With the brushed brass finish continuing to be a popular choice for bathroom projects, Bathrooms to Love has launched a number of new brushed brass products to add to its growing collection, including this beautiful, classically-inspired ‘Berwick’ thermostatic shower mixer.
The Berwick Twin Outlet Thermostatic Shower Kit in Brushed Brass joins the Traditional Bathrooms to Love range and is the perfect partner for teaming up with other brushed brass products in PJH’s collection, such as brassware, enclosures, mirrors, lighting and accessories for a coordinated look.
With an exposed two-outlet valve to control temperature and flow, a fixed 200mm showerhead and a hand shower, the new Berwick Shower Kit features anti-scald technology for safety and peace of mind. An adjustable riser rail, 1.5m hose and Period-style white ceramic levers and cross head handle, allow for effortless control.
Quality and durability are assured due to Berwick’s solid brass construction, flawless brushed brass finish and great thermostatic performance, even at pressure as low as 0.1Bar. A five-year guarantee is included.
Boasting a truly elegant look, this classically-designed mixer shower with its soft golden tones and crisp white ceramic detail, would look at home in any traditional bathroom space.
Available from stock and supported with PJH’s Next Day Delivery service to 91% of UK postcodes, this new Berwick Brushed Brass Shower is now available to order via PJH’s class-leading Partners Portal™ e-commerce website, and features in the new Spring/Summer Bathrooms to Love consumer brochure.
The new Delia Zero basin by Acquabella has an eye-catching, versatile design that has been created to work with any furniture collection, as well as Acquabella’s own Delia furniture.
Delia Zero is a semi-totem product with a deep and spacious basin and integrated drain, which draws attention to its special pleated relief on the lower part of the basin.
This softly wavy base, an absolute trend in current design circles, provides movement without cluttering the shape so that it delivers a harmonious balance with the smooth, homogeneous top. The entire surface is smooth to the touch thanks to its Zero texture.
Winner of the latest Archiproducts Design Award, the basin can be installed wall-hung, on a countertop with a vanity unit or with the new Delia furniture. The new Delia furniture has been designed to fit perfectly with the Acquabella washbasin, thus completing the collection. Its slender legs and Akron® shelf characterise this configuration, which provides space for storing bottles or other accessories.
Both the Delia basin and the shelf can be customised from over 2,000 colours, making it the ideal choice for luxurious and contemporary bathroom environments.
Delia is manufactured with Akron®, a resin and mineral filler material that gives high definition thanks to its superior technical properties. The collection is also quality patented by Acquabella and comes with a material guarantee that ensures hygiene and resistance to impact and thermal shock.
Leading mirrors, storage and accessories specialist Origins Living invites you to master the art of the shelfie with their new Docklands Shelf. Designed with an original mirrored back, which will instantly reflect the light, this can help you create a glamorous display in a bathroom (or any other room in the home).
Co-founder Sofia Charalambous explains: “Our new Docklands Shelf has been designed with attractive aesthetics, from the mirrored back to the sleek matt Black frame, to complement every home. In the bathroom, our open shelving will enable you to create your own personalised shelfie by storing and ordering your prized possessions to create a sanctuary of calm. Simply pick your favourite personal possessions in a variety of heights, sizes and textures then get creative and style your individual space. “
The new Docklands Shelf has been designed in stainless steel for durability with a contemporary matt Black frame and concealed fixings, for industrial styling and a modern minimalist look. This piece measures 400mmW x 120mmH x 135mmD, costs £130 and it comes with a ten-year guarantee as standard.
Aqualla, a leading bathroom supply company based in Belfast, Northern Ireland is the latest company to register with the Unified Water Label Association.
All of the company’s basin taps and showers are registered with the Unified Water Label and achieve the Green Band on the label, the highest band achievable.
Julianna Andrews, marketing manager at Aqualla said, “We are committed to taking steps to meaningful change, by actively seeking ways to reduce our carbon footprint, and reduce the consumption of our most precious resource, water. Becoming a member of the UWL, enabled us to fully understand what changes we needed to make and the impact it can have. An Aqualla basin tap now uses over 55% less water than before, without compromising user experience. In a four-person household, this could equate to a cost saving of £150 per year.
“The Unified Water Label is an intelligent tool that identifies how much water and energy our products use. We have found the label easy to use and incorporate into our marketing material, helping us educate our customers.
“All of our showers and taps are now delivered with consumer friendly point of sale tags for the showroom. These include a QR code to help the consumer access more information about our commitment to sustainability, how the label helps, and to download a digital copy of our brochure. We also provide information boards that can be placed within the showroom to encourage consumers to find out more.”
Unified Water Label Association MD Yvonne Orgill said, “We are delighted to welcome Aqualla to the UWLA.”
“Their commitment to focus on aiding customers to promote reducing water and energy waste, especially with escalating energy costs, will contribute to our efforts and ensure that by working together, we can influence behaviour and make a real difference.”
CDUK, the Leeds-based supplier of solid surface materials and complementary products, has announced a partnership with surface manufacturer The Good Plastic Company.
As part of the new partnership, CDUK will grow its surface material portfolio with the addition of Polygood, The Good Plastic Company’s sustainable surface material made from 100% recycled and 100% recyclable plastic.
The Good Plastic Company was founded in 2018 and says it contributes to solving the issue of 400million tonnes of plastic waste generated annually. It aims to substitute virgin plastic and other non-sustainable materials everywhere possible, making recycled plastic a new norm in design and architecture.
Produced from a wide range of post-consumer and post-industrial plastic waste sources, such as refrigerators to single-use cutlery, electronics and industrial consumables, the material can be used to create contemporary and environmentally conscious furniture, as well as interior or exterior design elements.
Andy Noble, MD at CDUK, said: “This partnership marks another important step in our company’s journey, as it further demonstrates our commitment to providing architects, designers and fabricators with the best and most innovative materials on the market to deliver outstanding projects. Over the years, we have built a reputation as a trusted partner in the design process by offering our 40-year knowledge and some of the most durable and innovative surface materials on the market. As the industry moves into the next phase of sustainable design, we are proud to be the sole distributor of Polygood in the UK and Ireland to actively contribute to reducing waste and achieving net-zero targets.”
Polygood panels are manufactured using responsibly sourced waste from a single type of plastic (PS – Polystyrene) to ensure circularity, quality and durability, as well as being waterproof and hygienic to suit a broad scope of applications. Polygood can be used as a structural material, it can be thermoformed to create curves, and CNC routed to add texture and further design features.
As part of the new partnership, CDUK and The Good Plastic Company co-curated two ranges of colours to respond to the market’s needs – the Core Range and the Bespoke Selection. The Core Range is a collection of 12 naturalistic and modern patterns available in a range of colour palettes. The Bespoke Selection includes 12 unique and bolder patterns, some of which are transparent or translucent and can be backlit or specified for applications including lighting or shower screens amongst others.
The ice caps are melting, oceans are drowning in plastic waste and biodiversity is rapidly declining. To prevent the worst from happening, a change of mind towards circularity is needed as soon as possible. Kaldewei’s first sustainability report – the Luxstainability® Report – demonstrates how committed Kaldewei is to the environment, the way they promote real recyclability and the goals they have set.
The Luxstainability® Report “Sustainable developments start with design and choice of materials. As it is at this point the decision is made on how recyclable a product will be at the end of its life cycle,” says Franz Kaldewei, CEO of Kaldewei.
For over 100 years, Kaldewei has been manufacturing high-quality bathroom objects from sophisticated steel enamel. Steel enamel is 100 percent circular, which makes it one of the most recyclable materials in the bathroom. However, the family business is not content with just a sustainable product DNA, they are now using bluemint® Steel, which is another step towards CO2-free production. This now means every product in their “nature protect series” has its carbon footprint reduced by up to 70 percent.
Official commitments for climate protection
The seriousness of CO2 reduction and climate protection for Franz Kaldewei is demonstrated by his signature on the Science Based Targets. Kaldewei was the first sanitary company, to join over 2,000 other companies, in committing to complying with the 2015 Paris Climate Protection Agreement, which limits global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
The official obligation to report on sustainability comes not place from 2025, in accordance with the new CSR Directive, which was adopted at EU level in November 2022. But Kaldewei is already providing insight into measures and targets for climate protection regarding economic, ecological and social aspects in its Luxstainability® Report.
Commitment to the environment is fundamental to Franz Kaldewei, for over five years, his company has been a partner of WWF Germany, initially in the implementation of a WWF marine protection program and more recently the focus has shifted to the promotion of reusable packaging in Germany.
The Luxstainability® Report was created based on the GRI Sustainability Reporting Standards and can be downloaded in full here: Luxstainability® Report from Kaldewei.
The bathroom is no longer merely a place for daily care. It has become a place of refuge from the hustle and bustle of everyday life where you can feel at ease and unwind. In a similar way, kitchens have converged with the living room, the bathroom is now becoming one with the bedroom. In this feature, Duravit explains how to maximise this trend.
Room boundaries are becoming more fluid, with for example the washing area and bathtub located in the centre of the bedroom, and only the toilet being physically separated.
Floating spaces work because sanitary objects are now designed and installed like furniture – as decorative standalone features made from natural materials such as ceramics, wood, and natural stone with a look and feel that creates a sense of sanctuary.
The bathroom as a living area
Contemporary bathrooms are being designed in an increasingly homely style, not just sanitary objects and bathroom furniture, but furnishings, lamps, textiles, and accessories are increasingly finding their way into this corner of the home.
Forms and materials combine with calming neutral tones to create a relaxed ambience – this is enhanced with plants that accentuate the space and ensure a pleasant room climate. Inspiration from nature in interior design are hallmarks of Scandinavian design and Japanese aesthetics. The Zencha bathroom collection from Duravit brings these two concepts into harmony. Designer Sebastian Herkner crafted sanitary objects and bathroom furniture from natural materials such as ceramics, wood, and textured glass.
Light also influences our wellbeing and creates a positive mood in a room. With the new Vitrium for Duravit collection, designer Christian Werner shows how well-placed illumination can transform the bathroom into a genuine living space. Back-lit, translucent fronts made from PARSOL glass lend the furniture a light, almost floating impression, bring warmth into the interior, and invoke memories of an open fire.
Natural lifestyle
Inspiration from nature is a trend that is here to stay in interior design. As a material, wood has surfaces that are appealing to the touch as well as aesthetic and tactile qualities that make it suited to a natural furnishing style like almost no other material. Wood is an established feature of the bathroom. For example, the fronts of the console vanity units in the Vitrium by Christian Werner bathroom range are available in wood as well as glass panels and a range of décor finishes.
In D-Neo,
Belgian designer Bertrand Lejoly created a complete bathroom range that offers no-fuss vanity units and semi-tall cabinets in a range of oak and walnut furniture finishes.
Whilst stone is undergoing a renaissance as a natural material. The striking marbling, fascinating inclusions, tactile surfaces, and countless colour nuances of granite, quartzite, and marble exude a unique aura. Duravit is offering natural stone for the first time as part of the new Qatego collection from Studio F. A. Porsche. The designers have combined ceramic above-counter basins with solid stone panels made from Carrara marble, ravertine, and Pietra Lavica, which can be mounted on the wall or as a console unit. Each of the natural stone panels used is a unique piece, which is expressed through the varied shimmering colours and veining.
The aesthetic benefits such as tactile surfaces and an attractive patina, and the durability of natural stone makes it suited to everyday bathroom use.
Small and tasteful
Increasing numbers of manufacturers now offer not only sanitary objects but also furniture in smaller sizes so even bathrooms with compact measurements can easily be transformed into living spaces.
Bathrooms in large cities are often only a few square meters in size and the Vitrium range from Duravit is ideal for small rooms. Its most striking design feature is the reduced furniture depth just 42 or 48 centimeters, with the round above-counter basin slightly protruding above the furniture edge.
Such a uniform design language across a range of elements helps create a generous sense of space, Vitrium’s mirrors come in rectangular or round versions or as a mirrored cabinet, this is available as a built-in version.
Storage furniture, mirrored cabinets and washbasins with storage space also play their part in maintaining order in the bathroom. On Bento by Philippe Starck, the clean, clearly structured washing areas with their subdivision of dry and wet areas provides a wide range of individual design options and all personal care products and accessories can be placed within easy reach.
When everything has a place, then visual calm is also ensured. Free surfaces can then accommodate eye-catching decorative pieces such as jewellery boxes, vases, and bowls.
Preserving resources
Thinking and acting in a sustainable manner has always been important at Duravit – especially when it comes to timelessly designed products made from high-quality and durable materials. Duravit offers a range of bathroom solutions that consume less water than conventional ones or are made from sustainable materials.
Sustano is a good example: the first ever recyclable shower tray from the German manufacturer, made from the sustainable mineral material DuroCast Nature, it has a high surface hardness and density, and the shower trays can either be returned to the manufacturer or a local recycling center at the end of their useful life.
The minimalist Tulum faucet range by Philippe Starck is equipped with a FreshStart function that saves energy and water as it only produces cold water to start with, until the handle is deliberately moved from the central position. The flow rate is limited by the MinusFlow function which also helps save this precious resource. In parallel to its existing sustainable product range, Duravit has embedded the goal to be climate-neutral by 2045 in its company targets.
Hygiene in the bathroom
Since the pandemic more attention is paid to hygiene, especially in the bathroom. Thorough cleanliness is ensured with easy-to-clean surfaces such as ceramics or DuroCast Nature, and through design and technical features. The White Tulip toilets from Philippe Starck are equipped with the innovative HygieneFlush technology, which cleans the entire inside of the toilet. HygieneGlaze is a ceramic glaze which ensures that approx. 90 per cent of bacteria (e.g. e. coli bacteria) have been eliminated after just six minutes, rising to approx.
99.9 per cent after 24 hours. Another Philippe Starck creation is the Soleil by Starck bathroom series, whose toilet surprises with a slightly protruding, delicate lid. This special design feature means that the lid is easy to grip without touching the seat or ceramic.
Kudos Shower Products has announced the appointment of Rob Stead as senior business development manager for the business. Rob joins the company with over 30 years of experience in bathroom B2B sales.
“We are delighted that Rob has joined the Kudos Sales team, he brings with him such a wealth of experience and product knowledge and we will benefit hugely from his established industry relationships too.” Said sales & marketing director Nick Graville.
As senior business development manager, Rob will be focussed on working with our distributor partners In growing the number of Kudos retailers and their displays Including those approved for Premium Collection products.
Rob adds; “I have always admired the quality of the Kudos showering products. They come with some great features and benefits and it’s always a bonus to sell products that are made here in the UK. There is a growing demand for local supply, not only to reduce transport costs and carbon footprint, but customers see the huge benefits of products designed with ease of installation for the UK bathroom and with locally held stock with a great techncial service from the Retail Support Team. I am already receiving very positive feedback from customers.”
Kudos Shower Products Ltd has been designing and manufacturing shower products at their Cumbria facility since 1999. Their portfolio includes shower enclosures, shower trays, over-bath screens and wet-room solutions sold via KBB showrooms and merchants across the UK.
Dallmer, the German shower drainage manufacturer, is introducing the new CeraFrame Liquid – a specifically designed shower channel that creates a seamless, thin-layered finish in shower areas.
CeraFrame Liquid, part of the DallFlex shower channel system family, achieves that smooth, blended finish many people desire. The Black Edition channel and grate finishes are designed to help customers achieve relaxing and luxury spa-like bathrooms.
Black is a statement colour and looks good in any bathroom. Dallmer’s ‘Black Edition’ (pictured above) features black statement shower channels and grates and a new CeraFloor Duo which can be produced in lengths of up to 2metres. As well as style and elegance, the channels and grates also offer resilience. The black PVD coating that features on the CeraFloor Select and CeraNiveau shower channels was originally developed for heavily loaded parts of sports engines. However, Dallmer has engineered this into its shower solutions to create a durable, long-lasting, easy-to-care-for, and hypoallergenic product.
Dallmer recently presented its innovations at ISH and reported a positive response: “There is simply no substitute for personal interactions in an inspiring trade fair atmosphere,” said Yvonne Dallmer, managing director. “It was clear by how quickly our stand filled up that our visitors were very interested in experiencing our products first-hand again.”
For more information about Dallmer’s new products, please visit dallmer.com.
About Dallmer
Dallmer has been a specialist in drainage systems since 1913. The family business is now in its fourth generation. Founded over 100 years ago as an engraving house at the Arnsberg site, Dallmer developed from a workshop to a premium architecture brand for building drainage. The high-grade product range comprises all kinds of drainage systems, shower channels, waterproofing and seals, urinal systems, fire protection and soundproofing systems, and special drains for yards, cellars, roofs, car parks and balconies. The guiding principle of the family business is: maximum functionality, top-quality materials and exceptional design.
Designed to make installing wall-hung and back-to-wall WCs simple, VitrA has introduced its new range of versatile frames and concealed cisterns, including models for floor fixing, floor and wall fixing, reduced height and back-to-wall installations, with 3/6 litre and 2.5/4 litre cisterns.
The new frames have clever features to make installation easy, quick, and fault-free; these include spring-loaded feet to bear the weight and an adjustable clamp to secure the waste pipe in place – both allowing a one-person installation. Water and electrical connections to allow the installation of shower toilets and electrical flush plates, are included. The conduits can be accessed through the flush plate opening, meaning they can be connected in the future retrospectively without causing damage to the wall.
The new frames include a host of technical USPs. Each comes with a wall connection fixing kit, including fully adjustable fixation brackets and front adjustment mounting bolts. There are three water inlet options – left, top and back – for extra flexibility. Spring-loaded feet for perfect positioning make it easy for one-person installation, as well as the adjustable clamp which holds the waste pipe in position, with 50mm of adjustment. Clean water and wastewater pipes are also fixed together with load-bearing clamps.
The thickness of the frames is 30mm x 40mm for perfect rigidity, and the V stopper and flush plate area have reference points that can leave an imprint on the plasterboard to show where to cut the holes. The frames and cisterns are all subject to rigorous reliability and performance testing, and the 3/6 litre cistern option has WRAS approval.
Margaret Talbot, VitrA marketing manager, explains, “Our new concealed cisterns and frames have been produced to be especially trouble-free and super easy to install in various settings – exactly what installers have been asking for. Ease of installation, quiet in operation and a fast first-fix option.”
VitrA offers a range of mechanical and electronic flush plates for use with the frames. For helpful online advice on installation, VitrA has collaborated with Plumberparts on a series of how-to videos.
