After a three-year absence, the Kinedo van is out on the road again following requests to attend roadshows and trade mornings at plumbers’ merchants and retail showrooms up and down the country.
Kinedo, part of the SFA Group, is one of the leading shower brands in Europe with a comprehensive range of shower cubicles, enclosures and trays. The company has taken the opportunity over the last year to refurbish the van and kit it out with the latest products, so customers and sales teams at the merchants and showrooms are fully up to date with the Kinedo brand. This includes a range of shower trays such as the Kinemoon, the Kinerock Evo and the Kineline – all of which are manufactured to resemble natural stone. The popular black crittal all-in-one shower cubicle, the Brooklyn Factory, is fully assembled and installed in the van along with the Smart Design and Fast 2000 enclosures. The flexible ranges include sliding and pivot doors, single panels and folding panels – examples of which are on display.
The first of a number of road shows took place in Pochins in Long Eaton, Nottingham. As Kinedo is sister brand to Saniflo, the merchant requested a dual demonstration of both brands to maximise the opportunity. Several displays, including a working set up of two macerators, were showcased to the public and during the day the whole of the merchant sales team was able to take advantage of full product training from the Saniflo team members present. Pochins reported increased sales of all manufacturers’ products that attended the event, as well as increased product knowledge of the depot team.
Ann Boardman, Head of Marketing and Product Development, oversaw the renovation of the van and is very happy to see it back out on the road;
“It’s been a long 3 years since our team headed out on the road with the show van and they are really enjoying the face-to-face contact at these trade days.
Any retail showroom or merchant interested in booking the show van for a trade morning (or day) can check availability by emailing: Annette.moore@saniflo.co.uk “
Neoperl introduced FSG on/off flow controls to tap and shower manufacturers in 2018, they are valves that allow for a simple open/closed water flow operation at the press of a button. Their latest development, the FSG D8 Volume Control (VC), now offers an intuitive push on/off control plus variable adjustment by the rotation of the knob to control the flow rate.
Tap and shower manufacturers across the globe can now choose to insert Neoperl’s high-grade FSG controls into their products. They can be fitted into a tap or shower or behind the wall plates that control them, and the activation is smooth whatever the line pressure. The valves function on a purely mechanical and hydraulic basis so they require neither a power connection nor battery for operation.
The components are made of stainless steel and engineering plastics that can withstand high thermal and mechanical loads and as such meet international hygiene standards as well as important mechanical requirements for their use in taps. All models are marked with Neoperl’s manufacturer code 7880 and a series number.
This latest additional feature in the VC model, allowing for a variable flow rate, enables the manufacturer to utilise the function across a wider variety of applications. It assists manufacturers in offering a much simpler, minimalistic control to the user and it’s forecast to facilitate a revolution in tap and shower controls.
Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced that the iconic five-star luxury establishment Park Hyatt Milano opens its doors today after two years of extensively reimagining its spaces, while staying true to the property’s unmatched, historic character.
Strategically positioned in the heart of Milano, the exclusive hotel and its recent enhancements provide the perfect backdrop to discover authentic Italian luxury. The 106 guestrooms and 25 suites, as well as the common spaces, have been preserved to reflect the property’s historical identity. Elements of contemporary design combined with classic interiors in a delicate and neutral palette evoke a feeling of understated Milanese elegance, delivering guests a refined, home-away-from-home.
Sustainability aspects came into play during the restoration of the building’s foundations – while equipping the house with new water pipes and modern air conditioning units as well as focusing on FSC® certified materials for many of the refurbishments.
“The reinvented atmosphere of the new Park Hyatt Milano combines well-beloved and unexpected touches to a deeply personal, luxury offering,” said Monique Dekker, area vice president, Hyatt. “Being able to make such an investment during a critical time for the hospitality industry is reassuring and, I know our team in Milan is thrilled to host local and international guests again.”
The reopened AQVAM Spa – which features a Turkish bath, multifunctional showers, and a jacuzzi bath adorned with an intricate gold mosaic – offers a selection of treatments utilizing the 111SKIN treatment line. The urban wellness oasis and the gym, equipped with latest generation Technogym equipment, round out the property’s refreshed offering.
In the bathrooms, elegant medici pebbles on the floors and marble vanities combined with hand-blown glass light fixtures represent a traditional interpretation of Italian luxury. Among others, artwork from Stefano Meriggi, Matteo Boato and Luca Brandi adorn the rooms.
The four Terrace Suites, the Presidential Suite and the Duomo Suite with their unbeatable panoramic terraces each overlook the city skyline. Warm-toned durmast oak parquet and original light travertine marble from Breccia Mdicea quarries reference the neutral color palette of the Duomo of Milan and are used for the custom furnishings designed by Venetian Uno Contract.
Park Hyatt Milano’s common areas have been revisited with great attention to detail. Located next to La Cupola and illuminated by the natural light coming from the nearly 30-foot-high (nine-meter-high) glass dome, the new fine dining restaurant Pellico 3 Milano attracts both travelers and locals. With its unique culinary experience, the menu sources ingredients and taps into the culinary traditions of France, Spain, Greece and Italy to awaken all five senses while respecting each product and its unique seasonality. The bright space, designed by architect Flaviano Capriotti, features a color palette inspired by the ingredients: warm chestnut brown, urchin yellow, a cool artichoke green with orange and purple tying in pumpkin and saffron. The ceiling and floor reflect the magic of the sky and the productive capacity of the earth, setting the perfect scene for Chef Guido Paternollo’s haute cuisine.
The term “Hyatt” is used in the release for convenience to refer to Hyatt Hotels Corporation and/or one or more of its affiliates.
Acquabella’s Miowa countertop. is a stunning product which received great interest at Salone in June. The simplicity of the design makes it a style statement, which Acquabella say, carries more weight than other more flamboyant or extravagant products.
The pure white countertop is made from Acquabella’s unique soft-to-touch Dolotek anti-bacterial surface and comes with a practical integrated towel rail. Miowa conveniently comes in four different sizes (810, 910, 1010 and 1210 mm wide) to deliver consumers flexible options.
Pictured: Moon mirror 80 cm, price £ 595, Moiwa countertop 121×46 cm, price £ 820, Show furniture 80 x 42 x 29.5 cm, price £ 105
We’ve heard plenty about the importance of ergonomics when it comes to working from home and sitting at a desk, but how vital is it in other areas of the home? GROHE looks at the topic and offers advice on how to build longevity into your bathroom design.
With an increasingly ageing population [1], and a growing need to be more sustainable when it comes to updating our homes, there are a number of key considerations for the future when it comes to designing a new bathroom, advises leading global bathroom and kitchen manufacturer, GROHE.
“There is immense opportunity to future-proof homes when designing bathrooms. Whether we are considering long-term solutions for ourselves or creating a space on behalf of an elderly family member, there are clever ways to add additional comfort and safety without relinquishing a sense of independence or personal style,” says Elina Enqvist-Twomey, Leader, Product Management UK, LIXIL EMENA.
The bathroom is a vital room within the home, not only offering daily hygiene but also a space for wellness and relaxation. In a shower study conducted in 2020, we found that 58% of respondents use the shower as a method to relieve tension and stress, with another 40% noting that they use the bathroom as their ‘me-time’ to escape external hustle and bustle and life’s stresses. The shower is a place where independence and personal dignity is essential, therefore accessibility and ease of functionality is a pivotal design consideration for now and for the future.
Essential Independence The bathroom is a vital room within the home, not only offering daily hygiene but also a space for wellness and relaxation. In a shower study conducted in 2020, we found that 58% of respondents use the shower as a method to relieve tension and stress, with another 40% noting that they use the bathroom as their ‘me-time’ to escape external hustle and bustle and life’s stresses. The shower is a place where independence and personal dignity is essential, therefore accessibility and ease of functionality is a pivotal design consideration for now and for the future.
Designed with ease of functionality and flexibility in mind, GROHE provides complete user control with the SmartControl shower system. The innovative system is controlled by push, turn buttons, allowing users of all capabilities to easily control the system, resulting in showering independence. The push-buttons provide a clear, substantial surface to interactive with, while the ProGrip handle is comfortable and secure to twist with ease.
Wellness and personalised design are also covered with the initiative system, with the SmartControl system available in a range of models and finishes, from statement golds to traditional chrome, to concealed and exposed fittings.
Forward planning The topic of shower toilets and support with personal care is one that is often postponed until it’s an essential requirement, with the installation often resulting in a large expense and invasive renovation work. However, cleansing with water is an age-old tradition that is still favoured in many parts of the world, and as modern society begins to recognise the benefits of shower toilets, there’s an opportunity to plan ahead.
Alongside personalised cleansing features, drying functions and a near self-cleaning system, shower toilets such as the GROHE Sensia Arena also offer eco-conscious credentials by significantly reducing the use of toilet paper.
The GROHE Sensia Arena is available with an automatic flush option and precise motion sensors, which prompt the lid to automatically open upon approaching and close when users leave, helping to improve both hygiene and ease of function, allowing individuals of all ages and capabilities to use the bathroom independently.
If installing a shower toilet without an essential need isn’t a viable option, there’s still scope to plan for the future. With GROHE’s Rapid SLX 3in1 flush frame for Wall Hung WCs, installing a shower toilet at a later date has never been easier. Designed specially to cater to future-planning, the Rapid SLX features a built-in electric socket and water connection ready for shower toilet installations, limiting the need for invasion renovation work.
The system is also equipped with various technologies, including GROHE Whisper which prevents sound travelling through walls making it an ideal choice for households where someone may be waking up numerous times throughout the night.
Easy functionality While we’re no strangers to seeing touchless taps within public spaces, they’re few and far between when it comes to residential homes. However, touchless taps are a great design addition with a consideration to the future, while also offering eco-friendly credentials and slim profiles for compact spaces.
Without a lever to manoeuvre, infra-red taps allow users of all capabilities and ages to use the tap and bathroom independently, while the sensor-activated system also supports with water saving, as the water is only dispensed when truly needed. The motion sensor means the water flow will also switch off automatically after the set time period, eliminating the risk of leaving taps running. The touchless interaction also offers additional hygiene measures by reducing the spread of germs throughout the home, providing a clean and healthy environment for all.
GROHE’s BauCosmopolitan E infra-red mixer tap combines desirable minimalistic design with ergonomically comfortable features for long-term use. The mixer’s body is made from durable composite polymer, which is approved for drinking water, and as the touchless technology uses low-energy electronics the batteries can last up to seven years. Finished in GROHE StarLight chrome and offering a sleek profile, the touchless design also makes cleaning and maintenance simple.
Family-run, independent online tiles specialist Hyperion Tiles has expanded its comprehensive portfolio with every range from handmade and reclaimed artisan tiles supplier Bert & May. This new collaboration means Hyperion Tiles now has access to all their new and existing collections for homeowners, designers, architects and specifiers.
Richard Skeoch, director at Hyperion Tiles, explains: “Our new Bert & May tiles collections enable us to provide you with even more opportunities to add individual character to any home design. From encaustic cement and reclaimed to glazed and terracotta tiles, there are distinctive colour ways, materials, styles and patterns or plains to suit your project.
“Our new Bert & May tiles offer all sorts of applications, from kitchen flooring and splashbacks to bathroom floors and walls and this versatility is matched by their super-stylish designs.”
Led by the trend for minimalism, one such tiles application could be a wet room. So, if you want to create a spa-like showering experience, tiling will form an integral part of your design. Showcased here are four examples where Bert & May tiles have featured striking designs to create individual statement wet rooms.
A recent flurry of appointments to the Kinedo sales team has culminated in the appointment of William Willcox to cover the North of England and Scotland.
William joined the business in April and quickly hit the ground running adding a number of new display showrooms in his territory to showcase the Kinedo brand of shower cubicles, enclosures and trays. His former experience as general manager of Smedbo, the upmarket Scandinavia bathroom accessories manufacturer, helped him with these early successes and stand him in good stead to develop the market further.
William is looking forward to developing a greater showroom base in the region and creating greater awareness and sales of the range of products;
“I am really impressed by the Kinedo products and looking forward to expanding the network of showrooms even wider. Those I’ve worked with so far really understand the benefits of the Kinedo range for their customers and appreciate the quality of the products. “
Ideal Standard has strengthened its long-standing relationship with Island Bathrooms, with the launch of a new dedicated retail area within the stockist’s Salisbury store.
The collaboration further solidifies a 25-year relationship between Ideal Standard and Island Bathrooms, with the new 47m² dedicated retail area having opened on 26th July 2022.
Formed more than 40 years ago, family-run Island Bathrooms is one of the largest bathroom showrooms in the South West of England, and has locations across Bournemouth, Wiltshire and Salisbury. To celebrate the launch of its new Atelier retail area, Island Bathrooms also organised a grand opening event at its showroom in Churchfields Industrial Estate. The event provided customers with a first chance to view the products in person, while also enjoying refreshments and entertainment provided by a local jazz duo.
The new retail space has been curated by Ideal Standard’s chief design officer and PS+A co-founder, Roberto Palomba, working closely with Island Bathrooms to give customers a stunning space in which to view the products.
Launched in 2021, the Atelier Collections are inspired by Ideal Standard’s rich design heritage combining aesthetics and design philosophies of the past with modern aesthetics and technology. The result is an exciting collection of new statement pieces for the contemporary bathroom, including an exclusive range of ceramics, brassware and furniture, from the clean, pure lines of the Linda-X range, to the statuesque Tipo-Z basin and the geometrically inspired Conca collections.
The bold designs of the Atelier Collections work in harmony with pieces from across Ideal Standard’s ranges through the Singular™ philosophy – an innovative approach to specification, enabling customers, designers, and specifiers to easily combine products from across the manufacturer’s offering to create unique designs for their space.
Speaking on the new flagship showroom, Adam Evans, Channel Director (Retail) at Ideal Standard UK, said: “For over 25 years, we’ve been working closely with Island Bathrooms to provide the highest quality in bathroom products. It’s a pleasure to continue strengthening our partnership, through the launch of a new dedicated retail space for our premier Atelier Collections.
“The showroom is a fantastic space, showcasing some incredible Ideal Standard products and providing an immersive experience for customers.”
David Lees-Bell, Director at Island Bathrooms, added: “We have a great relationship with Ideal Standard and this latest development is a testament to the strength of that partnership. By becoming a flagship Atelier Collection showroom, we can continue to work closely with Ideal Standard and provide the best possible experience for our customers.”
REVA meaning – “the one which connects” is an elegant and functional range of accessories from KEUCO. Accessories are not always the first components that spring to mind when creating a bathroom, but if missing from the room it is immediately noticed. Bathroom accessories, especially free-standing, are more than just useful items, when thoughtfully and creatively designed they bring style, harmony, and individuality to every bathroom design.
The REVA accessories series has been crafted as a clear geometric shape that works with a wide range of furnishing styles and living environments, regardless of fashion trends. They are high-quality with a flawless finish, available with a chrome-plated, or matt black finish which creates a particularly striking finish.
The REVA range includes a harmonious selection of accessories, which are both elegant and extremely practical such as the lotion dispenser; with its practical single-handed operation and white satin-finish inverted glass for easy filling. It is operated from below, there is no risk of water drops dripping from wet hands onto the surface of the dispenser.
Towel holders are available in single and double-arm versions and the toilet paper holder is available with or without a shelf; the REVA toilet brush set with a white satin-finish inverted glass has a removable plastic insert, which is easy to clean, and the toilet brush is always dry due to the drip reservoir.
The shower shelf comes in white or matt black and has a hidden secret – a glass squeegee is invisibly integrated into the design; as details that is both creative and practical. There are two recesses on the side of the shelf, these can be used to hang bathing and showering toiletries. (The shelf is also available without a glass squeegee.)
The REVA grab rail acts as a sturdy support in the bath or shower; the towel holder is available in sizes of 600 mm or 800 mm providing towels of any size enough space to dry away from the wall.
The bath towel rail has a smart detail, a hook on the side of the reverse – not visible from the front can be used to hang items such as a bath sponge. Towels or bathrobes hang securely on the slightly inclined hook and thanks to their solid wall mounting, all KEUCO accessories guarantee comfortable use and durability.
Knightsbridge has taken the next step in its lighting evolution with the inclusion of SpektroLED® Tilt to the configurable, Knightsbridge SpektroLED® series. SpektroLED® offers so many combinations of wattage, colour temperature and bezel choice that the product provides a genuine 40-in-1 fire-rated downlighting solution, now in both fixed and tilt versions.
With the introduction of SpektroLED®, Knightsbridge – a leading UK manufacturer of wiring accessories and lighting – has removed the limitations of traditional downlights, offering versatility, performance and style in one unique package, and allowing for customisation and personalisation of lighting design without resorting to multiple lamp types.
The new SpektroLED® Tilt variant increases the options again. Like the fixed model, SpektroLED® Tilt offers a choice of two wattages – 5W and 8W – five colour temperatures (CCTs) and five bezel finishes, from white and matt black to chrome, polished chrome and brass; resulting in 40 different styles and performance permutations.
The wattages and CCTs are switch-selected on the rear of the downlight body. At 5W, SpektroLED® delivers up to 465 lumens and up to 795 lumens at 8W. The four CCTs available are 2700K, 3000K, 4000K and 6000K, representing warm white through to daylight. The choice of five bezels then allows further customisation to complement or contrast with any interior décor or colourway.
Installation, as with all Knightsbridge products, is straightforward. Both units feature simple first-fix power connectors with loop in/loop out terminals that can be terminated and hidden away while other works are finished. The downlight can then be plugged in to complete the installation after decoration and lends itself easily for maintenance and access to the innovative CCT and power properties.
The downlights are fire rated for solid timber, web joist and I-joist installation for up to 90 minutes depending on materials and, in addition, is IC rated for retention of efficiency of mineral wool insulation in the ceiling void. SpektroLED® Fixed has an IP65 rating from below, making it suitable for use in bathrooms and wet rooms, while SpektroLED® Tilt is rated at IP20.
Once installed, SpektroLED® will give 50,000 hours of rated LED life and can be used with most leading and trailing-edge dimmers though compatibility should be verified beforehand. A five-year warranty guarantees peace of mind.
For further details of the Knightsbridge innovative wiring accessories and lighting products, please visit www.mlaccessories.co.uk or call 01582 887760
