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.

A Pop of Colour

Who doesn't like a bit of colour in their life?  We thought as summer is approaching we would search some simple ways to add some feature colour into the home.



The lamps by Fraumaier were a good find at the Milan show. They do a range of table, ceiling, and floor lamps in some fabulous colours. The bases are painted to match the shades too.

No pun intended, but this wallpaper by Graham and Brown is Marvel-ous! While we could see this in a little boy's bedroom, we also think it would look great anywhere, if you are bold enough.

At £13 a roll, it would appear to be great value if your budget is slim.

 This Mondrian style bathroom uses colour block tiles for contrast and certainly adds interest to a normally plain white scheme.

When trying to replicate this idea, it is probably best to sketch the design out on some graph paper to ensure the colour goes precisely where you want it to.

 If you are feeling a little more creative, then why not paint some old chairs and sketch a design onto it, then colour to suit.

Rub off the existing varnish with sandpaper, then apply an acrylic primer. Paint your design, then finish with an acrylic varnish to seal in your colour.

 Funky rugs are fab.

 This one by Rugzone is based on a Rolling Stones image. They also have a selection of Union Jack styles.

Rule Brittania!

 Brem are an Italian radiator company that we love here.

They have a great range of styles and sizes, available in around 64 colours. The heat output is excellent and very efficient. These are available through Radiating Interiors.

Pop by Zazzeri are a fun range of flexible taps and shower systems.

It is hard to describe how clever they are in words, so here is a great little Youtube video.

Head over to Posh Bathing  for 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.

Brem Radiators

 Brem are an Italian company who design and manufacture high quality steel radiators and towel rails.

Their literature states "Radiators for Architecture" and their products are quite literally an architect's dream.

Visually they look like fabulous pieces of art, available in a multitude of sizes, finishes, and colours.

Technically they operate at low temperature of 50 degrees C, ensuring uniform heat. The larger surface areas conducts heat in a very efficient manner through both convection and irradiation. Although most of the radiators are plumbed to the central heating system, electrical versions are also available. Remote valves and digital thermostats are also options on certain models.

Why we like them is because of their fantastic range of designs and extensive colour choice available in high gloss and sable finishes.There are also textured pieces available.

Lame Up

I recently had the opportunity to visit their Italian factory, where I could see the manufacturing and design processes at work.
Invisible welds and expert painting ensure the radiators look superb as a finished product.

The Paco is an interesting design. A combination of heating and storage.

Cross

Paco

The "So-Flex" takes the notion of a radiator and towel rail further than many will have encountered. Designed by Gabriella Almagioni, it is a stylish radiator with an upturned corner of steel that. Available in sizes ranging from 77cm high to 2-20, it looks particularly stunning in the 19 Sable colours that include dark copper, ivory, mouse grey and oxide orange.

"Lame-Up" looks very much like a modern totem pole. Designed by Davide Brembilla, Rectangular tubes of differing heights are grouped together as 4, 5, 6, 7 or 8 pieces and erected on a colour co-ordinated stand.

S Barra

Vision

Where space is at a premium then the "Sbarra" is perfect. At only 8cm per unit, it can be manufactured as a 1,2 or 3 bar radiator. Remote valves, electrical model and fantastic choice of colours add to the versatility of this high output and energy efficient system.



"Vision", designed by Luigi Brembilla is a 3 dimensional towel heater which as well as being available in differing sizes and colours, can be square or horizontal.

This unit can be plumbed or available as an electrical version. The valves are located at the back so as not to affect the aesthetic visual design.

There are designs which incorporate lighting and mirrors.

If you want more information, and to see some of the range on show, go visit their UK stockist.

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.

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.

Tubes Radiatori

Monte Carlo

 Tubes Radiatori is a company whose total premises cover over 18,000 sq metres in Resana, a province of Treviso  Italy.

Set up in 1994, on the back of 30 years of experience in plumbing and heating systems, it is recognised as much now for its innovative and stylish heating systems as it is for its slick components.

The company's philosophy is clear - to manufacture heating units that have an aesthetic and architectural feel. Certainly the contribution made by renowned designers as Ludovico and Robert Palomba with Matteo Fiorini, Elisa Giovannoni, Satyendra Pakhale and Peter Jamieson have shown the commitment Tubes have investing in good design.

Included in their portfolio are heating elements, towel warmers and radiators - both wall mounted and freestanding , as well as water and electric systems.

Scaletta

 A unique selling point is their remote valve, which can be positioned up to 6 metres away. This in itself is completely innovative and allows for greater flexibility and aesthetics in the creation of their units.

Full technical sheets and guidance for installation are available.

But back to design. While the radiators are clearly energy efficient with a steel tubular element, it really is the marriage of "contemporary artwork and a piece of fine craftsmanship" which is beautiful.

'Scaletta' is representative of a ladder and is an electric supply radiator available freestanding or wall mounted. In its freestanding form the  point it can be easily moved is one of the endearing qualities.

Trame

The 'Trame' really does look like a piece of contemporary metal art, and is available in 110 colours. The fact it looks so appealing aesthetically is a testament to the incredibly complex manufacturing process of turning radiator pipework tubes into an undulating weave of 'fabric' that  is as energy efficient as it is gorgeous in looks.

'Montecarlo' is a simple shelving towel rail/ radiator with an seemingly unending bank of colours available to choose. Like many of the other Tubes products, there are different sizes and freestanding or wall mounted options.

While all these radiators are ultimately destined for the domestic end user, an architectural or interior designer's eye may be required to visualise or even to assist with the selection process. What is sure, is that the finished product will look and work fantastic.

Add- On

 Satyendra Pakhale created the 'Add- On' -  core 12 x 24 cm recyclable aluminium unit that can have multiple units 'added on' to create something truly unique. Again designed with remote valve operation, it truly deserved the Red Dot 2008 design award for design and technology.

And Tubes designers continue to do what they do best - continually creating radiators for the interior design market.

'Kangeri' is a project on the go, a portable heating system that builds up heat from an electric source and can be moved emitting heat when unplugged for many hours.

 'Rift' is a vertical and horizontal array of extruded square units, not unlike thin girders that definitely has an architectural feel in design.

Tubes also manufacture a range of 'Basics' which I have not shown here.

For information and prices on any of these products contact Radiating Interiors

Related posts Bologna Water Design

Inspired by Nature

It is always comforting to bring a bit of Mother Nature into the home and we have found some great ideas.

Floral fabrics are always a popular line in any supplier's catalogue. We particularly like this Romo fabric of budding magnolia with its warm undertone and almost watercoloured pastel effect. With a martindale rub test of 20,000, this fabric is suitable for cushions, curtains and upholstery.

The Murano velvet is again a subtle brushstroke

 in earthy tones reminiscent of a mosaic tile effect. While this fabric is suitable for curtains, we think that used flat as cushions or in upholstery would give it greater appeal.

Swaffer have brought out a romantic collection called Austen, evocative of the country house and inspired by Jane Austen.

More chintzy in its design, the range is a glorious mix of florals, plains and small patterns - making it easy to co-ordinate.

 DesignerWalls have some fantastic wall panel systems which are suitable for both domestic and contract use.

While they offer a range of brick and wood effects, shown here is one made from slices of wine barrels.


The wine barrels themselves are made of oak, and the whole production of the panels

 gives it very eco-friendly credentials.

As feature walls go, we think that this effect is a fantastic alternative to the "feature wallpaper" that seems to be prevalent.

We have always loved the lighting, particularly the chandeliers supplied by Ochre.

Seed Cloud is a great range available in either polished bronze or satin nickel finish.

Shown here is the 112 LED light in polished bronze and is 150cm diameter.

Ochre also offer a variety of floor lamps, furniture and accessories.

This Bamboo Evolution radiator by K8 Radiatori is an outstanding example of Italian design.

Elegant with curved tubes, it is indeed a natural and appealing design which is floor to ceiling fitted and perfect as a room divider as well as a great source of heat. The sister range, Bamboo, is similar in design but wall mounted.

It is easy to see how the designers featured here were inspired by nature to create such beautiful and contemporary products.

Are you inspired?

For more information contact 

Bologna Water Design , Tubes and Zucchetti

 A 16th century palace becomes the backdrop to a creative  experience that forms the Bologna Water Design Show. Entering the building in search of the Italian radiator company Tubes Radiatori felt rather like entering a theatre in the middle of a Shakespear play while all the Acts were happening at once, and having no idea what it was about, but wanting to stay.

In one room a short animated film was being shown to a captive audience of young children sitting in rows of Starck chairs.

Tubes Kangeri

 A pixar styled animated figure nodded its head against a watery coloured background, while the earth felt rain and a shadow pulled a shower curtain across. The only colour was a bright yellow rubber style duck.

There was something mesmerising about the sequence which led me to watch it a second time.

Then I realised this was a short promotional film to advertise a showerhead by the Italian company Zucchetti . 

Zucchetti Kos

While fresh mozzarella balls with cherry tomatoes, and stuffed fresh figs were served with the obligatory and delicious Prosecco in the architects room - Tubes radiators blended in with the half plastered walls and Hansgrohe Axor.

In other rooms water being used to create patterns was in evidence as well as designs for open pools such as found in many open spaces, or public water fountains as found in "Kiosk"

Tubes

Tubes Scaletta

Ofcourse like many things that look simple on the surface, there is very likely some skilled and great creative forces involved, and this exhibition was a great example of just such an abundance of  talent.


While each room seemed impossible at first to reconcile with another, somehow the Acts all fell into a natural order and the overall experience of taking part in such a theatrical exhibition was well worth the extra glass or two of Prosecco.


Here is to great design, enjoy.

For more info on Tubes Radiatori contact www.radiatinginteriors.co.uk
Related posts Tubes Radiatori  Cersaie Bologna and More