Home Designer and Architect - February 2023

HOME-DESIGNER AND ARCHITECT MAGAZINE

February 2023

LARGE FORMAT SINKS UPLEVEL KITCHEN WASH ZONE

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LARGE FORMAT SINKS CONTINUE TO UPLEVEL THE KITCHEN WASH ZONE

This month, Paul Illingworth, Design Manager at Abode gives us the lowdown on the latest designer sinks influencing the interior design market, and how large format sinks are being used to uplevel the UK kitchen and utility space in 2023.

No longer only reserved for the classic kitchen, large format sinks and deep, multi-bowl designs with complementary accessories are now being specified in a range of contemporary materials and styles with ceramic, stainless steel and granite proving most popular in terms of variety, strength, and hygiene.

Stainless steel is not going to give up the lion’s share of the market overnight and composite granite models are a relative ‘new kid on the block’ in comparison with the traditional ceramic sink - but this newcomer is definitely on the up. In my experience, consumers are prepared to invest more in a kitchen (including a sink) if they are in a forever home, and the longevity and modern appeal of composite granite models can give it the edge over stainless steel for some image-conscious homeowners.

Given the continuing appeal of industrial style in the kitchen, it’s not surprising that grey

The kitchen sink remains a hero in today’s wash zone with trends showing preference for larger style formats that provide enough space to wash generous sized pots and roasting pans, rinse fruit and vegetables, and help with essential food prep and deep cleaning.

and black composite granite sinks are proving popular to complement this consumer-friendly look. The GR15 collection is one of our bestselling ranges with the Grey Metallic Granite model fast becoming a design icon. The R15 range is the most versatile undermount stainless steel sink in our offer. Not only can the products in this collection be installed either undermounted or inset, but there are six different bowl sizes available. Options include Single bowl, Large single bowl, Extra-large single bowl, Double bowl, 1.5. bowl and 1.5 Large bowl variants, with the option to design the main bowl left or right-handed.

Efficient by design, the R15 sink offers fast-fit application when installed low profile, inset mounted. Installing in this way will reduce fit time to no more than 15-20 minutes; once the cut out is prepared simply use our fast fit clips to position and secure the sink in place. Using this type of inset install method will not only save you time, but also achieve a high-end undermounted sink scheme that guarantees both style and substance.

In line with current trends, 2023 will see us delivering a series of new large format sinks offered in a range of contemporary hues, which will allow the end user to personalise the kitchen living space to their own tastes and provide a high contrast design feature in the kitchen. Managing workflow at the sink to optimise efficient food prep will also be a big part of the kitchen zone this year, which is why we are increasing our range of accessories specifically designed for the kitchen sink area, and working with different materials like ceramic, stainless steel and granite.

With the rise in cooking from scratch, consumers are demanding

more state-of-the-art sink designs, which fully maximise the available space in the wash zone and accommodate undermount, inset or inset flush mount options. In fact, as the wellness trend continues to permeate the premium market, we have seen strong growth across our entire sink portfolio as homeowners reappraise the kitchen living area.

As standard, Abode kitchen sinks are created for people who want the perfect blend of design, performance, and sheer quality. All sinks are approved to EN13310, conforming to CE and UKCA requirements, along with pipework and wastes conforming to EN695.

For further info, please contact Abode: call 01226 283 434, email info@abodedesigns.co.uk, visit www.abodedesigns.co.uk, www.pronteau.co.uk and www.proboil.co.uk

KELLER LAUNCHES COTTAGE LIFE

KITCHEN FOR A NATURAL AESTHETIC

Natural materials are trending and rapidly growing in popularity, especially in styles that are charming and simplistic without feeling dated or old-fashioned. With this in mind, Keller is thrilled to announce the development of Cottage Life, the premier country style kitchen.

Authenticity and naturalism form the basis of this all-new design. The built-in kitchen cabinets blend seamlessly with the surroundings in a minimalist design that nevertheless employs a substantial amount of storage space, ensuring that modern function and application is maintained. The 708 handles meld perfectly with the rest of the range, lining up perfectly to create an orderly, symmetrical pattern that adds to the range’s tidy appearance. The island grants additional space and utility, particularly in the form of a hob that fits perfectly into the aesthetic despite the country theme. The deepened sink cabinets provide a comprehensive range of storage room, efficiently maximising use of the available area, and a small shelf on the back wall presents extra space simultaneously with a light, modest design.

Utilising stoic stain dark grey oak and trendy Bronx linen, the colours and materials in this uncomplicated design prioritise clean, pristine living, unblemished by the rigours of modern life.

The interior is cloaked in colour ‘mist’, a series of white, grey, and black shades that create a remarkably striking veneer. The worktop and back wall are comprised of composite materials, giving the appearance of elegant marble and bold stone respectively. Bronx linen is a soft-touch contrast to the surrounding composite shell and solid oak cabinets, further emphasising the natural element.

Keller is committed to attainability and accessibility in their products. For a lower price tag but identical high standard, try a wood look front in melamine instead of solid wood.

Keller is well known for offering the widest range of colours (1950 NCS) and finishes in the kitchen furniture market and is proud to have been a carbon neutral kitchen manufacturer since 2017 and has taken the next step to becoming carbon negative.

For further information, please visit www.kellerkitchens.com.

ROANN LIMITED REPORTS RECORD BREAKING SALES IN 2022

From January to December 2022, the Wakefield-based business reached an annual sales figure totalling over £8.3 million.

Notable key projects for this period included collaborations with established companies including Crest Nicholson, Barratt Homes, and Taylor Wimpey across the UK.

Over the past four years, the business has experienced significant growth and has increased sales by almost

50%, when comparing figures between 2018 and 2022.

A representative from Roann Limited has reported that in 2023, the business has forecasted further sales growth.

Scott Wharton, Operations Director of Roann Limited, commented “We are so proud to be reporting on another positive year for Roann Limited. We have experienced extensive growth over recent years and there’s no sign of it slowing down anytime soon. We’re looking forward to another busy year!”

More information on Roann Limited and its products is available at www.roann.co.uk.

Granite and quartz worktop supplier, Roann Limited, has reported recordbreaking revenue in 2022, with a 15% increase in sales year-on-year.

FISHER & PAYKEL SHARES 2023 ‘SLOW LIVING’ APPLIANCE FORECAST

In 2023 we expect to see consumers embracing the ‘slow living’ movement as we become more aware of the benefits that more conscious choices have on our lives, surroundings, and the planet. ‘Slow living’ is the antithesis to fast fashion, food and homewares.

Our world is changing at a pace never seen before, and there is a global consensus that we cannot continue consuming the way we have been. The lifestyle changes initially forced upon us during the pandemic have somewhat remained; we are now living hybrid lifestyles where people expect more out of their homes. We are facing fatigue from the rapid pace of changing trends, and consumers are looking to buy once and buy better.

This ethos of consuming more mindfully and consciously will seep into all aspects of our daily lives, from food to laundering our clothes to the purchases we choose to make. Now, consumers are actively educating and arming themselves with knowledge about how to best store their food, avoid waste, consume mindfully, and prolong the life of their belongings. Here are some of the ways we forecast this trend will manifest in the home:

Washing and clothing

A move away from overconsumption and fast fashion has spurred on the slow fashion movement. Consumers are

also being more selective with their clothes, opting to build capsule wardrobes out of key staple pieces. Further, many people now look to shop with sustainable and ethical brands whilst caring more for what they already have. One way to do this is by being more careful when laundering clothing. Washing laundry on colder temperatures, avoiding abrasive fabric softeners, and avoiding hanging knitwear are all small actions people can take to keep their garments looking brand new.

Food

According to the Food Standards Agency, food waste is a top concern for British consumers. UK households throw away 4.5 million tonnes of food every year, equating to £700 of groceries for the average family. Further to the impact throwing away spoiled food has on our bank accounts, there are also environmental ramifications – food waste emits tonnes of greenhouse gases.

With people looking for affordable and easy solutions which they can implement without incurring additional costs, they are educating themselves

about the best ways to do so. Composting waste, freezing leftovers and fresh ingredients, finding new ways to cook with vegetables – these all demonstrate how resourceful consumers are becoming. As the conversation surrounding food preservation continues, consumers might be surprised to learn how they can do this when they start researching… It’s not just a case of having a cold fridge, but how humidity and temperature can affect this too.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency is quickly becoming the top consideration when it comes to purchasing a major domestic appliance. Growing consciousness for the health of our planet is playing an increasing role in our purchasing decisions. Now, more people are making eco-conscious decisions by looking at the energy and water efficiency ratings of the appliances before they buy. Energy labels are a useful indication of how efficient an appliance is, how much water it uses and how quiet it is – enabling us to choose the most energy efficient products for our homes.

Sustainability

On the continued vein of reducing our impact on the environment, our connection with the land around us has grown. Efforts to be sustainable are more important than ever, but it is vital that brands help to do their bit; the onus all too often ends up on consumers.

Respect for our environment is something that is integral to us and is woven through any change we make. There is too much suffocation and noise of endless new tech which is why we are working to improve our existing product offering to offer lasting products that stand the test of time. Our products are also designed to suit a wide range of kitchens, so that they don’t pass with trends, they are intended to be part of a kitchen than lasts.

With the rise in fast homewares as high street brands emulate

Kitchens

popular styles, it is imperative that retailers avoid over-manufacturing and instead invest in sustainable technology, use recycled or recyclable materials and review their supply chain for the most ethical practices, as well as endeavouring to produce long-lasting, high-performance products to reduce the need to send anything to landfill.

As a company, we’re committed to a science-based goal of carbon net zero. Achieving net zero will require fundamental changes across our business and the effort of our global team, and we believe we need to act fast.

It is encouraging to see so many consumers taking matters into their own hands, and doing what they can no matter how small the action. In 2023, we will continue to strive to do our part, and encourage other brands to do the same.

ARCHITEXTURAL SHOWCASE A TEXTURED ORGANIC SURFACE RANGE

Textured, organic surfaces are fast becoming the musthave decoration, making one-dimensional printed paper a thing of the past. Launched earlier this year, the Avery Dennison Organoid range brings the outside in, adding layers of interest to any room, whether it be a hotel, office, coffee shop or home.

Organoid is perfect for any business looking to improve the comfort and appearance of their interior space. The range, which provides a natural, eco-positive design solution, includes seven finishes, three of which are translucent films suitable for window application.

The four solid films in the collection are Moss Bright Green, Moss Dark Green, Original Alpine Hay, and Mountain Hay and Marguerites. The three translucent films include Rose Petals, Sunflower Petals, and Skellett Leaves.

Lindsay Appleton, marketing manager at Architextural, part of the William Smith Group 1832, said: “The Organoid range is a great natural hand-made alternative to wallpaper or wall art. The addition of smell is a unique feature of the range, but the fact that the film is made entirely from natural materials is also incredibly important within the interior design industry. Sustainable solutions have never been more important. Organoid Natural Surfaces is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when doing just that.”

Vinyl wrap surface specialist Architextural showcase the exciting Organoid range featuring seven designs with more patterns to be announced.

The Organoid Natural Surfaces range is made from organic and regionally produced raw materials, often reusing ingredients that are a by-product of others, including things like alpine hay, sunflower petals and even real moss.

Rather than processing the material through conventional production processes, these natural materials are mixed by hand with an ecological binding agent and pressed

together onto a self-adhesive tape, resulting in a thin, compact film layer. The film is practically emissions-free and allergy tested, meaning it’s free from any subsequent ecological health concerns.

Avery Dennison Organoid Natural Surfaces have a robust durability of up to five years and are excellent for short to medium term applications. The film is suitable for application to a variety of challenging

substrates such as smooth and slightly textured walls, plasterboard, chipboard, metal, concrete, furniture surfaces and many more.

New patterns are set to be announced soon, find out more at https://www.architextural.co.uk/ organoid-natural-surfaces/ or contact info@architextural.co.uk for a sample pack.

ORIGINAL BTC AND BEATA HEUMAN INTRODUCE THE ALMA COLLECTION

brass arm, and retro-style dimmer. This is Original BTC’s first collaboration in 30 years and Beata’s first, having been drawn to the brand’s simplicity and reassuringly good quality.

hand-made holes which when lit, says Beata, look like little glowing stars at night. Nodding to mid-century Scandinavian designs in pop colors, the hand-painted shade and base are presented in three colorways: “Seaweed is masculine and moody, Natural is just that, while Coral is a dot above the “I” in an interiors scheme.”

Introducing Alma, a collaboration between Original BTC Director Charlie Bowles and Swedish interior designer Beata Heuman, combining the lighting manufacturer’s best-of-British approach and ethos with Heuman’s inimitable eye for design and detail. Launching this September, the four-piece collection evolved from Beata’s first design, the go-anywhere table light, with its adjustable, slightly oversize shade,

Briefed to design a practical collection of go-anywhere ceramic fittings, the process began with a trip to Original BTC’s Stoke-onTrent factory. Bone china’s natural properties, and its expert handling, sowed the seeds for the Alma shade, with Beata keen to introduce stripes of color to the typically pure white material. “I was inspired by the brand itself, both in terms of manufacturing processes and materials,” explains Heuman. “Before my visit, I didn’t appreciate how each shade is worked on by hand, lovingly passed from person to person before it goes into the kiln.”

Named for her daughter, Alma, the resulting shade is one of the most labor-intensive to date, featuring 41

“Beata was keen for the product to age, hence our use of unlacquered polished brass, which over time will patina and build its own character. From the dimmer and arm to the effect of the perforated shade, these unexpected details very much reflect Beata’s input and show her development of our signature details and look.” Continues Bowles, “It’s a clear meeting of Original BTC x Beata Heuman. The full flavors of both brands are so clear to see, and it’s a truly beautiful product. Just as I’d hoped–but better!”

The Floor Light retails for £1200, the Table Light retails for £649, the Pendant Light retails for £489, and the Wall Light retails between £489 and £549 with options for a dimmer switch and cable. The fixtures are available for purchase at the company’s New York showroom or through originalbtc.com

ambient glow through its translucent surface While incorporating natural materials into design is nothing new, Pooky predicts this raw material, which pairs elegantly with brass and wood for a timeless finish

Alabaster Philosophers

Alabaster Philosophers

Alabaster Philosophers

Alabaster Philosophers

Launching 1 st February, Pooky is pleased to present the eight philosophers – Socrates, Plato, Pythagoras and friends. Set to be the heroes for SS23, this array of alabaster wall lights beautifully showcase what is destined to be the ‘it’ material of the season. With its unique qualities alabaster stone is an architect for creating atmosphere, by softly diffusing an ambient glow through its translucent surface. While incorporating natural materials into design is nothing new, Pooky predicts this raw stoneware to be the next most wanted material, which pairs elegantly with brass and wood for a timeless finish.

Launching 1st February, Pooky is pleased to present lights beautifully showcase what is destined to be diffusing an ambient glow through its translucent surface most wanted material, which pairs elegantly with brass

Launching 1st February, Pooky is pleased to present lights beautifully showcase what is destined to be the diffusing an ambient glow through its translucent surface most wanted material, which pairs elegantly with brass

eight friends Set to be the heroes for SS23, this array of alabaster wall ‘it’ material alabaster stone is an architect for creating atmosphere, by softly surface. While incorporating natural materials into design is nothing new, Pooky predicts this raw stoneware to be the next and wood for a timeless finish.

philosophers – Socrates, Plato, Pythagoras and friends. Set to be the heroes for SS23, this array of alabaster wall of the season. With its unique qualities alabaster stone is an architect for creating atmosphere, by softly incorporating natural materials into design is nothing new, Pooky predicts this raw stoneware to be the next for a timeless finish.

philosophers – Socrates, Plato, Pythagoras and friends. Set to be the heroes for SS23, this array of alabaster wall material of the season. With its unique qualities alabaster stone is an architect for creating atmosphere, by softly incorporating natural materials into design is nothing new, Pooky predicts this raw stoneware to be the next wood for a timeless finish.

Alabaster Philosophers

Alabaster Philosophers

Launching 1st February, Pooky is pleased to present the eight philosophers – Socrates, Plato, Pythagoras lights beautifully showcase what is destined to be the ‘it’ material of the season With its unique qualities diffusing an ambient glow through its translucent surface While incorporating natural materials into most wanted material, which pairs elegantly with brass and wood for a timeless finish.

Launching 1st February, Pooky is pleased to present the eight philosophers – Socrates, Plato, Pythagoras lights beautifully showcase what is destined to be the ‘it’ material of the season With its unique qualities diffusing an ambient glow through its translucent surface While incorporating natural materials into most wanted material, which pairs elegantly with brass and wood for a timeless finish.

Set to stone new, Pooky predicts this raw stoneware to be the next

Cyrus wall light in alabaster and brass, £128

Pythagoras wall light in alabaster and brass, £157

Cyrus wall light in alabaster and brass, £128

Thales wall light in alabaster brass,

GONG’S EYE-CATCHING PENDANTS MAKE A STYLISH ADDITION TO AWARD-WINNING BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Lighting can make or break an interior design scheme and as The Gallivant select Gong’s beautiful designs, Jo Plismy of Gong, considers the part lighting has to play in boutique hotels.

Lighting can be used to pull all the elements of an interior scheme together and in a boutique hotel, it can be used to really set the hotel apart from others. As Jo Plismy from Gong explains, “Lighting is vital to the atmosphere of a space and provides much more than practical illumination. Different rooms of the hotel will require different lighting schemes and there is much to consider. Hotel bedrooms for example, will require many different layers of lighting from brighter lighting for dressing areas, to wall or table lamps for reading and relaxing. Hotel bedrooms have many different roles so lighting may also be used to zone the space and bolder pendants may be used to give added personality that boutique hotels tend to offer. The Gallivant is a beautiful example of a boutique English hotel and we are thrilled to be able to help them to create such stunning interiors.”

The Gallivant is an award-winning boutique hotel in Camber Sands. Priding itself on beautifully thought-out rooms, wonderful food and daily yoga and wellness classes, their aim is to ensure guests leave revived, relaxed and happy. Sigrid Cragoe, Interior Stylist and Designer at The Gallivant comments, “I love Gong’s designs because they are so unique. I find the styles are versatile enough to work with every interior style or period and I have used them in my projects in bathrooms, bedrooms and communal spaces. We get so many comments about them from our guests, they really are a fabulous addition to a room”.

The Gallivant offers guests a cosy ‘snug’ area to relax in, perhaps read a newspaper or curl up with a good book and it was here that they chose Gong’s charming Benitier Silk Ceiling pendant. The inspiration for this particular light was taken from the sea, with the shape mirroring that of a clam, perfectly in-keeping with The Gallivants coastal location. The Benitier radiates beauty and style providing the snug with a general level of ambient light, whilst it’s silk shade retains a relaxed softness to the room.

The Silk Lighting Collection from Gong is full of elegant, stylish designs, so it’s easy to see why they fitted in perfectly with the tasteful décor at The Gallivant. As Jo Plismy comments, “These timeless designs are ideally suited to boutique hotels, where they want to inject a little bit of personality into a space by using a different

material or texture for the lighting, without going too bold. The silk adds a softness and elegance even when the light is switched off and the interesting shapes provide eye-catching features.”

The Gallivant also selected another of Gong’s designs for the en-suites of their Luxury Garden Rooms. The largest of their rooms, these well thought-out suites feature a relaxed yet luxurious coastal vibe with roll top baths, wood panelling, enormous beds and highest quality linens. Most impressively they also open straight out into the coastal garden and hence the natural looking Bud Pendant light fits the scheme perfectly, providing a statement fixture in the en-suite. Made from rattan, it’s organic colour and spacious design allows for a subtle warm glow to emanate through, without sacrificing any light, creating the perfect atmosphere for a relaxing soak.

Jo Plismy comments, “Hotel bathroom lighting needs to fulfil many roles from providing practical lighting for personal grooming and close up tasks, to creating a tranquil atmosphere in which to wind down. At The Gallivant these particular bedrooms include the ensuite as part of the overall space, hence it was also important that the décor created a cohesive look. The large pendant is not a typical bathroom light and therefore helped to blend the two spaces seamlessly.”

SAMSUNG TVS TO SUPPORT HUE SYNC APP AND HUE LIGHTS

Users can enjoy a seamless and immersive light syncing experience when gaming or watching a movie, even via native apps such as Netflix and Disney+. The app supports all image formats such as 8K, 4K and HDR 10+.

“This is an incredible milestone in Philips Hue’s home entertainment journey and our ever-evolving partnership with Samsung. We are proud to offer more immersive and personalized experiences with our new Philips Hue Sync TV app and look forward to bringing this new way to enable surround lighting to living rooms across the world,” says Jasper Vervoort, Business Leader Philips Hue at Signify.

Philips Hue is all about personalization, and the new Philips Hue Sync TV app offers various customization features: users can set the intensity of the syncing experience, adjust the brightness of the lights, select video or game mode, enable auto-start, and more. Philips Hue users can

create the best home theater experience by creating an Entertainment area in the Philips Hue app on their mobile device — they can select the lights they want to sync, and then drag and drop them to the right place and height in relation to their TV.

“We’re excited to bring the Philips Hue Sync TV app to Samsung TVs together with Philips Hue,” says James Pi, Head of Experience Planning Group, Visual Display Business at Samsung Electronics. “This innovative app offers our users a new way of experiencing TV content by immersing themselves in their favorite movie or game. It brings entertainment via our TVs to a whole new level.”

The Philips Hue Sync TV app will be able to be installed directly on TVs from 5 January, with support for Samsung Smart TVs built in 2022 (Q60 model and above). However the app is not free and will cost 129.99 euros. The app can be purchased and downloaded on individual TVs from the Samsung TV app store.

The new Philips Hue Sync TV app synchronizes Philips Hue smart lights with everything that’s shown on your Samsung TV.

camerondesignhouse.com

TOP LIGHTING TRENDS FOR 2023

MIRRORED BRASS

Mirrored brass is a finish we will see across all lighting in the new year, from accent pieces to statement pendants. Engagingly opulent and glamorous, its natural light-reflecting qualities deliver a classic yet contemporary look, helping to reflect light around the room. Our Torsa chandelier features suspended brass discs at opposing angles that work together to highlight this dynamic and multi-dimensional material.

OVERSIZED PENDANTS

Large and sculptural chandeliers are here to stay in 2023. Homeowners are seeking unique pieces for their homes that create maximum impact and lighting will be the focal point of any room design. Beautifully crafted, oversized and extravagant light fittings like our Halti and Kuulas pieces will take centre stage.

FUTURISTIC SHAPES

From unusual shapes to innovative materials, there is an increased desire from customers looking to be more daring in their design choices. There will be a demand for unusual and eye-catching light pieces that challenge the everyday and are show-stopping art forms in themselves – such as our Helmi light, inspired by a fishing trip to Finland.

NATURE-INSPIRED DESIGN

Our homes will continue to feature nature-inspired design. Sculptural lighting inspired by the natural world - such as our Inari chandelier which is inspired by Lake Inari in Finland – adds a welcome softness and fluidity to interiors.

DESIGNER CONTRACTS TAKES THE FLOOR

The company has introduced a contemporary new sustainable cushioned sheet vinyl offer (Styletex Deluxe) and launched an additional contract carpet range (Designer Tweed). It has also added an 80/20 wool twist to its portfolio (Franklin Twist) and refreshed its ever-popular Designer Knight Tile offer.

Styletex Deluxe, which replaces Designertex, includes a choice of 22 colourways in on-trend wood, stone and tile designs with a textile backing made using 100% recycled material. It means in an average kitchen or bathroom (approx. 17m2) fitted with Styletex Deluxe, there are 100 recycled plastic bottles of which 10 are saved from going into the ocean.

Ideal for refurbishment and new build projects, the felt backing reduces ambient noise, provides thermal insulation and is also tolerant of slight imperfections in the subfloor, saving both time and money.

Designer Tweed is a 100% polypropylene, heavy commercial, two-ply tufted carpet range available in four and five metre widths. It is a hard-wearing, easy care cut pile twist available in a patterned tweed design. The 12 warm, cool and bold colours are suitable for domestic and commercial applications. Ideal for high traffic areas, it is also bleach cleanable.

Wool rich Franklin Twist comes in 40oz and 32oz options offering a durable carpet choice for all areas of the home. Available in 10 natural colours it comes in four and five metre widths, bringing both quality and affordability together under one umbrella range.

The company’s hugely popular Designer Knight Tile Collection has also been refreshed and updated and now includes two fashionable, staggered chevron wood effect options. In addition, there are six wood effect planks designed to reflect the grain detail of natural timber and five stone effect tiles, reproduced with a lightly textured

surface. Offering all the attractions of wood and stone without the practical drawbacks of natural materials, the PU coated vinyl tiles and planks are exceptionally durable.

Said commercial director Louise Walters: “Following the recent launch of our Apollo Plus Volume 2 and Hometex Volume 2 ranges, we are now rolling out the next tranche of our new and updated flooring collections. It represents the culmination of many months of work and development to ensure our total offer remains on trend and within budget.”

Designer Contracts operates nationally. As well as flooring, the company provides blinds and curtains, furniture and lighting, and operates a show home interior design service division.

www.DesignerContracts.com

Designer Contracts, the UK’s largest flooring contractor, has swept the floor with a raft of new and refreshed carpet, vinyl and LVT collections.

BENEFIT FROM SKILLS AND TRAINING FROM NEWTON WATERPROOFING

The Tonbridge-based company offers a comprehensive range of training initiatives that will develop knowledge and skills in waterproofing practices, as well as deliver long-term value to attendees and continually raise the standard of work.

Whether you’re interested in receiving a RIBA-approved double-points CPD presentation or taking one of the company’s Newton Training Courses, they can offer useful information and training that will be hugely beneficial.

Newton School of Waterproofing

Newton Waterproofing offers comprehensive training courses covering all aspects of waterproofing in accordance with British Standard 8102:2022, in partnership with the School of Waterproofing.

From an intensive one-day Type C Waterproofing and Pumps course to a half-day Newton Overview, a selection of training courses is available to industry professionals covering all aspects of waterproofing.

Additionally, Newton’s state-of-the-art training facilities include a pump room with various pumps and control panels for trainees to practice on, and an outdoor space to learn how to spray-apply liquid waterproofing products.

The main training room also has a full-size cross section of a Newton Type C cavity drain membrane installation for a visual representation of how all of the Newton products work in conjunction with each other.

PCA Structural Waterproofing Apprenticeship

In addition to its own School of Waterproofing, Newton works in association with the Property Care Association (PCA) to offer six months of on-site assessment for individuals taking the PCA Structural Waterproofing Apprenticeship.

Designed for new entrants into the structural waterproofing industry, this apprenticeship aims to develop and expand the knowledge of its trainees in specialist techniques of structural waterproofing.

The first three weeks of the apprenticeship are held at the PCA Training Centre, and will include courses covering a background into structural waterproofing, the preparation of all forms of waterproofing, handling of materials and tools, as well as legislation and health and safety in the workplace.

The 18-month apprenticeship is then divided into two sections, with the first 12 months involving off-site practical training, and the following six months involving a supervised on-site assessment taking place at employer level.

Once the final six months of on-site assessment has been successfully completed, apprentices will be awarded with a Level 2 NVQ Diploma in Sub-Structure Work Occupations (Structural Waterproofing).

Newton Waterproofing also works in close association with the PCA to host the CSSW examinations at its training facilities. Trainees will be able to take part in a four-day intensive CSSW course, as well as a two-day examination preparation, before taking on the examinations.

Newton Waterproofing Managing Director Warren Muschialli comments: “We’re incredibly proud of our School of Waterproofing, as well as our association with the PCA. At Newton Waterproofing, we have a commitment to ongoing professional development and to helping keep architects and specifiers up to date with current waterproofing best practice.

“If you’re interested in the skills and training we have to offer, speak to us today – we’d love to help.”

For more information, visit www.newtonwaterproofing.co.uk.

Within the world of waterproofing, professional development is an ongoing process, and as the UK’s leading distributor of waterproofing products, Newton Waterproofing places high importance on education.

CROSSLEY STREET TAYLOR’S MILL RIPLEY

Aprime 1,020 square feet commercial space just off the high street of Ripley in Derbyshire is coming available to lease from 7th February 2023. The prime space has been a highly successful bathroom designer showroom for the last 7 years. The designer, called Distinct Bathroom, has outgrown the space and is moving to much larger premises elsewhere in Ripley.

The unit is in Taylor’s Mill which is just off Oxford Street - Ripley’s main pedestrianised high street which runs away from the market square. The property has been reduced to £9,000+VAT per year with a view to moving the lease on quickly – but you will have to hurry!

Fantastic Opportunity to walk into a prime premises that has bred success for bathroom designer over the last 7 years in Ripley, Derbyshire

Ripley is a thriving market town offering one of the oldest traditional outdoor markets in Derbyshire on both Friday and Saturday each week. The town has nurtured the growth of independent shops and small businesses throughout its history, with shops established generations ago, continuing to flourish today.

Whether you’re a kitchen, bathroom fitter or designer, interior designer or in a different market, you will find this building is a thriving base with in-built goodwill established. Other commercial units here include a restaurant, convenience store and fish tank corals specialist. Previously there was a mobility solutions specialist in one of the units.

After walking through the door of this double-fronted premises, you are greeted by a very spacious showroom, currently benefiting from a full ring main providing additional lighting in the display areas. In addition, to the rear is a 300 square feet ‘backstage area’ which is divided off from the main showroom with a floor to ceiling partition wall. This area can be used for storage, back office facilities as well as a small kitchen and toilet area.

The property has the benefit of two dedicated, secure parking spaces to the rear and further ample parking for customers opposite on Crossley Street. At the time of writing, the rear area was being used to house a large skip in one of the bays. This area also forms a vital rear loading and parking area. There is also ample space for the large commercial waste bins in the rear area.

This is a great opportunity for a bathroom installer or designer or any other type of interior design-based business because of the goodwill that has been created over the last 7 years. The fact that it falls vacant in just two weeks’ time must make it a rare gem for retailers looking to serve Ripley and the towns and cities around it including Chesterfield, Derby and Nottingham.

Is this the expansion opportunity you are looking for? You can get in touch with the agent Chris Leonard at Nationwide Businesses on 020 8763 1777 or Miles Clayton on 07799 063398.

the rails were manufactured from 100% Stainless Steel.

Stainless steel is 100% recyclable, and manufactured from over 90% recyclable material. It will not rust, flake or corrode.

It is the sustainable, durable choice and can be used in all systems including open. We source our rails ethically and take our social responsibility seriously, from our sourcing to our manufacture to our charity initiatives.

We offer 3 formats of rail throughout the range: Electric, dual fuel and central heating only. We offer both polished and satin finishes as well as the Black Edition Range, manufactured from 100% stainless steel and powder coated black, hereby giving you the ultimate flexibility within your heating as well as visual requirements.

The cornerstones of our business are quality, stock holding and ultimately customer service. The three work hand in hand. We offer an extensive range of sizes and accessories, and constantly strive to bring new and interesting product to the market, whilst always marrying practicality and durability with design aesthete.

We have always maintained a policy of stockholding and all orders are dispatched for next day delivery when ordered before midday. This added to our extensive product range only goes to further improve the service we are able to offer.

Our staff are firstly and foremost polite, friendly and efficient, furthermore they are knowledgeable and able to deal with your queries. There will always be a friendly and

willing person on the other end of the line ready to assist you.

We have a large selection of gallery shots, showing the visual diversity of our rails, on our website www.sussexrange.co.uk . Comfortable in both a modern and contemporary bathroom as well as the traditional, we think you will be impressed by the diversity of the images shown.

We are confident you will be happy with your purchase and are pleased to offer a 25 year guarantee.

Should you wish any further details, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01825 722988 or info@jiseurope.co.uk

JIS Europe first introduced the Sussex Range to the market in 1998. At that time although there were ladder rails on the market we were unique in that

GERMAN DESIGN AWARD: ZENCHA WOWS EXPERT JURY

Zencha complete bathroom range by Sebastian Herkner and Duravit

awarded “Gold” in the “Excellent Product Design –Bath and Wellness” category at the German Design Award 2023

• Designer Sebastian Herkner and complete bathroom manufacturer Duravit acknowledged for excellent design quality

• The Zencha bathroom range: inspired by Japanese rituals and craftsmanship

• The organic shapes of above-counter basins and bathtubs are a perfect match for the sophisticated storage furniture

Above-counter basins with a gentle outwards slope and generously proportioned bathtubs meet minimalist furniture – and win over the jury at the German Design Award 2023. The Zencha complete bathroom range by Sebastian Herkner is inspired by traditional Japanese rituals and craftsmanship.

“The bathroom is the last place of offline refuge in the home. A place where the user takes centre stage and can focus on the inner self. It allows for a moment of deceleration and concentration – in the same way as a tea ceremony. These were useful metaphors for my studio as we approached this design,” said Sebastian Herkner.

This idea is most clearly expressed by the extraordinary above-counter basin and the freestanding bathtubs: slightly bulbous at the base, the refined curve tapers upwards to a subtle, outward-slanting edge. The linear, minimalist furniture sets a harmonious contrast, rounding off the designer bathroom with an elegantly effortless look.

Making a ritual out of routine

“Ultimately I’m a customer myself, I have certain requirements in terms of how my bathroom should look and what I value. What matters to me is that each of my designs has a sense of purpose. In an age of overconsumption and excess waste, I see my responsibility as taking a respectful approach to handling resources, time, and energy,” said Sebastian Herkner, describing the origination process of Zencha.

“We spent a good three years working on Zencha. This involved an ongoing process of constant interaction. Taking your time is important when it comes to a complex product line like Zencha. Our main concern was to elaborate every detail to perfection. The delicate design of the storage furniture, for example, took a lot of development effort by Duravit.”

The washbasins, which are available in four colour variants – gloss and matt – each underline the pareddown elegance of the design. Combining them with the modular Zencha furniture creates an individual and balanced interaction between the ceramic washbasin and matt lacquered carcass.

The fronts of the vanity units and tall cabinets come in a range of different feels, textures, and colours for an individual material mix. The free-standing bathtub is an open invitation to take some time out and take care of yourself.

The mirror, also designed by Sebastian Herkner, completes the iconic bathroom series. Its round, organic contours reflect the shape of the washbasins and are accentuated by an all-round LED strip. Zencha’s perfectly conceived design concept transforms the daily bathroom routine into a ritual.

When designers’ dreams come true…

“I’ve always wanted to develop a bathroom series for Duravit,” said the designer from Offenbach. He can now take his place in the rollcall of renowned designers such as Philippe Starck and Cecilie Manz who have already designed collections for the German manufacturer.

He struck the jackpot with his very first complete bathroom range: Gold in the German Design Award.

“It’s a brilliant affirmation for my team and me, as was the entire cooperation with Duravit. When you’re working on a new design, your main focus isn’t on the desire to win an award with it. It’s more about designing something unique and meaningful. For this effort to be rewarded with the German Design Award is naturally extremely gratifying,” said Herkner.

He won over the jury with his special sense of shape and colour, material and texture.

“With Zencha we definitely succeeded in designing something new for Duravit – that was exactly what we aspired to do. An understated design language, with strong emotional and sensual accents, an appreciation of authentic materials, and three colour styles,” said Sebastian Herkner, summarizing Zencha in closing.

www.duravit.co.uk

GLIDEVALE PROTECT COLLABORATES WITH BELLWAY HOMES AND THE UNIVERSITY OF SALFORD AT ENERGY HOUSE 2.0

Glidevale Protect is putting its specialist range of energy efficient building solutions to the test by providing a range of products for use at the new Energy House 2.0 development and embarking on a collaborative research partnership with the University of Salford and national housebuilder Bellway Homes.

Energy House 2.0 is a unique £16 million research facility, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), enabling SMEs to innovate and develop low carbon technologies for the built environment. Energy House 2.0 is a collaborative project between partners including the University of Salford, Bellway Homes, Barratt Developments and Saint-Gobain. Together, partners will drive innovation and solutions to address global and domestic energy efficiency challenges.

Glidevale Protect is working alongside Bellway Homes by supplying its specialist construction membranes for use on The Future Home@The University of Salford, one of the two detached timber frame houses that are currently being constructed within the Energy House 2.0 energy performance test facility, with the structure having been manufactured offsite.

Glidevale Protect’s reflective, low emissivity Protect TF200 Thermo breather membrane and Protect BarriAir air and vapour control layer have been used on the innovative eco home. To provide high levels of thermal efficiency, the Protect TF200 Thermo breather membrane has been installed to the external walls, while the Protect BarriAir membrane has been fitted to the internal walls with the company’s universal reinforced sealing tape to eliminate air leakage and energy loss. Also installed is the Protect FCM 750 floor cassette membrane to maintain the integrity of the airtightness system at the floor junction and to provide condensation control at the edges of the floor cassette.

Once complete, The Future Home@The University of Salford will be subjected to various weather conditions within the Energy House 2.0 environmental chambers, which utilise state-of-the-art technology to test how well the specified building products and systems perform even under the harshest of environments. The research from the Energy House 2.0 project will provide a greater understanding of how energy efficient and low carbon building techniques can reduce the environmental impact of housebuilding and the wider construction industry.

For more information on Glidevale Protect, please visit glidevaleprotect.com, email info@glidevaleprotect.com or call +44 (0)161 905 5700.

Crittall interior steel screens & doors

Bespoke design and colour to your specification

t: 01376 530 800 e: hq@crittall-windows.co.uk

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