2016 Trends

While the following thoughts are by no means set in stone as to what trends in interior design lie ahead, they are based on patterns we see emerging.

Certainly over the years architects and designers have approached design with "wellness" in mind. Much of this is to offer spaces which allow individuals to live and function in a positive environment.  In fact you only have to search wellness to see how relevant it is in many

sectors from food to town planning.

From here we see the family bathroom receiving the greatest makeover. No longer just a space to bathe or shower,  it has become the starter for creating that multi generation space. From wetrooms to steam rooms , showers are still evolving. Technology includes mirrors doubling as flat screen TV s,  electronic sensor taps, thermostatically controlled showers, led shower heads, sound systems recessed into ceiling, and air injected taps to reduce water use.
Ordinary tiles and grout on walls have been making way for ceiling height water proof panels. White raised shower trays being replaced by wetroom floors.

One crucial area too has been in the importance of good branding. By that I don't mean having Downton Abbey initials on some type of unknown porcelain, but the clear branding of suppliers like Villeroy and Boch, Hansgrohe, Laufen... It does seem that people once fooled by cheap quality are now looking for the tried and trusted.

While there will always be a favourite accent colour in furnishings, the bulk of showhomes still play safe with a neutral pallette.  Magnolia has long gone, with white being around some time. What we might see is layering of whites. By this I mean a few shades of white close to each other that work to highlight different surfaces. This is something that many people who use Farrow and Ball paint will be used to doing, but tricky to get right.
As an alternative to white, grey is becoming more popular.


Surprisingly feature wallpaper is still hanging in there. Big bold, brash, and often shiny - 3 rolls is generally all needed. Thankfully there are alternatives in the form of  faux brick, and both engineered, and recycled woods which bring more texture and life to a room.

The industrial  look is perfect for apartments and older properties. Shiny chrome taps have been replaced by antique brass or nickel to compliment a more relaxed kitchen space. It is surprising how many cookery shows have a background of exposed brick in the kitchen areas.

A few years ago it might not have been out of place to install a bright red signature kitchen. Now the look is more refined, greys and creams as popular as white.
Much more attention is given to the work surface.  In fact many granite suppliers will say how much in demand that product is now. Overall the use of natural materials like granite and porcelain have  been on the increase in the last few years, and this doesn't appear to be slowing down.
Porcelain on the floor is perfect for heavy traffic areas.

What I have written about elsewhere in this blog has been bio flame fires. While I see no emerging trend as such, they have been spotted in prestigious London apartments recently. They really do look stunning, so that will be my one off the wall prediction for 2016..

For advice on delivery of any of the products mentioned, contact me 

Wetrooms

There is no doubt that wetrooms are becoming more popular. While traditional bathrooms with a shower cubicle are still the norm, the trend is moving towards multi generational use areas which are practical and safe.

There are some fantastic materials on the market which will ensure that your room remains watertight - regardless of whether you have a concrete or a timber floor.

Why are wetrooms practical? In smaller spaces a wetroom is the ideal solution, maximising showering space without the need to close off an area with doors.

Where there are elderly family members, a wetroom allows a larger showering area that can allow seating, or wheelchair access. There is no tray to trip over, and in some circumstances it can promote greater independence for the user.

Often an elderly person will require some assistance in showering, and a carer can assist more effectively. While it can be difficult for some people to get in and out of a bath, a shower remains a more preferable experience.


Aesthetically a wetroom can look very stylish, the flooring inside the shower area can remain the same as the rest of the room, or have contrast tiles

While some people may feel nervous about how effective the floors and walls can be - be assured that reputable products, and a good installer, can ensure that the room is "tanked" therefore making it watertight.

The key is also good drainage. A professional  installer will make sure the form (or tray) is level with the right amount of fall - and that the drain can accomodate the output of flow of water from the shower.

Watertight wall panels are a fantastic alternative to tile and grout, and can be adhered to many existing surfaces. They are stylish, easy to install, and do create a very neat finish.
In fact the wetroom panels can be used throughout the rest of the room, as splashbacks, or surrounding a bath.

Porcelain or ceramic floor tiles are a very practical element - and of course electric underfloor heating can be installed under these type of tiles in the area not covered by the shower "tray". This is a great idea where space is at a premium, and there is no wall to attach a radiator.

The idea of a wetroom design opens up a great many design ideas.

If you have any queries contact us @80MarketSt 

Griferias Maier

I have held Griferias Maier brassware in my hand. If that sounds sexy, well it is. Their tag of Flowing Water is lovely - free flowing water, and elegant flowing designs. The Spanish and Italians always seem to make their products sound desirable.

Their products are solid brassware, beautifully made, and stylish too.

Maier have a range of 34 collections. Without a doubt there will be a collection that will apeal to everyone.

There is Ikon and their Thousand Facets of Water.The rose gold is stunning and certainly a finish that is appearing more and more in interior design.

Muse Diamond brings together a fantastic tap with genuine Swarovski crystal. Each piece comes with its own unique certificate serial number as they have an official partnership with Swarovski.

It is hard to describe how beautiful are these items of brassware.

There is Flow and Surf Art. I have only hinted at a few of the collections. If this inspires you to look twice at the taps available in the diy sheds and consider the design - then that is good.

There are so many great designs out there. Maier Grifferias definitely one to consider.

Available through our shop here in Hoylake.
E-mail me request

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.

Versital

Creating your dream bathroom could not be made easier thanks to Versital. If you are tired of tiles and  white shower trays, then a fully finished wetroom style could be the solution.

Versital's range of stone resin shower trays, and complementary shower panels, are available in 90 colour options that include granite and marble styles.

The anti slip shower trays are available in sizes up to 1700 x 760, as well as bespoke options.  They are manufactured to suit most waste sets and shower screens.

The shower, and wall panels are 100% waterproof, butt jointed and siliconed to the wall surface, meaning no requirement for grouting which requires maintenance to keep its appearance.
These panels can be used within the shower enclosure space as well as around sinks and baths to give a more finished look. Panels are ordered to your size spec so easy to install.

Vanity tops are manufactured up to 3000mm long and easily cut with ordinary woodworking tools. While basin options are also available, the tops can be manufactured to fit your own preferred basin.


To finish the look there are a range of other items. Skirting, plinths, dados, corner trims, and soap/ shampoo holders are  available.

Versital surfaces are easy to keep clean, waterproof and resistant to scuffmarks. This makes them ideal also for commercial/ high traffic areas. Versital has other commercial applications other than bathrooms. See their website for more detail. I have seen an excellent sample for a kitchen worksurface that is very close to a more expensive granite.

And if 90 colour finishes is not enough, the surfaces can be made up in solid colours according to RAL colour palette.

For more information contact Gemma , and don't forget to tell her you where you heard about them!

Bathroom Furniture

Who says bathroom furniture has to be white?

Burgbad 1

Burgbad 2

Burgbad3

Burgbad 4

Fiora1

Fiora2

Fiora 3

Fiora4

Fiora5

Fiora6

Zazzeri S.p.A. "Pop"

 Bathroom ware doesen't get much more exciting than POP by Italian company Zazzeri. Already they are the  winners of two awards for stunningly creative design through Red Dot and A Design Awards.

The range comes in four metal finishes, along with a range of interchangeable heads in 6 silicone shades allowing up to 40 permutations.

Consisting of taps in varying heights, shower heads, concealed and wall mounted mixers and more - this unique collection satisfies all the demands of both creative and function.

Their eco credentials are impressive with the ability to control the flow of water by offering a one touch facility on the flexible head.

Playful and fun, POP heads also glow in the dark. This innovative and sturdy marriage of metal and silicone is unique. The products themselves are what you would expect from a company of impressive credentials in manufacture.

POP delivers that splash of colour that makes bathroom design much more fun! Why do fittings have to be chrome when you can mix black and orange , or chrome and violet. The overheard shower heads really can bring a showering experience to life.

Or stay with a complete metal finish that oozes great design. Black fittings are certainly making a big impact in bathrooms at the moment, a trend we envisage to last for quite some time. Stylish white subway tiles with a black shower system looks fabulous.

Whether you are looking for an alternative to the same old fittings available on most high streets, or have a contemporary scheme that would love that injection of colour, or designing for a child's ensuite - POP is definitely worth considering.

The complete range of concealed fittings and valves means there is no worry about creating a complete system, although POP is compatible with all current fittings.

For more information on these products do contact us here. And check out their cute Youtube 

We will be happy to advise and can offer best prices.

Reassuringly Expensive

Sometimes you just have to splash out to get what you really want. While the jury may be undecided on what counts as "luxury" in terms of interior design, one thing is pretty clear - you get what you pay.

Not only do Farrow and Ball have some of the hottest colours, but their paint is gorgeous. As you dip your brush in the tin, you can feel the quality of a thickly pigmented paint which just makes you feel like an artist. The quality and coverage are incomparable to the cheap own branded paints, and even some popular names. Three coats of paint will normally give you that luxurious colour - I usually just finish off the tin. From the elegant Bone, to the unusual Smoked Trout and ever popular Pointing there will be a shade that will work in every room.

 It's no secret we love our bathroom furniture, and it doesen't get much classier than Burgbad, well there is Fiora- but that's saved for another blog!

In fact bathroom furniture is having a great time right now. The old boutique hotel bland style of white and limestone with the obligatory chrome  is being replaced by some pretty decadent pieces. Quirky tiles, funky fronts, gold, copper, chandeliers, silk finish fronts, swarovski - it's all there.

And don't get me started on the radiators! Brem, K8, Tubes Radiatori - just wow! You can clearly see the passion our European neighbours have when it comes to design.
We love Brem Lame, utterly stylish and very architectural as well as being efficient.

 No one quite does sectional furniture quite like Roche Bobois. A great range of patterns and designs, let your imagination run riot here. We love the simplicity of style, with a great 70's hippy vibe which we are sure to see more in future.

Griferias Maier have an absolutely stunning range of taps being released, including these swarovski embellished. Now the difference between cheap and luxury =quality.

Yep, you get what you pay.

Zierath Mirrors

Zierath is  probably best described as the Rolls Royce of the bathroom  illuminated mirror market albeit Mercedes Benz might  be a better description for this German company.  If Zierath is a name you haven't heard of then read on.

Sometimes functionality overtakes the need for innovative aesthetic design. A mirror can be the focal point of any bathroom, a beautiful object fixed to the wall that can be appreciated for its good looks , or on reflection, your good looks.

A cursory glance in the hall mirror when going out might be sufficient to check your hair looks fine, but there is no substitute for a great mirror when applying make up or shaving.

Crystal glass mirrors which can be backlit with a choice of halogen, led and neon tubes as well as overhead lighting form this range. Cut and polished, bevelled and framed, a multitude of sizing options are some of the ways these mirrors can be manufactured to your own requirements as well as included in their main range.

Halogen bulbs behind the glass mirror emit a warm light which reflects the contours on the face accurately. The clip on lights above the mirror also help to spread light through the glass.

 The dispersal of light through and onto the surface of the glass is what make these great mirrors.
There are a range of magnifying mirrors, discreet shaving socket options and the flexibility to choose where to fix the switch.

The list of special options is lengthy!
Choose your mirror design, select a size or specify your own, decide on the type and level of illumination you would like and that is just the start.

There are different edging finishes from facet to bevelled. A back heating foil can be added, as well as concealed switches, shelving options, a cosmetics magnifying mirror, clip on lights, dimmer option.

Whether specified for the domestic household or the contract market, there are abundant designs, styles and ideas that will truly satisfy everyone.


For more information contact:

Zierath's UK supplier 

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 

Cersaie 2014 Bologna and more

Bologna has long been known as a centre of culture.  Historical buildings, well preserved architecture and  great transportation links all add up to this city being a destination for creative fairs and tourism. Little wonder it was voted European Capital of Culture in 2000.

Cersaie is a firm fixture in the ceramics world calendar. Major suppliers showcasing what is new and bold in the world of porcelain, ceramics, glass, designer walls, bathrooms and fittings. There was certainly a lot to see.

Glass glazed ceramic tiles and funky displays of lava basins made appealing and interesting displays. There was certainly a fair amount of lava products on show. Whether the material was used as wall tiles , or cast as basins or worksurfaces, this was certainly an interesting product.

I really liked the  bricks on show. Whether they were porcelain or designer brick, there was something really appealing about them. Not only were there different sizes and shapes- but some really exciting colourways and suggestions for patterns.

I'm quite into the designer brick- and very excited one supplier. Something a little bit different.

We saw at Decorex a few years ago a bit of gold/ brass displayed in bathroom hardware, this year a bit more in Bologna. It's a resurgent market, impressed to see some really good partnerships hardware and sanitaryware.

How can you not love these radiators by Ridea Schema Bird. There is Wolly, Schema Cat and Schema Bird- who incidentally was tweeting through Cersaie 2014 . Who says radiators need be boring.

We tend to think of heating in this country as being wall mounted boring white, or portable grey blowing hot air.

There are alternatives, and some imagination and great designs.

Excited was I by Cordivari, Italian style fantastico, shown here.
Fiore, a Spanish company with electric and water heaters and again great designs.


My journey continued to visit Tubes Radiatori. So here I am in a 16th century palace Ex Ospedale dei Bastardini in via D'Azeglio in Bologna, it's the Bologna Water Design festival. The building itself is beautiful, courtyard, vaulted ceilings- a place to stay and explore. That's where we found ourselves looking for Tubes. We found them, but the journey much more more interesting.

The international partnership between Turkish Ceramics, The Architect's Journal and 6 of the best architecture practices around was a highlight. The Architect's Journal teamed up with Turkish Ceramics, who represent 37 Turkish ceramic manufacturers, to create a design challenge called "Kiosk". The word kiosk is derived from the Turkish "kosk" which translates as small communal space. And of course the brief included an aspect of water as well as the use of Turkish ceramics in the design.

 The clue was probably in the introduction by AJ's acting editor Rory Olcayto, "Kicking the Bottle". Water is beneficial for health and millions is spent on bottled water. Why not tackle the problem of readily accessible free water in a unique and environmentally friendly way. How could a water fountain be exhibited and used in 21st century London and by incorporating Turkish ceramics into the design.

The wow factory definitely kicked in. How different could six architectural practices view something that's mostly sole purpose was to distribute water? How different indeed. The architects in question were Allford Hall Monaghan Morris, Adam Architecture, Hopkins Architects, Eric Parry Architects, Studio Weave and Zaha Hadid. Each practice had its own unique take from single fountains that could refill water bottles and offer water to a dog, to elaborate fountains.

For more info re Italian radiator products contact Radiating Interiors

Related post Bologna Water Festival