall of Inspired Designs was engaged to create unique vignettes featuring some of the best products offered. “At the end of Inspiration Alley, we had a custom mosaic designed that is called European Flora which has become a standout for everyone that’s seen it,” according to Herd.

PICTURED ABOVE: The faucets you see displayed in the photo are a mixture of faucets from various different brands. We wanted to display the faucets on a simple white background to let each one shine in their own light. RIGHT: This is a Bain Ultra bathtub with a Blue Bathworks Free Standing Tub Filler. The tile behind is a striped mixture of Realstone Ledgestone in Arctic White with the Realstone Tempered Glass in Gunmetal Glaze.

After being wowed by the space, the product does not take a lesser role in the experience. With the luxury of more space comes an opportunity to expand the brands, as well. “On the plumbing side, we are bringing on a new company called Franz Viegener which is a German designed product coming out of Argentina. We’re excited to receive our new displays and will be available for everyone to see soon. On the tile side, one of our favorite things is the Fornasetti “Faces” tile by Hastings Tile imported from Bardelli,” said Camille.

PICTURED ABOVE: Reed and Ribbon faucet from Phylrich which is more suited for the traditional-leaning consumer.

What is luxury without great service? Terry Mosman was the original founder of EBKTS before it became part of the Hajoca Corporation. In addition to the Showroom Manager, and Mosman, key personnel including Susan Rowland, Jojo Davis and Kyle Beltran are available for personal service to round out this new experience. So, if you’re planning a new bathroom or a kitchen renovation a visit to EBKTS is essential. The entre remodeling or building process can be intimidating and a path down the unknown. These strategic stylists and designers are available to help make the transition from renovation dreamer to luxury bath and kitchen owner a reality.

PICTURED ABOVE:  Custom European Flora Mosaic Tile