RAK Ceramics has upgraded its Series 600 close-coupled WCs with enhanced specifications and greater comfort, and no increase in price.

Effective immediately, the close-coupled WCs within the Series 600 collection are being upgraded to rimless technology, providing improved hygiene and easier cleaning while retaining the ranges distinctive contemporary design.

In a further major enhancement, Series 600 WCs will now feature a 425mm comfort height, increased from 400mm, offering additional comfort and accessibility.

The upgrades give retailers, merchants, specifiers, developers and installers an even stronger proposition, combining improved functionality with contemporary styling, all without adding to the cost.

The move to a 425mm WC height is a significant addition to the Series 600 range, offering the benefits of a higher seating position while maintaining its clean, square lines and versatile design.

The introduction of rimless technology also provides a more hygienic and easier-to-clean solution. By removing the traditional rim from the WC pan, the design helps reduce areas where dirt and bacteria can accumulate, while supporting efficient flushing performance.

Interim Managing Director, Ben Bryden, RAK Ceramics UK, comments:

“Series 600 is a well-established and popular ranges, and these latest enhancements are about giving our customers even more from it without asking them to pay more.

“Introducing rimless technology to the close-coupled WCs is an important upgrade, while moving from 400mm to a 425mm comfort height adds another significant benefit. It gives greater comfort and accessibility, alongside the range’s distinctive contemporary styling.

“For our trade partners, the message is very straightforward: more choice, an enhanced specification and greater value, all at the same price.”

The upgrades reflect RAK Ceramics’ continued focus on enhancing its sanitaryware portfolio through improvements in design, functionality and technology, while ensuring its products remain commercially relevant and competitively positioned.

The upgraded Series 600 close-coupled WCs are available with immediate effect.

Paris-based design brand Trone is bringing a distinctive design perspective to the UK luxury bathroom market through its retail partnership with West One Bathrooms. Established in May 2026, the partnership made West One Bathrooms the first, and currently the only, UK bathroom retailer to stock the brand, introducing a collection that challenges conventional approaches to sanitaryware and bathroom interiors.

Founded with a mission to rethink 250 years of bathroom design conventions, Trone transforms everyday bathroom essentials into sculptural design statements. Combining bold geometry, fluid forms and considered engineering, its collections offer an alternative to conventional bathroom fittings, with pieces designed to bring individuality and character to contemporary interiors.

The collection spans toilets, basins, mixers and accessories, drawing inspiration from natural forms, radical geometry and the movement of water. Signature designs include the Icone toilet, distinguished by its translucent water column, and the Rituel basin, whose fluid contours echo the natural erosive effects of water. Each piece balances visual impact with functionality, positioning sanitaryware as an integral part of the wider interior design scheme.

Designed in Trone’s Paris studio and crafted by specialist ceramic artisans across France, Italy and Portugal, the collections reflect a commitment to European craftsmanship, material quality and longevity. Innovation and sustainability are also central to the brand’s philosophy, with an emphasis on creating distinctive pieces intended to stand the test of time.

“We are always looking for brands that challenge the norm and push bathroom design in a genuinely new direction,” says Duncan Waters, managing director at West One Bathrooms. “Trone does exactly that. There is nothing quite like it in the UK market, and we’re proud to be the first to bring it here. For our clients, whether homeowners, architects, or interior designers, this is an opportunity to access a truly special collection that elevates the bathroom to something memorable.”

Hugo Volpei, Founder and CEO of Trone, adds: “At Trone, we’ve always set out to challenge conventions and rethink everyday bathroom elements, bringing together design, engineering, and European craftsmanship to create something truly refined. Our collaboration with West One Bathrooms as our first UK retail partner is an important step for us, as they share our commitment to innovation and to pushing the boundaries of bathroom design. Together, we are proud to introduce a new perspective to the UK market, where bathroom pieces are elevated into objects that are characterful and distinctive.”

Since launching at West One Bathrooms’ Clerkenwell showroom during Clerkenwell Design Week in May 2026, the Trone collection has formed part of the retailer’s offering for clients seeking distinctive, design-led bathroom solutions. A wider rollout across West One Bathrooms’ UK showroom network was planned as part of the partnership.

There’s a growing appreciation for bathroom fittings that have a distinct character of their own. For a long time, the emphasis was on very simple, almost anonymous designs, but increasingly, homeowners and interior designers are looking for something more individual. Luxury is about the quality of the materials, the craftsmanship behind a product and choosing pieces that will be treasured for years to come.

The Marlborough basin from British bathroom manufacturer Thomas Crapper reflects this growing appreciation for craftsmanship and timeless design. Created by hand from vitreous china, the basin is distinguished by its gently sculpted profile and integral splashback.

It can be paired with Thomas Crapper’s decorative washstand, available in chrome, nickel, polished or brushed brass, which introduces an additional architectural detail while providing a practical supporting structure. At 560mm wide, the basin is equally suited to generously proportioned bathrooms and smaller cloakrooms, bringing character to both traditional and more contemporary settings.

As Paul Dwyer, managing director, Thomas Crapper & Co., says, “Provenance is becoming an important part of the design conversation. People want to understand where their products come from, how they’re made and what makes them special. It’s encouraging to see traditional manufacturing skills and beautifully considered details being valued again.

“One of the things I find particularly interesting is how well classic bathroom fittings work across different styles of interior. A beautifully made basin can sit against richly patterned wallpaper, decorative tiles or simple painted panelling, and feel completely at home in each setting. That versatility is important because it gives designers the freedom to create something genuinely personal.”