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Utopia has announced that it is extending its comprehensive sampling service to include tiles. Consumers may now order up to three free tile samples from its extensive collection of floor and wall tiles via the sample request page on the website – www.utopiagroup.com/samples

This latest move is part of Utopia’s ongoing strategy to provide exceptional customer support.  As Helen Clark, Head of Marketing, explains “Investing in and refurbishing your home has never been more important for people than it is today and we already know how vital it is for consumers to achieve that perfect co-ordination in the overall room décor. Ultimately there’s nothing like seeing and feeling samples in your own home and this is particularly true of our tile collection where patterned, embossed and gloss finishes need to be seen to be fully appreciated.”

Utopia currently offers 27 floor and 41 wall tiles, ranging from heritage-inspired patterned effects and classic marble styles through to contemporary designs and finishes. All have been carefully selected to complement the furniture ranges and are presented throughout the brochure and website in inspirational settings.

Utopia Bathrooms

01902 406402

www.utopiagroup.com

More news from Utopia

The 2020 Trent100 stand-up paddleboard (SUP) endurance competition event will finally get underway on Friday 30th July.

Just like the European Cup and the Olympics, the pandemic caused postponement of the 2020 event, which sees two dozen or so teams participate in the UK’s longest team endurance challenge for stand-up paddleboarders.

Billed as the UK’s most thrilling Team Paddle Challenge, the Trent 100 has been sponsored since 2017 by leading anti-scald bathroom products manufacturers Inta and Zilmet. The spectacle begins from Great Haywood, near the sponsors’ headquarters and covers 100km of fast water, finishing in Nottingham city centre. 

Dave Mistry Pain of the Trent100 organisation team, said: “The Trent100 vision is to light a fire under all budding SUP explorers to join us on our quest to find the perfect challenges and adventures.

“We are grateful to Inta and Zilmet for renewing their support to the competition once again and we’re really excited to get back on the water.

Cynthia Fisher, Director at Inta and Zilmet, said: “The Trent100 is a fantastic event and has a global appeal for lovers of endurance challenges. I’ve always enjoyed being at the start to see them set off. “The paddleboarders create quite a spectacle en route along the river and as well as looking like hard work, it also looks like everyone is having a great time. I’m thrilled that the event has survived the pandemic and that we’ve been able to help.”

The Bay Window Tower House has recently been awarded 2020 Architecture MasterPrize in the “Small Architecture” category. The award was presented to Takaaki Fuji and Yuko Fuji Architecture for their project. The prize is awarded by an international jury of designers, architects, curators, and academics with the aim of promoting the appreciation of architecture around the world.

the Bay Window Tower House

The prize-winning building is located in the Tokyo district of Shibuya and comprises a small family home and office. Taking their inspiration from traditional Japanese verandas, the vision was to create rooms that offer all manner of pleasant places to sit. Takaaki Fuji + Yuko Fuji Architecture conceived the building as a tower with bay windows on each floor from which the residents can enjoy views of the city.

Based on environmental analysis, the tower was designed to exhibit different environmental qualities depending on the time of year, time of day, floor, and orientation – to make the most of the varying conditions in terms of light, wind, and warmth. Carbonized cork – a material that exhibits a low weight, high heat insulation, and ease of workability – was used to reduce the thermal load.

The different floors are connected by a spiral staircase. Takaaki Fuji + Yuko Fuji selected materials such as wood cork, and certain types of paint – materials with their own unique character that develop and flourish over time.

In harmony with the changes to the materials, the building was also designed to meet the similarly changing needs of its inhabitants. For example, lamps are integrated into the pieces of furniture that can be moved wherever they are needed – so the room layout can be easily adapted as the children grow older. “The uniqueness of the building is the result of its environment and the people who live in it,” summarizes Takaaki Fuji.

Integrated into one of the bay windows – in fact right in front of the window – is a Duravit DuraSquare furniture washbasin, which is perfectly at home thanks to its timeless looks and longevity – even as the design of the room changes. In the bathroom, a Starck bathtub is set into the expanded window area, affording a breathtaking view of the owntown skyscrapers.

Geberit has unveiled its biophilic en-suite design, created in collaboration with award-winning interiors blogger, writer, workshop presenter and social media influencer Lisa Dawson.

Featuring Geberit’s sleek and slim Renova Plan furniture in light hickory, the compact and versatile AquaClean Tuma shower toilet and luxury concrete and chrome flush plate, Lisa’s design incorporates a mix of natural, botanical and sustainable influences.

Documenting her journey through Instagram, Lisa has shared the entire design process from beginning to end, from the initial room sketches, mood boards and trends inspiration to product decisions, sneak peeks and finishing touches.

Lisa’s followers were invited to join her every step of the way and encouraged to participate in the design journey, assisting in decisions on colours, patterns, accessories and finishes.

Sophie Weston, channel marketing manager at Geberit, said: “We’re thrilled to able to unveil the completed en-suite design we’ve been working on with Lisa over the past few months. Lisa has designed and planned a beautifully functional space, the result being a cool, calm room with lots of natural materials, subtle colour and plenty of plants to aid creativity and enhance wellbeing.

“Together, we wanted to prove that bathrooms shouldn’t just be functional – they should be beautiful too, and we think Lisa’s finished design proves just that!

“The final biophilic design incorporates our brand new Renova Plan range in light hickory, a new colourway we’ve added to complement the existing White high gloss coated and Lava matt coated. We’ve also incorporated some spa-like luxury to the room by featuring the surprisingly versatile and cutting-edge AquaClean Tuma shower toilet.

“Whether you’re considering what colour palettes work best for the bathroom, are wondering how to incorporate technology, maximise storage or boost biophilia in your home – we hope the room Lisa has designed will give those in planning mode some inspiration they can take away and implement in their own homes.

Lisa Dawson added: “I’m delighted to have partnered with Geberit once again to talk all things bathrooms, and to set about my exciting mission to design an en-suite that not only works really hard but looks stunning and makes you feel good too – that’s very important!

“The design process was great fun and I got my audience involved in some of those all-important styling decisions too and wow, did they do a great job! I’m thrilled with the finished result and hope the journey we embarked on together with help inspire others starting to plan their own bathroom spaces.”

To find out more about Geberit and to get inspired visit: https://www.geberit.co.uk/inspiredbygeberit/.

PJH has announced the launch of its new Virtual Showroom, which brings to life in 3D its extensive Bathrooms to Love portfolio, allowing users to explore the showroom in detail, zoom in on specific products and view room displays in stunning three-dimensional reality.

Now live, the virtual showroom is being used by PJH’s Sales Team to take the customer on a journey through the company’s impressive showroom in Cannock, as well as allowing them to explore its very latest bathroom ranges, including new collections recently launched.    

The new digital “shop window” investment is another tool in the company’s post-COVID e-tail suite. It was created specifically for use by PJH’s nationwide network of sales representatives to allow its independent stockists – many of whom cannot always make the visit to the centrally located showroom, or were unable to visit due to lockdown restrictions – access to new product launches and aspirational displays for themselves. In addition, the virtual showroom also allows products to be showcased far more realistically than is possible in a brochure, allowing stockists to visualise room sets and displays and provide inspiration about how they would appear in their own showrooms.

Sally Hough, Multi-Channel Marketing Manager, said: “We developed this new sector benefit in partnership with our retail customers and sales team and it forms another important part of the PJH package of services designed to help make our customers’ businesses a success. Feedback has been incredibly positive. Many have reported on its high-quality graphics and links as well as its intuitive interface that simplifies the ability to explore different collections and displays, to help select products and demonstrate the best way to showcase them in retail showrooms.”   

Sally continued: “It’s not a replacement for more traditional sales and face-to-face relationships, but rather it is an additional sales tool to work in harmony with all our interactions with the customer. As with our ecommerce Partners Portal™ platform, the virtual showroom is just another example of how we at PJH are continuously investing in the latest digital technology and embracing the new hybrid approach to business, that is ultimately of benefit to our customers.”

In addition, for those who already own a virtual headset, the PJH virtual showroom experience can be yet more immersive and interactive, allowing greater movement around displays and products.

Going forward, PJH say it will continue to invest and explore in taking the software further, focussing on integrating it yet more into PJH’s online channel and extending its access.

For further information on the new PJH Virtual Showroom, contact your local PJH sales development manager, call Tel: 0800 8 77 88 99, or visit www.partners.pjh.uk  

Luce, the translucent big slab surface from RAK Ceramics, is a finalist for Product of the Year in the Mixology21 Awards by Mix Interiors.

Nominated in the Surfaces Category in these prestigious awards which celebrate the very best projects, products and people in commercial interior design, the highly innovative Luce from RAK Ceramics captured the attention of the judging panel.

The Maximus Translucent extra-large format slab is ideal for lighting up interior design projects in environments ranging from hotels and restaurants to shops and residential premises. The range includes seven different graphics and colours in marble and onyx effect, that replicate the natural ability of the stones to filter the light. The translucent body of Luce is made with a very high purity of raw materials containing special and high-quality clays and minerals. When illuminated, Luce’s special body gives a soft glow and transforms the design from a plain tile to a soft natural marble.

The winners of the Mixology Awards 2021 will be revealed at a black-tie ceremony, due to be held in London on 16 September.

Contact:

RAK Ceramics UK

01730 237850

www.rakceramics.com/uk/

When crafting a bathroom it’s the finishing touches that often bring everything together and complete the look; be it elegance and glamour or a sophisticated urban edge. The new Black Selection of accessories from KEUCO with their deep black silk matt finish brings a touch of luxury to every element in the collection.

There are 19 offerings in the series, this includes three different styles of towel hook as well as different versions of towel rails, tumbler holders, toilet paper holders, shelves and cosmetic mirrors.

Each element has been coated in a special lacquer making them exceptionally durable, tough and easy to clean and all are colour matched in RAL 9011. This means that the products can be combined with KEUCO’s freestanding accessories and shelving which is also available in RAL 9011..

The Black Selection is tactile, the surface has a velvety matt finish, making it not only pleasant to touch but easy to grip. The simple lines and minimalist design of the accessories make them unobtrusive in the grand scheme of bathroom design, but boldly stylish in their simplicity.

Like a perfect little black dress the KEUCO accessories do not draw attention to any one particular
aspect; but artfully complement the finished scheme.

www.keuco.com

About Keuco

KEUCO offers a large assortment of fittings, accessories, mirror cabinets, lights and mirrors, washbasins and bathroom furniture “made in Germany”. At KEUCO design and function play a key role. Perfectly manufactured products combine aesthetic form with sensible functionality. A standard that is systematically applied, from the idea right to implementation. Collaboration with designers is a long tradition at KEUCO; the company has been family-run since it was founded in 1953.

Every minute, a truckload of plastic ends up in our oceans. The health of the oceans often seems like a distant problem, but all life on earth depends on the marine ecosystem’s health – this becomes very clear when you consider that approximately 70 percent of the oxygen we breathe is produced by the oceans.

To mark this year’s Plastic Free July awareness campaign, GROHE has published its third sustainability report, which outlines the brand’s continued commitment and efforts to sustainability, covering all aspects from business model and products to processes, employees and suppliers.

As evident in the newly published report, GROHE has been able to reduce its water consumption in production by 38.7 per cent , not only significantly exceeding its target of 20 percent first set in 2014, but also achieving it ahead of schedule. With projects such as the Less Plastic Initiative launched in 2018, the brand has also set itself the goal of eliminating plastic from its packaging. As a result, up until June 2021, 32 million pieces of plastic packaging have already been saved.

The report also provides an in-depth behind-the-scenes look at sustainability management at GROHE and the successes of recent years. In 2019, for example, 21,306 tonnes of the main materials used in the production process were recycled materials – a weight comparable to more than 106 blue whales.

In this way waste is avoided, and, in the end, water that would be needed to produce new materials is also saved. From linear to circular – GROHE paves the way for the economic model of the future Building on its comprehensive sustainability measures of recent years, GROHE is now taking its sustainability strategy to a new level with the recent launch of four of the brand’s best-selling products as Cradle to Cradle® variants.

This means that all four products have been tested for the use of environmentally safe, healthy and recyclable materials. The Cradle to Cradle (C2C) approach goes far beyond the conventional recycling of products, as a tap, for example, is already designed and manufactured with the intent of using its components in its end-of-life phase for the creation of new products.

The circular journey continues – take-back processes for discarded C2C products GROHE has taken a decisive step towards a circular future with the certification of its first Cradle to Cradle Certified products, but the journey continues. The brand is working on take-back processes for its discarded C2C products – an important step towards avoiding waste and saving valuable resources to help maintain the fragile balance of our ecosystems.

2020, a leading provider of applications and enterprise solutions has announced it has welcomed Jonathan Earl and Charles Thompson to the 2020 team as the new area sales managers in the United Kingdom.

Jonathan Earl (pictured top) has previous experience working with independent KBB studios selling a range of products from hinges, runners, worktops, and appliances. He has joined 2020 as an area sales manager for the south of the United Kingdom to work with new partners who want to use 2020 Fusion Live, the best kitchen and bathroom design application available.

‘2020 Fusion Live is really exciting for me as I have aphantasia, which is a complete inability to form mental images,’ says Earl. ‘To bring things to life that I cannot otherwise visualise is brilliant and really helpful for me and I’m thrilled to share my excitement for our solution with our customers.’

2020 Charles Thompson
Charles Thompson

Charles Thompson has experience managing several KBB businesses throughout Yorkshire over the last decade, his main experience coming from an independent retail background. He will be involved in introducing the 2020 Fusion Live system to new and existing customers in the north of the United Kingdom. He will also be looking to maintain and build on existing relationships either with support or training.

‘I am hoping customers can call on my experience and knowledge to help them understand the benefits of our products and services,’ says Thompson, ‘in particular our support and training services, which are second to none. With the launch of a major new addition to our 2020 Fusion Live package, now has never been a better time to join 2020.’

Connect with Jonathan Earl and Charles Thompson via their LinkedIn profiles.

Life after lockdown has changed how we spend time in the home and even as restrictions lift, the way we use our interior space may have changed forever.

Consumers are now increasingly searching for pared-back tones that reflect nature and offer a flexible backdrop with true longevity. In fact, research by REHAU found that 59 per cent of people prefer calming and neutral tones, paired with the addition of accessories to inject character into the space.

In response to this demand to create a sense of peace in the home, REHAU has created a palette inspired by nature – reflecting the breath-taking natural scenery of Iceland and the relaxed yet modern Nordic lifestyle that it represents.

Scott Williams, National Sales Manager for REHAU Furniture Solutions, explains:

Neve – radiant, clear and pure

Pure white atop Iceland’s snow-capped mountains, this shade is the kind of white that facilitates contrast and creates a peaceful feeling of serenity. The colour works well with calming, natural designs featuring solid wood or wood-effect materials, as well as creating a standout pairing for more bold and eye-catching colours.

Neve Radiant Clear and Pure
Neve – Radiant

Nebbia – neutral, mysterious and subtle

This trend reflects the veil of dark evenings, capturing a fog that encapsulates the scenery and creates a monotone aesthetic of dark and moody hues, evoking an atmosphere of mystery.

rehau Nebbia
Nebbia

The colour is perfectly paired with any style and reflects industrial design, yet is also a subtle counterpart to brighter colours.

Terriccio – vibrant, abundant and earthy

Iceland is the land of volcanoes and its soil is rich in nutrients as a result. Volcanoes represent nature’s power, renewal and the circle of life.

Terricio
Terriccio

This shade is the perfect match for black and anthracite accessories, which form a natural harmony with such a dark brown. Also working well paired with mint or other pastel shades, Terriccio’s gentle metallic shimmer makes it a real focal point.

Menta – natural, refreshing and harmonious

During the summer months, Iceland’s herbs, ferns, lichens and grasses provide appealing splashes of colour. Shades of mint evoke the spring – and the wonderful moment when you really feel the days getting lighter and the nights shorter.

Rehau Menta
Menta

This colour is perfectly paired with other pastels, which creates a look that is gentle on the eye and brings vibrancy into a room without feeling overpowered. Menta creates a stylish contrast to a rich dark brown.

Laguna – Nordic, versatile and fluid

Iceland’s Blue Lagoon is a well-known destination, but the island is home to many more small lakes and lagoons, as well. Every body of water is unique, with its very own shape, colour and appeal.

Rehau Nordic
Nordic

Laguna comes into its own alongside silver, light grey, green-ish grey, aged wood and asphalt grey. When paired with other colours, the grey takes a step back and provides additional depth.

Atlantico – mysterious, deep and intense

Iceland is surrounded by the Atlantic, the world’s second-largest ocean. The Atlantic and its seas cover around a fifth of the earth’s surface, connecting continents, offering a home to a diverse array of aquatic creatures – and harbouring no end of secrets.

This colour (pictured top) goes perfectly with various shades of blue that come together to form a harmonious whole. If you are looking for contrasts, you can pair this dark blue-ish grey with concrete for a minimalist effect, or with gold for a sophisticated touch.

For more information about surface trends and to view REHAU’s ranges, visit: www.rehau.com/uk-en/interiors. You can also download REHAU’s Designing Different report which outlines changes in consumer preferences here: www.rehau.com/uk-en/designing-different