AYLA, meaning moonlight, epitomises the strength and elegance of modern tapware. It was designed by Yabu Pushelberg for the Italian manufacturer CEA. Renowned for its innovation in stainless steel tapware, CEA blends simplicity with advanced technology in this latest design.
Inspired by the form of an I-beam, AYLA combines robust support with refined aesthetics. The bevelled edges enhance its visual appeal and improve user comfort and functionality. CEA’s precision engineering allows for an unusually slim horizontal spout to complement the broader vertical faucet body, showcasing its expertise in stainless steel craftsmanship.
About Yabu Pushelberg:
Since 1980, George Yabu and Glenn Pushelberg have been creating immersive environments and products through their multidisciplinary studio. With offices in New York and Toronto, their team of over 100 professionals specialises in a wide range of design disciplines, from interiors and landscapes to lighting and furniture. Their focus extends beyond aesthetics to the emotional impact of their designs.
Stefan Diez, the industrial designer from Munich, designed Kaldewei’s new collection of bathroom furniture and accessories. The range was developed and manufactured by the interior label e15 for the German bath manufacturer Kaldewei. Diez designs for both Kaldewei and e15.
The furniture, made from solid European oak, includes a stool and bench, a footboard, a towel rail, and a bathtub bridge. The coordinated accessories are made of soft, water-repellent leather. Clever and practical, the bag and a towel loop can be magnetically attached to the edge of the steel enamel tub.
The natural surfaces of the e15-KALDEWEI Collection are warm to the touch and complement all Kaldewei products, such as the freestanding Meisterstück Oyo Duo bathtub made of glazed titanium steel.
The new collection designed by Stefan Diez
Kaldewei is a renowned German premium brand with over 100 years of experience designing and refining iconic bathroom products. e15 is a leading European furnishings brand strongly anchored in architecture and design. In addition to a strong passion for sustainable materials, both manufacturers are united by collaboration with the German designer Stefan Diez. Diez has already made a name for himself with his “10 theses for good design” and is responsible for the creative design of the e15 for Kaldewei furniture and accessories and for Kaldewei bathroom products.
Handcrafted furniture and accessories
The handcrafted STOOL and BENCH feature a playful and balanced geometry. The BASE footboard appears to float above the ground thanks to its ridged construction. This lets the air circulate and ensures the oiled oak wood dries easily. The BRIDGE bathtub bridge features a circular recess for better handling and let’s users keep a towel close to hand.
An integrated magnet on the underside securely fixes BRIDGE to the steel enamel bathtub. The TRIPOD towel holder has a triangular layout that ensures stability and enough space to accommodate any size of bath and hand towels. The POCKET and LOOP leather accessories are treated with a water-repellent finish and equipped with invisible magnets that work perfectly with Kaldewei enamelled steel.
The new e15-KALDEWEI furniture is a stylish addition not only to the bathroom but also to many other areas of the home.
The visionary founder of Panificio Architecture Workshop, architect Andrea Benedetti, has created a nearly zero-energy residence in Brescia that adheres to rigorous European nZEB (Nearly Zero Energy Building) standards. This project is said to set a new benchmark for energy-efficient living spaces.
In the ambitious demolition and reconstruction project, Benedetti declared absolute dedication to the client’s needs and aspirations. The result is a contemporary construction that blends cutting-edge technology with chic design and demonstrates how sustainability and luxury can coexist harmoniously.
Ritmonio solutions were selected throughout the building across all three bathroom spaces thanks to the product’s outstanding design attributes, built-in hygiene features and water -efficiency.
The DOT316 Collection in Stainless Steel (Black Finish) features minimalist elegance. Its pure lines create a harmonious blend of functionality and style, and the darkened tones add a touch of sophistication, making it a standout feature in the bathrooms.
Diametro35 Inox (Stainless Steel and Black Finish) features an iconic design that brings personality and flair to the space. This series meets the client’s desire for a versatile combination of modern aesthetics and practical functionality.
Diametro35 (Black Matt Finish) features a black matt finish that provides a striking yet subtle touch, enhancing the overall bathroom experience.
Andrea Benedetti’s project is a pioneering example of sustainable architecture. By integrating Ritmonio’s solutions, the residence perfectly balances eco-friendly design with luxurious living.
The British Beauty Council recently announced support for ‘Plastic-free July’, calling on consumers to make small lifestyle changes to reduce single-use plastic waste in their households.
The influential movement has spread across 190 countries and gathered over 100+ million participants. Plastic-free July means brands are working harder to remove visible and hidden plastics from everyday use. Nowhere is this more prevalent than in the bathroom. From smaller items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste tubes to acrylic baths and shower trays, plastic is everywhere in our bathrooms, and it is sometimes hard to find sustainable alternatives.
For Kaldewei, sustainability is in their DNA. However, it continues to improve and, like many brands, has invested time to ensure its products are as sustainable and eco-friendly as possible. From being proud partners with the WWF to ensuring all materials are 100% authentic and natural. Kaldewei launched their own “Less Plastic in the Bathroom” initiative, in which Kaldewei showed how much plastic can be found in our bathrooms.
Since the beginning, Kaldewei has only used one hundred per cent real and natural steel enamel instead of acrylic to ensure that all bathtubs and washbasins are manufactured sustainably and to the highest quality. However, it’s not only the products that are sustainable the packaging is to.
In 2022, Kaldewei stopped using polystyrene in its packaging and changed it to cardboard. Since then, Kaldewei’s packaging has been 95% recyclable. It continues to invest time and money into discovering new sustainable technology that will allow it to cut plastic from its packaging completely. Currently, all packaging from Kaldewei is made from 48% cardboard and 48% wood, which means products are sustainable from production to delivery.
Kaldewei says be-it beauty products or bathtubs, when buying online, it is important to understand the brand’s ethics and know that you can trust them.
Drummonds has unveiled a new addition to its family of cast iron bathtubs, the Newton. Said to offer a playful nod to mid-century Scandi design, the Newton features a generously rounded base. The bath’s body is subtly fluted to a broad rolled edge at the top and rests on four oversized bun feet.
Drummonds’ creative director, James Lentaigne, said: “In fact, we began with a stark and playful geometry almost reminiscent of Mephis Milano, but the bath’s ultimate iteration became something much more pared back with an airiness and symmetry. Grounded in the human form, the organic curves of Scandinavian design have a soothing harmony that works well here.”
All Drummonds’ baths are made from solid cast iron using the time-honoured sand-casting technique first used by the finest Victorian foundries. Renowned for its mastery of enamelling and hand-finishing, each bath product is considered one-of-a-kind.
The business owns and operates three foundries that manufacture cast iron baths, brass fittings, and china sanitaryware. Drummonds’ head office and warehouse are located in Surrey, UK, with flagship showrooms in London and New York.
A new partnership between bathroom brand VitrA and Ideal Bathrooms will see the distributor hold the largest UK stock of VitrA’s Bathroom Collection, including ranges such as S20, Zentrum, Milton and Layton, and new V-Fix frames. It will also hold brassware ranges Minimax S and Solid S, in addition to the new Flow Line range with V-SuperFix technology.
VitrA has also announced the return of the highly popular S50 range, to which Ideal Bathrooms will have exclusive rights. The range includes the resurgence of 16 products and washbasin units in three sizes. The units feature a minimalist, handleless design and are available in high-gloss white, anthracite, and golden oak.
Bathroom retailers will be able to place orders 24/7; in addition, Ideal Bathrooms offers 99% UK coverage with next-day delivery. A recently introduced fleet of new Euro 6 compliant delivery vans marks an important step in their Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) agenda.
Sam Cooke, VitrA’s head of independent retail, said: “We are delighted to be entering this new phase of working with Ideal Bathrooms. Ideal Bathrooms have a fantastic service proposition and we are confident that this collaboration will bring significant benefits to our retail customers.”
Will Hickman, sales and marketing director at Ideal Bathrooms, said: “Realigning our strategic partnership with VitrA on their bathroom collection range marks a significant milestone for Ideal Bathrooms. As the exclusive distributor of the S50 range, we are thrilled to offer our loyal customers access to this high-quality and versatile collection. This relationship reinforces our commitment to providing exceptional value and innovation in the bathroom market.”
Flair Showers displayed its shower enclosure ranges, including its brand new Flair PRO Essential Collections range, engineered specifically for trade professionals, at InstallerSHOW 2024.
Flair also revealed its ‘Installer’s Choice’ campaign to emphasise to visitors that Flair is a trusted and reliable partner while showcasing its easy-fit showering solutions. Installers got hands-on at the exhibition, too, taking on Flair’s Click-Fit PRO test to experience for themselves how quick and hassle-free a Flair Verve PRO shower door is to assemble.
The Flair PRO Essential Collections boasts a variety of shower doors, bath screens, and wetroom solutions. The Verve PRO range of shower doors features easy-to-fit frames and materials that will stand the test of time. Flair also displayed enclosures from its premium Harmony Collections and the affordable Flair PRO range.
Sarah O’Reilly, senior marketing executive at Flair Showers, says: “Exhibiting at InstallerSHOW 2024 was important for us at Flair Showers to meet and engage with the trade professionals in our industry. We launched the Flair PRO Essential Collections, a product range designed and engineered with installers in mind. We are delighted with the interest and feedback our Verve PRO shower doors received at the exhibition. It was exciting to see installers getting hands-on with our Verve Click-Fit PRO assembly system and experience the quality and reliability in our product.
“Our Flair PRO ‘VAN’ project communicates the values behind our Flair PRO Essential Collections and our appreciation for the skilled trade professionals we rely on every day while embedded within is the unrivalled customer and technical support that we offer to trade professionals. Following a successful launch at InstallerSHOW, we look forward to working alongside more UK trade professionals. Trust Flair, Trust PRO.”
The PJH Contracts Division, part of the PJH Group, has announced a new contract win with Churchill Retirement Living Ltd.
PJH Contracts, a national team of contract managers, site liaison officers, installers, and a dedicated Customer Service Resource, will supply and install all cooking, cooling, and cleaning kitchen appliances for the 55 retirement apartments at Caxton Lodge in Tenterden, Kent. As Churchill’s ‘solus’ supplier and installer of appliances throughout all its UK developments, this new project further strengthens the partnership.
This strategic alliance involves PJH outfitting each of the development’s 55 apartments with the latest Hoover built-in and integrated appliances, ensuring future residents enjoy style, functionality and energy efficiency in their new homes. Caxton Lodge offers a variety of 1- and 2-bedroom apartments designed to provide a high degree of comfort and security, allowing residents to savour their retirement in a beautiful setting.
The PJH Contracts Division, with over 50 years of experience, covers the entire UK with clients across four key housing industry sectors: Developers, Builders, Kitchen Furniture Manufacturers, and Affordable Housing Providers.
It prides itself on offering a professional end-to-end supply and installation service to the housebuilding industry. With high stock availability (3.5 million pounds worth of quality household appliance brands held in its distribution centres), fast efficient delivery, and a team of nationwide fitters, the PJH Contracts Division provides a same-day on-site delivery and fitting service to its range of customers, backed by PJH’s ‘First Choice’ service promise.
Speaking about the project, Aaron Willumsen, Head of Sales, PJH Contracts said: “We are delighted to partner with Churchill Retirement Living on this exceptional flagship project. At PJH, we are committed to delivering not just products, but complete made-to-order solutions that enhance the lives of the end-users and this project allows us to showcase our dedication to quality and customer satisfaction.”
Aaron added: “This supply and fit project is just one of many contracts we’ve secured in recent months as ever more builders and developers recognise the benefits of partnering a national team of dedicated contracts managers that can source and supply the widest range of the latest branded appliances, in the shortest possible time, together with full site liaison and installation.”
For further information on PJH Contracts, visit www.pjh.uk or call, T: 03432 909090
Roca Group has acquired Idral, an Italian manufacturer of self-closing faucets and taps for public and semi-public spaces. This significantly strengthens Roca Group’s faucets division and enhances its position in the market for public and communal bathrooms, such as those in schools, hospitals, and the hospitality industry.
Boasting 50 years of experience, Idral is the leading supplier of public bathroom taps in Italy. It specialises in a wide range of products, including electronic, self-closing, and pedal taps. The family-owned company is one of 87 manufacturers located around Milan, representing 20% of Italy’s national production of taps and fittings.
Idral is also a leader in smart tap technology, offering solutions like self-closing thermostatic cartridges and sensor taps. Its portfolio of products complements Roca Group’s existing lines and offers potential for growth in this sector across Europe.
KPMG and Baker McKenzie assisted Roca Group in this transaction. Alisea Corporate Finance and Tonucci & Partners assisted Idral Group.
Bathroom brand Villeroy & Boch has completed a structural reorganisation of its management board responsibilities, effective August 1, 2024.
The move follows the acquisition of all operating companies of Ideal Standard earlier in the year. The existing Bathroom & Wellness division will merge with Ideal Standard into three functional areas: Operations, Sales and Marketing/R&D/Product Management.
Operations will be assigned to Georg Lörz, who takes the newly created position of chief operations officer; Bathroom & Wellness (COO B&W) Purchasing and ESG will also fall under the remit of Lörz.
Ideal Standard’s current managing director, Jan Peter Tewes, will become executive vice president of sales of Bath & Wellness. He will be joined by the executive vice president of marketing/R&D/product management, this position is yet to be confirmed.
Both positions are established below the management board and will report to Gabi Schupp, the chairwoman of the management board (CEO).
Villeroy & Boch was founded in 1748 and is located in Mettlach/Germany. Villeroy & Boch is represented in 125 countries, and its products are sold in the bathroom & wellness and dining & lifestyle divisions.
