Fiora

 "Touch Your Bathroom". While it can be difficult to write about bathroom fittings, to find yourself looking for an inspirational starting point can be as hard.

But we are talking about Fiora  , a company based in Spain with a formidable reputation on the continent for quality designed bathroom furniture and more.

The hook "Touch Your Bathroom" might have puzzled me a few years ago, not now. I have never felt the desire to run my fingers over a basin in one of the UK diy sheds that sell bathrooms. However when you see mineral cast basins, glass,  and textures such as manufactured by Fiora the urge is there.

The feeling of good material is obvious. The warmth is almost like a kiss on the skin.

 Fiora now design the full wetroom experience. Beautiful wall panels unveiled at Cersaie 2015. Shower trays of different sizes and styles, all available in every RAL colour, even white.

There is furniture in different styles, wall mounted, free standing, different shapes and sizes - and colours from green to purple to orange and blue. Dimpled, floral, linen look...

Fiora also do radiators - plumbed, and electric. There is the option to attach a towel rail or two.

We love their basins. Again these are tailored to suit the furniture and flat white is not your only option.

There are gorgeous mirrors, cabinets.

The range of styles is  enough to satisfy any discerning client.

 The choice of materials is key to how Fiora are so confident within the bathroom/ wetroom market.

Don't worry that they don't do taps - complimentary brassware from Maier Griferias and Samuel Heath looks fantastic, again more accounts we have.

Up there with Burgbad, Fiora have nailed quality bathroom furniture. They have the edge with their wall panels and shower trays.

We love them a lot.

Touch Your Bathroom - if it's not as comforting as you now think, then have a look at Fiora.

On show 80 market St Hoylake

The Perfect Bathroom

There is nowhere else in the home that needs to have so much technically going on that also needs to be a relaxing space.
While it is important to engage the services of a qualified, and competetent bathroom fitter, there are a few pointers worth knowing.

Understanding how the room is to be used is key. How watertight do the surfaces have to be? Many homes are including wetroom style areas. These are a great idea for smaller bathrooms and can replace the standard shower enclosure making a room feel larger.

The preformed shower wall panels are ideal in place of normal tile and grout. These boards are tongue and grooved with finished edges and can easily be cut to fit.

There are also a range of worksurfaces, and in some cases shower trays, to match. At this point it is also worth considering an extractor fan to promote ventilation of the room.

There is nothing worse than a cold bathroom. While many rooms may have existing radiators it is worth considering other options. Underfloor heating is a great addition and works particularly well under tile flooring.  There are also some fabulous designer radiators available in a variety of sizes and colours. Stainless steel radiators are more efficient as they conduct heat, rather than the  chrome ones which feel hot but do not radiate the same amount of heat.  Many of the designer radiators include towel rails or even shelving - ideal for where storage required too. Of course it is easy to replace a cumbersome, old, white radiator for a new one which may be more efficient.

There are online calculators which will take your room sizes and advise how many BTU's you will require (British Thermal Unit). Check with the manufacturer of your radiator, as 1 kw = 3.41 BTU.


Lighting is another area where some thought and imagination can create a comfortable environment.  It is worth checking out the zones which require lighting and ensure that what is sourced is safe and practical. While downlighters are popular, it is worth considering where practical other sources. There are some great zone 2 chandeliers and uplighters which might suit a more traditional bathroom. LED backlit mirrors are also an excellent source of functional lighting.

Practically it is worth understanding the impact of low water pressure before choosing showers and taps. Additionally some sinks will have no overflow hole and will require a different waste system.

Then the fun starts!
There are some really excellent ranges of vanity furniture available with very generous storage. And don't think the unit has to be white, light oak, or wenge only! Colours are definitely in, with oranges, purples, floral effects, and linen looks.  Radiators too can come in a multitude of colours and finishes.
And did you want swarovski crystals on your taps?

Children's bathrooms can be fun! Funky colour basins and taps, co-ordinated with a coloured radiator can be fabulous.  Styled with an unusual flooring, this room can really make a statement.

There are no limits to how stylish a bathroom can become.  In fact if you want any help then email me or come visit us at 80 Market Street Hoylake Wirral.

Bathroom Furniture

Who says bathroom furniture has to be white?

Burgbad 1

Burgbad 2

Burgbad3

Burgbad 4

Fiora1

Fiora2

Fiora 3

Fiora4

Fiora5

Fiora6

All that Glitters

All that glitters is not gold, but who doesn't like a bit of shiny in their home.


These taps by Griferias Maier are stunning.

The Muse Diamond range is available in chrome, or 24 karat gold finishes and there is a choice of four interchangeable heads which feature Swarovski crystal elements.

While the taps are simplicity in themselves, the luxurious heads epitomise glamour and elegance.

They can be purchased either as a deck or wall mounted unit making them incredibly versatile in bathroom interior design.

It is worth looking at the rest of their collection if you follow the link above. While these products may touch a niche market, there is certainly a steady demand by the discerning interior client wishing for a more sumptuous look in a bathroom.

Burgbad are a German company with a high spec range of bathroom furniture.

It is impossible here, to expand on how huge are the selection of products. Instead let's look at the this one piece which is shown with a glass floral front. High gloss and gold leaf are also available.
Crystal handles are available on many ranges.

This dressing table also incorporates a folding illuminated mirror - perfect when applying make up.

The Drizzle chandelier by Ochre is gorgeous. The round version is in 30cm, 60cm, and 100cm sizes. Available also in spiral, rectangular, and wall lighting.

Made from polished nickel, with clear glass drops, it looks fabulous in both traditional, and contemporary living areas.

With a slight industrial feel, it perfectly reflects the current trend for minimalist statement pieces.

This chest of drawers by Selva also has Swarovski elements and  forms part of their Solitaire collection.
While quite a classical piece, we feel it would sit at home in many a contemporary interior.

There are eight available wood finishes including walnut, and dove grey making it easy to co-ordinate with many styles.

Contact me for information re products shown here for stockists and prices.

Posh Bathing

Posh Bathing is a bathroom specialist showroom unlike any other I have visited. Owner Gary Walmsley has created a fabulous resource boutique, with an impressive display of quality products by some of the leading European designers.

While some of the suppliers may sound familiar, there are are also some little known brands that are sure to be popular with private clients, interior designers, and architects.

 If you think that Gary has the usual array of sinks, taps and showers - think again!

There are steam showers, quality mineral cast basins, bespoke furniture, wall panels, designer radiators and funky taps.

On display are taps by Maier Griferias which have swarovski crystals, stylish radiators by K8 and Brem, furniture by Burgbad, steam showers, mirrors from Zierath. The list of suppliers is quite staggering.

 Gary is no stranger to the key European design shows and his interest in locating and forging relationships with innovative suppliers is key to the success of this showroom.

There are faux brick and stone wall panels, marble tiles with led lighting, mosaics, and much, much more - all beautifully arranged and complimented by a huge selection of basins and taps.

 One of the more exciting developments has been in his enthusiasm for designer radiators.

I was fortunate to be able to meet up with him in Italy this year where we visited Italian designer Brem. Quite simply their selection of both electric, and plumbed radiators are breathtaking.

Another supplier of note is Tubes Radiatori . The Scaletta shown here is available in a wide range of sizes and colours.

Zazzeri have a unique range of taps with interchangeable coloured heads and impressive eco credentials when it comes to saving water.

Furniture is supplied by Burgbad and Fiora to name but two. However there are bespoke pieces in multiple finishes with glass, wood or marble inserts.

This haven of inspiration is well worth a visit. Gary's eye for developing his product range is matched equally by his expertise in installation. A perfect blend of style and experience.

For opening hours or to book an appointment contact him here.

Saturday afternoon Interior Design finds

 We are big fans of the feature stone/ brick wall panels by Designer Walls  While paint and wallpaper will always have its place in interior design, there is something aesthetically pleasing about an , albeit faux, natural material. Due to its texture these panels look amazing as shown here with light bouncing off the surface, creating contrast through shadows. Teamed with a high polish ceramic floor and clean lines of contrast paint, they help create an interior scheme that is both subtle but very contemporary.

 It may be hard to believe, but this basin started life as a lowly lump of rock. Polished smooth on the inside it looks amazing sitting atop a smooth granite surface. This type of sit on bowl is becoming more popular in bathroom design, lending itself to wall mounted taps. We think black would be a great contrast to the usual chrome.

 These Keuco taps look spot on with another sit on top basin, this time by Burgbad. Keuco have an incredible range of quality products.  Burgbad, a German company, reflects the high level of engineering in its products that the Germans are so infamous for. The high quality of the ceramic used by Burgbad creates a beautiful basin that is hardwearing and can be moulded into a variety of shapes and sizes.


Posh Bathing are now offering a selection of inhouse made furniture for bathrooms using steel and  granite that can be custom made. A range of complimentary wood furniture is due to unveiled shortly, so keep watching this blog for the latest information.

Brem radiators don't just create highly efficient and effective radiators, but their designs could easily be seen as works of art. The Lame redefines heating systems as we know it with round heating elements encased in rectangular bars. Again, this product is available in a range of sizes and colours and can be supplied as a plumbed or electrical unit. Available through Radiating Interiors

 Chandeliers are definitely in vogue. This square french gold finish with amber crystals is perfect for rooms with a lower ceiling height, still giving a luxurious feel. This model by Dar is also available as a dimmable unit.

And there is plenty of class shown here with Maier taps. They are available in polished and matt  gold and silver finishes with interchangeable swarovski decorated heads.

Classical Elements

Burgbad

Burgbad

Earth, Fire, Air and Water have for centuries been acknowledged as the Classical Elements. Where better position to bring these forces of nature to life than in a bathroom.

Clay is a material of the earth long used in the manufacture of domestic items. It is often used as a symbol representing the beginnings of life.

Fire as a symbol represents passion and assertiveness. In science and religion regularly  acknowledged as the force that brought all life to creation. Fire is used to form the clay into a durable material as in ceramics and pottery tiles.

Air is the medium in which we perceive  and are inspired. It is the space, void, atmosphere.

Water, well what is the most important feature of any bathroom? That life giving force that without life would cease to exist.

Of course in the context of this article, the topic relates to the use of clay and other base materials formed to create stylish and hardwearing bathroom tiles and furniture.

And why should bathroom furniture have to be bland and often out of sync with the interior design of the rest of the home.


Burgbad is a supplier whose name is barely known to domestic end users and rarely used by interior designers.

Their range of bathroom furniture is available in so many finishes and colours with fabulous shapes, a seemingly endless range of sizes and plenty of styles. Their Elysee range is evocative of the Italian brand Selva, although what is shown here is fabulous German design.

With their products being  dimensionally flexible allows for small, medium and larger bathrooms to be well supported in their extensive product range which includes shower trays, basins, baths, cabinets and mirrors.

While their use of ceramics is extensive, they also have basins which are mineral cast which allows them to manufacture unique shapes using quartz, rock powder and pigments. The processes used to fire the material make their basins incredibly hardwearing, seamless and stain resistant.

The front surfaces can be made of veneer, lacquer, thermoform, melamine and glass- all in a wide selection of colours. And we like the choice of different handles, especially the glass on the Elysee range above.

There is also a range of mirrors and lighting which completes the overall look.

It is time to rethink the way bathrooms are designed. The bathroom is part of the overall interior design of a home and is not just a purely functional room.

For more information on these products contact 80 Market Street