Family-run, independent online tiles specialist Hyperion Tiles’ latest collections include encaustic tiles for eye-catching floors and walls.
The handmade, artisan tiles, designed by Bert & May, are ideal for bathrooms and all inside or outside areas.
Director Richard Skeoch explains: “Encaustic, or cement, tiles are becoming increasingly popular for those looking for versatile tiles with the wow factor. Encaustic refers to the firing process that burns the glazed pattern onto the tile surface or cement tiles, which have been inlaid with pigment to create patterns and colours.
“Our Bert & May tiles are handcrafted, using traditional techniques and natural colours. Designed in the UK, they are hand-poured by a family of fourth-generation artisan tile-makers in Spain and crafted with crushed marble to create extra strength and a beautiful, raw finish. Options include plain designs, while patterned styles can feature anything from two to six different colours.”
Pictured above is theclever design tessellations of Bert & May Tilt Marigold Tile (£156 per sq m). As showcased in Pearl on the floor, the tiles work well in retro/rustic settings and are suitable for both interior and exterior walls and floors.
Pictured below left is Bert & May’s Manarola Tile (£144 per sq m), incorporating a diamond shape for a fresh twist on a classic design. This creates a beautiful pattern suitable for both large rooms and small settings.
Pictured below right is the classic neutral shade of Bert & May’s Brighton Stone Encaustic Herringbone Tile (£209.95 per sq m). It works well on its own, paired with a patterned tile, or combined with other colours from the herringbone collection (pic credit: Samuel Heath).
Four Points by Sheraton made its brand debut in Scotland with the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Edinburgh in the heart of the city centre, marking the brand’s second property and strengthened presence in the UK.
Designed with smart, independent travellers in mind, the property features 69 stylish guestrooms, an onsite bar and Amalfi-inspired restaurant, Almafino, promising an immersive dining experience that celebrates the authentic culinary traditions of Italy, complete with a centrepiece pizza oven.
With its central location just steps away from Haymarket train station and one stop from the airport, the hotel is an ideal choice for business and leisure travellers seeking a memorable stay in the historic city. Four Points by Sheraton Edinburgh has easy access to many of the capital’s top attractions, including Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and Princess Street, a bustling shopping destination. After a busy day exploring, guests can unwind with Four Points’ signature Best Brews programme, which showcases local craft beers such as Innis & Gunn and Ossian on tap.
Today, we hear from Tom Reynolds, Bathroom Manufacturers Association chief executive, as he reveals the opportunities for bathroom upgrades despite a challenging economic landscape.
While many household budgets are squeezed, an unexpected silver lining has emerged for architects and designers thanks to a need for bathroom upgrades. The latest insights from the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) poll conducted by Opinium reveal a compelling narrative of homeowners’ evolving preferences amidst challenging economic times.
In the face of financial constraints, homeowners are proving to be more discerning than ever in their home improvement pursuits. The poll reveals a preference for incremental enhancements, such as replacing bathroom fittings and shower controls. This trend showcases the unwavering appetite for enhancing living spaces, even when undertaking full-scale renovations might seem financially daunting for some.
The confluence of factors, including the prevailing economic climate and the enduring work-from-home trend, continues to encourage homeowners to rethink their living environments. Rather than relocating, they are channelling their resources into upgrading their existing homes. For instance, the desire to redesign homes to accommodate an extra cloakroom can open opportunities for architects and designers to curate innovative spaces that align with homeowners’ evolving lifestyles and preferences.
While the data suggests a dip in homeowners planning comprehensive bathroom overhauls, it reveals a willingness to invest in home upgrades. This insight presents an optimistic outlook for the design community. The crux lies in crafting solutions catering to functional and aesthetic aspirations. Good design will be central to these ventures, ensuring that each project aligns harmoniously with the homeowner’s vision.
Moreover, the responsibility to champion sustainable practices looms large for architects and designers. They are a crucial part of the effort to promote water-saving and energy-saving technologies within bathroom spaces. By advocating for these innovative solutions, the design community can empower consumers to realise financial benefits and contribute to a greener future. In a world increasingly conscious of environmental impact, such measures are pivotal in nurturing a sense of responsibility toward the planet.
Ultimately, the cost of living crisis has paradoxically ushered in a unique era of opportunity for architects and designers in the UK. While the BMA poll underscores a shifting landscape where many homeowners will opt for incremental bathroom upgrades, the design community’s expertise becomes paramount in guiding them toward exquisite, sustainable, and functional bathroom upgrades. Amidst challenges, architects and designers hold the blueprint to not only redefine living spaces but also foster a more sustainable future.
Retailers using Virtual Worlds design technology can now include products from leading manufacturer Schlüter-Systems as its catalogue joins the platform.
Tile installation product manufacturer, Schlüter-Systems, provides solutions that prepare and protect tile or stone installation in bathrooms and wetrooms.
The latest catalogue includes the Schlüter-DITRA range, which the company claims is a superior product when it comes to waterproofing, uncoupling, vapour pressure equalisation, load transfer and heat distribution.
The latest redesign of DITRA now features EasyCut gridlines that make the mat easier to handle and faster to cut and an EasyFill design with integrated air-release vents for better air circulation.
The catalogue also features the Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT and DITRA-HEAT peel and stick uncoupling mats, designed for attaching electric heating cables, and Schlüter-KERDI-BOARD, a tileable, waterproof backerboard which has multiple uses, such as creating a fully waterproofed wall or adding finishing touches such as a bench or shelving to a bathroom.
All of these and more are now available for Virtual Worlds’ retailers to add to their designs at the click of a button.
Through its intuitive end-to-end software solutions, Cyncly connects professional designers, retailers and manufacturers to integrated management tools and catalog content hub. Cyncly solutions serve over 70,000 customers globally, helping to simplify communication, reduce errors, grow sales, increase efficiency and drive innovation.
HiB, a leading supplier of bathroom mirrors, cabinets, furniture and accessories, has launched its latest Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) report, highlighting recent achievements in environmental sustainability and community engagement.
The CSR report for 2023 outlines HiB’s commitment to creating a positive impact on both the environment and society. By implementing new carbon-reducing strategies and fostering a culture of responsible business, HiB has effectively reduced scope three emissions by 31% and overall emissions by 7%, reflecting the company’s dedication to environmental stewardship.
“We are delighted to share the outcomes of our continuous efforts to minimise our ecological footprint,” said Emma Cuggy, Director of People and ESG at HiB. “This achievement is a testament to our continued efforts towards sustainability, contributing positively to the world we live in.
“This year, we have focused on improving our methods of measuring data, refining practices and putting in procedures to increase our results in the years to come. But to have also had success in reducing emissions this year is fantastic.”
The drop in emissions is attributed to a comprehensive approach that includes energy efficiency initiatives, waste reduction programmes and integrating renewable energy sources into HiB’s operations. These efforts align with the company’s environmental goals and demonstrate HiB’s ability to drive innovation in sustainable business practices.
Furthermore, the CSR report highlights HiB’s exceptional community and charity fundraising growth, showcasing the company’s commitment to social responsibility beyond its core business operations. Through partnerships with local organisations and employee-driven initiatives, HiB has significantly increased its contributions to community development projects and charitable causes.
“Investing in the wellbeing of our communities has always been at the heart of our company’s values,” Emma emphasises. “We believe that responsible business encompasses not only environmental awareness but also actively participating in creating positive change in the communities around us.”
The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation has announced MHK UK as its latest corporate sponsor of 2023, supporting the government-sanctioned organisation and its work on building a sustainable workforce and improving education, standards, and compliance in the KBB installation sector.
MHK UK is a company of the MHK Group, the full-service association for medium-sized specialist trade and craft companies. The group is also a specialist in the sanitary, heating, and air-conditioning sectors, as well as supplying medium-sized businesses in the painting and building trades.
Marcel Crezee, director export MHK Group and managing director MHK UK commented ‘The MHK Group recognises the importance of installations and the role that this area of the sector plays in the success of our business. As MHK UK continues to grow its network of independent KBB retailers, it’s important that we support the installations sector and work alongside BiKBBI to help solve the skills shortage, improve education and training, and ultimately build a sustainable workforce that all KBB businesses will benefit from.’
BiKBBI CEO, Damian Walters said ‘BiKBBI’s network of corporate sponsors continues to grow and 2023 has seen a record number of manufacturer, supplier and distributor brands committing to support the vital work we are doing to drive positive change in the sector. To welcome MHK UK onboard as a corporate sponsor is significant not only for us as an organisation but because it is a testament to just how important the installation workforce is the whole KBB industry. The work that the MHK Group does via their academy facility in Germany is a leading example of how the UK should be approaching education and training and we are very excited at the prospect of working with MHK UK the development of our plans on education.’
About BiKBBI
The British Institute of Kitchen, Bedroom & Bathroom Installation (BiKBBI) says it is the UK’s first and only Government-sanctioned institute dedicated to Kitchen, Bedroom and Bathroom (KBB) installation. It works with professional installers, retailers, manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors of kitchen, bedroom & bathroom products to define industry standards, support skills development, and provide the industry with a national and collaborative voice.
Bathroom brand Duravit has boosted its management team by appointing Jutta Langer as president Europe plus. Reporting directly to CEO Stephan Tahy,she will assume strategic, organisational, and profit & loss responsibility for European and African markets.
Jutta Langer has over 20 years of experience in companies such as Procter & Gamble and L’Oréal and management experience at the Werhahn Group.
She recently established the strategic consulting arm for GfK, a world-leading consumer intelligence company, as Global Vice President Consulting.
The new appointment strengthens Duravit’s activities in ‘Europe Plus’ (a region that includes its core market of Germany) and brings a focus on Germany’s skilled trades and its European architectural customers.
Functionality, sustainability and E-commerce operations will also benefit from the new structure.
“With the appointment of Jutta Langer, we are acquiring a successful executive with international experience for the key sales region of Europe Plus, which includes our home market of Germany,” commented Stephan Tahy, CEO of Duravit AG.
“With her broad background in both B2B and B2C and her experience in the strategic development of business models and organizations, she will ensure that Duravit remains on its successful course.”
“I’m really looking forward to giving Duravit the benefit of my experience and at the same time working with the team to expand Duravit’s market position,” said Jutta Langer.
“The brand has so much appeal and is really respected around the world. True to Duravit’s mission statement of ‘Upgrade your everyday’, I’ll work intensively with my team to make our customers’ lives a little bit better every day.”
Us Brits are often tasked with planning compact bathrooms, with the average UK bathroom measuring a modest 2M x 2M1. Fortunately, many innovations and designs allow homeowners to create an inviting yet functional space. Opting for wall-hung fittings within a compact space is an ideal solution to provide additional space while limiting clutter, helping to create a streamlined finish, and these fittings are continuing to grow in popularity as we get more familiar with their benefits.
Today, bathroom experts GROHE, provide a complete buyer’s guide and share all there is to know on wall-hung fittings, including how these design choices can elevate even the smallest of bathroom spaces with reduced outward projections and elevated placement.
Simple Installation
While its recommended wall-hung fittings are installed by professional installers, the fittings are often not as invasive and complicated to install as often believed, especially when it comes to full bathroom renovations. Many of GROHE’s models can be installed in front of a solid wall or within a stud wall in next-to-no-time thanks to the GROHE QuickFix system with ToolFree feature, which requires no tools to connect hose, inspection shaft, or water supply.
Functionality & Durability
Wall-mounted fittings offer the same functionality and durability as standard fittings and can even provide improved function in some cases. The ‘built to last’ fittings firmly mounted to the wall allow room for improved cleanliness and hygiene. As the fittings are elevated from the floor space, with just the toilet or basin bowl visible and no exposed pipework or cistern, there’s less surface area and corners for dirt and grime to build up in, making easy cleaning.
A common misconception with wall-mounted toilets and sinks is that they do not offer adequate support, however a correctly installed flush-frame and basin can more than comfortably support the weight of almost any adult without any concerns. GROHE’s wall-mounted fittings carry the German TUV certification for load capacity with the toilets approved for weights up to 400KG and basins approved for up to 150KG.
Future-proof fittings
With modern flushing systems models such as the GROHE Rapid SLX, homeowners can have peace of mind if future renovations are needed. While the Rapid SLX can work well with the regular WC pans, it is exciting to note that it has been designed specially to cater to future-planning and features a built-in electric socket and water connection ready for shower toilet installations, limiting the need for invasion renovation work. The system is also equipped with various technologies, including GROHE 3 Whisper which prevents sound travelling through walls making it an ideal choice for households where someone may be waking up numerous times throughout the night.
Wall-hung fittings can also provide enhanced accessibility to users, thanks to the fitting’s height being adjustable and not limited to the fitting’s pedestal stands. GROHE’s concealed flush-frames have adjustable feet, setting the height at the desired level and providing additional comfort.
VitrA, a leading bathroom manufacturer, has appointed six new members to its growing team. These appointments mark an exciting chapter for VitrA as it continues to innovate and expand its reach in the industry.
Tyler Reid has assumed the role of contract sales manager at VitrA. With a wealth of experience in the construction industry, including six years of specification experience, Tyler is well-equipped to drive contract sales for the company. His previous positions as regional sales manager at Lorient (Assa Abloy) and key account manager at Moores Furniture Group, where he was in charge of supplying national and regional house builders, have honed his skills in managing key accounts and delivering exceptional results. Tyler joined the VitrA U.K. team in February.
Dan Callaghan has been appointed as contracts sales manager for the North and Scotland regions. With an impressive background in the industry, Dan brings extensive knowledge gained during his 13-year tenure at Wolseley and PTS, where he held various roles within the group. Having achieved significant success during his nine years at Zip Water, including being awarded the prestigious Salesman of the Year award in his first full year, Dan’s experience in manufacturing and sales will be invaluable in his new role at VitrA.
Mark Washbrook has been named the national key account manager for the residential sector at VitrA. Mark joins VitrA after a long and successful period with Ideal Standard as head of national house builder sales. Mark brings a unique perspective and deep understanding of the industry with previous roles at Wolseley, Ideal Boilers, and Albion Cylinders and 15 years of practical experience as a Plumbing and Heating Engineer. He is excited to take on the challenge of driving key account management and contributing to VitrA’s growth in the residential sector.
Jordan Fox has joined VitrA as digital media executive. Jordan brings a fresh perspective and widespread digital media experience, having previously worked with organisations specialising in sports marketing such as Curzon Ashton Football Club, The Sports Agents sports agency, and Plyable a digital manufacturing startup. With a BA in Business & Media, Jordan will be responsible for optimising the company’s digital activities, including website optimisation, SEO, paid campaigns and data analysis.
Tamara Harris has been appointed as VitrA’s senior finance manager, overseeing all the UK finance and HR activity. Having previously worked with the company between 2015 – 2021, Tamara returns with a wealth of financial experience and insight from her last role as financial director at Pure Cold Limited, and before that, various accountancy and financial roles with Lancaster Group PLC, the Oxford Bus Company and Go-Ahead East Anglia.
Laura Rutter has joined VitrA as area sales manager. Over the last 10 years, she has held sales and specification roles at established companies, including Ideal Standard, Cosentino, Bathroom Brands and Wirquin, working closely with a variety of housebuilders and merchants across the KBB industry. At VitrA, Laura focuses on housebuilders and developers across the South West and South Wales region and managing residential and commercial project specifications.
Managing director Steve Breen said, “I am delighted to welcome new faces, Tyler Reid, Dan Callaghan, Mark Washbrook, Jordan Fox, Tamara Harris and Laura Rutter, to our growing VitrA U.K. team and am excited to see how their diverse expertise and understanding of the bathroom industry can further shape our business.” For more information about VitrA and its exceptional bathroom products, please visit vitra.co.uk
Kelda has supplied air-powered water and energy-saving showers in four properties at Cala Homes Langley Court development in Beckenham. Cala has also incorporated a full electric heating and hot water system, supplemented by PV and smart hot water cylinders.
Kelda’s low-carbon Air-Powered shower savings have been verified by trusted energy experts Energy Saving Trust to show significant savings in four areas:
Water: A Kelda shower uses 69,800 fewer litres of water per year than a conventional mixer shower. This is a 55% reduction in the amount of water, resulting in £180 (40%) savings in the annual water bill of a household of four.
Energy: With less water being used, the amount of energy required to heat it is also reduced, Kelda showers use 2,200 less kWh of energy per year than a conventional mixer shower. This is a 55% reduction in the amount of energy used, which results in £285 (55%) savings in the annual energy bill of a household of four.
A typical home could cut its annual energy consumption by about 10% (2,200kWh) by replacing its conventional mixer shower with a Kelda shower. This is equivalent to boiling a kettle 20,000 times.
Carbon Emissions: Due to the energy and water-saving aspects associated with a Kelda shower they emit 540 Kilograms (55%) less carbon dioxide annually than a conventional mixer shower. This is a 55% reduction in carbon dioxide emitted annually.
A typical home could cut its annual energy carbon emissions by about 10% (540kgCO2) by replacing its conventional mixer shower with a Kelda shower. This is equivalent to driving 1,900 miles, that’s like driving from London to Bristol 16 times.
Financial: If a family of four with metered water replaced a conventional mixer shower with a Kelda shower the overall reduction in energy and water consumption would lead to a saving of approximately £465 per year on their utility bills.
“It is quantified data such as this, along with our own continuous energy-saving efforts and other aspects of research and development that make Kelda. We look forward to working with Cala to install a Kelda shower in their first net zero carbon enabled home in Peterborough.” Paul Ravnbo-West, marketing director Kelda Showers.
Steve Rule, group design & technical director at Cala said: “The trial of products such as Kelda’s Air Powered showers is just one of the ways Cala is looking to reduce water consumption in our homes, while also helping our customers to reduce their energy use.”
