Home renovation and design platform Houzz has announced the addition of a new Augmented Reality feature for its Houzz Pro 3D Floor Plans to enable residential construction and design professionals to ‘walk’ clients through a virtual tour of a finished project.
With the AR view for 3D Floor Plans, professionals can provide a life-sized walkthrough to better communicate the value of making major changes to a home, such as adding or removing walls, windows, cabinets or islands. They can also show clients how proposed products and materials, such as worktops and furniture, will fit within their homes, speeding up the decision making and purchasing process.
The 3D Floor Plan tool is included with any subscription to Houzz Pro, which is said to help design and trade professionals run an efficient business and make it easy for them to reach new customers.
“At Houzz, we’re focused on building technologies that make the home renovation and design experience more productive and enjoyable for industry professionals and their clients,” said Alon Cohen, Houzz co-founder and president.
“In the past year, the number of 3D Floor Plans created using Houzz Pro has more than tripled, signifying the important role that visual tools play in client communication. Now, we’ve created a true AR-enabled experience for residential construction and design pros to immerse their clients in a proposed renovation or redesign and better visualise how their space will be transformed.”
The Houzz community includes more than 65 million homeowner and home design enthusiasts and over 2.7 million home renovation and design professionals around the world in more than 100 categories, including architects, interior designers, builders and landscape professionals.
Leading mirrors, storage and accessories specialist Origins Living has introduced two new mirror designs – the Ludgate and City. Each model has been designed with an attractive display shelf.
Co-founder Sofia Charalambous explains: “We have hand-picked these mirrors to give you the best of both worlds – two ultra-contemporary designs which not only look super-stylish but also come with a practical shelf to provide ample room for storing everyday items or prized possessions.”
The Ludgate Mirror with Shelf features a durable, curved stainless steel frame in a unique architectural profile, which incorporates a shelf within this design. Available in chic black or brushed brass, users can choose which finish to match or contrast with their personal bathroom decor.
The modern City Mirror with Shelf features a striking metal surround with a shelf, which has been crafted within the base of the mirror. Choose from a striking white or sleek black finish to add the perfect finishing touch to your distinctive bathroom scheme.
Please contact co-director Sofia Charalambous at sofia@originsliving.uk for more details.
VitrA is bringing the immersive art installation ‘Colour Rush’ to Clerkenwell Design Week as part of the global bathroom brand’s year-long cultural programme around the theme of colour.
“We’re delighted to be part of Clerkenwell Design Week in 2022, alongside some of the best names from the creative industry,” says Margaret Talbot, VitrA Regional Marketing Manager Europe and UK.
“The 2022 Festival marks a double celebration for VitrA as it’s also the first birthday of our VitrA London hub located in the heart of the design district. We’re delighted to welcome the A&D community and beyond to experience engaging talks and events and see our latest products showcased in an inspiring space alongside the latest technology for specifiers.”
Margaret adds, “Colour is central to our cultural programme in 2022, with a stellar line-up of commentators, experts and practitioners joining us to explore all things colour. Watch this space!”
The VitrA London showroom is situated in Clerkenwell’s award-winning Turnmill Building by Piercy & Co, with showroom interior by TP Bennett. As part of this year’s festival, VitrA has commissioned internationally acclaimed artist Lothar Götz to create the site-specific installation Colour Rush. A reflection on the act of seeing itself, the artwork is experienced from inside and outside, subtly shifting perceptions of space, colour and objects as the light changes over time.
“The shapes in Colour Rush are about connecting what’s already there; the geometries created by our own eyes when we look at buildings and spaces. Like a three-dimensional painting, the artwork creates abstract space,” says Götz.
Influenced by spatial experiences tempered by coloured light including Moroccan bathrooms, King Ludwig II’s Oriental eyrie at Schloß Schachen in Bavaria and Baroque ecclesiastical architecture, the VitrA art commission incorporates themes of colour, geometry, perspective and thresholds. Externally it responds to the architecture of the Turnmill building. Internally it interacts with VitrA’s displays, colouring bathroom products and tiles as well as the spatial experience so we see everything in a new light.
Tuesday:Colour + Me event
In the event Colour + Me on Tuesday 24 May (6pm), VitrA London brings together a group of industry experts to discuss the psychology of colour in design and art. Featuring Götz, Rhonda Drakeford of Studio Rhonda and Darkroom, and VitrA Design Director Erdem Akan in conversation, the event is moderated by colour expert and trend forecaster Jane Boddy.
Wednesday: Virtual Reality
On Wednesday 25 May (10am – 5pm) VitrA London is partnering with Virtual Worlds to host a series of drop-in virtual reality experiences, with visitors invited to explore immersive bathroom spaces using VitrA’s 4D theatre.
Thursday: Drinks reception
To mark the final day of Clerkenwell Design Week (Thursday 26 May) an evening drinks reception will be hosted in the showroom from 6pm.
UWLA MD Yvonne Orgill says proposed government targets on water efficiency are meaningless without more education and promotion of the Unified Water Label.
The government is committed to delivering the UK’s 25-Year Environment Plan and the first period of public consultation on target setting is now drawing to a close. Within this there is a target for household water use of 110 litres per person per day.
This is an ambitious target but the real issue is how many consumers understand what 110 litres of water looks like, or even know how much water they typically use in their daily shower.
Until we can educate consumers on how much water they use in the home, and give them a means to measure and make choices then these targets are meaningless and will never be met.
If we want consumers to take on board the government targets we must promote the use of the Unified Water Label so consumers can understand the impact their choices make and we can help them to become more water savvy.
For example, a typical modern shower may be using 12 litres a minute, research shows that a typical showering time is 7 minutes; giving a total of 84 litres used by just the one shower. This is about 70% of the daily target, not leaving much for all the other washing/ WC flushing that takes place on a typical day.
If the industry comes together to provide more education and the consumer understands why water matters and what they can do, they could select a product that uses less. Choosing a shower that uses 10 litres a minute and spending less time in the shower, say 5 minutes, reduces that 84 litres to 50 litres, without any loss of performance from the product or experience of the shower.
We are making progress, the Unified Water Label is currently used extensively by over 10,500 architects on new building projects and supported by a database of products across 14 categories – over 13,500 individual products at this time. Global home furnishing brand IKEA, and leading German DIY retailer Globus both promote the Unified Water Label across their sustainable bathroom and kitchen products.
If we are serious about helping government reach these targets we must all work together to focus on promoting the label and educating the consumer to ensure that we can manage the pressure on our water supplies, matching supply and demand without damaging the environment.
Duravit will be showcasing its latest ranges at Salone del Mobile from June 7th – 12th. Satisfying the desire for a haven of tranquillity in the bathroom, Duravit will present leading ranges: Zencha, Soleil by Starck, Tulum by Starck, White Tulip, SensoWash®, and Happy D.2 Plus.
Duravit invites visitors to discover the bathroom trends of 2022 at the Salone del Mobile and says its unmistakable design provides order and orientation, while the exclusive worlds of colour and finishes satisfy the highest demands for sophisticated aesthetics. A warm, organic, and sustainable look and feel creates a harmonious ambience, while resource-saving materials and functions create a long-lasting sense of wellbeing.
Find Duravit in Pav 22 | Booth E16/E18
About Duravit AG
Founded in 1817 in Hornberg in the Black Forest, Duravit AG is today a leading international manufacturer of designer bathrooms. Alongside its in-house design expertise, Duravit also works closely on product development with an international network of designers such as Cecilie Manz, Philippe Starck, Christian Werner, Sebastian Herkner, and Bertrand Lejoly as well as talented newcomers. Duravit’s ambition is to make its stakeholders’ lives a little better each day through a combination of forward-looking designs, uncompromising product excellence, a keen sense of human requirements, and responsible corporate management. A key measure in achieving these aims is the overriding mission to become a climate-neutral business by 2045 with no exceptions.
One of the UK’s leading wetroom manufacturers, Impey, has launched a ground-breaking new Tiled Insert drainage grate for its best-selling Aqua-Dec Easy-Fit™floor former range. The new Tiled Insert drain top will be available in July at retailers and merchants throughout the UK.
According to Impey, the company revolutionised the wetroom market with the introduction of its best-selling Aqua-Dec EasyFit™ floor former in 2004. Now the wetroom brand has released a new drain grate alternative to accompany the Aqua-Dec EasyFit™, in the form of a Tiled Insert option.
The new Tiled Insert option allows the installer to co-ordinate the drain top using the same tiles as the rest of the wetroom floor, creating a truly seamless aesthetic. The launch represents a new addition to the variety of drainage grate designs currently available for the Aqua-Dec EasyFit™,
Impey says the award-winning Aqua-Dec EasyFit™ has become a go-to wetroom floor former for installers and specifiers alike, due to its versatility, durability, and easy-installation benefits. With a unique 360-degree rotating drain plate, installers can easily avoid underfloor obstructions like joists or existing pipework, which speeds up fitting times substantially. The EasyFit™ has revolutionised the wetroom installation process, by offering a fully-trimmable solution which can be fitted successfully onto timber and concrete floors and a lifetime warranty is available for peace of mind.
Personalisation options
This new addition to Impey’s portfolio offers yet more options for personalisation of the wetroom space. The Tiled Insert drain top boasts ease of adjustment, the frame and tile tray are both manufactured from high-quality stainless steel; with a frame measurement of 130mm x 130mm. For tilers and wetroom fitters, market-leading fine-tuning and adjustment options ensure versatility and ease of installation throughout the tiling process, with suitability for both 8mm to 10mm tiles.
WaterGuard clamp
The new product also includes a new WaterGuard clamp, specifically created to work with the sheet membrane and ensure a complete watertight installation. In addition, the Tiled Insert has been thoughtfully designed with a tiling aid, which assists in marking the centre of the drain top, saving time, and aiding in the simple creation of the perfect finish.
Said Clare Cranston, Design and Development Manager: “The new Tiled Insert drain top is a very exciting additional offering for our Aqua-Dec Easy-Fit™. We have focused on honing the functionality of the product to ensure it offers the best possible fitting experience for installers and tilers, as well as creating the streamlined, modern look that consumers are eager to achieve.”
The new Aqua-Dec Easy-Fit™ Tiled Insert will be previewed for the first time at the Women Installers Together conference, in London on 6th July. It will be available thereafter from all Impey partners including bathroom showrooms and merchants.
For more information visit: www.impeyshowers.com or contact your local Impey business development manager via the sales office on 01460 256 080.
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
