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Villeroy & Boch has launched its latest bathroom fittings collection, Vea. Designed by Christian Haas, the new range draws on the enduring appeal of classic modern interior design, combining minimalist styling with architectural intent. Rather than acting as a decorative addition, Vea is conceived as an integrated design element within contemporary bathroom spaces.

Faceted design defines the Vea collection

At the heart of the design are precise facets, inspired by the clear geometry of classic perfume bottles, which define the tap’s distinctive form.

These carefully engineered surfaces create a controlled interplay of light and shadow, resulting in a slim, defined silhouette that enhances visual clarity. These facets act as a structural elements, refracting light in a controlled way, directing shadows and creating a slim, clearly defined silhouette. The result is a modern interpretation of classic craftsmanship – translated into industrial manufacturing precision.

“It’s about developing a design language hat endures and remains visually relevant over time,” explains Christian Haas. “The facet is not merely decorative, but defines edges and form. It gives the fitting contour and clarity.”

Innovative control technology enhances user experience

Functionality sits at the core of the Vea collection, with Villeroy & Boch introducing its ViPush technology. This intuitive press-and-turn control system allows users to activate water flow by pressing the central button, while temperature is adjusted by rotation.

Designed to echo the tactile experience of luxury perfume bottles, the system removes the need for conventional levers, maintaining the purity of the design. The integrated control concept supports a streamlined aesthetic while enhancing usability, aligning form and function in a cohesive solution.

Materiality as a tactile interface

The model with a ceramic inlay in the control knob creates a deliberate material connection to the washbasin. The transition from metal to ceramic enhances the tactile quality of the object and reinforces the tap’s role as an integral part of the bathroom architecture. Vea is available in matt black with pure black ceramic inlay and in chrome with white ceramic inlay. The collection is also available entirely in chrome.

Precision manufacturing, versatile expression

The sculptural quality of Vea is inseparable from its manufacturing process. Realising the collection’s precise geometry requires exceptional accuracy, with minimal tolerances ensuring that the clarity of form can be both seen and felt. Each fitting is manufactured in Germany.

Vea offers remarkable versatility. In chrome with a white ceramic inlay, the fitting has a familiar, classic character, making it particularly suited to traditional or renovated interiors. In matt black, it takes on a more architectural and contemporary expression. In every variation, the collection maintains its distinctive identity without overpowering the space, representing a design approach in which technological innovation serves timeless elegance.

Product data
  • Design: Christian Haas
  • Manufacturer: Villeroy & Boch (Made in Germany)
  • Technologies: ViPush control, AdjustablePlus, SmartPressure, AquaSmart, AirPlus
  • Finishes: chrome, chrome/alpine white, matt black/pure black
  • Range includes: single-lever mixers, three-hole fittings, freestanding bath fittings, bidet fittings and concealed thermostats

With Vea, Villeroy & Boch delivers a fittings collection that combines contemporary bathroom design with innovative technology, offering specifiers and designers a solution that prioritises both longevity and performance.

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The Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS) concluded its 2026 edition following three days of product introductions, demonstrations, networking, and educational programming held February 17–19 at the Orange County Convention Cente, Orlando. Owned by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) and produced by Emerald Expositions, KBIS is North America’s largest trade show dedicated to the kitchen and bath industry. The co-location of KBIS and the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)’s International Builders’ Show (IBS) creates Design & Construction Week (DCW).

“KBIS 2026 was, by every measure, an incredible success and a reflection of the remarkable vitality of the kitchen and bath industry,” said Bill Darcy, global president and CEO of NKBA | KBIS. “As shared at our annual State of the Association meeting, the industry is poised for a strong outlook, and the consistent feedback we received from attendees was that KBIS reignited enthusiasm for the future and provided meaningful connections that will help their businesses grow. As KBIS continues to evolve and expand, it’s bringing even greater, lasting value to our members from around the world. KBIS is the can’t-miss event for the global kitchen, bath and home industry.”

DCW 2026 By-the-Numbers

  • 117,000 registrants
  • 2,250 exhibitors
  • 1,150,000 NSF

“KBIS 2026 once again proved why it is the must-attend event in the industry,” said Brian Pagel, Executive Vice President, Emerald, which produces KBIS. “From breakthrough product launches on the show floor to the innovation recognized through the Best of KBIS and Innovation Hour winners, this year’s exhibitors showcased the strength and evolution shaping the industry. The debut of Kitchen & Bath Canada and our executive peer-to-peer networks event, DesignPoint, speaks to the industry’s continued growth and our commitment to expanding our reach while creating meaningful opportunities for brands and buyers alike.”

The strong performance was reflected across the show floor, where exhibitors debuted new products and technologies with demonstrations and interactive displays, drawing steady crowds throughout the three-day event. Platinum sponsors Midea introduced the Top Control Dishwasher with STRAWash™, while Brio showcased the 740i Nugget Ice Maker, and ZLINE revealed The Marino Collection. Gold Sponsors Kichler unveiled the Mikale ceramic shade, and TOTO launched the Aurora™ WASHLET+ S7A One-Piece Bidet Toilet.

In its inaugural year, the Homeworthy x KBIS LIVE Studio sponsored by GE Appliances’ House of Brands extended the KBIS experience beyond the show floor, featuring live interviews streamed online for a broader audience. “What an exciting year to be the first partner to launch this effort with Homeworthy!” said Mary Putman, Vice President of Marketing & Brand at GE Appliances, a Haier Company. “There are so many great brands at this show and extending the trends, innovation and inspiration to a broader audience was a valuable experience for GE Appliances. Showcasing our Design District House of Brands allowed us to share our broad expertise with the designers and builders we value beyond the show floor.”

Next year, KBIS and Design & Construction Week will be held February 2-4, 2027, at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada and will once again co-locate with the International Builders’ Show.

About the National Kitchen & Bath Association and the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is the not-for-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), the largest kitchen and bath show in North America. With nearly 55,000 members in all segments of the kitchen and bath design and remodeling industry, NKBA has educated and advised the industry since it was founded in 1963. The NKBA’s mission is to inspire and support the kitchen and bath industry through community, events, learning, and professional certifications. For more information, visit www.nkba.org or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522).

KBIS® and NKBA® are registered trademarks of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

The Bathroom Association has confirmed the independent judging panel for its Thirty-under-Thirty Awards 2026, as nominations open to celebrate exceptional young professionals helping to shape the future of the UK bathroom industry.

The Thirty-under-Thirty Awards shine a spotlight on people aged 29 and under who are driving progress across the sector, from technical performance and innovation to commercial excellence, leadership and customer impact. By showcasing these achievements, the awards also help raise the profile of the bathroom industry as a dynamic, future-facing career path, offering real opportunities for growth, responsibility and long-term success.

This year’s independent judging panel brings a broad range of expertise spanning people development, communications and events, and water efficiency and sustainability:

Sharon Southcott, managing director of Strategic Professionals, a management and leadership development company. Sharon began her career in the bathroom industry in sales and marketing roles before becoming a university lecturer in sales, marketing and management. She has continued to support KBB organisations in developing their people and has contributed to industry media and projects.

Henk Gieskens, director of client success at Nineteen Group, the media and events specialists behind theinstaller and elemental brands. With a background across national and international events, Henk works to connect manufacturers, specifiers and installers across the built environment and is a Board Member of the Unified Water Label Association (UWLA), championing best practice in water and energy efficiency.

Lee Cartwright, MA, managing director of the Unified Water Label Association (UWLA). With extensive experience across the bathroom industry on water efficiency, product information and sustainability, Lee works with manufacturers, trade bodies and regulators to promote practical, consistent approaches that support improvement across the sector. With a background in engineering and design, and an MA in Design Management, he brings a balanced perspective on innovation, technical performance and real-world impact.

Prospective nominees for the awards can read more about this year’s judges by visiting the Meet the Judges website.

Lisa Carnwell, communications manager of the Bathroom Association, said: “Thirty-under-Thirty is a chance to celebrate the people who are already raising standards and pushing the industry forward, and to show just how exciting the bathroom sector can be as a career. A strong, independent judging panel is essential to that credibility.

“Sharon, Henk and Lee bring real breadth and expertise, and they’ll help us spotlight the talent that will define the future success of our industry.”

Nominations are open to all Bathroom Association member companies, including affiliates and partners. Entries are judged independently, with judges looking for clear evidence of achievement, professional growth, future potential and recognition from peers and customers.

Winners will be announced at the Bathroom Association Annual Conference 2026 gala dinner on Thursday, 8 October 2026, held at the Grand Hotel, Birmingham.

To submit a nomination and view guidance, visit the Thirty-Under-Thirty Awards website.

D-Lite is a brand new, innovative and value-driven range of shower enclosures offered by Kudos. Produced with 6mm glass, this versatile collection provides a wide variety of sizes and door configurations, including pivot, sliding, bifold, and quadrant designs. Positioned within the brand’s Essential collection and contracts brochures, D-Lite is specifically tailored to meet the needs of contract customers, combining functionality with clean, modern aesthetics.

All D-Lite shower enclosures are 1950mm high and feature 6mm toughened safety glass throughout, treated with a protective glass coating for easy cleaning. The profiles have a high-gloss chrome finish, and the fixings, included in each pack, are designed for easy installation. There is also a 30mm adjustment for each wall post to accommodate uneven walls. They can be installed on either a tray or a wetroom floor and come with a 10-year guarantee against manufacturing defects. D-Lite offers a range of sizes for each door option, providing a design solution for any bathroom space. Pivot doors are available from 700mm to 1000mm, with corresponding side panels. Sliding doors are available from 1000mm to 1400mm wide. Bifolds are available from 700mm to 900mm, and a Quadrant is available in five sizes from 800mm to 1200mm.

To complete this delightful addition to the Kudos portfolio, it also includes a stylish single-panel overbath screen. The Arelia screen is reversible for left or right-hand installations, comes in 5mm toughened glass, and measures 1400mm high and 800mm wide.

Kudos Shower Products has been designing and manufacturing shower products at its Cumbria facility since 1999. Now part of the Ronal Bathroom Group, its portfolio includes shower enclosures, shower trays, over-bath screens, and wet-room solutions sold via KBB showrooms and merchants across the UK. Visit their website kudosshowers.co.uk.

Bathrooms to Love by PJH has added two new flawless hues to its popular modular furniture range, ELEMENTS, as well as a new slim cloakroom basin unit and WC unit, for its 2026 Collection.

Elements, a contemporary wall-hung and floor-standing furniture family, is now available in a calming Matt Latte finish as well as a bright and playful Matt Misty Blue. The two new colourways join an eclectic mix of other finishes; a Matt Antique Rose, Matt Graphite Grey, natural Seville Oak and Gloss White – chosen to appeal to wide range of tastes allowing for optimum design personalisation.

The range is further enhanced with a great choice of handles, in an array of shapes and finishes, such as Brushed Brass, Brushed Bronze, Matt Black, Walnut-effect, and even a Chrome Deco-inspired knob. 

The on-trend Matt Latte Elements option joins other new Matt Latte finished products in the Bathrooms to Love Collection for smart coordination, such as the Latte Belmont Free-standing bath, Latte slate shower tray and Latte vessel basins.

In contrast, the Matt Misty Blue units, follow the trend for the many shades of blue that are a popular bathroom colourway, introducing a fresh pop of colour to this once all-white space. Coordinated metallic finishes add a designer-inspired flow to the bathroom, as shown with Elements Matt Latte using a warm Brushed Bronze, and with Elements Matt Misty Blue using an industrial Matt Black. This can be through the unit handles, brassware, showering zone, accessories, and even the smallest details such as push button covers and overflow rings. It all contributes to a themed luxurious look for individuality and character.

r-standing basin units with a slim-edge white ceramic basin and one door, including a new space-saving cloakroom basin unit at just 410mm in width. A new matching floor-standing 500mm WC unit for use with a concealed cistern also joins the range.

Boasting a quality build and construction, the highly durable Elements modular units feature silent soft-close fittings and generous cupboard space to keep bathrooms neat and tidy. 

As featured in PJH’s latest Bathrooms to Love Collection, Elements is available for ordering via the PJH Partners Portal, on an efficient next-day delivery service, to store or customer address. For further stockist support information, from POS to swatches and attractive display deals, contact PJH now (see below).

Further information:

Bathrooms to Love by PJH: T: : 0345 450 8932 / www.partners.pjh.uk  / www.bathroomstolove.uk

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Grant Westfield, the UK manufacturer behind bathroom wall panel brands Multipanel and Naturepanel, has reported strong early uptake of its Installer Elite rewards programme, following its launch to the professional installer market.

Designed specifically for bathroom installers, plumbers and trade professionals, Installer Elite has already attracted significant interest, underlining the value installers place on loyalty schemes that recognise their ongoing commitment to trusted brands.

To build further awareness of the programme, Grant Westfield has confirmed that all Multipanel and Naturepanel products will now include an Installer Elite flyer, encouraging installers to register and start earning rewards from their purchases.

Installer Elite allows registered installers to earn points on every pound spent on Grant Westfield products, with points tracked and redeemed via the Installer Elite app.

Installer Elite rewards have also now been announced and span everything from £5 Greggs vouchers and everyday gift cards, to practical trade rewards such as tools, workwear and tech, with the option to save points for big-ticket items including a Weber Genesis BBQ or an 85-inch 4K TV.

Elliott Fairlie, Product & Marketing Director at Grant Westfield, commented:  “The response from installers since launching Installer Elite has been extremely positive, with strong sign-ups across the trade. By including a flyer in every product pack, we’re making sure installers are aware of the rewards available and how easy it is to benefit from work they’re already doing.”

Elite-brand-and-headline-for-Grant-Westfield

Utopia has unveiled the new GlowLux mirror collection, an elegant range of soft square shaped mirrors offering advanced features and co-ordination opportunities. 

In a comprehensive range of sizes from 500mm through to 1300mm, the GlowLux concept has been designed to work perfectly as a standalone option or can be teamed with a colour co-ordinated backboard in 14 colourways. In addition, the stylish mirror can also be teamed with a decorative backboard to match the textured design styles of the new HeyU modular furniture collection. GlowLux Linear, Wave and Ripple each replicate the eye-catching textured effects available, allowing for a cohesive design theme.

Illuminated with touch switch, natural white LED lighting, the GlowLux mirror has a frosted Halo surround and an integrated demister.

Helen Clark, head of marketing at Utopia, comments “We’ve created this statement mirror collection to offer our customers maximum choice. Beautiful as a standalone piece, it becomes even more striking when paired with a coloured or decorative backboard, opening up endless possibilities for a fully co-ordinated, truly unique look.”

www.utopiagroup.com

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The Bathroom Association has confirmed award-winning author, broadcaster and keynote speaker Jez Rose as the morning keynote speaker at the Bathroom Association Connect Conference 2026, taking place on Thursday, 8 October 2026, at The Grand Hotel, Birmingham

Returning to Birmingham following a strong delegate response in 2025, the Connect Conference brings together the bathroom sector’s supply chain and partners for a day of ideas, insight and connection, followed by an exclusive gala dinner and the popular Thirty-Under-Thirty Awards.

A keynote built for ‘Stronger Together’

This year’s theme, Stronger Together, puts collaboration at the centre of growth, spanning policy, standards, skills, innovation, sustainability and meeting customer needs.

Jez Rose’s keynote will align with that focus, exploring how small, evidence-based changes can drive extraordinary results in health, wellbeing and behaviour, and what high-performing teams (from business to elite sport) can teach us about building resilience, momentum and trust together.

Amy Kirk, engagement director and conference organiser at the Bathroom Association, said: “Connect Conference 2026 is about practical, forward-looking collaboration, and how we align as a sector and strengthen capability across the supply chain. Jez’s work on nature, human behaviour and sustainable performance fits that perfectly.

“Delegates can expect a keynote that’s engaging, thought-provoking and packed with takeaways that translate directly into stronger teams and a stronger industry.”

About Jez Rose

Jez Rose has built an exceptional reputation delivering keynotes for many of the world’s most recognised brands. A TEDx speaker in both the UK and USA, Jez combines research-led insight with energy and humour that keeps audiences engaged.

A familiar media personality, Jez has appeared on BBC One’s Saturday Kitchen, James Martin’s Saturday Morning, and as a guest presenter on QVC. He is also an award-winning author, having written children’s books Zooster McFlooster & the Very Big Sneeze and The Sock Thief, alongside Flip the Switch and LEGACY. His writing has featured in titles including The Daily Telegraph, Liz Earle Wellbeing, CNN and BBC Countryfile magazine.

Jez is the founder of The Good Life Project, a research initiative supported by ambassadors including The Soil Association, broadcaster Kate Humble, and Gardeners’ World presenter Adam Frost, which develops practical, evidence-based guidance on how nature impacts human health, wellbeing, and behaviour.

What to expect at Connect Conference 2026

Connect Conference 2026 will feature keynote talks, panel discussions and dedicated networking time, followed by an exclusive gala dinner. The charity raffle and auction, and the Thirty-Under-Thirty Awards, also return.

Sponsorship opportunities and delegate packages are available with options including day delegate passes, gala dinner attendance, and accommodation packages. View the Connect Conference website for more details.

BC Designs has unveiled its new 2026 full brochure, a comprehensive update designed to support retailers and trade partners with clear, practical information across the brand’s expanding portfolio. Running to 152 pages, the latest edition brings together product depth, technical clarity and commercial detail in a single, easy-to-navigate volume that continues to function as a day-to-day working tool in showroom and specification environments.

The brochure introduces the latest Cian solid surface baths, with full technical information and pricing clearly set out. Three new models are available exclusively through bricks-and-mortar retail partners, underlining BC Designs’ ongoing commitment to supporting physical showrooms while ensuring customers receive informed, in-person guidance when specifying premium bathing products. The brochure also encompasses the new Cian Colourkast colours including Aqua Blue, Minty Green and Pale Peach. 

Alongside this, the brochure integrates the historic BC Sanitan brand, reflecting its wider remit and growing relevance across both bathroom and kitchen spaces. In addition to bathroom ceramics and complementary products, the 2026 edition showcases fireclay kitchen sinks, now including newly introduced fluted designsdetailed; bringing texture and depth to a category traditionally dominated by smooth finishes.

Throughout the brochure, BC Designs maintains a clear focus on usability for retailers. Ordering codes, detailed sizing information and current RRPs are presented consistently across sections, enabling straightforward specification, quoting and ordering without the need to cross-reference multiple documents. 

The BC Designs 2026 brochure is available to download now, with printed copies available through authorised retail partners.

Bringing a calm, contemporary edge to modern interiors, Armani Gris is the latest finish to be added to the Ceralsio ceramic surface collection from CRL Stone.

Characterised by a soft, tonal grey base and gentle movement throughout, Armani Gris strikes a balance between minimalism and texture. Its natural finish enhances the surface’s organic feel, making it ideally suited to kitchens, bathrooms and commercial spaces where a neutral backdrop with design depth is desired.

Made using cutting-edge ceramic technology, Ceralsio is a high-performance surface material that combines aesthetic appeal with outstanding functionality. Its non-porous structure makes it completely impermeable and highly resistant to staining, while its dense composition protects against scratches, heat and UV exposure.

Whether specified for kitchen and bathroom countertops, flooring, wall cladding or outdoor applications, Armani Gris offers durability and stability across every setting. Its low-maintenance finish ensures longevity without compromising on style, even in areas exposed to direct sunlight or high traffic.

Available in a 12 mm thickness and natural finish, Armani Gris reflects the growing demand for thin, large-format surfaces that offer both refinement and resilience.

For more information and brochures call CRL Stone on 01706 863600, or visit www.crlstone.co.uk

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