Level Dec Advance Installation Video

Courtesy of Impey, the mechanism behind a wet floor shower area.

Valentino-Piemme at Cersaie 2011

Just as we expected some fabulous new additions to the Valentino, Piemme Gres and Piemme ranges.

Here's a quick preview of forthcoming ranges:

Valentino-Piemme at Cersaie 2011

Valentino-Piemme Cersaie 2011

Valentino Piemme Nuances at Cersaie

See ... Touch .. Feel ..

Valentino-Piemme at Cersaie

Can't wait to see the new ranges from Valentino-Piemme at Cersaie 2011 as we are planning changes to the Soak Showroom.  So much to see and so much to choose from!

Here's a taster from last years new lines available from Valentino-Piemme:

Romantica Fiore Bianco from Valentino-Piemme

Romantica  

Romantica Beige; Romantica Giardino Beige from Valentino-Piemme

Valentino-Piemme Marmi Reali

Trending at Cersaie

Grege seemed to be the new colour!

Seen in tiles and furniture along with all shades of beige and grey, metallic colours featuring copper shades as well as the ever-popular black and white.  So although all shades of yellow (many of them very delicate and varied hues) are featured in clothes for next Spring, all shades of grey, beige and cream were leading the way in bathrooms.

Cersaie always previews forthcoming trends of colours and textures for interiors for the next year, and the neutrals continue in their pole position.

Avant Garde in Grege from Valentino-Piemme

Valentino-Piemme Ceramic Tiles

Gold and Silver was used occasionally to feature opulence, but in these times of financial uncertainty it seems that the manufacturers believe the consumer is playing safe, and has produced designs and ranges to cater for this.

There are always exceptions to this and there was of course plenty of extravagant diva-inspired designs of furniture and tiles to please those who prefer this look and have the funds for it.

Trend

Basins and Stand from The Wanders Collection, Bisazza Bagno

Valentino-Piemme Ceramic Tiles, Vanity Unit from Etrusca

On display at the Bisazza Bagno stand was a preview of The Wanders Collection designed by Dutch architect Marcel Wanders.  Bisazza have wowed us all with their mosaics for years, and now amaze us with their new line in bathrooms where they have collaborated with Jaime Hayon and Marcel Wanders who have worked with Bisazza before.

Star of the show for us is the amazing chandelier that is a shower on the Bisazza Bagno stand.  Delicate tear drops of crystal with water pouring from the middle - simply sensational.

  Shower from Bisazza Bagno Wanders Collection

Aren't those showers absolutely amazing?

Pico by Bouroullec from Mutina

Looking forward to seeing this at Cersaie!  Pico by Bouroullec from Mutina

Pico Floor Tiles

Pico Floor Tiles

Pico Floor tiles

Pico Wall Tile

Pico Mosaics

See the Pico Collection here

Bouroullec at London Design Week

Textile Field - part of London Design Week

by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec, in collaboration with Kvadrat

Gallery 48a, Raphael Court

‘Textile Field’ is an immersive installation made of coloured textiles and foam. Visitors are invited to lounge on this expansive sensual field within the magnificent environment of the Raphael Court, and to contemplate the surrounding Raphael Cartoons from a new, uninhibited perspective.

The inspirational French designers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec collaborated with Danish textile company Kvadrat to create 'Textile Field' for the London Design Festival 2011. measuring 30 meters long by 8 meters wide, and is on display at the Raphael Gallery of the Victoria & Albert Museum.

This room includes some of the most important surviving examples of renaissance art in the world and will provide a contrasting historical background to the modern structure.
'We wanted to propose a different approach to freely experience what can be quite an intimidating environment, such as a museum,' explains Erwan Bouroullec. 'It will provide a laid-back context to favour contemplation.'

'Textile Field' has been on show from 15 September, 2011.

The Bouroullec brothers have designed Axor Bouroullec for Axor Hansgrohe, (see our feature on Axor Bouroullec)

I'm Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair!

Most of us know the glorious song I'm Gonna Wash that Man Right Outa My Hair from South Pacific by Rogers and Hammerstein, and you are probably wondering what that has to do with bathrooms?  Well on a wet and warm day in the Home Counties it seems appropriate to talk about showers (guess who regularly gets rained on walking their dogs between Autumn and Spring - and if we're really unlucky in the summer as well - before or after work!).

Many times in the showroom we find the showers are something the guys tend to concentrate on, particularly the latest technology, the flow rate, accompanying LED lighting, to give them an invigorating start to the day.

For the ladies it's often all about the bath as they like something comfortable to soak away the stresses of the day, and the Victoria and Albert Amalfi is particularly popular.

This works well for those who have 2 en suites, but most people have to find something suitable for either a family bathroom or a shared en suite.  Over the years we have listened to quite a few lively debates as people make their minds up about which route to go down!

However we can suggest a simple solution to this problem; a shower that suits those who prefer to be drenched all over with a rain shower and an alternative option for those who prefer a gentler flow aimed at the back of their head so not soaking the face.

“Haute Couture for the Shower”

“The Axor Starck ShowerCollection,” said Philippe Starck, “is a complete program, a genuine system consisting of a whole lot of small, square objects that can be combined to form an infinite range of totally flexible solutions. This is what we call Haute Couture for the shower.”

The shower, thermostat, lighting and speaker modules as well as shelf units are in the same square shape and the same minimal design, as are the control elements such as taps and mixers. All the modules can be combined freely in any arrangement, and in any number, giving a very clean look.

Axor Starck Shower Collection

Personality squared

“Just mix it” is the motto of the Axor Starck ShowerCollection. The modular design can be used to transform the shower into a tailored-made spa. The simple, easily customised system comprising shower heads, mixers and accessories provides almost endless design freedom. 12 x 12 cm squares can be arranged in line with your visions: whether in a linear or a free pattern – anything is possible, just talk to our designer.

To give you a few ideas here are an images from an en suite we are in the middle of installing:

Axor Starck Shower Collection

Axor Starck Shower Collection, Tresor -  Valentoni-Piemme, Soak in Style

Axor Starck Shower Collection; Tresor - Valentino-Piemme; Soak in Style

Apologies for the quality of the pics, taken on a mobile, but you can select whichever option you prefer even while singing to I've Gonna Wash that Man Right Outa my Hair!  Or going with the whole Raindance and music theme, how about "Singing in the Rain" or matching the striking Tresor Valentino-Piemme tiles "Flowers in the Rain"?