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VtrA Matt Grey Small Bathroom
VitrA Sento in Matt Grey

A new Matt Fjord Green and Matt Grey have been added VitrA’s Scandi-style bathroom furniture range.

Sento furniture units can be mounted with or without oak legs and there is the option to mount one of the storage units onto a stylish oak console table.   Washbasin vanity units are available in different widths (50cm, 65cm, 80cm, 100cm) as well as a double washbasin unit (130cm). The washbasins have deep bowls, a large vanity area and back rim features.  LED sensor lighting under the washbasin units adds to the feeling of space and creates a reassuring glow at night.  Soft close drawers that fully extend are complemented by non-slip mats in all drawers and glass shelves throughout the range.   Stylish storage options include a tall unit, laundry unit, wall cabinet and mid unit.

In addition to the wall-hung WC, there are close-coupled and back-to-wall WC options.  The slim WC seats and cistern lids add elegance and clean lines.  WC pans with Rim-ex technology are available within the range, which helps prevent the spread of germs thanks to its easy to clean design.   

VitrA Sento is available from Showrooms of Excellence. For more information tel.  01235 750990 or visit www.VitrA.co.uk

Large Bathroom Matt Green
VitrA – Large Bathroom in Matt Fjord Green

Scavolini’s new Jeometrica collection was created in collaboration with world-renowned designer Luca Nichetto. An excellent example of Scavolini’s holistic approach to design with stylish solutions for the kitchen, living room and bathroom, Jeometrica is heavily influenced by three iconic 20th century designs: Ellsworth Kelly’s Sculpture for a Large Wall, Gio Ponti’s multifunctional wall units and Donald Judd’s three-dimensional structures.While Nichetto’s nod to the past informs the design of Jeometrica, Scavolini’s manufacturing expertise brings the collection bang up to date.

Defining features include the laminate wall panel (see bathroom, above), which is available in three shapes: rectangular, teardrop and a circle (two sizes). Flexibility is a key feature of the wall panel, and this is made possible by a series of holes onto which shelves, containers and small accessories can be attached and moved as required. The bathroom shown features a pair of round wall panels in Rosso Tegola laminate (left) and rectangular wall panels in Coal Grey laminate (right). 

Another distinctive feature of the Jeometrica collection is the curved tubular handle, which instantly transforms a functional piece of furniture into a decorative statement. Its beauty is brilliantly demonstrated in this living room setting (see image, above) where the curved handle sweeps across the front of the cabinet doors, adding movement to the scheme.

To create a cohesive feel across the collection, all cabinet doors are 29mm deep and available in a choice of lacquer, veneer, textured melamine or glass. Moreover, all cabinet fronts feature an aluminium frame available in white, Anthracite and Titanium. 

Nichetto’s vision is that homeowners have fun with the various finishes, mixing and matching to add depth and personality to their space.

To complete the Jeometrica collection, Nichetto has designed a range of furniture including chairs, stools and tables.

Stockist: 07444 799256 or scavolini.com

Europe’s largest dedicated kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms exhibition kbb Birmingham, is set to return from 6-9th March 2022. Taking place at the NEC, kbb Birmingham will feature over 300 exhibitors across 26 different product categories, featuring the very latest innovations and cutting-edge design. The biennial event expects an audience of over 15,000 visitors over the four days, attracting senior decision makers from the residential, retail and contract sector.

kbb Birmingham will feature an unrivalled selection of Europe’s most established and prestigious brands all housed under one roof. Exhibitors already confirmed include Quooker, Capel, Electrolux, Davroc and Caesarstone, as well as a number of up-and-coming brands in the sector. Many exhibitors will be offering visitors to the show, a first look at their latest product launches and sharing the very best in KBB sector trends and award-winning designs. To find out more, the latest exhibitor list is now available on the kbb Birmingham website.

kbb Birmingham Sales Director Jon Johnston comments;

“We are looking forward to reuniting the KBB industry for 4 days of unrivalled networking and specifying. For many of our exhibitors this will be the first opportunity they’ve had to showcase their latest products and services, following an unprecedented 2 years. kbb Birmingham offers an unbeatable opportunity for our community to meet in-person with valued partners, colleagues and visitors – we can’t wait to welcome everyone back.” 

Commitment to Safety

Informa Markets, the organisers of kbb Birmingham, have introduced Informa AllSecure, a series of best practice guidelines and industry standards for all event teams to adopt post Covid-19. As a result, there are 2 key differences that exhibitors and visitors will notice when attending kbb Birmingham:

• All aisles have been widened to 4m across the show floor to allow for easier density management and physical distancing, should this be recommended by local government at the time of the show.

• Physical visitor and exhibitor badges will be replaced by digital badges that can be accessed on any smart phone. All visitors will be encouraged to register online rather than registering when they arrive at the event.

Kbb Birmingham Sales Director Jon Johnston continues;

“Our Informa AllSecure guidelines ensure enhanced health and safety standards. Whether they are exhibitors, visitors, speakers or sponsors, we want all our customers to come to kbb Birmingham to connect, learn and do business, safely and with confidence.”

The AllSecure best practice standards raise the bar on delivering safe, hygienic, productive and high-quality organised event experiences. This new standard is now being adopted by key stakeholders in the events industry worldwide and will continue to be updated as new ideas emerge. More information on the 10 key principles that make up the AllSecure policy can be found on the kbb website here.

kbb Birmingham is delighted to once again have the support of our partners including lead media partner kbbreview, as well as media partners KBBFocus, BKU, designerati, Kitchens & Bathrooms News and Designer Magazine, sustainability partner The Used Kitchen Company (TUKC), and association partners the BMA, KBSA and BIKBBI.

For more information on kbb Birmingham, to exhibit or to register interest, please visit www.kbb.co.uk

Adding a touch of drama, Flyte is newly available in Waterworks’ Matte Black finish. Matte black is a trend that can be seen elsewhere in the design world, from shine-free sports cars to matte-black digital cameras. The dark finish gives each element a truly modern sensibility – ideal for punctuating a contemporary space.

To create the matte black finish, Waterworks starts with a specially primed, solid brass base to which they then apply a pure black powder coat which is then locked in with high heat to create this silky-matte finish with cool graphic impact.

The collection includes hardware that adds simple utility to the modern bath while perfectly complementing Flyte fittings.

Pictured Top: Flyte Wall Mounted Low Profile Lavatory Faucet with Metal Cross Handles and Valve in NEW Matte Black £724.80

Roca’s very latest innovation in shower toilets is the In-Wash® with In-Tank® – the cistern is not needed as the water tank is integrated into the WC.

Integrated Tank

The In-Wash® In-Tank® toilet meets customer requirements and provides technology and design, without compromising on its main function: bringing a total hygiene experience to the WC.

The Soft Air injection system propels water towards the upper section of the bowl providing a full, effective and quiet flush. Its two simultaneous water outlets, tornado and cascade, guarantee a stronger flow with minimum water consumption. The entire bowl is thoroughly cleaned thanks to the Rimless Vortex design that removes the inner rim and provides a 360º flush.

Hygienic technology

The state-of-the-art technology and design of In-Tank® is combined with the in-built hygiene solutions if Roca’s In-Wash®. The WC washes with water and features a front and rear wash to guarantee the full hygiene experience.

The In-Wash® nozzle can be adjusted to reach the most delicate areas thanks to its oscillating massage, also providing gentle drying. To guarantee its total disinfection, the removable nozzle cleans itself before and after each use and includes an extractable tip that can be easily removed for more in-depth cleaning.

User-friendly

As in other Roca Smart Toilets, the remote control and the side panel are very intuitive and allow the adjustment of the water and air temperature, as well as the position of the nozzle. This WC with integrated cistern also features two push buttons to opt for a full or a partial flush, for greater water savings. In the event of a power failure, this Smart Toilet guarantees up to two full flushes by using the side button. Available in wall-hung and floor standing versions, the In-Wash with In-Tank features SOFT AIR® technology which ensures optimal flushing no matter the water pressure.

 In-Wash® with In-Tank®

Easy cleaning

The bowl of the In-Wash® with In-Tank® features the new Supraglaze enamel, exclusive to Roca, which allows any residue to slide right off and hinders the build-up of dirt. A third layer that, applied on top of the existing enamel, provides a totally waterproof, shiny and easy-to-clean surface, maintaining the excellent performance of traditional enamels in terms of durability and hygiene.

Easy to install

Offering a hassle-free installation and easy maintenance, In-Wash® In-Tank® does not require a frame and can be therefore installed wherever you want. Without a separate conventional cistern or built-in installation system, the WC offers better use of space within the bathroom and greater design freedom. For installers, fitting the In-Wash with In-Tank is simplified as it just requires a water outlet and a conventional power connection.

“We are incredibly excited to be launching the In-Wash® with In-Tank®,” comments David Bromell, Head of Marketing at Roca. “The individual technologies offer so much in their own right, but by combining them, we’ve been able to take a significant step forward in the smart toilet category. In-Wash® with In-Tank® furthers our vision of genuine innovation, with intuitive and thoughtful use of technology, to deliver a product with exceptional functionality, design and convenience.”

For more information visit: https://www.roca.com/launches/unveils/ep01-in-wash-in-tank

The upcoming August Bank Holiday weekend marks the launch of GROHE’s Made for your local water campaign and the return of its popular cashback initiative, where eligible consumers can receive cashback of up to £100.

The Made for your local water campaign officially kicks off on Friday 27th August and aims to raise awareness of both sustainable drinking water solutions for the home.

To support the activation of the campaign, GROHE will be partnering with sustainably-driven, like-minded influencers including waste-free chef Max La Manna to produce creative digital content, alongside reaching a mass audience through targeted Spotify advertising.

“The UK has access to some of the best quality drinking water in the world, but hard water regions can carry a lot of limescale that affects the taste. This, coupled with consumer concerns and media reporting around micro-plastics, has led to many turning to non-sustainable alternatives such as single-use plastic bottled water from the supermarket“, says Ebru Bircan, Leader, Marketing Activation UK, LIXIL EMENA, responsible for marketing for the GROHE brand in the UK.

“There is no escaping for any of us now that our planet is under a very real threat from the effects of climate change and the plastic crisis. Our campaign really seeks to encourage everyone to appreciate and make use of this amazing natural resource which is so readily accessible to us, and which can be so easily enhanced with the latest filtration technology – no plastic needed. With an at-home filtration system, you can filter out any limescale or other impurities that can impair taste so that when you turn on the tap, your water is deliciously filtered and fresh without even having to think about it. You can even have chilled and sparkling options too, so there really is something for everyone“.

As part of the campaign, GROHE is working with its network of retailers across the UK and ROI to offer an appealing cashback promotion for consumers on its GROHE Blue and GROHE Red water systems. The promotion runs across more than thirty product models including GROHE’s easy to retrofit Blue Pure system for filtered water, GROHE Red kettle hot water taps, GROHE Blue Home for chilled, still, semi-sparkling and sparkling options complete with app functionality, and GROHE Blue Professional, which is suitable for larger families or commercial kitchens.

Consumers purchasing an eligible GROHE kitchen water system between 27th August 2021 and 31st January 2022 can receive up to £100/€100 cashback following a successful claim on their purchase, in the form of a GROHE Blue Home offers filtered and chilled still, semi-sparkling and sparkling water options.


GROHE branded prepaid Mastercard. All claims must be completed at www.groherewards.co.uk
(www.groherewards.com for ROI) by 28th February 2022

Roca has introduced two new finishes to its Insignia and Naia ranges. Complete with Everlux finish, the two new additions are now available in on-trend rose gold and brushed titanium black.

The sleek, modern design of both the Insignia and Naia brassware (pictured top) already makes them a popular choice, the addition of the rose gold adds a pop of subtle, chic colour, whereas the brushed titanium black adds a touch of sophistication and contemporary, industrial style.

Innovative design

With a square handle and a round body, Naia has a minimalist design, with a perfect combination of cylindrical and square geometric shapes to complement a variety of bathroom decors. It is available in a range of heights to suit a variety of basin styles including vanity, in-countertop and on-countertop.

With its soft profile and slim side handle, Insignia features gently curved lines and a sleek, elegant aesthetic. Insignia is a modern, single-lever brassware collection, that’s ideal for bathrooms with a clear urban design.

Insignia Brassware

Both ranges feature Roca’s Cold Start technology to ensure the flow starts with cold water and hot water systems are only activated when the handle is turned to the left. This not only saves CO2, but also reduces consumers’ energy bills. Naia and Insignia are available in a variety of basin (different heights available), bidet and shower mixers, along with matching bath fillers. 

David Bromell, Head of Marketing at Roca comments: “The extensive Roca brassware portfolio continues to evolve with innovative designs and contemporary finishes, providing a broad range of solutions, but with homogenised commitment to quality, functionality and environmental responsibility. The addition of these two new coloured finishes, further enhances our existing collections with an on-trend yet enduring design, that appeals to a wide market.”

Practical touch

The Insignia and Naia brassware collections also come with Roca’s Everlux finish – a PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) coating which has excellent durability and is resistant to scratches and impact.

The physical vapor deposition (PVD) process ionizes the metals and noble gases, which are combined to create a fine metallic coating. This coating, based on extremely hard metals such as titanium or zirconium, is uniformly deposited over Roca’s high-quality galvanized chrome plating, resulting in a surface with extreme hardness and extraordinary resistance to scratches, impacts and cleaning agents. Through this process, Roca has been able to offer multiple combinations in the creation of sophisticated and highly resistant bathroom spaces.

About Roca

Roca is a company dedicated to the design, manufacturing and marketing of products for the bathroom space, as well as ceramic floor and wall tiles for architecture, construction and interior design. The company operates in 170 countries with 84 production centers and a workforce of 24,000 professionals worldwide. 

The family company is the market leader in Europe, Latin America, India and Russia. It also has a strong presence in China and the rest of Asia, the Middle East, Australia and Africa. Thanks to this, it is a world leader in its activity.

On Thursday 12th August, eight members of the GROHE UK team took to some of London’s most iconic attractions to perform feats of strength, skill and sheer entertainment as part of a fundraising activity in support of LIXIL and UNICEF’s “Make a Splash“ partnership.

From timed plank challenges in front of Buckingham Palace to juggling and push-ups in Hyde Park, the GROHE team, who were also joined by many enthusiastic passers-by, challenged one another to a number of different tasks, with each successfully completed task contributing to the total UK fundraising target of £45,000. The “Make a Splash!“ partnership’s mission strives to tackle the global sanitation and hygiene crisis faced by millions of people worldwide who are without access to basic sanitation and handwashing facilities.

GROHE’s Summer fundraiser follows the great success of its recent social media-driven colouring activity in support of “Make a Splash!”. GROHE’s social media followers were encouraged to download and colour in a themed colouring sheet template, with GROHE donating £10 to the cause for each completed submission. Each completed colouring sheet was also put into a competition draw, with the chosen winner receiving £3000 worth of GROHE bathroom products.

Ebru Bircan, Leader, Marketing Activation UK, LIXIL EMENA, responsible for marketing for the GROHE brand in the UK says, “We have had such a great response from our customers and the general public who have really got behind our campaign to support the Make a Splash! partnership. From dozens of entries into our colouring competition driven on social media, to proceeds from customer shower purchases being donated to the cause,

“We at GROHE also wanted to do something personally to show our support and help close the gap to our total fundraising target. Our team fundraising day was a great, light-hearted way to get behind the cause. We also had some great encouragement and engagement from the local public too which helped us raise awareness around the global sanitation crisis and the immense efforts LIXIL and UNICEF are undertaking to help tackle this“.

With more homeowners concerned about hygiene than ever before, there has been a real focus on how best to design a safe environment that protects the health of all of those living in the household. Here, Scott Williams, National Sales Manager for REHAU Furniture Solutions, comments on the different ways to increase hygiene in the home:

The pandemic has really opened everyone’s eyes to the need to protect the health and wellbeing of those around us. In fact, as part of our  Designing Different report, REHAU commissioned consumer research which found that 67% of the 2,000 homeowners surveyed had more awareness of the bacteria on surfaces in the home. So, it’s essential that homeowners and designers are aware of the different ways to improve hygiene levels.

Interaction levels

Each day we all touch thousands of objects and surfaces, from personal possessions to items of furniture and door handles without thinking twice about it. It’s an integral part of our human nature and is something that people have now, unsurprisingly, become more conscious of since the pandemic. After touching these surfaces, we then tend to touch our face causing us to absorb any organisms lurking on surfaces, including bacteria and viruses, leading to potential illness.

This makes surfaces some of the biggest carriers when it comes to spreading viruses and bacteria, while we can’t just eliminate all surfaces to counteract this, we can make sure those in the home are specially designed to reduce the transfer of these bugs.

Rehau Hygiene

Safer surfaces

There are lots of options available to homeowners wanting to update their interiors with surfaces that look stylish and create a statement, while also protecting the household from infections.  

As such, surfaces which are easy to keep clean, such as non-porous options that don’t harbour bacteria, are growing in popularity as they provide better peace of mind. This is why it’s key to consider the materials used within homes to improve hygiene levels.

While opting for hygienic surfaces which are specially designed to keep germs at bay is important, this doesn’t have to mean creating a clinical look. REHAU’s RAUVISIO Noir, Crystal and Brilliant ranges are all available in the health.protect surface solution. These are antibacterial solutions which form a protective layer using silver ions, making it impossible for bacteria to attach to the surface. This destroys 99% of bacteria within 24 hours, making it ideal for worktops in the kitchen where food is prepared.

Gain an edge

Thinking about the materials and surfaces we come into contact with from a holistic point of view helps to achieve better protection. When it comes to kitchens and bathrooms, this requires looking at each aspect of the environment, not just the surfaces.

Easily overlooked, but just as important as surfaces when it comes to minimising germs in the home, are edgebands. The way these are joined impacts their level of cleanliness. For example, edgebanding which uses zero-joint technology to prevent germs building up along edges has become a more favourable option to those concerned about hygiene. Compared to the common adhesive solutions, the joints are closed towards filth and dirt which are often a breeding ground for bacteria.

Zero-joint technology edgebanding helps to minimise time spent cleaning – an important consideration with easy maintenance being essential to 91% of people when choosing a new kitchen or bathroom.

For those wanting a streamlined look in their home, REHAU’s health.protect surfaces come with matching zero joint edgebanding, so there’s no need to prioritise safety over style as both can be achieved.

In general, people have an increased concern over hygiene levels in the home, however they still want to create spaces with personality and style. Therefore, finding the balance between the two is vital. Opting for matching product ranges supports this aim while keeping everyone safe.

To find out more about the latest hygienic options, visit REHAU’s website here: https://www.rehau.com/uk-en/interiors.

A powerful black water pumping solution from Saniflo is helping to provide waste discharge solutions for buildings across Ireland.

The floor-mounting Sanicubic 1GR is a product from the Zehnder Pump range, now part of the Saniflo SFA Group. Highly rugged and durable and available as a single or three-phase option, the 1GR is designed to pump waste up to 39m from domestic and commercial buildings. The compact unit has a capacity of 55 litres and multiple inlets for connection to up to four appliances and is IP65 verified. A hard-wired control box is supplied as standard for early warning of any issues.

Just 3-mins away from Dublin Castle is Restaurant 777. With restaurants closed to indoor diners through the Covid-19 pandemic, the owner of the restaurant decided to convert a yard space to gain extra tables for outdoor socialising. A Sanicubic 1GR was used to take waste from a new toilet block to an existing waste in the car park below the yard.

HSE Clinic Tallaght, South Dublin has also chosen a Sanicubic 1GR to replace an older, long-serving, Sanicubic model. A representative from Saniflo Ireland met a plumber and HSE Manager on the site of the health centre which was undergoing refurbishment. The pump was required to discharge from 3 x WC’s, wash basins and a shower located in the basement of the building with the mains drains located at street level.

The Beaumont Hospital is another healthcare setting that is now benefiting from trouble-free waste discharge thanks to the installation of the Sanicubic 1GR. Used to discharge waste from a WC in the accident and emergency department; the key benefits required by the hospital plumbers was eliminating the issue of blockages and reliability. The high quality Zehnder grinder performance helped to secure the deal and the unit is now working efficiently in the public hospital WC.

At Ryan Air’s HQ in Dublin the waste water from the staff canteen needed to be pumped up 3m and along 40m to reach the mains drains. Located in the car park below, the kitchen the waste is discharged through standard pipework to the Saniflo pump and then lifted away to the sewer.