Surfaces Archives

Neolith launches Calacatta Roma & Cappadocia Sunset surfaces

March 14, 2024

Sintered stone manufacturer Neolith has launched two new products inspired by the great natural landscapes on Earth and the precious materials we find on it.

Part of Neolith’s new Classtone and Fusion collections, Calacatta Roma and Cappadocia Sunset, are inspired by the wonders of nature.

They are equipped with Neolith’s unique NeolEAT technology, which helps prevent the proliferation of bacteria on surfaces used as countertops or that are in contact with food.

These models, like all Neolith’s surfaces, are made up of a natural composition. They are made with a selection of natural raw materials, are 100% recyclable, and do not contain added quartz to their formulation.

An ode to natural magnificence and craftsman excellence

Inspired by the splendour of Ancient Rome, Neolith Calacatta Roma (pictured below) pays homage to Italian Carrara marble, combining classic elegance with modern sophistication. Its ochre and grey veins stand out against the white background, providing sobriety and distinction. It is an ideal choice for spaces that require a touch of luxury and refinement, while maintaining durability and functionality.

With Neolith Cappadocia Sunset (pictured top) we move to the Cappadocia region, in central Turkey. This area has been inhabited for thousands of years and is the home to some of the most fascinating rock formations in the world. Underground cities or lunar landscapes caused by volcanic eruptions, as well as the primitive movements of the Earth, have served as inspiration to create this model.

Cappadocia Sunset evokes the textures, movement, and dynamism of the Turkish region, without compromising the elegance, colour neutrality and balance that characterize Neolith.

Each one of these models becomes a work of art that not only transforms spaces, but also tells a unique story.

Since its creation in 2009, Neolith has become the best solution for interior and exterior projects, combining exquisite design and high functionality.

Just like all Neolith models, Cappadocia Sunset and Calacatta Roma are made from sintered stone which has unique functionalities alongside extreme resistance to heat and extreme atmospheric conditions. They are hygienic, very easy to clean and require minimal maintenance. They are the ideal material for any project and can be used on countertops and furniture, as well as on walls and floors, covering facades or in gardens and swimming pools. Due to their all-natural composition, Neolith products have an extended life cycle and can be recycled at the end of their usable life.

Calacatta Roma and Cappadocia Sunset are now available through Neolith’s own international distribution centres, as well as the firm’s global network of distributors. The new models will be available to all channels within the UK & Ireland, including A&D, kitchen and bathroom showrooms, and housebuilders.

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VitrA unveils M-Line series & innovations at Kbb 2024

March 6, 2024

Bathroom manufacturer VitrA made its return to Kbb Birmingham 2024 this week and used the event to showcase its sanitaryware, brassware and bathroom furniture designs.

Vitra’s diverse portfolio includes popular lines like Sento, Valarte, and Root ranges, along with VitrA tiles and a host of new launches. A contemporary new addition is the M-Line range of furniture and washbasins. Drawing inspiration from urban aesthetics, the simple designs integrate various forms, colours, and sizes to create versatile bathroom spaces.

M-Line Collection

The M-Line Collection offers two styles: M-Line Edge and M-Line Pure. M-Line Edge features distinctive detailing and includes washbasin, tall, and mirror cabinets in walnut, black oak, and light oak finishes. Its mirrored cabinets include built-in sensor lights and storage options.

M-Line Pure is available in gloss white, matt light grey, and matt graphic. Embodying a relaxed design approach, the range comprises washbasin cabinets and tall cabinets and is available in white ceramic high gloss. A choice of sizes and configurations means there is something for everyone, whether traditional, natural or contemporary.

Recycled washbasin

VitrA also revealed the world’s first 100% recycled ceramic washbasin. Manufactured from 100% recycled materials, the basins deliver a timely solution for briefs where sustainability is a key driver. Available in five different shapes, each has soft, curved edges in a matt clay beige finish to suit both commercial and residential spaces.

Suit Tap Collection

VitrA’s Suit Tap Collection offers bathroom fixtures in an exquisite colour palette designed to harmonize with any aesthetic. Taps and thermostatic showers are available with a side or top handle in chrome, glossy black, soft gold, and soft copper.

ViBox & frames

Designed with the installer in mind, VitrA’s V-Box and a new range of frames are easy-to-install behind-the-wall solutions. Simpler, smarter and flexible, V-Box is the ultimate concealed solution for built-in shower mixers. VitrA’s versatile frames and concealed cisterns make installing wall-hung and back-to-wall WCs simpler.

VitrA Tiles

VitrA Tiles showcased its latest products, colors, and trends in a dedicated space, offering a comprehensive ‘total-solution’ response.

Prior to the event, Steve Breen, managing director at VitrA, said: “We can’t wait for this year’s show, as we’ve got an amazing story to tell in terms of our new products and how we are working closer than ever with our independent retailers. Our stand has something for everyone. In addition to discovering our latest product launches, visitors can explore a wide number of roomsets, with a huge range of products expertly curated to meet a wide range of design choices. We also have an area dedicated to the more specific needs of the installer and housebuilder.”

For further information visit www.vitra.co.uk

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Versatility goes further than the surface with Luna Bianco

February 19, 2024

Inspired by marble and working in harmony with other nature-inspired materials in the kitchen and bathroom, Luna Bianco is the latest addition to the CRL Quartz Marble Collection from CRL Stone.

With its super-honed finish, the surface is a cool grey and white, ideal for keeping things fresh and bright in the modern kitchen, with cloud-like swirls and soft grey veining, adding warmth and character. With all the enduring and durable qualities CRL Quartz offers, this extremely versatile design can be paired with a multitude of colour palettes and textural design elements. Luna Bianco can be chosen in 20mm and 30mm thicknesses and is supplied in a 3300 x 1650 mm slab format for greater design consistency over large areas such as kitchen worktops.

Keeping the surface looking its very best over time is simple too, thanks to the functional qualities of CRL Quartz. The material is scratch, heat and stain resistant and unlike natural materials such as marble, CRL Quartz never needs to be sealed. Requiring minimum maintenance to keep it looking as good as new, the non-porous surface makes cleaning simple, with soap and water or a mild detergent is all that is needed. Prices are from £400 to £650 per square metre.

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Small bathrooms come to life with an explosion of colour

November 22, 2023

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.

Bathroom Review Duravit Graham Brown Glasshouse soft grey small bathrooms — Congo Tail Wallpaper

_Duravit_
Bathroom Review Duravit Graham Brown Congo Tale. Small Bathrooms — 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.

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New from Drummonds: Nero Portoro Marble

October 12, 2023

Bathroom Review Drummonds Nero Portoro Marble

New to their offering and sourced from Porto Venere in Italy, striking Nero Portoro marble tops bring drama to the bathroom. With elegant gold and white veining against a sleek black backdrop, it pairs perfectly with Drummonds’ choice of nine metal finishes.

Designed as statement centrepieces for bathrooms and cloakrooms, Drummonds’ single and double vanity units have an elegant, refined aesthetic suited to both classic and contemporary interiors. Drummonds’ traditional craft manufacturing processes bring a very special quality to their vanities, combining hand-poured clay with luxurious materials and finishes.

Drummonds’ vanities come in four marble finishes: White Arabescato, Nero Marquina, Verde Guatemala and Nero Portoro.

Pictured top – Double Lowther
H:1160 x W:1700 x D:690mm
Price: from £8472

Pictured left – Double Ladybower
H:850 x W:1500 x D:585mm
Price: from £9360

Drummonds showrooms are in London & New York

t: 020 7376 4499 drummonds-uk.com @drummonds_bathrooms

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Ethically sourced Bert & May tiles from Hyperion Tiles

September 1, 2023

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 the clever 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).

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Nagoya tile collection – new from Ceramique Internationale

July 12, 2023

The Nagoya tile, Ceramique Internationale’s dramatic new addition to its large format porcelain tile collection, is highly durable, making it ideal for bathroom walls and floors. It is available in four colours, from classic grey and graphite to eye-catching marfil and greige.

With all the opulence and individuality of natural marble Nagoya is guaranteed to be a centrepiece within any space. The commanding 600mm x 1200mm tiles have a reflective, lightly polished surface and intense veining. Nagoya is an exotic marble finish created from a blend of quartzite and Fior di Bosco marble.

Managing director of Ceramique Internationale, Peter Vann said: “The Nagoya collection, manufactured by Azteca, is a welcome addition to our recently expanded range of 600mm x 1200mm tiles.

“These very large tiles – every one of them unique – create a mood of opulence and space, so will make a big statement even in smaller bathrooms.”

More information on the Nagoya tile can be found at https://ceramiqueinternationale.co.uk/product/nagoya-greige/

www.ceramiqueinternationale.co.uk

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Why are a growing number of homeowners exploring bathroom tile alternatives?

March 27, 2023

While tiles have been a popular choice for bathroom walls for many years, Google searches for ‘bathroom tile alternatives’ have increased by 48 per cent over the last three months. So why exactly are a growing number of homeowners exploring tiles alternatives for their bathroom, and what does this mean for retailers and installers?

The manufacturing process of tiles is particularly energy intensive. Considering that the cost of energy traditionally represents around 50 per cent of a tile’s overall cost, the recent surge in energy prices has forced manufacturers to increase product price points. Likewise, the same energy price surge has caused homeowners to abandon tiles for cost-effective methods of bathroom refurbishment.

bathroom tile alternatives Mermaid Panels

Homeowners are also looking to save money on the installation process, as well as product. It’s said to take three to four days to tile the average bathroom, at a cost of £700-£800. In comparison, fitting out an entire bathroom with wall panels can take as little as four to six hours, offering homeowners a significant saving on their total project cost.

Sources of bathroom styling inspiration are everywhere and as a result, there is a stronger desire for a more personalised interior. Rather than opting for a cold tile, homeowners can turn to bathroom wall panels to replicate natural materials such as wood or stone to create a unique bathroom space with added texture and depth. Time-poor homeowners can also eliminate the arduous cleaning process that comes with tiles and grout, as bathroom wall panels can be cleaned with the simple wipe of a cloth.

Quick to fit, easy on the eye and simple to maintain, bathroom wall panels have never been more appealing, creating a competitive tile alternative that may not have always been viable. Retailers and installers who are familiar with panelling and able to offer a broad variety of finishes stand to benefit hugely from what looks to be a market set for significant growth.

If you’re keen to stay up to date with the latest developments in bathroom wall panels, sign up to Mermaid’s newsletter.

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Utopia expands 20mm solid surface collection

March 27, 2023

Utopia has added four new decors to its exceptionally popular range of 20mm solid surface worktops. Available with a choice of inverted chamfered or chamfered profile, the new decors include three on-trend veined marble effects, namely, Imperial White, Palladian Grey and Tempest Black, plus Metropolitan Grey, a granite effect worktop.

Imperial White and Tempest Black both offer striking patterns for a bold and dramatic statement effect whereas Metropolitan Grey and Palladian Grey are subtle patterns designed to blend unobtrusively with the overall interior design scheme of the bathroom.

Imperial-White-20mm-solid-surface-worktop-from-Utopia

The new decors combine the look of natural marble or granite with the convenience, warmth and versatility of a manmade material. All are solid cast which means the pattern continues throughout the thickness of the material adding to the realistic effect.

The new additions capitalise on current and future colour trends, complementing Utopia’s extensive range of door finishes. Together with the existing 20mm solid surface effects, Polaris Crema and Polaris White, Utopia is delighted that these four new additions will offer the consumer a much broader and appealing choice, particularly in conjunction with its recent Roseberry launch.

Tempest-Black-20mm-solid-surface-worktop-from-Utopia

www.utopiagroup.com

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Utopia expands 20mm solid surface worktop collection

November 30, 2022

Utopia has added four new decors to its exceptionally popular range of 20mm solid surface worktops. Available with a choice of inverted chamfered or chamfered profile, the new decors include three on-trend veined marble effects, namely, Imperial White, Palladian Grey and Tempest Black, plus Metropolitan Grey, a granite effect worktop. Imperial White and Tempest Black both offer striking patterns for a bold and dramatic statement effect whereas Metropolitan Grey and Palladian Grey are subtle patterns designed to blend unobtrusively with the overall interior design scheme of the bathroom.

The new decors combine the look of natural marble or granite with the convenience, warmth and versatility of a manmade material. All are solid cast which means the pattern continues throughout the thickness of the material adding to the realistic effect.

The new additions capitalise on current and future colour trends, complementing Utopia’s extensive range of door finishes. Together with the existing 20mm solid surface effects, Polaris Crema and Polaris White, Utopia is confident that these four new additions will offer the consumer a much broader and appealing choice, particularly in conjunction with its recent Roseberry launch.

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