As a global design destination, Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) is set to return this May (23 – 25) with its biggest programme yet, featuring over 600 industry events over three days.
The 12th edition also sees a total of 12 exhibition venues presenting more than 300 design brands and makers – supported by a network of over 130 local showrooms – across the whole of Clerkenwell. Architects and specifiers, interior designers and the general public alike will have the opportunity to experience everything from new furniture and lighting to kitchens and bathrooms, materials and surfaces, decorative accessories, and more.
Among some of the headline names is London-born-and-bred artist and designerMorag Myerscough– who will open the festival’s talks programme, Conversations at Clerkenwell, in Spa Fields on Tuesday 23 May (11:00). She will speak with Bethan Ryder, Editorial Director of WGSN, about her unique approach to transforming places and championing community through joyful installations and artworks.
Meanwhile, on St John’s Square, Myerscough is also responsible for creating the exterior wall of a freestanding installation from leading acoustics specialist, BAUX. Designed by its in-house team along withForm Us With Love, this special exhibition highlights the work of eight students from Scandinavia’s finest architectural institutes. The brief was to explore how buildings of tomorrow can nurture productivity, wellness and creativity, and the students’ design concepts will be presented through scale models and renders at CDW.
The hammered copper tamar is a compact, double-ended bath with a perfectly proportioned contemporary skirt. The comfortable roll-top design is finished with a copper exterior wrapped around the tub, giving the look and beauty of copper but with the durability of cast iron.
The bath is also available in a smaller size for compact spaces and with a lower rim for easy access.
The hand poured cast iron delivers a superior thickness and the unique dry fit vitreous enamel is fused with the cast iron for increased durability.
One of the UK’s leading shower space companies, The Shower Lab, has unveiled its new Brand Ambassador, Laura Jane Clark.
Laura is a renowned British architect, TV presenter, author and influencer. Laura is probably best known for presenting the BBC 2 and Netflix series, Your Home Made Perfect and also Channel 4’s Ugly House to Lovely House. She also appeared on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces as well as a judge and presenter of Shed of the Year on Channel 4.
Laura says, “The Shower Lab are an incredible company. For me, their focus on design and innovation is something that I absolutely love, coupled with the quality and detailing is second to none. I am thrilled to be working with The Shower Lab showing how their innovative shower enclosures and screens can be integrated into bathrooms small and large to create beautiful bespoke feeling spaces.”
TSL managing D=director, Max Finaldi says “we are delighted to be working with Laura and proud she is representing our growing brand. We share Laura’s sustainability ambitions and her love of making the most of the spaces we have.”
Features by Diane Larner founder 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.
As the pace of life picks up, we find ourselves once again caught up in a whirlwind of activity. Yet, lessons have been learnt from the slowdown we all encountered during the Covid-19 pandemic, and this gentle acquiescence has permeated the world of design. Our homes are a place of sanctuary, and the bathroom remains a stress-free zone where natural, earthy colours and materials are favoured.
Marianne Shillingford, creative director of Dulux UK agrees, “Bathrooms are the true sanctuary of the home. Apart from when we are asleep; showering or a long hot soak in the bath are probably two of the very few screen-free times of the day we can truly switch off. With this in mind, bathroom trends in colour and materials are being designed to help us truly savour the moments we have to ourselves. Sensory surfaces that demand to be touched are teamed with enveloping colours that we can dive into. Less of the shiny, bright and sharp, more of the smooth, dimmed and silent. “
Time to play
Dulux Wild Wonder
Selecting a biddable colour scheme that reflects the natural world also brings a sense of order with tranquillity. Marianne continues: “We’re re-evaluating our relationship with nature and sensing the importance of learning from it not just about it. We’re understanding afresh that nature is the source of everything, bringing us solace, inspiration, materials and a myriad of blueprints for living.”
Wild WonderTM is Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2023 and delivers a soft gold shade with hints of green inspired by fresh seed pods and harvest grain. Dulux say its upbeat glow connects us with nature, creating a sense of energy and positivity.
Sense & sensibility
Palladian Grey worktop from Utopia
In addition to soothing colour schemes, rounded or curvy shapes are easy on the eye and add a wholesome sense of well-being to bathroom designs. Marble worktops work well with tile and wood surfaces and add a touch of elegance and sophistication.
Imperial White worktop from Utopia
Utopia has added four new decors to its exceptionally popular 20mm solid surface worktops range. Available with a choice of inverted chamfered or chamfered profile, the new decors include three on-trend veined marble effects: Imperial White, Palladian Grey and Tempest Black, plus Metropolitan Grey, a granite effect worktop.
Pairing rounded, compassionate shapes with organic, wood effect flooring or natural tiles also helps create a genial space to recover and renew.
Amanda Telford, marketing manager at CTD Tiles, concurs, “The trend for natural materials and nature-inspired colour palettes shows no sign of wavering in 2023. Whether it’s through wood-effect floors, sage green walls, or the incorporation of lots of organic textured accessories, this trend is timeless. It can be incorporated in several different ways.”
CTD Tiles Nador Mint & White
Richard Shore, head of product design at Utopia, agrees but says vibrant colour is also firmly on the menu as a complementary alternative to muted tones: “Curves, colour and texture will be setting the design world alight this year. Shapely forms and surfaces in expressively dynamic colours, alluringly textured, will be the weapons of choice in this full-frontal assault on our senses.”
All shapes & sizes
Ceralsio Ceramic
Regarding floors and walls, a single surface solution offers character and can be tailored to include inset shelving and storage. Large format tiles build multi-purpose functionality (such as added hygiene), creating a spacious and aspirational feel that taps into minimalist trends.
Simon Boocock, managing director of CRL Europe, explains: “Elegance, simplicity, and functionality are key to the minimal bathroom currently making compact spaces look and feel much bigger and creating a modern, almost hotel-inspired appearance. Wall cladding, large format surfaces and feature walls tap into this trend, providing a seamless, easier-to-install and maintain alternative to tiles.”
Surfaces such as Ceralsio Ceramic and Inalco MDi from CRL Stone are available in a large slab format. They can be cut to the exact size to fit the space, achieving a bespoke solution with minimal grout lines and a seamless finish, even in awkwardly shaped spaces, with lots of corners and angles.
Carefully co-ordinated
Opidek large-format Magnum slabs
For shower rooms and wetrooms, a uniform aesthetic is easily achieved using large-slab technology. These bespoke solutions can be designed to fit any space and are offered in matt and gloss marble finishes. They also offer a cost-effective solution for residential or commercial applications.
Anthony Barker, sales director, Optidek explains, “Large format sheets require specialist fabrication off-site, yet will still be more cost-effective than specifying tiles and grout for apartment schemes because they are easier to transport and fit. Most of all, these durable non-porous marble-look surfaces provide an on-trend spa-like aesthetic for bathrooms or wet rooms and can be matched with floor tiles in the same material for a stunning overall effect.”
Optidek, the wall coverings specialist, has partnered with Florim, the Italian porcelain stoneware brand, to launch the Magnum Collection, an exclusive range of 6mm thickness surfaces in the large format 2360mm x 760mm Magnum slabs. The collection features four colourways in matt and gloss marble finishes and is curated by Optidek to appeal to kitchen and bathroom designers, architects and interior designers.
Saving time & energy
The Elite Range
Mermaid tell us that the rise in energy costs means tiles are proving more expensive for homeowners. Energy costs traditionally represent around 50 per cent of a tile’s overall cost, and the recent surge in energy prices has forced manufacturers to increase product price points. Likewise, the same energy price surge has caused homeowners to abandon tiles for cost-effective methods of bathroom refurbishment.
Helen Ray-Dennett, senior marketing communications manager at Wilsonart UK, comments, “We started this year with predictions that home improvements would be put on the back burner because of the ever-rising cost of living. However, growing interest in cost-effective bathroom refurbishment methods shows promise. Homeowners want to be able to refresh their bathroom spaces, but in a way that’s friendly on their pockets – as such, retailers and merchants must consider this when planning for the year ahead.”
The Elite range is Mermaid’s premium bathroom panel. With a 100% waterproof core, no trims are required, allowing for a completely seamless finish. An interlocking tongue and groove system is used to connect panels, which easily slot together without any gaps, eliminating the need for grout and the risk of mould that comes with it.
We hope you enjoyed this Feature on Bathroom Surface Design from Bathroom Review. Please look through our feature archive for more useful information.
If you are interested to see the latest trends in Kitchen design, please visit our sister site Kitchens Review
Pictured very top – Tempest Black worktop from Utopia.
Visitors to Clerkenwell Design Week from 23 to 25 May have a new location to add to their list of must-sees, with the Bagnodesign Architecture + Design Gallery just opened at 119 Charterhouse Street.
At the heart of London’s bustling design area, inspiration, ideas and creative thinking for interior design can be found throughout the two floors of the Clerkenwell building.
Born in Dubai, Bagnodesign is now present in over 40 countries, chosen by some of the most acclaimed interior design houses and leading architects for commercial projects around the world. Bagnodesign offers the complete solution for creating luxury bathrooms. Comfort, quality and innovation come as standard, from a high-end brand that is anything but standard in terms of design-led thinking and trend-setting product design.
The brand’s new Clerkenwell home is an ideal base for designers to see first-hand the latest product launches and presents a ‘toolkit’ to gather inspiration and ideas for their next projects. The perfect space for customers to network, discuss ideas and plan for future projects, the Gallery also includes a dedicated meeting room and entertainment area, with a built-in bar.New launches on display for Clerkenwell Design Week including a new mixer range, Chiasso. Available in chrome, brushed nickel, soft bronze and PVD gold, the inserts on the handles are customizable, and available in 6 Alpine finishes to suit the corresponding furniture by the same brand. Bespoke inserts can also be produced in the Sanipex Slab Fabrication Facility in Dubai, making Chiasso a fully customizable option.
Another stand-out product in the Clerkenwell Architecture + Design Gallery is Orology. This brassware range uniquely draws inspiration from stylish watch bezels, with its versatile features offering a sense of understated luxury, allowing variations and combinations to maintain timeless contemporary elegance.
With flexibility and functionality at its core, the Orology brassware collection comes in five stunning finishes to offer the ultimate luxury of choice in bathroom design. The versatile options include PVD Gold, Anthracite, Chrome, Brushed Nickel, and Soft Bronze, each adding individual perspective and depth to the finish.
Visitors to Clerkenwell Design Week in May can also catch sight of Alpine from Bagnodesign, an incredibly versatile furniture range, with a wide range of options to suit any space. Select from 18 slab options to a signature look, with freestanding and wall-hung options, double basins and extended countertop options available. The Alpine collection can be configured in numerous ways to create a distinctive, bespoke look that works across any aesthetic.
Visit the Bagnodesign A + D Gallery in Clerkenwell at 119 Charterhouse Street, London EC1M 6AA, or for more information see www.sanipexgroup.co.uk
“Manufactured to be extraordinary” is the motto under which Duravit gathered its Artisan Lines products and ranges. Exhibiting at the ISH in Frankfurt for the first time the iconic designer products were developed by renowned international designers including Philippe Starck, Sebastian Herkner, Christian Werner, and Studio F. A. Porsche.
“The design and manufacture of the Artisan Lines required an extraordinary level of knowledge, craftsmanship, and exacting precision” according to Duravit-CEO Stephan Tahy.
This year’s trade fair attracted around 150,000 visitors from over 150 countries. Duravit AG presented its new products on a 1000 m2 stand.
“This was my first ISH,” explained Stephan Tahy, who became CEO of Duravit AG over two years ago. “After such a long time away from trade fairs, I relished the many personal encounters and high degree of interest in our products.”
Inspiration Japan: Bento Starck Box
Bento Starck Box
The Bento Starck Box bathroom range from designer Philippe Starck drew inspiration from traditional Japanese bento boxes that are subdivided into several compartments by separators.
“Organisation is freedom, especially when it’s elegant,” said Philippe Starck, describing the new washbasins and bathtub. Clearly divided wet and dry areas open countless individual design options.
A highlight of this designer bathroom series is the free-standing bathtub made from acrylic. The overflow is in the tapered water channel, allowing the tub to be filled to the top. Its ample depth and space for two invites bathers to enjoy a blissful immersion in the water. This latest bathroom range from Philippe Starck offers matching toilet sets and bidets.
High levels of craftsmanship: Zencha by Sebastian Herkner
Zencha by Sebastian Herkner
Also taking inspiration from Japan and the country’s traditional craftsmanship, Sebastian Herkner’s Zencha is a bathroom collection that combines unusual above-counter basins with minimalistic furniture. The most striking feature of the basins and bathtub is the rounded shape that opens into a graceful, outward-curving edge.
The linearity of the furniture contrasts with the organic sanitary objects. The outstanding design feature is an elegant frame just six millimeters thick.
“I’m delighted that the product developers at Duravit have been able to turn my designs into reality. That only works if you have your own production facilities with high levels of craftsmanship, as Duravit does,” said Sebastian Herkner.
Homely and modern: Vitrium by Christian Werner
Vitrium by Christian Werner
Timelessly modern yet homely: Christian Werner collaborated with Duravit to create his first washbasins in an interplay with console vanity units and washbasin vanity units as part of the Vitrium range. These washbasins are the first to be manufactured using the mineral casting technique.
The pleasant, velvety surface of DuroCast UltraResist creates an extraordinary tactile experience. Paired with tastefully lit furniture, they underpin the elegant and minimalistic atmosphere of the designer bathroom range.
Similarly, the eye-catching furniture of the Vitrium range with its shallow depth and projecting abovecounter basin is suitable for compact bathrooms.
“A more minimalistic design is hard to imagine,” said Christian Werner, explaining the idea behind his bathroom range. “For me, the bathroom is a comfortable refuge for wellness and contemplation.”
Ode to Nature: Qatego by Studio F. A. Porsche
Qatego by Studio F.A.Porsche
The three stone consoles of the new Qatego bathroom range are a clear reference to nature: created by the renowned designers of Studio F. A. Porsche, they generate a uniquely comforting atmosphere in the bathroom.
“On Qatego we take our lead from the functionality of the bathroom and how it interacts with its users. That’s why it was important for us to lend the objects a strong emotional quality that goes beyond mere functionality,” said Henning Rieseler, design director at Studio F. A. Porsche describes the creative process.
Award-winning bathroom supplier HiB has released two new ranges to enhance its illuminated mirror offering.
Both designed in their own distinct style, with a range of practical features, the Arcane and Cassini mirrors are perfect for use above a bathroom vanity unit and across other areas of the home.
Cassini’s clean and modern design concept makes it a versatile mirror suitable for a variety of spaces. With no straight edges, a deep band of illumination around the mirror and a chamfered diffuser to create a gentle glow, the Cassini Curve and Round both offer soft styling that focuses on maximising illumination.
The Cassini mirrors are operated using a touchless sensor and feature integrated colour temperature-changing technology and a heated pad to reduce condensation on the mirror’s surface, greatly enhancing the user experience after a bath or shower.
The Arcane range also includes a heated pad and touchless operation to operate the mirror’s color temperature changing-enabled illumination. Available in two finishes, black and brushed brass, with Curve, Round and Pill shapes in a variety of sizes, there is plenty of choice to suit every style of bathroom and requirements.
Ash Chilver, HiB sales director, said: “Round and curved mirrors have a strong popularity among bathroom designers and these new ranges offer a plethora of options that maximise style, while also offering the features we know our customers love.
“Each mirror has been designed to be hung portrait or landscape, opening up wider options for installation within a bathroom design. It’s fantastic to see Arcane and Cassini launched as our latest products to the market and I am looking forward to watching them flourish.”
Also new for 2023 is the 100cm Bellus mirror, an expansion to the existing Bellus range in a larger dimension, perfect for offering extra drama and opulence to the space.
HiB is a major supplier to UK and Irish Bathroom Retailers and is a market leader in innovative bathroom products such as mirrors, cabinets, lighting and furniture. With more than 30 years of experience in the industry, the company is renowned for providing innovative, creative solutions which make bathrooms beautiful and substantially improves the lives of retailers, partners and the wider community.
Since HiB was established in the 1990s, the company has grown significantly. From humble roots as a fledgling business founded by Chairman Warren Ginsberg, to a 100 plus-strong operation with centres both in New Southgate, North London and a 85,000 Sq.ft national distribution site near Tamworth in the Midlands, the company has been responsible for many bathroom industry ‘firsts’.
Quooker UK MD Stephen Johnson calls on the industry to invest in young people and address the skills crisis, in the latest Mover and Shaker film from Simon Acres Group.
Stephen said that the industry needs to attract and train more young people, for the collective benefit when he talked with Simon Acres Group MD Simon Acres.
“ We must work together to improve the routes into industry, promote the rewards that are on offer, and support young people with first class training and support.” says Stephen.
“We developed our own in-house training scheme because of the lack of focused schemes available and have found that bringing young people into the business brings huge benefits to us.
“Young people bring a fresh energy and new ideas. When partnered with a mentor they learn quickly and absorb the business culture and heritage. It provides a solid commercial return when a business invests in their staff in this way, as they gain a happy, motived and productive employee that wants to stay and build a long term career.
“As a company we are working with others, such as the BiKBBI to support the development of the new apprenticeship scheme, and the Kbsa to grow their retailer membership and build a stronger voice for the retailer.
“Everyone recognises that the skills shortage is a real threat to our future, there is no more time to keep talking about this, and we must all take action and do what we can to address the problem.
“It is for all of these reasons that I supported the Simon Acres Careers Day by taking part in the live panel discussion. By sharing good practice, demystify procedures and addressing the ‘How to Hire’ questions, we can break down obstacles, increase knowledge and move forward to success.”
The interview with Stephen Johnson can be seen here.
Abode, designer and distributor of kitchen and bathroom solutions, has achieved carbon neutrality with the recent installation of solar panels at its HQ.
As part of the company’s ongoing ESG strategy and corporate responsibility to reduce and offset its emissions, 125 state-of-the-art Solar Photovoltaic Panels have been installed on one of its buildings large south-facing roofs, which offers a combined output of 50k/watt every hour. The energy generated from the newly installed Solar Panels will produce enough electricity to independently power the Barnsley site, as well as produce surplus energy during the summer months to sell back to the National Grid.
Leanne Adamson, marketing manager at Abode explains, “One of our core goals is the continuous development in all areas of our business including our products, processes and principles. In fact, we are really proud to announce that as part of a 2022 Scope 1 and 2 assessement on emissions, our carbon output has reduced by 60% since 2018! In March 2022, we celebrated another environmental milestone by becoming PlanetMark certified as Carbon Neutral, bolstered by our commitment to cut our carbon footprint by a further 5% by spring 2023; equating to 1.95 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent).”
The leadership team at Abode set three SMART targets (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) as part of the carbon management plan to secure wins for their employees and the environment: Solar Energy, electrification of the company fleet to ensure that all vehicles will be hybrid or electric hybrid by 2025, reducing emissions by 51%, and an amended Business Travel Policy meaning that online conferencing will be used where practical.
With the solar panels fully functional on the roof, the next step will be to install charging points for electric vehicles this spring to benefit from the power generated from the on-site installation. This change will help to avoid around 17,500 kilos of CO2 emissions annually as the company continues its journey towards Net Zero Carbon. All office lighting has been converted to LED and sensor installations to use electricity more efficiently, saving energy and helping to protect the planet.
As a manufacturing pioneer with one of the industry’s best-in-class design studios, every member of the Abode family and throughout the value chain is excited by all the future plans on-site, offering tangible benefits as sustainability continues to grow at home and commercially this year.
Leanne adds, “Sustainability means more to us than just ‘green’ products, it is an integral part of how we manage our business. We believe in being fully accountable, which is why we have recently completed our first-ever Sustainability Report that our customers can download at abodedesigns.co.uk/support/brochure. In doing this, everyone can share in the series of green goals we’ve set ourselves to continue to make a positive impact throughout our business, the environment and our many customers as an ethical partner of choice.”
Matthew Pitt, managing director adds, “We are dedicated to reaching net zero carbon emissions, and are inviting retailers to take advantage of our latest promotional materials and marketing activity so they can drive more traffic to their showrooms. We have created high-impact literature that focusses on our ethical credentials, social responsibility and governance, so that retailers can enjoy the halo effect of a strong USP as a sustainability champion simply by selling our products. In addition, we have introduced our Accumulate Retail Loyalty Programme, this year to make it even easier for retail professionals to sell our products, earn points and then spend them on fantastic rewards!”
While tiles have been a popular choice for bathroom walls for many years, Google searches for ‘bathroom tile alternatives’ have increased by 48 per cent over the last three months. So why exactly are a growing number of homeowners exploring tiles alternatives for their bathroom, and what does this mean for retailers and installers?
The manufacturing process of tiles is particularly energy intensive. Considering that the cost of energy traditionally represents around 50 per cent of a tile’s overall cost, the recent surge in energy prices has forced manufacturers to increase product price points. Likewise, the same energy price surge has caused homeowners to abandon tiles for cost-effective methods of bathroom refurbishment.
Homeowners are also looking to save money on the installation process, as well as product. It’s said to take three to four days to tile the average bathroom, at a cost of £700-£800. In comparison, fitting out an entire bathroom with wall panels can take as little as four to six hours, offering homeowners a significant saving on their total project cost.
Sources of bathroom styling inspiration are everywhere and as a result, there is a stronger desire for a more personalised interior. Rather than opting for a cold tile, homeowners can turn to bathroom wall panels to replicate natural materials such as wood or stone to create a unique bathroom space with added texture and depth. Time-poor homeowners can also eliminate the arduous cleaning process that comes with tiles and grout, as bathroom wall panels can be cleaned with the simple wipe of a cloth.
Quick to fit, easy on the eye and simple to maintain, bathroom wall panels have never been more appealing, creating a competitive tile alternative that may not have always been viable. Retailers and installers who are familiar with panelling and able to offer a broad variety of finishes stand to benefit hugely from what looks to be a market set for significant growth.
