Materials and technology are changing the face of the bathroom. And with the expanded options, there's a creative challenge for product and interior designers to fashion rooms that can be spas, recharging spaces or simply mood elevators, with the same kind of inviting, even elegant, vibe of a five-star resort.

Today, there are plenty of trends, covering a range of styles, most with a modern edge. And just like kitchens, some of the best, most innovative designs are coming out of Europe.

First, materials are raising the bar. Stone and stone looks in porcelain or quartz are covering walls and floors. But stone also is prominent in sink design, especially in integrated models. Those all-in-one looks, also specified in quartz, concrete and solid-surface materials, resemble long kitchen troughs that are seamless, crisp and modern. There also are cantilevered versions that place surfaces on different levels, some even mixing media like wood or colored laminates.

Then, too, some manufacturers such as Italy's Antoniolupi have pushed the envelope with standout forms like Controverso, a marble block sink that seems to peel off layers, feeling ancient and contemporary at the same time. One part of the pedestal is linear, scored by a milling machine, while the front is rounded and irregular, layered with uneven edges, as if they have been torn away.

A more streamlined version of the pedestal is referred to as a totem basin or pillar, such as those by Artisan Ceramic. They're crafted from a single ceramic mold that prevents seams from forming, and their elongated tapering shapes create a minimal and elegant aesthetic.

Curves, of course, also break up linear spaces. Vessels disrupt the plane of a counter. Some of the newest vessel sinks sit on pedestals instead of conventional vanity cabinets. Piero Lissoni used Emperador black marble (also available in pink or jade onyx) to form a rectangular plinth, into which is nestled a brushed brass washbasin for dramatic effect.

A few years back, manufacturer Stone Forest paid homage to a memorable era with its Industrial Pedestal, incorporating imagery from the factory floor and utilizing cast-iron legs. Now drawing on the utilitarian forms, a cast-iron leg with fine-tuning gears supports a handcrafted basin in stone or metal for washing the hands and face.

The shapeliest of shapes, of course, have come in bathtub design. Architectural or sculptural, angular or curvy, asymmetrical or not, many of the designs are freestanding. They are a graceful centerpiece for a bath -- when there is space. And for floor plans that may not accommodate that much real estate, manufacturers have played with shape in front, creating an illusion, at least, of an untethered tub that can be tucked against a wall.

Meanwhile, vanities have lightened up. Washbasins are getting legs. Plus, floating vanities are gaining traction. It's most definitely a visual boost for smaller spaces, where conventional cabinets seem heavy and, in some cases, problematic when they're squished into small areas that don't allow much room for maintenance.

But with the slimming down, shortening or downsizing of vanities, storage is not being sacrificed. In fact, it's no longer an afterthought, with some manufacturers thoughtfully integrating it into drawers, sometimes with built-in electrical outlets and practical dividers for all of your toiletries.

And mirrors have taken on an added dimension -- lighting. The sparest are simple rectangles with integrated LED lighting. It's barely there, like a frosted frame all around or at corners, not at all like the too-bright theater lights from way back. Robern's new custom lighted mirrors feature dimmable and color-tuning capabilities, mirror defogging, USB charging ports and motion sensors.

Duravit's newest Luv collection, a handsome group with a bit of a Nordic accent, also features mirrors with integrated glare-free LED lighting, available in three widths (up to 63 inches) and a height of 47 inches. They feature integrated dimming and mirror heating for defogging. Also in its arsenal are mirrors that are backlit for ambient effects, with indirect lighting on all four sides. The wall-wash effect allows atmospheric illumination.

Wall-hung toilets, most popular overseas, are catching on here as well. And most who own them applaud the practicality -- especially for cleaning. And interest in freestanding bidets has waned because many manufacturers are putting the technology into the toilet seats. The most technologically adept dual-flush toilets start at around $5,000 and feature integrated bidets with self-cleaning wands, air dryers, deodorizing filters. Kohler's Numi also boasts ambient colored lighting, heated seat and foot warmers, hands-free opening and closing seat and cover, wireless Bluetooth music sync, storage for MP3 files and SD cards, and a plug-in for your device (a remote sells separately for between $400 and $500).

Kohler's Veil Intelligent dual-flush toilet includes heated seat, automatic deodorizing, stainless steel cleansing wand with adjustable sprays, LED night light and hands-free opening, closing and flushing. The most recent addition is a wall-hung version that conserves space and allows easy cleaning.

Matte finishes also are catching on in tub design, where the idea of soaking has all but supplanted whirlpools and even air tubs. Freestanding models are popular because they can be dramatic focal points. So manufacturers are paying special attention to architectural and sculptural shapes -- everything from round (Konstantin Grcic's addition to the Val collection at Laufen) to asymmetrical ovals to angular, like the innovative Askew at Kohler. A number of the solid surfaces used for fabrication can be polished to a silky-smooth finish.

Matte black, graphite and pewter looks are especially winning fans in faucets. Brass, rose gold and copper also offer warm options.

And there are no qualms about mixing metals -- some manufacturers are doing it for you, as in the teaming of matte black and gold, a really handsome pairing.

Beyond the realm of fixtures and faucets, some manufacturers have turned their attention to ambience. Years ago, Laufen teamed up with Kartell to develop fun sheer plastic tables and accessories in clear acrylic and even some colors. Lacava recently introduced a white stone stool in a classic shape that can suit a number of decorating styles. And Devon & Devon has even launched into the production of wallcoverings, with 32 themes from geometric, three-dimensional and optical to floral and animal subjects to dreamy landscapes -- perfect for feature walls behind those starring tubs.

The well-designed bath today is a finely choreographed mix. It can, indeed, be another decorated room in the house -- with its own personality, striking wallpaper, artwork and even furniture -- with amazing function incorporating all the technology available today in storage, lighting and bathing.

Sources

-- Antoniolupi, 312-329-1550, www.antoniolupi.it/en

-- Artisan Ceramics Ltd., www.artisanceramicsltd.co.uk

-- Boffi, 312-787-2323, www.boffi.com

-- Devon & Devon, 312-676-3755, www.devon-devon.com

-- DXV American Standard, 800-227-2734, www.dxv.com/en

-- Duravit, 212-686-0033, www.duravit.us

-- Effegibi, www.effegibi-perfect-wellness.com

-- Gessi, 714-808-0099, www.gessi.com

-- Hastings Tile & Bath, 212-674-9700, www.hastingstilebath.com

-- Kallista, 888-452-5547, www.kallista.com

-- Kohler, 800-456-4537, www.kohler.com

-- Laufen, 866-696-2493, www.us.laufen.com

-- Robern, 800-877-2376, www.robern.com

-- Stone Forest, 888-682-2987, https://stoneforest.com

Perhaps it's a reflection of the times.

As we expect more of our home furnishings -- to make us comfortable and allow multitasking, all while looking damn good -- the mirror has been morphing into an object of art. One that can cost a few hundred to several thousand dollars.

Not that that wasn't in its decorative DNA. To wit, all of the gorgeousness of grand gilded Louis XV or baroquey mirrors are historically masters at commanding space in European museums, palaces and villas.

But this is different. Almost like designing a piece of art that includes a mirror, with the feeling like the mirror is sometimes kind of an afterthought. And, curiously, it follows that trendy period where large-scale rectangular mirrors showed up in so many interiors -- on the floor, leaning stylishly against the wall -- as an emblem of modern design.

It started with mirror frames. More imaginative materials began drawing the eye, demanding at least equal time with the mirror. Beautiful figured wood veneers were beefier so you couldn't help but notice. Fanciful, loopy golden metals, framing like filigree on a ring, or three-dimensional buildups of texture, expanding on traditional elements from seashells to petals of leather to feathers, or unexpected combinations of materials.

Then came a downsizing, in which smallish mirrors emerged and practically begged for company, designed to be displayed in multiples. Not really a new concept, but one borrowed from collectors, who intuitively group beauties like French guilloche enameled hand mirrors or bejeweled Peruvian mirrors. Today, manufacturers sometimes assemble a set of circles or other shapes connected as a single piece of wall art for easier hanging.

Some designers began exploring the mirror itself, creating new geometry with smaller parts, divvying up in Mondrian grid segments as in a bronze/clear mirror from Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams. Some perhaps took cues from tile tesserae or even Parisian parquet floors, as Tel Aviv artist Arik Levy, who has a Paris studio, fashioned a mirror out of long strips of mirror, staggering them to create a single piece.

Inevitably, there has been an exploration of form. Karim Rashid did a playful collection of bath mirrors called Reflect + for the Belgian company Deknudt, that play up color with LED lighting. Again, three hung together are more dramatic than one. Designer Julia Buckingham took a star shape and sort of stretched it out, then ganged six diamonds in two sizes into a single cohesive piece for impact at Global Views. The Italian manufacturer Seletti introduced the Luminaire mirrors, conventional round and oval shapes flattened slightly, then circled with LEDs. The inspiration for the designer was strings of lights hung above a piazza during a festival.

Buckingham, whose newly published "Modernique" (Abrams, $40) explains her decorating and product inspiration mixing vintage and modern style and fashion, channeled jewelry for another design for Global Views. It's a starburst brooch, hung like a pendant from a chain, with the tiniest mirror as a jewel in the center. A number of new mirror designs are suspended in this fashion, and the chains, leather cords or ribbons lend a graceful, even elegant note.

And now the very mirror surface is being decorated -- kind of like the feel of antiqued mottled glass, but with deliberately placed patterns that almost appear random.

One overscale rectangular design at Anthropologie, has an allover pattern that resembles suzani, the trendy vintage embroidery centered by circles, but actually was inspired by French lace. Another is more ambiguous, actually due to its technique of color washing over mirror. A mirror from Arteriors has a textural surface that resembles a slice of the solar system. And still another, Edinburg, from the same company, is irregularly shaped (kind of trapezoidal) with its craggy surface like a moon crater, looking more like a stone than a mirror.

A mirror by Zuo features a mesmerizing pattern created by repetition. It consists of a series of bull's-eyes, which recall turn-of-the-century stained and clear glass compositions called "rondels." Another, on an uber grand scale, is by Memoir Essence Furniture, a Portuguese brand. It combines geometric shapes of different sizes, some dimensional, whose surfaces have been antiqued to create a composition that thoroughly dominates a wall.

Still another fresh new direction actually pairs mirror with other materials, such as wood, to underscore pattern. An example at Roche Bobois features a distinctly art deco look, teaming mirror with wood in a tasteful composition. And at West Elm, one-half of a mirror is a live-edge slice of tree trunk, its rings clearly delineated, while the other side follows the irregular shape with a mirror image. The designs are visually reminiscent of the wood with white marble pairings in cheese blocks and trays so popular in housewares.

"Designers have started to understand that the framing around mirrors is an intricate part of a functional piece," says Buckingham. "But, all of a sudden, there are so many options, so many different shapes. There's a total crossover. In every entryway, if there has to be a mirror, how incredibly intricate, colorful is one embellished with stones? It's not just an ordinary mirror anymore. It's propelled into superstar status."

So the new artistry, much of it playfully asymmetrical, lends more gravitas to the usual spots in interiors -- over a fireplace mantel, a console in a foyer, a buffet in the dining room, the bed. The artful mirrors may function traditionally -- to reflect views or visually expand a room.

"I like taking and creating an unexpected mirror," says Buckingham, "and putting it in a place that's unusual -- where you would least expect it -- like a butler's pantry. Some might say, 'Why would I want a mirror there?' Until they see how decorative and sculptural it may be."

And for those who don't own a lot of art, if any at all, this new mirror wall decor offers a cool way to add a grand, whimsical focal point that owns the wall.

Sources

-- Anthropologie, 800-309-2500, www.anthropologie.com

-- Arteriors, 800-338-2150, www.arteriorshome.com

-- Deknudt, www.deknudtmirrors.com

-- Global Views, 888-956-0030, www.globalviews.com

-- Memoir Essence Furniture, info@memoir.pt, www.memoir.pt

-- Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, 800-789-5401, www.mgbwhome.com

-- Roche Bobois, 212-889-0700, www.roche-bobois.com

-- Seletti, 646-484-5606, www.selettinorthamerica.com

-- SHO Modern, 949-643-1000, www.shinebysho.com

-- West Elm, 888-922-4119, www.westelm.com

-- Zuo Modern, 866-7-ZUOMOD, www.zuomod.com

What is the perfect summer day? For many, it's one lost in reverie. In a daydream, just reminiscing over that last trip to the south of France, the Greek Isles, Tuscany or the Caribbean. Or just soaking in the rays, the breeze, savoring a glorious vista. Outdoors -- ideally, just the other side of your back door.

More than ever, travel, Instagram shots and Pinterest boards, design publications and blogs are helping to shape outdoor lifestyles. Recreating experiences or settings, especially from luxury venues, is a prime instigator. In fact, retailers and manufacturers such as Restoration Hardware and Kohler Co. are even getting into the hospitality business with hotels and restaurants -- a value added for shopability.

"The luxury of travel is in tune with what it means to have an outdoor lifestyle," says New York designer Stephen Burks. "I consider outdoors as an extension of our interior lives. It represents how you love to live."

The focus is seduction, drawing your eye to products that will help you fashion your own al fresco sanctuary. A place for decompressing, entertaining, chillaxing.

RH, known for its signature hefty catalogs, of course has one entirely devoted to outdoors, with one scrumptious image after another. Furniture touches all categories -- teak, weaves, metals -- and hits all the essential design notes with distinctive shapes, often seriously large-scale. Fire tables and stunning accessories, including architectural teak or brass lanterns, round out the sophisticated collections.

In a mini West Elm catalog, an outdoor shot has an exotic vibe, with a modern low-to-the-ground sofa in a setting framed by lush vegetation. And on the Frontgate website, there's an idyllic scene, lush with blooming hedges and a reflecting pool, headlined: "Paradise Found: Skip the flight: A resort-worthy oasis awaits in your own backyard."

And that has been the point since we started paying more attention to outdoor rooms and the concept of extending our living spaces and styles beyond the walls of our homes -- spilling onto terraces, patios, decks and into gardens. Five years ago, the esteemed longtime casual furniture designer Richard Frinier identified what he had seen as an emerging phenomenon.

"For me, the outdoor room was never really a trend; rather, it is a lifestyle," Frinier told us then. "People are returning to the pleasure of entertaining at home, which has been fueled not only by resort-at-home trends, but by the many food and cooking shows inspiring people. This means they have to have wonderful indoor and outdoor living spaces to complete the experience."

Today, Wayfair, one of largest online destinations for the home, touts staycations "complete with lazy days and party nights," as it showcases its outdoor wares. One Kings Lane, a shopping site that also features vintage and flea market sales, has introduced its own outdoor line with two collections. The website is a popular destination for inspiration in a range of design styles, including Hotel Luxe.

Luxurious outdoor living is more attainable than ever before. And there's no reason to compromise design aesthetics that you've embraced indoors. A new collection called Cooper from Lane Venture has overtones of Scandinavian design. Mid-century styling has been trending -- no surprise, as it has also been popular in interiors, and homeowners are looking for more seamless transitions to the outdoors.

More modern designs have been trending as well, just as they have in interior furnishings over the past few years.

Some of the prominent directions, as seen at the last Casual Furniture Market in Chicago and at Maison et Objet in Paris show more high-end applications, attention to detail, focus on flexibility and lots of options for color -- sometimes as a focal point, as a covering or as an accent like pillows, side tables or even as a starring chair.

Mad for Modular. As sectionals began to bloom outdoors, the whole idea of modules makes perfect sense. Configure to your needs, build really large seating groups when you have the space, or tighten groupings into a smaller footprint. The comfort, style and appeal of performance fabrics have many consumers craving these outdoor pieces for indoors, too.

Got it covered. Many more fully upholstered styles are available, with slipcovered looks as well. Fills mimic the fluffiness of indoor, so this seating is designed for you to linger.

Wicked weaves. From finely woven resins, some with patterns, to chunky weaves, often with Sunbrella or performance fibers, the range is considerable. Some weaves look like sweater knits or crochets; others are woven in wide strips or strung up with thinner fibers in stripey styles. Some are subtle, like herringbones or weaves in multiple hues, using one to three different strands.

Mixed media. More and more, there are fetching combinations, like concrete or stainless steel with teak, wicker and teak, which clearly lend a more modern feel as they also encourage more eclectic styles that don't stick to one suite. Some manufacturers like Jonathan Charles, which launched its first outdoor line at the High Point market in October, introduced a breakfast table with an antique brass and marble top for a contemporary touch.

Artisanal looks. Again, parallel to interiors themes, there's a growing desire for craftsmanship, even in outdoor living. Burks, who has done collections for Roche Bobois and Dedon, is a champion of this cause. "I believe in bringing the hand to industry," he says. He has worked with artisans in Senegal, Kenya and Haiti to create colorful woven products that are suitable for outdoor use.

Chroma is key. Neutrals still are favored, and they're especially impactful when they're nuanced, often with the emerging textures we're now seeing in performance fabrics -- things like chenille, velvet, boucle and other nubby surfaces. But some color themes are prevalent. Ranges of blue seem to be a perennial favorite, especially in coastal areas, where they reflect the ocean, the shore or a lake. Denim and indigo shades in ikat-like patterns are as appealing as they are fashionable. Fun prints, like animal patterns, are lively, while upscaling imagery such as flowers makes it more modern. But smaller patterns also work, especially in vibrant combinations like orange and pink. Strong yellow is making a showing, and although the limey greens that seemed to be everywhere a few years back still can be found, more grassy hues and blue-greens are emerging.

Fresh, sophisticated brights are different from the neon hues that shook up housewares several years back. One example is the Portico collection from Thibaut. While its main hues are strong pinks and oranges, their pairing with white and the types of patterns -- basket weaves, trellises -- make them more serious, while still playful. Also, note that you'll be seeing more and more of "indoor/outdoor fabric" on labels, because more homeowners have come to appreciate the wearbility, fade-proof and no-stain properties.

Patterns. Designers are taking cues from fashion (like Missoni's signature flamestitch), retro prints on a larger scale (think splashy florals or bold cabana stripes), paisleys and zigzags are some of the motifs.

Bold black and white is emerging as a graphic look, simply with contrasting frames and upholstery, but now with some amazing geometric prints. The graphic nature of the combination, especially in a stripe or geometric pattern is a winner. The simplicity of black or white frames with the contrasting solid fabric has a classic appeal.

Fire tables are more of a go-to, for obvious reasons like warmth -- both physical and visual. People love to gather around the fire, and if the piece does double-duty, all the better. Materials, shapes and sizes offer abundant selections, with concrete looks as well as metals available for eclectic mixes.

Accessories such as lighting, particularly lanterns, are becoming a force. The range in metal finishes, from bronze to black to burnished brass, as well as scale and architectural form, has added to the allure.

One thing is clear: Indoor sophistication and style are stepping out. And with that, a whole lot of modern style.

"It's not a flash in the pan thing," says Waynette Goodson, editor of Casual Living, a trade publication, and a new trade magazine that caters to upscale products called Exterior Design. "It's not a flash in the pan thing. It's a style that can be successfully combined with other styles.

"Modern is going to be around for a long time."

Sources

-- Agio, 800-416-3511, www.agio-usa.com

-- Dedon, 877-693-3366, www.dedon.de

-- Frontgate, 888-263-9850, www.frontgate.com

-- Holly Hunt Outdoor, 800-320-3145, www.hollyhunt.com

-- Kenneth Coponbue, 888-889-9005, www.kennethcobonpue.com

-- Lane Venture, 800-225-0265, www.laneventure.com

-- One Kings Lane, 855-746-7655, www.onekingslane.com

-- RH, 800-762-1005, www.restorationhardware.com

-- Roche Bobois, 312-955-0275, www.roche-bobois.com

-- Thibaut, 800-223-0704, www.thibautdesign.com

-- Tommy Bahama, Lexington Home Brands, 336-474-5300, www.lexington.com

-- West Elm, 888-922-4119, www.westelm.com

-- Woodard, 800-877-2290, www.woodard-furniture.com