Diane, Author at Bathroom Review

Largest ever exhibition at KBBG Annual Members’ Meeting

June 25, 2024

The Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group (KBBG), part of DER KREIS, has reported its largest-ever Annual Members’ Meeting on Monday, 10th June 2024, at the National Space Centre in Leicester, sponsored by ArtiCAD.

The buying group was joined by 29 suppliers to create the biggest-ever exhibition at a KBBG Annual Members’ Meeting. The exhibitors were set amongst the galleries in the National Space Centre, which provided an exciting atmosphere for KBBG members to explore the opportunities available.

“It was great that so many of our suppliers supported our Annual Members’ Meeting by showcasing their products, creating a dynamic and vibrant Exhibition Zone. We want our members to not only benefit from the insights and takeaways shared during the keynote speeches, but also to discuss the new deals and opportunities available directly with our suppliers, to make the day spent out of their showrooms even more worthwhile. We had great success with this at Silverstone in 2023 and being able to outclass this and host 29 suppliers this year is a new milestone that we are very proud of”, says Bill Miller, Managing Director, KBBG.

During the conference, Bill Miller revealed a new supply agreement with one of the UK’s largest kitchen manufacturers, Omega PLC; “It was fantastic to be able to announce our new exclusive partnership with Omega PLC. We continually endeavour to broaden our offering and I am sure our members will benefit from the products that Omega PLC brings to the market”, adds Bill.

A brand new, unique partnership between KBBG and the Kbsa was also announced at the Annual Members’ Meeting. Bill also explained the advances being made to the mykitchenspecialist.co.uk website, which was created to support KBBG members achieve more consumer leads. mykitchenspecialist.co.uk brings KBBG members together to form the UK’s leading network of independent kitchen specialists, to help consumers who are planning a kitchen renovation. The process in which leads are delivered to KBBG members is being enhanced whereby enquiries will be followed up by the mykitchenspecialist.co.uk team in the first instance. Individual sales briefs will then be created and forwarded onto the customer’s local mykitchenspecialist.co.uk retailer for immediate follow-up. This will ensure that only serious enquiries are filtered through meaning that the retailer can focus their attention on quality leads only.

In addition, the audience had the opportunity to hear from guest speakers during the conference. Alex Rollinger and Neil Metcalf represented event sponsor ArtiCAD and delivered a presentation on its latest innovations, highlighting the transformative potential of AI. Anthony Sant from Swift provided an update on the latest WEEE regulations. Finally, Social Media Expert, Will Francis guided the audience through social media trends, tips and tools, plus how to use video and AI to enhance a business.

Bill concludes: “We chose the National Space Centre as this year’s venue as we wanted the event to focus on the theme of moving forward. The centre certainly exceeded our expectations and we have received wonderful feedback from our members with many posing the question ‘how will you top that next year?’. A huge thank you goes to our sponsor ArtiCAD, our exhibiting suppliers and our speakers for making the day so memorable. Thank you to all of our members that attended too. We look forward to another successful 12 months for the KBBG.”

For more information on the KBBG, call Bill Miller on 07887 247811 or email b.miller@derkreis.co.uk. You can also visit the website at www.kbbg.co.uk

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Dawn collection joins Scudo portfolio from Harrison Bathrooms

June 25, 2024

The leading bathroom brand Scudo from Harrison Bathrooms has added the Dawn range to their Scudo 18 portfolio.

This new and exclusive range features sleek and elegant enclosures, wet rooms, and bath screens, making it the perfect choice for adding chic sophistication to any bathroom. The versatile collection is well-suited to many shapes and styles of bathrooms and is sure to make an impact.

Bathroom-Review-Scudo-Dawn-Collection-ATHENA-BRASS-

Scudo’s 18 portfolio blends contemporary style with functional excellence in bathroom design. Known for its innovative approach, Scudo offers diverse products catering to modern aesthetics and practical needs. Scudo products are crafted with meticulous attention to detail and quality, whether it’s their sleek shower enclosures, stylish bath screens, or versatile bathroom furniture. The 18 portfolio enhances the bathroom experience through cutting-edge design, ensuring each piece harmonises seamlessly with residential and commercial spaces.

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2024 Houzz UK releases emerging Summer Trends Report

June 25, 2024

Houzz has uncovered the latest emerging trends in home design, drawing insights from a diverse community of UK homeowners, design enthusiasts, and professionals. These trends highlight a growing preference for integrating wellness features and soothing green tones to instil tranquillity at home. Additionally, there’s a noticeable trend towards expanding living spaces into the garden and incorporating elements of rustic charm. There is also a rising interest in designing dedicated spaces for leisure activities catering to adults and children alike.

Wellness Retreats

Wellness continues to surface in trending searches on Houzz, with “yoga room,” “sauna”, and “home gym” all rising in the first quarter of the year compared with Q1 2023. Homeowners are also enlisting professionals on Houzz to create spa-like oases, with searches increasing for “indoor swimming pool” and “spa bathroom.”

Going Green

We’re also seeing interest in incorporating nature throughout the home. According to the 2024 Houzz UK Kitchen Trends Report, 1 in 6 renovating homeowners chose green cabinetry (16%), so it’s unsurprising that searches for “green kitchens” increased by nearly 1.5x. Searches for the colour green also climbed for living rooms, bathroom tiles, bathrooms and walls, compared with the same period in 2023.

Garden Structures

Homeowners are increasingly focused on maximising and enhancing their gardens, as indicated by a nearly 2x increase in searches for “raised beds” and “greenhouses”. The trend towards outdoor living is also evident in the growing popularity of “outdoor kitchens”, reflecting a desire to cook and entertain outside. Another notable trend is the rise in searches for “granny annexes, ” which facilitate multigenerational living by providing additional living space separate from the main house, often built within the garden area.

Impressionable Thresholds

A notable shift towards enhancing home entrances is evident in a 65% year-over-year increase in searches. Homeowners are focusing on creating impactful first impressions, with rising interest in terms like “hall”, “hallway storage”, and “Victorian entrance hallway” compared to previous years. Additionally, a growing emphasis on kerb appeal is reflected in increased searches for “bungalow front porch” and “front porch”. These trends underscore heightened attention to home entrances’ aesthetic and functional aspects.

Rustic Farmhouse Style

The rustic farmhouse design trend reflects a strong desire to incorporate countryside charm into modern homes. Searches for “roses” have surged nearly 6x, while interest in “country cottage gardens” has nearly doubled year-over-year, indicating a growing enthusiasm for creating picturesque outdoor settings this summer. Inside the home, “country cottage interiors” are gaining prominence, with searches for this term increasing by almost half. Additionally, there’s a rising interest in features like “walk-in pantries” and “farmhouse bathrooms”, which evoke the tranquillity and comfort associated with rural living.

Leisure Spaces

Interest in creating dedicated leisure spaces within homes is rising as homeowners seek cosy areas for reading or solitary relaxation, with searches for “reading nooks” nearly doubling. There’s also growing interest in entertainment-focused spaces, with searches for “music room” and “media wall units” increasing by nearly 1.5x. Home cinemas have seen an 11% year-over-year uptick, indicating a preference for spaces dedicated to enjoying music and television or film.

Indoor recreational areas are also gaining popularity, with searches for “game room” and “family room” rising by 29% and 23%, respectively. These trends highlight a growing desire among homeowners to create functional and enjoyable spaces tailored to their leisure activities within their homes.

Youthful Havens

Homeowners are prioritising spaces where kids can express their personality and feel a sense of ownership within the home, according to trending search data. Searches for “teenage girl bedroom”, “teenage boy bedroom”, “teen room”, and “kids room” have all experienced significant traffic increases compared to the previous year. This surge reflects parents’ desire to find inspiration on Houzz for creating environments that cater to their children’s evolving needs and preferences.

Homeowners looking to begin renovating or decorating their homes can get inspired and find the best home professionals for their projects on Houzz.

*Source: Data reflects year-over-year growth in UK-based searches on Houzz from January-March 2024 versus January-March 2023. Read the complete report here.

Picture Credit_ Oakwrights © Guildford Photographer

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Ideal Standard & Armitage Shanks introduce Conceala 3 range

June 25, 2024

Bathroom manufacturer Ideal Standard and Armitage Shanks has added to its family of concealed cisterns, flush plates, and buttons with its new entry-level Conceala 3 range.

Perfect for commercial and residential settings, the Conceala 3 in-wall cisterns join the existing ProSys® premium cisterns and frames offering and are available in top, side, and bottom water supply inlet variants. Conceala 3 can use both pneumatic and syphon lever flush activations, and there’s also a cable-operated model on offer, fitting seamlessly into bathroom furniture units. The variety of models gives installers and developers installation flexibility for projects of all kinds. Furthermore, the flat back design and lack of bottom lugs on the tank make installing it easier, saving time across projects.

Conceala 3’s pneumatic models feature a new 2-inch water outlet improving flush performance, whilst an innovative ‘silencer tube’ and mesh filter on the inlet valve ensure a quieter filling process – ensuring the entire mechanism is truly out of sight and out of mind.

To complete the look, a dedicated range of pneumatic buttons and flush plates are available in traditional chrome, stainless steel and sleek black finishes, enabling developers and contractors to coordinate a full suite of products easily. Conceala 3 also works with several of Ideal Standard’s existing ProSys® flush plates, which offer extended colour choices including the Solea plate in white, chrome, brushed chrome, and black, and the Septa Pro push button in white.

With sustainability being such a huge focus for developers and specifiers, considerations have been built into Conceala 3’s dual-flushing models, which deliver a flush of 6/4 litres as standard. This can be further reduced to a minimum of 4/2.6 litres with a simple adjustment during installation. Single-flush models are also available. Delayed fill inlet valves are standard across all models, stopping water waste during the flushing process and further decreasing Conceala 3’s environmental impact.

Meanwhile, Ideal Standard’s ProSys® cisterns have SmartValve water-saving technology that cuts water usage by up to 63 litres a week in an average four-person household.

Both Conceala 3 and ProSys® are ideal behind-the-wall solutions for commercial and residential projects where sustainability and water reduction are a priority. The ranges fully support building accreditation for BREEAM and are compliant with all UK water regulations.

To find out more about Conceala 3, visit: https://www.idealspec.co.uk/product/conceala3.html

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“Floating House” luxury bathroom is by Duravit

June 24, 2024

Proving that prefabricated buildings can go hand in hand with high-level and unique residential designs, studio F. A. Porsche, and Kärnten-based timber construction expert Griffner have created the “Floating House”

“The Floating House combines visionary design with forward-looking architecture and promises the last word in a healthy living environment,” said Griffner’s owner, Georg C. Niedersüß. The manufacturer of prefabricated structures uses only authentic, sustainable materials of the highest quality, such as glass and regionally sourced timber.

The consistent design philosophy is also reflected in the bathrooms, fitted out with the Duravit Qatego bathroom range, also designed by Studio F. A. Porsche.

Bathroom ensemble in a class of its own

A full-length glass door skillfully connects the light and airy master bathroom with the main bedroom. Marbled wall tiles and light wooden floors underscore the natural and calm ambience. The elegant washing-area solution from the Qatego series offers generous storage space thanks to the above-counter basin’s gentle shape and the vanity unit’s practical niche. The L-Cube series mirrors ensure optimum illumination, while the Wave faucet range and the Starck T accessories round off the washing area and create space for individual options.

Unmistakable Porsche design language

Continuous façade strips, along with black glass tiles surrounding the entire ground floor, epitomize the sophisticated aesthetics of the Floating House. As is typical for Studio F. A. Porsche’s focus is on functionality: a continuous light strip between the floors provides illumination, for instance, and gives the building the impression that it is floating. “For us, design is never just about aesthetics, but also always substance,” explained Thomas Hüttel, the studio’s design director. A range of design objects designed by Studio F. A. Porsche lends a finishing touch to the interior of the house and completes the overall impression of a thoroughly modern structure.
Infobox:

Price: from €6,500 per square meter
Minimum size: 180 square meters
More information at: www.griffner.com/floating-house
More Duravit Products:
Washbasins: Vitrium cast-mineral washbasin, c-bonded, with vanity unit
Mirrors: Zencha & L-Cube
Faucets: Wave XL, Tulum M, ShowerSystem Shelf 1050
Accessories: Starck T
Shower-toilet: SensoWash® Starck f Lite

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New Sanctuary marble additions from Scudo deliver luxury & style

June 24, 2024

Scudo recently introduced an exquisite collection of high-quality Sanctuary marble basins to their latest Scudo collection and have further additions planned for the rest of the year.

Marble has remained a mainstay in our homes for many years as a water-resistant, versatile, and luxurious metamorphic rock. Marble basins have become a top trend in bathroom design. Nothing says luxury and glamour like marble; it is a fantastic material to use in a bathroom, as it is versatile and hard-wearing.

Homeowners are now considering basins as the bathroom focal point, and marble can instantly elevate and provide luxury and sophistication to any space.

The Sanctuary range of marble pieces boasts extraordinary organic attributes like crystallisation and an array of hues and colours that meander through the slab to create delicate flowing hairline patterns and captivating instances of pitted deviations and fissures amidst the marbling.

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New addition to the STAGELINE furniture collection

June 24, 2024

KEUCO has introduced a new addition to its popular STAGELINE furniture collection – a vanity unit now available in 1400 mm and is ideal for two washbasins, providing twice as much space for families, couples and individuals who like additional room. With a second wash area, you not only have a practical solution, but the stylish washbasin adds a distinctive accent to the bathroom.

Available in two versions: without tap holes, if the preference is for wall spout fittings or with tap holes for two single-lever mixers. This, along with the option of black or white ceramic washbasins, gives flexibility in design, especially when combining them with different furniture styles.

With the STAGELINE collection, you can create a variety of design themes for the bathroom. The furniture takes centre stage, combining timeless, beautiful design with warmer accents. The visual highlight of the series is an open, illuminated storage shelf, perfect for showcasing decorative items and favourite products. The warm-white LED lighting (3000 kelvin) is controlled by a capacitive touch sensor on the furniture, and the shelf includes practical features, such as the socket integrated into the shelf and a USB and USB-C charging point. This is positioned in the middle so the connections can be conveniently accessed from both wash areas.

Developed by the Tesseraux + Partner design agency in Potsdam, KEUCO’s comprehensive STAGELINE furniture series is characterised by modern linearity and straightforward elegance with a tone-in-tone look. The glass fronts and furniture bodies are the same colour, exuding an aura of calm and harmony.

Even fans of white and anthracite will find a match, whether brilliant lustre or velvety matt; the furniture’s glass fronts bring a touch of elegance to the bathroom.

Filigree glass fronts with no handles

With attention to detail, the STAGELINE furniture collection features a protruding glass front at the top that serves as a handle for opening and closing drawers, equipped with soft-close functionality, closing gently and quietly.

The vanity unit is perfect for those who appreciate tidiness. With the drawer and optional interior set, intelligent and optimum use of space in the cabinet is assured. For clever storage space organisation, the interior set can be arranged flexibly from four different sizes, and the dark and practical liner mat provides a slip-resistant surface.

More STAGELINE furniture

For those who need extra storage, STAGELINE offers three additional furniture products: a tall unit and a medium single-door or double-door unit. The tall unit has an aura of refinement with its illuminated shelf compartment in the middle. Bottles, jars or decorative elements can be spotlighted here, too, just as in the vanity unit. All cabinets incorporate soft-close hinges for gentle closing and premium, easy-to-care-for glass shelves inside. Combining these with other fittings and accessories from KEUCO ensures versatile and multi-faceted bathroom design options.

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Silver sponsor announced for BMA Industry Conference 2024

June 21, 2024

The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) has revealed the silver sponsor for its eagerly anticipated Industry Conference 2024

Affiliate BMA member EazyStock, a global leader in cloud-based supply chain optimisation and purchasing software, has secured its silver sponsorship status for the BMA Industry Conference 2024.

Taking place on September 16th and 17th at the iconic Queens Hotel in Leeds, excitement is building as bathroom industry leaders gear up for an exploration of this year’s theme: “building growth.”

If the polls are to be believed, the UK could have a new government in power by the time the conference begins. Whatever party is in power, the conference’s theme of ‘building growth’ takes on a profound significance as the country hopes to solve the housing crisis to ‘get Britain building’ and stimulate economic growth.

Recognising the conference’s role in analysing the sector’s trajectory, industry stakeholders are keen to participate in discussions to enable growth amidst shifting policies and a growing economy.

Tom Reynolds, BMA’s Chief Executive, comments: “I’m pleased EazyStock are our silver sponsor this year. Their knowledge and expertise have been invaluable for our members, outlining how advanced management software systems improve efficiency. As the country embraces renewed optimism, success and growth in our sector are assured, so managing business operations is even more crucial.”

Peter Drakeley, EazyStock managing director said: “We are proud to be the silver sponsor of the BMA Industry Conference this year. Through our sponsorship, we hope to contribute to the growth across the sector and enable manufacturers to achieve their strategic goals.

“We look forward to engaging with the delegates, sharing ideas, and introducing them to our unique approach to managing growth.”

The conference promises to reflect on the political shifts of the summer and actively engage with the crucial question of how to foster growth collectively. By providing thought-provoking keynote talks from industry experts and engaging panel discussions, the conference will shine a light on the growth potential of the bathroom manufacturing sector.

For more information and registration details, visit the official BMA Industry Conference website.

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Le Chic delivers regency flair for luxury Bridgerton-inspired interiors

June 20, 2024

This week marks the release of Bridgerton Season Three, Part Two, inspiring a welcome return to Regency-inspired, high-opulence interiors. Cosentino’s Le Chic collection is perfectly positioned to bring a touch of period flair to the home.

Crafted from premium minerals and recycled materials, the collection promises longevity from installation, assuring a beautiful and durable surface. For a modern twist on Regency design, look to Victorian Silver, a polished finish with silver and dark grey veining; Parisian Bleu, a rich blue finish with fine ochre veining; and Eclectic Pearl, a delicately veined finish with metallic accents. The collection is ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and home offices, with applications as varied as backsplashes, worktops, walls, and flooring, imbuing homes with the captivating allure of history.

Whether you’re an architect designing a Regency-inspired home or a designer seeking to add historical charm to a modern space, Le Chic ensures your bathroom exudes all the luxury and refinement of the Regency period.

Katie Parry-Stone, Retail Expert at Cosentino UK, comments: “Veined surfaces can add interest, depth and layers to an otherwise flat surface, and the delicate pattern can be incorporated for designs that are characterful and intricate to introduce a touch of sparkle and glamour on countertops or splashbacks. Cosentino’s Le Chic collection features intricately patterned marble surfaces that bring modern yet timeless design to the home.”

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Ideal Standard launch latest addition to Atelier Collections – La Dolce Vita

June 20, 2024

Leading bathroom manufacturer Ideal Standard is launching its new La Dolce Vita® range, the latest addition to its design-led Atelier Collections. The range has been designed by chief design officer Roberto Palomba and has been inspired by its famous namesake expression – the sweet life.

Roberto Palomba said about the collection: “With this new range, I aimed to reinterpret La Dolce Vita. The phrase conjures a lifestyle where there is time to savour the beauty in small things; in the everyday. La Dolce Vita® creates a tactile, expressive space whose sensuality sparks inspiration and dreams, where new ideas are born. It was important to me to capture this essence and bring it to life in every detail of this collection.”

La Dolce Vita® features solutions for the entire bathroom, from vanities and vessels, toilets, bidets and bathtubs to mixer taps, shower products and accessories. What’s more, the new range is compatible with Ideal Standard’s wider product portfolio, thanks to the company’s Singular™ philosophy, meaning designers and customers can indulge in whatever suits their vision.

Launching alongside La Dolce Vita®, Ideal Standard’s Finesse furniture series complements the range but is compatible with many other collections, offering endless possibilities for designers and homeowners. Finesse features a modern design with subtle, recessed handles and a choice of four matt colours and two wood finishes, with one, two or four-drawer options, open shelving, and a variety of depths to fit different room sizes and ceramic collections. Sustainability was a key consideration during development, which is why the entire range is crafted from Chain of Custody-certified wood sourced from sustainably managed forests.

Aesthetically, La Dolce Vita’s beauty balances geometric forms and shapes inspired by nature. The tapered and curved edges of the ceramic vanities and toilets elegantly set them apart, while the deep, flower-shaped vessel basins are eye-catching in both square and round designs. The accompanying vanities are available in six sizes, including standout asymmetric models with a practical storage surface. As a statement piece, the freestanding bathtub commands the space in any bathroom but still echoes the understated elegance of a relaxed Italian lifestyle.

Fittings and accessories align with the design ethos, featuring basin mixers, vessel mixers, wall-mounted models, and bath and shower mixers, all sharing the same design DNA. Available in classic chrome or Ideal Standard’s sophisticated PVD colours: brushed gold, magnetic grey, and silver storm.

La Dolce Vita excels not only in style but also in innovative technology. WCs feature either AquaBlade® technology or RimLS+® on wall-hung bowls, providing excellent flushing performance and improved hygiene. The toilets are designed to flush efficiently with low water usage, only using 4L for a full flush. EcoFlow regulators in the taps and shower products further reduce water consumption, promoting sustainability. Additionally, the FirmaFlow® ceramic cartridge in the taps ensures durability, while PVD technology enhances the hard-wearing and scratch-resistant nature of the coloured fittings and accessories.

La Dolce Vita and Finesse will be available as of June 2024. To find out more about the collection, please visit: https://www.idealstandard.co.uk/products/collections/la-dolce-vita

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