Diane, Author at Bathroom Review

New colours for Roca’s Tempo collection

November 4, 2021

Offering both free-standing and wall-mounted options, Roca’s Tempo collection is now available in four on-trend finishes – Rose Gold, Titanium Black, Brushed Titanium Black and Chrome.

In modern bathrooms, accessories can be much more than just a functional element, they can deliver stylish detail and innovative design. This is especially true if you opt for coloured pieces, with both black and rose gold offering particularly striking design options.

Black Magic

If you’re looking for ways to add style and sophistication to your bathroom, black bathroom accessories are a great way to achieve this. Bolder fixtures can enhance all types of bathroom designs; from industrial style to minimalistic bathroom aesthetics.

Distinguished and quintessentially modern, the Tempo accessory range in Roca’s Titanium Black and Brushed Titanium Black elevate and transform details of the bathroom that wouldn’t ordinarily get a second look. Now accessories such as soap dishes, shelves, hooks and towel rails are eye-catching design pieces in their own right.

Subtle luxury

The new Rose Gold coloured Tempo accessories bring a touch of luxury and elegance to the bathroom, offering the perfect finishing touch for adding subtle glamour. Giving plenty of scope for creative bathroom design schemes – Rose Gold pairs well with cool pastels, earthy tones and rich, saturated colours such as deep teal or navy blue.

Maximum resistance and minimalistic design

The Tempo modern bathroom accessories collection is minimalistic by design, but with maximum resistance to wear and tear, thanks to the resistance of an anticorrosive plating. The new black and rose gold finishes bring greater visual impact to white basins or be bold and pair with Roca’s range of Fineceramic® sanitaryware in colours such as Onyx, Pearl or Beige. The accessories are also the perfect complement to minimalist brassware, such as the Insignia tap.

The full accessory range

Roca’s Tempo accessory collection brings a full range of useful additions to the bathroom space including robe hooks, soap dishes, toothbrush and tumbler holders, towel rails and racks, toilet roll holders and toilet brush holders. Tempo’s single towel rails are available in three lengths- 300mm, 450mm and 600mm and there is also the option for a double version in the 400mm as well. All products are available in the original Chrome, as well as the new colours – Rose Gold, Brushed Titanium Black and Titanium Black.

For more information visit https://www.uk.roca.com/products/accessories/tempo

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Five questions Duravit put to Bertrand Lejoly

November 2, 2021

Bertrand Lejoly was born in 1980; he grew up in the German-speaking part of Belgium, where he absorbed Belgian, German, and French culture from an early age.

On completing his studies at the École supérieure des arts Saint-Luc in Liège, he gained his first professional experience as an industrial designer in Germany. Relocating to Milan, he worked for Matteo Thun as a senior designer for seven years; he returned to Belgium in 2013 and became head of the design department for the architect Vincent Van Duysen.

In 2018 Bertrand Lejoly opened his own design studio in Antwerp, using his intimate understanding of architecture and interior design to create holistic interiors: from furniture through lighting, crockery and accessories up to the new DNeo complete bathroom range for Duravit.

Interview with Bertrand Lejoly

What does the bathroom mean to you personally?

In the bathroom it’s all about expressing your own personality and creating a cosy atmosphere where you
feel good: on the one hand I want to relax in peace after a strenuous day at work and on the other it’s important for me to start the day refreshed early in the morning. For that reason, these two moods need to be skillfully blended in the bathroom and that was my aim with D-Neo.

What was Duravit’s brief?

Duravit’s brief was ambitious. The collection had to be varied and above all timeless. It shouldn’t be overly polarizing, but it had to be smart and thoughtfully designed while also appealing to a broad target group. That’s the toughest brief you can be given – and at the same time, the most challenging. Whether D-Neo really is timeless will only be seen in the fullness of time and will ultimately be decided by the market itself. That’s what makes my job so exciting.

What’s your personal highlight in the D-Neo series?

My favourite piece from the collection is the washbasin – the central element in the bathroom, which is why it was also the starting point for the creative design process. The subtle, all-round rim is like a frame that’s not only functional, but also the aesthetic touchstone for the series as a whole. At the same time, each item has its own unique expressive power.

What are your most important sources of inspiration?

Anything to do with architecture, art, and fashion has a huge influence on me. At the same time, some of my ideas are also inspired by everyday items.

How would you characterize D-Neo in two sentences?

D-Neo is like a partner you live with and who gives you plenty of room to explore your own personality. The objects form the kind of basis that affords you a whole range of options for adapting the bathroom furnishings to suit your own individual requirements and ideas.

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What to do if you want to start talking about your bathroom products to the media, customers & the world in general?

November 2, 2021

Talk to a storytelling agency for advice on what to do with the words, images and videos…

Often half the battle, when a bathroom company wants to create a full, interesting content programme, is the question, “What is interesting content? I love my company and what we do but how and where do I get others to love it too??”

This is where the services of an “outside” person, friend or agency may prove valuable. We all know that when you are too close, you cannot see the wood for the trees. It’s something we have all experienced professionally, socially and personally probably!

As an agency, we often hear our clients say, “No, nothing’s happened this month; nothing exciting to say!” Then we chat, and find out they have just worked on a famous building project, designed and installed an amazing bathroom, appointed three new key people, launched a website, won an award, made a video – you get the idea!

It is the job of a PR or marketing agency – or department or individual – to unearth great stories, produce them, and then decide where to put them.

It is the love of creating product pieces, case studies, news, video scripts, articles, features, podcasts, videos, photographs, thought-leadership papers – and more – that makes the difference! This great content is designed to suit all of today’s communication channels.

We know all the relevant journalists and then we talk to them which results in fabulous coverage for our clients. Of course, this stuff is also fab for your website and social media channels.

So why not chew the cud with someone else, or a friend, and see how you can make your stories come to life?

If you need any help with your marketing or would just like to find out more about Taylor Alden, please visit tayloralden.co.uk and email alison@tayloralden.co.uk

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UK’s tallest Premier Inn officially tops out

November 2, 2021

London-based property developer, Rockwell, together with Whitbread, has celebrated a landmark moment as the UK’s tallest Premier Inn hotel officially topped out.

Located adjacent to Westferry DLR station, the £151m project, comprising a 400-bedroom hotel and 68 new homes, will now mark Westferry as a destination in its own right, rejuvenating a formerly derelict site into a high-quality mixed-use scheme.

Designed by architects, Simpson Haugh, and constructed by John Sisk & Son, the 30-storey mixed-use scheme, which is set for completion in Q3 2022, will also include a restaurant, café, gym facilities and landscaped pocket park, alongside communal gardens for new residents.

The creation of new jobs has been fundamental throughout; in the early stages of the development, Rockwell partnered with the London Training Centre to deliver hospitality skills training and qualifications to residents of Tower Hamlets. Rockwell’s first 30 graduates, all women from the Westferry area, have now found employment having completed an intensive two-month training programme and gaining Level 2 qualifications in a range of different skillsets.

Upon completion, the development will create many morehotel and hospitality job opportunities for individuals living in Tower Hamlets and many more graduates from developer Rockwell’s Hospitality Skills Programme.

Despite initial setbacks caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the construction of this development has continued on schedule whilst being respectful of the UK Government’s guidance and social distancing measures.

Donal Mulryan, Founder of Rockwell commented: “This is a pivotal moment for the development and for Rockwell. I am immensely proud of the entire project team who have come together to deliver this outstanding development on time despite difficulties faced through multiple lockdowns.

“As we near completion, our Hospitality Skills Programme will also enable local residents to gain the necessary skills and qualifications required to provide them with the best possible chance of securing employment through opportunities being created at Westferry. Delivering significant employment opportunities is a vital part of the positive legacy the development will leave on the area, especially as we move into post-pandemic economic recovery.”

Louise Woodruff, Property Acquisitions Manager, for Whitbread said: “For my generation skyline views were reserved for boutique and top-end hotels. We’re changing that at Westferry with a 28-storey Premier Inn that will offer our customers panoramic views over London at an affordable price as well as immediate access to one of London’s top business and leisure destinations. The hotel is a landmark development for Whitbread and we’re looking forward to fitting out the building with our latest format rooms and delivering long-term economic benefits to Westferry.”

At 400 bedrooms, Premier Inn Westferry will be the largest Premier Inn hotel in Greater London (excluding airport sites) and will feature 80 of Premier Inn’s enhanced Premier Plus bedrooms.

John Sisk & Son is the contractor for the development which is scheduled for completion in mid 2022.

Paul Brown, COO for the UK and Civils, and recently appointed CEO designate, said: “This is a key milestone in the project’s delivery, and it’s a credit to the whole project team who have overcome the challenges of the pandemic to get us here. It’s amazing to see the skyline of London being transformed as we deliver another exemplar project in the Capital.

“I am immensely proud of the project team for this achievement. It took talent, dedication, and hard work to get to where we are on this building. It’s a privilege to be a part of this project, and I look forward to its future milestones to come.”

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Geberit sponsor specialist category at National Healthy Housing Awards

November 1, 2021

Geberit is sponsoring the Technical Officer of the Year Category at the 2021 National Healthy Housing Awards.

Organised by Foundations, the Government-funded national body for home improvement agencies, this year’s awards will showcase the outstanding work carried out by teams and individuals from a wide range of sectors who have made a vital difference in supporting independent living.

The Technical Officer of the Year Award recognises those who have contributed to the adaptions sector, changing the lives of elderly, vulnerable and disabled people every day.

On sponsoring the category, Simon Thomas, CARE Sales Director at Geberit said: “We are incredibly proud to be sponsoring an award at this year’s National Healthy Housing Awards. It’s an honour to be recognising the outstanding work carried out by technical officers every day to support people across the country to live comfortably in their own homes.

“At Geberit, we are passionate about making a difference and we see first-hand the difference these vital adaptions make in the home. For a huge number of people across the UK, the reality is that an everyday task such as using the toilet can be something they’re unable to do alone and with dignity.

“It can be difficult to provide this independence, especially in the bathroom, however, when adapted correctly, installing the right equipment can make life easier and support individual wellbeing.” Sponsored by ProCare, the award ceremony will be held in Manchester in December.

For more information, visit: https://healthyhousingawards.co.uk/

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The Parkgate Hotel opens its doors in Cardiff

October 29, 2021

The Celtic Collection has opened The Parkgate Hotel in Cardiff following a two-year redevelopment.

In collaboration with property developer Rightacres and the Welsh Rugby Union, The Celtic Collection has transformed the city’s former Head Post Office and County Court buildings into a new 170-key hotel.

Dating back to the turn of the 20th Century, the buildings’ striking period features have been brought out in a careful restoration and their storied history has been honoured through the hotel’s branding: the Sorting Room is its signature restaurant, while the Postmaster Suite and Telegraph Room are its event spaces.

The F&B offering includes a signature restaurant with a theatre kitchen and all-day dining menu and a more intimate lounge space for light bites and cocktails. Elsewhere, the rooftop spa provides views across the city skyline.

Situated a stone’s throw away from the iconic Principality Stadium, the hotel offers hospitality packages in partnership with the Welsh Rugby Union, opening just in time for the Autumn Nations Series. As part of these packages, guests can enjoy match day tickets, pre- and post-match hospitality in the hotel’s grand function suite and an overnight stay.

Hotel Manager, Brady Smith, comments: “The beautiful restoration of these iconic heritage buildings has exceeded all our expectations and the last piece in the jigsaw is the guests – we can’t wait to start delivering exceptional experiences in this stunning setting.”

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Sanifos makes Glamping possible

October 29, 2021

Saniflo UK has provided a drainage solution for Galley Hill Park. The company is well known for providing solutions to unusual and remote places guaranteeing business continuity for some of the country’s prominent staycation attractions locations.

Galley Hill Farm situated on the edge of the rolling Lincolnshire Wolds, an ‘Area of Natural Beauty’, is a farm with a successful ‘Pick Your Own’ business and a caravan site with 10 pitches in a stunning woodland grove adjacent to the family farmhouse.

The busy caravan site encompasses a block with shower and WCs and has recently expanded from 5 to 10 pitches plus two sizeable glamping pods complete with bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and living room..

Waste from the house and the toilet block is discharged to a septic tank that was recently upgraded due to new regulations that came into effect in 2020. A separate chemical disposal point was also installed for the caravan site.

The proposed space on site for the glamping pods did not have sufficient gravity fall to reach the septic tank, which was 70m away, and thus required a pump to discharge the waste. A Sanifos 610 underground lifting station provided the perfect solution; with sufficient capacity to accommodate more units in future.

A clearing behind the farmhouse was prepared which included concrete bases for the pods, a large pit for siting the Sanifos and trench for the main connection pipe. A small shed was erected to house the electrics and alarm for the Sanifos. The pods were dropped into place and the waste connections installed from the borehole water supply, which has its own water filtration system.

The Sanifos 610 has a 612-litre tank and is offered with a choice of one or two pumps. Galley Hill Farm specified the twin pump model to ensure continuity of service. The pumps work alternately to ensure even wear of the motors, but in the event of one pump failing, the other will activate to ensure it keeps working. It is supplied with a smart control box which is an interactive, intelligent station monitoring system and integrates an alarm for early warning of any problems.

www.saniflo.co.uk

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Roman to exhibit at HiX

October 29, 2021

Roman has announced it has secured an exhibition stand at the launch of the newest interiors and design-led event HIX next month.

The HIX event takes place from 18^th to 19^th November at London’s Business Design Centre and you will find Roman on Stand 39.

HIX will showcase the most exciting established and emerging design-led brands in a boutique exhibition alongside a conference which will explore the story of social change over the past 18 months, setting the scene for hotel industry professionals to share ideas that are focused on transforming the guest experience.

Roman will be displaying bespoke showering solutions alongside Corian fabrication and solid surface moulding capability – and also huge flexibility in design – highlighted by a choice of glass thickness and 16 colours of frame finish including Silver Chrome, Matt Black, Brushed Nickel, Polished Nickel, Brushed Brass, and Matt White.

David Osborne, CEO of Roman, commented: “It is wonderful to be back at exhibitions – and especially HIX. It should be a great Show and all of the team are excited about the conversations and vibe within the Hotel sector already.”

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REHAU unveils RAUVOLET space saving solution range

October 29, 2021

With increased demand for solutions that provide both aesthetics and functionality, REHAU has unveiled its contemporary RAUVOLET tambour door range, designed to maximise space.

The roller shutter design is suitable for applications across the entire home – from kitchens and bathrooms, through to hallways and living space.

While folding and hinged doors can get in the way, tambour doors feature a roller shutter design to maximise room functionality. With the option to use horizontally or vertically, RAUVOLET systems are adaptable to different space parameters, too.

Keeping in line with modern aesthetics, RAUVOLET panels come in a range of sleek materials, including finishes from REHAU’s popular Noble Matt range, through to metallic-line aluminium and brushed stainless steel – meaning it can be seamlessly integrated with materials used across a wider design. For a more bespoke touch, there is also the option to apply personalised printing.

Designers can determine the profile, tracking system, and mechanism of the tambour door to achieve a bespoke fit. Despite detailed configuration, it’s possible to benefit from simple installation through a ‘plug & play’ system.

Scott Williams, National Sales Manager for REHAU Furniture Solutions, comments: “Whether it’s for kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms or surrounding space across the home, our tambour door systems are an ideal solution and can be tailored to suit any requirements.

“Today, furniture solutions need to be sophisticated, versatile and sometimes compact, in order to meet end-user expectations. On top of this, the growing trend towards urban living is seeing an increasing number of people sharing the same space, meaning interiors are becoming increasingly multifunctional.

“Flexible furniture is therefore becoming increasingly popular, especially when factoring in demands evolving from the pandemic, as many continue to spend more time inside while working from home.

“Here at REHAU, we look to offer contemporary solutions, and installing tambour door systems means indoor areas can be multifunctional even in the most demanding of spaces.”

For more information, visit: www.rehau.com/uk-en/interiors-tambour-doors

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Virtual Worlds training goes on tour – next stop Durham

October 28, 2021

Virtual Worlds has taken its training on the road, with Ireland the first stop on its tour of the UK.

The new series of events aim to arm retailers with the training needed to create stunning 3D and 4D bathroom and kitchen designs by realizing the full potential of the Virtual Worlds technology.

Successful training days have already been held in Dublin and Belfast, with a further autumn date to come in Durham on 3^rd November.

The event also includes a demonstration of the latest developments within virtual Worlds and a chance to network.

“Training is such an important aspect of a designer’s job, with technology and software developing so quickly, that we decided to take it on the road with a series of roadshows,” explains Virtual Worlds Managing Director, Nathan Maclean. “The training aims to help retailers really get the most out of Virtual Worlds, saving them time and teaching them some insider tips and tricks to produce amazing designs that their clients will love.”

To be part of the next training event at Durham Marriott Hotel on Wednesday 3 November, book your place by emailing sales@virtualworlds.co.uk

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