Diane, Author at Bathroom Review

Bathroom product specialist Aqualisa has introduced the Quartz™ Smart Retrofit Shower – an all-in-one upgrade solution that transforms almost any make of exposed mixer shower into a voice-activated, smart digital shower system, without the need to disturb the current bathroom décor or re-tile the shower enclosure.

Quick and straightforward to fit, the installer will find it effortless to assemble with no major pipework alterations required. Once in place, the home owner will enjoy the full benefits of the Aqualisa Quartz Smart Shower Collection, including:

• An intuitive app enabling the creation of personalised shower profiles for all family members
• Remote activation of shower or bath using voice or app control (Google and Amazon Alexa compatible)
• Environmentally-friendly water usage monitoring and water-saving features
• Safety and peace of mind – water programmed to run at a consistent temperature and flow

The Quartz Smart Shower collection is powered by the intelligent Aqualisa Wi-Fi-enabled Smart Valve™, which can be located up to 10 metres away from the shower itself, providing flexible installation options. Setting the Smart Valve to Eco mode can reduce water consumption for the home owner by up to 33%.

Mike Simpson, product marketing director, commented, “The bathroom is becoming an experiential rather than just a functional space. Smart technology delivers a whole host of enhancements to the showering experience – from the relaxing shower routine itself to the sustainability and cost-saving benefits of reducing water usage, to the convenience and security of being able to step into a shower that is the perfect temperature every time. From the installer’s perspective, the beauty of the Quartz Smart Retrofit Shower is that it offers a straightforward, practical and efficient conversion process. All this, combined with a sleek, contemporary design that provides extra storage functionality within the shower enclosure itself.”

The Quartz Smart Retrofit Shower can upgrade almost any brand of wall-mounted mixer shower (concentric, single lever or bar valve) with 130 to 170mm pipe centres, and comes with a choice of the Aqualisa Quartz Touch™, Quartz Classic™ or Quartz Blue™ smart shower kits. Supplied with an extension rail to adjust the height of the controller, this no-mess solution is easy to install with optional fixing points, while the assembly backplate neatly covers all previous pipework and screw holes.

Patented Storage Shelf

The patented integrated storage shelf, which houses the new smart shower control, comprises two halves featuring a polished chrome finish. It also incorporates two useful hanging hooks for bathroom accessories.

Online Smart Hub

The Aqualisa Quartz Smart Retrofit Shower range will be launched with a comprehensive marketing campaign to support the trade partner channel including influencer communications, PR, extensive digital content and social media initiatives, as well as a full training programme. Aqualisa has also created a new Smart Hub online education platform, with in-depth information and advice on smart bathroom products and their benefits. A digital product brochure can be viewed here.

The Aqualisa Quartz Smart Retrofit Shower range is backed by the Aqualisa five year guarantee.

For further details on the Aqualisa Quartz Smart Retrofit Shower range, please visit: https://www.aqualisa.co.uk/smart-retrofit-shower

VitrA launches Liquid in collaboration with Tom Dixon

Global bathroom brand VitrA’s Liquid is a new comprehensive range designed in collaboration with Tom Dixon. Liquid is the first-ever bathroom range by the acclaimed British designer.

The range is the latest addition to VitrA’s portfolio of designer collaborations, part of a long-standing programme of working with world-renowned designers to create distinctive, modern bathroom collections.

For Tom, the collaboration with VitrA has allowed him to explore new design opportunities while gaining an appreciation of the complexities of manufacturing products for the bathroom. Creating a fully comprehensive range was key for the designer so Liquid covers all elements of the bathroom – sanitaryware, furniture, taps, tiles, shower systems, and accessories.

For Liquid, part of Tom’s inspiration was Victorian bathrooms.

“I like the feeling of permanence in Victorian bathrooms, with their big chunky taps and fat tubes,” Tom notes. “It’s an aesthetic that’s closely connected to a whole tradition of British engineering and influenced the development of the bathroom.”

The fact that clay is readily available and extremely durable resonated with Tom, particularly from a sustainability perspective. He found it fascinating “the way a bit of grey and greasy earth can transform into something so white, clean and shiny.”

Like much of Tom’s recent work, the new collection is aligned with his increasing use of round-edged aesthetics. The designs have been inspired by elements of pop art, such as Jeff Koons and his Balloon Dog and the work of Claes Oldenburg, as well as the sculptor Barbara Hepworth’s geometry of soft forms and use of rounded marble.

Over months of close collaboration, VitrA and Tom Dixon explored lots of new ideas. “I think design should always increase the potentials,” says VitrA’s design director, Erdem Akan. “If you get the core pieces right, you can create combinations and potentials – creating more with less.” The final result is Liquid, a range that is wholly new and yet somehow familiar.

Levent Giray, managing director of VitrA UK, comments:

“We are delighted to introduce Tom Dixon’s innovative and contemporary collection as part of our ongoing collaboration with world-renowned designers. Our extensive manufacturing, design and innovation capabilities have ensured that there is a unity to the breadth of Liquid, the VitrA x Tom Dixon collection. At a time when there is a greater emphasis placed on the bathroom space, this cohesive collection has a generosity of design that will sit comfortably in both domestic and professional environments.”

Fast 2000 enclosure for small developer

Family-run Fernbrook Builders is redeveloping the site of a former garage and MOT test centre in Finedon, Northamptonshire. The rundown site will be home to a small supermarket, attractive retail shops and five houses to the rear of the site, which seamlessly join up with an existing housing estate.

Each of the three-bedroom homes has a family bathroom with shower bath, but the master bedroom features an en-suite with a walk-in shower in a recess. The company specified the Kinedo Fast 2000 enclosure with sliding door thanks to the simplicity and ease of installation by a single plumber.

The company, based locally in Rushden, prides itself on regenerating sites for both domestic and commercial projects and works throughout the East Midlands on projects including schools, residential new builds and conversions and industrial renovations and builds.

Employing all their own tradespeople to ensure quality throughout each project, Shaun Cherry, Owner of Fernbrook Builders, is committed to improving rundown areas in the locality and undertakes many change-of-use projects, such as brownfield sites to residential.

Delivering exceptional quality for homeowners, he specified the Fast 2000 because it combined modern looks with great quality at the right price. Plumber, Mark Edwards, is responsible for the plumbing in the new build houses and has been installing the shower enclosures;

“The unit is very simple to install once I had worked out where to position the quick release clips. There is an adjustment feature which is useful and the unit goes together very quickly. It is sufficiently light for me to assemble and install on my own and the bottom rollers make for a very smooth sliding action. I think customers will be very pleased with the shower solution.” The 1300mm sliding door and fixed panel is ideal for a recess setting and is one model in a wide range of Fast 2000 enclosure solutions. All doors and panels are 6mm glass and 2m in height with anti-limescale coating as standard. An ideal solution for housebuilders and developers

Lakes’ supports MKM Building Supplies with co-branded brochure

Lakes, one of the UK’s leading manufacturers of showering spaces, has produced a co-branded brochure of its range of showering spaces for MKM Builders Supplies as part of its well-received partner scheme.

The brochure showcases the high quality range of showering spaces available from Lakes through MKM’s 80+ branch network throughout the UK. MKM became a Lakes Partner in 2020, signing up to the scheme that supports merchants and retail establishments with additional support and an online embedded showroom if requested.

The online showroom concept is a pioneering selling tool for Lakes’ merchant and retail stockists and their installer and homeowner customers. It allows its showering space products to be viewed and favourited so merchant sales and showroom staff can turn them into orders. Accessed through each stockist’s own website, visitors to Lakes showroom can download co-branded brochures and ask questions directly to the stockist’s staff via chat and email.

MKM Building Supplies has launched its online showroom (scroll down on the homepage here) and wanted the co-branded brochure to cement the relationship between homeowner, merchant and Lakes, making the whole sales process from online research to instore browsing and final purchase as smooth as possible. Speaking of the brochure, Jonathan Phillips, Lightside Product Manager of MKM Building Supplies said: “In a growing sector where we are seeing increasing interest, especially in premium products, there’s a real benefit in having a connected experience from online to physical showrooms. The co-branded brochure is the final connection, so if customers want to take some more time, Lakes and MKM remain front of mind, even when they are at home.”

Bev Brown, Lakes Managing Director adds: “Our Lakes Partner programme is one of many ways we go the extra mile to support our merchants. We’re always looking for new and innovative ways to support our customers and help them grow their businesses. When MKM came to us to enquire about the co-branded brochure, we were happy to help.”

To find out more and become a Lakes Partner, call Lakes on 01684 853 870.

Stylish black and white bathroom ideas from Dulux

A bold monochromatic design scheme delivers a timeless bathroom that is both minimalist and contemporary. Dulux has a range of ideas from simple black and white décor to subtle hints of black on a white canvass.

As Marianne Shillingford, creative director Akzonobel Dulux UK explains “When it comes to creating instant impact in the bathroom you can’t beat a slug of gutsy colour. Fortune favours the brave in small spaces where we should be able to enjoy a full immersion sensory experience in everything from invigorating water on our skin to texture and colour.”

Unique black and white bathroom tiles add character

Black and white tiles come in a range of sizes and shapes. Designers can select from tiny checkerboard tiles to statement patterned tiles. Tiling the floor or extending to the walls in a smaller bathroom helps create the illusion of depth. The look can be softened with white tiled or painted walls, whilst wooden fixtures and fittings, or houseplants deliver a natural splash of colour.

Subtle hints of black for a minimalist aesthetic

Subtle hints of black in your woodwork and accessories deliver a minimalist take on the monochromatic scheme. Painting walls in a soft white like Moon Shimmer softens the look and pairs beautifully with Rich Black for skirting boards, doors, and window frames. A painted wooden bathroom ladder and a black wicker wash basket to complete the look.

Silver accents and dark oak creates a rustic style

Black and white tones are also ideal for creating a rustic-inspired bathroom with retro accents. White bathroom walls are the starting point for this look, Absolute White delivers a crisp finish, and dark oak doors and cabinetry pair beautifully with Victorian-style silver taps and pipework.

Visit the Duux website for more information.

A brush with brass from Bathrooms to Love

The Bathrooms to Love Collection from PJH Group has enhanced its showering category with the addition of a number of premium Mixer Showers, including two new models with a beautiful Brushed Brass finish.

Satisfying the growing trend for metallic-effect brassware and showers, both shower kits boast a high specification balancing quality with design. The flawless brushed finish allows for greater personalisation in bathroom schemes, especially when teamed with other brushed brass basin and bath taps, such as the ‘Pesca Brushed Brass’ range also from Bathrooms to Love.

Pictured here, this new thermostatic bar mixer shower includes two outlets – a generous 250mm, round, ultra slim shower head with brass arm and separate handset with riser kit. Featuring ‘Cool Touch’ technology to prevent scalding and an integrated ceramic diverter valve, this model guarantees excellent flow rates and great all round performance.

With a handy height adjustable main shower head and a 1.5m hose, this sleek, contemporary thermostatic mixer shower is the perfect choice for discerning customers looking for a premium showering solution.

Richard Eaton, Brassware Product Manager, PJH said: “Metallic-effect showers and taps, such as brushed brass, rose gold and copper, provide beautiful warm metal tones and will add a richness of texture against ‘cooler’ materials such as white sanitaryware, marble and concrete. Collectively, this all allows bathroom designers to achieve more of a bespoke look with the opportunity for greater creativity and a premium finish.”

Complete with a 10-year guarantee (body & finish), the new brushed brass mixer showers are now available from PJH’s Bathrooms to Love Collection and can be ordered via the PJH Partners Portal for next day delivery.

For further information, contact PJH on: T: 0800 8 77 88 99; or visit www.partners.pjh.uk (for ordering & account management); and www.bathroomstolove.uk

Lakes ‘Safe Working in the Home’ guides reassures home owners

Last year, Lakes, a leading manufacturer of showering spaces, produced two free ‘Safe Working in the Home’ guides – one for bathroom installers and one for homeowners. The two guides were produced to help installers operate safely and to allow homeowners to feel comfortable inviting installers back into their homes.

Lakes is reissuing the guides again as a result of three factors. Firstly, Public Health England’s advice to continue wearing masks in close contact settings, secondly the preference expressed by installers and engineers to continue wearing them and thirdly to try to mitigate the recent rise in the NHS Covid app ‘pinging’ close contacts leading to cancelled or postponed projects.

Endorsed by the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), the two guides contain all the latest Government and industry advice in two concise and easy to read leaflets, available as hard copies or downloadable PDFs. With the construction sector recovering from the setbacks of the previous 18 months, it’s important to recognise the risks that are still present and act accordingly.

“A recent report from the British Institute of KBB Installation reports 47% of KBB installers surveyed had had to cancel jobs either due to customers or installers being ‘pinged’ by the NHS Covid app”, says Mick Evans, Lakes Operations Director. “With the industry just getting back on its feet and seeing business picking up, we need to remember to do all we can to minimise the risks – even if you’ve been double jabbed.”

The homeowner ‘Safe Working in the Home’ guide provides simple tips and friendly advice to reassure customers that steps are being taken to protect their health and wellbeing, and to explain how they can play their part in protecting the installation team and themselves from exposure to the virus.

Mick Evans added: “While rules are set to change on 16 August meaning close contacts no longer have to self-isolate as long as they continue to test negative with lateral flow tests, common sense and good practice dictates that following the simple rules in these guides will minimise risks to clients and installer teams.”

The ‘Safe Working in the Home’ guides are available from the Lakes website, download at www.lakesshoweringspaces.com.

For more information, call Lakes on 01684 853 870.

Acquabella unveils counter-top basins

Acquabella Counter-top basins — On top circular basin, 38 cm x 11 cm

Acquabella has curated a range of circular, square, oval and rectangular counter-top basins, all have been designed to sit on a range of worksurfaces or units.

The basins are created from Acquabella’s Akron® the anti-bacterial, UV, thermal shock and impact resistant surface and are available in either of Acquabella’s Slate (slate and water) or Beton (concrete appearance) textures.

The basins are available as one colour (from a choice of over 2000) or statement two-tone with white inside. Colours can be chosen to match other Acquabella products including mirrors, wall panels, worktops, units, shower trays and bathtubs.

The basins are designed to sit easily on the surface and are available in sizes from 38 x 11 cms to 58 x 38 in depths of either 11 or 15 cms

www.acquabella.com/en

REHAU announces its FurniTour 2021 private showcase

REHAU’s Furniture Solutions division has announced details for its FurniTour 2021, where it will showcase its award-winning product ranges for three full days.

The private show, which forms part of a European tour, will be held at iNNSIDE by Melia in Manchester and will run on 28–30 September 2021, from 9.30am-4.30pm.

As well as offering the opportunity to touch and experience REHAU products in person, visitors to FurniTour 2021 are invited to book a slot with REHAU’s sales team, where they can enjoy an exclusive tour around the exhibition and discuss specific project requirements.

Architects, designers and fitters alike will also be able to see examples of some of the latest design and surface trends, such as those used in invisible kitchens and flexible living spaces.

The layout will feature a number of creative breakout areas, where visitors can take in the atmosphere of the event, while also facilitating interaction with REHAU’s team and other guests – all in a COVID-safe format.

Among the award-winning products showcased at the event will be the Noble Matt collection of surfaces, edgebanding and storage solutions – all of which can be seamlessly combined to create any layout or aesthetic. The range is available in 12 complementary colours and all materials are resistant to heat, moisture, scratches and impact – minimising the need for subsequent repairs and providing suitability for any setting.

Products from REHAU’s RAUKANTEX range will also be on show, including the brand-new fire.protect edgeband that is halogen-free and flame-retardant, making it suitable for home and commercial applications alike. REHAU’s sustainable collection of eco edgebands, made with 50 per cent recycled material, will also be showcased. The range is available as the RAUKANTEX pure primer edgeband or the RAUKANTEX pro invisible joint edgeband and can be easily used instead of conventional edgebands.

Jonathan Heginbottom, National Sales Manager OEM for REHAU Furniture Solutions, comments: “Following a year and a half of event and trade show restrictions, we’re excited to bring our FurniTour 2021 to Manchester, where we will be showcasing the latest surface innovations that REHAU has to offer.

“The layout of the venue has been specially designed to not only offer an opportunity for visitors to see and feel products for themselves, but creative breakout spaces also provide the perfect base to receive expert advice from our sales team.

“With such a versatile range of products on display, I’d encourage anyone interested in seeing and finding out about REHAU’s German-engineered furniture materials to book their place today. It’s the perfect opportunity to take inspiration and find out how REHAU can support your business or project – I look forward to seeing everyone there!”

For further information about REHAU’s FurniTour 2021 and to book your place, please visit: www.rehauregistration.co.uk

Acquabella introduces new colourway for Opal Quiz

September 9, 2021

The brand new, evocatively named “Soft Aubergine” colourway from Acquabella is making its debut in the UK this September after being launched last month in Spain. The Opal Quiz bath and on-top basins are created from Acquabella’s antibacterial Akron® a non-silicon mixture of resin and natural minerals.

The style-informed beautiful shade of Soft Aubergine takes its cue from nature yet delivers a sophisticated and head-turning dramatic look. Over 2000 other colours are available.

Pictured Top – Opal Quiz bathtub in Soft Aubergine

Pictured Bottom – New On Top coloured Oval XL in Soft Aubergine 60 x 40 cm.