With the desire for round mirrors on the increase, Utopia has added three new circular mirror ranges to its product portfolio – Luma, Luma Horizon and Orbitz.
Introducing the new mirrors, Helen Clark, Utopia’s Head of Marketing, comments “Round mirrors are exceptionally popular at the moment. They offer a stunning focal point and introduce welcome curves into the bathroom where there are often so many straight lines and angles. They are also brilliant for irregular spaces where a rectangular solution just won’t work. Best of all, we offer options to colour co-ordinate the mirror with the furniture, allowing for that completely co-ordinated look.”
Exclusive to the Roseberry painted timber collection is Orbitz (pictured top). Measuring 750mm in diameter this imposing mirror features a decorative surround available in any of the eight Roseberry paint finishes to match the furniture.
Available across the range, the Luma mirror is available in 500mm, 700mm and 900mm diameters with a depth of 25mm. It has an attractive frosted illuminated halo surround in natural white, a touch switch on the lower front face of the mirror and a demister on the two larger options.
The Luma Horizon offers the same features as the Luma but is mounted on to an 18mm decorative backboard available in 520mm, 720mm and 920mm diameters and in 19 finishes to coordinate with many of the Utopia furniture collection decors.
The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) has announced that sanitaryware manufacturer Lecico Bathrooms has become a corporate sponsor in support of BiKBBI’s work on building a sustainable workforce and improving education, standards and compliance in the KBB installation sector.
Commercial director at Lecico, Kate Hirst, commented: “Lecico Bathrooms are proud to be announced as corporate sponsors of the BiKBBI. As a leading UK supplier of bathrooms products, we pride ourselves on the flexibility we offer and the tailored solutions we provide. We are widely respected by plumbers and bathroom installers for the high levels of customer service we offer alongside our high-quality products.
“As a corporate partner we look forward to working closely together with the BiKBBI to improve our industry.”
Lecico’s history dates back to 1928 and the business has pioneered the manufacture of ceramics in the Middle East. It now has the capacity to produce 6.2 million pieces of sanitaryware per year, and exports to more than 50 countries. Lecico’s UK head office manages the distribution of a range of internationally certified sanitaryware products sold under Atlas Trade, Atlas Pro, and Design Series brands.
BiKBBI CEO, Damian Walters, said: “As a not-for-profit organisation, the work we undertake to drive positive change and improve standards in the KBB installation sector, and the wider industry, is wholly dependent on membership fees and the support of our Corporate Sponsors. As well contributing financially to support the causes we are focused on, Lecico’s pledge demonstrates their understanding that the skills gap crisis and the future of our industry is everyone’s responsibility; manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, retailers and installation businesses. We welcome Lecico and look forward to working with them.”
The KBSA has welcomed two new retailer members into the association. H Everett Interiors, based in St Austell, Cornwall and Idesign Interiors (SW) Ltd at Winscombe, Somerset have both successfully completed the vetting process, after applying for membership at the recent KBB exhibition in Birmingham.
A third retailer, KAW Interior Design, based in Kidderminster, Worcestershire won the KBB promotion draw for a case of Champagne and also has an application ongoing, which is expected to be approved within the next few weeks.
H Everett Interiors has been established since 1997 and prides itself on its reputation for excellence in customer service across all of its fitted bedrooms and kitchens.
iDesign Interiors offers quality bespoke kitchens and other associated rooms for the home such as utility and boot rooms, with a complete project management service from conception to completion.
KAW Interior Design create kitchens and bedrooms for a wide range of clients with designs that can be personalised with bespoke products, providing customers with more options and fewer compromises.
KBSA national chair Richard Hibbert added: “It was a pleasure to present KAW Interior Design with their case of champagne following their visit to KBB Birmingham. The exhibition provided the Kbsa with the perfect opportunity to showcase the many benefits of membership, which resulted in a significant number of enquiries. I am delighted that H Everett Interiors and Idesign Interiors have made it successfully through the vetting process, and look forward to welcoming KAW Interior Design into membership in due course.”
Formica Group, a leading creator of laminates, has launched a striking new collection, drawing inspiration from the natural world to create a range of complementary palettes.
The Formica® Collection introduces 15 new plain colours, 34 new wood patterns, and eight new Plus Colors in four premium finishes, addressing a growing trend in design that brings natural influences, colours and patterns into our interiors.
Nina Bailey, European design lead for Formica Group explains: “The new collection encompasses a sense of organic sophistication. Both the new colours and woods resonate with current culture and the ongoing trends for natural and earthy interior environments, combined with the move towards artisan design and the handmade approach.”
For the past two years as the world shut down, people adapted to living their lives almost entirely from home. Working, shopping, exercising – even online doctor appointments – were conducted from the comfort of our living rooms. People sought comfort and reassurance from their surroundings, resulting in an interior design trend for indoor plants, and colours and textures derived from nature.
Now, as the world reopens, commercial, hospitality and leisure spaces are embracing so-called biophilic design – incorporating nature and natural inspiration into interiors – as they welcome back employees and entice customers into their stores, hotels, restaurants and other public spaces.
Formica Collection in a healthcare setting
Nina agrees: “It was important to us that our new collection evoked a sense of calm that the natural world provides – even our richer colours are deeply connected with organic hues.
“Redefining commercial interior design is where we excel, and as retail, hospitality and offices reopen, this is a golden opportunity to rethink how those spaces are used and presented.
Introducing the new collection:
Plain colours
“There are three series in the new plain colour additions – Greens, Reds and Night, and one single colour, Brite White,” explains Nina.
“The earthy, grounding colours bring the outside in, and range from light blush terracotta to the deepest blue/black. These shades are uncompromisingly rich, luxurious and elegant. Our Brite White addition is already a firm favourite around the world, and we’re excited to add it to our collection here in Europe.”
Plus Color
It is “the ultimate laminate toolbox for interior designers, providing the chance to experiment with colour and texture in multiple ways,” explains Nina, “the range taps into many core trends, such as tone on tone palettes and the tactile approach to sensory design. The addition of eight new on-trend colours to the Plus Color range, in a selection of premium finishes that tap into texture trends for rhythmical repeats, matte soft touch and glossy finish options adds sophistication and grounding tones ideal for multiple uses and sectors.”
Woods
Nina comments: “The wood additions to the collection link us to our immediate surroundings, with a focus on local European species, such as Oak, Ash, Walnut and Elm. As we learn to appreciate our habitats, we want to introduce its natural beauty into indoor spaces. Moving towards greyed and desaturated tones of woods in both warm and cool tones gives our woods palette a beautiful variety and balance of tone and colour.”
The new Formica Collection recently launched in the UK at Formica Group’s new flagship showroom in London. The showroom charts the company’s history and rich pedigree in interior innovation and is a hub for architects, designers and specifiers to learn how to incorporate Formica® laminate into projects.
To see the new colour palette and wood finishes for yourself, book a visit to Formica Group’s showroom by visiting: www.formica.com/ukshowroom
GROHE and Mosa are partnering to celebrate the return of Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) with a series of events that showcase the movement towards a sustainable, circular future.
Returning after a two-year hiatus, Clerkenwell Design Week is a leading independent design festival. Throughout the week GROHE, a leading supplier of complete bathroom and premium kitchen fittings and Mosa, a leading supplier of contemporary tiles, will partner to host a programme of talks, CPDs and gatherings at the Mosa showroom on St. John’s Street in the heart of the Clerkenwell design district. Both companies will also celebrate the recent achievement of Cradle to Cradle Certified® at the Gold level for their respective products.
As part of the programme, an exclusive evening for architects and designers will take place with Dr Michael Braungart, the pioneer of Cradle to Cradle® design and a founder of Cradle to Cradle Certified®. The event will also feature keynote talks from Mosa CEO Frank Spikker, and GROHE Global Design Lead Patrick Speck.
CPD modules exploring the Cradle to Cradle® concept and highlighting ways in which industry forces can incorporate circularity into their projects are also on offer, and the week will reach a spectacular conclusion with a closing party celebrating Mosa and GROHE’s Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold achievements.
Patrick Speck, Leader Global Design, LIXIL EMENA, and GROHE UK said: “With our Cradle to Cradle Certified®n Gold Level accredited products, we’re placing a higher focus on working towards a circular economy and increasing awareness around the global waste crisis.
“As a leading manufacturer, it’s imperative we drive the transformation and innovative practices needed to mobilise the whole industry in becoming more sustainable and circular. We are pleased that the topic of sustainability is pushing further up the agenda and look forward to engaging in a dialogue with other industry leaders at Clerkenwell design week alongside our partnerships Mosa.”
Frank Spikker, MOSA CEO, said: “Sustainability and circular principles are taking on greater and greater significance across the building industry. We are delighted to use our return to London for Clerkenwell Design Week as an opportunity to showcase the ways in which suppliers like Mosa and Grohe can play a critical role in equipping architects, designers, and developers with the sustainable, circular products they need to create spaces that have a positive impact on people and planet now – and into the future.”
Visit the Mosa showroom at 56-60 St John St, London from 10am to 2pm on 24th – 26th May.
Created by the designer Christian Haas, the Theano freestanding bath in the new matte colour of grey almost appears to have been carved from stone. The sculptural statement piece breaks away from the traditional white look in bathrooms with a monumental effect inspired by nature.
Warm grey shades are a top trend in modern bathrooms: evoking images of natural materials such as stone and rocks, they create a relaxing atmosphere for daily bathing routines.
The impressive freestanding monolith bathtub combines balanced proportions with geometric contours in a precise and delicate design. Despite its narrow edges and thin walls, the bath is extremely strong. This is thanks to the high-quality Quaryl® material, a blend of tried-and-tested sanitary acrylic and the mineral quartz.
Freely positionable and sitting directly on the floor, the Theano bath impresses with its understated beauty in a strikingly streamlined design that adds an elegant and natural touch to the warm matte grey – a perfect choice for extravagant bathrooms in which minimalist elements create a natural, urban homely feel.
MHS Radiators has reintroduced its popular Comb towel rail. It is available in central heating options and a range of finishes featuring larger 38mm tubes, which the company says deliver impressive outputs. Its simple and open-ended design puts a twist on the classic ladder-style, while allowing towels to be hung with ease.
Providing design flexibility, Comb is reversible, so the vertical tubes can either be on the left or right side. The new towel rail also comes in four heights – 878mm, 1214mm, 1550mm and 1886mm – with a choice of two widths; the 500mm version offers varying outputs from 277 to 635 watts, while the 600mm sizes have outputs from 340 to 732 watts.
Comb is available in a range of stocked contemporary finishes – Polished, Satin and Sparkling Grey – selected by MHS Radiators to complement all bathroom styles. The towel rail can also be personalised, thanks to MHS’s extensive collection of over 80 colours and finishes. Options include glossy and matt shades, as well as hammered and special textures, including Denim Blue.
Alex Bradley, Operations Manager at MHS Radiators, commented: “The Comb is a stunning addition to our ever-growing portfolio of towel rails. It offers superb levels of practicality and style, making it the ideal choice for modern bathrooms. Plus, with such an extensive range of sizes and finishes to choose from, Comb can be made to suit a multitude of interior design schemes and room layouts.”
Comb is available from stock and comes with a five-year manufacturer’s guarantee for colour models and 10 years for Polished or Satin finishes.
For more information on MHS Radiators and its portfolio of designer, multi-column, traditional cast iron radiators and towel rails, or to download the 2022 Product Guide & Price List, please visit www.mhsradiators.co.uk or telephone 0345 521 5666.
The two complete bathroom series White Tulip and D-Neo, the faucets of the D-Neo bathroom series, and the News Magazine #13 by Duravit have won a design prize.
The two complete bathroom ranges White Tulip and D-Neo, the faucets of the D-Neo bathroom series, and the News Magazine #13 from Duravit have been honoured with the iF DESIGN AWARD 2022 from the internationally renowned design label. The iF DESIGN AWARD is bestowed annually by the world’s oldest independent institution for form and design, iF International Forum Design GmbH.
The complete bathroom ranges White Tulip and D-Neo were decorated in the “bathrooms” category – as were the faucets of the D-Neo bathroom range. In the “Publications” category, issue no. 13 of the Duravit News Magazine won over the 132-strong, independent, international expert jury. There were a great many applicants and the jury selects the winners of the coveted quality seal from among 11,000 entries from 57 countries.
Today, Tom Reynolds, chief executive of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association gives his comments on the state of play for the bathroom sector.
Following the turbulence of the last couple of years, we could be forgiven for being uneasy about the future. We are currently dealing with an exceptional economic landscape. Inflationary pressure is creating a surge in costs across the board, and business input and factory gate prices are soaring. In fact, they have been increasing for more than a year now, as a direct result of the pandemic and its associated supply chain problems.
In these kinds of circumstances, businesses pass the costs on, review their suppliers, reassess investment plans or embed efficiencies in their operations.
Economically, this is a high-risk place, with commentators saying it will impact consumer confidence and weaken our economy.
In the bathroom sector, having successfully bounced back from the pandemic lockdowns, we enjoyed a strong year in 2021, with record-breaking sales.
So far, 2022 has brought more positive news, with steady increases in total sales of BMA members in the first quarter.
And the latest sentiment from builders’ merchants about the prospects for 2022 are also positive. The Pulse, a monthly tracking survey of merchants’ confidence, produced by MRA Research, found that supply problems are easing.
April’s results show nearly one in two merchants expect sales to grow by 46% in the next three months, April to June, compared to the previous three, with 36% expecting sales to increase by up to 9%. A further two in three expect sales to grow by more than that.
Our industry has a track record of resilience, innovation and success. Whatever way you look at it, this is a seminal moment for business leaders across the UK, and in the bathroom sector we are in a strong position to move forward with confidence.
There has never been a more important time to improve our sustainability, embrace change, and create the energy and water efficient bathrooms the UK desperately needs.
The scale of the challenge means it requires a collective commitment, setting the tone for our upcoming BMA Conference.
The annual event for manufacturers, distributors, retailers, architects and designers, has been sorely missed in the last two years.
The 2022 theme, ‘Sustainability for the Sector’ and will focus on the climate crisis, setting a sectoral course for the years and decades ahead.
BMA members know we must re-write the rule book and overhaul business models and strategies. With renewed focus on decarbonising and innovating, we can redefine how people think about their bathrooms, and align with the new priorities of the nation.
Designed for those seeking a chic and minimalist bathroom mirror, the new Trim range from HiB offers style and convenience.
Available in two distinct shapes, two finishes and two sizes, the Trim mirror offers excellent versatility in the bathroom or as a mirror in any room of the home.
Choose from brushed brass or matt black framing to match other bathroom accessories and create a complete look. The Curve and Round options offer different aesthetics, suiting several trends and designs. Each mirror can also feature an optional heated pad to reduce condensation on the surface, ensuring that visibility is maintained after a shower or bath.
HiB Sales Director Ash Chilver said: “Trim offers fantastic flexibility and beautiful styling that so many customers are looking for, for their homes. It was important to us that when designing the Trim mirror, it had a high level of finish but also offered simplicity and versatility. Because it is not illuminated, Trim is ideal for pairing with additional lighting such as wall or pendant lights, to create a dramatic focal point.
“The brushed brass and matt black finishes have both been popular with customers so to be able to offer a non-illuminated mirror that seamlessly matches our accessories ranges is brilliant.”
The Trim Curve and Trim Round ranges are available in 40cm and 50cm options.
