Worldwide, the sanitary industry is facing challenges in attracting young talent to open positions. While there is an increasing demand for installers, the number of people pursuing this career path keeps declining. Grohe, one of the leading global brands for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings, is addressing this issue by way of a twofold approach: Providing young professionals with the best possible training; and contributing to a change in the perception of the plumbing profession.
“Installers are the backbone of the sanitary industry. For us as one of the industry leaders, it is a matter of course to take action and encourage young skilled plumbing professionals to join our industry. We do not only need to equip trainees with the right skills, but we also need to get people excited about this profession. They can have a real impact on today’s and tomorrow’s society,” said Jonas Brennwald, leader LIXIL EMENA.
One building block in the brand’s efforts to counteract the shortage of skilled labor in the sanitary industry is the GIVE Program (Grohe Installer Vocational Training and Education). GIVE supports plumbing schools in creating a uniform approach, with modern equipment, training material and a written examination that sets new industry standards. In the UK, GIVE most recently was the headline sponsor to the debut Female Skills competition 2023 hosted by student installer magazine, HIP. The competition sought to encourage young female installers and to provide a platform for female students to showcase their skills.
“The great thing about GIVE is that students can benefit from our vast expertise. Even after they have completed their training, we will still assist them – with a work experience program at one of our industry partners or even with job placements,” said Chris Penney, leader GIVE Program LIXIL EMENA.
Joining Forces with WorldSkills
Another important step in nurturing the plumbing profession and increasing the pipeline of skilled workers is the partnership with WorldSkills International, a global platform to raise the profile and recognition of skilled people. Part of this collaboration is supporting the skills competition for Plumbing and Heating at WorldSkills Lyon 2024. In addition to promoting trades and training, the partnership focuses on raising awareness of the impact skilled professionals can have today and on a sustainable future. Together with the global skills community of industry, education and government partners, Grohe supports the improvement in the abilities, status and economic prospects of young people.
“Partnering with WorldSkills enables us to reach talents. Through competitions and promotional activities, we want to inspire them to develop a passion for skills and pursuing excellence,” said Timo Kurz, Leader GIVE Program and WorldSkills, LIXIL EMENA.
Schlüter-Systems is expanding its UK network by working with luxury UK bathroom showrooms and installers.
Founded in Germany in 1966, the family-owned company already offers more than 10,000 products for the long-lasting installation of tiles and natural stone, including a comprehensive range of trims, waterproofing, underfloor heating and wetroom drainage systems.
The brand is an ideal choice for the premium end of the bathroom retail sector, especially for those looking to take a system-led approach to their bathroom designs and installations. Parts of Schlüter’s portfolio, such as the underfloor heating and tile trims, will also appeal to premium-end kitchen showrooms and retailers.
The vastness of Schlüter’s product portfolio gives retailers the opportunity to offer add-on sales to their customers, increasing the average spend on a bathroom. It also means that retailers can simplify their supply chain.
Building on its excellent reputation in the project specification (A&D) and tile distribution markets, Schlüter-Systems aims to offer unmatched levels of training, service and supply to bathroom showrooms and their installers. The centrally-located UK base of Coalville in Leicestershire is the ideal place from which to service the needs of the bathroom retail sector, with stock regularly leaving the warehouse for next day delivery.
A new website will launch over the summer and a showroom with an extended training centre is due to open later in the year at the Leicestershire head office.
Expanding on Schlüter-Systems’ ambitious plans for the UK, head of marketing, Sarah Holey, said: “While our existing routes to market remain important to us, we feel that our offering is ideally suited to premium bathroom showrooms and installers so it was the natural next step for the brand in the UK.
Sarah Holey, head of marketing for Schlüter-Systems in the UK comments: “Our products are designed to work together as a system – hence our name. Rather than bathroom retailers buying from several different suppliers for what we do, everything is simplified by coming through us. By working with Schlüter-Systems, retailers only pay for one lot of delivery costs, can reduce their admin and have one point of contact for any queries. We’ve also heard from retailers that have worked out they can fit up to six additional bathrooms in a year on our underfloor heating product alone as our products are quicker to install.”
Holey added that the premium price point for the products was “deliberate” and says “We won’t get into price wars because you’re not only buying products from us; you’re buying a top-of-the-game service,” she explained. “No detail is left unchecked. We will train a showroom’s installation team, or even their sub-contractors, so that they are confident in installing our products”.
“Our experienced technical team can offer advice on product suitability and we’ll even visit a property to check how the installation is going, if required. Ultimately, we want to ensure that tile and natural stone installations stand the test of time,” Holey concluded. “Our founder, Werner Schlüter, says our products cannot be sold; they must be understood. That gives you a feel for the ethos of the business.”
As personalisation in the bathroom continues to thrive the Koy collection from Sanipex Group is a versatile addition to the luxurious BAGNODESIGN brand that encourages creativity.
On-trend styling with an exotic feel is at the essence of Koy. With a sleek finish, clear lines, and effortless curves, the simplistic design of the range is clear, yet its versatile design allows a blend of options to personalise the bathroom.
At the heart of the range is the Koy Round Countertop Washbasin, available in 10 colourways, enabling consumers to introduce brightness and boldness into their home in the most stylish of ways.
With colours ranging from daring yet delightful Buttercup Yellow, to the more dulcet tones of Matt Green and Thistle Blue, the Koy Round Washbasin is a striking piece of sanitaryware for the bathroom and for the bathroom showroom. Team the basin with a wall-mounted WC in 4 matching shades and complete the look with stunning Koy brassware in finishes including Chrome, Matt Black and Brushed Nickel.
The Koy collection also features a rectangular countertop washbasin, two freestanding bathtubs and illuminated mirrors. Soft curves and rounded edges are present throughout the range, bringing a sense of calm and wellbeing to the modern bathroom.
For more details, contact Sanipex Group on 01924 233977 or visit www.bagnodesign.it
Spring has definitely sprung at PJH with the launch of a host of new Spring/Summer bathroom products – highlighted in its latest brochure, supported by a range of ‘First Choice’ customer sales and service enhancements for the distributor’s evolving Bathrooms to Love brand.
This April sees the launch of the latest Bathrooms to Love product collections, which includes fresh new designs, manufactured to the highest quality standards, expertly sourced by PJH’s Product Management Team. Showcasing some of the latest bathroom trends within the furniture, sanitaryware, showering, brassware and heating categories, PJH is also pleased to announce many new price reductions across the portfolio – some as low as an average of -12% (sanitaryware) and -8% (enclosures), which is great news for stockists.
The product launches will be supported with a new suite of retailer sales tools, including an updated Virtual Showroom, new product QR codes (giving access to Augmented Reality and the opportunity to visualise products within individual bathroom spaces), and engaging new product videos. A new Bathrooms to Love social media brand campaign has also commenced aiming to inspire and engage with the end-customer, leading them directly to the website ‘Showroom Finder’ to locate stockists throughout the UK.
Retail showroom support continues with access to refreshed branded point-of-sale material, great new display deals, a stunning new 340-page consumer brochure with gold foil heart-themed front cover (pictured), and of course the recently launched Bathrooms to Love BOND which promises to provide online price protection for retailers by preventing Bathrooms to Love products from being sold like-for-like via e-commerce websites. This is via the use of PJH’s ‘Your Label’ solution which enables PJH e-commerce retailers to sell the bathroom collection under their own brand ‘label’.
Kimberley Cooper, head of Marketing & Product, PJH, commented: “All the investment and resources we continuously plough into our growing Bathrooms to Love brand share a common goal of aiming to help make our customers’ businesses a success. Ongoing customer feedback and research all contribute to the brand’s changing dynamics and we continue to work in partnership with our retailers to drive the Bathrooms to Love brand forwards. The Bathrooms to Love retailer package isn’t just about product launches – it offers a comprehensive suite of sales and service benefits and we strive to exceed customer expectations – always!”
Available from stock and supported with an impressive Next Day Delivery service to 91% of UK postcodes, including the opportunity to have orders delivered to the end-customer’s home address, the new Bathrooms to Love Collection is now available to order via PJH’s class-leading Partners Portal™ e-commerce website.
As a global design destination, Clerkenwell Design Week (CDW) is set to return this May (23 – 25) with its biggest programme yet, featuring over 600 industry events over three days.
The 12th edition also sees a total of 12 exhibition venues presenting more than 300 design brands and makers – supported by a network of over 130 local showrooms – across the whole of Clerkenwell. Architects and specifiers, interior designers and the general public alike will have the opportunity to experience everything from new furniture and lighting to kitchens and bathrooms, materials and surfaces, decorative accessories, and more.
Among some of the headline names is London-born-and-bred artist and designerMorag Myerscough– who will open the festival’s talks programme, Conversations at Clerkenwell, in Spa Fields on Tuesday 23 May (11:00). She will speak with Bethan Ryder, Editorial Director of WGSN, about her unique approach to transforming places and championing community through joyful installations and artworks.
Meanwhile, on St John’s Square, Myerscough is also responsible for creating the exterior wall of a freestanding installation from leading acoustics specialist, BAUX. Designed by its in-house team along withForm Us With Love, this special exhibition highlights the work of eight students from Scandinavia’s finest architectural institutes. The brief was to explore how buildings of tomorrow can nurture productivity, wellness and creativity, and the students’ design concepts will be presented through scale models and renders at CDW.
The hammered copper tamar is a compact, double-ended bath with a perfectly proportioned contemporary skirt. The comfortable roll-top design is finished with a copper exterior wrapped around the tub, giving the look and beauty of copper but with the durability of cast iron.
The bath is also available in a smaller size for compact spaces and with a lower rim for easy access.
The hand poured cast iron delivers a superior thickness and the unique dry fit vitreous enamel is fused with the cast iron for increased durability.
One of the UK’s leading shower space companies, The Shower Lab, has unveiled its new Brand Ambassador, Laura Jane Clark.
Laura is a renowned British architect, TV presenter, author and influencer. Laura is probably best known for presenting the BBC 2 and Netflix series, Your Home Made Perfect and also Channel 4’s Ugly House to Lovely House. She also appeared on George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces as well as a judge and presenter of Shed of the Year on Channel 4.
Laura says, “The Shower Lab are an incredible company. For me, their focus on design and innovation is something that I absolutely love, coupled with the quality and detailing is second to none. I am thrilled to be working with The Shower Lab showing how their innovative shower enclosures and screens can be integrated into bathrooms small and large to create beautiful bespoke feeling spaces.”
TSL managing D=director, Max Finaldi says “we are delighted to be working with Laura and proud she is representing our growing brand. We share Laura’s sustainability ambitions and her love of making the most of the spaces we have.”
Features by Diane Larner founder 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.
As the pace of life picks up, we find ourselves once again caught up in a whirlwind of activity. Yet, lessons have been learnt from the slowdown we all encountered during the Covid-19 pandemic, and this gentle acquiescence has permeated the world of design. Our homes are a place of sanctuary, and the bathroom remains a stress-free zone where natural, earthy colours and materials are favoured.
Marianne Shillingford, creative director of Dulux UK agrees, “Bathrooms are the true sanctuary of the home. Apart from when we are asleep; showering or a long hot soak in the bath are probably two of the very few screen-free times of the day we can truly switch off. With this in mind, bathroom trends in colour and materials are being designed to help us truly savour the moments we have to ourselves. Sensory surfaces that demand to be touched are teamed with enveloping colours that we can dive into. Less of the shiny, bright and sharp, more of the smooth, dimmed and silent. “
Time to play
Dulux Wild Wonder
Selecting a biddable colour scheme that reflects the natural world also brings a sense of order with tranquillity. Marianne continues: “We’re re-evaluating our relationship with nature and sensing the importance of learning from it not just about it. We’re understanding afresh that nature is the source of everything, bringing us solace, inspiration, materials and a myriad of blueprints for living.”
Wild WonderTM is Dulux’s Colour of the Year 2023 and delivers a soft gold shade with hints of green inspired by fresh seed pods and harvest grain. Dulux say its upbeat glow connects us with nature, creating a sense of energy and positivity.
Sense & sensibility
Palladian Grey worktop from Utopia
In addition to soothing colour schemes, rounded or curvy shapes are easy on the eye and add a wholesome sense of well-being to bathroom designs. Marble worktops work well with tile and wood surfaces and add a touch of elegance and sophistication.
Imperial White worktop from Utopia
Utopia has added four new decors to its exceptionally popular 20mm solid surface worktops range. Available with a choice of inverted chamfered or chamfered profile, the new decors include three on-trend veined marble effects: Imperial White, Palladian Grey and Tempest Black, plus Metropolitan Grey, a granite effect worktop.
Pairing rounded, compassionate shapes with organic, wood effect flooring or natural tiles also helps create a genial space to recover and renew.
Amanda Telford, marketing manager at CTD Tiles, concurs, “The trend for natural materials and nature-inspired colour palettes shows no sign of wavering in 2023. Whether it’s through wood-effect floors, sage green walls, or the incorporation of lots of organic textured accessories, this trend is timeless. It can be incorporated in several different ways.”
CTD Tiles Nador Mint & White
Richard Shore, head of product design at Utopia, agrees but says vibrant colour is also firmly on the menu as a complementary alternative to muted tones: “Curves, colour and texture will be setting the design world alight this year. Shapely forms and surfaces in expressively dynamic colours, alluringly textured, will be the weapons of choice in this full-frontal assault on our senses.”
All shapes & sizes
Ceralsio Ceramic
Regarding floors and walls, a single surface solution offers character and can be tailored to include inset shelving and storage. Large format tiles build multi-purpose functionality (such as added hygiene), creating a spacious and aspirational feel that taps into minimalist trends.
Simon Boocock, managing director of CRL Europe, explains: “Elegance, simplicity, and functionality are key to the minimal bathroom currently making compact spaces look and feel much bigger and creating a modern, almost hotel-inspired appearance. Wall cladding, large format surfaces and feature walls tap into this trend, providing a seamless, easier-to-install and maintain alternative to tiles.”
Surfaces such as Ceralsio Ceramic and Inalco MDi from CRL Stone are available in a large slab format. They can be cut to the exact size to fit the space, achieving a bespoke solution with minimal grout lines and a seamless finish, even in awkwardly shaped spaces, with lots of corners and angles.
Carefully co-ordinated
Opidek large-format Magnum slabs
For shower rooms and wetrooms, a uniform aesthetic is easily achieved using large-slab technology. These bespoke solutions can be designed to fit any space and are offered in matt and gloss marble finishes. They also offer a cost-effective solution for residential or commercial applications.
Anthony Barker, sales director, Optidek explains, “Large format sheets require specialist fabrication off-site, yet will still be more cost-effective than specifying tiles and grout for apartment schemes because they are easier to transport and fit. Most of all, these durable non-porous marble-look surfaces provide an on-trend spa-like aesthetic for bathrooms or wet rooms and can be matched with floor tiles in the same material for a stunning overall effect.”
Optidek, the wall coverings specialist, has partnered with Florim, the Italian porcelain stoneware brand, to launch the Magnum Collection, an exclusive range of 6mm thickness surfaces in the large format 2360mm x 760mm Magnum slabs. The collection features four colourways in matt and gloss marble finishes and is curated by Optidek to appeal to kitchen and bathroom designers, architects and interior designers.
Saving time & energy
The Elite Range
Mermaid tell us that the rise in energy costs means tiles are proving more expensive for homeowners. Energy costs traditionally represent around 50 per cent of a tile’s overall cost, and 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.
Helen Ray-Dennett, senior marketing communications manager at Wilsonart UK, comments, “We started this year with predictions that home improvements would be put on the back burner because of the ever-rising cost of living. However, growing interest in cost-effective bathroom refurbishment methods shows promise. Homeowners want to be able to refresh their bathroom spaces, but in a way that’s friendly on their pockets – as such, retailers and merchants must consider this when planning for the year ahead.”
The Elite range is Mermaid’s premium bathroom panel. With a 100% waterproof core, no trims are required, allowing for a completely seamless finish. An interlocking tongue and groove system is used to connect panels, which easily slot together without any gaps, eliminating the need for grout and the risk of mould that comes with it.
We hope you enjoyed this Feature on Bathroom Surface Design from Bathroom Review. Please look through our feature archive for more useful information.
If you are interested to see the latest trends in Kitchen design, please visit our sister site Kitchens Review
Pictured very top – Tempest Black worktop from Utopia.
Visitors to Clerkenwell Design Week from 23 to 25 May have a new location to add to their list of must-sees, with the Bagnodesign Architecture + Design Gallery just opened at 119 Charterhouse Street.
At the heart of London’s bustling design area, inspiration, ideas and creative thinking for interior design can be found throughout the two floors of the Clerkenwell building.
Born in Dubai, Bagnodesign is now present in over 40 countries, chosen by some of the most acclaimed interior design houses and leading architects for commercial projects around the world. Bagnodesign offers the complete solution for creating luxury bathrooms. Comfort, quality and innovation come as standard, from a high-end brand that is anything but standard in terms of design-led thinking and trend-setting product design.
The brand’s new Clerkenwell home is an ideal base for designers to see first-hand the latest product launches and presents a ‘toolkit’ to gather inspiration and ideas for their next projects. The perfect space for customers to network, discuss ideas and plan for future projects, the Gallery also includes a dedicated meeting room and entertainment area, with a built-in bar.New launches on display for Clerkenwell Design Week including a new mixer range, Chiasso. Available in chrome, brushed nickel, soft bronze and PVD gold, the inserts on the handles are customizable, and available in 6 Alpine finishes to suit the corresponding furniture by the same brand. Bespoke inserts can also be produced in the Sanipex Slab Fabrication Facility in Dubai, making Chiasso a fully customizable option.
Another stand-out product in the Clerkenwell Architecture + Design Gallery is Orology. This brassware range uniquely draws inspiration from stylish watch bezels, with its versatile features offering a sense of understated luxury, allowing variations and combinations to maintain timeless contemporary elegance.
With flexibility and functionality at its core, the Orology brassware collection comes in five stunning finishes to offer the ultimate luxury of choice in bathroom design. The versatile options include PVD Gold, Anthracite, Chrome, Brushed Nickel, and Soft Bronze, each adding individual perspective and depth to the finish.
Visitors to Clerkenwell Design Week in May can also catch sight of Alpine from Bagnodesign, an incredibly versatile furniture range, with a wide range of options to suit any space. Select from 18 slab options to a signature look, with freestanding and wall-hung options, double basins and extended countertop options available. The Alpine collection can be configured in numerous ways to create a distinctive, bespoke look that works across any aesthetic.
Visit the Bagnodesign A + D Gallery in Clerkenwell at 119 Charterhouse Street, London EC1M 6AA, or for more information see www.sanipexgroup.co.uk
“Manufactured to be extraordinary” is the motto under which Duravit gathered its Artisan Lines products and ranges. Exhibiting at the ISH in Frankfurt for the first time the iconic designer products were developed by renowned international designers including Philippe Starck, Sebastian Herkner, Christian Werner, and Studio F. A. Porsche.
“The design and manufacture of the Artisan Lines required an extraordinary level of knowledge, craftsmanship, and exacting precision” according to Duravit-CEO Stephan Tahy.
This year’s trade fair attracted around 150,000 visitors from over 150 countries. Duravit AG presented its new products on a 1000 m2 stand.
“This was my first ISH,” explained Stephan Tahy, who became CEO of Duravit AG over two years ago. “After such a long time away from trade fairs, I relished the many personal encounters and high degree of interest in our products.”
Inspiration Japan: Bento Starck Box
Bento Starck Box
The Bento Starck Box bathroom range from designer Philippe Starck drew inspiration from traditional Japanese bento boxes that are subdivided into several compartments by separators.
“Organisation is freedom, especially when it’s elegant,” said Philippe Starck, describing the new washbasins and bathtub. Clearly divided wet and dry areas open countless individual design options.
A highlight of this designer bathroom series is the free-standing bathtub made from acrylic. The overflow is in the tapered water channel, allowing the tub to be filled to the top. Its ample depth and space for two invites bathers to enjoy a blissful immersion in the water. This latest bathroom range from Philippe Starck offers matching toilet sets and bidets.
High levels of craftsmanship: Zencha by Sebastian Herkner
Zencha by Sebastian Herkner
Also taking inspiration from Japan and the country’s traditional craftsmanship, Sebastian Herkner’s Zencha is a bathroom collection that combines unusual above-counter basins with minimalistic furniture. The most striking feature of the basins and bathtub is the rounded shape that opens into a graceful, outward-curving edge.
The linearity of the furniture contrasts with the organic sanitary objects. The outstanding design feature is an elegant frame just six millimeters thick.
“I’m delighted that the product developers at Duravit have been able to turn my designs into reality. That only works if you have your own production facilities with high levels of craftsmanship, as Duravit does,” said Sebastian Herkner.
Homely and modern: Vitrium by Christian Werner
Vitrium by Christian Werner
Timelessly modern yet homely: Christian Werner collaborated with Duravit to create his first washbasins in an interplay with console vanity units and washbasin vanity units as part of the Vitrium range. These washbasins are the first to be manufactured using the mineral casting technique.
The pleasant, velvety surface of DuroCast UltraResist creates an extraordinary tactile experience. Paired with tastefully lit furniture, they underpin the elegant and minimalistic atmosphere of the designer bathroom range.
Similarly, the eye-catching furniture of the Vitrium range with its shallow depth and projecting abovecounter basin is suitable for compact bathrooms.
“A more minimalistic design is hard to imagine,” said Christian Werner, explaining the idea behind his bathroom range. “For me, the bathroom is a comfortable refuge for wellness and contemplation.”
Ode to Nature: Qatego by Studio F. A. Porsche
Qatego by Studio F.A.Porsche
The three stone consoles of the new Qatego bathroom range are a clear reference to nature: created by the renowned designers of Studio F. A. Porsche, they generate a uniquely comforting atmosphere in the bathroom.
“On Qatego we take our lead from the functionality of the bathroom and how it interacts with its users. That’s why it was important for us to lend the objects a strong emotional quality that goes beyond mere functionality,” said Henning Rieseler, design director at Studio F. A. Porsche describes the creative process.
