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Mira Showers has launched Mira Minimal, a newly improved specification mixer shower designed to help housebuilders and housing providers meet tightening regulatory requirements while maintaining consistent performance in the home.

Mira Minimal builds on the launch of Mira React earlier this year and marks the latest addition to Mira’s expanding specification portfolio, reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to supporting specifiers with solutions that address evolving industry requirements.

Developed for new-build applications, Mira Minimal reflects the sector’s increasing focus on delivering efficient, cost-effective homes that meet rising expectations for design and user experience, while responding to the growing emphasis on water efficiency across the built environment.

At the heart of the product is an integrated 6 litres-per-minute (LPM) flow regulator, supporting compliance with current and proposed updates to Part G and Part L building regulations. The specification mixer also supports eligibility for water efficiency incentives offered by UK water companies – providing a potential commercial benefit for developers working to meet stricter usage targets.

As water efficiency standards evolve, specifiers are increasingly seeking solutions that reduce water consumption without relying on changes in user behaviour. With patented Mira SprayBoost™ technology, Mira Minimal delivers a stronger spray feel without increasing water usage, helping to maintain a satisfying showering experience while supporting efficiency objectives.

This approach aligns with Mira’s broader focus on delivering water efficiency solutions that work in real-world settings. It also reflects the company’s support for a fittings-based approach to Part G that encourages water efficiency while recognising how people use water in practice. Research from the University of Surrey suggests that restricting flow alone can lead to longer showering times and higher overall consumption, reinforcing the need for user-focused design alongside efficiency measures.

Mira Minimal is available in single- and dual-outlet configurations, with a choice of finishes in chrome and matt black.  Upgrade options enable specifiers to meet higher-spec requirements and differentiate across plots while maintaining a consistent core specification. Features include an infinite spray adjustment slider and an anti-drip overhead to improve usability and reduce water waste.

Commenting on the launch, Ben Smith, senior channel manager – specification, said: “Specifiers are under increasing pressure to meet tighter regulatory requirements while maintaining performance in the home, and showers need to deliver on both.

“Mira Minimal has been developed to support that balance. It enables developers to meet evolving compliance requirements and access water efficiency incentives, while maintaining a high-quality showering experience. 

“By combining regulated flow with technologies like SprayBoostTM, we’re helping ensure targets can be met without compromising performance.”

With over 100 years of manufacturing experience, Mira continues to invest in product innovation that responds to regulatory change and the practical needs of specifiers, developers and end users.

Mira Minimal is available now. For more information visit Mira Minimal | Mixer Showers

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Back by popular demand, the Kinemagic Serenity Plus has been reintroduced into the range and features all the benefits of its counterpart, with an innovative improvement for people with a weak hand grip.

Kinemagic shower cubicles from Kinedo offer ease of installation and user-friendliness. The purpose-built Serenity model is designed for inclusivity and features a low-threshold entry, a fold-down chair, and grab rails, making life easy for customers who need a little extra help getting in and out of the shower. The anti-slip tray provides confidence underfoot, whilst the low-level tray means safe ingress and egress.

A magnetic handset holder ‘sticks’ to any part of the handle whilst an integrated horizontal safety bar provides support along the middle section of the cubicle to provide extra security and peace of mind for those who need to hold on whilst in the shower.  A further grab bar is placed at the entry of the cubicle, whilst the low-level shower tray has optional, adjustable feet to ensure a flat installation even if the floor is uneven. The integrated cool-touch thermostatic shower control is designed to eliminate accidental scalding and has easy-adjustment taps.

All Kinedo products in the accessible sector are designed to be as aesthetically pleasing as all others in the range.

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Bathrooms to Love by PJH has introduced a 100mm x 100mm Wetroom Storage Column to its Iconix showering collection. The five-shelf vertical metal shelving profile is compatible with wetroom screens at a height of 1950mm. Designed to attach directly to the wall where the screen is fixed, it integrates seamlessly into the wetroom profile.

Discreet and space-saving, this corner solution is the perfect storage partner for wetroom glass panels, positioned exactly where needed in the showering area for easy access to toiletries whilst maintaining a streamlined look. 

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By creating storage within the footprint of the wetroom panel, the Iconix Wetroom Storage Column opens up valuable, previously redundant space, removing the need for separate wall shelves or hanging shower caddies, whilst keeping the wetroom floor tidy and free of toiletries.

The integrated shelving column is available in three contemporary finishes: Brushed Brass, Chrome and Matt Black, allowing for design coordination with the screen profile, shower, and other metallic finishes within the bathroom space. Compact, sleek and highly practical, it’s the perfect finishing touch to complement the wide range of Iconix wetroom panels within the Bathrooms to Love showering collection.

Tanna Molyneux, product manager, Bathrooms to Love by PJH, said: “This cleverly designed storage column maximises space and reduces clutter within the showering zone, helping to create a tidy and seamless look, especially helpful in small bathrooms or ensuites.” 

As featured in the current Summer 2026 Bathrooms to Love brochure (See it here), the new Iconix Wetroom Storage Column is available to order via the PJH Partners Portal™ on a Next-day Delivery service.

For further information, contact PJH on Tel: 0345 450 8932 or visit www.partners.pjh.uk  or www.bathroomstolove.uk.

Offering the opportunity to create memorable, design-led moments in the bathroom, BAGNODESIGN introduces its latest Ginza collection, which brings bold creativity, urban energy and expressive individuality for any project.

Inspired by Tokyo’s iconic Ginza district, the collection captures the spirit of a city defined by movement, culture and design. From its historic roots to its modern status as a global hub of style, the collection translates this duality effortlessly into home and commercial interiors.

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At the heart of the collection is the concept of “the art of playful living”, introducing a fresh and youthful approach to bathroom design. Moving away from conventional neutral schemes, Ginza embraces colour, contrast and personality, making it suited to boutique hotels, lifestyle-led developments and design-conscious residential and hospitality spaces.

A defining feature of Ginza is its palette of finishes. From the understated warmth of Armour Truffle to the contemporary Brushed Nickel and the bold Armour Lip Gloss, each finish works harmoniously across the collection. Paired with natural oak furniture, stone-effect surfaces and concrete basins, the result is a layered, tactile aesthetic that adds depth and authenticity to any space.

Versatility is key to its appeal. Encompassing brassware, showering solutions, basins, furniture and accessories, Ginza enables designers to create fully coordinated bathroom schemes with ease. This is valuable in hospitality projects, where a consistent design language reinforces brand identity and enhances the guest journey.

Extending the concept further, Ginza Junior introduces playful pink and grey finishes designed for family-friendly and inclusive spaces, reflecting a growing focus on balancing safety, functionality and aesthetics within the bathroom.

Ultimately, Ginza redefines the role of the bathroom across multiple sectors and environments. Suited to the demands of high-traffic environments, this collection empowers designers to push boundaries and shape spaces that are as memorable as they are functional.

Ginza_Setup

Duravit is championing the bathroom as a place of relaxation and wellbeing, with brand ambassador and professional tennis player Marta Kostyuk highlighting the importance of creating spaces that support rest and recovery.

As homes increasingly become places of refuge from busy lifestyles, the bathroom is evolving beyond its functional role into a dedicated space for regeneration. According to Duravit, thoughtful design can help create an environment that promotes both physical and mental wellbeing.

Kostyuk, who spends much of the year travelling between tournaments and training, said recovery is essential to maintaining peak performance.

“We push ourselves every day – physically and mentally,” she said. “So, it’s important for us to take care of ourselves, slow down and take time out to unwind and recharge. That’s the only way we can keep performing at top level on a lasting basis.”

Drawing on her experience of hotels around the world, Kostyuk said carefully designed bathrooms often have the greatest impact on creating a sense of calm.

“The bathroom is one of the most important rooms of all,” she added. “It’s often the little details such as good lighting, a pleasant atmosphere or a refreshing shower that make all the difference. They shape the feeling that emanates from the room.”

Duravit said many of the design principles found in premium hospitality settings can be translated into residential projects, helping homeowners create private retreats that support everyday wellbeing.

The manufacturer points to its Collection One Design by Studio F. A. Porsche as an example of this approach. The collection combines clean architectural lines, balanced proportions and premium materials with soft contours and understated colour palettes to create a timeless bathroom aesthetic designed to encourage relaxation and slow the pace of everyday life.

By combining functionality with considered design, Duravit believes the bathroom can become an integral part of a home focused on comfort, wellbeing and everyday recovery.

Italian tapware manufacturer CEA Design has supplied a selection of its stainless steel bathroom collections for Hotel La Sùera, a new boutique hotel in San Pantaleo, Sardinia.

Designed to blend into the granite landscape of the Gallura region, the 17-room hotel has been conceived as an extension of its natural surroundings, using local stone, Mediterranean planting and understated contemporary interiors.

Throughout the guest accommodation, the bathrooms have been designed as integral wellness spaces, with tactile mineral finishes, expansive walk-in showers and minimalist stainless steel brassware from CEA Design. The specification includes products from the MILO360, GIOTTO PLUS, FREE IDEAS, STEM and EQUILIBRIO collections.

The project features deck-mounted basin mixers and countertop taps in AISI 316L stainless steel, available in satin and bronze satin finishes, alongside thermostatic shower systems, freestanding bath mixers and heated towel rails.

In the suites, the bathrooms are designed to flow seamlessly into the sleeping areas, with carefully considered lighting highlighting textured wall finishes and creating a calm, spa-like atmosphere. Large windows and private terraces further strengthen the connection between the interiors and the surrounding Sardinian landscape.

Specified products include the MILO360 deck-mounted basin mixer, GIOTTO PLUS basin mixer with integrated towel rail, GIOTTO PLUS swivelling spout with FREE IDEAS mixer, MILO360 thermostatic shower set with adjustable shower head, and the GIOTTO PLUS freestanding bath mixer paired with the EQUILIBRIO electric bathrobe warmer.

The project demonstrates how high-performance stainless steel fittings can complement contemporary hospitality interiors while supporting a restrained architectural language rooted in natural materials and timeless design.

Villeroy & Boch has received official validation of its long-term climate targets from the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), confirming that the company’s decarbonisation strategy aligns with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C.

The SBTi – a partnership between the Carbon Disclosure Project, UN Global Compact, World Resources Institute and WWF – has verified that Villeroy & Boch’s emissions reduction targets are science based.

The manufacturer has committed to reducing direct CO₂ emissions from its own operations by 45% by 2030, compared with a 2021 baseline. It also aims to cut indirect emissions across its supply chain by 25% over the same period, before achieving net-zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2050.

The company said it has already made significant progress, reducing its total carbon footprint by 27.2% between 2021 and 2025. Scope 1 and 2 emissions have fallen by 34.5%, supported by energy efficiency initiatives, long-term renewable electricity agreements and increased use of renewable energy. Electricity-related emissions have reduced by 44.7%.

Villeroy & Boch also reported a 24.8% reduction in Scope 3 emissions, which account for more than 70% of its overall carbon footprint.

To support its sustainability targets, the company has invested in new kiln technology across several manufacturing sites. At its Dining & Lifestyle plant in Torgau, Germany, a new Enervit kiln has reduced gas consumption by around 20%, saving approximately 1,181 tonnes of CO₂ annually. Similar technology installed at the Lugoj factory in Romania has cut gas consumption by 24% while enabling future operation with up to 30% hydrogen. Meanwhile, a photovoltaic installation at the company’s Hódmezővásárhely site in Hungary now supplies around 15% of local electricity demand.

Villeroy & Boch is also using AI-supported quality control at its Merzig production facility, where artificial neural networks inspect ceramic components after the first firing stage to identify defects before additional energy-intensive processing. The company said the system is designed to deliver fully automated intermediate sorting while reducing the production costs associated with defective products.

Looking ahead, Villeroy & Boch plans to invest more than €140 million in decarbonisation by 2045, including over €25 million by 2030 for kiln optimisation and heat recovery projects. The company is also researching kiln electrification and the use of green hydrogen.

Dr Markus Warncke, chief finance officer at Villeroy & Boch, said: “For us, SBTi validation is far more than just an accolade. It is scientific proof that climate protection and economic responsibility are not mutually exclusive. With the planned investments in decarbonisation, we are laying an important foundation on which we can build in the coming decades.”

You can find more information on this topic in our 2025 Sustainability Report

RAK Ceramics UK has announced the appointment of Ben Bryden as interim managing director, following the retirement of managing director Alvin Biggs.

Brydon has been with RAK Ceramics UK for 10 years, having originally joined the company as head of projects before taking on the role of UK & Ireland sales & marketing director. He brings detailed knowledge of the business, its customers and the UK ceramics market to the role.

As Interim managing director, Bryden will lead the UK business with a clear focus on the future. He has ambitious plans for RAK Ceramics in the UK and will work closely with the company’s teams, customers and partners to shape the next phase of its development.

Ben Brydon commented: “I would like to thank Alvin for his 14 years of service to RAK Ceramics UK and wish him a very happy and enjoyable retirement.

“It is an exciting time to take on the role of interim managing director. RAK Ceramics is a globally recognised brand, and I believe there is significant potential for us to strengthen and grow our presence in the UK.

“We have big plans for the business and a clear vision for where we can go next. My immediate priority will be to work closely with our team, customers and partners, listen carefully and focus on the areas that will make the greatest difference.

“There is a great deal of opportunity ahead of us, and I am looking forward to bringing fresh energy, renewed focus and a strong sense of direction as we move RAK Ceramics UK into its next chapter.”

Biggs joined RAK Ceramics UK 14 years ago as sales director and became managing director in 2013. He now retires from the company after more than a decade in senior leadership roles.

Ben Bryden takes up the position of Interim Managing Director with immediate effect.

Duravit has extended its Balcoon bathroom collection, designed by Patricia Urquiola, with the addition of a new range of furniture washbasins that offer greater flexibility for residential and specification projects.

The collection introduces four basin sizes – 600mm, 800mm, 1000mm and a 1300mm double-basin option – providing a broad choice of layouts for bathrooms of different sizes. Positioned within the mid-price segment, the new additions combine premium design with practical functionality.

Available in White, Matt White and Clay Terra Matt, a warm terracotta-inspired finish, the basins feature Balcoon’s distinctive architectural styling. Patricia Urquiola describes the collection as an exploration of different volumes and levels, with the furniture washbasins taking the form of monolithic ceramic cuboids. A slim raised rim defines the basin while creating a subtle transition between the worktop and bowl, reinforcing the range’s clean, geometric aesthetic.

The washbasins are complemented by matching vanity units offering either two drawers or a combination of a drawer with an open, symmetrically divided storage compartment. Coordinating semi-tall cabinets extend the design language while providing additional storage.

Furniture finishes include Ivory, Sand Beige, Slate Brown, Terraccino and Umbra, allowing designers to create a range of colour palettes. The collection is completed by coordinating mirrors with integrated lighting and matching brassware for basins, baths and showers, available in Chrome, brushed Stainless Steel and Matt Black.

Duravit says the Balcoon collection is designed to deliver premium-quality materials and craftsmanship while remaining accessible within the mid-market, making it suitable for both private bathrooms and high-end hospitality and residential developments.

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Victoria + Albert has expanded its Vetralla collection with the introduction of new D-shaped back-to-wall basins, responding to growing demand for sculptural sanitaryware and statement bathroom design.

Available in 500mm and 600mm sizes, the basins feature the same angular styling as the Vetralla freestanding bath, creating a coordinated look across the bathroom. A flat back edge sits flush against the wall to provide a watertight seal, while compatibility with Victoria + Albert’s Kit 22 bottle trap offers a neat solution for exposed plumbing.

We’re seeing strong demand for bathroom products that combine statement design with everyday practicality,” says Emma Joyce, head of product marketing at Victoria + Albert.

“As floating vanity units continue to grow in popularity, the new Vetralla back-to-wall basins offer a striking yet space-conscious design solution, making them ideal for compact bathrooms, en-suites and other contemporary schemes where every centimetre counts.”

Designed to complement the Vetralla bath, which is available in 1500mm, 1650mm and 1800mm sizes, the basins are offered in gloss or matt white finishes. The exterior can also be specified in more than 200 RAL colours, giving designers and homeowners the flexibility to match existing interiors or introduce a bold focal point.

The basins are available with one, three or no tap holes, allowing compatibility with deck-mounted or wall-mounted brassware.

Manufactured from Victoria + Albert’s proprietary Quarrycast™ material, the basins combine Volcanic Limestone™ with high-performance resins to deliver a durable, high-performance surface. The material is scratch, stain and UV resistant, while also being lightweight to simplify installation.