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Softening the Bathroom: A Guide from VitrA

Vtra Bathroom sanctuary

Bathrooms should act as sanctuaries; a space in which we make time to enjoy our daily rituals, bringing a sense of calm and comfort. Instil softness and serenity into the bathroom with gentle curves, natural materials and warm finishes from VitrA.

VitrA Sento
Left: Sento washbasin unit with 2 drawers, matt fjord green, £1,262
Middle: Root basin mixer with pop-up, round, gold, £254
Right: Sento illuminated mirror, 80cm, oak, £744

Opt for an earthy or neutral colour scheme, incorporating matt finishes and warm brassware in copper or gold. For example, VitrA’s matt taupe washbasins from the Memoria, Outline and Plural ranges pair perfectly with dark oak, which infuses softness and invites users to touch and interact with the products. Consider also adding a subtly illuminated mirror, such as Sento, that diffuses a gentle glow throughout the space.

VitrA Bathroom Sanctuary
Left: Plural small table with ceramic countertop and dark oak shelf, matt black, £1,578
Middle: Origin bathrobe hook, copper, £133
Right: Outline bowl, matt soft taupe, £650
Left: Memoria wall-hung WC pan, rim-ex, matt taupe, £1,425
Middle: Liquid ceramic stool, white, £352
Right: Plural ceramic washbasin unit with dark oak shelf, matt taupe, £2,948

Additionally, focus on accessories, brassware and furniture that feature enduring and rounded shapes, soft edges and smooth ceramics in order to build an effortless, sensual lightness throughout the space.

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Edwardian elegance from Drummonds

Drummonds_Edwardian

The interior of this Edwardian house in Cambridge was completely rebuilt, allowing for a dramatic
transformation and leaving only the facade untouched.

One of the key elements of the renovation was the family bathroom. To reflect the period of the property and to create a distinctly Edwardian aesthetic, the owners wanted the space to have a classic, English feel, opting for traditional wooden floorboards, retro Acanthus tiles and solid pieces from Drummonds.

The striking freestanding bath was an absolute must for this family bathroom; the Ashburn in a painted finish sits directly in front of the large sash window. Based on an 18th century ‘bateau’ design, it is one of Drummonds’ more compact designs, offering all the comfort of a classic double ended bath, without overwhelming the space.

Drummonds_Cambridge_house_Edwardian_bath

Two Syre basins sit opposite; cast in English china clay, and finished and glazed by hand, they bring a refined elegance to the scheme. An Antique Brushed Brass finish on the vanity legs, Mull taps and Oval Tilt mirrors
add contrast to the look.

A large glass shower enclosure featuring an Antique Brass frame and backed by floor-to-ceiling green tiles,
demarks the ‘wet zone’ within the room, and creates a stylish ‘walk in’ shower area. A half border of sleek Edwardian-style tiles surrounds the room, acting as a perfect balance and counterpart to the dark wooden floor.

Drummonds_Cambridge_house_Edwardian_taps
Drummonds_Cambridge_house_Edwardian_shower

Drummonds products:


o Ashburn Bath | from £4290
o Mull Bath & Shower Mixer | from £2730
o Syre Basins with Stands | from £1890
o Mull 3-hole Basin Mixers | from £1290
o Oval Tilt Mirrors | from £1062
o Single Derwent Lights | from £618
o Single Dalby Light | from £492
o Dalby Surface Mounted Shower with 200mm
Shower Rose & Hand Shower | from £4110
All in an Antique Brushed Brass finish

Tiles: Edwardian Tile range from Fired Earth
firedearth.com

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New bathroom mirror collection from RAK Ceramics

RAK-Ornate

No bathroom is complete without a mirror, and RAK Ceramics ensures that including this essential accessory as part of a purchase is no hard sale, with several new additions to its collection.

RAK-Round

In a choice of stylish finishes to combine seamlessly with any décor, the new RAK-Art and RAK-Picture mirrors come with Chrome, Matt Black, Brushed Nickel and Brushed Gold. This enables them to be chosen to match the bathroom’s brassware, extending the sale and ensuring retailers can value up.

Both ranges feature four shapes – Round, Square, Soft and Oval – and have LED lighting, a demister pad and touch sensor activation, bringing the latest bathroom technology into the home in a seamless way.

Also new to the RAK Ceramics mirrors collection is RAK-Ornate, available in the same choice of finishes and with the same technological features. The RAK-Ornate mirror has an integrated shelf for handy storage of bathroom essentials, making it the perfect addition to a master ensuite for a hotel-inspired look.

Contact: RAK Ceramics UK, 01730 237850 www.rakceramics.com/uk/

RAK-Oval
RAK-Oval

Pictured top – RAK-Ornate

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GROHE’s GIVE Program sponsors debut Female Skills Competition 2023

Grohe Give Programme

Given the shortage of skilled installers in the sanitary industry, it is more important than ever to enable and encourage young individuals to build the foundations for a prosperous future through education and extracurricular activities within the field. This is why GROHE, global brand for complete bathroom solutions, initiated its “GROHE Installer Vocational Training and Education” (GIVE) Program and continues its commitment to supporting initiatives and organisations encouraging promising industry talent.

The GROHE GIVE Program is proud to be the headline sponsor of the debut Female Skills competition 2023 run by HIP, the only UK magazine dedicated to plumbing and heating students.

The competition has been created to provide a dedicated space for enthusiastic females within an industry that is often associated with and primarily represented by males, allowing contestants to showcase their skills and talent amongst comparable peers.

To support the winners and showcase GROHE’s appreciation to new industry talent, LIXIL’s Leader, Jonas Brennwald, will attend the final to handout prizes and congratulate the winners.

“Our industry offers so many opportunities for young people around the globe who cannot only make a living but make a positive impact with plumbing for a sustainable future. Well trained and professional personnel are pivotal to our industry, and we’re committed to supporting and championing those starting out.” commented Jonas Brennwald, Leader, LIXIL EMENA.

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Curved, colourful, textured and sustainable

Arabella in Azure Blue Curved

The future for bathroom design is curved, colourful, textured and sustainable, according to Richard Shore, head of product design at Utopia.

Presenting his predictions for 2023, he sees five distinct themes dominating the home interest sector for the coming year ahead.

            1. The rise of a warming colour palette where inviting, rich colours such as terracotta red will abound.

            2. An increase in interesting textures, particularly ridged surfaces, overlaying linear patterns and organic materials or prints.

            3. In terms of design, soft, tactile curves encouraging interaction will offer an alternative to the sharp lines and angles of minimalism.

            4. The boutique hotel look continues to influence design with a whole new generation of ‘spathrooms’ encapsulating wellness, luxury and experience.

            5. Expected sustainability!

Helen Clark, Utopia’s head of marketing comments “As ever, Richard’s predictions continue to shape and drive our new product development plans for 2023 and beyond. The recent introductions of new doorstyles and finishes are just the start of a host of new product launches scheduled for 2023 in response to incoming trends and customer feedback.”

More from Utopia

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Luxurious Belmont welcomes new Matt Blue finish

One of the best selling Free-standing baths from PJH’s Bathrooms to Love brand, the deep and luxurious Belmont model, has added a new Matt Blue option to its range of finishes, to widen the range’s appeal even further.

With the trend for inky blue indigo’s and navy themed bathroom colour schemes showing no sign of fading, this bold Matt Blue bath tub finish is a welcome addition to Belmont’s other colour options of grey and white. Designed to stand-alone or to coordinate perfectly with many of the furniture ranges within the Bathrooms to Love Collection, it is shown here teamed with modular furniture range, ‘Statement’ in Matt Deep Blue and the ‘Luxey’ washbowl, also in Deep Blue. Brushed brass taps and accessories complete the decadent look, and customers can opt for either a free-standing bath shower mixer, as shown, or wall-mounted bathing brassware.

The new Matt Blue exterior finish of the contemporary Belmont bath, with its streamlined curves and edges, provides a contrasting focus to the flawless pure white interior, creating depth and as well as great looks to this versatile double-ended tub. With a sumptuous 245-litres water capacity and dimensions of 1700 (L) x 780 (W) x 670 (H)mm, Belmont’s elegant bateau styling combines luxury bathing with on-trend styling and underlines the range’s popularity with consumers. A pre-fitted integrated waste is included.

Manufactured from high grade smooth acrylic, which delivers long-lasting durability, it also ensures excellent heat-retention, and attracts a 20-year quality guarantee, for peace of mind.

Available to order now from PJH’s online Partners Portal™ platform, the new Matt Blue Belmont Bath, together with the existing grey and white finishes, are available from stock and via PJH’s Next Day Delivery service if required.

Contact PJH to find out more about display deals, 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

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Neoperl focus on staff training

Neoperl Training Staff

Over a third of the 160 staff at Neoperl UK in Malvern, took part in personal development training during 2022 and that figure is set to increase with a new learning focus for 2023.

The manufacturing business requires a broad selection of skills across their employee base, so the training has varied to suit the individual ranging from Chartered Institute of Management (CIM) courses at all levels, to engineering, apprenticeships, team building, kaizen, and appraisal training.

Alison Andrews, company administrator, who has worked for Neoperl for 25 years and completed a CMA level 7 certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership in 2022, said: “Neoperl has always been a supportive employer around CPD training, they finance a lot of training initiatives and allow time off to attend relevant college courses too.”

Izabela Videki has also completed many CPD training courses since she joined the business in 2012. Most recently she finished a foundation degree in Engineering and Metrology at Coventry University, developing skills she puts to good use in her role as part of the Continuous Improvement team.

On the back of this drive to support and retain employees, the company invested in a new intranet and bespoke learning management system (LMS)  for employees last year and provided pods to give private space and access for staff that don’t work on a computer each day. The new Intranet is called ‘NEOnet’, and the LMS – LEARNeo, which allows all employees to access approved e-learning.

“Our LEARNeo e-learning platform was launched in January so that all employees can undergo the same training no matter where they are located in the world.  This includes training on our company Values, our approach to Quality and Code of Conduct. We have already started to grow the number of courses available,” said Louise Hughes, head of human resources at Neoperl in the UK. 

“Excellence and passion are two of our key Values which drive innovation and as a business training keeps us sharp, agile and open to embrace new ideas.  This new e-learning system makes training so accessible to all, helping us to create the right culture for the future of our business.”  

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KEUCO’s touchless taps deliver technology & style

KEUCO_IXMO_Sensor

Hygiene has become increasingly important during the last few years, so when KEUCO developed their IXMO Sensor series of touchless taps they included a number of additional benefits that ensured the product was easy to clean and had a reduced flow rate, making it more sustainable too.

Flow rate is set at 5 l/p/m but is adjustable, with a flow time of one second to a maximum of 10 seconds until switch-off, enabling economical and resource-saving water consumption. The water temperature is adjusted via a small lever on the back of the free-standing fitting model. If permanent temperature control is not desired (for example in some public areas), the adjustment pin can be removed after the initial setting. A special blanking plug can be fitted to cover the access. For the wall-mounted fitting, the temperature is adjusted in the under-sink box, under the washbasin.

KEUCO_IXMO_Sensor

The IXMO Sensor taps are extremely versatile, they can be combined with a wide range of washbasin styles. They are available in chrome plated or matt black; as either a freestanding or wall-mounted variant. They have dual-feed fittings but are suitable for use as a single feed with blended water delivered from a TMV.

The taps have a ‘cleaning stop’ function, by covering the sensor for several seconds prevents the tap from flowing for 180s enabling the product and surrounding basin, mirror, and other surface areas to be cleaned effectively.

All the mixers have a range of programmable functions including cleaning stop; automatic flushing; adjustable detection zone and adjustable run-on time following use. The functions can be set manually or via an app. when fitted in combination with the IXMO Bluetooth receiver (optional), however, this is only possible to install with the mains powered fittings.

Both the surface and wall-mounted options can be mains powered, but the free-standing option is the only model which can be supplied as both battery or mains powered. The battery is a 6V CRP2 lithium-ion type which has an approximate lifespan of 3 years or 200,000 uses. The battery housing is to be fixed to the wall underneath the basin and is easy to source and replace. This combination of intelligent technology and elegant design make these taps perfect for a variety of locations within the hospitality, hotel and even healthcare sector.

KEUCO_IXMO_Sensor
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Why bathroom manufacturers need a holistic approach to go green

BMA sustainable

Today, we hear from Tom Reynolds, chief executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association.

Architects and designers have often been at the forefront of more sustainable home improvement. But to avoid greenwashing, it’s essential that specifiers see the whole picture around decarbonisation. So, let’s revisit some first principles.

A carbon scope is a measure of the greenhouse gas emissions associated with a specific activity or organisation. There are several different types of carbon scopes:

  • Scope 1 emissions are direct emissions from sources owned or controlled by an organisation. These include emissions from fossil fuel combustion, such as burning coal or natural gas for energy on-site.
  • Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions from the generation of purchased electricity, steam, heating, and cooling consumed by an organisation.
  • Scope 3 emissions are all other indirect emissions that occur in an organisation’s value chain, including activities such as the extraction and production of purchased materials and fuels, transportation of products, and waste disposal. This includes the carbon associated with a product in its use phase.

Bathroom manufacturers are already making great strides on scopes 1 and 2, with many already able to certify that their operations are carbon neutral. Scope 3 abatement, the necessary step towards the elusive net zero, is more difficult.

Firstly, the bathroom sector has a complex global value chain, making it difficult to measure the emissions with such operations, let alone abate them. “ESG” requirements of investors lead the sector to assess scope 3 emissions seriously. With likely carbon pricing coming in the medium term (check the EU’s CBAM), many suppliers may look to reassess their supply chain. It’s something to consider when making product selections.

But secondly, and more significantly, terminal fittings in bathroom installations are part of a broader system in the home. By recommending the decarbonisation of hot water heating to clients, either as an extension of a project or ‘next item on the to-do list’, designers play a vital role in addressing the upstream use phase emissions associated with bathroom products. By transitioning hot water heating away from fossil fuel-based energy sources to clean energy options like solar and heat pumps, specifiers and homeowners help bathroom manufacturers get a step closer to net zero.

Gaining the whole picture around decarbonisation can help specifiers make more genuinely sustainable product choices and facilitate honest and nuanced conversations with clients about the wider steps necessary for authentically green homes.

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SFA Group reconfirms support for Planet Water Foundation

To commemorate World Water Day on 22 March, SFA, Saniflo UK’s parent company, is supporting the supply of clean drinking water to 250 school children in Vietnam, working in partnership with Planet Water Foundation.

The SFA Group’s donation covers the deployment of an AquaFill water filtration system, a hygiene education programme to be delivered by Planet Water Foundation and 500 ml reusable water bottles whose packaging recalls the key educational messages of the hygiene education programme through drawings of the ten critical steps of hand washing. The project at the Hanoi primary school will start in May with the installation of the AquaFill system and will take 120 days to complete. For more than a decade, the SFA Group has supported World Water Day, World Plumbing Day and World Toilet Day with numerous humanitarian projects to promote access to clean drinking water for all, partnering with Planet Water Foundation since 2021. 

The AquaFill system works by gravity – so no external supply is needed – and with three-stage water filtration using hollow fibre ultra-filtration and activated carbon technology. The process ensures the removal of pathogens, including fungi, bacteria, parasitic worms, viruses and other protozoa. The process filters 1,000 litres of water per hour from a municipal non-potable water supply, equivalent to the daily drinking water needs of 1,800 people. Unfortunately, many schools in urban and peri-urban centres in Southeast Asia have a municipal water supply that is unsafe to drink, forcing schoolchildren to drink unsafe water or spend considerable sums on bottled water. The hygiene education programme will also benefit the parents and relatives of the 250 children, who will be encouraged to share their new knowledge on healthy hygiene. 

Saniflo UK managing director, Tim Pestell, says: “We’re delighted to contribute once again to a very worthwhile project. We don’t know how fortunate we are in the UK to have constant access to plentiful, clean drinking water. We hope the school children of Hanoi and their extended families will benefit greatly from the project and thrive with the new AquaFill filtration system and hygiene education programme.”

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