What is changing inside the bathroom, and what does this tell you about how Indians are beginning to think about the home?

 world and are fast-growing here in India. Digital showering is another important trend because of the functionality, personalisation and convenience it can bring.

Wellness is also a strong trend. How do you bring a spa experience into your home with steam, sauna, cold showering and other experiences? Sustainability is important too. People want to live more sustainably, but without compromising the functionality and experience of the product.

Personalisation is another important trend. And in India, what’s unique is expressiveness. I think the Indian consumer really likes to express themselves and likes more expressive products.

What makes the Indian consumer particularly expressive when it comes to bathroom design?

We’ve seen it in our product line. Much of our line here in India is designed for India. When I see the designs coming from our design teams, I’m struck by how expressive they are — almost flamboyant in some cases. It’s also about colour. We’ve developed unique colours, such as Peacock and Teakberry, for the Indian consumer and their tastes. It is a combination of colour, texture and form.

Kallista is Kohler’s luxury brand. What does Kallista offer that differentiates it from the core Kohler proposition?

Consumers deserve choice. Indian consumers want the best brands in the world and the best technologies in the world. Kallista is about handcrafted products using the most precious and unique materials and finishes, from glass and crystal to different metals and ceramic inlays. These are exquisite, handcrafted products that are almost pieces of art for the home.

You want to live in a space that reflects your taste and makes you feel comfortable, makes you feel at home. Indian consumers also entertain and bring people into their homes. Spaces such as the powder room, which might be more guest-facing, can become an expression of design and taste. It is a showcase for others, but also an important space for themselves.

What makes a bathroom feel expensive even when you haven’t spent a fortune?

Let’s start with the faucet. Think about your bathroom faucet as a piece of jewellery. You can make a subtle step up from chrome to a unique finish — a gold finish or a bronze finish. Just that little twist is a great design step up and can really set a different tone in your bathroom.

Is matte black already becoming dated? Which finishes do you think have staying power?

Matte black comes and goes. I think there’s still a role for matte black, but I personally like a lot of the warmer finishes — gold, bronze, brushed bronze and brushed gold. To me, those are really beautiful classics. I also like brushed nickel and polished nickel.

What bathroom habits or choices do you think Indian consumers should rethink?

I’m not going to say they are mistakes. Hygiene sprays around the toilet are obviously the standard product here in India. I would challenge Indian consumers to try a bidet seat, even a manual bidet attachment. We have some incredible designs that are really designed for ease of use and generally fit on any water closet.

We’ve found bidet seats are also great for toilet-training young children, while they are useful for older generations from a hygiene standpoint. Smart toilets are similar. Once you have one, you’ll always want to have one.

 Is the bathtub actually making a comeback in India, or is the large shower the more realistic luxury?

We’re trying to get our team to be as passionate about bathtubs as I am. I do think there are probably more passionate bathers in India than in much of the rest of the world.

Bathing is such an important part of rituals, health, wellness and relaxation. It’s simple to do, it’s in your personal space and it’s convenient to you. I think it really is important. There are a lot more bathers in the world than people realise.

What does Kohler design differently for India?

Much of what we design and develop here in India can work in other parts of the world. We recently introduced a shower that’s designed for the shoulders because a lot of women don’t want to get their hair wet every time. It covers the shoulders and body, and that product is being taken up by many of our other markets as well.