Jubilee Bank Holiday Opening Hours

Soak in Style opening hours over the Jubilee Bank Holiday Weekend:

Saturday 3 June       10 - 4

Sunday  4 June           Closed

Monday 5 June          Closed

Tuesday 6 June        Closed

 

 Normal Opening Hours from Wednesday 7 June 2012

Black and White in the Bathroom

Is the design classic of black and white in the bathroom a safe choice or has it been reinvented?  The bathrooms of today are far removed from the old ones with black hardboard bath panels, white curtain if you had a shower over the bath, flimsy black plastic seats on the toilets, and tired old lino or plastic on the floor.  Hands up who remembers a bathroom with something like that in it?  Mine's up - as an army brat moving house almost every year I remember lots of bathrooms like that!

These were then replaced with the strong vibrant colours of Avocado, Burgundy, and various shades of Blue, Pink and Yellow, and several shades of Brown.  Their heyday was the 1960/70's, and we are still ripping some of these out when we install modern replacements.

However black and white is back with a bang, in some cases, like all true design classics having never gone away - don't all ladies have the staple in the wardrobe of the little black dress?  

The black and white bathroom has been reinvented and updated, and can look simply stunning.

Stunning black and white bathrooms

You can see the Bette Oval Silhouette, Bisazza Bianco Oro + Nero Oro, Mastella Summit, Teuco Paper bath and basins, Oasis Bon Ton, and Victoria + Albert Barcelona bath and basin.

If the monochrome look is not for you, and you want to be more adventurous then add a pop of colour with a feature tile area, or transform the look with some statement coloured tiles.

Teuco Paper bath and basins, with feature walls in Bisazza Flora Springrose Nero.

Damasca Pure Golden, Loft Mate by Dune

See what difference a gold basin and gold tiles make against the matt black of the tiles.

Damasca Pure Golden, Loft Negro Mate, Lavabo Cuardrado Dorado and Meganero Damsaco Pure Golden from Dune.

Gessi Mimi Gold, Burgbad Uomo Vogue

The gold taps with their delicate shape and colour soften the otherwise masculine look of the black basins and gloss black furniture.  

Mimi in Gold by Gessi and Uomo Vogue which is part of the Masterpiece Collection by Burgbad.

Ebony furniture finish

The wood finish in these images with the black and brown high gloss of the ebony finish add an extra dimension against the brilliant white of the ceramics, the drawers or the muted white of the painted floor.









The rich tones of the wood are more visible in this close up.

Going for Gold

If you are looking to add a touch of golden glamour to your bathroom . . .

Diva Collection by Burgbad

Basin Taps by Sbordoni

CeramicAntica Oro from The Grand Tour

Close up of decorative finish on CeramicAntica Oro by The Grand Tour

Foglia D'Oro Damask by The Grand Tour

Close up of Foglia d'Oro Damask by The Grand Tour

Mimi in Gold by Gessi

Gessi Mimi Gold

From the lavishly sublime to subtle golden glows from mosaics . . .

Gold mosaics from Trend

Adding gold mosaics as a feature can give a glow rather than a glittery wow . . .
or gold taps, shower and accessories for a gleaming effect.

On Trend with Liberty

On Trend with 10 new colours to Liberty Collection

Leading Italian mosaic tile maker Trend has extended its spectacular Liberty mosaic collection with 10 sumptuous new colours, all handcrafted from stained glass and featuring the signature chromatic and iridescent textures of this exclusive design.  Composed of hand-cut tesserae in a variety of compatible shapes, Liberty reinterprets glass mosaic design by presenting a selection of different tile shades and sizes, with both straight and sinuous lines, so that the reflective light of the material is the predominant decorative element. The new Liberty creations extend from the shimmering brilliance of Diamond and Pearl,  Liberty Diamond  through the contemporary look of Denim and Dove,  Liberty Denim to the dramatic, deep tones of Bronzite, Onyx and Tobacco.  They join six existing colours that include tonal Black and White statements, as well as luminescent Blue and Red stained glass effects.  Ideal for accent mosaic panels or flamboyant showcase walls and ceilings, Liberty is offered in film-faced modules measuring approximately 26cm x 31cm. Liberty Black, Pearl, Grey, Dove, Amber + Tobacco, Topaz. In keeping with Trend’s green ethos that focuses on the use of eco-sustainable materials, Liberty mosaics consist of up to 75% post-consumer recycled glass.  Architects, interior designers and builders can obtain LEED credits for sustainable buildings certification and enables homeowners to select Liberty glass mosaics with a clear environmental conscience. Unique to Trend in concept and execution, the Liberty collection results from a design collaboration with celebrated Italian artist Giulio Candussio, creator of the dramatic ‘Iridescent Lightning’ mosaic mural at New York’s World Trade Centre.  Candussio says “The transparent quality of the glass creates a balance of essential shapes, modular rhythms and colour and the result is a continuously changing bright and chromatic vibration that comes from the mosaic surface itself.” This dynamic creative vision is demonstrated in the new Liberty designs, so that each tile is tinted throughout and completely resistant to wear, sunlight and chemical agents. The metallic notes of Amber, Bronzite, Diamond and Topaz are highlighted with occasional mirror-finish tesserae, while opalescent Pearl plays gently and subtly with reflected light. Deceptively simple Denim offers changing textures in faded blue, whereas the gorgeous earthy tones of Dove, Onyx and Tobacco project real depth of colour in contrasting tones. A palette of plums and purples in characteristically different shapes and sizes completes the Liberty collection in Purple. Liberty Purple from Trend So that Candussio’s distinctive mosaic designs to be installed with ease, each irregularly-shaped module is faced with clear film, so that it can be positioned, cut and adjusted without disrupting the essential pattern. To enhance the finished decorative effect a complete range of grout colours are available. Fully frost and water resistant, Liberty tiles are 4mm thick with 1mm joints and are perfect for many interior and exterior settings, including bathrooms, wetrooms and outside living areas. Liberty White on display in the Soak in Style showroom V+A Toulouse with Trend Liberty White mosaics  Liberty White is on display in the Soak in Style showroom as seen above.

On the crest of a wave with Sinea

The delicate and sensuous shape of the Sinea range from Burgbad adds a feminine touch to any bathroom.  Everything is in motion - from the curved form to the wavy design of the washbasin.  It is the dynamic design concept that shapes Sinea.

Sinea basin unit by Burgbad

Sinea bathroom furniture by Burgbad

You can see the drawers are fitted with recessed handles on the side, so there are no handles spoiling the line of the furniture, and the smooth angles are repeated in the mineral cast washbasins.  

Burgbad Sinea in High Gloss White

A stunning choice in white, but it looks fabulous with the design classic of white basin with black furniture as seen below.  

Sinea from Burgbad in Gloss Black

Sinea is available in high gloss Black or White,  and and a variety of wood finishes.

Burgbad Sinea Basin Unit

Burgbad Sinea

Burgbad Sinea in Oak

Burgbad Sinea in Dark Oak

Sinea by Burgbad in Dark Oak

And ideal for the cloakroom  .... this fantastic glass-top basin in Black, accompanied here with a Black furniture unit;  equally sensational with a White glass basin and White gloss furniture unit.  Alternatively, select from a mineral cast basin in White or Pergamon with a number of wood finishes for the base.

Burgbad Sinea Glass Basin + High Gloss Black Basin Unit

Burgbad is available from Soak in Style in Maidenhead, Berkshire.

Soak in Style Highly Commended Design Awards 2011

Soak in Style are delighted to announce that Catriona Lock, our newly promoted Creative Director, has been awarded a Highly Commended Certificate from Designer Magazine in the Bathroom Design £15K+ category 2011.

Catriona says  "This was a great bathroom to work on as the space was like a large empty shell. There were very few restrictions, only where the soil stack was and the customers taste. 

The brief was to create a fantastic bathroom that was a great space to relax in as well as bright and energising at the start of the day.  The couple are without children and are in their 40s so something stylish was important. As the main bathroom in the house it would be seen by their friends and it was important it reflected their taste and interests.  However, they were nervous of doing anything too daring with colour or finishes, so I had to create a stunning factor with the space itself.

I am thrilled with the end result as I feel the room flows beautifully and a harmonious space has definitely been created.  The fact that we have been able to use two rooms into one is fantastic and I felt I have used the space very well to give the clients wow factor from negative space, as well as positive. The lighting of the mirror cabinet and recesses above the toilet create clever shadows which dance within the room and add a fantastic intensity to the space.  I also added a waterproof television for the gadget hungry man in the household, and recesses in the shower for the clutter conscious woman. The atmosphere that is created in this space at different times of the day is also fascinating as the two large windows bring in a lot of natural light, but at night the artificial lighting brings the room alive".

Images from the finished bathroom of the Highly Commended Design are featured below.