NEW PRODUCTS

Bath designs honor European heritage

Villeroy & Boch is going strong -- strong enough to be celebrating its 260th anniversary with renewed vitality in its 2008 line for the bath.

"Given that 2008 is a truly landmark year for Villeroy & Boch, we felt it was the ideal opportunity to revisit the designs that best represent the brand's inimitable European heritage and style," said Steve Kamp, vice president of marketing.

"A manufacturing company that predates the Industrial Revolution and has been run by eight generations of the founding families ever since is truly exceptional," Kamp said.

New collections include:

Amadea: With a well-balanced basic oval form and sleek ceramic contouring, this collection brings to mind the architectural elements of ancient Greek and Roman civilizations. Available in alpin (white) and pergamon (buff), this one-of-a-kind look lends itself equally well to traditional and modern décors.

Central Line: With urbane sophistication, this is a stylish, practical selection of bath furniture that includes vanities and side cabinets in a range of sizes. It also offers a new twist with the introduction of a macassar finish. Like an exotic ebony hardwood indigenous to Indonesia, its dark, rich grain speaks to this year's trend toward animal-inspired patterns. It is also available in cherry wood and solid white.

Aveo: This collection marks the first collaboration between Villeroy & Boch and Conran & Partners. Inspired by the simple, comforting, oval shape of an egg, the form has been dramatically adapted for the lavatory. The Aveo tub, in particular, is a true showstopper that embodies the singular design, purity of form with luxurious proportions.

Pure Stone: Inspired by water-washed pebbles, these lavatory basins, bidets and water closets are asymmetric, distinctive and offered in a range of styles. Finishes include gray stone and alpin. The gray stone finish is applied by hand in a multistage process, making every wash basin a unique work of art.

Loop & Friends: This collection of ceramic wash basins is available in round, oval, rectangular, square and curvy NewWave shapes with a range of Colorline colors offered for the round versions. Others are available in alpin and pergamon.

For more information, call 800-536-2284 or visit www.villeroy-boch.com.