Diane, Author at Bathroom Review

St James England reports surging sales for Living Bathroom collection

May 28, 2025

Luxury brassware manufacturer St James England has reported a significant increase in demand for its Living Bathrooms collection since its launch in the UK in 2024.

Introduced at KBB Birmingham 2024, the Living Bathrooms collection offers retailers and designers 13 visually compelling ranges that are exclusive to St James and not available elsewhere. Sales have increased significantly in recent months, with St James reporting a very encouraging opening quarter to 2025.

Created to combine beauty with function, each range has unique aesthetics that complement and elevate contemporary and classically traditional homes. What’s more, St James Living brassware is available in a variety of on-trend finishes including matt black, brushed brass, brushed bronze and gunmetal. Each product comes with best-in-class components and a reassuring 15-year guarantee when the product is registered online.

St James Living brings London’s design energy into the bathroom and each of the 13 ranges takes inspiration and its name from the capital’s streets, including Bond, Eaton, Hatton and Fleet. In doing so, the Collection offers retailers, designers and homeowners a differentiated brassware portfolio that stands alone in the industry.

St James England has also created an exciting new brochure for its Living Bathrooms collection to inspire and engage consumers. Available for retail partners to display in their showrooms, the St James Living Bathrooms brochure features details of each carefully curated range, accompanied by stunning imagery to help consumers visualise the brassware within any bathroom setting.

Mark Davidge, GB sales director, St James England, says: “The interest in our Living Bathrooms collection has been nothing short of phenomenal, and this was evident when we showcased our offering at Bathnet South and the NMBS exhibition. At St James England, we offer more than just brassware that looks good. Our brassware heritage spanning over 55 years, knowledge and expertise play a significant role in our success and are pillars that we are proud to be associated with. Thanks to the fantastic growth over the past few months, we’ve also introduced a number of other new tools to help support retail partners and increase customer engagement within their showrooms. We have extensive stocks in the Midlands ready to be delivered and are delighted to welcome Beverley Jones, an experienced Area Sales Manager, to the St James England team who will help us deliver an even better service going forward.”

For more information on the Living Bathrooms collection or to become a retail partner, please visit the website www.stjamesengland.com, email sales@stjamesengland.com, or call 0121 358 1555.

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Whitebirk Kréte basin – sculptural concrete for the bathroom

May 28, 2025

Kréte is the bold bathroom collection from Whitebirk Sink Company: a sculptural series of basins crafted from concrete which have been designed to bring colour, character and contemporary edge to the bathroom.

Offered in a variety of refined designs and a palette of distinctive colours, Kréte reimagines the bathroom basin as an architectural statement. The collection includes both countertop and wall-mounted options, with each design named after a location in Crete – reflecting the collection’s Mediterranean inspiration and grounding it in a sense of place.

Every Kréte basin is cast from an innovative eco-concrete blend that requires significantly less energy to produce than traditional alternatives, combining lower-impact raw materials with a durable, long-lasting finish. A soft satin surface gives the concrete a smooth, modern texture, allowing for details to appear sharper with minimal reflection from lighting. This refined surface treatment helps elevate concrete from a traditionally industrial material to one with a distinctly contemporary and luxurious feel.

Colour is integral to the Kréte collection. Alongside classic white, the basins are available in warm, earth-led tones and more expressive hues, including burnt orange, forest green, deep blue, tangerine, soft pink and terrazzo – each selected for its ability to complement both minimalist and maximalist interiors.

Kréte is an exciting new design chapter for Whitebirk, a British brand best known for its handmade fireclay kitchen sinks. While rooted in the same ethos of quality, craft and material integrity, Kréte represents a progressive step into modern bathroom design with a range that is fresh, considered and made to last – reflecting a shift in how bathrooms are perceived – no longer purely functional, but increasingly expressive and intentional spaces within the home.

“We wanted to create something that stood out not just for the material, but for the form and finish,” says Steve Allen, Managing Director at Whitebirk. “Kréte is contemporary and impactful. It has presence, without being overwhelming and it’s been designed with modern homes in mind.”

Defined by bold form, refined texture and confident colour, each Kréte basin makes a statement – whether used as a quiet centrepiece or a bolder design gesture.

Kréte by Whitebirk is available exclusively through the Whitebirk Sink Company website and via its global network of retailers with pricing from £669.00.

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Micro-luxury in the bathroom with Grange Design

May 28, 2025

Grange Design, UK-based bathroom industry brand, is embracing the micro-luxury trend where small-scale basin taps are providing a touch of luxe in today’s bathroom.

Proving that designer form and function isn’t all about size, the latest research confirms that having a second bathroom remains a favourite amongst UK homeowners, increasing property prices by up to 6%. Typically compact in size, small bathroom spaces like the downstairs cloakroom or ensuite can be just as functional and stylish as the main bathroom, they just require meticulous planning to achieve the desired results.

From function and user ergonomics to design aesthetics and unseen product features, choosing the right basin taps is critical for ensuring a robust and user-centric bathroom experience. Whether classic or traditional, the micro-luxury trend not only considers the style and finish of the taps, but also their size, handles, and installation requirements. Helping you to better determine the type of basin to go for such as corner, wall hung, or compact vanity basins with integrated storage, micro-luxe basin taps are your answer to a superior wash routine.

Clive Griffiths, manager at Grange Design recommends, “The compact bathroom is under the spotlight as the desire for a second wash space continues to rise in popularity. When it comes to the design of tap, slim and tall mono basin mixers with single or dual lever controls are a great choice for adding form and function to a bijou basin area. If we look at style, then durable tap finishes in contemporary matt black and chrome remain hot favourites in the bathroom, as they complement principal design features to evoke luxury on a smaller scale.”

The Atlantic Collection by Grange Design is ideal for compact bathroom spaces thanks to its pared-back style and well-defined silhouettes. Manufactured from solid brass and available in either Chrome or Matt Black finish options, the range of Atlantic basin mixers are your best introduction to the micro-luxury trend. Choose from:

Atlantic deck-mounted

– Single Lever Mono Basin Mixer with combined flow and temperature in one simple control (Projection 134mm x Width 35mm x Height 149mm). Priced from £185.

– Tall Single Lever Mono Basin Mixer with extended height, and combined flow and temperature in one simple control (Projection 181mm x Width 35mm x Height 306mm). Priced from £399.

– Two-handle Mono Basin Mixer with swivel spout and separate hot and cold controls (Projection 216mm x Width 160mm x Height 327mm). Priced from £324.

– Square Spout 3 piece Basin Mixer with fixed spout and separate hot and cold controls (Projection 184mm x Width 400mm x Height 211mm). Priced from £306.

– Swan Spout 3 piece Basin Mixer with fixed spout and separate hot and cold controls (Projection 212mm x Width 400mm x Height 256mm). Priced from £310.

Atlantic wall-mounted

– Single Lever Basin Mixer with combined flow and temperature in one simple control (Projection 197mm x Width 186mm x Height 70mm). Priced from £310

– 200mm Spout 3 piece Basin Mixer with fixed spout and separate hot and cold controls (Projection 207mm x Width 235mm x Height 45mm). Priced from £324.

– 230mm Spout 3 piece Basin Mixer with extended fixed spout and separate hot and cold controls (Projection 239mm x Width 235mm x Height 45mm). Priced from £310.

The Atlantic Collection also includes a range of mono bidet mixers, and complementary bath/shower mixers, minimalist showering solutions including arms, showerheads, thermostatic valves, and flexible shower kits, and designer accessories such as towel rings and soap dishes through to practical robe hooks.

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Tissino launches three new illuminated mirror collections

May 28, 2025

Bathroom manufacturer, Tissino, has introduced three new illuminated mirror ranges – Forma, Briella, and Varano – which have been designed to bring together elegant forms with discreet functionality. With thoughtful features and finish options to complement the brand’s wider product offering, the new mirrors are designed to suit a variety of spaces, from minimal modern en suites to softly styled transitional bathrooms.

Forma Cabinets
Forma (pictured top) is a multifunctional mirror cabinet available in three silhouettes: a gently contoured capsule shape, a one-door square, and a two-door square.

Front-facing diffused LED lighting offers adjustable intensity with separate touch buttons as well as hand motion IR sensors to adjust lighting, as well as featuring double-sided de-mister doors, internal adjustable shelving, and integrated shaver sockets.

Each detail has been considered to support both form and function, with soft illumination and practical storage wrapped into a refined cabinet.

Briella Mirrors
Briella is Tissino’s first mirror framed in PVD-coated brushed brass—designed to complete the brand’s brushed brass brassware, showering and accessory offering.

Available in capsule, rectangular and circular shapes, the frame’s softly brushed finish offers warm visual balance, while front-facing lighting is available as adjustable colour-changing capabilities up to 6000K, ensuring the perfect ambiance.

With dual touch buttons for easy operation, offering lighting and a demister pad, the Briella is elegant and versatile and is available in:

Circular – 600mm or 800mm diameters.

Capsule – 600mm or 850mm tall

Rectangular – 500x700mm or 600x800mm

Briella Mirrors come with a two-year guarantee.

Varano Mirror
Designed for everyday use with elevated detailing, the Varano mirror features an integrated shaver socket and neutral front lighting with colour-changing functionality. Separate touch buttons for lighting and demister pad offer easy operation.

Its streamlined form and thoughtful features make it a quietly smart addition to contemporary bathrooms.

The Varano has a three-year guarantee.

As with all Tissino products, the new mirror collections reflect the brand’s commitment to quality, simplicity, and enduring design.

For more information, visit www.tissino.co.uk

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Grant Westfield opens new showroom at Edinburgh HQ

May 28, 2025

Grant Westfield, a UK-based wall panel company behind award-winning brands Multipanel and Naturepanel, has launched a dedicated showroom space within its Edinburgh headquarters, aiming to display its products to a broader trade audience.

Spanning two floors, the showroom features an extensive range of products from both Multipanel and Naturepanel, presented in beautiful room set displays that reflect the latest trends. With bestselling decors for both brands on show and samples of the entire range readily available, this new space is designed to inspire retailers on how they can create captivating displays featuring Multipanel and Naturepanel within their own showrooms.

New and existing KBB retailers and tradespeople are invited to book a visit to the stunning new showroom, where staff members will be on hand to provide more information about its product offerings. They will be able to offer advice on how Naturepanel and Multipanel can add value to any project and answer questions on installation.

Visitors to the showroom will also be able to see firsthand how the company’s panels are enhanced by its unique Hydrolock system. This precisely engineered tongue-and-groove mechanism ensures bathroom panels join together seamlessly for an effortlessly smooth and completely waterproof finish without the need for mid-joints. In addition, the showroom also has the Grant Westfield Room Visualiser and Carbon Reduction Calculator on display for customers to interact with directly.

Bathroom-Review-Grant-Westfield-Showroom

John Mortimer, manging director at Grant Westfield, says: “There is a growing demand for wall panels over traditional surface options as the sector moves towards more environmentally conscious products. As this demand increases, we want to better support our customers by opening a space they can visit and see our products first hand on a much bigger scale.

“Our showroom will help customers to visualise what our brands may look like within their own showrooms and how they can be styled alongside both modern and traditional sanitaryware. It is another major milestone for Grant Westfield as we continue our growth journey, and we look forward to welcoming customers through our doors.”

For more information on the showroom and to book a visit, please see below:

www.grantwestfield.co.uk/bathroom-showroom/

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Home renovation spend surges due to ageing housing stock – Houzz Study reveals

May 28, 2025

Home renovation spending in the UK has surged, with homeowners investing a median of £21,440 in 2024 – a 26% year-on-year increase, according to the newly released 2025 Houzz & Home Study. The annual report, based on responses from over 1,000 UK homeowners, was published by Houzz, the leading platform for home renovation and design.

This sharp rise is closely tied to the nation’s ageing housing stock, with 53% of renovators living in homes built before 1940. As a result, repairs and system upgrades continue to be a significant focus. In 2024, 39% carried out essential maintenance, while upgrades to heating systems (43%), plumbing systems (42%), and electrical systems (39%) were widespread.

“While rising costs for goods and services are influencing renovation spend, activity remains stable,” said Marine Sargsyan, Houzz staff economist. “With almost half of homeowners planning renovations, it suggests that the need to update ageing housing stock continues to fuel demand for home improvements.”

Renovation plans persist into 2025

Looking ahead, homeowners remain committed to improving their homes. Sixty per cent plan to decorate and 49% intend to renovate in 2025, consistent with last year’s figures.

The trend toward long-term homeownership continues, with 61% of renovators expecting to stay in their homes for over 11 years. Many cite pent-up demand and now having the time or financial means as key motivations (36% and 33%, respectively).

Pros are in high demand

The professional renovation market remains robust, with 94% of homeowners hiring specialists to undertake their projects. Electricians (59%) and plumbers (56%) topped the list, while demand for cabinetry pros rose to 27% — up eight percentage points on 2023. Hiring also grew for painters (41%), roofers (31%) and architects (25%).

Homeowners are turning to builders, interior designers, and design-build firms, many of whom use Houzz Pro for project management and client collaboration.

Funding renovations

Most homeowners continued to finance their projects with savings (83%), followed by proceeds from a home sale (20%) and credit cards (13%). The use of gifts or inheritance rose slightly (from 9% to 12% in 2023), while credit card use dropped from 18% to 13%.

Entrances and outdoor upgrades on the rise

Interest in entrances has grown, with 32% decorating their entryways, 24% upgrading them, and 7% extending them – all figures higher than those from 2023. Outdoor spaces were another key area of focus, with 50% of respondents improving their exteriors, including flower beds (29%), lighting (23%), sheds (17%), and security systems (16%).

Although still niche, built-in outdoor kitchens saw a slight increase in popularity, rising to 3% of outdoor projects.

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Schlüter helps make tile installations more efficient

May 28, 2025

Schlüter-Systems has developed a wide range of practical products for practical people which help simplify installations, speed up installation time or create a more efficient process, all whilst increasing an installer’s earning potential. These innovative solutions are designed to work together, offering installers a one-stop shop for ongoing support, to purchase the products from and peace of mind that the installation is fit for purpose and will stand the test of time.

DITRA Peel & Stick

One of Schlüter’s latest innovations is DITRA Peel & Stick. Building on the success of the original DITRA, the Peel & Stick format offers reliable uncoupling, waterproofing, crack-bridging and vapour pressure equalisation properties in the same way as the original mat, with the added benefit of being able to use in conjunction with P5 green chipboard. This substrate is often misunderstood, used incorrectly and can be difficult to work with, as it is not suitable to use with traditional tile adhesive and does not offer the same level of protection against tiles cracking, debonding or moisture. DITRA Peel & Stick mitigates this issue. The pressure sensitive adhesive allows installers to easily stick the membrane down onto even the trickiest substrates, with no tile adhesive, no mess and allows for the instant application of tiles on top of the membrane.

DITRA-HEAT (and DITRA-HEAT Peel & Stick)

DITRA-HEAT is a universal substrate for tile coverings, which serves as an uncoupling, crack bridging, waterproofing and vapour management layer and is designed for the attachment of heating cables. Whilst a traditional underfloor heating system would require the laying of a cable, the addition of a levelling compound and the installation of uncoupling, the DITRA-HEAT mat does everything. Using DITRA-HEAT means you don’t need to purchase and install these independently, making installation of underfloor heating quicker.

The DITRA-HEAT Peel & Stick membrane offers a great alternative to our traditional membrane. Peel & Stick is a simple, clean, and quick way to install electric underfloor heating. A thin layer of pre-applied pressure sensitive adhesive on the underside eliminates the need for additional adhesive. With one less step in the process, it is quicker to install as no adhesive is required to fix to the substrate. This will save you precious time on prepping, as no mixing or spreading is needed (and no clean-up is required!) Peel & Stick also comes with the same benefits as the original DITRA-HEAT, so it can be used as an all-in-one system to provide other functions, again, saving time on multiple installation steps.

KERDI-200

Schlüter-KERDI-200 has been developed as a bonded waterproofing assembly for use with ceramic tile and natural stone coverings. Correct application involves bonding to an even, load bearing substrate with an appropriate adhesive, with tiles then laid directly on top. When using KERDI-200, it is not essential to wait for the adhesive to dry prior to tiling. The tile covering can be installed as soon as the entire waterproofing assembly is tightly sealed at all overlaps, corners and joints.

Schlüter also offers wider 2m rolls of KERDI-200, making installation even quicker and more efficient as the wide roll will typically cover the height of a shower head, and will have fewer joins and seams to seal to ensure the appropriate waterproofing.

Being able to move on to the next stage of the installation process is a huge benefit, as it means less time is spent on prepping the substrate.

KERDI-BOARD range

The KERDI-BOARD range offers a simple solution to many installation pain points and are adaptable to many bathroom installation scenarios including boxing around pipework, creating curves or corner formations. Often these tasks require a lot more effort, from design work, to creating the components needed, to the installation and making sure the result is watertight. Products in the range are suitable for waterproofing and vapour management and can be used to provide a substrate ready for tile installation.

KERDI-BOARD-V is a construction panel with vertical grooves for creating curved substrates
KERDI-BOARD-E is an angled component for creating corner formations and pipe panelling
KERDI-BOARD-U is a U-shaped component for creating pipe panelling

As well as other KERDI-BOARD components, Schlüter’s answer to a built-in niche allows for the creation of bathroom storage without requiring independent components to be custom built, a complicated and time-consuming task. KERDI-BOARD-N are prefabricated installation components made of KERDI-BOARD for creating niches and shelves for wall areas of all kinds. KERDI-BOARD-NLT are prefabricated niche sets made of KERDI-BOARD with plug-and-play LIPROTEC-LED technology. They are used to create illuminated niches and supporting surfaces for wall areas of all kinds.

By using Schlüter products, an installer can work smarter and not harder to achieve a beautiful finish and save precious installation time.

For further information, call 01530 813396 or visit https://www.schluter.co.uk/

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BigCommerce joins the BMA as an affiliate member

May 28, 2025

The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) has announced that BigCommerce (Nasdaq: BIGC), a global leader in open SaaS and composable ecommerce solutions, has joined the association as an affiliate member.

As a cutting-edge platform empowering brands and retailers of all sizes to grow their businesses online, BigCommerce delivers enterprise-grade functionality with simplicity and ease of use. With a client base spanning over 150 countries and including major names such as Harvey Nichols, MKM Building Supplies, and Uplift Desk, BigCommerce is poised to bring valuable insight and innovation to the bathroom manufacturing sector.

A welcome from the BMA

Tom Reynolds, Chief Executive of the BMA, welcomed the new partnership:

“We’re delighted to welcome BigCommerce as an affiliate member of the BMA. Their deep expertise in ecommerce technology and omnichannel retailing will be a real asset to our members as they seek to meet the demands of the modern customer. BigCommerce’s approach to creating seamless, engaging experiences across digital and physical retail aligns perfectly with the ambitions of our sector, where ecommerce is playing an increasingly vital role in driving growth and improving customer experience.”

BigCommerce’s perspective

BigCommerce shared their excitement at joining the BMA community and their vision for the collaboration:

“Joining the BMA is an exciting opportunity for us to connect with industry-leading bathroom manufacturers and support their ecommerce journeys. As customer expectations continue to evolve, manufacturers need to be able to meet buyers wherever they are — whether online, in showrooms, or across emerging digital channels. We look forward to helping BMA members harness the power of composable commerce to build future-proof, scalable solutions that foster stronger customer engagement and sustainable business growth.”

The growing importance of ecommerce in bathroom retail

The bathroom industry is experiencing a digital transformation as consumers increasingly engage with brands across multiple touchpoints—from websites and marketplaces to social media and AI-driven platforms. In a competitive marketplace, a strong ecommerce presence allows bathroom manufacturers to showcase their products effectively, personalise the customer journey, and integrate in-store experiences with digital tools.

By joining the BMA, BigCommerce offers manufacturers new opportunities to innovate, expand their digital footprint, and create more fluid and compelling buyer experiences, both online and offline.

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House of Rohl makes a splash at Charterhouse for Clerkenwell Design Week

May 22, 2025

The medieval London Charterhouse became the new focal point of Clerkenwell Design Week, hosting a vibrant mix of events, exhibitions, and immersive installations.

Among the highlights in its historic courtyard was House of Rohl’s striking outdoor bathroom concept, inspired by the serene aesthetics of a traditional Japanese onsen. At its centre stood the newly launched Kerid bath by Victoria + Albert — a beautifully sculpted soaking tub designed for deep immersion or revitalising cold plunges. Elegantly versatile, it could be installed in both indoor and outdoor settings.

The setting of the Charterhouse — with its rich history and atmospheric architecture — provided a dramatic backdrop that elevated the entire experience. The juxtaposition of centuries-old stone walls with contemporary design elements created a powerful visual dialogue between heritage and innovation. For House of Rohl, this unique environment not only enhanced the storytelling behind each product but also invited visitors to reimagine the boundaries of luxury in everyday spaces.

Of the three distinctive kitchen and bathroom installations curated by House of Rohl at the Charterhouse, one unexpected element captured the most attention — and camera lenses. A playful and charming detail, the dog bowls, stylishly paired with a Perrin & Rowe Southbank pot filler, became a talking point among visitors. Many debated which dog breeds might have been clever enough to learn how to operate the tap themselves, adding a touch of humour to the otherwise refined presentation.

Bathroom-Review-House-of-Rohl-Clerkenwell

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BiKBBI announces name change to BIFIS

May 21, 2025

As it approaches its 20th Anniversary, the British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom, and Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) today announced that it will be changing its name—an evolutionary move that aligns with a number of exciting strategic initiatives planned for the Government-sanctioned organisation.

BiKBBI will be renamed The British Institute of Fitted Interiors Specialists (BIFIS), effective 1 October 2025. The new logo (pictured) will be rolled out over the coming months. A brand toolkit will be launched to allow stakeholders to prepare for the change.

CEO Damian Walters said: “The change of name is driven by several strategic factors, including the important work we continue to develop within the Fitted Interiors Apprenticeship and our leading role within the Fitted Interiors Construction & RMI Super Sector review.”

The name change will follow the implementation of some subtle but significant changes to the institute’s proposition for key stakeholders, following a period of extensive research.

Walters continued, “I offer my thanks to all of those stakeholders who supported our research and review project. Whilst the name will change, the organisation will remain our industry’s institute, and, therefore, the feedback received has been instrumental to the development of our proposition, ensuring that we continue to positively impact the industry.”

The institute’s name change to BIFIS will enable it to build upon almost two decades of impressive industry reputation and support ongoing ambitions, including increasing consumer awareness.

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