Bringing spa-inspired luxury to the domestic bathroom, RAK-Des from RAK Ceramics is a collection that ensures this most private of spaces is as comfortable and relaxing as any of our living spaces, while never compensating on practicality.
With clean, minimal lines for a sleek and streamlined finish that emulates the hotel feel, one of the many highlights of RAK-Des is the versatile range of bowls and freestanding washbasins, ensuring a solution for every bathroom. Freestanding, wall-hung and countertop basins all feature beautifully ergonomic shapes crafted from quality ceramic.
The washbasins can be combined with RAK-Joy vanities and RAK-Precious countertops for perfect harmony in the bathroom. RAK-Precious provides a luxurious alternative to the functional ceramic white, with surfaces that emulate the natural properties of materials such as stone, marble and cement, bringing the trend for industrial styling into the bathroom in a functional way.
With hidden fixations, the RAK-Des WC can be wall-hung or installed back-to-wall and features the latest in flushing technology for the ultimate in bathroom hygiene. RAK Ceramics WCs set new standards of
All in all, RAK-Des provides a complete sanitaryware solution for the modern bathroom that successfully combines form with function and gives designers creative freedom in this more personal of spaces.
D-Neo from Duravit is a completely customisable range of washbasins, furniture, WC’s, baths and basins and comes with a lifetime guarantee on the ceramic elements in the range for selected countries.* The sophisticated entry-level range, by Belgian designer Bertrand Lejoly, has been created to outlast short-lived trends.
Versatile D-Neo is component-based and includes a wide range of washbasins: from furniture and built-in variants to hand rinse basins and above-counter basins. The washbasins feature an all-round rim and the matching vanity units are eye-catching and practical with added storage space. The above-counter basins are available in oval or round variants.
All the toilets come with the Duravit Rimless® technology and can be ordered with the antibacterial HygieneGlaze ceramic glaze, achieving perfect flushing results with just 4.5 litres of water. The D-Neo series also offers a matching bidet.
A further highlight in this price segment is the free-standing DuraSolid® bathtub with its velvety look and feel and a style reminiscent of the oval above-counter basins. At just 1600 mm in length, it also perfectly showcases smaller bathrooms.
Built-in bathtubs made from sanitary acrylic with one sloping backrest are available in five sizes ranging from 1500 x 750 to 1800 x 800 mm. The 1800 x 800 mm version can also be ordered with two backrests.
The built-in bathtubs also come in a whirl version for that extra-special feel-good factor. Six flat water-air nozzles arranged in the side walls create a beneficial massage effect.
Available in widths of 410 to 1400 mm and numerous design options, the D-Neo furniture perfectly complements any bathroom. Three new wood-look décors complete the selection of D-Neo furniture finishes bringing the total to 13. A harmonious overall picture is produced when combined with the ergonomic handle in a diamond-black finish; this mirrors the curve of the console panels and washbasins. The indirect light provided by the matching circular mirrors from the Light + Mirror range creates a pleasant ambience. The mirrors and mirror cabinets are available as a rectangular option with LED edging lighting at the top, guaranteeing ideal illumination of the washing area.
Washbasin mixers with the FreshStart feature are also available for the first time: cold water flows in the central position. Hot water is only added when the user deliberately moves the handle to the left, limiting the energy-intensive production of hot water to situations where it is actually needed.
Thanks to the selection of D-Neo ceramic elements, the high-quality furniture, wide range of bathtub options, and matching faucet range, it’s possible to customize any bathroom in top quality and for an attractive price.
*Lifetime garantee us for the ceramics only – not the complete range.
As consumers continue to focus on adjusting home environments to cater for changing needs, creating a luxurious bathroom sanctuary not only helps when more family members are in the home, it also delivers a private space to relax or rejuvenate as we manage the day-to-day pressures of the ‘new normal’.
Ben Bryden, Sales and Marketing Director for RAK Ceramics UK, agrees: “As the effects and aftermath of the pandemic continue to be felt in the months ahead, home comforts will be important to consumers for the foreseeable and an investment in making areas such as the bathroom will be noticeable. In the bathroom, luxury, sanctuary and escapism are paramount for 2021.”
Small bathroom spaces
RAK Ceramics offers its own solution when it comes to solving the problem of creating luxury results in compact spaces; RAK-Petit is designed specifically with small bathrooms in mind. The collection includes deep-based washbasins that can be installed alone or combined with RAK-Joy vanity units in domestic bathrooms, as well as freestanding washbasins that are statement pieces in their own right.
RAK-Petit
Freestanding baths
If you have the luxury of designing for larger bathroom spaces, freestanding baths deliver the ultimate in opulence and style.
Roca’s two new baths Ariane & Raina have been created using Roca’s Stonex® material, it not only looks sophisticated, but it is also warm to touch and has an indulgently smooth texture. David Bromell, Head of Marketing for Roca UK comments: “The bathing experience is so personal and remains the focal point in achieving a sanctuary-like space where you can unwind and renew. By expanding our collection of bath options, we are enabling this individual approach, both to wellness and the overall bathroom design.”
Ariane
Raina
Acquabella has also added freestanding baths and basins to its portfolio with the introduction of Acquawhite. Best-known for its award-winning trays, the Spanish manufacturer’s new Acquawhite collection has been created using its environmentally friendly Dolotek material which is UV resistant, anti-bacterial, silky to touch and easy to clean.
Acquabella Vars Bath
Material matters
Selecting the right material is also a key factor when individualising bathrooms and washrooms, acrylic is warm to touch and retains heat, whereas composite materials such as Marbond by Laufen are hygienic, easy to clean, antibacterial and slip-resistant.
Laufen has added six brand new bath design lines to its existing wellness collection, offering a luxurious bathing experience across fifty two individually designed bathtubs. The company offers three different materials for its baths, each of which has distinctive characteristics that define its shape, design, function and finish. Click the link to find out more.
Brook
Elgin
Linden
Designing in colour
Adding colour to your bathroom design is also simply executed if you have a freestanding bath. Kaldewei’s Classic Duo Oval (pictured top) is now available in individually designed optics. The strong enamel colours are ideal for harmonising with the rest of the bathroom, or for implementing a contrast.
Adam Teal, Head of Sales for Kaldewei UK explains: “Freestanding bathtubs are increasing in popularity and are on track to be a key trend for 2021. Alongside their ecological stance, Kaldewei offers creative, on-trend designs; such as the new bio-colour designed free-standing bathtubs available in three of their freestanding bathtub models: Centro Duo Oval, Conoduo and Ellipso Duo Oval, available in alpine white, alpine white matt, black gloss and lava black matt – these offer a wide range of eye-catching combinations for the modern bathroom.”
For a coordinated design, Kaldewei’s popular Cayono product family completes the series with the introduction of high-quality washbasins – whether as a trendsetting washbowl, countertop or under-counter solution.
Novellini’s Divina Outdoor SPA Collection includes top-of-the-range, Made in Italy, outdoor spas equipped with hydro massage. The collection, designed for head-to-toe wellness, includes 4 models of different sizes – M, L, XL and XXL – with fittings designed to accommodate from two up to six people.
The first Novellini spa collection was created as the ultimate expression of well-being where body, mind and environment co-exist in perfect synergy. The Divina Outdoor design, with its clean, simple elegant lines, encounters a careful examination of ergonomics and concealed silent avant-garde technology.
The Divina Outdoor is ideal for those moments of sheer relaxation, both day or night, owing to its RGB Chromolight LED lighting system, and in summer or winter, to its water heating system. All functions can also be controlled via an app that uses an integrated Wi-Fi Remote Control system. After a busy day at work, a sports session or even in those garden party moments with friends,
Divina Outdoor provides the benefits of a true outdoor spa at home. When soaking up the warm rays of the sun or lingering beneath a starry sky canopy, peace of mind is guaranteed with a variety of Whirlpool hydro massage units, a NaturalAir system and a Bluetooth sound system with concealed speakers, both inside and outside the tub.
An integral part of Novellini’s philosophy, makes Divina Outdoor the perfect spa to adapt not only to domestic spaces but also to the high-end hotel sector. The Ozone and Ultraviolet Acqua Clean sanitisation system cleans the water rapidly and instantaneously, eliminating even the most chlorine-resistant viruses, bacteria and micro-organisms.
Textured and weather-resistant surfaces ensure high levels of hygiene and durability for the Home SPA. Divina Outdoor bathtub liners are created using the highest quality acrylic, available in marble, pearl and white finishes. The side panels covering the spa are available in three different finishes: Natural Touch, wood-effect Dogati and Fiber Cross coatings.
The thermal cover, indispensable for any spa, insulates the tub and keeps the water temperature at a constant level. Foldable and created from materials suitable for outdoor use, the cover becomes a distinguishing feature that makes the spa aesthetically pleasing to the eye, even when not in use.
The Divina Outdoor SPA collection includes a series of accessories designed by architect Marco Pellici – chaise longue, side tables, steps and a shower column. A linear design, ergonomic comfort and perfectly matching finishes of the accessories provide for the creation of a complete look for the Outdoor Home SPA.The chaise longue features a comfortable, padded non-slip support available in a variety of FIBER CROSS colour combinations to match the spa, whereas the side tables and steps, which are also available in various models, finishes and heights, complete the comfort range of the Home Spa and allow it to be used in total safety.
The shower column, made of stainless steel and equipped with overhead and hand shower units, can be positioned wherever required owing to its clean, linear design. A virtual reality configurator is also available on the dedicated website – outdoorspa.novellini.com – which allows the Divina Outdoor to be visualised inside home spaces and the product configured in all its aspects by customers.
Duravit has introduced two new additions to its Cape Cod series designed by Philippe Starck.A smaller version of the striking freestanding bath tub is complemented by a new ceramic furniture washbasin.
In white high gloss, the 70cm-wide white ceramic furniture washbasin introduces a brand-new look to the bathroom. The floor-standing chrome frame and integrated shelf are both practical and easy to clean.The shelf areas adjoin the circular basin on the left and right. Minimalistic mirrors with all-round LED lighting add the perfect finishing touch to the washing area.
Another new element is a smaller version of the striking, freestanding bathtub in space-saving dimensions of 165 x 78cm. Like the larger variants, it is also made from the tried-and-tested, high-quality DuraSolid® material, is pleasantly warm to the touch, and has a sophisticated matt appearance. A smoothly shaped headrest set into the backrest guarantees relaxed comfort when reclining and bathing.
The series can be combined with Starck T accessories and selected toilets and bidets from the Starck 1, Starck 2, and ME by Starck ranges for a thoroughly stylish and harmonious look. The SensoWash® Starck f shower toilet offers maximum hygiene and comfort. This symbiosis of toilet and bidet provides gentle, natural cleansing with water.
The elegant bathroom opens up a whole host of design options, especially for smaller bathrooms. With its innovative design for the washing area, Starck creates elegance and a generous sense of space.
The hallmark of the Cape Cod bathroom program is the perfect fusion of material and form to satisfy even the highest aesthetic standards. The untamed nature of New England’s Cape Cod region inspired Philippe Starck creates a bathroom range composed of elements that rejuvenate body and soul.
Today, Ideal Standard is introducing its brand-new design-led range, Atelier Collections, created in collaboration with renowned Italian studio PS+A.The bold designs have been created to work in harmony to allow complete customisation on every project.
The products bring together the skills of Palomba Serafinia Associati (PS+A), through its founder Roberta Palomba, with Ideal Standard’s broad manufacturing expertise.
The ranges draw inspiration from iconic Ideal Standard products of the past to create exciting new collections for the present. Roberto Palomba, with 25 years of experience in international design, has created unique collections that include an exclusive range of ceramics, brassware and furniture.
Inspired by Ideal Standard’s leading product lines from the past, the Conca range (pictured top) nods towards the iconic Ideal Standard basin, offering minimalist designs. The Blend range of WCs has been created to perfectly complement these basins.
Conca round vessel 45 cm and free-standing pedestal – Joy wall mounted basin mixer
Conca washbasin & Conca furniture Matt Sunset finish
Core to the Atelier collections is colour. PS+A have created a new, bold colour palette, some of which draws on colour influences that can be found in Ideal Standard’s design heritage, and others which reflect and define new colour trends. Launching in March, the colours have been applied to the Ipalyss range of super slim washbasins, designed by Robin Levien. Incredibly striking in colour and design, new shapes and sizes are also being introduced, creating an extremely durable and versatile range, made possible by Ideal Standard’s Diamatec® technology.
Additionally, there is also new brassware, with two new lines of mixer taps, Check and Joy. They are available in chrome and PVD finishes to offer a stylish simplicity.
Ipalyss washbasin
Joy Tap
Joy Vessel Mixer
Commenting on the new collections, Roberto Palomba said: “We are particularly proud of the results of our partnership with Ideal Standard. We maintain a very simple approach for our creations: quality paired with intuitive design that also keeps an eye to the past, while ensuring the levels of practicality, purity and elegance meet the needs of modern society.”
Torsten Türling, Chief Executive Officer at Ideal Standard added: “Throughout our history, we’ve worked closely with the leading designers of their era. Master designers have a unique ability to capture the essence of the time and translate that into designs that shape the evolution of society and influence the culture of design beyond the bathroom. This essence of design is what we wanted to capture again and this is reflected in Atelier Collections.”
The Atelier Collections will be available exclusively through independent retailers, with Ideal Standard committing significant investment into showroom and marketing support for the collections.
David Barber, Managing Director for Ideal Standard UK and Ireland said: “The Atelier Collections mark a new era in Ideal Standard’s design journey and we understand the importance of these ranges for our retail partners. Not only are we committing to a consumer advertising campaign to drive footfall to showrooms, but we are also working with retailers to provide support and tailor-made packages to ensure they are fully equipped to serve their customer base.”
Ideal Standard International is one a leading manufacturer of high-quality private and public bathroom solutions. Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, the privately-owned company employs around 9,000 people and operates 16 manufacturing sites, serving over 100 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Using the latest technologies and working with world-class designers, the company is focused on developing innovative bathroom solutions across multiple product categories including bathroom Ceramics, Taps & Fittings, Bathing & Wellness and Furniture & Accessories. Its products are sold under strong international and local brands such as Ideal Standard, Armitage Shanks (UK), Sottini (UK), Porcher (France), Ceramica Dolomite (Italy) and Vidima (Eastern Europe).
The COVID-19 pandemic has led to an increasing need for hygienic washroom and bathroom solutions. Inclusively designed products with built-in antibacterial properties and touch-free design are now part of the essential war-chest for public and commercial spaces.
A single cough can produce up to 3,000 droplets which can remain on metal, glass or plastic surfaces for up to nine days. A study by Imperial College Londonshowed that viral DNA left on a hospital bed rail in an isolation room had spread within ten hours to 18 other surfaces.
For hospitals, washrooms, hospitality venues and the home, we can expect to see a combination of touch-free solutions and antibacterial coated products become commonplace. Even with the vaccine in place, we will still need to control the spread with an inventory of defensive measures to combat the virus and its mutations.
Reducing touch-points
David Bromell, Head of Marketing, Roca agrees “There is a growing demand for zero contact bathroom solutions which have become a more pressing consumer priority as a result of the pandemic. Roca has introduced a new range of innovative touchless products to deliver the ultimate in hygiene.”
From basin mixers that activate automatically when they detect a user, to electronic flush plates with movement sensors, and mirrors with lights that are switched on with a simple gesture – Roca offers a range of touchless solutions which provide an extra layer of hygiene and safety within the bathroom. Infrared sensors allow users to activate the water flow in taps, flush the WC or control the mirror light without the need for contact, avoiding the spread of viruses and growth of bacteria.”
Sensor technology
HiB’s in house product team has also focussed on incorporating sensor technology into the design of mirrors, cabinets, furniture and accessories in order to revolutionise the way we interact with our bathrooms.
Wave sensors and sensor activation assist in reducing the spread of potential viruses and bacteria from shared surfaces. The new Dusk cabinet from HiB features a touchless wave sensor to activate the cabinet’s top light.
Viral-guards & bacteria elimination
Hand in hand with touch-free solutions, eliminating the growth of bacteria on surfaces is also an essential part of the armoury for Covid-safe design. especially when you consider people touch their faces at least 23 times an hour.
VitrA’s ranges are designed to guard against virus and bacteria build-up and incorporate special finishes on ceramic ware and tiles. These built-in antibacterial properties – such as VitrA Shield – help maintain hygiene levels for all environments, whether domestic or commercial.
Hygiene stations
A number of easy-to-access hand-sanitisers – especially touch-free versions – not only help create a safer environment, they also give the customer peace of mind.
Stephen Maley, HEWI’s UK Sales Director comments “Hygiene is becoming increasingly important in people’s minds. The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic has influenced many aspects of our daily lives. Companies, hotels, and all institutions with highly frequented entrance areas are faced with the challenge of raising hygiene standards as soon as customers, guests, patients and visitors enter their facility. “
Flush-to-floor shower trays leave no place for germs to hide, in addition, Bette uses glazed titanium-steel for all its baths, shower floors and basins. The BetteFloor flush-to-floor shower areas come in a large range of sizes and colours and offer ease of use and durability.
As Bette tell us “The material chosen plays a huge part in determining how quickly and effectively debris from tooth-brushing and washing in basins, and from washing in baths and showers, can be removed. Materials that can become scratched can harbour dirt and bacteria, as can tiled shower areas, so there is likely to be more demand for scratch-proof, non-porous and easy to clean materials, such as glazed titanium-steel.”
Whatever the project, a future-proof, holistic approach for germ-elimination – whether designing for healthcare, hospitality or residential – will be key as we continue to fight the war on germs.
If you know of other products in this arena that the Bathroom Review community should know about, then contact the editorial team, we’d love to hear from you.
Roca’s latest freestanding baths, Maui and Kauai, integrate sophisticated classic shapes and are manufactured from Roca’s innovative design material, Stonex®.
The Maui freestanding bath (pictured top) recalls the shape of ancient bathtubs. Ideal for contemporary bathrooms, they are also suited for sophisticated options where the bath is placed in the bedroom.
Thanks to its slim Stonex® walls and its pure outline with rounded angles, Maui brings a chic twist to a modern bathroom design. The Round format, with a dimension of 1500×700mm, offers an oval shape with a slightly elongated backrest for better body posture.
Maul is also available in a Square version, which features subtle side curves that support the hands. In both options, the white finish delivers timeless design pieces, perfect for stylish bathrooms. For a vintage effect, choose a twin-lever tap with star-shaped levers like the ones found in Roca’s Carmen and Loft collections. If a more modern aesthetic is needed, opt for the installation of a single-lever straight-angle brassware like the L90.
Also available is the Kauai freestanding bath with its timeless curved shape, reminiscent of the oval shape of a pebble, making it a perfect centrepiece for any stylish bathroom. These new baths provide a great solution for UK bathrooms due to the compact size offering, with no compromise on design.
The Maui and Kauai baths are manufactured in Stonex®, which provides a natural and pleasant feeling across its entire surface. This material, made up of a selection of high-quality resins and mineral particles, achieves a smooth gloss finish during the production process, but with excellent anti-slip properties to ensure maximum safety while bathing. Its colour remains intact over time and does not discolour from exposure to UV light. It is also resistant to wear and tear including scratches and abrasions.
Roca’s new freestanding baths are modern in design and performance with classic inspiration. The Maui and Kauai baths are perfect to provide those eternal occasions of peace and serenity that are only found whilst bathing.
Suitable for any bathroom, SOUND WAVE from Kaldewei is an acoustic innovation that turns a steel enamel bathtub into a resonant sound box. Compatible with all Kaldewei bathtub models, this bathroom audio system is installed at the same time as the bathtub and can play every kind of audio file via Bluetooth® from a smartphone, laptop, tablet or PC.
Bringing together the joy of bathing with the delights of music and sound was an obvious choice for Kaldewei. SOUND WAVE is the ultimate combination of relaxing spa and unique sound experience – above and below the water.
SOUND WAVE isn’t only a winner with spa lovers. Professionals like sound engineer Bryan Gallant from The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver, Canada, are big fans of this Kaldewei innovation.
“We put in a Kaldewei sound bath tub for certain clients who decide they like a soak (a bath) after work, the great thing is, they can listen to the music they made while dropping the soap!” says the studio manager.
The Warehouse Studio
A sustainable steel enamel Kaldewei bathtub fitted with SOUND WAVE recently took up residence at The Warehouse Studio in Vancouver. Opened by Bryan Adams in 1997, The Warehouse Studio consists of four studios of varying sizes and fit-out, housed in a historic building in the west coast metropolis. Rock greats have been regular visitors here for years: REM, Nickelback, Billy Joel, Muse, Metallica and AC/DC have all recorded tracks or entire albums at The Warehouse Studio. Bryan Adams himself has also made most of his recordings here.
After finishing work, the musicians can now enjoy the special mix of sound and relaxation and literally immerse themselves in their new songs – like in a symphony in enamel.
“Unfortunately a whole band can’t fit into the bathtub, but we’re talking with Kaldewei about designing one!” says studio manager Bryan Gallant with a twinkle in his eye. Bryan Adams has had a close connection with Kaldewei for some time: in 2020 the Canadian rock musician and photographer was asked by Kaldewei to present the subject of hand hygiene in pictures. With “Naturally Connected” he created an emotional visual rendering of connectedness in turbulent times.
How it works
Six acoustic panels and two transducers are attached to the outside of the bathtub; these remain entirely invisible behind the panelling. The chosen digital device then works as a remote control which is automatically recognised after the first sign-in. Up to eight devices and individuals – a biggish family, for example, or an entire band – can be pairedwith SOUND WAVE at the same time.
About The Warehouse Studio The Warehouse Studio is housed in a historic building in Vancouver. It was built in 1886 as a supply warehouse and wholesale grocery. After the great fire that devastated Vancouver that same year, it was subsequently used as a town hall, prison and morgue. Saved in 1988 from the wrecking ball and a future as a car park, the Oppenheimer building was restored and reborn as The Warehouse Studio in 1997.
About KALDEWEI KALDEWEI is a German family-run business that has now been devoted to its material, steel enamel, for over 100 years and four generations. The portfolio takes in bathtubs, shower surfaces and washbasins, as well as installation systems for project business and private clients. These superb bathroom solutions made of superior KALDEWEI steel enamel can be 100 per cent recycled when they come to the end of their long useful life.
The premium manufacturer is thus making a major contribution to eco-friendly building. KALDEWEI is also a long-term partner of the WWF marine conservation programme that is devoted to reducing plastic waste in our oceans. Because it takes its responsibility to the environment and future generations seriously.
The bathroom is becoming more dramatic, with black and inky tones on furniture, tiles and painted surfaces helping to create contemporary and stylish spaces.
Eighteen Bette freestanding baths are now available in Ebony, a matt black colour to complement the use of darker tones in the bathroom. The baths, from the BetteLux, BetteStarlet and BetteArt collections, also include some which are perfect for smaller bathrooms, as they are designed to be positioned against a wall or into a corner.
Like all Bette baths, it is made from glazed titanium-steel, comes with a 30 year warranty and is 100% recyclable. It is durable and easy to clean because the glass-hard surface makes it difficult for dirt and bacteria to adhere. It is also not affected by chemicals or even the naked flame or hot wax of a candle, which means that Bette’s baths in matt black are easy to keep looking their best. The surface is also UV-resistant, so the elegance of the matt black colour remains unaltered over the years.
Pictured is the BetteStarlet Oval Silhouette, which is available in five sizes from 1500 x 800mm to 1950 x 950mm.
For further information on Bette see www.my-bette.com/en or telephone 0844 800 0547.
About Bette
Bette is a specialist in bathroom products that are made of a special metal in a unique manufacturing process: titanium steel sheets are shaped under high pressure and then finished with a thin coating that is related to glass – hence the name “glazed titanium steel”. This composite material is perfect for the bathroom (it is skin-friendly, hygienic, durable and robust), and Bette uses it to make its baths, shower areas, shower trays and washbasins. The Bette family company was founded in Delbrück in North-Rhine Westphalia in 1952, and specialises exclusively in this manufacturing process, because it allows the products to be shaped smoothly with the maximum skilled precision. The manufacturing and administrative headquarters employs around 390 people. The CEO, Thilo C. Pahl, is a member of the owner family.
The range includes baths, shower areas, shower trays, washbasins and bathroom furniture, all made in Germany. Unique items that can be made in various colours and dimensions and open up inspiring interior design ideas for the bathroom. Bette’s assembly processes combine high-tech industrial production techniques with tailor-made manufacturing where it benefits the customer. More than half its products are customised to customer preferences. The company offers over 600 different baths, shower trays and washbasin models in a tremendous range of colours.
The natural raw materials glass, water and steel are used to manufacture high-quality products that are completely recyclable. They are verified to the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) as per ISO 14025 and to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
