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Abode, designer and distributor of kitchen and bathroom solutions, has achieved carbon neutrality with the recent installation of solar panels at its HQ.

As part of the company’s ongoing ESG strategy and corporate responsibility to reduce and offset its emissions, 125 state-of-the-art Solar Photovoltaic Panels have been installed on one of its buildings large south-facing roofs, which offers a combined output of 50k/watt every hour. The energy generated from the newly installed Solar Panels will produce enough electricity to independently power the Barnsley site, as well as produce surplus energy during the summer months to sell back to the National Grid.

Leanne Adamson, marketing manager at Abode explains, “One of our core goals is the continuous development in all areas of our business including our products, processes and principles. In fact, we are really proud to announce that as part of a 2022 Scope 1 and 2 assessement on emissions, our carbon output has reduced by 60% since 2018! In March 2022, we celebrated another environmental milestone by becoming PlanetMark certified as Carbon Neutral, bolstered by our commitment to cut our carbon footprint by a further 5% by spring 2023; equating to 1.95 tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent).”

The leadership team at Abode set three SMART targets (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) as part of the carbon management plan to secure wins for their employees and the environment: Solar Energy, electrification of the company fleet to ensure that all vehicles will be hybrid or electric hybrid by 2025, reducing emissions by 51%, and an amended Business Travel Policy meaning that online conferencing will be used where practical.

With the solar panels fully functional on the roof, the next step will be to install charging points for electric vehicles this spring to benefit from the power generated from the on-site installation. This change will help to avoid around 17,500 kilos of CO2 emissions annually as the company continues its journey towards Net Zero Carbon. All office lighting has been converted to LED and sensor installations to use electricity more efficiently, saving energy and helping to protect the planet.

As a manufacturing pioneer with one of the industry’s best-in-class design studios, every member of the Abode family and throughout the value chain is excited by all the future plans on-site, offering tangible benefits as sustainability continues to grow at home and commercially this year.  

Leanne adds, “Sustainability means more to us than just ‘green’ products, it is an integral part of how we manage our business. We believe in being fully accountable, which is why we have recently completed our first-ever Sustainability Report that our customers can download at abodedesigns.co.uk/support/brochure. In doing this, everyone can share in the series of green goals we’ve set ourselves to continue to make a positive impact throughout our business, the environment and our many customers as an ethical partner of choice.”

Matthew Pitt, managing director adds, “We are dedicated to reaching net zero carbon emissions, and are inviting retailers to take advantage of our latest promotional materials and marketing activity so they can drive more traffic to their showrooms. We have created high-impact literature that focusses on our ethical credentials, social responsibility and governance, so that retailers can enjoy the halo effect of a strong USP as a sustainability champion simply by selling our products. In addition, we have introduced our Accumulate Retail Loyalty Programme, this year to make it even easier for retail professionals to sell our products, earn points and then spend them on fantastic rewards!”

For further information, please contact Abode: t 01226 283 434 |info@abodedesigns.co.uk | w www.abodedesigns.co.uk and www.pronteau.co.uk | For the latest brand news, please follow Abode on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn #WaterTheWayYouWantIt

While tiles have been a popular choice for bathroom walls for many years, Google searches for ‘bathroom tile alternatives’ have increased by 48 per cent over the last three months. So why exactly are a growing number of homeowners exploring tiles alternatives for their bathroom, and what does this mean for retailers and installers?

The manufacturing process of tiles is particularly energy intensive. Considering that the cost of energy traditionally represents around 50 per cent of a tile’s overall cost, the recent surge in energy prices has forced manufacturers to increase product price points. Likewise, the same energy price surge has caused homeowners to abandon tiles for cost-effective methods of bathroom refurbishment.

bathroom tile alternatives Mermaid Panels

Homeowners are also looking to save money on the installation process, as well as product. It’s said to take three to four days to tile the average bathroom, at a cost of £700-£800. In comparison, fitting out an entire bathroom with wall panels can take as little as four to six hours, offering homeowners a significant saving on their total project cost.

Sources of bathroom styling inspiration are everywhere and as a result, there is a stronger desire for a more personalised interior. Rather than opting for a cold tile, homeowners can turn to bathroom wall panels to replicate natural materials such as wood or stone to create a unique bathroom space with added texture and depth. Time-poor homeowners can also eliminate the arduous cleaning process that comes with tiles and grout, as bathroom wall panels can be cleaned with the simple wipe of a cloth.

Quick to fit, easy on the eye and simple to maintain, bathroom wall panels have never been more appealing, creating a competitive tile alternative that may not have always been viable. Retailers and installers who are familiar with panelling and able to offer a broad variety of finishes stand to benefit hugely from what looks to be a market set for significant growth.

bathroom tile alternatives Mermaid Panels

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The bathroom has become an extension of our living areas and a space to escape, unwind and relax. This means minimal design is here to stay, with an uncluttered, neat finish being the goal. Large slab format surfaces fit into this trend, creating a seamless impression in bathrooms and shower rooms.

Surfaces such as Ceralsio Ceramic and Inalco MDi from CRL Stone, are available in a large slab format and can be cut to an exact size to fit the space, achieving a bespoke solution with minimal grout lines and a seamless finish, even in awkwardly shaped spaces, with lots of corners and angles.

Importantly, the surfaces chosen for the bathroom need to work on a practical level in terms of ease of cleaning and durability too. Here again, Ceralsio Ceramic and Inalco MDi fully fit this brief. Both are non-porous materials that are highly scratch and stain resistant, so they stay looking their very best with minimal maintenance and aftercare – an important quality when used over large and visible areas of the bathroom.

Style is not compromised, however, but rather with these surfaces, it is enhanced, due to the wide selection available in each collection. Nature-inspired, Ceralsio Ceramic and Inalco MDi includes classic surfaces such as soft white, right through to sophisticated, strong designs such as Statuario and Meteora Gris (pictured).

The large format surfaces can be chosen as part of a bespoke shower solution from CRL Stone, incorporating glass, hardware and the surfaces themselves, all tailor-made to fit. By partnering with glass suppliers and fabricators around the country, CRL offers a completely new way of specifying showers, enabling retailers to provide consumers with a tailor-made option designed for the perfect fit, whether in the family bathroom or as part of an en-suite extension in an existing master bedroom.

For more details visit www.crlstone, or call CRL Stone on 01706 863 600.

Kudos is introducing brand new additions to its Kudos Premium Collection. The Ultimate10 shower enclosure range consists of 10mm glass shower enclosures that come with a revolutionary Red Dot Award-winning double action hinge, enabling the pivot door to open both inwards and outwards and offering the perfect solution where space is at a premium.

Available from April this new frameless range has been specifically designed to be truly modular offering lots of design configurations. Firstly the profiles will be available in chrome, matt black and brushed gold to co-ordinate or contrast with different bathroom brassware. The pivot door can be installed directly from a wall post or from a glass panel, making it incredibly versatile, and to fit on a shower tray or wet room floor. Each door and panel is 1985mm high including fittings and can be installed in a corner or recessed situation. The stylish door handle doubles as an integral towel rail and all glass comes with lifeshield protection. The collection is made in Cumbria and comes with a lifetime guarantee.

The collection is made up of six door models, with off-wall options for recess or corner (standard and large doors) and for off-panel recess and corner. The doors are compatible with the existing Ultimate 10mm wet room glass panels, making it a truly modular system.

A unique component within the range is the hinge which has received a coveted Red Dot Award for its innovative mechanism that allows the doors to open both inwards and outwards yet retain a watertight seal. The profile hinge comes with quadruple magnets, one pair always active so when force is applied the door will release and then attract the magnet pairs. Overlapping aluminium profiles alongside the active magnets in the mechanism prevent any water from passing through.

Kudos Shower Products Ltd has been designing and manufacturing shower products at their Cumbria facility since 1999.  Their portfolio includes shower enclosures, shower trays, over-bath screens and wet-room solutions sold via KBB showrooms and merchants across the UK.

Visit their website kudosshowers.co.uk, call them on 01539 564040 or email info@kudosshowers.co.uk.

Utopia has added four new decors to its exceptionally popular range of 20mm solid surface worktops. Available with a choice of inverted chamfered or chamfered profile, the new decors include three on-trend veined marble effects, namely, Imperial White, Palladian Grey and Tempest Black, plus Metropolitan Grey, a granite effect worktop.  

Imperial White and Tempest Black both offer striking patterns for a bold and dramatic statement effect whereas Metropolitan Grey and Palladian Grey are subtle patterns designed to blend unobtrusively with the overall interior design scheme of the bathroom.

Imperial-White-20mm-solid-surface-worktop-from-Utopia

The new decors combine the look of natural marble or granite with the convenience, warmth and versatility of a manmade material. All are solid cast which means the pattern continues throughout the thickness of the material adding to the realistic effect.

The new additions capitalise on current and future colour trends, complementing Utopia’s extensive range of door finishes. Together with the existing 20mm solid surface effects, Polaris Crema and Polaris White, Utopia is delighted that these four new additions will offer the consumer a much broader and appealing choice, particularly in conjunction with its recent Roseberry launch.

Tempest-Black-20mm-solid-surface-worktop-from-Utopia

www.utopiagroup.com

Optidek, the wall coverings specialist, has partnered with Florim, the Italian porcelain stoneware brand, to launch the Magnum Collection, an exclusive range of 6mm thickness surfaces that come in large format 2360mm x 760mm Magnum slabs.  

The Magnum Collection features four colourways in matt and gloss marble finishes and is curated by Optidek to appeal to kitchen and bathroom designers, architects and interior designers that are either seeking a uniform aesthetic with co-ordinated worktop, splashback, upstand and shelving, or as surface materials for bathrooms or living spaces. Comprising a blend of natural clays and mineral colours, these recyclable high-grade porcelain surfaces by Florim are impervious and resistant to high temperatures, UV rays and atmospheric stress. They are also waterproof, hygienic and easy to clean.

Optidek is a leading supplier and fabricator of glass, bespoke art glass and quartz wall coverings. The Bath-based business features a wide range of ultra-fashionable surfaces for residential and commercial schemes. It recently launched its luxury Italian Artisan glass collection and it exclusively features bespoke art glass panels by artist, Sally Coulden, owner of Red Dog Glass Design. The company also partners with Cosentino to fabricate 4mm Dekton Slim panels. The new and exclusive Magnum Collection by Florim is available from Optidek from January 2023.

In an age when the subject of sustainability in building and home interiors projects is no longer a choice, but a necessity, Florim, which has manufacturing plants in Modena, Italy and in Tennessee in the US, has achieved the highest possible credentials, being B-Corp certified. The criteria for certification are generated by B Lab, a non-profit network dedicated to transforming the global economy to benefit all people, communities and the planet*.

B-Corp certification is only awarded to those companies that demonstrate their positive social and environmental impact as part of a regenerative economy, and is adjudicated using a points process. Using a Benefit Impact Assessment (BIA) a company that exceeds a score of 80 or more can be B-Corp certified. Florim Italia scores 98.1 and is the only porcelain tile manufacturer in the world to achieve this accreditation.

Anthony Barker, sales director, Optidek says: “We are delighted to be entering into partnership with Florim, which manufactures such beautiful and versatile high grade porcelain surfaces. With our exclusive Magnum collection, we can now offer co-ordinated wall coverings and worktops; an aesthetic that is very on-trend in kitchens and bathrooms. As a growing business, we are also committed to working with manufacturers that have excellent sustainability credentials, and with B-Corp certification, Florim’s are among the best in the world.”

The Optidek Magnum Collection by Florim: Calacatta Naturale, Calacatta Lucido, Amani Grey Naturale, Amani Grey Lucido, Ceppo di Gre Naturale, Ceppo di Gre Lucido, Travertino Naturale, Travertino Lucido

*Source: B Lab

Water is the basis of life yet one of the world’s greatest sustainability challenges. Currently, 2 billion people lack safely managed drinking water while 2.3 billion live in water-stress countries.

Yesterday’s annual World Water Day was about “accelerating change” to help solve the ongoing water and sanitation crisis – a crisis that is closely linked to progress in other major global sustainability challenges, including health, hunger, education, and economic development.

LIXIL Corporation, maker of pioneering water and housing products, is committed to progressing Sustainable Development Goal 6: to ensure access to water and sanitation for all. To deliver on its aim to “make better homes a reality for everyone, everywhere”,

LIXIL provides solutions that enable everyone to use water in more sustainable, smart, and safe ways and is leveraging its expertise to improve water access and quality and increase water security for communities and nature. 

Helping consumers save water with innovative products
LIXIL’s house of brands offers products that cater to many preferences and needs while helping reduce water consumption and increase water safety.

At the heart of LIXIL brand INAX lies cutting-edge technology. Its Navish hands-free faucet, for example, starts and stops water flow automatically, using its built-in sensor technology to reduce water consumption by 30% compared to traditional faucets.
New step change in water-saving technology

LIXIL brand GROHE has recently introduced its upcoming GROHE Everstream water-recycling shower system. Reusing the water within the showering process, it is designed to create a showering experience that meets all expectations while using as little fresh water as possible and far less energy. The shower system cuts water use by up to 75% and energy use by up to 66% for a 10-minute shower.

Scaling up efforts to build sustainable sanitation economies Established as one of the three focus areas in the Corporate Responsibility strategy, LIXIL’s sanitation initiatives aim to innovate solutions to improve sanitation and hygiene for 100 million people by 2025.

As part of this, LIXIL’s brand and social business SATO offers innovative, affordable toilet and handwashing solutions for underserved communities, and partners with organizations, and entrepreneurs, both globally and locally, to increase the availability of products. Just recently, SATO celebrated its first decade in operation, impacting the lives of more than 35 million people in 45 countries.

British manufacturer of kitchen and bathroom fittings, Perrin & Rowe, has introduced Armstrong – its latest bathroom collection. There are 15 new pieces to choose from in a choice of six finishes, from hand-polished Chrome (electroplated to a thickness beyond industry standards) through to 24-carat plated Gold.  

Combining an industrial aesthetic with a designer’s eye for balance and proportion, Armstrong offers a luxurious take on a pared-back design trend. 

The Armstrong bathroom collection is one of the most comprehensive ranges Perrin & Rowe has ever launched.  Choose a single lever basin mixer or a three-hole tap, either wall-mounted or deck-mounted. An iconic freestanding bath-shower mixer is available, as is a complete Shower Set with hand-shower and overhead rose.  Accessories include robe hooks, a paper holder, a towel bar or towel ring, and a matching built-in soap dispenser.

Every piece can be specified in Chrome, Nickel or Pewter along with 24-carat Gold, Polished Brass or Satin Brass for a golden glow. Perrin & Rowe’s two brass finishes are unlacquered, so will develop a unique patina over time, enhancing the beauty of the alloy. For a true industrial look, English Bronze offers a darker metallic finish that brings out the detail of the knurling.

Each tap is made with the highest quality brass, poured by hand at 1700° Fahrenheit into moulds. After machining, specialist polishers develop the deep, lustrous finish. It’s a time-consuming and painstaking task. The freestanding bath-shower mixer, for example, can take over four hours to perfect.

The launch follows the recent success of Perrin & Rowe’s award-winning Armstrong kitchen collection, which has rapidly become one of Perrin & Rowe’s most popular ranges. Now, homeowners and designers can choose industrial-styled brassware across both the kitchen and bathroom. 

NEW Perrin & Rowe Armstrong bathroom collection in Satin Brass finish, shown with the Victoria + Albert Barcelona bath

Perrin & Rowe launched the Armstrong bathroom collection simultaneously at London Design Week and at the ISH 2024 industry trade event in Frankfurt, Germany, in March 2023. First customer deliveries are likely to be in the Autumn.

The Inspiration

Perrin & Rowe’s foundry in Wolverhampton is just a short walk from the site of the old Stafford Road Railway Works. From 1858, it produced over 800 steam engines for the Great Western Railway. Most were designed by two brothers, Joseph and George Armstrong. Intended as durable workhorses, their locomotives still stir the emotions today. Perrin & Rowe’s Armstrong bathroom collection has been inspired by these brothers, transforming an industrial aesthetic into a model of timeless elegance. 

A presentation from the Unified Water Label Association (UWLA) at ISH, the leading trade fair for HVAC + Water, held in Frankfurt this month (March 13-17), concluded that the industry has the solution to better water and energy efficiency in the home with the Unified Water Label.

Speakers from leading companies and brands that support the Unified Water Label shared their commitment to using and promoting the label in order to help them achieve their sustainability aims.

René Marienfeld, senior product design engineer, IKEA, said, “We have embraced the Unified Water Label as it provides easy-to-understand information about the technical features of a product and creates awareness of water and energy consumption.  The feedback from our staff, partners and consumers has been really positive and we are excited to be part of the scheme.

Steffan Erath, head of innovation & sustainability at Hansgrohe Group talked about Hansgrohe’s Green Vision beyond Water, and how they see sustainability as an opportunity. Hansgrohe has committed to bringing all of its products onto the Unified Water by the end of 2024, as part of its eco goals for 2030.  Steffan said, “Supporting the Unified Water Label provides us with an opportunity to work with the industry and the government to bring about change.”

Carla Rodrigues, executive director of ANQIP, explained how Portugal developed its own Water Label scheme but was one of the first schemes to support the Unified Water Label.  She said, “We cannot wait any longer to take steps to combat the impacts of climate change.  Aligning our schemes is a logical and easy step.

“We are currently in transition but working towards having one certification and one label for Portugal markets that align with government initiatives and regulation by 2024.”

UWLA CEO Yvonne Orgill said, “We are grateful to our partners and supporters for joining us at ISH to raise the visibility of the Unified Water Label.

“They have shown that the industry has the solution and can lead the change in consumer awareness and behaviour that is required to support the products available.

“It is clear that our message is being heard as the number of enquiries we have had from ISH is phenomenal, with forty six serious enquiries about joining the scheme.”

UWLA president Carlos Velazquez added, “The Unified Water Label is now recognised across Europe and beyond, by companies and governments that have signalled their intention to address climate change and energy efficiency.

“We have an industry led solution that has been identified as the bench criteria for government legislation such as the Taxonomy Directive and within the ISO Standard 31600 as best practice. The newly developed shower criteria in the Energy Technology list also references the Unified Water Label. By working together we are achieving greater visibility in the marketplace, and driving forward significant changes in attitudes to water and energy efficiency.”

Bathrooms to Love by PJH has welcomed a bold new matt graphite grey option to its premium fitted bathroom furniture range, Texture, that features a beautiful soft fluted finish to its drawer and door fronts.

Offering high specification storage incorporating luxurious soft-close hinges and drawer boxes, contrasting oak-effect interiors, durable 18mm doors and panels, and plenty of interior drawers and shelves to help organise space, the new Matt Graphite Grey Texture fitted furniture range sits at the top end of the Bathrooms to Love furniture portfolio.

Texture_Graphite_Range

An elegant soft fluted, tactile design creates an aesthetically pleasing play with the light and the range is a perfect choice for adding individuality to bathroom schemes. What’s more, with three handle choices in Matt Black, Brushed Brass or Chrome, designers can coordinate with other products in the scheme, like, as pictured, with Matt Black brassware, shower, enclosure, mirror and lighting.

Responding to the growing trend for adding new textures and finishes to the bathroom, this super-matt Graphite Grey fluted furniture style is a good choice for showroom displays with its beautiful bold looks, flawless fitted design and inviting tactile finish. It is available in a number of unit options, including Basin, WC, Tall, Drawer, Base, Wall and Mirrored cabinets.

It also teams up perfectly with the choice of complementary basins, WC’s, worktops, and colour matching plinths and panels, all available from Bathrooms to Love.

Available from stock on a Next Day Delivery service from PJH’s Partners Portal™ platform, the Graphite Grey Texture range comes fully assembled with a five-year guarantee. Contact PJH to find out more about display deals, point-of-sale material and all marketing collateral.   

Further information:

Bathrooms to Love by PJH: T: 0800 8 77 88 99  / www.partners.pjh.uk  / www.bathroomstolove.uk