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Diane

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The bathroom has been more than just a functional space for a long time: it’s a sanctuary, an oasis of well-being, and a technological wonder combined into one. With solutions that blend seamlessly into your designs and make everyday life easier, the bathroom of the future is already here.

The spa-inspired toilet

At first it looks like a classic toilet, but it’s actually a technological marvel: Duravit’s SensoWash family of shower toilets combines state-of-the-art hygiene technology with intuitive operation and elegant design. With features such as RearWash, a warm air dryer, odour extraction, UV disinfection, seat heating, and night light, it brings a whole new level of comfort. Water-based cleaning is thorough yet gentle at the same time—making it perfect for delicate skin. The individually adjustable shower jet provides a comfortable experience and an unmatched feeling of freshness, all the while saving toilet paper too. The timeless design allows intelligent technology to stay concealed in the background.

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Sustainably refreshed

When it comes to taps, the harmony between eco-friendly technologies and exceptional comfort is evident. The Shower System Shelf 1050 meets demanding sustainability standards while also providing an enjoyable shower experience. With the MinusFlow version, the handheld shower wand reduces water consumption by up to 40 per cent, while the overhead shower can save up to 60 per cent, without compromising on your shower experience. In addition, the integrated HeatLock anti-scalding protection feature provides extra safety. Cleaning the showerheads is especially easy due to the EasyClean feature, as lime and dirt can be removed with your finger— without the need for any harsh cleaning agents. These well-designed features encourage responsible water use and help reduce ongoing costs.

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Long-lasting protection

Today’s modern bathroom solutions focus on design and comfort as well as intelligent finishes that make it noticeably easier to maintain high levels of hygiene. The new 2-in-1 DuraShield® glaze provides ceramic finishes with lasting protection against bacteria, dirt, and limescale. Positively charged metal ions create an invisible protective barrier that wipes out 99.99% of bacteria within just 24 hours. Its ultra-smooth finish makes water and dirt simply roll off keeping everything fresh for longer, with no extra cleaning required.

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Invisible power for cleanliness you can see

The DuraFlush® rotary flushing system delivers even greater efficiency: inside the ME by Starck Hero Edition, a spiral-shaped water vortex ensures thorough, splash-free cleaning—even with a reduced water consumption of only 4/2 liters (about 1 or 0.5 gallons). The technology works unobtrusively behind the scenes and goes entirely unnoticed: clean, quiet, and effective—even during nighttime use. Front and center is the ME by Starck toilet, with its universal design.

Kinedo (SFA Saniflo UK) has crunched the numbers to understand the best-selling designs in its Kinewall range, and for the second year running, the vertical wood-effect wall panel is the best seller, accounting for almost 20% of sales. It is closely followed by the striking green and blue herringbone tile pattern.

The comprehensive range of wood-effect panels isn’t just limited to one design, however, and patterns such as Oiled Oak, Antique Oak, and Teak finishes are also proving popular, reflecting the ongoing trend for warm, natural materials that bring a touch of spa-style calm to modern bathrooms. These designs replicate the look of real wood without the maintenance, creating inviting spaces suitable for both residential and commercial projects.

Kinewall was launched in January 2024 to offer a high-impact, grout-free alternative to tiles, combining premium aesthetics with fast, installer-friendly installation. Produced in France using a durable multilayer structure, Kinewall panels are 100% waterproof, easy to clean, and backed by a 10-year warranty, making them the practical, design-led choice for today’s interiors.

SFA Saniflo UK is celebrating a successful show at Screwfix Live 2025, which took place at Farnborough International Exhibition Centre from 26–28 September.

The Saniflo team reported a hive of activity on the stand, which showcased the company’s innovative product range — including the Saniflo Up macerator, Sanivite+ for kitchens and utility rooms, and the Sanicom 1 for heavy-duty commercial applications. All attracted strong interest from both installers and homeowners. The display reinforced Saniflo’s reputation for speed, simplicity, and reliability, offering practical plumbing solutions where traditional systems can be complex or costly to install.

The company’s partnership with Screwfix continues to grow from strength to strength, with consistent demand reflecting the brand’s enduring appeal to both trade professionals and DIY users.

“Installers know and trust Saniflo for products that save time without compromising on performance,” said Amanda Mills, marketing manager at Saniflo UK. “Our continued success with Screwfix demonstrates the strength of that trust and the value of our partnership.”

PJH is showcasing its latest Bathrooms to Love Autumn/Winter Collection in a newly launched brochure featuring around 250 new products and design updates (see it here: BTL Issue 26). PJH has also held or reduced the majority of its prices in commitment to retailers and consumers alike.

The new collection has a focus on soft, muted matt shades such as latte, taupe, apricot and walnut. The ever-popular blue theme is also evident, with dusty blues now available on both new and existing furniture.

Period and Art Deco influences continue to shape the Collection, with some new classically designed ranges joining the furniture, bath, ceramic and mirror categories.

Taking pride of place on the cover is the striking Kuba Furniture range in a new Textured Walnut, a warm, richly grained fluted finish. Kuba’s curved, handleless design is joined this season by two completely new furniture ranges. Mika brings a contemporary edge with its angled doors, drawers and colour-matched handles, while Dion offers a timeless floor standing solution with slender tapered legs and elegant basin with upstand. Continuing the classic theme, Celine makes its debut as a washstand collection, adding effortless period charm to the ceramic category.

Existing furniture favourites also see fresh updates with new colours available on the Push, Align, and Elements ranges.

In freestanding baths, the new matt finish Ludlow looks stunning with its built-in pedestal design, looking equally at home in a classic or modern setting. Meanwhile Eltham is a modern corner design that can also take a bath screen making it practical and stylish.

Product launches also extend into Mirrors, with an array of sophisticated new shapes and illuminated options, as well as a new textured Accessories range called Asta. On the showering front, discover new enclosure Niches; an expansion of the Classix enclosure range; a new Iconix wetroom rotatable panel; and a new Slate Tray in Latte.

Kim Cooper, PJH’s head of marketing & product, said: “Our latest Autumn/Winter update introduces a wealth of fresh ideas across furniture, ceramics, baths, mirrors, enclosures and accessories. We’re especially pleased to be holding price, reinforcing our commitment to offering stockists and consumers quality, design-led bathrooms at competitive rates.”

As always, the launch is supported with a comprehensive package of marketing tools, including new POS, swatches, take-away cards, engaging digital content and attractive display deals. The refreshed Bathrooms to Love website also showcases the new ranges, while PJH’s Partners Portal™ provides easy online ordering, backed by next-day delivery.

Further information:
Bathrooms to Love by PJH: T: 0800 8 77 88 99 / www.partners.pjh.uk / www.bathroomstolove.uk

Naturepanel, the interior wall panel brand from Grant Westfield, has extended its portfolio following the launch of its newly created Wood Slat collection. 

Building on the success of its hugely popular Bleached Cuneo Oak, Brown Cuneo Oak and Warmia Walnut slat wall panels, Naturepanel has launched new decors – Grained Alpine White, Grained Angora Grey, Grained Stone Green and Beige Grey Lorenzo Oak into the Wood Slat range.

The new, seven-strong collection of long, narrow wooden planks has been carefully curated to enhance modern and minimal interiors while breathing new life into the ever-popular Japandi trend where natural materials and a neutral colour palette take centre stage.

Infinitely elegant, the four woodgrain Wood Slat décors exude natural warmth and rustic charm. Utilising the latest technology, each woodgrain panel is etched with a 6.4mm graphite grey shadow line, which provides the depth of traditional wood panelling without the maintenance, while the coloured panels feature a colour-matched shadow line.

Providing an effortless alternative to traditional wooden slat walls, Naturepanel is endlessly versatile and can be fitted vertically or horizontally. Panels are quick and easy to install thanks to Naturepanel’s unique Hydrolock tongue and groove system, which creates a smooth and seamless waterproof finish. Perfect for feature walls, Naturepanel can be used within all rooms of the home, including kitchens, dining and living rooms, as well as bathrooms and shower rooms.

All panels within the Wood Slat collection are available in standard 598mm x 2400mm formats as well as the new, larger 598 x 2700mm size, and come with Naturepanel’s 30-year warranty.

Smiths Briten has been selected as an additional distribution partner to Aqualisa, the UK brand leader in digital smart showering. The agreement goes live this month, with Aqualisa’s shower ranges immediately available through Smiths Briten’s nationwide network and the brand’s new electric shower collection supported from launch.

For bathroom retailers and merchants, the partnership brings together Aqualisa’s market-leading technology with Smiths Briten’s proven national distribution strength. Products will be supplied directly from Smiths Briten’s main hub in Bolton. Serving more than 3,500 independent customers across the UK, Smiths Briten’s infrastructure allows Aqualisa’s ranges to reach retailers, showrooms and contractors quickly and efficiently, backed by responsive quoting and aftersales support.

While Aqualisa’s standard lead-time is 5-7 days, Smiths Briten will deliver a faster, more agile alternative. With its next-day, every day delivery model, Aqualisa stock will be held locally and dispatched directly from Smiths Briten’s UK depots, removing the wait time and giving retailers and merchants the flexibility to react quickly to demand. This accelerated service will apply across core product lines, ensuring that customers can access Aqualisa’s leading digital and electric showers at short notice, with no compromise on reliability or availability.

Gareth Jones, trade director at Smiths Briten, says: “Adding Aqualisa to our portfolio is a clear win for our customers. Aqualisa leads the market in digital showering and is expanding its electric shower range, which creates new opportunities across retail and merchant channels. Our role is to make those ranges easy to access and easy to sell, with stock on the shelf, next-day delivery where needed, and practical support for displays, training and aftersales. This is also a group play: selected ranges will join Frontline’s 2026 Price Crash and Aqua brochures so we can maximise reach across the Bathroom Distribution Group (BDG) while keeping availability strong through Smiths Briten.”

Leon Harber, National Account Manager, Aqualisa, adds: “Smiths Briten brings a proven distribution platform, strong relationships and a service ethos that matches our own. Partnering together means more Aqualisa displays in the right places, faster delivery to customers, and better support on the ground as we grow both digital and electric shower categories. We are excited to work closely with the Smiths Briten and BDG teams in the months ahead.”

As part of the roll-out, Aqualisa’s field teams will collaborate with Smiths Briten’s sales organisation to support onboarding, displays and joint calls. Aqualisa’s 38 employed service engineers will continue to provide national aftercare.

Aqualisa will also bring its training van to Smiths Briten locations this autumn, delivering hands-on product sessions for internal teams and customer partners ahead of the peak sales period.

Aqualisa is part of the House of Rohl family of brands, a division of Fortune Brands Innovations, a NYSE-listed global business.

Surface solutions manufacturer Cosentino has launched a new mineral surface brand, Éclos®, aimed at the kitchen and bathroom countertop market. Incorporating more than 50% recycled materials, Éclos combines a 3D integrated design with a crystalline silica-free composition, introducing an entirely new category which it terms: “Inlayered Mineral Surface”.

Éclos follows the launch of Silestone in 1990 and Dekton in 2013, and is said to represent a further breakthrough in the evolution of architectural and design surfaces. Its development involved 50 specialised researchers, required more than 28,000 hours of research and more than 1,500 hours of testing from the company’s Research & Development and Product departments.

“Since our founding, we have been committed to leading innovation rather than following trends; just as we did with Dekton® and most recently with Hybriq+® technology for Silestone®. Éclos® involves a new turning point for our industry, an evolution that responds to real market needs and anticipates the future”, says Pilar Cosentino, Cosentino Group CEO.

 Inlayr® Technology: layered design with 3D realism

Inlayr® technology enables Éclos® to be manufactured using a layered design system. Thanks to an advanced robotics engineering process and innovative decoration techniques, it gives the entire surface a 3D design with unique veins and patterns, as well as unprecedented depth and consistency. The result is a surface with a three-dimensional design integrated into the edges, with realistic aesthetics and a natural touch and feel that redefine industry standards.

Pioneering composition: zero crystalline silica

Éclos® also introduces a groundbreaking development in the composition of mineral surfaces. The first collection, which will be available globally in the coming months, has zero crystalline silica in its formulation. Furthermore, all colours use a minimum of 50% recycled materials, while several colours incorporate almost 90% recycled materials, demonstrating Cosentino’s dedication to the circular economy.

Its composition and the formulation developed specifically for this new product give Éclos® better flexibility, ductility and impact resistance, making it easier for fabricators and industry professionals to handle and install.

Additionally, through Inlayr technology, Éclos offers superior heat resistance, which can withstand temperatures up to 220°C, including direct contact with cookware immediately after use. This makes it an ideal solution for kitchen countertops, both commercially and at home.

A paradigm shift in a changing global industry

In a context shaped by protectionist policies, tariff disputes, and growing concerns about the safety of materials like quartz, Cosentino is once again leading the way with Éclos. This new surface category aims to transform the sector, offering a safe, sustainable, and beautiful design with high added value.

According to recent reports, the global countertop market is expected to grow at a rate of 3% annually until 2028, reaching a value of $50 billion and a total area of 650 million square meters, of which 100 million square meters will be comprised of mineral and porcelain surfaces. The US will remain the largest market, while the largest growth is expected in the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, and developing countries.

Freestanding baths continue to take centre stage in UK bathrooms, with homeowners increasingly seeking designs that combine sculptural appeal with everyday practicality. According to a recent Houzz trend report, the demand for standalone tubs has risen sharply as spaces become more focused on wellbeing, comfort and personal style. From Japandi calm to traditional English elegance, a freestanding bath remains the defining feature of a truly restorative bathroom.

Building on this continued appetite, BC Designs has introduced Westmere, a new addition to its Cian® solid surface collection. Following the success of the Senator bath, Westmere offers a softer, rounder interpretation that bridges traditional and contemporary design. Its generous, curved form feels equally at home in a period townhouse as it does in a modern renovation, reaffirming BC Designs’ reputation for creating timeless originals that evolve with the way we live. 

Cast from the brand’s signature Cian® material, Westmere delivers a beautifully smooth, high-gloss surface that’s durable, non-porous and easy to maintain. As with all Cian® baths, it can also be specified in the brand’s Colourkast finishes or painted externally to colour-match any interior palette, allowing complete design freedom.

At 1800mm in length and 855mm in width, Westmere offers a deep, indulgent bathing experience without dominating the room. The double-ended design provides comfort from every angle, while compatibility with both floor-standing and wall-mounted taps gives flexibility to suit any layout.

Available in polished white as standard and supported by a 10-year manufacturer’s guarantee, Westmere is a confident new addition to BC Designs’ expanding freestanding portfolio.

For more information visit www.bcdesigns.co.uk

VitrA Tiles welcomed architects, designers, and customers to its immersive, multi-sensory stand at Cersai 2025, showcasing a series of industry-first innovations in new ceramic tile technology, sustainability and application design. The space was divided into four curated zones, each offering a unique perspective on the future of ceramic surfaces.

V-Tone Tonalite technology – a game changer in colour consistency

Variation in shade between different production batches is one of the most significant challenges in the ceramic industry. V-Tone ensures unprecedented chromatic consistency. This means that tile colours remain faithful to the original, batch after batch, ensuring uniformity and minimal colour deviation, as well as coherence in every project. The impact of this technology on the industry is expected to be significant, offering the certainty of impeccable results and greater design freedom.

The initial V-Tone investment is scheduled to commence in March 2026, with full implementation and rollout across all our production lines targeted by the end of the same year. V-Tone guarantees consistent tones across production batches and formats.

TileScape – smart app

VitrA also presented the TileScape app, designed to help customers select the most suitable VitrA Tiles product from a single photo.

In addition, Vitra presented its perfection-driven innovations:

V-Hygiene: For enhanced hygiene in both residential and commercial settings

V-Shape: Designed for seamless visual integration across tile formats

Easy Tiling: A system that accelerates installation by up to 7x – ideal for time-sensitive projects

100% Recycled Porcelain Tile – pioneering a circular future

The 100% Recycled Porcelain Tile is produced entirely from waste materials and is billed as the most significant new development from VitrA Tiles at Cersaie 2025.

The use of 100% production waste promotes a virtuous circular economy cycle. These materials not only contribute to more sustainable waste management but also generate a significant positive environmental impact, reducing reliance on virgin raw materials and the overall carbon footprint.

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The “100% Recycled Porcelain Tile” project also excels in terms of energy efficiency. The new formula has reduced production times, leading to significant savings in both electricity and natural gas. Typically, products made with waste materials compromise final quality characteristics, while the 100% waste-based tile developed by VitrA Tiles fully meets all national and international technical product standards.

This innovative approach simplifies production processes and confirms VitrA Tiles’ commitment to sustainable production, integrating research and development with operational efficiency.

The Color Hotel Skagen has opened a new wing featuring Duravit’s minimalist Luv and ME by Starck ranges. Designed by Arkitema Architects and inspired by Skagen’s dune landscape, the 32-room boutique hotel features state-of-the-art rooms, a restaurant with regional cuisine, a wellness area with sauna and outdoor pool, plus a wide range of leisure activities.

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Constructed to deliver new spaces for relaxation and togetherness, its two new wings draw inspiration from the landscape, lending the building a clean architectural style. The hotel is situated where the North Sea meets the Baltic and is the largest hotel in the city.

The robust and energy-efficient building features dark formwork, combined with warm wood accents. Large windows offer stunning views of the dune landscape and are offset by balconies that complement the clean architectural language, lending transparency and lightness to the design. This approach is carried through into the interior, where the bathrooms combine serenity with natural materials. Duravit’s bathroom solutions complete the holistic concept.

Calm tones, clean shapes in the bathroom

Light natural stone tiles in greige and sand emphasise the Scandinavian character of the building. The bathtubs and above-counter basins from the Luv range combine homely warmth with clean forms. The wall-mounted toilets and vanity units from the ME by Starck range are a perfect match for this interior.

Space to arrive

The clean design continues in the rooms. Bright tones, ample daylight, and natural materials create a tranquil environment. Upholstered beds, rattan and fabric seating, and well-placed details, such as lamps and plants, help create a tranquil retreat that combines state-of-the-art- art comfort with the individual flair of a boutique hotel.