Diane, Author at Bathroom Review

Team hib travels London to New York equivalent for charity

September 15, 2026

Circa 50 hib employees have collectively covered almost 4,000 miles, the equivalent of travelling from London to New York, as part of a month-long fundraising challenge for Ronald McDonald House UK.

This summer, members of Team hib came together to take on the 79-Mile Challenge, raising more than £1,000 so far for the company’s corporate charity partner. From lunchtime walks and evening runs to weekend bike rides, hikes and swims, colleagues embraced the challenge in a variety of ways, all united by the same goal of supporting families with seriously ill children in hospital.

Ronald McDonald House UK provides free accommodation for families, helping them stay together and just moments from their child’s bedside during an incredibly difficult time. The challenge encouraged participants to walk, run or cycle 79 miles throughout the month. The distance represents the average number of miles families travel to be close to their seriously ill child receiving specialist hospital treatment, highlighting the vital support the charity provides.

Laura Bennett, corporate fundraiser at Ronald McDonald House UK, said: “The support shown by hib staff through the 79-Mile Challenge has been nothing short of amazing. Once again, we have seen so many of their colleagues come together to support our mission and it means so much to us.

“Every mile walked, run, cycled or swam, and every pound raised, helps families stay together and close to their child in hospital when they need each other most. Thank you hib for your continued support and for making such a meaningful difference to families across the UK.”

Deb Freeman, head of brand and marketing at hib, was the first member of the team to complete the challenge, finishing her 79 miles in just seven days. She said: “It was a fantastic challenge to be part of, especially knowing it was all for such an important cause. Completing the 79 miles in seven days and being the first to finish was a great personal achievement, but what really matters is what we’ve all been able to achieve together to support Ronald McDonald House UK.”

The initiative forms part of hib’s ongoing commitment to supporting Ronald McDonald House UK and the families who rely on its vital services.

There is still time to support Team hib’s fundraising efforts. Every contribution will help Ronald McDonald House UK continue providing free accommodation to families, enabling them to stay close to their seriously ill child while they receive specialist hospital care.

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PJH expands MERLYN offering with 95 new bathroom products

September 11, 2026

PJH has expanded its partnership with enclosure specialist MERLYN, adding 95 new products to its Bathrooms to Love portfolio and the PJH Partners Portal™. The new ‘Vivid’ enclosures and wetroom solutions are available in Brushed Brass and Brushed Matt Black with special introductory prices.

The expanded range builds on more than a decade’s worth of collaboration between PJH and MERLYN, giving bathroom retailers greater choice backed by MERLYN’s shower enclosure expertise and PJH’s nationwide distribution network and FIRST-CHOICE customer service.

The expanded MERLYN collection offers a broad choice of shower enclosure and wetroom solutions, including sliding, pivot and bi-fold doors, quadrants and offset quadrants, corner-entry options and flexible wetroom configurations. The launches reflect the continued shift towards more coordinated, design-led schemes.

Merllyn has been part of Bathrooms to Love for many years and is now an established part of PJH’s showering offer, spanning enclosures, wetroom panels and bath screens. The continued development of the collection combines MERLYN’s showering expertise with PJH’s distribution capabilities.

Kim Cooper, product & marketing director at PJH, said: “Our relationship with MERLYN is one we have built successfully over many years, and it continues to be an important part of our Bathrooms to Love showering offer.

Cooper highlighted benefits of PJH’s stockholding, nationwide distribution and customer service, which support retailers in accessing MERLYN’s range alongside the wider Bathrooms to Love collection.

She added, “MERLYN has an excellent reputation for quality, design and innovation, and these are qualities which align very closely with what we want to offer our customers. The continued expansion of the range, including the latest enclosure and wetroom products and new Brushed Brass and Matt Black finishes, gives retailers even more choice from a brand they know and trust.”

Selling points for retaiers include an easy-fit pre-assembled frame for easier installation, easy-to-clean Mershield Stayclear glass treatment, 6mm toughened safety glass, a tall 1900mm glass panel height, and a Lifetime Guarantee.

The expanded MERLYN range further supports PJH’s commitment to providing its customers with an extensive choice of the latest, quality bathroom products backed by dependable availability and service.

Eileen Slattery, marketing director at MERLYN, added: “Our partnership with PJH has been built on trust, collaboration and a shared ambition to deliver outstanding products and experiences to customers. We’re proud to see the Vivid range continue to grow, offering stylish, practical showering solutions backed by the quality that MERLYN is known for.”

MERLYN products are available to order through the PJH Partners Portal™, where customers can find product information, check stock, place orders and manage their account. Order fulfilment is supported by PJH’s next-day delivery service to store or home.

For further information visit www.partners.pjh.uk or www.bathroomstolove.uk or contact the PJH sales team on 0345 450 8932.

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Tissino adds smooth option to Fiorti shower tray collection

September 10, 2026

Tissino has expanded its Fiorti shower tray collection with the launch of Fiorti Smooth, a smooth-surface option alongside the existing Class 3 anti-slip range.

The addition gives retailers a choice between smooth and anti-slip surfaces within the same Fiorti collection, helping them specify the option best suited to individual projects.

For Tissino, that is an important distinction. Rather than simply increasing the number of trays in the portfolio, the business is extending Fiorti around the different requirements retailers encounter at point of specification.

Frazer Lewis, sales director at Tissino, says: “Retailers were asking us for a smooth Fiorti option, and that feedback was very clear. We already had a strong anti-slip proposition, but that isn’t necessarily the priority for every customer.

“Some will specifically want enhanced grip underfoot; others are looking for a clean, smooth surface that is straightforward to maintain. Giving the retailer both options makes Fiorti relevant to more of the briefs coming through the showroom.”

Fiorti Smooth combines a White, easy-care surface with 40mm gel coat resin construction and is available across square, rectangular, quadrant and offset quadrant formats.

Each tray is supplied with a colour-matched White grate and 27 litre-per-minute waste, with wet-room compatibility and optional riser and panel kits providing further flexibility at installation. The tray is also covered by Tissino’s Lifetime Guarantee.

Fiorti now offers 55 sizes across the collection, giving retailers options for a wide range of shower footprints and layouts.

The Fiorti expansion forms part of Tissino’s wider investment in shower trays for 2026, with the brand increasing its offer across different sizes, surfaces, finishes and performance requirements as it looks to build greater authority in the category.

For more information, visit Tissino.co.uk

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CEADESIGN specified for 262 Fifth Avenue, Manhattan

September 9, 2026

CEADESIGN collections have been specified throughout the bathrooms and kitchens of 262 Fifth Avenue in Manhattan’s NoMad neighbourhood. Developed by Five Points Development Group, the 52-storey residential tower was designed by Meganom, with interiors by Norm Architects, and comprises just 26 residences.

In the bathrooms, products from the GRADI, GIOTTO and EQUILIBRIO collections combine to create a consistent material palette in satin-finish AISI 316L stainless steel.

The GRADI GRA24IS free-standing progressive bath mixer features a swivelling spout and cylindrical hand shower with stainless-steel hose. From the GIOTTO collection, the GIO17S three-hole mixer incorporates a swivelling spout, with both products finished in satin AISI 316L stainless steel.

The EQUILIBRIO EQB32S electric bathrobe warmer power button continues the same material language, providing a discreetly integrated detail within the bathroom environment.

The choice of AISI 316L stainless steel is both aesthetic and functional. Highly durable and hygienic, the material is also fully recyclable and offers a long service life. At 262 Fifth Avenue, its satin finish has been selected to complement the Grigio Alpi marble used throughout the residences, creating a restrained contrast between the metal and natural stone.

The specification continues into the kitchens with the MILO360 MIL201S deck-mounted mixer, which combines a swivelling spout with a pull-out hand shower. Finished in satin AISI 316L stainless steel, it brings the same material quality and understated detailing to the kitchen spaces.

Natural stone and oak are central to the interiors at 262 Fifth Avenue, with the CEADESIGN fittings providing a consistent stainless-steel finish across the kitchen and bathroom areas. The selection also reflects the wider emphasis on durability and responsible material use within the development.

Conceived according to Passive House standards, the building combines high-performance technology with carefully selected materials and tailored finishes. Each residence occupies an entire floor, or two floors in the case of the duplex apartments, with floor-to-ceiling glazing providing extensive views across Manhattan.

The result is a cohesive approach to the kitchen and bathroom interiors, with CEADESIGN’s GRADI, GIOTTO, EQUILIBRIO and MILO360 collections integrated into the wider architectural scheme.

Photography is by Norm Architects, with the exterior captured by Hayes Davidson.

Ceadesign_262-Fifth-Avenue_-pics-by-Norm-Architects-

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Ideal Bathrooms brings additional distributor voice to the Bathroom Association

September 9, 2026

One of the UK’s bathroom distributors, Ideal Bathrooms, is joining the Bathroom Association as its newest member. The Association says the addition represents an important step in its work to bring together businesses from across the bathroom supply chain.

As a major link between manufacturers, brands, showrooms and trade customers, distributors bring valuable commercial experience and a broad view of the market to the Association’s growing community.

Behind every bathroom is an extensive network of businesses and professionals, but different parts of that network have too often operated in isolation. The Bathroom Association is seeking to address that fragmentation by creating one powerful community for the industry: a place where insights are shared, influence is amplified, and meaningful change happens.

Ideal Bathrooms’ membership will add an important perspective to discussions shaping the sector’s future. Its close relationships with leading manufacturers and trade partners give the business practical insight into product demand, customer expectations, stock availability and the challenges faced across the route to market.

Daphne Doody-Green, CEO of the Bathroom Association, said Ideal Bathrooms represented an ‘important moment’ and a strong endorsement of its ambition to represent the whole bathroom industry.

She highlighted the importance of the role distributors play in the sector, connecting manufacturers and brands with retailers, showrooms, installers and ultimately customers.

“Distributors occupy a crucial position within our sector,” said Doody-Green. “They give us a valuable perspective on how the market is performing and where change is needed.”

She added the industry is facing a rnage of challenges from regulation, sustainability, water efficiency, skills, consumer confidence and market growth.

“These cannot be addressed effectively by individual businesses or individual parts of the supply chain acting alone. We need everyone around the table, and I am delighted that Ideal Bathrooms will now be part of that community.”

Ideal Bathrooms has supported the UK bathroom market for more than 40 years. The company combines an extensive, in-stock product portfolio with national distribution, technical knowledge and specialist customer support.

Its portfolio includes more than 20,000 bathroom lines across categories such as showering, brassware, furniture, ceramics, heating, and accessories, sourced from many of the world’s leading bathroom brands. Its delivery network provides next-day delivery to 99% of Britain and Northern Ireland, supported by two distribution centres and the company’s Blue Van stock promise.

Alongside product supply, Ideal Bathrooms supports its trade partners with technical and installation information, live stock checking, online ordering and tracking, brochures, point-of-sale material and showroom displays. Its specialist teams also assist with premium specifications, complex installations, contract enquiries and large-scale projects.

Scott Cooper, managing director at Ideal Bathrooms, said: “Joining the Bathroom Association is a natural step for Ideal Bathrooms. We have always believed that strong partnerships are fundamental to a successful bathroom industry, particularly in a market where businesses are having to respond to changing customer expectations, economic pressures and an increasingly complex regulatory environment.”

Cooper said they also see value in learning from other members, and that sharing insights will help Ideal Bathrooms support its customers more effectively.

He said: “We are delighted to become part of the Bathroom Association and look forward to playing an active role in its community.”

Through its purpose of Insight. Influence. Impact., the Bathroom Association gives members access to market intelligence, technical expertise, policy representation and connections across the industry. It works with businesses throughout the bathroom supply chain to support market growth, raise standards and reduce the sector’s environmental impact.

The arrival of Ideal Bathrooms further strengthens the Association’s ability to represent the industry as a connected system, ensuring that the experiences of distributors and their trade customers inform the decisions, policies, and initiatives that affect its future.

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CRL Stone launches dedicated Silica Free & Low Silica Collection brochure

September 9, 2026

CRL Stone has introduced a new brochure dedicated to its Silica-Free and Low-Silica surfaces – these latest collections are designed to reflect the growing popularity of silica-sensitive surface solutions.

To help consumers understand the benefits of its Silica Free and Low Silica surfaces, CRL Stone is providing retailers with a 12-page, full colour micro brochure that is available in print and online formats.

This new sales tool provides clear and concise product information alongside aspirational lifestyle photography.

Manufactured using natural minerals and recycled glass, CRL Stone’s 5 Silica Free surfaces contain zero Crystaline Silica while its 16 Low Silica surfaces contain less than 30%. They are available in jumbo slabs measuring 3200 x 1600mm, have a polished finish and come in thicknesses of 20mm and 30mm.

Engineered for kitchens and bathrooms and available in a variety of marble- and stone-inspired designs, CRL Stone’s bestselling Silica Free and Low Silica surfaces will complement classic and contemporary interiors.

All 21 surfaces featured deliver practical and durable benefits. CRL Stone also promises scratch, heat and stain resistance, easy cleaning and a 25-year residential and 10-year commercial warranty.

For more details, call CRL Stone on 01706 863600, or visit www.crlstone.co.uk

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Dulux names Soulful Sage as Colour of the Year 2027

September 8, 2026

Dulux has selected Soulful Sage™, a soft, silvery green, as its Colour of the Year for 2027. The new shade is being positioned as a versatile option for architects, specifiers and designers when creating a coordinated framework for developing schemes across sectors.

The colour has been developed as part of AkzoNobel’s annual ColourFutures™ research, which examines emerging social and design trends and translates them into colour directions for professional use.

According to Dulux, the 2027 research points towards a move to lighter and more considered environments, reflecting growing concerns around information overload and wider global uncertainty.

Soulful Sage has subsequently been chosen as a flexible base colour that can be adapted to different levels of warmth, neutrality and visual energy, depending on the requirements of a project.

Three palettes for different design directions

Alongside Soulful Sage, Dulux has introduced three complementary colour palettes designed to give architects, specifiers and designers a starting point for developing coordinated schemes.

Glow Colours combines Soulful Sage with soft clay, terracotta and lilac tones. The warmer palette is aimed particularly at residential and hospitality projects where designers are looking to create a welcoming environment with greater character and warmth.

Light Colours pairs the green with greys, browns and blues to create a more restrained, neutral scheme. Dulux highlights workplaces and healthcare as potential applications where clarity, simplicity and visual order are key considerations.

Lift Colours takes a more expressive approach, combining Soulful Sage with ochres, pale pinks and other greens. The palette is intended for projects requiring a more energetic identity, including education and workplace environments.

Dawn Scott, senior colour designer at Dulux Trade, AkzoNobel, said colour should be considered at an early stage of the design process alongside materials, finishes and the function of a space.

“The challenge is translating emerging trends into a colour direction that is practical, credible and adaptable enough to use on a real project,” she said.

“Soulful Sage and its complementary palettes are designed to provide a starting point and give professionals the flexibility to develop schemes around the brief, the building and the people using the space.”

Available from September

Dulux says the Soulful Sage colour and shades from the three accompanying palettes will be available through Dulux colour mixing retailers from 8 September 2026.

A Peel & Stick Sample of Soulful Sage is also available.

For specifiers, Dulux has produced a Trade Colour of the Year 2027 Specifier Guide, while its Paint Specification Creator can be used to develop project specifications. The company also offers support through its Commercial Colour Services team.

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KEUCO brings solid oak cabinet making to the bathroom

September 8, 2026

KEUCO is extending its collaboration with Austrian furniture maker TEAM 7 with EDITION LIGNATUR ART, a new bathroom furniture collection that puts solid timber and traditional cabinet making techniques centre stage.

Launching in the UK in October, EDITION LIGNATUR ART builds on KEUCO’s existing EDITION LIGNATUR range, but takes the use of natural materials further with furniture made entirely from solid oak in a considered departure from the dominating trend for veneers and laminates.

The collection reflects the move towards creating bathrooms that feel more like considered living spaces, with furniture, materials and finishes designed to sit alongside those found elsewhere in the home.

The signature finish is smoked oak, created using a traditional process in which the solid timber is steamed with ‘salmiak’ spirit rather than stained or coated. The result is a deep, tonal finish that retains the character of the natural wood, with variations in grain and colour ensuring that each piece is individual.

Three further oak finishes are available. Venice oak features distinctive shipworm markings, while classic oak has a warm, honey-toned appearance. Wild white oak provides a lighter option, with a more vivid and expressive grain.

Craftsmanship is particularly evident in the preparation of the furniture. Before production, KEUCO and TEAM 7 hand-match the grain of individual solid-wood slats in a process they call ‘painting with wood’. This allows the grain to flow continuously across the finished panels – a technique more usually associated with fine cabinetmaking than bathroom furniture.

The collection includes single and double washstands, benches, sideboards, and mid- and tall units. Furniture can be specified with ceramic or glass worktops and colour-matched enamel basins, allowing different combinations to be created within the same material palette.

Despite the emphasis on craftsmanship and natural materials, the furniture has been designed with everyday use in mind. An ergonomic recessed handle removes the need for additional hardware, while soft-close and push-to-open mechanisms maintain the clean-lined appearance. Optional protective cover plates are also available to complement the chosen wood finish.

The same attention to detail continues inside the mirror cabinet, which features a wood-lined interior as well as a coordinated exterior. Its lighting system includes a three-sided surround frame, separate compartment lighting and washbasin illumination, all adjustable via touch control between warm white and daylight, from 2,700 to 6,500 Kelvin.

A light sail provides an even wash of illumination from above, while mirror heating is available as an option.

Made to order, EDITION LIGNATUR ART is intended to give each installation an individual character, with the natural variations in the solid oak ensuring that no two pieces – or bathrooms – are exactly alike.

EDITION LIGNATUR ART launches in the UK in October 2026. Prices are available on application.

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Grant Westfield strengthens customer service team

September 8, 2026

Wall panel manufacturer Grant Westfield has appointed Stephen McGlinchey as customer service manager. The appointment supports the company’s focus on delivering a high level of customer satisfaction.

McGlinchey joined Grant Westfield on 27 July 2026, bringing experience from consultancy firm DRS International. There he worked exclusively with the administrators of Ireland’s Deposit Return Scheme, Re-turn.

In his new role, he will lead the customer service team, focussing on unlocking its potential. He will also ensure the team recognises its impact on both business performance and customer experience.

McGlinchey said: “I am looking forward to unlocking the potential within my team and ensuring we are aware of the impact our input has on the business performance and customer satisfaction during a period of positive change.”

Early priorities for McGlinchey include gaining a wider understanding of the business and identifying opportunities for greater alignment across departments. Building trust within the customer service team, as well as across departments, will also be central to his approach.

He added: “In these early days, it is all about building my understanding of the various areas of the business and how we can align our goals. I also want to focus on developing a high level of trust within our team and cross-departmentally, as I am very aware of the benefit of a highly motivated and engaged unit.”

McGlinchey’s appointment comes at a positive time for Grant Westfield, as the business continues to develop its teams and strengthen the customer experience across its growing portfolio of wall panel solutions.

For more information, please visit: www.grantwestfield.co.uk or call 0131 337 6262.

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SIAMP UK appoints Alex Holcroft as managing director

September 7, 2026

SIAMP has appointed of Alex Holcroft as managing director. His appointment marks a return to SIAMP UK, where he previously spent more than two years as product manager between 2017 and 2019.

Holcroft worked as sales director at Woodland Furniture Group, where his role involved supporting the company’s commercial development through customer acquisition, product strategy and the development of new market opportunities.

With a career that spanned sales, commercial management, product development and go-to-market strategy, Holcroft succeeds Ashley Shires, who has led SIAMP UK for 14 years and has played a pivotal role in establishing and developing the SIAMP brand within the UK market.

Jérôme Michel, CEO of SIAMP commented: “SIAMP and I would like to express our thanks to Ashley. His dedication, his leadership and his competence made a significant contribution to the business and established a solid foundation for SIAMP brand in the UK.”

Commenting on the leadership transition, Holcroft said: “After 14 years with SIAMP UK, I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved and of the position the business is in today. I’d like to sincerely thank our customers, partners and everyone I’ve worked with over the years for their trust, support and friendship, as well as the SIAMP UK team for their hard work and commitment.

“It has been a privilege to lead the business and to see the SIAMP brand develop in the UK. I’m delighted to be handing over to Alex, who knows both SIAMP and the industry extremely well, and I wish him and the whole team every success as they take the business forward into its next chapter.”

In his new role, Alex will lead the SIAMP UK team as the business enters its next phase of development, with a focus on sustainable &profitable growth, further strengthening SIAMP’s position within the UK market.

Working closely with the UK team and wider SIAMP Group, his focus will be on strengthening existing customer relationships, developing new opportunities and ensuring SIAMP continues to respond to the evolving needs of the UK market. This will include building on SIAMP’s established product offering through new product development and opportunities, alongside evolving the company’s marketing approach to further strengthen brand awareness and market presence.

Holcroft concludes: “I’m delighted to be returning to SIAMP UK and excited by the opportunity to lead the business into its next phase. SIAMP has a strong reputation within the market, and I’m looking forward to working with the team to build on those foundations, develop new opportunities and deliver sustainable growth while continuing to provide the products, service and support our customers expect.”

For further information call 0161 681 2120 www.siamp.com

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