Diane, Author at Bathroom Review

In the wake of the pandemic, bathroom spaces have become a place to recalibrate. The 1918 influenza pandemic shaped the modern bathroom with a new focus on sanitation and, in the same way, the COVID-19 pandemic has not only freshened up our hygiene focus, it has renewed the zest for beautiful design as we prioritise space to relax and rejuvenate. With home entertaining also now back on the agenda, creating the wow factor is back in vogue.

Designing a statement bathroom can be achieved in a myriad of ways from introducing a bold colour scheme to utilising a standout statement piece such as a freestanding bath or totem basin. Whilst selecting one stand-out piece will anchor your own personal style, selecting products from a cohesive collection guarantees symmetry.

Round and about

Liquid from VitrA is a new comprehensive range designed in collaboration with Tom Dixon and is the first-ever bathroom range by the acclaimed British designer. Like much of Tom’s recent work, the new collection is aligned with his increasing use of round-edged aesthetics. The designs have been inspired by elements of pop art, such as Jeff Koons and his Balloon Dog and the work of Claes Oldenburg, as well as the sculptor Barbara Hepworth’s geometry of soft forms and use of rounded marble.

VitrA’s design director, Erdem Akan tells us “If you get the core pieces right, you can create combinations and potentials – creating more with less. The result is Liquid, a range that is wholly new and yet somehow familiar.”

Bathing beauties

Freestanding baths effortlessly deliver the wow factor bringing drama and elegance to bathrooms. Oval or circular baths promote a contemporary aesthetic and are spacious enough to cater for all family bathroom needs.

Studies on the psychology of shape tell us circular shapes are pleasing to the eye and promote a sense of well being. Sven Rensinghoff, head of marketing and product development at Bette agrees “Baths with contemporary curved shapes are becoming even more popular as they can be comfortable for both the eye and the body. Taking their inspiration from nature, they can help to create a welcoming bathroom design and can also be extremely comfortable to use.”

Bette baths are available in over 400 colours so adding a touch of individuality is simple to do from the outset. The BetteEve Oval is natural, comfortable and perfect for two to bathe together because the ellipse has two focal points. The BetteEve baths are a generous 180 x 100 cm, with symmetrical backrests on both sides and a central waste outlet.

Geo style

When it comes to smaller spaces, Helen Clark, head of marketing at Utopia Bathrooms tells us “You don’t necessarily need a large bathroom to create a statement. People often associate impact with a very spacious bathroom where there is a clear focal point such as a freestanding bath or large walk-in shower but in reality it’s what you achieve with the space you have and the materials you use that can add stunning visual appeal. “

Utopia delivers a contemporary Geo arrangement that combines minimalist style and stunning finishes for a chic effect. This is also a look that can easily be scaled down to suit a smaller space with no loss of impact.

topia Bathrooms Opula Burnt Copper — Opula in Indigo and Burnt Copper from Utopia Bathrooms

Paint it black

Design schemes that break the mould are also achieved with clever use of colour, this strategy is useful for modest bathrooms where monochromatic options help build impact and create the illusion of space.

Marianne Shillingford, creative director Akzonobel Dulux UK agrees “When it comes to creating instant impact in the bathroom you can’t beat a slug of gutsy colour. Fortune favours the brave in small spaces where we should be able to enjoy a full immersion sensory experience in everything from invigorating water on our skin to texture and colour.”

Black and white tones are also ideal for creating a rustic-inspired bathroom with retro accents. White bathroom walls are the starting point for this look, Absolute White from Dulux, delivers a crisp finish, and dark oak doors and cabinetry pair beautifully with Victorian-style silver taps and pipework.

Walk-in wonders

Sustainability is the watchword for 2021 and is set to stay at the top of the agenda indefinitely. Combining luxurious statement design with sustainability appears to be an incongruous pairing, but it is key as we move into a new era of eco-responsibility.

Adam Teal, Kaldewei UK head of sales agrees “Sustainability has always been at the core of Kaldewei’s business and is a constant and consistent theme when designing and creating new products, our steel enamel solutions add a luxurious air creating a feeling of ‘luxstainabilty’ – luxury and sustainability – to any setting.”

The SUPERPLAN ZERO is the latest product from Kaldewei. This impressive enamelled shower surface is the perfect addition to a statement bathroom and has been created by the Berlin designer Werner Aisslinger. The style is reserved yet extremely comfortable underfoot.

Superplan Zero Kaldewei — SUPERPLAN ZERO

Top Banner Image: Dulux Paints

Article by Diane Larner

Symphony expands its partnership with 2020

2020 has announced a new partnership with Symphony to help drive leads to their dealer network.

Symphony is keen to increase brand awareness and drive qualified leads to its dealer network in line with its future digital and dealer support strategy. 2020 offered its knowledge of Symphony’s business alongside innovative and agile solutions to address this challenge and opportunity. Hence, Symphony chose 2020’s online engagement solution over other solutions on the market.

The objective is to use the extended functionality of 2020 Ideal Spaces to increase Symphony’s brand awareness and help drive leads to its dealer network. This collaboration will also result in offering 2020 Ideal Spaces to joint SME customers with a Symphony content-ready version.

‘Working with 2020 has proven to be a very fruitful collaboration and we couldn’t be more excited to be able to provide our dealers with a solution to bring them more customers and eventually increase footfall in their stores,’ says Simon Collyns, marketing & retail director at Symphony. ‘2020 Ideal Spaces is the perfect platform to achieve this.’

‘Symphony and 2020 have been working together for many years to provide the best technical solutions for our common customers,’ adds Tim Lambert, 2020’s EMEA director.

“These new developments in our partnership are yet another proof of our commitment to serve the wider KBB industry.’

2020’s ever-expanding partnership with Symphony dates back nearly 30 years to when the brand started using 2020 Fusion for its building division. The two companies work very closely together on B2B projects and they share many common customers. Building all content for Symphony in the KBB Industry’s SME and professional market, 2020 is and will continue to be a strong content partner for brand.

About Symphony

Symphony is a privately owned manufacturer of fitted kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture with a turnover of over £280 million in 2019 and over 1500 employees.

Offering a portfolio of brands, including Laura Ashley, Gallery, Linear, Aquadi and Urbano, Symphony offers a complete solution with furniture and accessories to suit every project. Celebrating its 50th anniversary this month, the brand prides itself on this diverse product range, its sustainability credentials and responsibility to the environment. In addition, Symphony is dedicated to delivering outstanding service to its customers.

BetteEve – statement baths in over 400 colours

With the new BetteEve bath collection from Bette, the organic, ellipse shape makes its way into the bathroom.

Inspired by nature, Bette has made the transition between the edge and the inner of the bath silky and smooth. Made from durable glazed titanium-steel, it is as if the gentle force of water has smoothed the material over millions of years. Bette was able to achieve the fine curves and jointless transitions in the extremely hard material because of its expertise in the forming and enamelling of steel.

Bathing for two

The BetteEve is a natural and comfortable bath, that is also comfortable for two to bathe together because the ellipse has two focal points. The BetteEve baths are a generous 180 x 100 cm, with symmetrical back rests on both sides and a central waste outlet.

Three Versions and over 400 colours

BetteEve is available in three versions: a freestanding bath, an oval built-in bath and a built-in bath with a rectangular surround.

The freestanding BetteEve is eye-catching, especially when chosen in one of Bette’s many colour options. It is available in over 400 colours, including matt white, glittering midnight and flattering blue satin.

The rectangular built-in BetteEve allows flush-mounted, integrated installation as the glazed titanium-steel forms the surface around the bath. It is also particularly easy to clean, as any excess water can be wiped off into the bath.

The BetteEve oval built-in bath can be almost completely integrated into the bathroom furniture, as it has an extremely fine, 20 mm rim.

Both built-in versions can also be selected in over 400 colours.

All BetteEve baths come with a 30 year warranty which guarantees the quality of the material and of Bette’s manufacturing in Germany. They are 100% recyclable and sound insulation is also included.

Bette Oval built in bath — Bette Oval built-in bath

For further information see my-bette.com/en or telephone 0844 800 0547.

Symmetry & fusion deliver statement design

Many people take inspiration from beautiful hotel bathrooms. Indeed that stylish boutique hotel look with a fabulous vanity/washbasin arrangement and lots of worktop space is very appealing and can easily be adapted for the home.

Geometric styling

Utopia delivers a contemporary Geo arrangement that combines minimalist style and stunning finishes for a chic effect. This is also a look that can easily be scaled down to suit a smaller space with no loss of impact.

Utopia Geo in Fusion — Geo in Pewter Fusion and White Gloss

Statement design for all spaces

Helen Clark, head of marketing at Utopia Bathrooms tells us “You don’t necessarily need a large bathroom to create a statement. People often associate impact with a very spacious bathroom where there is a clear focal point such as a freestanding bath or large walk-in shower but in reality it’s what you achieve with the space you have and the materials you use that can add stunning visual appeal. “

“Where space isn’t an issue then absolutely a wonderful bath perfectly positioned in the bathroom is a great starting point. Modern takes on traditional freestanding baths, such as Utopia’s Sensuelle, offer all the impact of these imposing baths but with none of the weight, cost and heat loss implications. What’s more, you can precisely colour match either of Utopia’s freestanding baths with your choice of finish from a number of its furniture collections.”

Sensuelle freestanding bath Utopia — Symmetry in Burnt Copper with Sensuelle freestanding bath

Material impact

Materials, too, play an important role in adding a luxurious touch to a bathroom, from the choice of lighting right down to the smallest detail of handle and furniture trims. Rich glossy materials, such as glass and metallics, can ooze style and, again, you don’t need a large space to achieve a beautiful effect.

Modular furniture allows you to create a fabulous look with just a few pieces and has the added bonus that you can be very bold with colour knowing it won’t dominate the room. For example, see the Opula range – pictured top – or Lustre in Indigo and Copper, as pictured below.

Lustre in Indigo & Copper Utopia — Lustre in Indigo and Copper

For more information visit www.utopiagroup.com

SUPERPLAN ZERO from Kaldewei

The SUPERPLAN ZERO is the latest product from Kaldewei. This impressive enamelled shower surface is the perfect addition for statement bathrooms and has been created by the Berlin designer Werner Aisslinger. The style is reserved yet extremely comfortable underfoot.

Kaldewei has always paid attention to customer requirements and as such have translated these needs into Superplan Zero. The shower surface becomes part of the bathroom floor, installed at ground level, the very narrow edges make it possible to tile directly up to the shower edge with almost invisible joints.

Easy access

The waste is placed close to the wall so that standing comfortably and moving safely on the Superplan Zero is guaranteed. The new shower surface is characterized by its elegant and precise lines and is easily accessed from three sides, without having to step up or into the surface.

Sustainable design

The base is sustainable, extremely long-lasting and 100 per cent recyclable steel enamel. The exquisite glass surface is applied to the steel using a special process and this is what gives it such a luxurious finish.

According to Kaldewei it is the only steel enamel manufacturer that produces the enamel, i.e. the basic substance for the glass coating, in-house and using a secret formulation. Kaldewei tells us the quality and durability of these surfaces are legendary.

There are over 50 different dimensions from 70 to 180 centimetres, diverse surface variations and a wide range of colours, all of which make the Superplan Zero even more attractive. Whether in large or small bathrooms, building owners, planners and installers have full flexibility. The shower surface is available with the almost invisible, anti-slip surface finish Secure Plus, upon request.

The Superplan Zero is 100 percent compatible with all the sealing sets, assembly systems and waste fittings from Kaldewei.

Bryan Adams Photography Kaldewei Superplan — Bryan Adams Photography

www.kaldewei.co.uk

HighLine Custom Drains from Unidrain – key for leading hotels

When taking a tour of a city people tend to be drawn to places of interest, art, museums and great restaurants, but what about fabulous bathrooms?

During lockdown, Unidrain did a virtual tour of the homeland and found HighLine Custom drains are specified not only in the most prestigious hotels and spas, but the quaint, quirky, unique and interesting places too. Although there are many to choose from, Unidrain has selected three of its favourite projects.

Fjordgaarden

Pictured top – this recently refurbished hotel with its Nordic-inspired spa features 90 High Line Custom drains, yet so uniquely have they been incorporated into the design they blend perfectly into the overall décor and style of the room. With its huge windows, wood panelling, sand and lyme grass; the space manages to feel open yet inviting at the same time.

The Audo

It’s all about perspective. this century-old, large, bold red building sitting on corner was turned into an amazing creative space. It is now a contemporary head office, showroom, restaurant and boutique hotel with a small number of individually and uniquely designed rooms; where the bathrooms feature HighLine Custom drains.

Nobis Hotel Copenhagen

All hotels cover the practical requirements but the best do so with efficiency, then add personal touches and elegant style. Nowhere is this more apparent than in a hotel bathroom. The secret is in the choice of materials and tailor-made solutions, and 100 of the bathrooms in the Nobis Hotel show that Unidrain must be one of their ‘secret’ ingredients. The shower cubicles are enclosed by a sleek sheet of glass with an oversized waterfall shower head.

Roman joins United Nations Global Compact

UK and European shower manufacturer Roman has joined the United Nations Global Compact network.

The UNGC aims to generate a positive social impact as a business. There are four core pillars within the main activity of the UNGC – the Environment; Human Rights; Labour; and Anti-Corruption – and also broader sociable aims such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Roman is committed to using recycled materials in the production process – and to ensure that all parts of all products can be recycled and reused back at their original value at their end of life. Roman is currently in a Carbon Neutral process and there are many other initiatives active within the business relating to sustainability.

The UNGC has well-established lines of communication with key UK government departments to help evolve the responsible business environment. Within the four pillars of the UNGC sit ten fundamental principles for ethical business. These are enshrined within the conduct of the members. These principles firmly reinforce the policies and direction of Roman and the international links of the UNGC that are driving these principles across the business world.

David Osborne, CEO of Roman, commented: “We are delighted to join the UN Global Compact and to help drive the business case of their Sustainable Development Goals across our sector and to help partners embed them within their business processes and culture. This is a truly global initiative and one which we are honoured to be a part of.”

GROHE to speak at Planted – the spaces & nature design show

GROHE is participating in London’s first-ever Planted event taking place at London King’s Cross this weekend.

Patrick Speck, Leader LIXIL Global Design EMENA and responsible for the GROHE brand is guest panellist on headline talk on ‘Age of Waste’.

The three-day event – which started on 23rd September – seeks to reconnect people and spaces with nature, and ignite positive change in behaviours across the design industry.

As a sustainably driven brand leading the way in the production of eco-conscious bathroom and kitchen fittings, GROHE will participate in Planted’s debut live talks series, ‘Planted Unearthed’, set to highlight the challenges facing the design industry and explore the ways in which people, communities, cities, and buildings must adapt and evolve.

Patrick Speck, Leader LIXIL Global Design EMENA which includes the GROHE brand, will discuss these issues in the ‘Age of Waste’ talk chaired by Sam Peters, addressing the increasingly critical waste crisis and the shift towards circularity.

Ebru Bircan, GROHE Leader Marketing Activation UK, LIXIL, comments, “At GROHE, we are passionate about leading the bathroom and kitchen industry in transformative change to protect our planet. We are pleased that the topic of sustainability is pushing further up the agenda. Our attitudes to the way we live, work, and relax has changed dramatically in 18 months alongside how we view sustainability and climate issues such as waste. We look forward to engaging in a dialogue with other industry leaders at Planted to dissect our volution to a circular economy.”

Ideal Standard’s Together World Tour stops in the iconic city of London

Ideal Standard’s Together World Tour has landed in London to premier Tipo-Z, the flagship piece from Atelier. The digital event follows on from the Milan and Berlin tours which saw the launch of Linda-X and Extra ranges from its new Atelier Collections.

The collections are the result of the partnership with Italian design studio Palomba Serafini Associati (PS+A) and its co-founder Roberto Palomba, who is also Ideal Standard’s chief design officer.

The event was the first in the series to be premiered at a physical event, the Design London exhibition, as well as being streamed live from the Together World Tour microsite.

At the session, Jan Peter Tewes, CEO of Ideal Standard International, shared the future strategic vision of the company and explored the icons that have shaped and influenced the creation of the Atelier Collections.

Commenting on the event, Jan Peter Tewes, Joint CEO of Ideal Standard International, said:

“For centuries, the rich diversity of London has allowed it to lead the world in design, art, music and more. The mix of its boroughs and cultures helps create the energy that London is known for, and is something we were intrigued to delve into a little deeper. It was great to be joined by the international design community online, as well as by those attending Design London in person, to explore how that distinct London attitude has contributed to the launch of Tipo Z.”

A Flagship Icon from Atelier: Tipo-Z

Tipo Z is the centrepiece of the Atelier Collections and a modern reimaging of the Gio Ponti’s timeless Zeta basin, created by the Italian architect and designer in 1954. Approaching design as a timeless concept is a key notion at the heart of Atelier and Tipo-Z, which harness the past, present and future for inspiration.

Roberto Palomba, co-founder of PS+A and chief design officer at Ideal Standard, said:

“Tipo-Z is a natural evolution of Gio Ponti’s original Zeta basin, drawing inspiration from modern life, the diversity and viewpoint of varying cultures, and Ideal Standard’s rich design heritage to create a unique piece for the present-day bathroom.

“Tipo-Z has been sculpted into an architectural, monolithic silhouette, expressing elegance and allowing it to become the shining star of the bathroom. We believe in designing pieces that push the boundaries of what’s come before and challenge what we know about bathroom design. By capturing the elegant, iconic elements that Zeta expressed, we have reinvented its shape and used new technologies and materials to create a striking, lightweight single cast basin.”

The next event on the Together World Tour will take place in Paris, with the final two events in Dubai and Shanghai.

To register for these events, view previous ones and access exclusive additional content, visit www.togetherworldtour.com.

Luce from RAK Ceramics wins TTA Award

September 22, 2021

Luce, the translucent porcelain surface from RAK Ceramics, has won Best Innovation at the TTA Awards 2021.

At a gala awards ceremony held at the Forest of Arden Marriott Hotel, the TTA Award is one of the first events of its kind to make a welcome return since the beginning of the pandemic.

Ben Bryden, Sales and Marketing Director at RAK Ceramics UK was in attendance to collect the award. He said: “It is a privilege to accept the Best Innovation Award. Luce really does amaze, both aesthetically and practically which is why it is such a popular choice among designers and award-winning too!”

According to RAK Luce looks simply stunning when used over large areas, thanks to its maximus slab format, that removes the need for grout lines and creates a seamless impression. Luce shifts up a gear even further when enhanced with backlighting technology.

Turning public spaces such as hotel reception, bars and restaurants into ambient, style led areas, Luce is also highly practical, with the surface boasting all the advantages of porcelain.

Celebrating the very best in the wall and floor tile industry and with the final shortlist voted for by industry members, retailers and customers, the TTA Awards are an outstanding symbol of excellence, winning the Best Innovation category with Luce is an important moment for the manufacturer, which was also a finalist in two other categories this year.