Diane, Author at Bathroom Review

Live in safety with RAK-SANIT

October 5, 2020

Safety has always played an essential role in our choices but this is particularly true at the present time, driven by a genuine revolution in the way we organise our living spaces around post-pandemic lifestyles.

This transformation has obliged us, starting from the design phase, to contemplate new hygiene measures that enable us to enjoy our living and working spaces in total freedom and safety.

RAK Ceramics, an international player renowned for its products and complete systems in porcelain and ceramic for floor and surface coverings, sanitaryware and bathroom fittings, has now launched RAK-Sanit, the company’s own health and safety revolution.

The research and development laboratories of RAK Ceramics are always at the forefront of technology and were the first in the world to supply antibacterial interior design solutions as early as 2009, thanks to the development of special certified antibacterial glazes. ‎

Today, with the new RAK-Sanit programme, RAK Ceramics offers an even wider range of solutions for floors, surfaces and sanitary fittings, produced with glazes that reduce the possibility of contagion and therefore contribute to creating safer environments, both in residential and commercial projects.

RAK-Sanit is the ideal solution for domestic dwellings, modern and safer schools, public and private offices, restaurants, hotels, laboratories and, indeed, all those premises in which hygiene is of primary importance. All those places generally described as “community spaces”, in which numerous people of different ages, genders and cultures make random encounters. Inside, toilet facilities destined for use by all and sundry are increasingly in need of strong, antibacterial elements with a long product life.

The RAK-Sanit bactericide action is permanent, guaranteeing built-in protection throughout the entire expected product lifetime, thanks to its constant action against microbial colonisation; this technology, which has proved its capacity to reduce or eliminate the quantity of bacteria up to 99.99%, including MRSA, E. Coli, Salmonella and Legionella, actively prevents the growth of microorganisms 24 hours a day.

In more detail, the RAK-Sanit programme comprises:

Solutions for floor and wall coverings in gres porcelain and ceramic, treated with an incorporated glaze that is 99.9% effective in just 8 hours. The products for floor and wall covering solutions are tested and certified* in compliance with the Japanese Standard JIS – 2801:2000 and the International Standard ISO 27447:2019.

Solutions for sanitaryware (WC, bidets, washbasins, toilet seats and lids, rinsing systems) treated with RAK-ProTeK glaze fired at high temperatures onto the ceramic to guarantee a smoother antibacterial surface, unlike standard ceramic material with its rougher surface.

The silver ions bind to the cells: once inside, silver denatures the enzymes essential to the production of energy. Being unable to produce energy, the bacteria are unable to reproduce. This technology is therefore able to reduce or eliminate the quantity of bacteria up to 99.99% and its action is effective against a vast range of gram positive and gram negative bacteria, as well as fungi. RAK-ProTeK glaze has been tested by the Artest laboratory in the Italian ceramic district of Modena.

For more information visit the RAK Ceramics website.

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*Certified effectiveness

Bryan Adams shoots campaign for Kaldewei

Taking the theme “Natural Union”, Bryan Adams photographed Kaldewei’s new collection of Steel Enamel Washbasins.

Through these images, the legendary rockstar and photographer Bryan Adams displays the importance of maintaining relationships combined with the increased need for hygiene awareness in these controversial times. Adams takes an intimate look at togetherness exclusively for KALDEWEI: with his unique perspective he show that following simple hygiene routines we can come together and join hands—with our family, our friends, our partners.

This unique collaboration between Bryan Adams and Kaldewei evolved into the project “Natural Union”. With his empathetic and professional vision, Adams photographed the 2021 washbasin collection; the charismatic images are emotionally charged with a strong message.

At first stance “Natural Union” may seem at odds with the commandment of the hour for social distancing. But if we take our responsibility towards each other and our environment seriously, we can see we are closer than ever. We are all naturally connected and have a responsibility to look after each other and our planet – everyday actions such as washing your hands have never been more important,” says the photographer, highlighting the concept behind the campaign.

In late August, six people of different gender, ages and backgrounds came together in a Berlin photo studio. Photographed under running water, these distinctive hands old, young, male and female touched. This creates a
seamless link to Kaldewei; the company uses natural components to produce steel enamel products which make every surface unique.

The Ming and Miena Steel Enamel Washbasins Ming is the embodiment of subtle sophistication. The convex lines form an elegant silhouette, whist the classic black-and-white colour range acts as a perfect setting for creative design. Whether for the minimalist bathroom or more imaginative spaces—the classic grace of the new Ming washbasins allows for personal creativity; making the bathroom a retreat which sparks joy. Ming comes in four different variations: matte lava black, classic lava black, matte alpine white and classic alpine white.

Miena invigorates the bathroom with a totally new colour palette of blue and violet hues. The elegant design allows for experimentation with colours, the ability to make the bathroom a place of quiet calm or one that feels as cosy as a living room.

The steel enamel makes the colourful washbasins an easy-to-care and durable gem that even constant use can’t dull. The new editions of Miena with their playful yet stylish colour contrast accentuate the washing area and revive the bathroom. Miena is available in „Soft Touch” mint, „Sweet Love“ pink, „Deep Dream“ petrol, „Navy-blue“ matte and 13 more colours.

The Photographer Bryan Adams

Apart from his musical work, Bryan Adams is an award-winning photographer with a nuanced eye. His photos are often taken within his philanthropic causes.

His photographic work has won him multiple accolades and has been exhibited at Somerset House, Photokina, Kunsthalle Mainz and NRW Forum Düsseldorf.

Adams has been tirelessness in standing up for people in need all over the world.

Steel and Glass Turn into Steel Enamel
Steel and glass are two authentic, natural materials each possessing unique properties that have been valued for millennia. When joined they blend into an immaculate fusion of steel enamel. Kaldewei products are 100 per cent Made in Germany and are the epitome of exceptional design. For generations, Kaldewei’s unique enamel formula has been a well-kept secret. Applied onto steel, a pristinely beautiful, durable, hygienic surface evolves. Steel enamel is 100 per cent recyclable and one of the most sustainable materials in the bathroom.

About KALDWEI
KALDEWEI is a German family business that has been producing steel enamel for 100 years; now in the fourth generation. The portfolio includes bath tubs, shower surfaces, washbasins and installation systems for individual clients and project businesses. Superior bathroom solutions made of KALDEWEI steel enamel can be recycled entirely at the end of their life cycle. That is KALDEWEI’s contribution to environment-friendly construction. As a long-term partner, KALDEWEI is supporting the WWF marine conservation programme that is devoted to reducing plastic waste in our oceans—out of responsibility for the environment and future generations.

Design Hub sees unprecedented demand

The idea of the Virtual Worlds Design Hub may have begun long before furlough was ever spoken of, but with many kbb retailers experiencing a boost in sales since lockdown lifted as consumers have looked to invest in home improvements, the service has seen unprecedented demand.

Enabling showrooms to keep up with demand while staffing levels are reduced, the Design Hub is just one of the many ways that Virtual Worlds is helping retailers close sales and increase profitability.

Armed with a basic understanding of a project’s requirements, including style and colour theme, perimeter measurements and location of windows, doors and other fixed features, the Design Hub team will get to work. They will produce a 2D plan, with rendered photo-realistic jpeg images along with a link to the project on design cloud which can be shared with their customer. This link enables consumers to explore the design from the comfort of their own home, moving around and interacting with the design using their tablet or smartphone, keeping the consumer’s interest, and helping you to progress the sale.

Head Designer Lauren Sutton comments: “The Design Hub has been fulfilling an immediate need for assistance from retailers who may have been faced with staffing issues since the onset of the pandemic. It is a service that was launched to provide an overflow for growing businesses and it is fantastic that we have been able to help so many retailers proceed with designs for their customers at this time.”

For more information on Virtual Worlds call 01908 663 848 or visit www.virtualworlds.co.uk

About Virtual Worlds

Virtual Worlds is the UK market leader in innovation-led CAD technology for the KBB market. Since launching in 1998, it has broken boundaries in virtual technology innovation – being the first company to develop 3D design software for KBB retailers and, most recently, launching its new 4D Showroom Technology. Virtual Worlds is a division of Logicom Computer Services (UK) Ltd

BETTE shower trays & baths chosen for The Standard

Glazed titanium-steel baths and shower trays from German manufacturer, Bette, were chosen by The Standard, London, for its uniquely styled rooms.

Housed in the former Camden Town Hall Annex, in London’s King’s Cross neighbourhood, the 1974 Brutalist building has been meticulously restored and sets the perfect stage for The Standard’s first hotel outside America.

It has 266 rooms, in 42 unique styles, ranging from Cosy Core rooms to terraced suites.

Shower Trays and Floors

Bette provided shower trays and shower floors in a wide range of different sizes and shapes from 80 x 80cm to 180 x 90cm. All are made from Bette’s durable, hygienic and easy to clean, glazed titanium-steel, in matt white colour, ‘Snow’, and feature Bette’s almost invisible Anti-slip Pro finish. The shower trays and floors are Bette’s award-winning BetteFloor flush to floor shower floor and the BetteUltra shower tray in rectangular and corner versions.

Baths

Bette also provided freestanding, semi-recessed and fitted baths in white gloss finish, all manufactured from its glazed titanium-steel, which is easy to clean, retains its shine and comes with a 30 year warranty.

The baths are the freestanding BetteLux Oval Silhouette in 180 x 80cm, the semi-recessed BetteLux Oval Highline in 180 x 80cm, and the fitted BetteForm bath in 150 x 70cm.

For further information on Bette see www.my-bette.com/en or telephone 0844 800 0547.

(Please credit images: @timcharlesphoto)

About Bette

Bette is a specialist in bathroom products that are made of a special metal in a unique manufacturing process: titanium steel sheets are shaped under high pressure and then finished with a thin coating that is related to glass – hence the name “glazed titanium steel”. This composite material is perfect for the bathroom (it is skin-friendly, hygienic, durable and robust), and Bette uses it to make its baths, shower areas, shower trays and washbasins.

The Bette family company was founded in Delbrück in North-Rhine Westphalia in 1952, and specialises exclusively in this manufacturing process, because it allows the products to be shaped smoothly with the maximum skilled precision. The manufacturing and administrative headquarters employs around 385 people. The CEO, Thilo C. Pahl, is a member of the owner family.

The range includes baths, shower areas, shower trays, washbasins and bathroom furniture, all made in Germany. Unique items that can be made in various colours and dimensions and open up inspiring interior design ideas for the bathroom. Bette’s assembly processes combine high-tech industrial production techniques with tailor-made manufacturing where it benefits the customer. More than half its products are customised to customer preferences. The company offers over 600 different baths, shower trays and washbasin models in a tremendous range of colours.

The natural raw materials glass, water and steel are used to manufacture high-quality products that are completely recyclable. They are verified to the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) as per ISO 14025 and to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).

www.my-bette.com

New website for Acquabella delivers enhanced customer experience

Acquabella has adapted its website to deliver an enhanced customer experience. The website often serves as the first point of interaction for its customers. Discover the new acquabella.com website.

Constantly prioritising the user experience, Acquabellla has to introduced a website that maintains the spirit of the previous site. But, there are now notable differences that will create a pleasant browsing experience, where the user can enjoy jumping from tab to tab.

Improved tab usability

The new acquabella.com website features drop-down tabs that allow direct access to the desired section, shortening the route visitors follow and reducing loading times. There’s now also a much clearer and more visual division.

Welcome, Dolotek®

Acquabella has created a materials section where they explain in detail the characteristics, advantages and maintenance of Akron® and Dolotek®, the DNA of Acquabella products.

Interactive zone

This highly interactive section gives a product presentation an almost game-like feel.

Discover the Acquawhite catalogue from the “interactive catalogue” section. It’s a highly visual catalogue where users can discover products in detail, complete with environments that will transport customers into the photograph thanks to the 360 spaces, hotspots that provide more information on each product and, of course, each series’ products broken down individually.

On the other hand, the 360 environments transport users to the interior of an Acquabella bathroom, where they can move at will and enjoy a complete view of the room, from floor to ceiling and in all possible directions, with the user in control at all times.

You’ll find all this and much more if you visit the new acquabella.com website, a page designed for enjoyable browsing. But, since a picture is worth a thousand words, we invite you to take a look at it and see for yourself.

CRL Quartz Siena brings authenticity & sophistication

Combining all the practical benefits of quartz with all the beauty of marble, CRL Quartz Siena has a dark and sophisticated character that makes it the perfect choice for the contemporary kitchen or bathroom.

The dark grey base of the surface, coupled with its chalky white lines gives the material its authentic stone-like appearance, so that it effortlessly carries off a minimalist look in the modern home.

Non-porous, stain, scratch, heat and shock resistant, CRL Quartz is also very strong and simple to care for, making it ideal for kitchens and bathrooms. Available in thicknesses of 20mm and 30mm and in an extra-large slab format, CRL Quartz Siena boasts a beautiful polished finish that gives this surface its glamourous edge.

For more information, brochures and free samples call CRL Stone on 01706 863 600 or visit www.crlstone.co.uk

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John Hotowka confirmed speaker at 2021 conference

The BMA has confirmed that business speaker John Hotowka will speak at the 2021 conference. The event, which was due to take place next month, has been moved to June 2021 following the recent ongoing pandemic.

John Hotowka is a business mogul, humourist and magician who has the first-hand experience of the highs and lows running a business solo. Starting his career in 1989, he built a very successful international business. He has studied high achievers, and neuroscience, as well as gaining extensive industry knowledge and insight working with numerous blue-chip organisations and small businesses. He distilled his findings and developed ‘Achievement Thinking’. He now equips his audiences with the tools they need to overcome obstacles and achieve their goals.

BMA CEO Tom Reynolds said, “John is a great addition to next years’ event. The conference will focus on current topics that have a real impact on business, providing valuable information around ‘Sustainability for the Sector.’ We are taking bookings now with delegates having the option to pay nothing until January 2021.” Marketing Manager, Amy Kirk added “The pandemic has meant we needed to move the event to 2021. However, we have been able to take some positives from the situation, with the launch of our new website and our new online booking system for Conference. The system is now live, and delegates can book by visiting our website.”

The BMA is offering a limited number of sponsorship opportunities for the 2021 Conference.

For more details and to book call 01782 631619 or email amy.kirk@bathroom-association.org.uk

BBC News reports water-waste caused by industry innovation

BBC News has reported that Thomas Dudley Ltd, one of the UK’s largest plumbing manufacturers, has a testing station that puts any new mechanism through its paces with 200,000 constantly repeated flushes, taking four months.

Managing director Jason Parker says: “A siphon will not leak whereas an outlet valve – if we look at the figures we’ve got – they could leak within a week of installation. It could be two years but they will leak.”

Siphons are now being made dual flush, so he wants drop valves outlawed despite the fact they are his biggest seller and such a move could harm his business.

“If we’re serious about wasting water and we want to stop it, the only way to do that is put a siphon back in,” he says.

Visit BBC News for the full report

Acquabella is shortlisted for the SBID Product Design Awards 2020

Acquabella is among the latest global design talent to have become a finalist in the SBID Product Design Awards 2020, for its entry into the Bathroom Product category.

Considered as one of the most prestigious accolades in interior design and respected by the industry at large, success in SBID’s GOLD-rated awards programme is achieved purely for design, innovation and functionality of the entries. The finalists in each category therefore demonstrate the highest standards of design excellence for interior products within their field, spanning the commercial and residential design sectors.

Consistent in its quest to recognise, reward and celebrate global interior design, this year’s SBID Awards has been the most globally represented edition to date; receiving entries from 49 countries around the world. Entries from the Bathroom Product category showcases talent from countries such as The Netherlands, United States, France and Spain.

Each entry undergoes an exhaustive two-tier judging process, where leading industry professionals evaluate essential elements such as compliance with the brief, budget, health & safety and fit-for-purpose design. Acquabella ‘s project Smart Quiz was shortlisted by this year’s revered international jury for both its technical standards and creative delivery.

The Judges decisions are finalised by the third and final stage of judging, where the public are now invited to vote for their favourite projects at www.sbidawards.com. Accounting for an influential 30% of the results, the public and ultimate end-users of design have the final say in which products have what it takes to take home a prestigious SBID Award. With previous years seeing an astounding 225,000 unique voters, the voting will close on Wednesday 30^th September at 5pm (BST).

You can show your support and vote for Acquabella‘s project by visiting the SBID Awards website.

The Bathroom Product category focuses on any products suitable for use within a bathroom ranging from bathroom cabinets, mirrors and towel rails to shower doors and screens.

“We are honored to be finalists in this prestigious international recognition. Each award makes us infinitely proud and gives us an impulse to be better every day. There is nothing better than being rewarded for doing what we are passionate about”, says the company.

Founder and CEO of SBID, Dr Vanessa Brady OBE says: “Business has been disrupted for many during the pandemic, but I’m pleased to confirm that the interior design practice has remained relatively steady. The SBID Awards received submissions from more countries this year than in any other year, demonstrating the strength of SBID and the industry as a whole. We are thrilled to be the award that industry professionals want to win and for that, we are particularly proud and honoured, as an interior design body for trading standards, to continue showcasing the world’s best interior and product designs during these difficult days.”

The winning entry in each category will be announced on Friday 23^rd October and be awarded with a bespoke trophy as this year’s prestigious SBID Awards Winners. An Overall Winner will also be awarded for the product that scored highest overall from both the judges shortlists and public votes combined.