Diane, Author at Bathroom Review

Kaldewei delivers modern living to Berlin Apartment KAN 36

December 16, 2024

In the Charlottenburg district of West Berlin, Apartment Kan 36 has been transformed into a contemporary retreat offering a peaceful haven from the bustling city. Designed and refurbished by esteemed architect Gianni Verde at Sunostudio, the minimalist, modern apartment was completed in 2024 and reflects the eclectic design scene of Berlin.

The apartment is owned by a Greek family, who 10 years ago made Berlin their home. It is in a classic historic “altbau” and blends modern design with an enduring elegance. The art of modern living is epitomised in this design blending clean lines, natural materials with exceptional functionality.

Bathroom-Review-Kaldewei-Pink-Berlino-I-2024

The bathroom exudes a feeling of calm and tranquillity, entirely tiled in pink, with large windows that flood the room with natural light. Inspired by the aesthetics of the 1960s, the bathroom is clad with soothing pink ceramic
tiles by Ceramica Vogue. This homage to Berlin’s vintage art scene blends harmoniously with sleek contemporary
elements such as Kaldewei’s CONO Countertop washbasin in Alpine White. Key to this meticulously crafted bathroom design, the CONO washbasin creates a serene yet confident ambience with its seamlessly
integrated functionality and aesthetic. Made from 100% recyclable, sustainable steel enamel, the CONO washbasin’s glass-like surface is hygienic and easy to clean.

The functionality and aesthetic appeal of Kaldewei’s classic CONO countertop washbasin provide the perfect, elegantly minimalist centrepiece to this stylish bathroom.

In keeping with its geometric aesthetic, the characteristic design element of this rectangular washbasin is the enamelled square waste cover, along with its generous wider rim allowing additional space for fittings or bathroom accessories.

The CONO countertop washbasin is available in 12 colours across matt and gloss finishes ranging from white through to neutral beige and grey tones to black.

More news and product information from Kaldewei

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Victoria + Albert Baths releases new Black addition to iconic Tombolo

December 16, 2024

Victoria + Albert Baths has ruled the world of relaxation with the Tombolo bath rack for years and is thrilled to announce an update to the collection: an indulgent Black finish with exposed wood edges.

Available in three sizes to suit different baths, the extended range is shaped from laminated marine plywood, tackling even the steamiest conditions in a bathroom. With gently bevelled cut-outs for two wine glasses and a broad flat space for candles, chocolates or a book, the bath rack encourages relaxation and indulgence.

Alongside the current White, Walnut and Oak options, the new Black addition adds sophistication to the room and effortlessly elevates any bathing experience. Although specifically designed with Victoria + Albert baths in mind, they will fit many other freestanding baths, where the width of the bath matches the two ‘peaks’ on each end of the rack.

Bringing natural materials into the bathroom is growing in popularity, and the ambition to create a more tactile, sensual space continues. The Tombolo is a simple way to add style, practicality and a touch of luxury to a freestanding bath.

Victoria + Albert Baths’ new Tombolo 9 in Black is priced from £410.26 (incl. VAT) at vandabaths.com.

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Villeroy & Boch showcases premium bathroom innovations at HIX 2024

December 12, 2024

At HIX 2024, Villeroy & Boch showcased its offerings alongside Ideal Standard, cementing the Villeroy & Boch Group’s reputation as a comprehensive solution provider for the hospitality industry. Villeroy & Boch’s stand showed the brand’s signature craftsmanship, timeless design, and forward-thinking technology.

Popular collections such as Antao, Finion, Artis, ViClean 200, Subway 3.0, and ViConnect took centre stage, complemented by a selection of premium taps. Visitors also had a chance to see first-hand the new Architectura range, which integrates minimalist design with practical storage solutions.

One of the highlights of the showcase was the TwistFlush technology, a cutting-edge water-saving system that impressed attendees with its efficiency and sustainability credentials.

Beyond the product displays, Villeroy & Boch’s interactive crafting workshops were a hit with all. The sessions invited attendees to unleash their creativity by painting a brand plate to take home as a keepsake. These workshops added a personal touch to the event and granted visitors a chance to chat with the Villeroy & Boch team.

As a main sponsor of the AHEAD Awards, Villeroy & Boch cemented its dedication to celebrating excellence in hospitality design.

Fabrizia D’Autilia, marketing manager at Villeroy & Boch, commented on the event, “HIX 2024 was a remarkable platform for connecting with the best and brightest minds in hotel design. We are thrilled with the positive reception to our products and workshops. It’s always inspiring to share our vision and innovations with an audience that appreciates the intersection of timeless design and cutting-edge technology.”

For those who missed HIX 2024, Villeroy & Boch’s permanent showroom in Suites 312, 313, and 314 remains a must-visit destination for exploring the brand’s latest offerings.

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New spa-inspired bathtubs from Adamsez promote wellness and serenity

December 12, 2024

Irish luxury bathroom specialist Adamsez continues to expand its bath collection with the introduction of two new designs that promote the feeling of wellness and serenity in the home.

These new acrylic bathtubs are part of a wider product launch and perfectly reflect the trend for creating a spa-like bathroom. Sonata is set to redefine relaxation with texture, while Onsen brings the popularity of plunge pool bathing indoors.

With its seamless blend of artful design and functional excellence, Sonata offers sophistication in every detail. Blending design and functionality, Sonata pairs elegant double-ended curves with a sleek, linear silhouette. Its fluted design delivers texture that captures the essence of a spa-inspired retreat, creating a serene sanctuary to escape the demands of daily life.

Available in two versatile styles, catering to different tastes and bathroom layouts, Sonata comes in an ultra-contemporary freestanding design, or in a back-to-wall format which offers a more traditional yet equally stylish look. Spaciously sized, the freestanding model measures 1700 x 800mm, while the back-to-wall version comes in two sizes: 1700 x 750mm and a slightly more compact 1500 x 750mm size. The Sonata range also extends to a 360 x 150mm basin for those who like a coordinated, seamless scheme.

“Sonata reflects the growing trend for textured sanitaryware, as more people seek to create a personal retreat within their homes where they can immerse themselves in total relaxation”, says Ruth Black, managing director at Adamsez. “This bathtub is more than a functional piece, it’s an invitation to slow down, unwind and indulge.”

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Neolith celebrates UK success with 2024 prestigious award wins & shortlists

December 12, 2024

Neolith, a sintered stone brand, has outlined its outstanding achievements in 2024, marked by industry accolades. In a triumph for its sustainability credentials, Neolith Ignea was Highly Commended in the Best Sustainable Innovation category of the Country & Town House Future Icons Awards as part of the B Corp publication’s Journey to Zero initiative.

Neolith was also named a winner of Designerati’s Kitchen Product of the Year for Neolith Calacatta Romaand Archiproducts’ Sustainability category for Neolith Ignea. In addition, Neolith has also been shortlisted in the Surface Design Awards, FX Awards, SBID and KBB Focus Awards. As a result, Neolith celebrates an exemplary year that underscores its innovation, sustainability, and design excellence.

Each result reflects Neolith’s dedication to brilliance and innovation in creating stunning, functional surfaces that appeal to both designers and homeowners. Neolith continues to set industry standards through its innovative product offerings, making a significant impact in both residential and commercial spaces. The recognition from these awards reinforces Neolith’s mission to deliver premium products that meet the evolving needs of the market.

“We are thrilled to receive such esteemed recognitions, particularly for our dedication to sustainability,” said Ross Stewart, UK Senior Sales Manager for Neolith UK. “These accolades are a testament to our team’s relentless pioneering spirit of offering eco-conscious and sustainable solutions without compromising on design. We look forward to hearing further results of our remaining award nominations in 2025”.

The major standout qualities of Neolith sintered stone are the combination of design and functionality with high heat resistance, high scratch resistance and near zero porosity of its surfaces, meaning Neolith is very easy to clean and highly resistant to staining. It’s also highly resistant to UV, frost and thaw, which means it can be used in outdoor kitchens, which are becoming increasingly popular in the UK market and being adopted into the offering of a lot of kitchen designers and studios.

A Commitment to Sustainable Design

As the first materials industry company to achieve carbon neutrality in 2019, Neolith remains at the forefront of sustainable innovation. Its Ignea surface, awarded for its exceptional 98% recycled content, exemplifies the brand’s dedication to minimising environmental impact while delivering high-performance materials. Ignea’s composition, inspired by Earth’s volcanic cycles, highlights Neolith’s vision for driving a circular economy without compromising on quality or design. In addition, Neolith’s achievement of the Cradle to Cradle Certified® Bronze certification for a wide range of products—the only brand in its category to do so—sets a new standard for safe and sustainable design in 2025 and beyond.

Neolith’s products combine state-of-the-art technology with sustainable practices, offering a range of surfaces suitable for indoor and outdoor use. The company’s commitment to minimise waste has been certified through the Zero Waste certification, that proofs the company recycles or reuses more than the 96% of the industrial waste generated. 100% of the electrical energy usedduring production comes from renewable sources and the totality of the industrial water is recycled, further cementing Neolith’s role as a pioneer in offering eco-conscious and sustainable solutions.

2024 UK Awards: Neolith’s wins and Highly Commended honours

Designerati Awards 2024
- Category: Kitchen Product of the Year
- Product: Calacatta Roma
Country & Town House Awards – Future Icons Award 2024
- Category: Best Sustainable Innovation
- Product: Ignea
Archiproducts Awards 2024
- Category: Sustainability
- Product: Ignea

2024 UK Award Shortlists:

Surface Design Awards 2025 –(winners to be announced February 2025)
- Category: Light & Surface (Exterior)
- Product/Installation: Neolith – A Reflection of Who We Are
- Judges: Esteemed industry leaders, including James Dixon (Benoy Architects), Jorge Méndez-Cáceres (For Everyday Life), and Amrit Seera (Vabel).
SBID Awards 2024
- Category: Surfaces and Finishes
- Product: Calacatta Roma
FX Awards 2024
- Category: Products: Surfaces
- Product: Calacatta Roma
KBBFocus 2024
- Category: Best Surface of the Year
- Product: WhiteSands

You can follow Neolith’s latest news at www.neolith.com

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Designer Recruitment joins the BMA as an affiliate member

December 12, 2024

The Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA) welcomes Designer Recruitment, a leading recruitment specialist in the KBB and Merchant industries, as an affiliate member.

With a proven track record of sourcing and placing the best KBB candidates across the UK, Designer Recruitment aims to support the KBB sector by addressing the challenges of attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive marketplace.

Tom Reynolds, chief executive of the BMA, highlighted the benefits of this new partnership: “Recruiting skilled and passionate professionals is one of our industry’s biggest challenges. The bathroom sector, with its complex value chain and technical demands, offers rich opportunities for career growth and learning, yet it can be overlooked by job seekers. By welcoming Designer Recruitment into the BMA family, we gain invaluable expertise to help our members attract the talent needed to drive innovation and growth.”

Ben Paine, managing director and Founder of Designer Recruitment, shared his enthusiasm for the collaboration:
“As a recruiter dedicated to the KBB sector, I see the bathroom industry as a dynamic and thriving field with endless potential for career development. Joining the BMA allows us to contribute to the wider growth of this exciting sector by connecting businesses with exceptional talent. We’re committed to showcasing the incredible opportunities the bathroom sector offers, from design to manufacturing, and ensuring companies can build teams that deliver outstanding results.”

Designer Recruitment brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to the BMA. The company has established itself as a trusted partner for businesses and candidates alike, and this partnership underscores the association’s commitment to tackling recruitment challenges and enhancing the visibility of the bathroom sector as a career destination.

The BMA and Designer Recruitment look forward to working together to promote the bathroom sector’s unique opportunities for growth and development and ensure its continued success in the years to come.

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Tissino launches new sustainability initiative to cut carbon emissions

December 10, 2024

Bathroom manufacturer Tissino has launched a new sustainability initiative to reduce its carbon emissions. The new initiative focuses on Tissino’s delivery service, which will move to allocated delivery days – on average between two and three per retailer per week – expected to reduce carbon emissions by 25% and save an estimated 42.5 tonnes annually.

Tissino will still offer next-day delivery to retailers for a nominal fee of £10, which will be used to plant a tree through the company’s new partnership with Treeapp.

Since the initiative launched at the start of the month, Tissino has already planted enough trees to absorb 16.35 tonnes of CO2 in their lifetime and reforest 240m2 of land.

As well as launching the new delivery initiative, the company has also undertaken further changes to improve its sustainability. This includes moving to LED lighting in their warehouse, which is expected to save 113 tonnes of CO2 over 15 years, the purchase of electric forklift trucks with all domestic and warehouse waste being fully recycled, resulting in generating 12 tonnes of RDF (refuse-derived fuel) – enough to drive 29,020 miles in an electric car during a 12-month period.

Alan Carter, transport manager at Tissino, comments: “As a company, we are fully committed to our responsibility in helping to reduce emissions and move towards Net Zero. It continues to be an on-going journey, but we are constantly evaluating and looking at ways we can improve our sustainability.

“We’ve had great feedback from retailers about a move to dedicated delivery dates, as they understand the bigger picture, though we do offer next day delivery still for any very urgent jobs which are offset by our tree planting scheme.”

For more information on Tissino, visit www.tissino.co.uk

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PJH AR investment bring Bathrooms to Love to Life!

December 10, 2024

PJH is expanding its Augmented Reality (AR) feature, designed to transform how consumers and retailers interact with its Bathrooms to Love (BTL) collection. With AR technology, creating a dream bathroom has never been easier, allowing users to visualise how Bathrooms to Love products will look and fit in their own spaces.

Sally Hough, multi-channel marketing manager, PJH, commented: “With Augmented Reality, imagination becomes reality. Customers can now visualise their dream bathrooms with greater confidence and ease. AR is not only an innovative design tool for consumers but also an additional sales driver for our stockists allowing them to showcase products they may not have space to display. This feature embodies our commitment to enhancing the buying journey while supporting our valued retail partners with cutting-edge technology.”

The popularity of AR as a design tool has driven PJH to invest significantly in this technology. Almost all products in the NEW Autumn/Winter Bathrooms to Love Collection are equipped with QR codes, enabling users to “bring their ideas to life” through detailed product videos or immersive AR visualisation.

Seamlessly integrated into the PJH Partners Portal™, in-store Point of Sale (POS) materials, and the Bathrooms to Love website, the AR experience ensures customers can engage with it wherever they are, whether browsing online or exploring a showroom. In-store, customers can scan QR codes on POS displays to visualise how a product might look in their bathroom before making a purchase, enhancing customer engagement and ultimately driving sales. This allows customers to directly access information on only the products they are interested in, offering a more tailored approach to individual needs while also supporting environmental sustainability by minimising printed materials.

The process is straightforward: customers look for the AR icon next to a product, scan the QR code with a smartphone, or click the button if browsing online. The product will then overlay onto the existing room, accurately representing its size, colour, and fit. Users can explore every product detail, zoom in, rotate it, and even switch between different colour options, ensuring it complements their space perfectly.

PJH’s investment in AR reflects its dedication to staying ahead of industry trends and supporting its retail network with innovative tools that attract and engage customers.

For further information about Bathrooms to Love or its Collection through Augmented Reality visit www.bathroomstolove.uk website, contact your PJH rep, visit , www.partners.pjh.uk, or call, T: 0800 8 77 88 99.

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HEWI launches new PVD finishes at HIX 2024

December 10, 2024

HEWI has introduced environmentally friendly PVD finishes to the UK market. Delivering more glamour to the bathroom, the new finishes include brass, copper, nickel, bronze, gloss black, and more.

HEWI’s latest finishes help transform contemporary sanitary rooms into personalised oases of well-being—be it in hotels, representative public buildings, elective surgery areas in hospitals, or the bathroom at home. Altogether, the manufacturer offers four new standard and eight new special colours for its accessible sanitaryware and accessories, all manufactured in the PVD process. This allows for even more diversity and scope for bathroom planning. With its sanitary systems and accessories, HEWI transforms sanitary areas and private bathrooms into feel-good spaces with that certain something extra.

Colours and surfaces are particularly suitable elements in planning to design sanitary rooms that are in tune with the atmosphere of the surrounding architecture. Be it cool, calming, warm, or revitalising, HEWI offers new, inspiring colours and surfaces for selected ranges and systems to suit every customised design.

Decorative and durable
Brass, bronze, gold, or black chrome, with brushed or glossy finish options – the new metallic designer surfaces offer a wide range of choices. They are highly decorative and emotionally appealing. But behind the fine, shimmering surfaces lie extremely robust and resistant properties. The PVD surfaces are corrosion-resistant and ideal for sanitary rooms or rooms with high humidity. They also have durable properties such as hardness and scratch resistance. HEWI offers a total of 4 new standard and eight new special colours.

Creative planning scope
To enable consistent bathroom design in the planning phase, HEWI has also adapted the high-quality design surfaces to the standard surfaces of leading fitting manufacturers. In our assortment, the metallic surfaces are available for selected products from the S900, S 900 Q and S 162 ranges and systems.

Flawless craftsmanship and precision
“HEWI products combine functionality and excellent design with the aspects of durability and sustainability, thus creating added value”, emphasises HEWI product manager Florian Haude.

The “Made in Germany” aspect is particularly important to HEWI. The company, based in Bad Arolsen, Hesse, has its own PVD system and continuously invests in state-of-the-art production facilities to ensure the highest quality and precision. HEWI’s aim is flawless craftsmanship and high-quality aesthetics.

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Owain Harrison appointed as MD of KBBG From 2025

December 10, 2024

From 1^st January 2025, Owain Harrison, currently global business and brand development director at Novy (part of Middleby Residential), will take on the role of managing director at the KBBG (part of DER KREIS), the UK’s leading independent buying group for the KBB industry.

This announcement comes as Bill Miller prepares to step down from the role at the end of the year after more than a decade of dedicated service. Having launched KBBG as the UK’s first independent buying group for the kitchen, bedroom, and bathroom industry, Bill has played a pivotal role in growing the organisation into a thriving community for retailers, manufacturers, and service providers.

This marks an exciting new chapter for the organisation as Owain brings over 20 years of global experience in brand development, strategic growth, and operational leadership in the premium kitchen sector. Owain has been an integral part of the Novy team for over seven years, transforming the brand from a market entry to a recognised luxury leader in the UK and Ireland before expanding its global footprint. His experience includes senior roles with Hoover Candy Group and Indesit Company and serving as Corporate Chair at the Kbsa.

Ahead of his appointment, Owain comments: “I am delighted to be joining DER KREIS as Managing Director in the UK. With the KBBG’s commitment to empowering independent retailers and delivering exceptional quality, the organisation aligns perfectly with my passion for innovation in the kitchen and bathroom industry. I look forward to continuing the excellent work carried out by Bill Miller, together with Russell Sharpe, Neil Whitaker and Louisa Cole, leveraging our experience to strengthen the members’ market positions, drive growth, and enhance the customer experience. The need for independent retailers to maximise their margins and business relationships is more urgent than ever, and we will continue Bill’s work to drive excellence throughout the KBB industry.”

Reflecting on his tenure, Bill says: “It has been an absolute honour and pleasure supporting independent kitchen and bathroom retailers, it truly is a wonderful, resilient sector. Thank you to DER KREIS for giving me the opportunity to build the KBBG brand, it was a pivotal moment in my career, and I’m proud to say that we exceeded all expectations. Championing independent retailers and watching their businesses grow has been a real privilege.”

Bill also expresses confidence in his successor: “My position at the KBBG is being handed over to the most capable hands in Owain Harrison. Known for his strategic insight, Owain has consistently delivered exceptional results through brand building, market analysis, and executive relationship management. I wish him every success at KBBG and know that he will be an excellent addition to the team.”

Bill’s legacy includes building a strong and ever-growing membership, fostering collaboration within the KBB sector, and securing a robust portfolio of suppliers, all of which have made the KBBG an invaluable resource for independent retailers. Owain’s leadership promises to build on this foundation, ensuring continued support for independent KBB retailers while driving innovation and growth in the sector.

For more information on the KBBG, call 023 8202 1347 or email info@derkreis.co.uk. You can also visit the website at www.kbbg.co.uk.

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