Acquabella: Customisable shower grates

June 12, 2023

In line with customisation trends, Acquabella is introducing new shower tray grating options for its Base and Arq models in three patterns: Mia, Lux and Geo.

Made from stainless steel, the Base and Arq models are designed to enhance customers’ showering experience.

The Akron grates feature the high-definition textures of the Base models – Slate, Beton, Zero and Nude – and are offered in the same colour as the shower tray.

Acquabella’s new approach builds on its vision of creating bespoke bathroom spaces with enhanced customisation.

Acquabella’s CEO, Juan José Benavent, expressed his enthusiasm for the launches: “We are happy to unveil this innovative proposal, another step in our ability to offer maximum personalisation of the bathroom space.

“At Acquabella, we pride ourselves on creating products that exceed our customers’ expectations in terms of quality and design. We are confident that these updates will further strengthen our position as an industry leader and provide our customers with an exceptional bathing experience.”

The new shower tray grating options for the Base and Arq shower trays will come into effect from 1 June 2023 at authorised distributors.

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Clerkenwell Design Week 2023

June 12, 2023

Features by Diane Larner founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review.
Diane Larner launched both titles over 12 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industry ever since, publishing regular features across the two sectors.

Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) is a London-based free design festival that returned last month and welcomed 37,725 UK and overseas visitors. Show organisers reported the best attendance results in its 14-year history, with a 24% increase on its 2019 event.

As usual, the May festival was bathed in early summer sunshine as a network of over 160 local showrooms hosted a range of product launches, workshops, and talks. In addition, more than 300 design brands were showcased in 11 exhibition venues.

Diane Larner attended the event and collated six inspirational bathroom highlights from the show.

SIX T O P P I C K S from CDW 2023

Exquisite brassware design – handled with care with Chiasso

Chiasso is a new mixer range from the high-end BAGNODESIGN brand.

Bathroom Review Solos Ideal Standard Atelier Collections

Ideal Standard unveils Solos range

Ideal Standard unveiled a plethora of new ranges at its London Design & Specification Centre, including the new Solos range.

GRAFF presents Harley and new MOD+

GRAFF exhibited at CDW for the first time this year and showcased Harley, and its new iconic MOD+ range.

Majestic reveals bespoke solutions

Shower screen and enclosure manufacturer, Majestic, exhibited for the first time at this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week.

Barber Osgerby and Bette present BetteSuno

Presented at CDW, and created in collaboration with Bette, British design studio Barber Osgerby reveals BetteSuno.

RAK Ceramics presents RAK-Valet styled by Patrick Norguet

The new collection was available to view at RAK Ceramics Design Hub, in the heart of London’s design quarter.

Marlon Cera-Marle, director of design at Media 10

We’re absolutely delighted with what we achieved this year – not only because we reached our highest visitor numbers yet, but also because we were met with so much excitement and enthusiasm from our visitors and the wider A&D community.”

This year we made a full-scale return to Clerkenwell – and with our most extensive programme to date. Everyone was so looking forward to seeing interesting products and meeting with their suppliers and peers again.

Ashley Sinclair, specification and design manager, Sanipex Group

Always such a vibrant, inspiring atmosphere, the sun certainly shone on this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week. There was a real buzz throughout the three days, as showrooms throughout EC1 threw open their doors and it was a pleasure to be part of it.

The exhibition was the perfect opportunity to showcase our new product ranges and our new showroom in the heart of Clerkenwell. An excellent opportunity to network and to gain feedback on our designs from the people right at the heart of the city’s interior design scene.

About CDW

According to Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW), it is the UK’s largest free design festival. Events this year included:

Design Fields – home to international furniture and interiors brands;

Contract – home to commercial interiors;
Light – home to international lighting brands;
Project – home to workplace furniture and solutions;
Elements – home to architectural hardware and finishes;
British Collection – home to the best of British interiors brands;
Detail – home to luxury interiors;
Platform – home to emerging design talent;
Old Sessions House – home to brand pop-ups and activations, and also the festival hub
offering CDW visitors free access
Ceramics of Italy – home to Italian tile brands; and
(NEW) Catapult – home to contemporary design for office, hospitality and retail

CDW will be back 21st – 24th May 2024

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Kudos Shower Products acquired by SanSwiss AG

June 12, 2023

Cumbrian manufacturer, Kudos Shower Products has been acquired by SanSwiss AG, part of The Ronal Group of companies.

SanSwiss, headquartered in Härkingen, Switzerland, is a major European manufacturer of shower enclosures and shower screens as well as other bathroom and wellness products, selling to over 17 countries.

Kudos was identified as an ideal opportunity to bring together two successful businesses with complementary products enabling; expansion in the UK market with existing Sanswiss products; growth potential in Europe with the existing Kudos range; and the development of new products through the combined resource within the enlarged business.

Olivier Gunther and Sebastian Hainz, Co-managing directors of SanSwiss, are convinced about the new opportunities and synergies with Kudos under the SanSwiss umbrella:

”Kudos is a well-known brand with an outstanding reputation in manufacturing and selling shower enclosures and shower screens in the UK. With Kudos, we are further expanding our core competence and performance in shower enclosures, shower screens and trays for our partners and customers across Europe.

We also expect considerable opportunities and synergies through leveraging marketing, technology and product content, new product development, sourcing and production capacity. Both companies and brands will continue without interruption with their independent sales activities in the respective channels and countries.

We are confident that the combined high-level expertise will enable us to offer our customers even more benefits and innovative shower and bathroom solutions”.

Kudos outgoing Group CEO and founder, Bruce Ledwith, who will remain with the company in a consultative role for the foreseeable future, commented: “After 23 years, it was not only time to take a step back, but to consider the long-term future of Kudos. This investment by SanSwiss provides, significant growth opportunities and their strong commitment to maintaining and expanding our manufacturing facilities within the UK, provides our people with greater long term security. SanSwiss have made it clear that their investment is not just in the Kudos brand or market share, but also in the current management team.

Kudos Group MD Mark Hill says “We are delighted to become part of SanSwiss and the Ronal group, and with the opportunity this now delivers to build on our position in the UK market. We have a strong management team, with a very clear strategy for the future built around exciting new products and our best-in-class customer service. It is our objective, and the objective of our new owners, to continue to develop our long-standing partnerships with our suppliers and customers.”

Sales director Nick Graville added “These really are exciting times for all concerned! We now have access to resources and product ranges that will enable Kudos to evolve more quickly and add further value to customers in the UK bathroom marketplace”.

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Exquisite brassware design – handled with care with Chiasso

June 9, 2023

Combining two of the hottest trends in bathroom design into one beautiful collection, Chiasso is a new mixer range from the high-end BAGNODESIGN brand by SANIPEX GROUP.

Chiasso is a contemporary collection of basin and shower mixers, available in four versatile brassware finishes.

Available in chrome, brushed nickel, soft bronze, and PVD gold, the inserts on the handles are customisable, and available in 12 finishes, with the opportunity to correspond with Alpine washbasins and countertops by the same brand.

Bespoke inserts can also be produced in the SANIPEX Slab Fabrication Facility in Dubai, making Chiasso a fully customisable option that can be matched to the bathroom countertop and wall tiles.

While the porcelain accent inserts draw the eye, the style points don’t end there. The mixers’ large, fluted handles and elegant, simplistic spout also combine to make this a stand-out brassware collection. The fluted design ties together seamlessly with the brand’s Orology and Bosco furniture choices, for a cohesive bathroom design.

The Chiasso mixer range includes a 3-hole deck-mounted basin mixer, 3-hole concealed basin mixer, concealed thermostatic shower mixer, 4-hole deck-mounted bath mixer, concealed stop valve, and a concealed two-way diverter.

“Inspired by the trend of mixing natural materials with metal, the Chiasso range combines natural stone effect inserts with high-end brassware for a contemporary and elegant look. With 48 combinations to choose from, selecting your style is as personal as choosing your most coveted jewellery,” says Katy Olsen, BAGNODESIGN brand manager, SANIPEX GROUP.

Incorporate Chiasso into bathroom designs featuring BAGNODESIGN’s extensive portfolio, from tiles to mixers, and showers to furniture, for a harmonious look from a single brand.

For more details, contact Sanipex Group on 01924 233977 or visit www.bagnodesign.it

Click the link to read more about Sanipex

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Ideal Standard unveils Solos range

June 9, 2023

At Clerkenwell Design Week 2023, Ideal Standard unveiled a plethora of new ranges at its London Design and Specification Centre (LDSC), including additions to Atelier Collections such as the new Solos range.

Launching in October 2023, this year’s highlight was the minimalist Solos range characterised by its sleek lines and defined edges. Part of the design-led Atelier Collections, the visually-striking collection features basin and fitting, as well as a range of showering solutions.

As well as exploring the latest products, visitors were also able to take part in a drop-in pottery workshop with London based ceramics studio, Social Pottery, and contributed to the creation of a ceramic tile display, between 2-4 pm on Wednesday 24^th May.

Yiota Toumba, senior designer at Ideal Standard, said: “Clerkenwell is one of the most important design events of the calendar.

“It’s a great opportunity for us to showcase our new solutions, as well as highlight how we are integrating sustainability into products with ranges like Alu⁺. We’re also excited to discuss our new ESG report, as well as how sustainability is influencing the future of design. 

More news from Ideal Standard

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GRAFF presents Harley and new MOD+

June 8, 2023

GRAFF exhibited for the first time this year at CDW’s Design Fields location.

The brassware brand showcased its new iconic MOD+ range (pictured below). Offering design flexibility, the range comprises 55 bathroom products for the washbasin, bathtub and shower areas. In all MOD+ offers over 63,000 possible combinations.

Harley pictured top, was also on display, the design of the contemporary collection takes inspiration from the classic motorcycle look, fusing an industrial aesthetic with the nostalgia of all-American icons. Created by GRAFF’s G+Design Studio, the faucet’s handle recalls a car steering wheel for a touch of eclecticism.

Commenting on the show, GRAFF’s CEO Ziggy Kulig states, “We are excited to be exhibiting at Clerkenwell Design Week. We are honored to meet industry professionals from all over the world and share the beauty of GRAFF with them. We relish the opportunity to present ourselves as the market leaders in luxury brassware.”

Bathroom Review Graff Designs MOD collection

About GRAFF

Founded in the early 70’s, GRAFF’s aim was to create avant-garde bathroom products that championed innovation, quality, and unparalleled function – these values have underpinned GRAFF’s philosophy ‘The Art of Bath’ ever since. GRAFF continues to manufacture brassware for residential projects, hotels and restaurants all over the globe. Leading the way in timeless style, state-of-the-art technology and beautiful design, every shower, mixer and accessory is crafted to celebrate the luxurious art of bathing.

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The Shower Lab unveils new handles

June 8, 2023

The three new handle options from The Shower Lab are skilfully crafted using highly specified quality
materials, embracing techniques honed over the years.

The new handles combine a clever curation of the geological and the manufactured; striking a timeless balance between luxe and simplicity. The new handles offer the perfect finishing touch to a stunning shower space.

All the handles are offered FOC to The Shower Lab’s bespoke M2M customers and for standard spaces
handles are charged at just separately.

More news from The Shower Lab

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Ideal Standard International leadership change

June 8, 2023

Ideal Standard International S.A., a leading manufacturer of sanitaryware and fittings products in Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, today announces that Jonas Nilsson, co-CEO & President Sanitary Ware Segment, will depart Ideal Standard effective June 30th.

Effective July 1st, Jan Peter Tewes (pictured left), co-CEO and President Fittings Segment will assume the role of sole CEO.

Jonas Nilsson joined Ideal Standard in 2019 as chief operating officer and, in 2021, was appointed as co-CEO alongside Jan Peter Tewes. Jonas will depart having led the successful reconfiguration of Ideal Standard’s manufacturing footprint and streamlining of our logistics networks.

Ideal Standard say under his leadership operational functions have significantly improved performance across all areas, and continue to target higher levels of quality, cost efficiency, and supply chain optimization.

At the same time as paying tribute to Jonas Nilsson for his significant contributions to the company, the Board and shareholders congratulate Jan Peter Tewes on his elevation to the position of sole CEO. As the Company’s co-CEO since 2021 and former chief commercial officer, Jan Peter Tewes is ideally placed to lead Ideal Standard in its further development, building on the leadership and vision he has already shown.

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Majestic reveals bespoke solutions

June 7, 2023

Shower screen and enclosure manufacturer, Majestic, exhibited for the first time at this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week.

Located at Stand D7a within the Detail exhibition, in The Order of St John building, Majestic presented its iconic shower enclosure, the Como Corner Demi Framed and a range of hinges, handles and glass options.

Visitors were encouraged to mix and match textures and finishes, demonstrating how architects and designers can create entirely bespoke solutions to meet any project’s objectives.

Majestic also presented its more user-friendly specifier sample box. The newly designed box included samples of the brands’ curated glass options including Mirrored, Opti Clear, Satin Etched, Grey, Bronze and Clear, as well as profile options in 20 different finishes. The glass samples within the box slot cleverly into the profile samples allowing architects and designers to combine both elements in order to configure solutions that are carefully tailored around individual project requirements.

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Armitage Shanks offers thermostatic training to NHS

June 6, 2023

Leading washroom manufacturer for the commercial and healthcare sectors, Armitage Shanks, is offering free onsite training on the use and maintenance of its Markwik taps to NHS trusts across the country.

Developed specifically for trusts using the Markwik range, the training sessions will be carried out by expert service engineers, who will share knowledge and best practice guidance for the upkeep and use of the mixers in healthcare settings.

Thermostatic taps like Markwik are an integral part of healthcare facilities, featuring thermostatic valves, which are essential in preventing scalding, decreasing the risk of waterborne pathogens, and minimising risks to staff and patients alike.

The programme addresses tasks including thermostatic tap purging, cleaning inlet strainers, and helping staff to better diagnose supply or temperature issues quickly and easily. After receiving the training, staff at clinics and hospitals will be better equipped to prevent issues and breakages and reduce maintenance costs.

Speaking on the training, Stacey Seagrave, senior product manager of Non-Residential Fittings, at Ideal Standard and Armitage Shanks, said: “We’ve been supplying hospitals and NHS trusts in the UK for decades, making sure staff and patients have the best fixtures and fittings possible. Having deep roots in the healthcare sector, we’ve developed a real understanding of where we can make life simpler for healthcare professionals, from clinicians to engineers and maintenance staff. We know that by giving teams the knowledge and equipment they need, we’re helping them to provide the best care to patients.

“When it comes to thermostatic taps, these fixtures have a real impact on the care people receive, as well the ability of staff to effectively do their jobs. Our Markwik 21 and 21+ thermostatic mixer taps have been designed to perform in the demanding, high-intensity environments of healthcare settings. So, by providing the training needed to make sure these taps continue to perform, we are helping to keep people safe and operations running more smoothly.”

The training has been developed to be as easy to access as possible, with attendees requiring a Markwik tap set up away from patients and a couple of spare hours with the relevant team members. Main beneficiaries will include estates departments, contract personnel responsible for safe water delivery and infection control and authorising engineers.

Sign up to the sessions here: https://www.idealspec.co.uk/healthcare-fittings-training.html?utm_source=release&utm_medium=F49release&utm_campaign=NHSTrainingRelease&utm_content=release

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