Author

Diane

Browsing

Style, flexibility, quality and the assurance of a speedy despatch service within 48 hours are some of the key features of Utopia’s new Qube Collection of bathroom furniture, soon to be enhanced with a Fitted and Freestanding Fitted Collection as well as the original modular wall mounted and freestanding options launched in June 2023.

Helen Clark, head of marketing at Utopia, comments, “New Qube presents the retailer and consumer with endless opportunities to create a completely unique combination from the multitude of beautifully co-ordinating elements available. With the addition of a Fitted and Freestanding Fitted Collection, which will be available this Spring, there really is a Qube style for everyone.”

Consumer and retailer feedback, coupled with current colour and style trends, has shaped the range refresh, which features new on-trend colours with complementary accent handles and trims, in addition to the new fitted and freestanding fitted options.  Added to this is a simplified ordering system and the brand new 48-hour despatch service option, available to the retailer at no extra charge. 

Qube Modular is now available in a choice of Qube Glide, the original handleless door style, and new Qube Edge, a stunning alternative style with the option for a top mounted handle.

The full collection offers seven on-trend finishes, including deep Indigo Blue and verdant Wild Green reflecting current trends in interior design for bold colours and two sophisticated matt finishes – Matt White and Matt Grey, joining White Gloss and two textured finishes, Anthracite Strata and Sorrento Walnut. As usual with Utopia, consumer samples of all finishes are available free of charge.

Also extended is the choice of worktops to complement Qube furniture. The existing 22mm laminate range has been extended further with three new options and a 12mm compact laminate range of exceptionally realistic natural stone effects has been added to complement the Modular Collection.

For further information visit www.utopiagroup.com/qube

The new range of bathroom taps from deVOL are available as a pillar or mixer; both designs were inspired by old vintage taps and made in unlacquered brass. The finish is exclusive to deVOL customers and will age over time to gain a patina as they are used.

Created in collaboration with Perrin & Rowe taps, the new range is British-made using traditional methods. All the shaping and polishing of the rough castings is done by hand by highly skilled polishers. This process is done by eye, and, as with many stages of tap making, it is dependent on the skill of the craftsperson to ensure the perfect finish.

Helen Parker, creative director of deVOL, comments, “A great set of taps is a must in a bathroom. They need to be able to withstand regular daily use, of course, but they need to look the part, too. It is easy to ruin a room with rushed or ill-considered fittings, but we hope this new collection will make life a lot easier for many of our customers, and we can’t wait to see our taps in plenty of lovely bathrooms very soon.”

  • deVOL’s Aged Brass Bathroom Pillar Taps, now available to order on the deVOL Shop | £310 |
  • deVOL’s Aged Brass Bathroom Mixer Tap, now available to order on the deVOL Shop | £520 | www.devolkitchens.co.uk

Bathroom brand Scudo, owned by Harrison Bathrooms, has launched BOHO in its latest Scudo 18 brochure, out now. BOHO is a contemporary range that exudes luxury and finesse, combining a stunning matte black frame with rustic oak accents.

The BOHO freestanding vanity unit is perfect for the modern minimalist bathroom. The stylish and functional design gives the feeling of more space in the bathroom for a much-desired premium finish.

This unit offers practical storage, and the oak finish creates a natural, calming, and sophisticated space. BOHO uses only the finest materials, and the eye-catching signature ceramic basin adds the perfect finishing touch.

Discover BOHO and Scudo 18 online at www.scudo.co.uk

Aurelia and Appia are two evocative names that express the mood that inspired the two new collections by Danilo Fedeli for Rubinetterie Treemme.

“The Appia and Aurelia collections by Rubinetterie Treemme offer a new take on classic shapes, with modern geometries and proportions that seek to mix different styles for a leading-edge result in the bathroom sector”. This is how Massimo Tommasi, sales and marketing manager for Italy, explains the decision to invest in these projects, behind which is a significant production effort.

To obtain the distinctive geometries of both collections, Rubinetterie Treemme introduced a new manufacturing process with a specific type of polishing. The development of this production process has given the company the opportunity to make major technological progress, as well as guaranteeing the two collections a cutting-edge design with a classic inspiration.

Rubinetterie-Treemme_Appia

Aurelia (pictured top) is a timeless, ever-contemporary option, perfect for a variety of bathroom styles. The concept seeks to enhance light and reflections thanks to the edges on the cylindrical surfaces, allowing the shape of the taps to strike a sophisticated, elegant balance. Aurelia is a complete range of mixer taps crafted in brass and available in the finishes indicated in the catalogue. This variety of colour options makes for a versatile collection that slots seamlessly into any bathroom.

The Appia collection (right and below) is a single-hole dual-control model. The original idea was to create a new product with a style that was not simply classic, and during the design stage the shape evolved into the tap’s current, subtly feminine form reminiscent of an embrace. Created in brass, the Appia collection is available in twelve finishes that allow for maximum customisation. It is composed of single-hole and three-hole elements and shower controls.

Appia

Canadian rock star and photographer Bryan Adams has revealed his third creative campaign in the Kaldewei trilogy. This follows the first “Uncompromisingly connecting” with the Ming and Miena wash bowls in 2021 and the second was the staging of the Superplan Zero shower surface in 2022. The finale is “Perfectly sheltered” for the Meisterstück Oyo Duo freestanding bath.

Kaldewei aims to appeal directly to the end consumer. Within the new, well-designed visuals, the freestanding bath appears to become one with the elegant bodies within. The images the designer baths bring with them is a feeling of luxury, which is a key part of Kaldewei’s brand strategy – showing how its 100 per cent recyclable steel enamel is used to create elegant products, combining luxury and sustainability LUXSTAINABILITY®.

Freestanding bathtubs tend to be the focal point of a room and so the concept behind the shoot for the freestanding Kaldewei Meisterstück Oyo Duo bathtub was to make it the central focus, the star of the stage. Showing that people of all ages can be cloaked, sheltered and held within its walls providing a true refuge for both body and the mind. In his previous images for the Superplan Zero shower tray campaign, Bryan Adams had expressively staged the legs of ballet dancers whilst for the Ming and Miena washbasins, it was hands gently touching each other.

Kaldewei trilogy from Bryan Adams

New campaign claim “Perfectly sheltered”

The bodies of the models shot in the premium bathtub are clearly visible, whilst their faces are deliberately hidden from the camera, devised to leave room for the imagination.

Bryan Adams shoots from a distanced perspective, so that the free-floating egg-shape design of the bathtub is recognisable, but not the entire body of the incumbent model. The images are crafted to give the impression that the naked arms and back appear to merge with the bathtub in a luxurious yet intimate spa moment. The campaign claim “Perfectly sheltered” refers to the perfect me-time.

Kaldewei trilogy from Bryan Adams

More news from Kaldewei

In what has become annual tradition for the company, Knightsbridge has provided additional support to the homeless this winter with a significant donation to NOAH, a regional charity doing great work in the field.

NOAH Enterprise is local to Knightsbridge and seeks to help the most disadvantaged in Luton and Central Bedfordshire by providing a practical, empowering and caring service to homeless people, particularly those who are temporary or entrenched rough sleepers; and those who are marginalised, socially excluded or have fallen into poverty.

NOAH provides a broad range of support services, ranging from an emergency winter night shelter and a welfare centre providing hot meals and legal and health advice, through to outreach on the streets and the NOAH academy, which delivers education and training helping people with work experience and volunteering and so, ultimately, back into work.

Knightsbridge, a leading manufacturer of lighting and wiring devices, is closely aligned with the work of homelessness charities and is donating £9,500 from the December sales of its Weatherproof range sales to them.

For donations to NOAH Enterprise, please visit: https://noahenterprise.org/how-you-can-help/donate/

About Knightsbridge

Knightsbridge has over 20 years’ experience within the lighting and wiring accessories industry with more than 3000 quality products and is committed to supporting its customer partners with an award-winning customer service team.

Making the most of smart and stylish technologies to enhance the amenity and finish of any domestic, commercial or industrial space; the company has evolved to become a major supplier of the highest quality wiring accessories and innovative lighting on the UK market today.

To facilitate an improved service proposition to its showroom network, and to offer a next day delivery service across the UK, Duravit has appointed Ideal Bathrooms as its new Distribution Partner.

Primarily designed to assist with distress purchases, Ideal Bathrooms will be able to fulfil the best selling lines from the Duravit portfolio including D-Neo, Me by Starck, L-Cube, SensoWash D-Neo to existing Duravit dealers. The Duravit No.1 range of products will be available to all bathroom retailers through Ideal Bathrooms.

Martin Carroll, managing director of Duravit UK, comments, “We are delighted to be working with the team at Ideal Bathrooms to deliver the best-selling items from the Duravit brand more quickly to our showroom partners. Ideal Bathrooms have been synonymous with bathrooms for over 40 years, and we are looking forward to a very professional service and developing a long-standing relationship”

Will Hickman, sales and marketing director at Ideal Bathrooms, also comments, “We are very excited to be adding Duravit to our Ideal Bathrooms portfolio. The addition of Duravit reaffirms our status as the UK’s leading bathroom distributor offering an extensive range of products to our customers. Combining Duravit’s renowned high-quality items with and our exemplary service promise, I am confident this new relationship with be a successful partnership.”

Ideal Bathrooms will begin servicing customers from February 2024.

After eight years leading the Kbsa, CEO Uwe Hanneck has stepped down. Uwe has been instrumental in steering the Kbsa through a period of substantial growth, with retail membership up by 74% during this period, and continuing strong support from retail members.

Uwe led the association through the Covid pandemic, providing members and all KBB retailers with valuable support via its lobbying activities with government.

Kbsa national chair Richard Hibbert paid tribute to Uwe’s contribution saying, “Uwe has achieved so much during his leadership.  He leaves the Kbsa in a position of strength, with more members, a greater range of business benefits than ever before, as well as an expanded head office team and a robust board of directors.

“Uwe will be a hard act to follow and whilst we have initiated the process, a new appointment will not be made immediately. We have a strong board in place that can drive forward our exciting plans for 2024 and beyond.  I personally will lead the board, continuing to build on the successful KBB Industry Conference and delivering exciting new benefits and an updated and improved website.”

Uwe commented: “I am grateful to all those who have supported the Kbsa in recent years.  The members, and those that have sponsored and contributed to the success of the KBB Industry Conference, which has become the must attend event in the KBB calendar.

“The Kbsa has a highly competent and professional head office team in place and has huge potential to extend its reach even further.  I wish everyone involved all the very best for the future.”

Retail and Corporate membership director Malcolm Scott added, “On behalf of the team at the Kbsa I would like to thank Uwe for his positive influence not just within the Kbsa but the wider KBB community.”

Bathroom design company Acquabella is embracing the Pantone Color of the Year, Peach Fuzz, by introducing new customization options for its bathroom solutions. The adoption of this colour reflects Acquabella’s commitment to staying at the forefront of new design trends.

This soft peach tone is designed to express closeness and connection, transforming spaces into warm and relaxed environments. Peach Fuzz has the ability to create inviting spaces, paying tribute to the natural while maintaining elegance. Whether in shower trays, countertops, basins, or wall coverings, Peach Fuzz is the perfect choice for adding a touch of colour to your bathroom.

Pantone’s Color of the Year has a significant influence across industries, and the integration of Peach Fuzz into Acquabella’s products will resonate with design professionals and enthusiasts.

Customers can explore new customization options and immerse themselves in a truly unique bathroom experience. The application of this trendy tone in Acquabella’s products provide consumers with the opportunity to integrate the beauty of nature and current trends into their bathroom spaces.

More news from Acquabella

Sanipex Group has announced the appointment of Lee Palmer as sales director for the UK and Ireland.

Lee brings with him a wealth of experience in the UK bathroom industry having spent 17 years with Vado, the last five as Sales Director. 

His expertise in the specification sector will help focus on the growth in demand for the group’s BAGNODESIGN bathroom brand.  Lee will also focus the team on growing sales through a selected network of contract merchants and committed retail partners.

Commenting on the appointment, Daryl Barker, Group CEO at Sanipex, said: “This is an exciting time for Sanipex, as we continue to expand globally with particular emphasis in the UK project and specification sectors, utilising our A&D centre in Clerkenwell.

Lee will join Sanipex officially in March 2024. 

For more details, contact Sanipex Group on 01924 233977 or visit https://sanipexgroup.com/uk/