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Utopia is launching Arabella, a brand new doorstyle which joins its Original Fitted collection of bathroom furniture.

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Arabella is a slab door with an integrated, recessed pull handle in four contemporary finishes – Matt White, Matt Black, Brushed Nickel and Brass. Richard Shore, Utopia’s head of product design, explains the background to the handle style: “The Arabella door handle is actually very bold, despite its humble origins. Traditionally, a flush fit pocket handle was used for more practical, unseen applications such as filing cabinets or stationary cupboards – 99% function, 1% form! Arabella loses none of that functionality but also delivers a massive dose of glamour. Its elegant proportions and contemporary styling in four stunning finishes will work well within any modern bathroom concept.”

Available in all 23 of Utopia’s Original Fitted Furniture finishes and with four different handle options, Arabella gives the retailer and customer much greater choice as the number of combinations is immense. Arabella also embraces the current trend for handle finishes making it a very popular choice with customers aiming to create their own personal look.

Arabella will be available from Utopia from February 2023.

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www.utopiagroup.com

Bathroom and kitchen manufacturer, GROHE, has announced its latest cashback promotion aimed at helping retailers give back to their customers this spring.

Customers can claim up to £100 cashback when purchasing an eligible shower system, with the promotion
available across a range of best-selling GROHE products such as the GROHE SmartControl thermostats and
Rainshower heads.

Running from the 1st March 2023, until the 30th June 2023, the cashback promotion is available across over 20 different GROHE shower systems including the bestselling Rainshower SmartControl Duo 360 which offers intuitive controls and a luxurious GROHE TrioMassage spray. The system also comes equipped with GROHE EcoJoy; GROHE’s water-saving technology which supports water preservation without affecting the premium shower experience.

Also included in the promotion is the Grohtherm Perfect Shower Set with the Rainshower Cosmopolitan 310 showerhead, which is perfect for those looking to experience the luxurious enjoyment and convenience that a concealed system offers. The head shower features a relaxing Rain spray pattern, while the slim hand shower offers the standard spray – an all-rounder that revitalises and refreshes.

All shower models available in the promotion feature GROHE’s StarLight Chrome finish which has been designed to last a lifetime. The flawless, long-lasting surface is designed to be extremely resistant to dirt and scratches, making maintenance effortless and ensuring they look good as new for many years.

Customers can claim their cashback online via groherewards.co.uk and must submit information by 31st July 2023.

Proof of purchase is required. Terms and Conditions apply.

A familiar face to many in the kbb industry and bringing a wealth of experience to the role, Alex Cooper joins Sanipex Group as sales and marketing director for the UK.

Alex joins the business from The Shower Lab, where he progressed from area sales manager to sales director, a position he held for around seven years.

It was after completing an Advanced HND in Interior, Architectural and Spatial Design in Edinburgh that Alex moved south to take up his first opportunity in the kbb sector, with West One Bathrooms. From here he moved to take on a managerial role at Surrey-based independent retailer Lewis Charles Bathrooms, before moving on to a sales-driven role at Majestic Showers.

Speaking of his experience to date, Alex comments: “I owe a lot of my knowledge to my start at West One Bathrooms where I gained huge product knowledge and experience that set me off on a great foot in my 20 years south of the border in the kbb industry.”

Now, Alex is looking forward to his new role at Sanipex UK, using the skills he has gathered in design and sales to work with a brand that is full of quality and exciting product designs.

Alex is responsible for the Group’s activities in the UK market. His role covers the management of both the Bagnodesign bathroom brand and the Sanipex UK business, which has a wider offer including the Gymkhana outdoor living programme.

Alex says: “What excites me most about Sanipex Group and the Bagnodesign brand is the innovative nature of the company and its forward-thinking, progressive attitude it has shown to the sector. This can be highlighted by the huge growth in the MEA area, where I knew the company stood head and shoulders above other brands. It’s an exciting opportunity to capture that ethos and expand it here in the UK with my retail and contract knowledge.”

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

Expanding the almost limitless versatility of Benita, the fully fitted furniture range from PJH’s Bathrooms to Love Collection, two new in-demand super matt colours – a Matt Latte and a Matt Sage Green – have been added to the popular collection.

The luxurious Matt Latte and Matt Sage Green options open up new design possibilities for the Benita Fitted Furniture range with the new colours, stunningly accentuated by the collection’s woodgrain textured finish, meeting the consumer call for on-trend luxurious wall-to-wall styling – and of course flexible storage space.

Benita’s popularity has flourished due to the range’s enduring shaker style simplicity, which together with its practical storage possibilities, allows a continuous flush run of furniture units to be created for bespoke bathroom solutions.

Joining three other colourways in the Benita range (Indigo Ash, Grey Ash and Satin White Ash), the addition of the new super matt shades provides Bathrooms to Love retailers with more beautiful choices for the consumer to help create personalised bathroom spaces. Bathrooms to Love also offers a comprehensive choice of complementing ceramics and worktops to coordinate with the Benita range.

In addition, with a choice of chrome, brushed brass and matt black door handles and knobs available too, further options remain to customise the look yet further.

Benita is a high specification furniture collection supplied fully assembled with colour-coordinated cabinets, soft close doors and drawers. It is available in a range of unit types and sizes, including Tall, Drawer, Base, Wall and Mirrored units, as well as matching plinths, end panels and WC seats. Quality is assured with a five-year guarantee.

Ready to order now from PJH’s online Partners Portal™ platform, new Matt Latte and Matt Sage Green finishes, together with the existing Indigo Ash, Grey Ash and Satin White Ash finishes, are available from stock and via PJH’s Next Day Delivery service if required. Contact PJH to find out more about display deals, new point-of-sale material and all marketing collateral.   

Further information:

Bathrooms to Love by PJH: T: 0800 8 77 88 99  / www.partners.pjh.uk  / www.bathroomstolove.uk

The former headquarters of British iconic retailer Woolworths located at 242 Marylebone Road in London, is a striking building constructed of red bricks with a facade of Portland Stone to the front elevation. It is currently being transformed into homes, offices and retail premises, including an events auditorium, rooftop bar, coffee shop, cyclist zone and health and wellbeing amenities. While the restoration is underway, the contractor has installed site welfare facilities, including several WC blocks, for the construction workforce.  

Initially, the WCs relied on gravity drainage to discharge the waste to a soil and vent pipe some 40m away. However, blockages occurred and there were concerns that the situation would worsen as the full complement of workers arrived on site. An enquiry for a solution was lodged with the Saniflo technical team who swiftly visited the site to scope out the requirement and recommended a Zehnder Kompaktboy Duplex lifting station. The unit was able to installed below the WC blocks, in the basement, allowing for optimum gravity fall and pumping the waste back to the main sewer. The powerful, 3-phase pump, which can be integrated into the building management system if required, has two vortex pumps as a fail-safe precaution. This feature provides continuity of operation, which is critical to the building works. 

Tim Pestell, managing director of Saniflo is delighted to be involved in another project in the Capital, which is preserving iconic and historical buildings for future generations. He says: “As a company we enjoy being involved with change of use projects such as these. Since the installation of the pump, the drainage issues have been solved and the refurbishment is going forward without the worry of failing WCs.  Saniflo is often involved in ensuring important projects go ahead by providing pumps, lifting stations and macerators for site welfare facilities and for any number of building and renovation projects. There really is a Saniflo product for every job. Our technical team is always on hand to provide advice and it’s always advisable to speak to the team at the outset of project to avoid potential problems.”

Often the bathroom is the smallest room in the house, but one we like to spend time in to relax and feel our best.

If space is at a premium in your bathroom, you can still create a stylish sanctuary that works for you with the right combination of furniture, accessories and light.

Ruth Foster, interior designer at online bathroom retailer Victoria Plum, shares her tried and tested interior design tricks that you can implement in your small bathroom.

Have a fluid design

“When updating your small bathroom, you should always think about the overall effect of your design.

“With a simple design including clean lines and contemporary features, your bathroom can be transformed into an elegant space to relax.

“Opt for fitted bathroom furniture with a back to wall toilet and vanity unit to keep your design sleek and chic. Also, keep patterns to a minimum and choose neutral, attractive finishes such as natural stone wall and floor tiles.”

Keep it clutter free

“Toiletries, cleaning products and ornaments are unavoidable everyday bathroom objects, but they can make your small bathroom look cluttered and disorganised.

“Before investing in storage, try to reduce your clutter as much as possible. Then optimise your storage with bathroom cabinets or boxes so everything can be hidden behind closed doors.

“If you want to keep some products on display for ease, consider using refillable dispenser bottles to make a space appear decluttered. These can be stored on glass shelving, window ledges or in a shower recess. 

“When paired with matching accessories like a toilet brush and toothbrush holder it gives a sense of consideration when it comes to maintaining a level of order in your bathroom.”

Choose clever storage solutions

“Make the most of a smaller floor space with clever bathroom storage. Try opting for a corner basin with a cabinet or install a shower instead of a full-sized bath, so more storage solutions can be included.

“To create the illusion of a larger bathroom, consider how to maximise your available wall space. Raise your storage off the floor with varying options including wall-hung units, shelving and cupboards to create as much as above the floor as possible.

“Don’t forget to finish your bathroom with well-placed robe hooks on the back of the bathroom door, and install a heated towel rail to create warmth whilst storing your towels.” 

Keep it cool with your colour scheme

“Neutral décor in the bathroom has always been popular, however even more so in smaller spaces.

“Adopting light shades like taupe, cream and white will create a lighter and brighter bathroom, making it appear larger than it really is. If you keep this in mind when choosing the colour of your wall and floor tiles, you can create a warm and harmonious design with timeless elegance.”

Maximise on the natural light

“When natural light reflects off surfaces, it creates the illusion of a larger space. Maximise any natural light from windows or skylights by strategically hanging a mirror.

“If your bathroom has no windows, you can install lights to create interesting effects, or even, add an illuminated mirror. The materials that you use in a small bathroom will also play an important role, so opt for clear, frameless glass for your shower screen or enclosure, creating a further sense of space while illuminating the room too.”

For more style advice and inspiration for your bathroom visit https://victoriaplum.com/.

With the acquisition of Logicom by Cyncly now complete, Virtual Worlds the market-leading bathroom design software is set to be its primary bathroom design product in the UK and Ireland. As a result, Cyncly will not be offering Innoplus or SimpliPlan software to new UK customers from April 2023.

Virtual Worlds, design visualisation software, enables retailers and designers to offer exceptional customer service and a fully immersive buying experience. Virtual Worlds also features an extensive manufacturer catalogue offering to make the process of designing kitchens and bathrooms seamless and immersive.

“From real-time rendering, instant visualisation of material and light editing effects, to a whole raft of new manufacturer catalogues, Virtual Worlds offers retailers so much and with so much more great stuff to come,” comments Gordon Bartels, Cyncly Group General Manager KBF Retail (Kitchen, Bathroom, Furniture).

Virtual Worlds will also be integrated with EQ, the leading software for easy quotes and intelligent project and customer workflow management, to provide users with a one-stop solution for complete bathroom retail management.

“With the onboarding of Virtual Worlds into the Cyncly group, we brought together the best talent and the market-leading solutions in the UK & Ireland bathroom market,” continues Bartels. “Our vision is to provide retailers and manufacturers with the best end-to-end solution, from design to easy quote, CRM and project management. Positioning Virtual Worlds in this way enables us to do so.”

Full support will continue to be given to existing customers using Innoplus and SimpliPlan software, which remain prominent design solutions for Cyncly’s European customers. “We will ensure strong customer engagement and continued customer service for our current customers, continuing to sell additional seats, providing training and maintaining all the widely used Innoplus and SimpliPlan catalogues,” explains Bartels.

“Our industry expertise, product features and largest catalogue database are unparalleled, and we remain a customer-centric organisation, supporting our clients across all of our software platforms.”

About Cyncly

Cyncly was created in September of 2022 as the new brand to unite Compusoft, 2020 and their affiliate companies after their merger in 2021. The combined group created a global software powerhouse with over 2,300 employees and 70,000+ customers across 100+ countries. Cyncly brings together more than 35 years of industry experience to provide specialized visualisation, sales, manufacturing and content solutions for customers to bring spaces to life and bring life to spaces. Their business spans across kitchen, bathroom, furniture, flooring and windows, doors & glass industries with operations in North America, Europe, South America, Asia Pacific and Africa.

Compusoft, 2020, Promob, Focco, 3CAD, FeneTech, Soft Tech, First Degree Systems, Access IT (contract ERP), M3B, GO-2B, RFMS, Virtual Worlds and Mozaik are Cyncly brands which bring together end-to-end solutions to help everyone in the value chain make their work and the outcomes for their customers amazing. 

Reece Wilcox has joined Kudos as sales & marketing administrator for the business based at their Sandbach site.

His role is largely the managing and developing of the company’s Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system, reporting on sales figures and general communication with the Kudos Retail Sales Managers, who are based across the country.

Reece said he is really enjoying the role and the people he works with at Kudos: “Every day is different and I’m always doing work that challenges and engages me. Everyone at Kudos has been really willing to help and a pleasure to work with.”  Outside work Reece plays football twice a week and has a second job as a DJ at weekends!

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.

Visit their website kudosshowers.co.uk, call them on 01539 564040 or email info@kudosshowers.co.uk.

Conceiving innovation while valuing tradition is what distinguishes and characterises the vision, mindset and philosophy of architect Mariapia Bettiol.

In 2017, architect Mariapia Bettiol took over the management of the architecture firm founded by her father in Aosta and created Bettiol Architecture, a consolidated, talented studio with an international clientele. Bettiol Architecture firm specialises in architectural services, consultancy, creative direction and technical management of luxury projects, including hotels, exclusive villas and chalets.

The firm is skilled in the design of chalets, and in developing the concept of luxury living in the high mountains combining the classic and traditional nature of a chalet with the elegance of contemporary interior spaces.

The design of hospitality structures such as La Cresta, Grand Hotel Cervino, Hotel Planet Cervinia, Hotel Principe le Nevi (pictured very top) are perfect examples.

From conception, through to the search for the right materials, to completion, the firm handles the challenging technical and operational stages as well as delivering its creative expertise. Bettiol Architecture is adept at researching and selecting the most suitable solutions for each project. Interior design is carried out in collaboration with a variety of professionals and general contractors as part of a true team effort.

La Fenice del Monte Cervino chalet in Breuil-Cervinia.

More about Mariapia Bettiol

Mariapia Bettiol followed an enterprising path that began with a degree in architecture from Politecnico di Milano, and experience at the CEU (Universidad de Cardenal Herrera) in Valencia. Bettiol also undertook international workshops and has a family history of architectural projects in the hotel industry.

The BetteAir flush-to-floor shower tile set a milestone in shower tray design, because of how well and easily it can be integrated into the floor. Now Bette has launched five extra-large sizes in its innovative glazed titanium-steel shower floor.

The five new sizes: 1100×1000, 1500×900, 1500×1000, 1600×900 and 1600x1000mm, give bathroom designers the opportunity to create large-format shower areas with a generous sense of space. The additions bring the total number of size options to 14 and all are available in a choice of 31 matt and gloss colours, including matt white, ebony, greige and stone and gloss white, beige, and black.

Made of strong glazed titanium-steel, the BetteAir shower tile is extremely stable, even in the largest sizes and is hygienic, easy to clean and durable.

BetteAir can also be ordered with one of Bette’s virtually invisible slip-resistant surfaces, including the innovative BetteAnti-Slip Sense for glossy white surfaces, which provides the highest level of slip protection*.

All BetteAir shower tiles are easy to install, as they can simply be glued to the screed like a conventional tile.

www.my-bette.com/en