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PJH matches staff fundraising goal and donates over £20k to Macmillan

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KBB distributor PJH has announced the results of its 12-month fundraising campaign for Macmillan Cancer Support, resulting in a £21,531 donation to the charity.

The company partnered with the charity last summer with the goal of raising £10,000, which PJH promised to match. After a year’s worth of fundraising activities, PJH colleagues throughout the UK enthusiastically took part in a wide range of challenges and events, smashing the target and raising £11,531!

Jason Shaw, Chief Financial Officer, PJH, said: “PJH colleagues from across the UK have excelled in managing and participating in a huge range of Macmillan fundraising events and I’d like to congratulate each and every one of you for your amazing contributions! Macmillan Cancer Support is such an amazing organisation that makes a huge difference to the lives of millions of people affected by cancer, so are we are delighted to be presenting this cheque to the charity.”

Throughout the last year, colleagues have donned their aprons and baked delicious treats, legs have been waxed, faces have been sponged, inflatable football tournaments have been held, Snowdon has been conquered, Three Peaks challenges have been completed and the Manchester HYROX Challenge has been done – to name just a few. The team spirit couldn’t have been higher, and much enjoyment was had by all!

On receiving the cheque, Philip Shuttleworth, Volunteer Fundraising Speaker, Macmillan Cancer Support, said: “We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone at PJH for fundraising for Macmillan. We simply could not do what we do without incredible people like you. I have been so impressed with all your enthusiasm and determination! This money raised is essential in continuing to contribute to so many aspects of cancer, from treatments to coping with everyday life and supporting the 3 million people in the UK living with cancer.”

Based on the success of the one-year PJH and Macmillan campaign, PJH has decided to continue with another 12 months of fundraising activities for Macmillan, aiming to surpass this year’s result with an even higher target.

For further information on Macmillan Cancer Care, visit www.macmillan.org.uk, and for PJH, visit www.pjh.uk , www.partners.pjh.uk or call T: 0800 8 77 88 99.

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VitrA Appoints First Vitality Partner in Northern Ireland, Cadco

Bathroom brand Vitra has welcomed Cadco as its first VitrA Vitality Partner in Northern Ireland. This partnership marks an important milestone for the VitrA brand, four months after it launched the new VitrA Vitality Partner Programme. The programme is designed exclusively for independent bathroom showrooms and says says it is 100% focused on helping the retailer’s business thrive.

An independent family-run business, Cadco was established in 2010 after 15 years of experience in the trade. In 2022, they opened a bathroom showroom in Lisnaskea, County Fermanagh 2022, showcasing bathroom and tile products. Cadco offers a comprehensive bathroom service solution, guiding customers through the initial design phase through to supply and installation.

Joining the VitrA Vitality Partner Programme, Cadco will be the first bathroom showroom in Northern Ireland to access VitrA’s Vitality Collection, which includes popular ranges such as Sento, Root, and Integra, as well as new additions for 2024, such as the M-Line range. They will also benefit from the full partner package, including guaranteed availability, fast delivery, and a dedicated customer phone line.

Steve Breen, managing director of VitrA UK, comments, “VitrA is fully committed to supporting independent retailers, and this expansion of our geographical reach is a move we have wanted to make for some time. This, alongside the recent launch of our Vitality Partner Programme, underscores our continued growth. Retailers can rely on us for a dependable stock promise, priority service, and long-term commitment to supporting every aspect of their business.”

“We are excited to partner with such a reputable brand. The team and I are looking forward to exploring the colourways, striking tones, and sleek designs from VitrA so we can offer our customers a brand that deals directly with acclaimed designers to create beautiful, distinctive works of art to complement any washroom space.” said Danielle Cadden, showroom manager, Cadco.

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Gary Edginton joins Kudos Showers as area sales manager

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Kudos Showering Products has appointed Gary Edginton, another experienced industry professional, to strengthen its sales support further. He will work as an area sales manager covering the south of England and Wales. He will be the face-to-face contact for key customers and grow and support merchants and distribution partners in his region. Gary will report to national sales manager Tony Russ.

“I am delighted to join this legendary British manufacturing business with an exceptional reputation for product, service, and customer support. It is a great opportunity to work with an incredible team, too, making it a very desirable business to work for,” said Gary.

Nick Graville, sales & marketing director for Kudos, explains, “For many years, our customers were supported by our seven strong Retail Support Managers (RSMs), who provide technical and installation support to showrooms. As we’ve continued to grow, we have built a team of merchant-focused area sales managers who will work alongside the RSMs, improving the depth of support and communication with our customer base.  I am delighted that Gary, with whom I have worked, has become part of this team. He will be a real asset supporting our customers in the South.”

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 its website, kudosshowers.co.uk, call 01539 564040, or email info@kudosshowers.co.uk.

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Green bathrooms – how to create a feel-good oasis

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Duravit‘s ranges include a variety of harmonious, natural colours that allow architects and designers to create unique and calming bathroom spaces

Lush meadows, dense forests, rustling leaves – green symbolises nature and provides balance in a room. At the same time, green is more than just a colour: it has a positive effect on our mood and well-being, making it ideal for our own private feel-good oasis.

A bathroom with a green colour spectrum creates a relaxing, calming atmosphere. Bathroom objects, such as the wall design, or plants, can be combined with nature’s own colour palette and integrated into the bathroom in various ways. Blending with white vanity units or wooden elements within the bathroom furniture also creates a harmonious effect.

Facets of nature

Green is as versatile in the bathroom as it is in nature. Nuances across the colour spectrum have varying impact on the room’s atmosphere. Lighter tones, such as the soft Pale Green from the Sivida by Starck washing area range, bring the room to life and create elegant splashes of colour. In contrast, darker variations, such as the strong Blue Green of the Vitrium by Christian Werner range, exude elegance and provide striking highlights.

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On top: The combination of Green and White creates interesting contrasts. The two-tone above-counter basin from the Sivida by Starck range with a Pale Green outer and White inner basin – or the other way round – is a particularly elegant variant.

Light colours: As shown in the picture at the top of the page, painted walls are a simple way to bring colour into the bathroom. Muted shades of Sage are perfect for creating an elegant impression. White bathroom objects like those from the Sivida by Starck washing-area range create contrasts and guarantee a harmonious overall picture.

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Canvas: Patterned wallpapers can be used to create tasteful and unique bathrooms. Whether a guest toilet or main bathroom, the result is a real eyecatcher that transforms ordinary spaces into captivating visual experiences. The intricate patterns and vibrant colours add personality and charm to the bathroom.

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Tone in tone: Washing-area combinations in matching colour shades make a statement in the bathroom. The exclusive Vitrium Colour Christian Werner concept in Blue Green provides appealing tone-on-tone solutions that elevates the aesthetic of any bathroom space. This sophisticated approach ensures a harmonious and cohesive look, transforming the bathroom into a stylish and serene retreat.

Tiles are a functional and aesthetic way of integrating green into the bathroom. For instance, emerald-green tiles combined with the white ME by Starck washbasin from Duravit create a luxurious and stylish ambience. Pictured below – Left.

Home jungle: Plants enhance the atmosphere and bring the bathroom to life. If the bathroom design is restrained in colour terms, for instance with the D-Neo bathroom range by Duravit, plants provide a perfect splash of colour. Plants such as ferns and philodendrons are especially well-suited to the humid climate in the bathroom. Pictured below – right.


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Tech masking, the rise of hidden technology in the bathroom

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As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, so does our desire to integrate these benefits into our homes. Today’s cutting-edge home products are crafted to enhance convenience, boasting advanced features and functionality that streamline our busy lifestyles. However, with such an influx of new technology, how do we balance the features we want with the amount of tech on display?

In recent years, the bathroom has transformed into a wellness space, providing a sanctuary away from the barrage of emails, social media, and messages. This shift has driven an increasing desire among homeowners to subtly incorporate technologies that provide comfort and convenience without making the environment feel overstimulating or “tech-heavy”.

Other areas, like the living room, have also seen a similar shift towards an analogue feel, with hidden TVs, ceiling speakers, and voice-activated controls gaining significant popularity.

Incorporating these innovations in the bathroom allows for a sleek, clutter-free aesthetic that delivers contemporary functionality, blending modernity with the timeless appeal of a serene space. As our desire for hidden tech grows, a strong trend has emerged in which homeowners are ‘masking’ technology for a more streamlined, relaxed living environment overall.

Lewis Neathey, leader, product management at LIXIL EMENA & GROHE UK, comments: “As the trend for spa bathrooms continues to grow, homeowners increasingly seek features that promote wellness and relaxation while being neatly and discreetly designed. Technologies that subtly offer added functionality are becoming integral to this experience, offering a moment of relaxation away from the digital noise of everyday life, while keeping the bathroom a more analogue feeling space.”

Trending insights

In a recent “Behind the bathroom door” study conducted by the Bathrooms Manufacturers Association, a survey of 48 UK residents revealed that nearly half (48%) of the participants preferred their bathroom as a tranquil sanctuary free from distractions. Additionally, 37% regarded their bathrooms as practical spaces to get clean quickly. Only 13% expressed a desire for more technology in their bathrooms, and this preference was primarily for enhancing comfort and relaxation. Desired tech features included playing music or setting mood lighting rather than incorporating external information such as weather forecasts or traffic updates.

There was also interest in features that enabled users to understand their water usage in the bathroom and products that helped them save water without sacrificing comfort or product performance. This is not surprising, as a 2023 study conducted by YouGov commissioned by GROHE found that 67% of people surveyed noted that they are conscious of their environmental impact when showering / bathing.

How to incorporate ‘Tech-Masking’ in the bathroom

From water-saving taps to app-controlled showers and toilets, ‘Tech-Masking’ is all about enjoying modern comforts and the convenience of technology without it being obvious to the naked eye or detracting from the room’s relaxation factor.

Combining all the benefits of this trend with our increasing need to futureproof within the UK, shower toilets are just one of many new solutions that have come to market incorporating this design approach.

GROHE’s new Sensia Pro shower toilet presents as a standard wall-hung WC in a sleek Alpine White finish, however, is full of integrated technology and is conveniently operated by a remote control. Offering two self-cleaning spray heads, that can be adjusted in position, intensity, and temperature, along with providing oscillating and massage spray options and a warm air dryer function, users are taken to the next level of personal care and hygiene. The shower toilet also has an automatic open-close function for the seat and lid and a night light to guide users, enhancing user convenience further.

Elsewhere in the bathroom, showering has become a ritual that brings happiness into our daily lives; however, that happiness is different for every user, just like the features that can contribute to it. In a 2024 European survey conducted by GROHE, it was found that in addition to cleansing, 64% of respondents associate showering with relaxation, followed by wellness (41%) and me-time (40%). As shower designs evolve to cater to more requirements, the integrated technology is expanding, covering everything from safety features such as temperature limiters to hidden filters that enhance skin and hair.

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Bathrooms to Love PUSH is beautiful in blue!

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PJH’s Bathrooms to Love brand has launched a new premium modular furniture range called ‘PUSH,’ which includes this flawless STORM BLUE family. Finished in a luxurious matt lacquer, PUSH replaces the previous ‘Perla’ range, a new and improved furniture family featuring additional USPs perfect for the discerning customer.  

The PUSHollection – named after its soft-close push-to-open doors and drawers – offers several new customisable options, making it the ideal choice for helping to create individual looks. Basin units are available in a wall-hung design, but if a floor-standing look is desired, optional decorative and elegant legs are available (as shown).

In addition, the units feature a beautiful, chamfered edge design. Combined with a sleek handleless form, the range is effortlessly stylish and perfect for contemporary bathroom spaces.   

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Other unit choices include a wall-hung midi-boy unit and a floor-standing WC unit – which can be teamed with any of the back-to-wall WC toilets from the Bathrooms to Love collection.

The PUSH basin drawer units are also available in various configurations. Choose from units with a thin-edge, inset white ceramic basin (as shown), units with a colour–matched worktop – so add a choice of washbowl -and twin basin four-drawered units. With basin unit sizes ranging from 600mm to 1200mm, there’s a unit suitable for all sizes of bathrooms.    

In addition to this beautiful Matt Storm Blue finish, there is a Matt Clay and a Matt Cotton, all with luxury grey linen-effect internals. The chosen colour schemes and textures embrace this season’s Bathrooms to Love theme- ‘Nature’s Palette’ – inspired by natural shades and textures.

Now in stock and available to order from PJH, this stunning new PUSH range in Matt Storm Blue comes with competitive display deals, product swatches and a package of showroom support – including QR codes with AR links, as well as this engaging new video: PUSH by BTL

Supported with Next Day Delivery (to 93% of UK postcodes), including the opportunity to deliver to store or home, PUSH can be ordered via PJH’s Partners Portal™ e-commerce website.

Further information:

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

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Cosentino introduces Mediterranean-inspired Dekton Pietra

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Cosentino has introduced the Dekton Pietra Edition, a contemporary collection inspired by iconic Mediterranean stones. This launch follows the successful 2023 debut of Dekton® Pietra Kode, envisioned by renowned designer and architect Daniel Germani. The new Pietra Kode designs will be available in the UK starting 11 July 2024.

The ultra-compact Dekton Pietra Edition collection replicates the intricate details of traditional stones like Travertine, Ceppo Di Gré, Piasentina, and Campaspero, while offering enhanced realism and durability to meet the demands of modern architecture and interior design.

“Pietra Edition is the new journey to the origin of timeless and Mediterranean architecture already started with Pietra Kode,” said Daniel Germani.

“I am proud to continue my collaboration with Cosentino to bring the designs of Pietra Edition to designers, architects, and homeowners as a surface that is both timeless and innovative.”

Featuring Dekton’s TSP technology, the carbon-neutral Dekton® Pietra Edition introduces a technological layer to iconic natural stones with six serene designs. The collection pays homage to the enduring elegance of Mediterranean natural stones while elevating their design.

Pietra Edition’s palette of six styles includes four distinct stone textures, such as the newly introduced Piasentina and Campaspero:

  • Trevi: With a cream base and a parallel pattern of irregular grey and blue veins, this design is inspired by the timeless beauty of Roman silver Travertine.
  • Ava: Drawing inspiration from Ceppo di Gré, a stone from the Lombardy region, Ava features a rough yet warm design, perfect for Mediterranean-style projects.
  • Adia: This design offers a versatile finish with a silky appearance. Its cream tone and soft white lines elevate any design project.
  • Nebu: Recreating the depth of Roman Travertine, Nebu’s unique irregularities bring a timeless charm to any space.
  • Polar: Inspired by Spanish stone Campaspero, Polar features a hyper-realistic pattern with beige tones, greyish and cream veins, small inlays, and fossils.
  • Sandik: This design embodies the traditional elegance of Campaspero with a softer finish, featuring a cream background and subtle grey tones, ideal for outdoor applications.
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Discover benefits of Flair PRO, inspired by Harmony Collection

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At the heart of Flair Showers’ innovation lies the award-winning ETO and ILI ranges from the Harmony Collections, which have inspired the new Flair PRO Essential Collections.

Launched in the UK in March 2024, the ETO and ILI ranges feature Flair’s patented Click Fit Assembly System, ensuring superior structural integrity and ease of installation. These premium shower solutions have earned the brand a Good Design Award, a global mark of design excellence. The new Verve PRO range, part of the Flair PRO Essential Collections, leverages the Click Fit PRO system, transforming what was once a two-person job into a quick, single-person assembly.

Click Fit PRO is a revolutionary screw-free assembly system designed for the Verve PRO shower doors. Installers can effortlessly assemble the shower door frame onto the tray with vertical and horizontal profiles aligned. A secure screw-free joint is formed by sliding the pre-assembled Click Fit PRO bracket into place and snapping the hook into the access port. This user-friendly system eliminates the need for screws, reducing installation time and the requirement for multiple installers and extensive space.

Ronan O’Grady, lead product designer at Flair Showers, says: “Based upon our research and understanding the needs of trade professionals and installers at Flair, we have engineered a brand new assembly system to offer time and effort-saving benefits. Our brand new Click Fit PRO mechanism, a key feature of the Flair PRO Verve shower doors, will offer installers the quality and innovation of our Harmony Collections range with the benefit of a more affordable price point. With a simple two-step installation, high-quality components and various showering solutions, we are confident that installers will love and trust Flair PRO.”

Flair displayed enclosures from its ETO and ILI ranges at InstallerSHOW, highlighting to trade professionals the varied offerings that Flair provides. Designed with young families in mind, ILI offers durability, simplicity and an aesthetically pleasing, high-quality design. Flair showcased its 1950 mm high Brushed Brass ILI slider door on stand 4D20. Also showcased to installers visiting the exhibition was the soon-to-launch, elegant and on-trend Brushed Bronze finish of the ETO collection. Available in various enclosure styles, created to suit homes with busy bathrooms, the Flair ETO shower enclosures benefit from several innovative features designed to enhance the experience of the end-user and bathroom installer.

For more information on the brand new Flair PRO Essential Collections or the Flair Showers Harmony Collections, please contact sales@flairshowers.co.uk or visit the website www.flairshowers.co.uk

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Saniflo Sanicompact helps installers overcome impossible toilet installation 

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Some installers shy away from a challenge, but others embrace finding solutions to seemingly impossible situations. 

Lee Hammond is one such installer. He runs his own business, Hammond & Holmes Kitchens & Bathrooms, in Eccleston. His customer in Wigan was looking to create a downstairs cloakroom in a hallway cupboard adjacent to the stairs as part of wider renovations to the property. 

Two contractors had already viewed the job and declared it impossible. Step forward, Lee, with his problem-solving skills, and he soon realised that all he needed was a Saniflo. A macerator pump could pump the waste up into the ceiling above, along the kitchen ceiling and into the central internal soil stack. Whilst plumbing in the small-bore pipework to take the waste away from the WC, Lee plumbed pipes for hot and cold water to go back the other away, along with heating pipes to plumb in a towel rail. 

After discussing the variety of options in the Saniflo range with his customer, it was agreed that the perfect unit for the converted space was a Sanicompact. This compact, cistern-less WC from Saniflo has an integrated macerator and also takes the waste from a basin; it is the perfect cloakroom solution. The unit’s small footprint, along with its modern looks and exceptionally efficient and quiet operation, ensures it is practical yet unobtrusive.

“The Sanicompact was the ideal solution for this small space. It has no cistern and just requires a water outlet and electricity to operate. I could even fit a concealed drawer and storage unit under the adjacent stairs as, without the cistern, I had the space to do it. The Sanicompact offered a clean, uncluttered look in a compact spot, and since installation a few months ago, it has worked perfectly. The customer is over the moon with it.”

Even more amazingly, this was Lee’s first ever Saniflo installation, and he found it so simple to install that he’s since recommended Saniflo solutions to other customers who want to turn unused space into cloakrooms and en-suites; 

“Since installing the Sanicompact, I have been called out to fix three more Saniflo units. They seem to last forever and only require attention when something inappropriate for a macerator has been put down the loo. They are so useful for projects that require a solution when gravity drainage is not available, as in the case of my Sanicompact customer. I do see myself doing a lot more projects using them.”

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Ca’ Pietra launches Italian-inspired Earthenware

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Ca’ Pietra’s new collection, called Earthenware, is inspired by Italian pottery sold on the streets of villages on the Amalfi Coast. 

Renowned for its vibrant colours, Amfli pottery is notable for its intricate designs, which reflect the region’s rich cultural heritage and picturesque landscapes. The style often features bright blues and yellows, inspired by the Mediterranean Sea and the warm Italian sun.

Brought to life in five shades and replicating the texture of pottery through its matt finish, Earthenware is available in five colours: soft white, pottery, terracotta, coral, and linen, shades that are on-trend as we approach 2025. 

Working individually or paired together, Earthenware tile is a thin rectangle shape, so it can be used to create vertical, horizontal, or unique patterns on interior walls and floors.  

The tile Size is 5cm x 25cm x 1.2cm; it is available in a matt finish

For more information, visit www.capietra.com

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