Diane, Author at Bathroom Review

GINZA: the art of playful living in bathrooms

July 21, 2026

Offering the opportunity to create memorable, design-led moments in the bathroom, BAGNODESIGN introduces its latest Ginza collection, which brings bold creativity, urban energy and expressive individuality for any project.

Inspired by Tokyo’s iconic Ginza district, the collection captures the spirit of a city defined by movement, culture and design. From its historic roots to its modern status as a global hub of style, the collection translates this duality effortlessly into home and commercial interiors.

At the heart of the collection is the concept of “the art of playful living”, introducing a fresh and youthful approach to bathroom design. Moving away from conventional neutral schemes, Ginza embraces colour, contrast and personality, making it suited to boutique hotels, lifestyle-led developments and design-conscious residential and hospitality spaces.

A defining feature of Ginza is its palette of finishes. From the understated warmth of Armour Truffle to the contemporary Brushed Nickel and the bold Armour Lip Gloss, each finish works harmoniously across the collection. Paired with natural oak furniture, stone-effect surfaces and concrete basins, the result is a layered, tactile aesthetic that adds depth and authenticity to any space.

Versatility is key to its appeal. Encompassing brassware, showering solutions, basins, furniture and accessories, Ginza enables designers to create fully coordinated bathroom schemes with ease. This is valuable in hospitality projects, where a consistent design language reinforces brand identity and enhances the guest journey.

Extending the concept further, Ginza Junior introduces playful pink and grey finishes designed for family-friendly and inclusive spaces, reflecting a growing focus on balancing safety, functionality and aesthetics within the bathroom.

Ultimately, Ginza redefines the role of the bathroom across multiple sectors and environments. Suited to the demands of high-traffic environments, this collection empowers designers to push boundaries and shape spaces that are as memorable as they are functional.

Keep Reading

Marta Kostyuk and Duravit highlight the bathroom space for rest and recovery

July 20, 2026

Duravit is championing the bathroom as a place of relaxation and wellbeing, with brand ambassador and professional tennis player Marta Kostyuk highlighting the importance of creating spaces that support rest and recovery.

As homes increasingly become places of refuge from busy lifestyles, the bathroom is evolving beyond its functional role into a dedicated space for regeneration. According to Duravit, thoughtful design can help create an environment that promotes both physical and mental wellbeing.

Kostyuk, who spends much of the year travelling between tournaments and training, said recovery is essential to maintaining peak performance.

“We push ourselves every day – physically and mentally,” she said. “So, it’s important for us to take care of ourselves, slow down and take time out to unwind and recharge. That’s the only way we can keep performing at top level on a lasting basis.”

Drawing on her experience of hotels around the world, Kostyuk said carefully designed bathrooms often have the greatest impact on creating a sense of calm.

“The bathroom is one of the most important rooms of all,” she added. “It’s often the little details such as good lighting, a pleasant atmosphere or a refreshing shower that make all the difference. They shape the feeling that emanates from the room.”

Duravit said many of the design principles found in premium hospitality settings can be translated into residential projects, helping homeowners create private retreats that support everyday wellbeing.

The manufacturer points to its Collection One Design by Studio F. A. Porsche as an example of this approach. The collection combines clean architectural lines, balanced proportions and premium materials with soft contours and understated colour palettes to create a timeless bathroom aesthetic designed to encourage relaxation and slow the pace of everyday life.

By combining functionality with considered design, Duravit believes the bathroom can become an integral part of a home focused on comfort, wellbeing and everyday recovery.

Keep Reading

CEA Design specified for boutique Sardinian hotel project

July 20, 2026

Italian tapware manufacturer CEA Design has supplied a selection of its stainless steel bathroom collections for Hotel La Sùera, a new boutique hotel in San Pantaleo, Sardinia.

Designed to blend into the granite landscape of the Gallura region, the 17-room hotel has been conceived as an extension of its natural surroundings, using local stone, Mediterranean planting and understated contemporary interiors.

Throughout the guest accommodation, the bathrooms have been designed as integral wellness spaces, with tactile mineral finishes, expansive walk-in showers and minimalist stainless steel brassware from CEA Design. The specification includes products from the MILO360, GIOTTO PLUS, FREE IDEAS, STEM and EQUILIBRIO collections.

The project features deck-mounted basin mixers and countertop taps in AISI 316L stainless steel, available in satin and bronze satin finishes, alongside thermostatic shower systems, freestanding bath mixers and heated towel rails.

In the suites, the bathrooms are designed to flow seamlessly into the sleeping areas, with carefully considered lighting highlighting textured wall finishes and creating a calm, spa-like atmosphere. Large windows and private terraces further strengthen the connection between the interiors and the surrounding Sardinian landscape.

Specified products include the MILO360 deck-mounted basin mixer, GIOTTO PLUS basin mixer with integrated towel rail, GIOTTO PLUS swivelling spout with FREE IDEAS mixer, MILO360 thermostatic shower set with adjustable shower head, and the GIOTTO PLUS freestanding bath mixer paired with the EQUILIBRIO electric bathrobe warmer.

The project demonstrates how high-performance stainless steel fittings can complement contemporary hospitality interiors while supporting a restrained architectural language rooted in natural materials and timeless design.

Ceadesign_LA-SUERA_pics-by-Enrico-Costantini-Leonit-Ibrahimi-

Keep Reading

Villeroy & Boch secures SBTi validation for science-based climate targets

July 20, 2026

Villeroy & Boch has received official validation of its long-term climate targets from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), confirming that the company’s decarbonisation strategy aligns with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

The SBTi – a partnership between the Carbon Disclosure Project, UN Global Compact, World Resources Institute and WWF – has verified that Villeroy & Boch’s emissions reduction targets are science based.

The manufacturer has committed to reducing direct CO₂ emissions from its own operations by 45% by 2030, compared with a 2021 baseline. It also aims to cut indirect emissions across its supply chain by 25% over the same period, before achieving net-zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2050.

The company said it has already made significant progress, reducing its total carbon footprint by 27.2% between 2021 and 2025. Scope 1 and 2 emissions have fallen by 34.5%, supported by energy efficiency initiatives, long-term renewable electricity agreements and increased use of renewable energy. Electricity-related emissions have reduced by 44.7%.

Villeroy & Boch also reported a 24.8% reduction in Scope 3 emissions, which account for more than 70% of its overall carbon footprint.

To support its sustainability targets, the company has invested in new kiln technology across several manufacturing sites. At its Dining & Lifestyle plant in Torgau, Germany, a new Enervit kiln has reduced gas consumption by around 20%, saving approximately 1,181 tonnes of CO₂ annually. Similar technology installed at the Lugoj factory in Romania has cut gas consumption by 24% while enabling future operation with up to 30% hydrogen. Meanwhile, a photovoltaic installation at the company’s Hódmezővásárhely site in Hungary now supplies around 15% of local electricity demand.

Villeroy & Boch is also using AI-supported quality control at its Merzig production facility, where artificial neural networks inspect ceramic components after the first firing stage to identify defects before additional energy-intensive processing. The company said the system is designed to deliver fully automated intermediate sorting while reducing the production costs associated with defective products.

Looking ahead, Villeroy & Boch plans to invest more than €140 million in decarbonisation by 2045, including over €25 million by 2030 for kiln optimisation and heat recovery projects. The company is also researching kiln electrification and the use of green hydrogen.

Dr Markus Warncke, chief finance officer at Villeroy & Boch, said: “For us, SBTi validation is far more than just an accolade. It is scientific proof that climate protection and economic responsibility are not mutually exclusive. With the planned investments in decarbonisation, we are laying an important foundation on which we can build in the coming decades.”

You can find more information on this topic in our 2025 Sustainability Report

Keep Reading

RAK Ceramics UK appoints Ben Bryden as interim managing director

July 20, 2026

RAK Ceramics UK has announced the appointment of Ben Bryden as interim managing director, following the retirement of managing director Alvin Biggs.

Brydon has been with RAK Ceramics UK for 10 years, having originally joined the company as head of projects before taking on the role of UK & Ireland sales & marketing director. He brings detailed knowledge of the business, its customers and the UK ceramics market to the role.

As Interim managing director, Bryden will lead the UK business with a clear focus on the future. He has ambitious plans for RAK Ceramics in the UK and will work closely with the company’s teams, customers and partners to shape the next phase of its development.

Ben Brydon commented: “I would like to thank Alvin for his 14 years of service to RAK Ceramics UK and wish him a very happy and enjoyable retirement.

“It is an exciting time to take on the role of interim managing director. RAK Ceramics is a globally recognised brand, and I believe there is significant potential for us to strengthen and grow our presence in the UK.

“We have big plans for the business and a clear vision for where we can go next. My immediate priority will be to work closely with our team, customers and partners, listen carefully and focus on the areas that will make the greatest difference.

“There is a great deal of opportunity ahead of us, and I am looking forward to bringing fresh energy, renewed focus and a strong sense of direction as we move RAK Ceramics UK into its next chapter.”

Biggs joined RAK Ceramics UK 14 years ago as sales director and became managing director in 2013. He now retires from the company after more than a decade in senior leadership roles.

Ben Bryden takes up the position of Interim Managing Director with immediate effect.

Keep Reading

Duravit expands Balcoon collection with new furniture washbasins

July 12, 2026

Duravit has extended its Balcoon bathroom collection, designed by Patricia Urquiola, with the addition of a new range of furniture washbasins that offer greater flexibility for residential and specification projects.

The collection introduces four basin sizes – 600mm, 800mm, 1000mm and a 1300mm double-basin option – providing a broad choice of layouts for bathrooms of different sizes. Positioned within the mid-price segment, the new additions combine premium design with practical functionality.

Available in White, Matt White and Clay Terra Matt, a warm terracotta-inspired finish, the basins feature Balcoon’s distinctive architectural styling. Patricia Urquiola describes the collection as an exploration of different volumes and levels, with the furniture washbasins taking the form of monolithic ceramic cuboids. A slim raised rim defines the basin while creating a subtle transition between the worktop and bowl, reinforcing the range’s clean, geometric aesthetic.

The washbasins are complemented by matching vanity units offering either two drawers or a combination of a drawer with an open, symmetrically divided storage compartment. Coordinating semi-tall cabinets extend the design language while providing additional storage.

Furniture finishes include Ivory, Sand Beige, Slate Brown, Terraccino and Umbra, allowing designers to create a range of colour palettes. The collection is completed by coordinating mirrors with integrated lighting and matching brassware for basins, baths and showers, available in Chrome, brushed Stainless Steel and Matt Black.

Duravit says the Balcoon collection is designed to deliver premium-quality materials and craftsmanship while remaining accessible within the mid-market, making it suitable for both private bathrooms and high-end hospitality and residential developments.

Keep Reading

Victoria + Albert expands Vetralla Collection with back-to-wall basins

July 12, 2026

Victoria + Albert has expanded its Vetralla collection with the introduction of new D-shaped back-to-wall basins, responding to growing demand for sculptural sanitaryware and statement bathroom design.

Available in 500mm and 600mm sizes, the basins feature the same angular styling as the Vetralla freestanding bath, creating a coordinated look across the bathroom. A flat back edge sits flush against the wall to provide a watertight seal, while compatibility with Victoria + Albert’s Kit 22 bottle trap offers a neat solution for exposed plumbing.

We’re seeing strong demand for bathroom products that combine statement design with everyday practicality,” says Emma Joyce, head of product marketing at Victoria + Albert.

“As floating vanity units continue to grow in popularity, the new Vetralla back-to-wall basins offer a striking yet space-conscious design solution, making them ideal for compact bathrooms, en-suites and other contemporary schemes where every centimetre counts.”

Designed to complement the Vetralla bath, which is available in 1500mm, 1650mm and 1800mm sizes, the basins are offered in gloss or matt white finishes. The exterior can also be specified in more than 200 RAL colours, giving designers and homeowners the flexibility to match existing interiors or introduce a bold focal point.

The basins are available with one, three or no tap holes, allowing compatibility with deck-mounted or wall-mounted brassware.

Manufactured from Victoria + Albert’s proprietary Quarrycast™ material, the basins combine Volcanic Limestone™ with high-performance resins to deliver a durable, high-performance surface. The material is scratch, stain and UV resistant, while also being lightweight to simplify installation.

Keep Reading

KEUCO publishes second sustainability report

July 12, 2026

German bathroom manufacturer KEUCO has published its second Sustainability Report, outlining the progress it has made in reducing its environmental impact while reinforcing its long-term commitment to responsible manufacturing and sourcing.

The report highlights a 22.3% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared with 2021/22, alongside the introduction of 100% renewable electricity across its operations since 2024. KEUCO has also set a target of achieving climate neutrality for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2045.

The latest report details the company’s continued focus on designing durable, resource-efficient and recyclable products, while also making further reductions in water consumption, material use and waste generation.

Alongside its environmental initiatives, KEUCO says it has strengthened its responsible sourcing strategy by assessing suppliers against social and environmental criteria, while continuing to invest in employee development and wellbeing.

Lubert Winnecken, managing director of KEUCO, said: “For years, sustainability has been an essential aspect of our corporate philosophy. Our goal is to actively contribute to climate protection and firmly anchor this claim in the company. Only ecological action secures our economic future.

“Numerous individual projects in the areas of economic, ecological and social sustainability have developed from this. We have set ourselves the goal of intensifying topics such as greater resource efficiency, water protection and social contributions.

“A lot has happened since our first sustainability report. What this entails in detail, where we have already been able to bring about changes, which priorities we have set and what goals we have, you will find out in this second sustainability report. We are happy to take you on this journey.”

Key highlights from the report include:

22.3% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared with 2021/22
100% renewable electricity across operations since 2024
Climate neutrality target for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions by 2045
Continued focus on durable, resource-efficient and recyclable product design
Ongoing reductions in water consumption, material use and waste

The report reflects KEUCO’s wider sustainability strategy, which integrates environmental responsibility across product development, manufacturing and operations, while maintaining a strong emphasis on product quality, employee wellbeing and long-term business resilience.

Keep Reading

Bathrooms2GO adds electric underfloor heating range

July 12, 2026

PJH has expanded its Bathrooms2GO collection with the launch of a new electric underfloor heating range, giving retailers, merchants and installers a competitively priced option for adding underfloor heating to bathroom refurbishment projects.

Designed to support value-focused renovations, the range includes sticky heating mats, loose-wire heating cables, tile backer boards, and a choice of digital, WiFi, and touchscreen thermostats. The products have been selected for ease of specification, strong stock availability and fast delivery.

Suitable for a variety of bathroom layouts, the Stickymat range is available in 150W undertile heating mats covering 1m², 2m², 3m², 7m² and 10m² areas for regular-shaped rooms. For more complex layouts, the Loose Wire System is offered in 20m, 30m and 40m lengths, allowing greater installation flexibility around fixtures and irregular spaces. Both systems use dual-core resistive heating cables with FEP (Teflon) insulation and a 4mm PVC outer coating.

The range also includes 1200 x 600 x 6mm tile backer boards, supplied in packs of five, to improve thermal performance beneath tiled floors, alongside a selection of thermostats offering different levels of control.

Kim Cooper, product & marketing director at PJH, said: “The Bathrooms2GO proposition is all about giving our customers access to the right products, at the right price, with the stock availability and delivery service they need to keep projects moving. By adding underfloor heating to our latest Bathrooms2GO portfolio, we are helping retailers, merchants and installers offer a popular comfort upgrade that is practical to specify, competitively priced and well suited to today’s bathroom refurbishments.

“Underfloor heating is no longer viewed as a niche luxury. For many consumers it is a desirable, energy efficient, space-saving finishing touch that can make a bathroom feel warmer and more comfortable, while supporting clean, uncluttered design. The new Bathrooms2GO range gives our customers another strong add-on sales opportunity, backed by PJH’s nationwide logistics, stockholding and First Choice service promise.”

The underfloor heating range is backed by a lifetime guarantee and is supported by PJH’s Quality & Price Promise, with products available from stock for next-day delivery through the company’s nationwide logistics network.

Keep Reading

Grant Westfield appoints Matthew Lecointe as new BDM

July 12, 2026

Wall panel manufacturer Grant Westfield has announced the appointment of Matthew Lecointe as business development manager for the South West.

Lecointe joined Grant Westfield on 1 June, bringing with him 10 years’ experience in the KBB industry, all gained within the independent bathroom showroom sector. During his time at HomeSupply Retail Ltd, he progressed from showroom assistant to showroom manager, developing strong product knowledge, customer insight and a deep understanding of the day-to-day needs of bathroom retailers and showrooms.

Before entering the KBB sector, Lecointe was a professional footballer with Plymouth Argyle for five years, an experience that helped shape his team-focused approach, discipline and drive.

In his new role, Lecointe will be responsible for developing Grant Westfield’s presence across the South West, working with retail and merchant showrooms, merchant trade counters and independent showrooms. He will also work closely alongside the company’s specification and key account teams to support customers and strengthen relationships across the region.

Commenting on his appointment, Matthew Lecointe said: “Having worked in the bathroom showroom environment for the past 10 years, I understand the pressures, opportunities and expectations our customers face every day. I’m excited to bring that first-hand experience into my new role with Grant Westfield and to support retailers, merchants and independent showrooms across the South West. The brand has a fantastic reputation in the market, and I’m looking forward to working closely with customers and colleagues to help drive continued growth in the region.”

Keep Reading