Diane, Author at Bathroom Review

TV and radio presenter Helen Skelton has teamed up with the design experts at online bathroom retailer Victoria Plum to reveal how to create an artistic and whimsical bathroom for young adults.

As a former youth TV presenter, Helen knows a thing or two about inspiring young people to achieve their ambitions and has used this knowledge to help create a bathroom space that will offer a relaxing retreat from the everyday pressures of modern life.

From an on-trend style to choosing the right shower, follow Helen’s top tips below and create the perfect bathroom space for young adults.

Danish Pastels for a Scandi-infused space

One of the big bathroom trends this year has seen Danish Pastels – Scandi-influenced light, candy-coloured pinks, mint greens and sky blue shade – become really popular.

Introducing these tones through your bathroom will create a bright and optimistic space with a contemporary, feminine theme.

Complement these shades with brushed brass, in the form of taps and accessories to further elevate your décor.

A contemporary bathroom suite

Establishing a clean, contemporary look, your choice of bathroom suite is crucial to the overall feel of your bathroom.

Instead of the traditional pedestal-type bathroom sink, opt for a wall hung vanity unit and countertop basin. A pink-coloured basin adds a bright, colourful touch which complements the tiles and upper walls, and, when contrasting against the white of the vanity unit, it really pops. This set-up is highly contemporary, bringing that home spa feel to your bathroom.

To complete your countertop basin installation, opt for a brushed brass high rise basin mixer tap. New metallics like this are very much on-trend, lifting the overall look of your décor and allowing you to continue the theme with accessories and other brassware.

Luxurious walk-in showers

For those young adults constantly on the go, a walk in shower is the perfect solution. With a simple glass screen, as opposed to doors, frames and moving parts, it’s easy to maintain with just an occasional wipe down. However, it’s not all about upkeep…

From a stylistic point of view, the fluted glass gives you that extra touch of privacy whilst providing an intriguing tactile surface. If chrome seems a bit boring, brushed brass offers a quite stunning alternative for your bathroom – this is the perfect material choice for your shower mixer system.

While a wet room style design, which allows the striking patterned floor tiles to flow right to the wall, you could save money by choosing a conventional shower tray instead. Shower wall panels also offer a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to tiles.

Spacious storage

Whether its talking skincare, haircare, shampoos, conditioners, makeup, they all need somewhere to live in your bathroom, which is why clever storage spaces are key.

A vanity unit kills two birds with one stone, providing a countertop for your basin but also giving you ample storage with two spacious drawers. The style is sleek and contemporary with handle-less drawers and an easy-clean gloss white finish.

To keep things in order, why not invest in some small, clear plastic containers (so you can see exactly what each one contains) and compartmentalise your drawers.

No bathroom should be without two essential items: clean towels and spare toilet rolls. This where a tall storage cabinet comes into its own, making great use of wall space and providing you with a place to hide away potentially messy, clutter-inducing things.

Floating shelves can be purchased for relatively little and provide a quick and easy place to store those items you don’t mind showing off. Finally, for every fresh towel, there’s a used towel – a simple laundry basket will give you somewhere nice and neat to dump these.

Walls and floors

One of the key aspects of this bathroom is the careful choice of floor and wall coverings. This space is all about expressing yourself creatively, which is why we’ve taken a maximalist approach to colours and patterns.

“Pattern Drenching”, which involves using several different patterns in the one space, is a growing interior design trend that’ll really add some drama to your bathroom.

Finishing touches

Now comes the really fun part: accessorising! First off, let’s start off with mirrors. Whilst they perform a vital function, reflecting light and making your space feel bigger, they also need to suit your needs.

It’s always wise to place a mirror above your sink area. Opt for a large, illuminated mirror with demister. And, what bathroom routine would be complete without some tunes? Thanks to a built-in Bluetooth speaker, you can enjoy your latest playlist as you get ready.

An additional “leaner” mirror will not only make a style statement, but also allow you to check your outfit is just right before you head out the door.

Consider too smaller accessories, including the robe hook and towel holders. If you’ve opted for brushed brass with your shower fittings, use the same choice with these fixtures for a consistent look.

To view Helen’s full ‘Get the Look’ style guide, visit: https://victoriaplum.com/blog/posts/young-adult-bathroom-ideas-part-1

Sustainability: Ideal Standard earns EcoVadis Silver Medal

Bathroom solutions manufacturer Ideal Standard International has been awarded a ‘Silver Medal’ by EcoVadis in recognition of its ongoing commitment to sustainability.

The provider of business sustainability ratings, EcoVadis, put the company in the top 25% of more than 85,000 to be evaluated globally using its independent assessment platform, which covers the four holistic areas of environment, ethics, sustainable procurement, and labour and human rights.

The report highlights a particular strength in the environment and sustainable procurement areas. It positions Ideal Standard in the top 15% of its industry in what is only its first assessment by EcoVadis.

The silver medal follows on from the business publishing its first sustainability report, Together for a Better Future [https://www.idealstandard.co.uk/about-us/newsroom/2023/sustainability-report], in March, outlining a series of targets in areas like decarbonisation, recycling, health and safety at work and equality of opportunity. The document set out Ideal Standard’s belief in transparency in its sustainability practices and made a commitment to quantified targets in areas like carbon footprint, plastic packaging reduction and use of timber from sustainable sources.

Jan Peter Tewes, CEO of Ideal Standard International, said: “This is the latest in a series of achievements by Ideal Standard as we fulfil our commitment to sustainable operations and responsible business practices as outlined in our comprehensive ESG Strategy.

“We have said for many years now that the way we do business is every bit as important as the business we do, and our participation in the EcoVadis assessment is another example of our desire to do the right thing and to be transparent about it too. We are particularly pleased that our environmental performance was deemed ‘advanced’, validating our dedication to integrate sustainability principles in our entire business.”

The EcoVadis rating recognises Ideal Standard’s ambitious sustainability commitments, practices and achievements, including the removal of all single use plastic from its packaging, the publication of independently verified Environmental Product Declarations for more than 4500 individual products and the implementation of sustainability criteria in its product development stages using the company’s new EcoLogic approach.

The assessment report also provides specific recommendations for maintaining and improving the score for the following year.

Fatima Mimoumi, the group ESG Director at Ideal Standard, said: “This achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and efforts of the entire Ideal Standard team, whose collaboration and commitment to their daily work helped us achieve this important goal.

“We also thank our customers and business partners for their support and trust. It is a collective achievement that spurs us on to continue improving good sustainability practices.

“Our EcoVadis assessment has provided us with many recommendations that we will be prioritising and implementing over the coming years as we aim to better our outcomes in future assessments.”

For more information about our sustainability programme, visit the website: https://www.idealstandard.co.uk/about-us/sustainabilit. A detailed summary of this year’s achievements and upcoming plans will be available in the new 2023 sustainability report, due to be published in the first quarter of 2024.

GROHE encourages applications for the HIP Female Skills Competition 2024

The countdown is on to find the next rising star when it comes to female installers as there’s just a few days left to enter the 2024 HIP Female Skills Competition, an event that celebrates and supports the next generation of female talent in the plumbing and heating industry.

For the second year in a row, bathroom brand, GROHE, will be the headline sponsor of the GIVE (GROHE Installer Vocational Training and Education) Program. Alongside providing valuable skills and encouraging young professionals to the industry, the GIVE Program wishes to excite and encourage more women into profession to help bridge the gender gap within the field. It’s been found through recent studies, that less than 3%^[1] of the 150,000+^[2] UK plumbers are female, showcasing a startling reality.

Level 2 and 3 plumbing & heating learners have until midnight, Thursday 30th November, to secure their spot at this industry-leading event, which is expanding its reach from two to three regions across the UK. The competition offers female learners the opportunity to compete in a live practical installation, showcasing their skills and competing for impressive prizes, including GROHE best-sellers.

PJH Macmillan Fundraiser boosted with 3-peaks & coffee!

Having nominated Macmillan Cancer Support as its Charity of the Year, PJH, the bathroom, appliance, sink & tap distributor, has successfully passed the halfway point of its ambitious £10,000 fundraising goal, with an amazing £6,136 raised!

Thanks to incredible staff support and motivation, PJH has doubled the amount raised since the summer (£3,000 was the total in September), by way of a Three Peaks Challenge, Macmillan Coffee Mornings and a Funday held at the PJH Cannock Distribution Centre.

PJH pledges to match the £10,000 goal once this target has been achieved, and staff throughout PJH’s UK network are demonstrating extraordinary dedication in their fundraising efforts, determined to exceed the target and make an impact in its support of this worthy charity.

Taking on the challenge of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, six PJH colleagues successfully covered an impressive 24 miles including 5,200ft of ascent. Conquering the Yorkshire Dales peaks of Pen-y-Ghent, Whernside and Ingleborough, the team finished in high spirits, delighted in raising vital funds for Macmillan.

Meanwhile, numerous Macmillan Coffee Mornings took place across a number of PJH sites where staff got baking plenty of Bakewell tarts, chocolate brownies and Victoria sponges, washed down with a good cuppa! PJH’s Head of Retail Customer Experience, Brett Jenkinson even dug out his pinny for the special occasion to serve refreshments to the whole office at Cannock!

Colleagues at Cannock also took the fundraising one step further by enhancing their coffee morning with the addition of a full range of fun-filled activities throughout the day to raise yet more funds. From sponsored leg waxes to a Tombola, and Medieval Stocks to raffles, staff went all out to get the donations rolling in.

Katy Burns, PJH’s HR Business Partner, said: “We chose Macmillan as the 2023/24 PJH charity of the year, as it is such an amazing organisation that makes a huge difference to the lives of millions of people affected by cancer. All PJH fundraising events present the opportunity to raise awareness of the Macmillan Cancer Support charity and communicate the incredibly important work it does in supporting people affected by cancer. PJH colleagues have really got behind so many fundraising activities so I’m sure we’ll smash our 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.

More news from PJH Group

LAUFEN returns to HIX 2023 with a new era of connectivity

Hotel design is all about creating memorable experiences, and this is exactly what LAUFEN showcased at HIX 2023 at London’s Business Design Centre in November.

Show visitors had the rare opportunity to view a product in development as LAUFEN presented its new shower system prototype. Designed in collaboration with Andreas Dimitriadis of Platinum Design, the shower system offers the ultimate spa experience to hotel guests thanks to a 12-inch touchscreen display integrated into the shower for the first time. Guests can use the touchscreen to easily select their preferred temperature, pressure and water flow, and shower head choice. The screen sits within a horizontal wall panel containing a display of tile lights and an illuminated storage niche. What’s more, developers are planning an option for hotel operators that would allow them to display information on the screen.

Enhanced wellness with the new Val bath

LAUFEN has a long and successful partnership with German designer Konstantin Grcic, who created the iconic circular Val bath, among other designs. Now, they have joined forces again to design a new version of the Val bath that harnesses the power of light and colour to promote well-being and bring chromotherapy – traditionally offered by hotel spas – into the guest bathroom to enhance the user’s experience.

The redesigned model has a translucent structure through which an LED panel projects different light settings according to mood. By using the remote control, the bather can easily select from nine different pre-set moods, such as desert, ocean and forest, or adjust the intensity and colour of the light according to their preference.

For the first time in the UK, LAUFEN presented elements of its new MEDA collection (pictured top), part of a series of solutions for hotel bathrooms. Created by Swiss designer Peter Wirz for LAUFEN, MEDA perfectly embodies the functionality and attention to detail reminiscent of Swiss design. The washbasins, for example, have right angles and straight lines on the outside, but inside feature softly rounded corners. This makes them both pleasing to the eye and easy to clean.

Another highlight of MEDA is that its wall-mounted WC is the first model to incorporate LAUFEN’s new Silent Flush technology. This technology utilises vortex flushing to create a powerful whirlpool action that effectively removes waste from the bowl. Silent Flush consumes less water than traditional flushing systems, and, as the name implies, it operates virtually silently. This is a perfect solution for hotel bedrooms, as guests are less likely to disturb their partner if using the bathroom in the middle of the night.

MEDA’s complete ceramics, baths, brassware and furniture collection will be launched in the UK and Ireland in Q1 2024.

Aqualisa’s new generation Quartz Smart Showers enhance user experience

With smart technology now built into many home areas, such as heating, lighting, TVs, security systems and energy meters, we are now seeing the emergence of smart tech in other parts of the house, including the kitchen and bathroom. Each device or appliance brings its own benefits, including control, convenience, accessibility and safety. British shower brand Aqualisa has pioneered this technology with its latest generation of Aqualisa Quartz Smart Showers.

Aqualisa Quartz Smart Showers deliver personalised showering and offer a range of advantages that enhance the user’s experience. For example, users can start their shower remotely using Alexa or Google Assistant or the remote control via Wi-Fi, confident that the water is at the perfect temperature every time. A clear LED display indicates when the shower is ready – there’s no need to lean in and test the water. A bath fill option allows remote selection of the water temperature and level.

The Aqualisa Quartz Smart Shower also offers important eco-friendly benefits: families can use the Aqualisa app to control shower duration and monitor water usage, therefore limiting water consumption, energy use and costs. Available in three models, plus a Smart Retrofit solution, the Quartz range is designed for easy installation with minimum disruption to the bathroom.

The intelligence behind the Aqualisa Quartz Touch lies in its SmartValve technology, which seamlessly integrates with Wi-Fi, and is straightforward to use. The maximum temperature of the shower can be set in the SmartValve to ensure safe showering. The flow rate can also be switched to Eco mode, decreasing flow by up to 33%, therefore reducing water wastage and further saving on household bills.

Kbb Birmingham reveals findings of latest research

UK kitchens, bedrooms and bathrooms exhibition Kbb Birmingham has revealed its latest industry research findings. The survey polled the opinions of industry professionals, including manufacturers, designers, installers and retailers, to ask about their outlook for the sector in the year ahead.

Kbb Birmingham’s new research polled respondents from across the KBB industry, with feedback from companies of all sizes, from sole traders to companies of over 500 employees, giving a snapshot of industry opinion. Kbb Birmingham Event Director Sam Fisher said:

“The research gives us important insights on what 2023 has delivered for the KBB sector and to really understand the challenges our exhibitors and visitors may be facing in the year ahead.”

A Mixed Year

The KBB sector has had mixed success in 2023, with positive revenue and growth for some and shrinking revenue and sales for others. For retailers, many had a good year. When asked about revenue and sales volume for their business in the past year, 63% reported a positive story, with either an increase (30%) or responding that revenues stayed the same (33%). Almost 1 in 5 say that they have increased the number of outlets they have. However, the majority of retailers have kept the same number of outlets.

For manufacturers, 27% have seen an increase in their revenue and sales volume, whilst 26% reported that their revenue and sales have stayed the same.

Industry Challenges

The majority of the manufacturers surveyed felt that the skills shortage was the biggest challenge facing the industry, with a lack of experienced fitters available. Other concerns mentioned by manufacturers were:

Staff retention
Smaller budgets leading to more ‘DIY’ projects by consumers
Inflation and rising product/material costs
Recovering debt from customers.

Whilst retailers felt that their biggest challenges were:

Customers shopping online / competing with online retailers
High rents and limited supply for showrooms
Staffing/recruitment.

Facing the future

With ongoing challenges in the global economic landscape, the outlook is varied across the board. From a retailer perspective, when asked to look ahead, 66% expect to see some future growth, which paints a promising outlook. Manufacturers were a little less optimistic, with 38% predicting a ‘small decline’ in the year ahead. However, 24% do expect to see some growth.

Investment in digital marketing for growth

A noteworthy trend is the growth of digital marketing within the sector, with it being where most marketing investment is planned for the year ahead, with over 80% of marketers planning activity in this area.

Kbb Birmingham Event Director Sam Fisher concludes:

“With global markets facing economic uncertainty, this is reflected in the responses, which indicate some challenges ahead for the sector. We want to ensure we have opportunities for visitors to kbb Birmingham to access useful information and support, so are planning a series of drop-in clinics at the show, from financial advisors giving free advice for small businesses, to marketing experts giving digital marketing Q&A sessions.”

Kbb Birmingham returns from 3-6^th of March 2024 to the NEC and will feature over 230+ exhibiting brands from across 26 different categories. The biennial event welcomes an audience of over 15,000 visitors over the four days, attracting senior decision-makers from the residential, design, retail and contract sectors. For more information on kbb Birmingham 2024, and to register for your free visitor pass, please visit the kbb Birmingham website.

Roca Group commissions the world’s first electric tunnel kiln

Bathroom products manufacturer, Roca Group, has invested in the world’s first electric tunnel kiln for sanitaryware. In an effort to decarbonise the inherent energy and carbon-intensive production of ceramic goods[1], the company has taken a decisive step towards electrifying its production processes at its Laufen plant in Gmunden (Austria) thanks to the cutting-edge technology from Keramischer OFENBAU, world technology leader in the manufacture of ceramic kilns.

The German kiln manufacturer has been focusing on sustainable innovation for over 25 years and is a market leader in energy efficient ceramic kilns, making it the ideal partner for Roca Group’s decarbonisation project. After two years of development, the first electric tunnel kiln for sanitaryware has successfully started production of complex ceramic pieces in Gmunden. The Laufen plant, which already uses electricity from renewable sources, was chosen for the first implementation of this pioneering technology as it is particularly conducive to the manufacture of the latest products of the highest quality. The innovation of the electric kiln has already been registered by the European Patent Office.

Given the kiln is highly efficient, decarbonised, and automated, it provides a valuable alternative to conventional production dependent on fossil fuels and is a key milestone in ensuring that Gmunden becomes the world’s first net-zero sanitaryware production facility by 2024. This investment is also central to Roca Group’s decarbonization strategy. The Group closed 2022 with a 39% reduction in direct CO2 emissions compared to the 2018 baseline, approaching its SBTi target of carbon neutrality by 2045.

The first production results of the new kiln system show great potential for the entire industry, because not only sanitaryware production can benefit from this new technology, but also other ceramic sectors such as structural and technical ceramics or tableware. This kiln proves that the complete decarbonisation of ceramic production is not only possible, but also realistic and economically feasible.

Albert Magrans, CEO at Roca Group, said: “We have a long-term goal to decarbonise our operations and we have been working hard to find solutions that will help us achieve this. This new pan-European partnership not only helps us on our way to net-zero but is also a clear step forward for the industry as a whole”.

Günter Halex, chairman of the Advisory Board at Keramischer OFENBAU added: “This electric kiln proves once again, that our advanced technologies are fit to decarbonise even the CO₂-intensive ceramics industry. Our electrically heated kilns provide our customers with increasing independence from the energy market and allow for sustainable and economical production today and in the decades ahead. This groundbreaking and innovative project shows that our technology can maintain maximum quality in ceramic products while making a positive contribution to our planet”.

European success story for decarbonised ceramics production

With Roca Group with the headquarters based in Spain, the Laufen plant in Austria, and Keramischer OFENBAU in Germany, this joint project is truly a European success story towards a future-proof sanitary industry production in Europe and the world. Further driving the decarbonisation of the entire industry requires intensive development and bold innovation. Through Roca Group Ventures, Roca has acquired a majority stake in Keramischer OFENBAU Holding GmbH, which owns Keramischer OFENBAU GmbH, and is investing in the company’s ability to innovate for the benefit of the entire ceramics industry. The Group is also committed to supporting the company with additional funding to further develop, implement, and market this cutting-edge technology that will shape the future of the industry.

While both businesses will remain fully independent, this long-term collaboration will strengthen the innovation capabilities of both companies towards their respective decarbonisation goals with a common goal: the sustainable ceramics industry of the future.

[1] According to Cerame Unie, total emissions from the European ceramic industry amount to 19 million tonnes of CO2 annually, which is roughly 1% of Europe’s total industrial emissions covered by the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS). Sanitaryware industry represent only 2,7% of the total above. https://www.ceramicroadmap2050.eu/chapters/continuing-our-path-towards-climate-neutrality/

Solos delivers luxury spa experience

Ideal Standard’s new Solos showering solutions are the latest additions to the Atelier Collections. The striking products follow the same minimalist aesthetic as the Solos integrated basin-mixer.

The new additions, designed in collaboration with Palomba Serafini Associati (PS+A), feature sleek lines and clean edges for a distinct look that echoes the complementary ceramics and taps. The smart features and easy-to-use controls offer modern convenience and everyday luxury in the bathroom. The shower range is available in timeless chrome, trendy Silk Black and Ideal Standard’s unique durable PVD finishes; brushed gold, silver storm and magnetic grey.

The Solos shower range features a standout integrated colour-changing ambient light in the overhead shower, which creates a relaxing atmosphere for the ultimate spa-like shower experience. Users can customise the colour and brightness of the LED to match their mood, thanks to built-in smart technology that integrates with any smart home app, such as Philips Hue or Amazon Echo. Furthermore, both the hand-spray and overhead shower offer three luxurious spray modes: Rain, 2nd Skin, Active Massage, and the new SilkRain jet, which dispenses ultra-fine water droplets that envelop the entire body.

Advanced technology continues with the Navigo® technology in the thermostatic mixers, allowing users to operate the water flow of the shower with one smooth push-and-turn movement, while easily switching between rain shower and hand-spray – or even experience them both simultaneously.

Engineered in Germany, the Solos showers feature Ideal Standard’s PreciTherm® thermostatic cartridge, offering industry-leading levels of durability, safety and performance. The cartridge is built to prevent potentially harmful fluctuations in water temperature, with intelligent engineering that prevents sudden surges of hot or cold water.

One in ten Brits report using smart home technology every hour of their day!

Fresh data from nationwide research shows smart home devices are being used by the majority of Brits on a daily basis and some are leaning on smart technology at least once an hour of their day to manage their homes. Insights reveal the top priorities and suggest that savvy shoppers are turning to trusted media sources to help guide their choices.

A third (37 per cent) of UK households reported owning at least one smart home device designed to support and manage everyday tasks such as lighting, security, heating, and kitchen appliances.

One in ten (10 per cent) people said they have between four to five smart home technology devices set up in their homes, showed the YouGov research of 2000 adults by the digital reading app Readly.

Six in ten (65 per cent) smart home device owners interact with their technology on a daily basis, whereas almost one in ten (9 per cent) use their devices every hour, indicating a shift towards a more connected home lifestyle.

Smart TVs are the most common device in the home, with 62 per cent of Brits watching them at least once a week. Smart hub assistants such as Google Nest and Alexa are the second most popular with fifty percent of people using them on a weekly basis.

Smart devices for listening to music such as speakers are used by 42 per cent of people and are most popular amongst those aged 30-39 (49 per cent), whereas for the over 60s they are used by just 32 per cent.

Home security is also being managed by smart technology with security systems such as video doorbells being used by 33 percent of people.

Health tech continues to be popular with 32 per cent of respondents using fitness trackers and smart watches on a weekly basis.

When it comes to which smart home devices people will invest in this year, the top priorities amongst Brits were reported to be:

Security
Heating
Entertainment
Lighting
Health monitoring

Chris Couchman, Head of Content at Readly said, “Our subscribers want to read about topics that affect, inspire or enhance their everyday lifestyle and smart-home devices are appearing in the top searches this year. From in-depth features on the latest video doorbells to reviews of the latest fitness tracker and airfryer, to cost efficient, lifestyle enhancing expert tips, it is a popular topic to read around as consumers look to make an informed choice”.

Whilst over half (54%) of respondents reported researching online for their home smart tech information, one in four (40 per cent) said they put their trust in government sites, and a third (35 per cent) look for guidance from the not-for-profit sector.

28 per cent are turning to friends and family for information on the latest smart home products, and one in ten (9 per cent) are reading up on the latest reviews and recommendations in tech magazines.

“Tech magazines have long been a trusted source of in-depth analyses, user tips, and the latest updates to keep technology enthusiasts ahead of the curve. This season sees interest in smart home technology peak, and people are doing their research to ensure they get the best fit for their tech spending,” adds Chris

Readly has over 7,000 titles on its platform, including many tech magazines and in-depth articles to stay informed on the latest tech and smart home developments.