Saniflo UK – a leading designer and manufacturer of macerators, pumps and lifting stations – continues to solve some of Britain’s quirkiest plumbing issues while providing best-in-class technical consultation to ensure the right product is specified first time.
In March 2023, a 100-year-old two-storey guest house apartment above commercial premises in Inverness received a new Sanibest Pro to replace a non-Saniflo macerator that had been changed three times in seven years and had required multiple repairs and maintenance due to clogged blades.
The experts at Saniflo advised the property owner that the Sanibest Pro, although usually specified for commercial applications, would suit this domestic scenario because a more powerful product was required to dispose of items that clog blades, such as wet wipes. The Sanibest Pro occupies the same space as its defunct predecessor, so no additional plumbing or pipework was required.
Matt Watson, Saniflo national sales manager, recommends that customers call the Saniflo technical team to double-check their requirements as every situation differs, and there may always be a better solution. He says: “Our engineers often attend call-outs where a product has been misspecified. We would always recommend a commercial product for an application like this, particularly when members of the public use the facility. Guests often don’t follow disposal guidelines and put bulky items down the WC; they don’t tend to worry as they do in their homes, so mitigating for that is important.”
GROHE, a leading global bathroom and kitchen manufacturer,has been named a winner of the 2023 Livingetc Style Awards in the “Best Bathroom Collaboration” category.
The new Private Collection, which sits within the premium GROHE SPA sub-brand, came out on top and was named the Best Bathroom Collaboration available to consumers in 2023.
“Our GROHE SPA products sit at the intersection of premium quality, cutting-edge technology, unrivalled precision, and progressive design. With this concept, we were delighted to partner with Caesarstone, the renowned global pioneer of premium countertop surfaces. Caesarstone has a long-standing reputation for designing and producing high-end engineered surfaces, which aligns perfectly with the vision for GROHE SPA and the Private Collection.”, says Ebru Bircan, Leader, Marketing Activation UK, LIXIL EMENA, GROHE UK.
This uniquely bespoke brassware collection with GROHE’s premium SPA range has been created to help ease the pressures of modern-day life and evoke calm, wellness, and individuality in the bathroom.
The Private Collection is an extension of GROHE’s beloved premium models, Atrio and Allure Brilliant, and provides a customisable design experience with choice of colour, finish, material, and handle options.
The Livingetc Style Awards celebrate the finishing touches that make homes original, helping audiences make better shopping decisions while recognising outstanding creativity and innovation in design.
The striking translucent porcelain surface Luce by RAK Ceramics has been named Best Kitchen Surface at the prestigious Livingetc Style Awards 2023.
Luce by RAK Ceramics is a porcelain surface that looks stunning when enhanced with backlighting technology. The extra-large format ‘mega slab’ makes installation straightforward over larger areas, such as open-plan kitchen/living spaces. This material is also highly practical, easy to care for and scratch and stain resistant, making it suitable for use on kitchen island units, for example.
The translucent body of Luce is made with a very high purity of raw materials containing special and high-quality clays and minerals. When illuminated, a soft glow is created, transforming the design from a plain tile to a soft natural marble, perfect for carrying the room through from the practicalities of daytime family life to a more sociable ambience after dark. The range includes seven different graphics and colours in marble and onyx effect, replicating the stones’ natural ability to filter the light.
The Livingetc Style Awards hold great significance as they celebrate brands that resonate with the publication’s design-conscious audience, who turn to the title for inspiration and to make well-informed, stylish choices.
Leading bathroom manufacturer, Ideal Standard, has announced the latest addition to its i.life B range – a Glossy Grey finish is available on a selection of i.life B’s vanities, toilets, and bidets.
Designed in collaboration with the Italian studio Palomba Serafini Associati (PS+A). The entire collection is built to be flexible, offering various models for both large family bathrooms and smaller ensuites.
Ideal Standard’s Singular™ approach ensures compatibility since any of Ideal Standard’s portfolios can be brought together to create tailored solutions without compromising.
The manufacturer offers matching furniture options and shower trays in grey, with various models to suit any space. Partnering perfectly with the glossy grey finish, Ideal Standard’s range of Silk Black fittings, accessories, and shower enclosures enable customers to create a fully coordinated look. Equally, the new grey ceramics can be combined with Ideal Standard’s wide range of brassware collections in chrome or durable PVD colours for fully tailored solutions and truly cohesive space.
i.life B also boasts powerful flushing technology, while the lack of an overhanging rim means these WCs are easier to clean for a more hygienic space.
Making the installation process more accessible, the innovative EasyFix+ installation system means wall-hung toilets can be installed faster and by just one person – saving time and resources.
Ideal Standard’s UK marketing director, Leanne Martin said: “The i.life bathroom collection provides a smart, adaptable collection where design, comfort, and hygiene all come together. No matter the size or shape of your bathroom, i.life can bring style to any space, and the addition of Glossy Grey to this range offers a contemporary and sophisticated look.”
Data from the Department for Education stats show the number of completed apprenticeships in England fell from 12,420 in 2018 to 7,700 in 2022, limiting much-needed extra recruits for the construction sector.
Bridget Phillipson, Labour’s Education Chief, revealed that the number of completed apprentices in construction has fallen by almost 40% in just five years as a Construction Skills Network report found that 53,000 extra recruits were needed each year over the next four years to meet projected UK construction demand.
Construction expert and broadcaster of Fix Radio – the UK’s only national radio station dedicated to tradespeople – Clive Holland, expains how the growing decline of apprentices is impacting the construction industry.
As of 2017, the Apprenticeship Levy was introduced across the UK which is a form of taxation designed to help companies offer more apprenticeships, yet data by the London Assembly Economy Committee (LAEC) showed that 18% fewer people began construction apprenticeships in London in 2020/21 than in 2017/18. The Levy clearly states that it is for employers with a payroll of more than £3 million per year. LAEC discovered that fewer apprenticeships in SMEs in particular were available since the levy was introduced and calls for the government to allow businesses to transfer a greater proportion of their levy funding to smaller, non-levy paying firms.
A spokesperson for the Department of Education has revealed that apprenticeships remain a key priority and plan to increase funding by £2.7 billion by 2024-2025 to support businesses of all sizes to build the skilled workforce they need. Yet, the Construction Industry Training Board found that an extra 216,800 construction workers would be needed by 2025 to meet demand.
The LAEC made recommendations to ministers, including the introduction of financial incentives for employers to hire apprentices under the age of 19 as the number has fallen by half since 2016/17. Neil Garratt, the Economy Committee chair, discussed how these apprentices provide opportunities for existing workforces to gain new skills as much as providing pathways into work for young people, but without financial incentives, young people are less likely to find a career path that is right for them.
As it stands, the age limit on apprenticeships in the UK isn’t fixed, however, there are restrictions on the availability of funding. These apprenticeships are funded by the government and are typically reserved for young people aged 16 to 24, limiting the number of people over 24 beginning a construction apprenticeship. Currently, apprentices who are aged over 19 and have completed their first year of their course are entitled to a minimum of £5.28 per hour, which is half of the National Living Wage across the UK.
Clive Holland continues with a comment on the status of apprenticeships in the trades:
“In the United Kingdom, we’ve got over 1.3 million unemployed in this country, if that is the case, that is quite a shock. In the background, if over one million people are unemployed and there’s all these job vacancies that need filling in the construction industry, I think the age limit for apprenticeship funding should be wiped out now.
If one day, someone woke up and fancied working in construction, you would have to start from scratch. You couldn’t afford to be on an apprentice wage, the company taking you on couldn’t afford to build that money up for you, so therefore, you get overlooked.
Not everybody is available to provide more than an apprenticeship wage, they need government support to be able to do that. That is the same for bricklayers, gas service engineers or electricians, if the government asked all of our construction industry and individual trades to work throughout COVID, it’s now time to thank them. I think now is the time to go ‘here’s the support’. The Government can focus on apprentices and get people into schools and colleges to talk about the industry and the positives of becoming a tradesperson.”
The new Duravit SensoWash® D-Neo is a compact shower toilet with integrated technology. Its attractive price point means it is ideally suited to the requirements of the project sector and price-conscious developers.
Offering state-of-the-art, high-quality shower toilet hygiene, the flat seat and the white cover is located behind to form a flush-fitting unit. With its minimalist aesthetics and clear, sleek design, SensoWash® D-Neo blends discreetly into any room and matches all Duravit design collections.
SensoWash® D-Neo’s technical refinements guarantee a pleasant level of comfort: and include configuration options for the three shower flow types through a user ID situated in the seat. Timings for seat heating can also be individually configured. The functions are managed intuitively via remote control.
Integrated heated seat and water temperature setting options mean individual requirements are catered for. A night light guarantees safety when using the SensoWash® D-Neo toilet, and a seat sensor prevents the shower function from being activated when not needed.
SensoWash® D-Neo includes measures to ensure maximum safety: including hygienic materials, such as antimicrobial stainless steel for the shower wand and separate showerhead jets for Ladywash and Rearwash to prevent cross-contamination.
The positioning of the shower wand above the ceramic basin and the automatic pre- and post-cleaning of the shower wand in its retracted position minimize the transfer of germs and bacteria. Rimless® technology, optimized basin and siphon geometry, and antibacterial HygieneGlaze ceramic glaze further ensure optimum hygiene. After just six hours, approx. 90% of bacteria (e.g. coli bacteria) are eliminated, with approx. 99.9% eliminated after 24 hours.
Award-winning luxury interior design studio, Tailored Living Interiors, showcases its creativity and design expertise within a large Californian-style beach house in the beautiful coastal village of West Wittering, Sussex.
This 3-bedroom property, which offers direct access to the immaculate sandy beach of West Wittering, has breathtaking views of the Solent and Chichester Harbour. Benefiting from Tailored Living’s comprehensive interior design service, the homeowners commissioned the company to provide a complete design and project coordination of their luxury home. Gloria Sanchez, founder & managing Director at Tailored Living Interiors explains,
“The property is nestled in the picturesque village of West Wittering and having collaborated with this client 6 years ago on their London home, we were their default choice when selecting an interior designer for this new project.”
When considering the brief and how the project went Gloria explained “Our client brief was to create a relaxed and cohesive beach vibe with an effortless, laid-back luxury feel. Thankfully, the timeline for the execution of this project was perfect because the client had previous experience with how we operate, which meant they understood the importance of the planning process. Duly, we were given 9 months prior to the date they wanted to start building works on this project which allowed ample time to ensure the clients’ requirements, preferences and budgetary constraints were reviewed as many times as required prior to works commencing.”
Discussing any issues or problems that may have arisen during the project Gloria comments, “Despite some initial concerns about managing the interior design project from a geographical distance, the overall process turned out to be smoother than expected. The trust and rapport established early on between the interior designer and contractors significantly contributed to the project’s smooth execution.
“Open lines of communication, mutual understanding, and frequent collaboration fostered a sense of teamwork, despite the physical distance. The constant exchange of ideas, suggestions, and feedback, along with the prompt resolution of any challenges that arose, played a critical role in keeping the project running smoothly.”
This coastal Californian-style home features the following design elements by Tailored Living:
• ENTRYWAY: Upon arrival, you are greeted by a light and airy Californian-style lobby area with Nordic-inspired tones and texture by taking a ‘less is more’ approach. Neutral painted walls lay a foundation throughout the home for the clients chosen accent colour, matt black. A modern black bench seat sits beneath a picture window with made to order African mudcloth geometric print cushions, and jute storage baskets to keep everyday essentials like a picnic blanket (or brolly) neat and tidy.
• DINING AREA: This open-plan dining room offers an alfresco dining experience for up to 8 friends and family, providing instant access to the beach and open-plan kitchen, which features complementary off-white Shaker-style cabinets, grey/black worktops, and tactile rope and metal hardware. The large table seats four on wish-bone style chairs on each side for a clear view of the gardens, as well as keep a free passage around the table when serving guests. To finish, two rattan pendant lights are suspended overhead to provide gentle illumination when dining and draw on the organic materials so true of Californian-style beach house interiors.
• LIVING ROOM: In the main living area, a fabric roll arm Lawson sofa creates the perfect space to relax and unwind, with a turned wood accent table and black metal and rattan wall light that’s ideal when reading or highlighting the framed sea coral prints. Comfort was a key ingredient in the living room, as the cool air from the ocean is inevitable. Plush upholstery combined with a neutral colour palette and raw materials all come together to create a warm, inviting space for the homeowners to enjoy day or night.
• MEZZANINE: Echoing the same clean and pure aesthetic, an intimate mezzanine level provides easy access to the main sleeping quarters, as well as make great use of the sloping ceiling with the addition of extra seating beneath the eaves. Simple yet distinct artwork adorns the walls and yet again embraces the coastal theme with driftwood fish wall art and three frames that form a black and white digital print of a humpback whale. The small oak bench seat is classically timeless and is designed and the bleached strata oak wood flooring is the ultimate finishing touch, helping to create a truly organic feel from a white and wood interior.
• BEDROOMS: Offering spectacular ocean views from the first floor, each bedroom features a statement wall-hung dressing table, which is suspended from the ceiling to make it look as though it’s floating. The master bedroom features a freestanding four-poster bed, with two guest bedrooms featuring a full-size double in one and a generous single bed in the other. Furniture includes a series of retro rocker-style chairs, bedside units and a chest of drawers
• WC: Defined by the iconic Beach Huts Nautical wallpaper in Driftwood by Sanderson, this bijoux cloakroom offers the perfect marriage of old and new. The muted vintage backdrop of the British seaside is carried through to the 2-drawer vanity unit in satin grey with white ceramic sink and for contrast, matt black fixtures and fittings finish the look.
The homeowner comments, “The trust and rapport established early on between the interior designer and contractors significantly contributed to the project’s smooth execution. Open lines of communication, mutual understanding, and frequent collaboration fostered a sense of teamwork, despite the physical distance. The constant exchange of ideas, suggestions, and feedback, along with the prompt resolution of any challenges that arose, played a critical role in keeping the project running smoothly.”
Designed and curated by Tailored Living Interiors, a fully bespoke turn-key project like this coastal Californian-style home in Sussex is priced on request.
CRL Bespoke Shower Screens are making waves in the bathroom this year as Antique Brass mixes classic and modern stylesfor a versatile finish.
Defined by copper and golden undertones, this unique finish is designed to create the aged look of a brass product that has been installed for many years. Antique Brass is popular as it matches easily with other colours and works well in modern or traditional spaces.
Giving a vintage character to any space, the Antique Brass finish fashioned on hardware on the CRL frameless shower screen collection brings a sense of warmth and personality to an otherwise minimalist space.
The finish also works harmoniously with the many wall surface options within the Bespoke Shower portfolio, which can be fabricated along with the glass screen for the perfect fit in any situation.
Antique Brass is just one of 13 shower hardware finish options available from CRL, with the range also boasting 10 styles of frameless shower screens and a wide range of Ceralsio and Inalco MDi surfaces for a complete shower solution from a single source.
A revolution in shower and wet room design, CRL Bespoke Shower Screens combine the latest innovations in CRL shower hardware with its luxury CRL Stone surfaces, for streamlined, hotel-inspired design in any bathroom. It enables retailers to offer their customers three key elements – glass, hardware and large format surfaces – tailor-made to fit, rather than a pre-configured shower from a single source that requires work-arounds.
Registration is open for HIX 2023 – Europe’s hotel design event. Back for 2023, the event brings the hospitality design community together again for a two-day celebration of everything that makes hotels great.
This year’s theme is A room with a point of view – it is all about people, progress and perspective. Guided by the new ideas and voices set to define the next era of hospitality design, a programme of talks, installations, parties, and exhibitions promises to showcase the latest and greatest hospitality interior experiences.
WATERTRAIN® is a new flexible kit that speeds up the design process for tap manufacturers, providing all the required pipework for various tap shapes and sizes.
WATERTRAIN® is also pre-approved by IAPM and KIWA, saving manufacturers the time and cost of gaining individual product approvals and offering reassurance on quality.
Watertrain® is a standard polymer waterway that can be installed into taps of any shape or material, and it uses established technology that separates the tap body from water contact, preventing any migration of toxic metals from the faucet body into the drinking water. It provides the tap manufacturer with a safe, hygienic, flexible, and cost-efficient waterway from angle valve to aerator.
The polymer tubes can be cut to length to fit various sized tap bodies giving great flexibility and it enables the manufacturer to keep less stock by standardising components. There is no need for the additional cost of plastic moulding tools, due to the flexibility of the cut-to-length polymer tubes. They are also simple and fast to assemble using snap and push fit connections. This new Watertrain® will work on washbasin, kitchen or touchless taps and with a selection of Neoperl aerators offering optimised performance for stream pattern and flow rate.
Martin Doll, systems category manager at Neoperl said of this innovation “Watertrain® is a self-contained standalone waterway for faucets/taps. It is pre-approved by institutes so our manufacturer customers can use it for any taps that they are producing. They no longer need to seek separate approvals for hygienic drinking water or for the mechanical tests. So, it offers a full-service package for our customers and that’s very attractive. When demonstrated at the ISH trade show the response was tremendous.”
