Clerkenwell Design Week: Bathroom design at its best

June 5, 2025

Features by Diane Larner founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review.
Diane Larner launched both titles over 12 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industry ever since, publishing regular features across the two sectors.

Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 reaffirmed its place on the UK’s design calendar with a bold and vibrant display of creativity and innovation. Held across London’s iconic Clerkenwell district, this year’s festival saw over 43,000 visitors—an 11% increase on last year. Clerkenwell is said to be home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else in the world, and the three-day event brought together global brands, emerging talent, and design professionals from across the interiors spectrum. For the bathroom sector, Clerkenwell offered a unique platform to explore trend-led products in the heart of London’s design district.

Diane Larner attended the event and compiled six inspirational bathroom highlights.

SIX T O P P I C K S from CDW 2025

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BETTE launches its flattest ever shower tray

Bette launched its flattest ever shower tray, the BetteUltra Space, which is available in a wide range of colours – including its new colour, Salvia.

Florim unveils sustainable surfaces at Clerkenwell Design Week

Florim presented a selection of its most advanced and aesthetic-driven ceramic collections at its central London showroom during Clerkenwell Design Week.

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House of Rohl makes a splash at Charterhouse for Clerkenwell Design Week

The medieval London Charterhouse became the new focal point of Clerkenwell Design Week, hosting a vibrant mix of events, exhibitions, and immersive installations.

Bathroom-Review-BAGNODESIGN at Clerkenwell sanipex

Sanipex Group presents bold colour & timeless craft at CDW with BAGNODESIGN

BAGNODESIGN brought innovation, inspiration and indulgent hospitality to CDW ass it welcomed visitors into its A&D Gallery on Charterhouse Street.

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KLUDI brand launched at Clerkenwell Design Week

RAK Ceramics successfully launched the aspirational KLUDI brand into the UK market during Clerkenwell Design Week 2025 in May.

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Marazzi showcases surfaces at Clerkenwell Design Week 2025

Marazzi marked its 90th anniversary with the unveiling of its newly renovated London showroom at 90/92 St. John Street, in the heart of Clerkenwell.

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Jedd Barry, head of marketing, Clerkenwell Design Week

Clerkenwell Design Week continues to exceed expectations, and our 14th edition was undoubtedly the most ambitious yet. We welcomed over 43,000 visitors – an 11% increase on 2024 – and launched three new venues, including the historic Charterhouse and St Bartholomew the Great. These additions formed a vibrant new southern district, all of which received fantastic feedback and added even more depth to our already impressive line-up.

“For us, a clear highlight was Alex Chinneck’s surreal public artwork in Charterhouse Square – our boldest installation to date – which truly captivated our visitors while driving incredible engagement from the local community.

“Alongside more than 250 exhibitors, we saw a record 210 showroom partners take part across the Clerkenwell neighbourhood this year. Our talks programme, hosted at The Charterhouse for the first time, also brought together global voices to explore some of the most relevant and thought-provoking topics in design today.

“We very much look forward to welcoming everyone back from 19–21 May 2026!“

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Ben Bryden, global specifications director, RAK Ceramics UK

As ever, Clerkenwell Design Week was a huge success for RAK Ceramics, and we had a fantastic few days welcoming a wide range of architects, designers and specifiers to the RAK Ceramics Design Hub. It proved the perfect platform to launch our aspirational KLUDI brand into the UK market and we were delighted with the response it received. Visitors were able to see the quality as well as the breadth and depth of the range alongside some of RAK Ceramics’ latest surface innovations.

It’s an exciting time for RAK Ceramics UK as we’re marking our 25^th anniversary this year and Clerkenwell Design Week gave us the chance to continue our celebrations while strengthening our long-term collaborative partnerships with the design community.”

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About CDW

Clerkenwell Design Week is the UK’s leading independent design festival, celebrating creativity across architecture, interiors, and product design. Held annually in London’s historic Clerkenwell district, the event draws an international audience of designers, specifiers, and industry professionals, all eager to explore the latest developments in material innovation, surface design, and functional aesthetics. With its vibrant mix of showroom collaborations, curated exhibitions, and public installations, the festival provides a vital platform for design-led dialogue and cross-sector inspiration.

CDW will return on 19-21 May 2026.

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Whitebirk Kréte basin – sculptural concrete for the bathroom

May 28, 2025

Kréte is the bold bathroom collection from Whitebirk Sink Company: a sculptural series of basins crafted from concrete which have been designed to bring colour, character and contemporary edge to the bathroom.

Offered in a variety of refined designs and a palette of distinctive colours, Kréte reimagines the bathroom basin as an architectural statement. The collection includes both countertop and wall-mounted options, with each design named after a location in Crete – reflecting the collection’s Mediterranean inspiration and grounding it in a sense of place.

Every Kréte basin is cast from an innovative eco-concrete blend that requires significantly less energy to produce than traditional alternatives, combining lower-impact raw materials with a durable, long-lasting finish. A soft satin surface gives the concrete a smooth, modern texture, allowing for details to appear sharper with minimal reflection from lighting. This refined surface treatment helps elevate concrete from a traditionally industrial material to one with a distinctly contemporary and luxurious feel.

Colour is integral to the Kréte collection. Alongside classic white, the basins are available in warm, earth-led tones and more expressive hues, including burnt orange, forest green, deep blue, tangerine, soft pink and terrazzo – each selected for its ability to complement both minimalist and maximalist interiors.

Kréte is an exciting new design chapter for Whitebirk, a British brand best known for its handmade fireclay kitchen sinks. While rooted in the same ethos of quality, craft and material integrity, Kréte represents a progressive step into modern bathroom design with a range that is fresh, considered and made to last – reflecting a shift in how bathrooms are perceived – no longer purely functional, but increasingly expressive and intentional spaces within the home.

“We wanted to create something that stood out not just for the material, but for the form and finish,” says Steve Allen, Managing Director at Whitebirk. “Kréte is contemporary and impactful. It has presence, without being overwhelming and it’s been designed with modern homes in mind.”

Defined by bold form, refined texture and confident colour, each Kréte basin makes a statement – whether used as a quiet centrepiece or a bolder design gesture.

Kréte by Whitebirk is available exclusively through the Whitebirk Sink Company website and via its global network of retailers with pricing from £669.00.

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New Art Deco Glamour for Bathrooms to Love

May 21, 2025

Taking inspiration from the modernist Art Deco design movement, Bathrooms to Love, by PJH, has expanded its Washbowl collection with the launch of the ‘Deco’ feature basin.

Guaranteed to make a bold design statement in any bathroom space, the Deco Washbowl combines an oval-shaped form with a clean geometrical Art Deco-inspired pattern to the front. Its smooth, flawless finish in white makes it the perfect partner to many of the basin units in the Bathrooms to Love furniture collection.

Made from a highly durable material that is both hardwearing yet adaptable enough to be crafted into such a refined shape, Deco is manufactured from a high-quality mix of stone and resin—crushed dolomite rock, to be exact. Rock, in combination with the resin, gives irreplaceable hardness and flexibility, but above all, it ensures impact resistance and longevity.

Furthermore, Deco is a highly sustainable product. It is manufactured using environmentally friendly processes and 100% green energy from renewable resources. All materials used are natural and recyclable. Packaging is also eco-friendly and completely recyclable.

The perfect centrepiece for any bathroom project, the Deco Washbowl can be a focal point. Its striking, symmetrical design can dictate the theme of the bathroom space, coordinating with other geometric lines and angles.

Commented Julie Lockwood, bathroom product manager, PJH: “Art Deco inspiration is making a strong comeback this year in bathroom design. The contemporary use of bold geometric patterns and luxurious materials is a style that results in a glamourous and opulent look – especially when it starts with a statement basin such as our new Deco washbowl.”

Measuring in at W460 x H150 x D332mm, with a Lifetime Guarantee, the Deco Washbowl can be easily complemented with one of the many basin mixer taps from Bathrooms to Love, in a choice of brushed brass, brushed bronze, matt black or chrome, along with a matching slotted waste.

The new Deco Washbowl is ideal for showroom displays and is now available for ordering via the PJH Partners Portal. With a next-day delivery service to store or home, it is also available for display. Speak to your Regional PJH Sales Manager about display deals and the new range of showroom sales support currently available.

Further information:

Bathrooms to Love by PJH: T: 0800 8 77 88 99 / www.partners.pjh.uk / www.bathroomstolove.uk

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Cosentino launches Zoe TOP bathroom sink by Silestone®

April 30, 2025

Bathroom brand Cosentino has expanded its portfolio with the launch of Zoe TOP. A new model of bathroom sink by Silestone® with Integrity Technology that allows the seamless integration of basin and countertop for total visual continuity.

Responding to trends that seek organic and curved shapes with soft lines, Zoe TOP is a refined expression of form and function. Made from a single, uninterrupted piece, it eliminates visible joins —a unique feature that enhances both the visual purity and practical performance of the basin, as well as its everyday maintenance. Highly resistant to stains, scratches and chemicals, this design also contributes to the product’s long-term durability, making Zoe TOP the smart and reliable solution.

The Zoe TOP offers thoughtful customisation, with four design options:

Zoe TOP:A stylish and minimalist sink with organic lines, which instantly enhances the concept of bathroom design.

ZOE TOP + Basa: Customised Zoe TOP model with a base of straight lines at just the right height to subtly and proportionally lift the sink on the bathroom counter.

Zoe TOP Bao: Variant with a rounded finish that results in a soft and harmonious touch for the sink and the bathroom as a whole.

Zoe TOP Bao + Basa Round: Elevate this variant of the model with a base of rounded edge

All options are available in three prominent Silestone® colours –choose between Desert Silver, a sophisticated grey with subtle veins; Blanco Zeus, the perfect choice for a bright and timeless bathroom; and Calacatta Gold, which brings the luxury and elegance of marble with the resistance and durability of Silestone.

Installation is quick and hassle-free, with the Zoe TOP ready to fit seamlessly into existing design plans and bathroom schemes, optimising timings and guaranteeing a flawless result.

Being able to specify basins in the same design as countertops, splashbacks, shower trays, and wall cladding further elevates the bathroom space as a true place of well-being —a place of calm and sanctuary.

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RAK Ceramics and KLUDI unveil innovative designs at ISH 2025

April 9, 2025

Bathroom solutions brand RAK Ceramics made a significant impact at ISH 2025, the world’s leading trade fair for the HVAC and water industries. Alongside RAK Ceramics, KLUDI, part of the same group, presented a range of cutting-edge products at Hall 3.1, Stand B80 in Frankfurt, setting the stage for the future of bathroom design.

At the event, RAK Ceramics unveiled its latest collections, including RAK-Remal, RAK-Batu, RAK-Des, and RAK-Skin. These collections, blending innovation, aesthetics, and exceptional craftsmanship, attracted attention from industry professionals and design enthusiasts alike.

Rak-Remal: Inspired by nature’s sculptural elegance

The RAK-Remal washbasin collection, designed by Sahar Madanat, took centre stage with its unique, sand dune-inspired design. Available in glossy white and Mica White—a new glaze enriched with Muscovite mineral—RAK-Remal captivated visitors with its sculptural forms, evoking the tranquillity of nature. The collection’s soft, flowing shapes highlight the beauty of natural materials and underscore RAK Ceramics’ commitment to blending art and functionality.

Rak-Batu: Balinese style meets modern minimalism

The RAK-Batu collection, inspired by the natural elements of Bali, combined organic design with contemporary aesthetics. Featuring slim 5mm edges, the washbasins are available in round, oval, and rectangular shapes, and offered in Mica White, Mica Warm Grey, and Mica Cool Grey finishes. The collection also introduced a new freestanding washbasin, perfect for creating a serene, tropical atmosphere in modern bathrooms, all while retaining a minimalist design.

Rak-Des: Bold colour meets minimalist design

RAK-Des evolved by incorporating vibrant colour options while staying true to its Bauhaus-inspired minimalist roots. Available in Matt Black, Matt Cappuccino, Matt Greige, and Matte White, the collection includes countertop and freestanding washbasins. These seamlessly pair with RAK Ceramics’ furniture lines, offering a modern and functional solution for any bathroom.

Rak-Skin: Tactile luxury for modern spaces

RAK-Skin pushed the boundaries of bathroom design by focusing on tactile experiences. Crafted from innovative materials that evoke warmth and authenticity, RAK-Skin basins feature textures resembling natural wood and stone, creating a unique sense of comfort and luxury. These tactile, nature-inspired designs transform the bathroom into a calming, sensory-rich environment.

RAK Ceramics’ participation at ISH 2025 reinforced its position as a leader in the bathroom design industry, highlighting its ability to blend creativity, functionality, and cutting-edge technology. The event provided an exciting platform for showcasing these pioneering collections, and RAK Ceramics, alongside KLUDI, continues to set new standards in bathroom innovation.

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Frontline Bathrooms unveils the Cabanes Basin

April 9, 2025

The Cabanes Basin by Frontline Bathrooms is a new arrival designed for modern living and compact spaces. Ideal for cloakrooms, ensuites, and smaller bathrooms, this statement basin will provide retailers with a stylish, space-saving solution.

Available in 400mm or 500mm sizes and in Matt White or Matt Black, each basin is crafted from solid surface stone resin—a carefully balanced blend of natural stone minerals, resins, and pigments. Unlike ceramic, the surface is warm and silky to the touch, offering a luxe feel with everyday functionality.

One of its most thoughtful and standout features is the integrated towel rail, seamlessly moulded into the base of the basin itself. Each Cabanes basin is hand-finished for a premium feel.

Each basin comes with a pre-drilled tap hole, ready to pair with a mini basin mixer so as not to overwhelm the statement the basin makes. The waste is concealed and colour-matched for a beautifully cohesive finish.

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For more information, visit www.frontlinebathrooms.co.uk

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ISH Frankfurt 2025: The future of bathroom design

April 1, 2025

Features by Diane Larner founder and editor of Bathroom Review & Kitchens Review.
Diane Larner launched both titles over 12 years ago and has been writing about the bathroom and kitchen interior design industry ever since, publishing regular features across the two sectors.

ISH Frankfurt 2025 opened its doors to over 160,000 visitors from 150 countries in early March. It brought together manufacturers, industry leaders, designers, and innovators to showcase the latest trends in sustainable design, smart technologies, and eco-friendly solutions.

For the bathroom sector, water-saving innovation, twinned with resource efficiency, was billed as a key theme of this show. Many exhibitors unveiled products that prioritise energy and help users conserve water. The Future of Water section captured the spotlight, featuring new technologies designed to reduce consumption while maintaining high performance. From smart, connected systems to innovative water-saving features, ISH Frankfurt 2025 demonstrated how the bathroom sector is embracing a greener, more sustainable future.

Digital transformation embedded within the latest bathroom design highlighted the growing trend for smart, connected bathroom systems. Numerous exhibitors showcased innovations with digital and app controls and intelligent solutions designed to enhance daily living and accessibility.

Diane Larner attended the event and compiled six inspirational bathroom highlights.

SIX T O P P I C K S from ISH 2025

Bathroom-Review-Hansgrohe-Avalegra-AquaUnit.

hansgrohe reinvents the washbasin with Avalegra

hansgrohe showcased its new Avalegra AquaUnit. Said to be in an entirely new bathroom category because it includes washbasin and tap in one unit.

Leading the future at ISH: Jaquar’s vision for luxury & smart bath solutions

Jaquar’s dedication to pioneering design was evident in its latest innovations, which were unveiled at ISH 2025.

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Ideal Standard unveils i.life O Collection at ISH 2025

Ideal Standard, part of the Villeroy & Boch Group’s Bathroom and Wellness Division, previewed its new i.life O collection at ISH 2025 in Frankfurt.

VitrA showcases bathroom design and innovation at ISH

VitrA showcased a range of new bathroom products, reinforcing its commitment to outstanding design and innovative technology.

Kaldewei excels at ISH with NUIO DUO designer bathtub

The high-end Zen Edition bathtub includes infrared heat, music and lighting, all of which are operated by an intuitive panel

Barbie™ x HEWI bathroom collection unveiled at ISH Frankfurt

Universal design has always been at the heart of HEWI’s philosophy.

Wolfgang Marzin, president and chief executive officer (CEO) of Messe Frankfurt

The atmosphere at ISH 2025 was outstanding – the halls were buzzing, and the conversations were in-depth and forward-looking. The industry is ready and willing to shape the future. ISH has reaffirmed its status as the world’s leading trade fair: 72 per cent international exhibitors and 163,157 visitors speak for themselves.

“ISH 2025 has powerfully demonstrated that innovative solutions to meet basic needs have long been available. Our exhibitors have shown that the transition to a sustainable economy is not only vital, but already underway – despite the challenges we currently face. They are developing technologies that improve our daily lives while making them more sustainable.”

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Ruth Davies, VitrA UK marketing director

Bathroom Review Ruth Davies, VitrA Marketing Manager

We were delighted to be at ISH for our 21^st year, showcasing our latest products and innovations. This year we presented a wide range of new products, including new sanitaryware, furniture, and brassware as well as V-Care smart toilets and the groundbreaking SonicFlush technology.

“Sustainability was also a key focus, with dedicated space highlighting our ethos. We showcased our recycled washbasin as well as our new recycled toilet seat, alongside the introduction of our SustaINdex system, which ranks our products based on their environmental and social impact, covering materials, production, transportation, and packaging. A huge thank you to everyone who visited us – it was fantastic to share our innovations and hear your feedback!”

About ISH Frankfurt

ISH Frankfurt is the world’s leading trade fair for bathroom, building, energy, and air-conditioning technologies, held biennially in Frankfurt, Germany. As a key event in the industry, it showcases the latest trends and innovations, offering a platform for manufacturers, designers, and experts to present groundbreaking solutions for the built environment. The fair is renowned for its focus on sustainability, smart technologies, and energy efficiency, making it a must-attend event for anyone looking to stay ahead in the evolving world of bathroom and building services.

At ISH, global leaders gather to explore cutting-edge products and share insights on the future of water management, digital transformation, and eco-friendly design. The event plays a pivotal role in shaping industry standards and promotes the adoption of green technologies that enhance both functionality and sustainability. With its forward-thinking approach, ISH continues to be the premier destination for discovering the innovations that will define the future of living and working spaces.

ISH will be back on the 15th -19th March 2027

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Recycled Washbasin wins prestigious iF Design Award 2025

March 13, 2025

VitrA’s pioneering eco-friendly Recycled Ceramic Washbasin has once more been recognised on the global stage with the prestigious iF Design Award 2025.

This recognition, which is one of the most respected accolades in the field of design, follows the washbasin’s previous success, including a ‘Good Design’ award in 2024, as well as a ‘Green Good Design Award 2024’ in the Product/Graphic Design category.

With this latest win, the total number of iF Design Awards presented to VitrA now stands at 35. Beyond iF, VitrA products have been celebrated with numerous internationally renowned design and innovation awards, including EDIDA, Design Innovation, Design Plus, Good Design, Iconic Awards, Interior Innovation, Plus X, Red Dot, and Wallpaper*.

*The entire basin is produced from nearly 100% recycled waste materials

More news and product information from VitrA

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EDITION 11 ART by KEUCO coordinates colour & style

February 17, 2025

KEUCO’s EDITION 11 ART introduces a tone-on-tone colour concept that sets a new standard in bathroom design, offering a seamless blend of colours, surfaces, and materials. This collection allows designers to create a unified bathroom aesthetic with a modern, sophisticated feel.

At the core of EDITION 11 ART is the washbasin, available in a range of colours such as White, Sand, Manhattan, Blue Satin, and Smoke. These elegant hues harmonise with the furniture, creating a balanced tone-on-tone effect. The collection offers both single and double washbasin options, with widths of 800mm and 1200mm, alongside practical storage solutions with one or two drawers.

Designer Dominik Tesseraux of Tesseraux + Partner has developed a bathroom furniture concept with fine lines and a solid, supportive feel. The 4mm enamel washbasin blends seamlessly with the vanity unit, resulting in a unified, streamlined appearance. The high-quality materials used for the furniture surfaces, including veneer, ceramic, and glass, complement the washbasin colours for a consistent overall design.

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The series is refined by subtle details, including side handles that match the finishes of KEUCO’s other fittings and accessories: brushed red gold, brushed brass, brushed titanium black, aluminium finish, and stainless steel, as well as deep black matt and chrome. These elements ensure continuity and a cohesive aesthetic.

A highlight of the collection is the vanity unit with a glass shelf, offering an innovative take on bathroom furniture. Wall-mounted and complemented by matching sideboards, tall units, and a mirrored shelving unit, it serves as the focal point of a harmonious design.

KEUCO’s mixer fittings and accessories complement the tone-on-tone concept, with finishes designed to integrate seamlessly with the bathroom’s furniture and washbasins. The drawers are finished in carbon black, creating a striking contrast and adding elegance to the interior. The innovative storage solutions include longitudinal and transverse boxes that maximise organisation and functionality.

For further customisation, KEUCO offers the option to order bathroom furniture in any RAL Classic colour, paired with the five washbasin colours to create a personalised space. The round light mirror, with adjustable lighting and automatic heating to ensure clarity in steamy conditions, is a visual highlight that complements the bathroom furniture.

The SOMARIS mirror cabinet, with its minimalist design and colour-matching options, provides additional storage. Side panels can be customised in all RAL Classic colours, ensuring the EDITION 11 ART suite is fully coordinated.

With its thoughtful design and high-quality materials, KEUCO’s EDITION 11 ART creates a peaceful and luxurious bathroom, blending functionality with style.

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Vibrant vanity units from Thomas Crapper

November 18, 2024

A recent Houzz study on UK bathroom trends discovered that nearly two-thirds of homeowners upgraded their vanity cabinets during primary bathroom renovations (63%).* Thomas Crapper offers a range to suit any new bathroom or renovation.

This collection is available in double or single units. The customer can also choose to have shaker or antique mirror doors and a choice of Oak, Indigo Blue and Forest Green as the finish. There is also a Bentham cloakroom unit available.

For further information on the Thomas Crapper range, please visit www.thomas-crapper.com.

*Source – https://www.houzz.ie/magazine/2024-houzz-uk-bathroom-trends-study-stsetivw-vs~178298893

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