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The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) has announced the addition of Dornbracht as its latest member.

Founded in 1950, Dornbracht is said to have been at the forefront of innovation in the bathroom and kitchen fittings sector, beginning with their invention of the pull-out spout. The company is known for manufacturing high-quality, low-maintenance and durable products.

Dornbracht’s innovation in hydrotherapy and chromotherapy recognises the benefits of innovative bathroom design to the body, mind, and soul. The recently launched Aquahalo and Serenity Sky showers reflect the priority on wellbeing, with both products offering a spa experience at home and inviting consumers to ‘follow your bliss’.

The company’s industry-first business model, Dornbracht ReCrafted, promises a new lease of life to its products when removed from residential and commercial projects. Dornbracht collects the fittings and takes them to its Iserlohn factory, where they are fully reconditioned and circulated back into the sales market. This process saves up to 40% of CO2 compared to manufacturing a new fitting.

Tom Reynolds, the BMA’s chief executive, welcomed Dornbracht to the association: “We are thrilled to welcome Dornbracht to the BMA. Their dedication to producing durable, high-quality, and sustainably manufactured products aligns perfectly with the BMA’s mission to reduce the environmental impact of the bathroom manufacturing sector.

“Their innovative approach and commitment to excellence set a high standard for the industry, and we look forward to the valuable contributions they will bring to our association.”

Craig Johnstone, UK head of sales and marketing at Dornbracht, shared his thoughts on joining the BMA: “Joining the BMA is an important step for us. As the voice of bathroom manufacturers, the association plays a crucial role in shaping the future of our industry. We are proud to align ourselves with an organisation that shares our commitment to sustainability, innovation, and quality.

“We look forward to collaborating with fellow members to drive positive change and continue advancing the standards of excellence in the bathroom manufacturing sector.”

PJH’s Bathrooms to Love bath collection includes a comprehensive choice of styles and specifications suitable for all bathroom projects. The freestanding bath range is a popular choice for consumers looking to add a touch of luxury and drama to a bathroom space, and designs include classic and contemporary models. Moreover, in addition to stunning centrepiece freestanding baths, Bathrooms to Love also offers space-saving options, such as back-to-wall and corner freestanding baths.

One of the newest additions, the STRIATA freestanding bath, is a luxurious new model featuring soft vertical fluting and a crisp white finish. The fluted finish bathroom trend is gaining momentum. In response, STRIATA’s soft fluted exterior adds a stylish new depth to the design, making it an obvious statement piece for any bathroom or showroom display. Measuring in at L1700mm x W750mm x H570mm, this sumptuous, deep bath has a 260-litre water capacity with a pre-fitted integrated waste. Pair with a floor-standing bath shower mixer, such as the ‘Pescara’ model (as shown in a brushed brass finish) or wall-mounted taps. In addition, Bathrooms to Love offers compatible waste cover kits in coordinating finishes such as brushed brass and matt black.

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Meanwhile, opting for a coloured bath exterior is becoming very popular, especially when coordinated with other pops of colour in the bathroom – as shown at the top of the page – in the beautiful BELMONT freestanding bath in a bold matt blue finish. Curvaceous and streamlined, this double-ended bath has a generous capacity of 245 litres, delivering a spacious bathing area. It is also available in a subtle grey as well as white, and like all the freestanding baths from Bathrooms to Love, it is made from high-grade acrylic.

There’s nothing better than a classically styled floor-standing bath for traditional bathroom projects, yet with all the benefits of modern-day manufacturing. The Bathrooms to Love GRACE floor-standing bath oozes old-fashioned beauty and charm with its roll-top styling and chunky base. With a slipper-style shape, GRACE has a practical yet elegant back-to-wall design and a water capacity of 175 litres. Teamed with traditional brassware, it is the perfect showpiece for any classic bathroom.

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Always in stock and available to order from PJH, the Bathrooms to Love freestanding bath collection is supported with a package of showroom support, as well as Next Day Delivery (to 93% of UK postcodes and to store or home), and can be easily ordered via PJH’s Partners Portal™ e-commerce website.

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

Duravit explores how materials can impact design. Whether selecting velvety cast-mineral materials or distinctive natural patterns, designers can raise the bar for bathroom design.

Intriguing textures, the best materials, and bespoke surfaces can create a personalised atmosphere highlighting individual design styles. A harmonious mix of materials can be achieved by comparing the different effects of the various elements used and how they interact.

Glass: lightness and transparency

Glass conveys a feeling of spaciousness and freedom and helps to create an elegant and airy atmosphere in any room. The Vitrium bathroom, designed by Christian Werner (pictured top), skillfully places this effect centre stage: the smoke-coloured glass fronts lend the furniture a light, almost floating appearance. Conversely, the black textured glass fronts combined with the wooden carcass on Sebastian Herkner’s Zencha range imbue the bathroom with a sophisticated elegance.

This makes glass a true all-rounder, which is especially effective when combined with other materials.

Natural stone: pure beauty

Choosing natural stone brings an element of nature into the bathroom. Natural stone conveys unique qualities with its individual colour nuances, textures, and patterns. A distinctive stone panel in three different tones brings a natural, timeless constancy to the Qatego designer bathroom range by Studio F. A. Porsche.

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Metal: a variety of interpretations

Metal’s currency in the furniture sector is partly due to its versatility. With a range of different variants, the material can provide an extra-special look in any bathroom. For instance, a minimalistic piece of metal furniture can create a futuristic and pared-down impression or a gentle and softer effect can be produced when combined with wood.

The Viu/XViu model perfectly exemplifies how a sleek metal frame can mix with a delicately worked ceramic basin to create a washbasin with sculptural style. In turn, the Aurena bathroom range blends Italian elegance with a touch of modern industrial style by combining the metal frame either with ceramic panels for a marbled look or embossed ebony to create a highly elegant ambience.

Wood: cosy warmth

Surfaces with a wooden aesthetic imbue the interior design with warmth more than virtually any other raw material. Décor surfaces with a wooden texture make rooms homely and comfortable, creating a calming and relaxed atmosphere. Their natural colour palette makes them a perfect match for other surfaces, always fitting in while remaining unobtrusive. Above all, combining a wooden vanity unit and a ceramic or cast-mineral washbasin creates a sense of timeless elegance.

Ceramic: undisputed bathroom classic

Robust, durable, and easy-to-clean ceramic is practical and looks great. The innovative material DuraCeram® enables washbasins with extremely thin walls and precise dimensions to be manufactured without affecting quality and durability. A case in point is the washbasins of the Luv range, featuring clear contours and edges. They can be interpreted in various ways: sometimes elegant, sometimes minimalistic, but always unique and a design statement.

Cast mineral: tactile newcomer

There are many reasons why washbasins and bathtubs made from cast mineral are becoming increasingly popular. The unique feature of DuroCast, the cast-mineral material developed by Duravit, is the velvety matt
surface that looks elegant, and allows extremely precise shapes to be crafted.

DuroCast feels extraordinary to the touch and brings a warm yet elegant atmosphere into the bathroom, it can be perfectly combined with other materials such as wood and glass.

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.

www.kaldewei.co.uk

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.”

More news and product information from VitrA

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.”

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