RAK-Valet, the luxurious designer collection from RAK Ceramics, has been highly commended in the very first Ideal Home Bathroom Awards.
Judges of the Modern Bathroom Range category were so impressed with the high calibre of entries that runners-up were also chosen alongside the winner, with RAK Ceramics standing out.
Launched by the leading consumer interiors title this year to celebrate excellence in British bathroom design, the award winners will be announced in the June issue of Ideal Home. The Modern Bathroom Range category focuses on contemporary, trend-led design at its best, with RAK-Valet capturing this perfectly.
Created for RAK Ceramics by renowned French designer Patrick Norguet, RAK-Valet is a stunning bathroom range that gives a new perspective on bathroom design.
The RAK-Valet washbasin collection is composed of functional elements – available in matt and glossy finishes – that are both practical and highly stylistic. Decorative forms with slender profiles for the washbasins, top-notch stylistic research for the bathtubs, and elongated lines for the toilet bowls.
RAK-Valet is a project designed to meet a need in bathroom design, leaving out any unnecessary shape or detail, with the essentials reduced to their pure, bare form. Perfect for the minimalist, modern bathroom and now Highly Commended by Ideal Home.
Today we hear from the chief executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association, Tom Reynolds, as he outlines the surprising resilience of the home improvement sector and the opportunity this offers
The public’s hunger for home improvement shows a less pronounced decline than might be expected in the current inflationary backdrop. In fact, the private housing repair and maintenance sectors grew by an impressive 5.0% in February, according to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), being credited to multiple factors, including people choosing to invest in their current properties rather than looking for a new one.
What’s particularly interesting about this trend is how it has continued despite higher living costs, including soaring energy costs and the price of food rising at the fastest rate in 45 years. The annual inflation rate was 10.1% in March 2023, the seventh successive month in double-digits. Still, we are seeing positive figures regarding home improvement spending and intentions.
Indeed, BMA’s research with our partner Opinium Research bears out similar sentiments, with more than a quarter of the UK population (26%) intending to complete a full bathroom refurbishment in the next two years.
Again, this could be driven by a multitude of factors, such as adapting to multigenerational living, adopting more energy and water-efficient products to offset high energy prices and adopting ‘greener’ solutions.
As bathroom spaces remain a top priority for many, designers have the unique opportunity to influence and innovate what we consider an ideal bathing experience. By exploring our changing habits and desires as consumers, they shape the vision of bathrooms in society today – from multi-functional rooms that maximise space to luxury retreats with alluring fixtures.
By combining innovation, technology and sustainability in their bathroom designs, manufacturers are paving the way to transforming UK bathrooms into efficient spaces that use less water and energy. From smart showers connected to apps that enable users to set the ideal temperature and duration of their showering experience; to sensors providing a seamless tap operating process – manufacturers have never been more crucial for creating sustainable and affordable bathrooms than now.
Furthermore, government policy on mandatory water efficiency labelling is intended to push consumers towards choosing greener products even further – making this shift part of an unmissable chance for any designer invested in green solutions.
To revolutionise bathroom efficiency, all stakeholders must work together to ensure water-saving products are utilised correctly. Designers can set the tone by initiating conversations with customers about long-term cost savings and their sustainability impact – underscoring a brighter path forward.
Together we can develop progressive, sustainable bathrooms that make lasting changes environmentally and aesthetically. While the public’s appetite for home improvement remains buoyant despite inflation, it’s an opportunity worth taking.
Shower specialist Aqualisa has extended its popular AQ™ mixer shower collection with three new models in a sleek matt black finish.
The AQ Matt Black showers are available in round or square dual outlet shower columns, or a round bar valve option with adjustable handset.
The Aqualisa AQ series combines includes a maximum water temperature setting, with override button if a hotter shower is desired. Bar valves are engineered from brass and are equipped with safe touch thermostatic technology.
The dual outlet models come with a telescopic column enabling flexible installation, and all include a push-button handset holder. Smooth turn controls for both flow and temperature allow effortless operation, ensuring precise, dependable and safe showering for the whole family.
Available now, the AQ Matt Black range comprises:
AQ Round Bar Valve (AQ75BAR1.MB) – single outlet with adjustable, multi-mode 110mm handset, 1.5m smooth hose (all UK domestic water systems)
AQ Round Shower Column (AQ150BAR2.MB) – dual outlet with 192mm drencher and adjustable, multi-mode 110mm handset, 1.5m smooth hose (high pressure/combi systems)
All AQ showers are supplied with easy-fit wall brackets, facilitating straightforward installation. Both round models include a multi-mode adjustable handset with easy click spray control, delivering further versatility, and all handsets incorporate soft, rub-clean nozzles for quick and simple maintenance.
Providing full peace of mind, the AQ range is Water Regulations Advisory Scheme (WRAS) approved and covered by a five year guarantee on registration. For further details, please visit: www.aqualisa.co.uk
Options, pricing and availability The Aqualisa AQ collection is also available in chrome. For pricing information, or to order the chrome or new matt black models, trade partners can contact their Aqualisa representative or the Aqualisa Customer Support Team on 01959 560020 or 01 864 3363 (Republic of Ireland).
As one of the most versatile and widely specified products from Schlüter-Systems, Schluter-KERDI-BOARD finds applications for both retrofit and new-build installations, with different thicknesses of the extruded polystyrene (XPS) panel providing a stable and waterproof substrate for natural stone and ceramic tiling.
The panels are available in thicknesses of 5, 9, 12.5, 19, 28, 38 and 50mm and are easily installed across existing masonry, concrete, timber stud frames or lightweight metal framing, with panels featuring parallel grooves also available for creating rounded surfaces, such as for seating or curved walls. With all thicknesses available in 1.25 m or 2.6 m lengths, both by 62.5 cm wide, KERDI-BOARD is frequently used to create work-surfaces, breakfast bars, islands and vanities.
A handy guide can be downloaded from the Schlüter-Systems website which can assist both specifiers and tradespeople in picking the right panel for an application. For instance, 12.5 mm is the minimum thickness recommended for use where a stud frame is constructed to 400 mm centres. The largest three thicknesses should be considered for construction purposes, while there are also special L-shaped and U-shaped panels for use as pipe boxing, and prefabricated niches in different sizes – with or without lighting – to create storage within walls.
Both sides of the KERDI-BOARD panels have a waterproof, cement-free reinforcement layer, which offers an ideal surface for standard tile adhesive, either fully embedded or using the dot and dab method. Printed lines aid accurate cutting using a utility knife or power tools.
New research from online bathroom retailer, Victoria Plum, has identified the most popular bathroom decor trends of the year so far, based on the number of mentions on Instagram and uplift in search volume figures during 2023.
The trends have been ranked by search volume uplift, with the initial list selected on the criteria of having more than 1,000 mentions on Instagram and being a predicted trend by experts at the beginning of the year.
Here are the top five bathroom decor trends of 2023 so far…
Textured tiles
Textured tiles saw a 100 per cent uplift in searches (according to Google Trends) from February to March and 7,272 mentions on Instagram.
Many people renovating their bathrooms are clearly looking to move away from plain tiles, which have dominated bathroom decor over the last few years. Textured tiles have proven to be the perfect solution to liven up any bathroom.
Bespoke vanity units
Much like textured tiles, bespoke vanity units had a 100 per cent increase in searches during the same period and 1,604 mentions on Instagram, which is easy to see why.
The customisation element of bathroom decor has become very appealing as people look to maximise the space they have available to them in what can sometimes be one of the smaller rooms of the house.
Clawfoot tubs
Clawfoot tubs have really taken off as a trend recently, with an 87 per cent increase in searches and a huge 74,130 mentions on Instagram proving its popularity. In general, freestanding baths are becoming ever more present in bathroom décor with search terms experiencing a 47 per cent uplift in volume from February to March.
Heated flooring
While heated floors have been around for a long time, the trend is taking off again with 2,000 mentions on Instagram and a 73 per cent increase in searches from February to March 2023. The feature was once seen as a luxury item, but today they have actually been found to be more energy efficient than using radiators, meaning homeowners are now installing them to save on bills.
Gold accents
This trend has seen a 60 per cent increase in searches from March to April and 139,656 mentions on Instagram. It’s easy to see why this trend has taken off as gold accents can be anything from toilet roll holders to towel rails, adding a luxury feel to any bathroom.
Ruth Foster, interior design expert at Victoria Plum commented on the trends saying: “The bathroom is no longer a space of little consideration, style-wise. And, in the interest of avoiding a ‘clinical’ look, consumers want warmth, texture, colour, and unique designs when buying bathroom products.
“The trends identified above demonstrate luxury meeting affordability. For example, while freestanding clawfoot baths and gold accents make a space feel opulent, a trend like heated flooring links more to the cost of living.
“Another bathroom trend that also promotes affordability is focusing on products that help consumers make small changes to their home without breaking the bank, such as replacing a mirror, buying new towels, or incorporating plants.”
KEUCO GmbH & Co. KG was founded in the Westphalian town Hemer in 1953, originally it was formed under the name Paul Keune + Co. KG. A lot has changed in the seven decades since the company was founded, but the goal and vision of the early days has remained: to make bathrooms that are both beautiful and comfortable.
KEUCO’s quality products continue to be developed and produced in Germany and the headquarters are still located in Hemer, Westphalia. The original focus was on bathroom accessories, but KEUCO has continuously expanded, revised and supplemented its range and today offers an abundant range of fittings, accessories, mirror cabinets, washbasins and bathroom furniture all “made in Germany”.
After all these years KEUCO is still skilfully merging tradition with innovation and has collected numerous design prizes for its innovative bathroom furnishing concepts and products along the way.
Pictured left 1988 – The solitair cabinet Sesam becomes an icon in the bathroom & right – KEUCO plan
KEUCO products are sold across the globe, they have more than 500 employees worldwide working as a well-coordinated team, contributing to the positioning of KEUCO in the premium segment of the sanitary industry.
The company is still family run and owned as 100 % of the company shareholders are all members of the original founders. Today, KEUCO is managed by Lubert Winnecken and he is assisted by a management committee, this team is responsible for the day-to-day running of the business.
1975 – German designer Luigi Colani designs a bathroom with accessories, lights and mirrors by KEUCO
This continuity means the employees consider themselves to be part of an extended family business, one that values its employees and understands that it is the combination of the company’s historical knowledge with individual expertise that creates the KEUCO brand.
Keuco tells us that in order to be successful in the long term, you must have happy employees working to develop products that create satisfied customers.
KEUCO History:
April 1953 Foundation of Paul Keune & Co. KG. Six employees manufacture the first hardware fittings for bathrooms.
1959 The company achieves sales of DM 1 million for the first time.
1960 Construction of the first own factory building.
1961 Development of the first own DE LUXE series.
1962 Market launch of high-quality metal mirror cabinets.
1967 Development of the ELEGANCE series – with over 40 million items sold, the most successful series in the world.
1975 Luigi Colani, the most famous designer in Germany at the time, develops the first revolutionary bathroom design with accessories, light and mirrors made by KEUCO.
1987 Takeover of the largest competitor Turk + Bolte from Iserlohn.
1988 Market launch of bathroom furniture. The solitaire cabinet Sesam becomes an icon of modern bathroom furniture.
1995 Takeover of the metal goods factory TWICK + LEHRKE, Gütersloh, market leader for mirror cabinets in Germany.
1999 Start of development of the world ‘s biggest equipment concept PLAN.
2002 Market launch of water-conducting fittings.
2005 First complete bathroom EDITION 300 (fittings, accessories, mirror cabinets, washbasins and bathroom furniture).
2008 Acquisition of the company LUDEWIG, Bünde, furniture producer.
2009 Market launch of PLAN b_free – the furnishing concept for the bathroom in a universal design with the aim of creating beautiful bathrooms for all life situations.
2011 Launch of the successful EDITION 11, designed by Dominik Tesseraux.
2015 Market launch of the innovative fitting series IXMO.
2016 In cooperation with TEAM 7, EDITION LIGNATUR is created, a luxurious bathroom furnishing concept with furniture made of natural wood.
2021 KEUCO produces and achieves an annual turnover of approximately 140 million euros with around 500 employees.
2023 Market launch of AXESS developed in cooperation with the design agency Studio F. A. Porsche.
PJH, one of the UK’s largest KBB distributors, has acquired a new purpose-built distribution centre in Wolverhampton, an investment that will see its entire current Cannock operation relocate to the new much larger facility.
The move to the new Wolverhampton Distribution Centre supports PJH’s rapid growth, and also its commitment to being its ‘Customers’ FIRST CHOICE’ through the continuous improvement of its product and service offerings.
Located just 8.3 miles from the existing site, the new Wolverhampton Distribution Centre will be purpose built to PJH’s specification.
With a sq. ft. of 200,000, the new site is almost double the existing footprint and will support planned product range enhancements, an increase in the already excellent stock availability and further improvements to PJH’s next-day delivery service. In addition, the site will also include a new purpose-built showroom designed to showcase all products to customers. The site is targeted to be fully operational from Summer 2024.
Speaking about the newWolverhampton Distribution Centre, Richard George, CEO of PJH said: “Acquiring the new site represents a considerable investment by PJH and supports further our commitment to be our Customers’ FIRST CHOICE as we continue our growth journey. This will be PJH’s flagship distribution centre and the new site will benefit from being ultra-modern and is aimed at taking our already fantastic service to the Next Level. I was keen that we remained in the local area to ensure we retain all our employees, as they are fundamental to the success of our business, so I am delighted that we have found this site in Wolverhampton.”
Once the move to the new Wolverhampton Distribution Centre is complete its addition will increase PJH’s total UK distribution space to 455,000 sq ft.
For further information on PJH, visit www.pjh.uk, www.partners.pjh.uk or call, T: 0800 8 77 88 99.
Bathrooms to Love, the bathroom brand from distributor PJH, has revealed one of the first new furniture families to be featured in its Spring/Summer bathroom collection, the wall-hung “Contrast” range.
Exclusive to Bathrooms to Love, Contrast is a premium modular furniture family that features contrasting materials and finishes.
There are two striking wall-hung furniture options with a handleless design. The first combines a Matt Black-effect fascia with a black glass door and drawer insert, and the second features a Matt Cotton finish with an oak woodgrain-effect door and drawer insert (as pictured).
The designs offer a seamless look with either a coordinated coloured resin basin (Matt Black or Matt Cotton), or a clean white ceramic inset basin.
“The beautiful mix of contrasting materials and finishes seen in our new Contrast range, give rise to some quite unique looks for the mid-market bathroom sector – which can be perfect for ultra-modern bathroom spaces,” said Julie Lockwood, product manager for Bathrooms to Love.
“With bathroom furniture product development evolving at such a fast pace, we need to ensure our customers are ahead of trends and able to offer the end-customer a continuous supply of fresh new designs.
Lockwood continues: ”Incorporating Hettich and Hafele soft-close hinges and drawer runners, and a linen-effect interior,Contrastoozes luxury and high-end appeal, and can be complemented with a great choice of brassware, mirrors, lighting and accessories from Bathrooms to Love, as illustrated here with the use of brushed brass products with the Matt Cotton range.
Incorporating Hettich and Hafele soft-close hinges and drawer runners, and a linen-effect interior, Contrast oozes luxury and high-end appeal, and can be complemented with a great choice of brassware, mirrors, lighting and accessories from Bathrooms to Love, as illustrated here with the use of brushed brass products with the Matt Cotton range.
Unit choices include a 350mm tall unit, and a range of basin units with two drawers in widths of 600mm and 800mm, for both the coloured resin basin and the white ceramic basin options.
Packaged up with the usual comprehensive retailer sales support from PJH, including marketing collateral, POS, display deals, virtual showroom, QR codes (with access to Augmented Reality to visualise products in bathroom spaces), the PJH Partners Portal and a next day delivery service, the newContrast range is now available for ordering.
The finalists of the 2023 HIP Learner of the Year competition have been announced. The event took place in the Worcester Bosch headquarters for a 2-day finale of the well-established plumbing competition on 19th & 20th of April.
The quest to find the UK’s most promising plumbers culminated in a challenge to install a boiler, heat pump and radiator, using copper pipework, as well as a basin and shower connected to a Sanitop Up macerator pump from Saniflo.
The event followed six regional heats, which started in January and the winners of each round, along with the highest runner-up, gained a place at the final.
Saniflo was delighted to be a sponsor throughout the competition which included the donation of 13 x Sanitop Up domestic macerators for use in the practical challenges and which have since been donated to the respective colleges for the benefit of other plumbing apprentices.
The finalists were:
Theo Dobinson, Newcastle College
Miles James, Farnborough College of Technology
Nathan Kelly, Cardiff Vale College
George Anderson, City College, Plymouth
Elliot Julian, Cornwall College
Louie Diver, Cambridge Regional College
Connor Sutherland, Tresham College, Corby
Head Judge, Jerry Whiteley of CIPHE, worked with HIP Magazine to develop the challenge and was delighted at the competency shown by all candidates.
He says: “The quality of the work of these 7 finalists demonstrates that the future of plumbing is in very capable hands. The judging criteria is exceptionally strict with all jointing techniques assessed, levels checked and pipe bends measured for accuracy. The winner, Elliot Julian from Cornwall College, carried out an outstanding piece of work and was also the first to complete the task. Louie Diver from Cambridge Regional College was a close second. Each of the learners worked tirelessly over the two days and demonstrated great aptitude. Their lecturers should be extremely proud.”
Graham Davies, technical manager from Saniflo, attended the events and delivered a series of presentations, Meet the Lecturer, to the college staff.
He adds: “The lecturers and apprentices I have met over the last four months have reinforced that the plumbing sector has some serious talent coming through, thanks to the great NVQ courses at the colleges. Not only is it a fantastic career opportunity, it is great for industry knowing that there is a talent pool of potential employees. This competition really does bring out the best in the sector.”
Leading bathroom manufacturer, Ideal Standard, is hosting a series of exclusive events at a new temporary pop-up showroom in Venice. The Aesth|ethics pop-up showcases the brand’s design prowess and ethical goals and achievements. Visitors are also encouraged to see the latest collectionsand find out more about Ideal Standard’s first annual sustainability report.
Ideal Standard has completed a full carbon footprint analysis of the Aesth|ethics event and partnered with Up2You to neutralise the generated CO2 emissions. The events will be hosted at the historic Arsenale di Venezia, within the former shipyards of Venice featuring a specially made installation from Ideal Standard’s chief design officer, Roberto Palomba.
Commenting on the new products and Aesth|ethics, Roberto said: “For these new collections, we have retained our core identity and built on the rich design heritage of our past, all while producing new and exciting products that are built for the contemporary bathroom. It’s the combination of our design expertise and manufacturing knowledge, that lets us take these steps in a sustainable, innovative way. The Arsenale di Venezia is the perfect location and provides us with a dramatic setting to showcase our new Italian inspired collections.”
New products
The new products on display include the Alu+ range of eco-sustainable shower systems, the contemporary i.life ceramics range in a new modern glossy grey finish, the minimalist Solos showering collection with intuitive smart controls for an all-in-one spa like experience, and the La Dolce Vita collection – a design-led and comprehensive bathroom range that celebrates Italian lifestyle.
Aesth|ethics will also highlight Ideal Standard’s commitment to creating a more sustainable future and explain the company’s commitment to delivering innovative, high-quality products that encourage sustainable living practices.
Ethical projects
Ideal Standard has chosen two projects that focus on preserving and restoring forests to support the fight against climate change. The first is helping to protect almost 785,000 hectares of forests and wildlife on the southern shores of Lake Kariba in Zimbabwe. The Kariba Forest Protection project aims to create a biodiversity corridor by connecting four national parks and eight safari reserves while implementing numerous community-focused initiatives. The company has also committed to helping turn almost 22,000 hectares of cattle grazing land into sustainably managed forests for high-value, long-life timber products as well as sequestering large amounts of carbon dioxide. Both projects are verified by the Verified Carbon Standard and the Climate, Community & Biodiversity Standards.
Speaking on the event, co-CEO Jan-Peter Tewes said: “Aesth|ethics is a great occasion to highlight what we, as a company, have in store for the future. We’ve developed some ambitious goals, both from a sustainability and people perspective, that we have outlined in our new sustainability report, so the opportunity to delve deeper into those goals and talk about how we want to achieve them is fantastic.
“Whether it’s increasing diversity through an active recruitment drive or installing photovoltaic panels at our Wittlich fittings plant in Germany as we transition the business to use 100% renewable electricity, we are now well on the way to a more sustainable future.”
