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.
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.
Popular restaurants, clubs, and hotels have been blazing the trail: intense colours, furnishings in rich tones, and homely wallpapers all designed to transform bathrooms into places full of character and charm. Creating a complete work of art within your own four walls takes courage and requires a “thread” for a harmonious colour scheme that runs throughout the room.
The guest bathroom as a calling card
Small room – big impact: the guest bathroom is the ideal place to start – you can express your own personality and experiment with colours. Bathroom objects in strong colours can be combined with expressive wall coverings that highlight an individual wall or smaller surface. Wallpapers with graphic designs or botanical patterns, selected tiles, or coloured paints are especially well-suited for such a project. Furnishing items, walls, floors, and decoration should have a consistent colour harmony, be that tone-in-tone or combined with complementary colours. The selection process of individual elements or materials lends itself to experimentation with collages of materials and colours until the optimum and harmonious result is achieved.
Wallpapers as a stage for bathroom objects
Modern wallpapers with graphic designs or botanical patterns are like works of art – they lend rooms a certain vibrancy. Graham & Brown have brought about a veritable renaissance of wallpaper over recent years with their extraordinary and colourful prints.
The renowned British manufacturer of high-quality paint products and wall coverings works with a range of motifs from nature, graphic design, various textures, and luxurious gold accents – and shapes trends as a result.
A wallpapered feature wall sets the stylistic scene for the whole bathroom, which, more often than not, is a small room. Combined with neutral or complementary colours on the other walls, this forms the perfect backdrop for Duravit’s Vitrium bathroom objects with their reserved designs and intense matt colours.
Congo Tail Wallpaper
Furniture, washbasin, toilet, and bathtub in strong colours
The Vitrium colour concept was curated by Christian Werner, who was also responsible for the formal design of the furniture and washbasins. The total of six colours make their presence felt without dominating, and they harmonize perfectly with one another. The colour palette can be divided into three neutral shades Matt Light Gray, Matt Dark Gray, and Matt White as well as the three rich shades Matt Green-Blue, Matt Parlour Blue, and Matt Cinnamon. This broad range of choices ensures that the right tone can be found for any bathroom – from the minimalist designer bathroom through to the modern rustic style.
“Colour also determines how we perceive a product. It’s an emotion because everyone responds to it differently. Multiple colours create a kind of colour resonance, something that ideally creates a harmony. And colours for an interior can never be thought of in isolation, but always in the context of the room,” said Christian Werner.
Faucets and accessories define the look
It’s the small details that give the interior design the finishing touch. Duravit opens up additional design potential in the bathroom with faucets, showerheads, and accessories in five tasteful finishes. A classic chrome surface or thrilling Matt Black or PVD surfaces in Brushed Bronze, Brushed Stainless Steel, and Polished Gold can change the look of the entire bathroom.
About Graham & Brown
Founded by two friends – Harold Graham and Henry Brown, the business has been family-run from its Headquarters in Lancashire, England, since 1946. For over seventy-five years, Graham & Brown has inspired people to think differently about their homes through continuous innovation, creativity, and craftsmanship. Graham & Brown products are created by the in-house design studio and by drawing on an archive of over 50,000 pieces.
Graham & Brown has expanded its award-winning collections to include paint, murals, soft furnishings, bed linen and wall art to offer customers a perfectly partnered, full-room solution.
Bathroom manufacturer Roca Group is celebrating its 30th anniversary in the UK. Roca UK was founded in 1993 with a small team of just seven people and has gone from strength to strength over the past three decades.
Roca UK began with a focus solely on local merchants, but this soon expanded to include distributors and national merchants, then later into retail and specification. In 1999, Alan Dodds was appointed as the new UK managing director. This same year, Roca Group acquired Swiss sanitaryware brand LAUFEN, a significant moment for the Roca Group as a whole, as it solidified its position as one of the most influential and largest names in the bathroom industry.
Alan was a pivotal figure in shaping Roca UK into the company it is today. Under his leadership, Roca UK consistently achieved year-on-year market growth, driven by an unwavering commitment to quality design, innovation, sustainability and wellbeing. Notable accomplishments during Alan’s tenure include the uniting of Laufen and Roca UK operations and opening the dedicated Roca office, showroom and distribution centre in Ireland. Furthermore, the iconic Roca London Gallery, an architectural masterpiece designed by Zaha Hadid which also featured the brand-new Armani/Roca Collection, was opened in 2011. Plus, sales of vitreous china exceeded one million pieces for the first time ever in the UK in 2014.
Roca UK has had to weather significant storms too over the years, not least in 2001, when a fire started in the warehouse one July night and completely burned down the office and warehouse facility in Coalville. Undaunted, the team set up a temporary working office in a local hotel, sourced alternative warehousing and were back up and delivering within just one week! Brand new offices and warehouses were built and ready for use the following year, though multiple expansions in the years that followed meant purpose-built larger facilities were ultimately needed.
In 2019, Roca UK relocated to a spacious 145,000 square feet facility in Bardon. This offered substantial advantages, such as a warehouse with 150% more pallet locations compared to its previous site, meeting and conferencing facilities, and expansive showrooms for all the Roca Group brands. In addition, the expanded storage capacity enabled Roca UK to deliver an even more efficient and prompt service to its extensive network of distributors, merchants and retailers across the nation.
In 2022, Alan Dodds (pictured) adopted the new role of Chairman for Roca UK and Ireland, and, in turn, promoted Rashpal Sidhu to assume the role of managing director and ensure the continued success and growth of Roca UK.
“When I look back at everything that we’ve achieved over the last 30 years, I couldn’t be more proud,” says Alan Dodds, Chairman of Roca UK and Ireland. “From our modest beginnings to today, what defines our business is our people. Roca UK really does have a family culture, which probably explains why our staff retention is high and we have a significant number of people who’ve been here for over 20 years, even one person for 30 years, here since day one! I’m excited to see what the future brings. Here’s to the next 30 years!”
Cyncly, a leading global software solutions provider, has today announced the opening of its AI Innovation Center, an AI strategy and engineering resource that will develop and integrate AI solutions across a range of Cyncly products. The Innovation Center will add substantial technical expertise and development resources to Cyncly’s global team, helping accelerate ongoing programs to make its products smarter and enhance the customer experience through the application of AI techniques.
Cyncly is adding the power of AI across its solution portfolio, which covers every stage of the consumer value cycle: project inspiration, design, sales, manufacturing, and delivery. The Center will work in collaboration with Cyncly’s industry experts to leverage insights from the company’s global team, bringing new technologies that help customers improve the consumer experience, achieve greater efficiency and earn higher margins.
“I’m thrilled for the opening of Cyncly’s AI Innovation Center as the company executes on its plan to lead the spaces-for-living industry,” said Hetal Shah, Chief Technology Officer. “We are bringing together a team with world-class talent, leveraging industry insights and data from our long history supporting customers, so we can deliver the next generation of innovative products.”
The Center will apply the latest technologies to support customer workflows, including Generative AI and ML, enabling Cyncly to deliver innovative product capabilities, more immersive product experiences and higher quality outcomes faster and more consistently.
“Cyncly’s AI strategy is built on our deep industry focus, our engineering resources, and the quantity and quality of data we have from every stage of the consumer journey,” said Manish Bhatia, VP of Engineering. “We are excited to have the Innovation Center as an additional resource, supporting our growing team of AI and subject matter experts across the organization, to fulfill Cyncly’s growth strategy and solve unique business challengers for our customers.”
The Kitchen Bathroom Buying Group (KBBG) is collaborating with Will Francis, a Social Media Expert, to share his advice, invaluable tips and the latest trends for navigating the social media landscape in 2024.
The webinar is on Thursday, 7th December 2023, at 1 pm. It is an exclusive opportunity for KBBG members to gain key insights into the benefits of social media for their businesses. The session will be tailored specifically for independent kitchen and bathroom specialists to support their social media strategies.
Will Francis has helped some of the world’s most loved brands, including Samsung, Nike, Penguin Books, Warner Bros, Spotify and many more, to reach their audiences in more innovative and meaningful ways. In the noughties, he was a key member of the team at the pioneering social network MySpace and has been involved in ‘social media’ since before the term existed.
Will now shares his knowledge through training, consultancy and keynote speeches in-house for global brands and at conferences. He also delivers courses for some of the biggest training providers, including the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Through the KBBG, Will is delivering his expertise to the KBB industry and has been working on some unmissable content and key takeaways, specifically for independent kitchen and bathroom retailer members.
Bill Miller, Managing Director, KBBG, says: “We are delighted to collaborate with Will to support our members with their social media strategies for 2024. Will is a true master in this field and is tailoring the webinar to help our members set a simple and effective strategy. The hour-long session will cover real-life examples of businesses with successful social media strategies, the platforms that our members should be targeting, plus the current trends that help social content perform well. We’ll also host a Q&A session, giving our members the opportunity to have any burning questions answered directly from an expert.”
KBBG members can register to attend the webinar by following the link on their invitation. If you are an independent kitchen/bathroom specialist, and not a member of the KBBG, call Bill Miller on 07887 247811 or email b.miller@derkreis.co.uk for more information or to enquire about joining the buying group. You can also visit the website at www.kbbg.co.uk.
For the fourth consecutive edition, Acquabella is the winner of the prestigious Archiproducts Design Award 2023 with the Noon Slate bathtub.
This recognition highlights excellence in product design, and the Noon Slate bathtub has impressed the jury with its unique aesthetic and exceptional functionality.
Noon Slate: Elegance and Practicality
Acquabella’s Noon Slate bathtub seamlessly combines elegance with functionality, offering an exceptional bathing experience. Its contemporary, minimalist design blends harmoniously into a variety of bathroom styles.
What sets Noon Slate apart is its exclusive manufacturing material, characterized by the durability of Akron® and the natural appearance of slate. This semi-freestanding bathtub, supported only by its rear part, features an integrated shelf for easy access to hygiene products or to incorporate decorative elements. The result is a bathtub that becomes the focal point of the bathroom, adding a touch of luxury and sophistication.
Recognition at the Archiproducts Design Awards
Archiproducts Design Awards are a benchmark in the industry, celebrating global design excellence every year. Acquabella’s Noon Slate has been recognized in the bathroom category, surpassing fierce competition.
An international and multidisciplinary jury of designers, architects, photographers, and creatives from over ten countries selected Acquabella’s new bathtub for its contemporary design, attention to detail, and the quality of materials used. With this, Acquabella has now accumulated four Archiproducts Design Awards in its accolades.
Acquabella’s Noon Slate Bathtub is already available at selected distributors.
Schlüter-Systems has strengthened its portfolio of bathroom systems for the UK domestic market through the availability of advanced control light technology which enhances aesthetics whilst also offering almost unlimited creative choice.
Encompassing the latest LED technology, Schlüter-LIPROTEC creates restful lighting for relaxing spaces, or bright, colourful lighting for a busy family bathroom or kitchen.
Schlüter-LIPROTEC has a broad range of applications, from direct or indirect lighting effects, enabling the interior designer, architect or property owner to illuminate feature walls, pictures, tiled areas such as shower enclosures or study spaces, kitchen countertops and stairways; in fact, anywhere the creative mind can conceive a plan for.
The collection offers the option of neutral white, warm white or RGB+W LEDs; the latter allowing for coloured and white LEDS on a single strip, to generate coloured light or temperature-controllable white light, which can be selected from 2500 K to 6500 K. The system can be programmed to deliver a choice of 16 million colours via a Bluetooth app and remote control.
Suitable for moisture-prone areas such as kitchens, bathrooms and showers, the LED strips are completely encapsulated and conform to IP67 protection rating. Schlüter-LIPROTEC-EASY is the company’s simple plug-and-play version which comes with matching power supply units up to 100W.
The Schlüter-LIPROTEC-PRO series, meanwhile, is geared towards professional installers and offers bespoke lighting solutions. The LED modules are available either with a fixed white-light colour temperature of 3000 K or 4900 K, or with the full RGB+W colour range.
Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD-NLT units are stylish niche sets fabricated from the company’s KERDI-BOARD and featuring plug-and-play LIPROTEC-LED technology. They can be used to create illuminated recesses and storage surfaces for all kinds of wall areas and are enabled with Bluetooth/wireless receivers. The various light colours can also be selected via the supplied remote control or suitable Bluetooth-compatible smartphones and tablets.
The lighting collection embraces the company’s extensive range of bathroom finishing solutions and, when deciding on the multiple variations of lighting, Schlüter-Systems’ customer services team is on hand to offer project and technical support with CAD detail. For those still seeking ideas for their project, Schlüter-Systems has published a brochure covering all on-trend accent lighting solutions, while Virtual Worlds can be accessed online to browse the myriad lighting options available.
With more than 2,300 employees and seven offices across Europe and North America, Schlüter-Systems is the world’s largest and most innovative manufacturer of system solutions for the function, protection and decoration of tiles and natural stone flooring. Schluter-Systems in the UK offers a very wide product portfolio including the Schluter-KERDI range of waterproofing, the versatile tile backerboard KERDI-BOARD and its underfloor heating solutions, DITRA-HEAT and BEKOTEC-THERM.
Corr, Utopia’s brand-new sanitaryware collection is billed to suit all installations and includes a basin and WC range. The three stylish, thin-rimmed semi-recessed basins are ideal for compact cloakroom solutions thanks to their short projection options. Standard semi-recessed basins are also included.
Richard Shore, Utopia’s head of product design comments, “We are delighted to be launching this brand-new collection, available now to our customers. Its understated elegance and contemporary styling is not only timeless in design but bursting with practical and ergonomic USPs and is therefore the perfect complement to many of our furniture collections.”
The Corr WC range echoes the same styling of the basins to form a perfectly coordinated suite but works equally well in any situation. In addition to the stunning appearance, the WCs are packed with features in a space-saving short projection format. The three styles include back to wall, close-coupled and wall-hung options, all featuring a rimless design which has been engineered to optimize water usage and flushing efficiency. This easy clean feature is also very hygienic as there is nowhere for bacteria to collect. Concealed fixings and a slimline, soft close seat complete the neat, streamlined appearance.
Corr joins the existing family of five ceramic collections from Utopia, alongside a host of sit-on basin options, making it the perfect range for all bathroom requirements.
Following hot on the heels of the launch of Alpha Solo panel, Kinedo has added another range of walk-in shower enclosures to its shower portfolio in the shape of the stylish Ekinox+ range.
The stand-out feature of the Ekinox+ range is the option of striking, coloured profiles such as the beautiful and unusual brushed cobalt blue aluminium profile and the vibrant copper or brushed stainless steel option. The Ekinox Solo is a simple glass panel option for an open showering area. It can be installed in a corner, in a recess or against the wall; the latter option requires two reinforcement bars. Ekinox Duo features a 180° pivot section to eliminate splash and can be installed with a chrome straight reinforcement bar (1200mm max) or a floor-to-ceiling bar (2800mm max). It’s available in sizes from 700m to 1400mm.
The Ekinox Corner features a fixed panel for corner installations with the Ekinox Solo and Duo. Sizes range from 700mm to 1000mm.
From huge open spaces to small clever space-saving designs, the versatile Ekinox range, with its array of options, ensures it is easy to find the right panel to create the perfect showering area, whatever the size, design or budget.
All options and configurations can be seen on the Kinedo website www.kinedo.co.uk and a brochure can be downloaded.
