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PRODUCT FEATURE Continental Bathrooms

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COMPANY NEWS

THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL…

VitrA V-care Comfort WC, M-Line Infinit tall unit, M-Line Bowl, M-Line Infinit Washbasin Unit & Select flush plate in glass black.

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According to the 'Bathroom Market Report, UK 2015-2019 Analysis' conducted by AMA Research, bathroom products are estimated to have grown already by 5%, which reflects the UK’s recovering home economy.

By 2019, AMA Research predict the market value is forecast to have increased by 14% compared to 2015 with a significant number of imports from low cost countries, particularly China, Egypt and Eastern Europe. 

"The Japanese were the first to appreciate the benefits of a shower toilet, whilst the adoption of this in Europe has taken time but it is now becoming more popular.”

Imports continue to account for a sizeable proportion of bathroom products sold in the UK, exposing the market to a high level of price competition and host of new products and technologies for the bathroom.

Reports show that minimalist styles remain the most popular in the UK, with a clear focus on the overall finish. For example, hugely practical invisible storage solutions and wall-hung products continue to dictate international bathroom schemes, universally creating a clutter-free aesthetic with luxury feel.

Popular for decades in continental Europe and now becoming more prevalent in the UK; wall mounted taps are a European bathroom design trend we’re seeing more and more of here at Victorian Plumbing. Wall mounted taps have become popular for their stylish minimalist design and also the fact it frees up space on your basin or bath.”

Helen Shaw, Marketing Manager at Roper Rhodes agrees and says “There is a notable influence from the European market with contemporary ranges, which feature designer appeal and wall-hung basins in a variety of sizes leading the way. These are complemented with the most recent wall-hung, back-towall and close-coupled WC options.”

Edward Potter, Interior Designer at Victorian Plumbing agrees with Shaw and explains “Popular for decades in continental Europe and now becoming more prevalent in the UK; wall mounted taps are a European bathroom design trend we’re seeing more and more of here at Victorian Plumbing. Wall mounted taps have become popular for their stylish minimalist design and also the fact it frees up space on your basin or bath.”

International bathroom manufacturers are creating greater product differentiation through more distinctive designs, comparable materials often with a natural or textured appearance, along with a subtle use of colour: typically soft, neutral tones. This demonstrates that your potential customers are making increasing investment in coordinating designs, so do bare this in mind when providing your initial quotation for a new bathroom project. 

Scandinavian design influence featured in Aruba fitted furniture (with Driftwood finish) by Roper Rhodes

Edward Potter, Interior Designer at Victorian Plumbing, gives us his thoughts on the latest upcoming styles and trends to hit the UK bathroom market where continental design influences are now almost commonplace. He explains “European interior design has always influenced how the British choose to style their homes and this is certainly true in the bathroom. Design features first seen on the continent can be found in bathrooms up and down the British Isles. Scandinavian design in particular has proven really popular with UK homeowners. The minimalist styling and clean lines associated with Scandinavian bathroom design are popular with anyone European interior design has always influenced how the British choose to style their homes and this is certainly true in the bathroom. Design features first seen on the continent can be found in bathrooms up and down the British Isles. Scandinavian design in particular has proven really popular with UK homeowners."

Aestus Camba Design Radiator, Contemporary Collection

designing a modern bathroom in the UK. Other standout Nordic design features like the clever use of space and wall hung bathroom cabinets have also been incorporated into British bathrooms. This year has also seen the Danish concept of ‘hygge’ become the buzzword around UK bathroom design. The idea behind this interior design style is the creation of an atmosphere of cosiness and comfort in your bathroom. Natural bathroom products like wood and stone are strongly associated with this style and as a result there are more natural bathroom products on the UK market today.”

Furniture and sanitaryware are not the only points of discussion when designing and installing a continental bathroom scheme, as the finishing touches also play their part in completing the look. Clive Griffiths, Operations Manager of Grange Design says “Our representation of quality European brands has created a perfect synergy with the products that we actually design and/or manufacture. In fact, it has also allowed us to bring a wealth of luxury artisan brassware to the UK. Our most successful brand to date is MGS Milano, a great example of a ‘Swiss watchmaking’ approach to manufacturing. This brand demonstrates great attention to detail and combines constant re-evaluation, refinement and expansion across its already comprehensive range of bathroom taps and showers which is what 

GROHE, Spa AquaSymphony Shower

we need to compete in such a heavily saturated UK market – as do you!”

Margaret Talbot, Marketing Manager at VitrA UK agrees with Grange Design and explains “Whilst design trends are pretty consistent around the world, the way people use the bathroom can be different. The Japanese were the first to appreciate the benefits of a shower toilet, whilst the adoption of this in Europe has taken time but it is now becoming more popular.” She added, “We have launched V-Care in the UK, which has all the functionality of a toilet and the cleaning properties of a bidet, plus the quality manufacture and design credentials that VitrA is renowned and is already proving a success, so much so that we anticipate that we feel that is has huge sales growth potential.” Last but by no means least; we take a quick look at how the continental bathroom market will be affected by Brexit. Is it going to instigate change in terms of product choice, availability, retail and installer support along with market confidence?

Victorian Plumbing’s Edward Potter summarises “It's too early to say what the ultimate effect of Brexit on the UK bathroom market will be, but market confidence in the UK is still as high as ever and it will be really interesting to see how Brexit influences the market in the future. One thing that we can be certain of however, is that European bathroom design will always have a major influence on how we design bathrooms here in the UK.”

REDEFINING HYGIENE AND COMFORT STANDARDS

Contemporary Design

Contemporary, comfortable and complementing any bathroom, this stylish and modern WC is setting the standard for design in shower toilets. The ergonomically designed seat and ceramic shower toilet with its concealed, integrated electronics provides the perfect blend of design and functionality.

Personal Cleansing

Specially designed nozzle enables the user to adjust the water spray for the perfect cleansing experience. Water temperatures and nozzle position can also be adjusted by the user via the remote control.

Remote Control

V-care can be used via the remote control for optimum hygiene, comfort and convenience.

Redefining Hygiene

A rimless (Rim-Ex™) wall-hung design offers effortless cleaning. Airpurification is automatically activated when the toilet is in use, ensuring optimum bathroom hygiene.

FRAMES BY FRANKE OFFER AN ENHANCED COOKING EXPERIENCE FOR YOUR CUSTOMER

Every kitchen installer wants their customer to get the very best out of their kitchen and Frames by Franke will deliver every time.

Frames by Franke ovens feature DCT technology which provides a more flexible distribution of heat allowing the cooking of four separate dishes in the oven simultaneously without taste or odour transfer.

The six multifunction, pyrolytic, steam and microwave ovens combine feature-rich performance with sleek design. They are part of a comprehensive thirty six strong Frames collection, a unique concept that integrates Franke ovens, hoods, hobs, sinks and taps into a 24-hour kitchen system. The company claim that it is the first product range of its kind developed with absolute design synergy.

The benefits of the 24-hour holistic kitchen system are aesthetically streamlined looks, uniformity of sizes and an ergonomic workflow throughout the kitchen creating a heightened experience for the homeowner by day or night.

Oven models in the Frames collection include a multifunction touch control pyrolytic single oven, a multifunction touch control single oven, a multifunction rotary control single oven, a compact combi steam oven, a compact combi microwave oven and a compact pyrolytic oven. There is also a warming drawer.

The ovens are available in either classic black glass or champagne glass, a new colour option designed to blend in with the popular brown tones in work surfaces and cabinetry. The touch control panel can darken when not in use, helping it blend away in the kitchen.

True to its reputation for innovation, the sleek minimalist exteriors of Frames ovens hide a wealth of clever features and cutting-edge technology. A sophisticated yet highly practical array of oven settings include pre-programmed recipes, multicook, complete menu, eco and wellness modes.

Franke claims that it was first to market with A++ rated multifunction ovens thanks to the energy efficient Dynamic Cooking Technology (DCT) it has developed. DCT uses new heating elements which enhance the thermal exchange in the cavity, providing a time, energy and power saving of up to 50%!

In ‘automatic’ mode, DCT delivers failsafe cooking by automatically selecting the appropriate cooking method, heating up to the required temperature, setting the length of cooking time and the correct shelf for the dish. 

The Dynamic Cooking Technology in Frames by Franke ovens uses new heating elements which enhance the thermal exchange in the cavity, providing a time, energy and power saving of up to 50%. They all have an A++ energy rating.

The Frames steam oven includes a condenser, rather than a water tray commonly featured on other models, so there’s no residue in the oven after cooking.

With cleaning the oven identified as one of the least favourite chores in the kitchen, the Frames pyrolytic ovens benefit from a self-cleaning function which reduces food residue in the oven to ash at high temperatures. The door remains cool to the touch while the pyrolysis is in progress.

Frames by Franke is a total kitchen systems concept that is designed to transition the kitchen effortlessly through day and night for cooking, dining, entertaining and relaxing, turning the kitchen into an extension of the living space, rather than simply a work area. By day, the products take centre stage offering maximum performance, while at night their sleek design means they blend elegantly into the background.

The unified holistic design and corresponding dimensions of the appliances and sinks allow Frames products to be mixed and matched, so they work together both functionally and aesthetically as a complete kitchen system.

Pictured are Frames by Franke compact combi microwave oven, warming drawer and multifunction touch control pyrolytic single oven, all in champagne glass.

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