blog:proleno

Taking a bath has just become cause for celebration! Frontline, the UK’s leading bathroom supplier, has three new fabulous free-standing baths to entice you to luxuriate in the tub…

The Aquabathe range, exclusive to Frontline, is a clever fusion of contemporary and lavish design. With sumptuous lines, the curvaceous Pano bath is one to admire. This brand new freestanding double ended bath is designed for perfect relaxation. The raised contours of one end and graduated recess provide an ideal head rest. Standing proud at 1800 x 900mm and finished in brilliant white, the Pano bath is designed for pure relaxation.

The IXOS freestanding double ended bath is another newcomer to the Frontline’s Aquabathe range. In contrast to Pano, the IXOS bath has clean, masculine lines. The strong angular appearance of this classic shape evokes a more minimalist look. The IXOS bath has a generous capacity of 230 litres.

Even without any corners, the new Rondo bath has an edge over the competition. Also from Frontline’s Aquabathe range, this conveniently compact freestanding double ended bath, stands at 1760 x 790mm. With its smooth profile the contemporary design gives bathrooms a cutting edge look.

Frontline offers over 6000 classic and contemporary products from its expanding bathroom range. There are customised options available on a number of baths including; whirlpool hydro jets to massage skin and muscles, and air spa to increase blood circulation. Underwater mood lighting can also be added to create a truly relaxing bathing experience.

More details at their website or call 0845 470 2427.

The Contas Soap Dish from Zack. A simple, yet stylish, soap dish with a lower receptacle to catch drips, drops and soapy residue. Easily dismantles for washing.

Finished in diamond polished (that’s shiny rather than brushed but not quite a mirror finish) 18/10 stainless steel it has an 11.0cms diameter and is 3.0cms high. It even comes in a top quality box so you could buy this for yourself but it would equally make a great, albeit practical, gift.

Available now from Proleno, on the web at www.proleno.com, on the phone on 0844 357 9855

Add a touch of French country chic to your bathroom with the French Bathroom Storage Basket at JasmineWay.

Reminiscent of the bathroom storage found in a French chateau, JasmineWay’s beautiful and practical storage baskets will add a rustic charm to your bathroom.

With three wicker baskets on a wooden stand, the stand adds a rustic charm to your bathroom and the baskets can be used to store hand towels, toiletries and soaps.

Made from natural brown wood and cotton.

Available from www.jasmineway.co.uk

2009 saw the introduction of black into the bathroom, with accents of black on taps and furniture presented in stylish finishes. In 2010, black is now the defining colour in up-to-date bathrooms.

Basins, for so long only available in white, are now offered in sleek, sexy black.

The Jacuzzi® Morphosis basin in black epitomises the essence of the new trend and is available now from the new Jacuzzi® Designer Range. This distinctive basin, designed by leading design house Pininfarina, oozes style and sophistication.

The stunningly proportioned Jacuzzi Nexus basin takes on a whole new persona as its sleek lines are accentuated further by this new colour option. Combine with a red, black or white deck for a real boutique look.

And why choose white when the Jacuzzi Bordo basin is now available in black? Better still, choose one of each and create your own unique look.

Bold, decadent and highly desirable, a Jacuzzi basin in black is the ultimate design statement. Add a touch of sophistication to your bathroom and update with this on-trend style to create a sleek and stylish look.

The Jacuzzi Designer Range New Innovations catalogue is available to download now and features highly desirable products that look superb and perform to the highest standard.

Further details at www.jacuzzi.co.uk or call 01782 717175

No stranger to introducing innovative heating products into the UK, Channel Islands and Ireland, Aestus is set to wow homeowners, interior designers and specifiers alike with its latest model to launch from the exciting Hotech collection: ‘Table’.

Crafted from 8mm thick Aluminium, ‘Table’, at a glance looks more like a piece of expensive art work than a heating appliance. By possessing the freedom to express shapes behind the normal functional obligation, Michele Casassa was able to design a truly original, statement-piece radiator.

With a cut-out slot on each side, ‘Table’ will also fulfil practical requirements, providing families with the chance to maintain fresh, dry fluffy towels throughout the year.

This conversation piece produces brilliant warmth with an output of 565 watts and is suitable for connection to central heating circuits only.

‘Table’ measures 180mm high and is offered in two widths; 500mm and 600mm. Available in most RAL colours in addition to a further five luxury finishes including brushed, satin or feathered Aluminium and Copper and Silver Leaf, ‘Table’ retails from £3,120 including VAT.

For stockist details or further information, contact Aestus on 01902 387 080 or visit www.aestus-radiators.com.

For homeowners who require a designer look and feel bathroom but without the designer price tag, award winning Taylor’s Etc adds the ‘Pro’ collection to its product portfolio.

‘Pro’ is a ceramic range comprising basins, furniture, WC’S and bidets in addition to a bath. All pieces feature an up-to-date industrial design that is attractive to both the eye and budget. Proving the point that good design does not have to be expensive, clean lines with simple styling have been selected to ensure longevity and a bathroom that is highly functional.

A number of basins are offered; all constructed in the simple, geometric form of a rectangle to provide clear, un-fussy aesthetics within the bathroom. Ceramic pedestals and siphon covers are available as well as options that cater for sit on, drop-in and semi-recessed basins.

Making ‘Pro’ an extremely family-friendly option, complementary vanity units are also on offer, adding to the appeal and functionality of the room.

Call 02920 358 400 or visit www.taylorsetc.co.uk for further information.

For an ultra-feminine, girly effect within the bathroom, Aquaplus Solutions has the answer: its pink line of ceramic basins, WC’s, shower trays and freestanding bath tubs.

Designed to add a soft yet fun and flirty edge to the contemporary bathroom, these new pink additions can be integrated as a complete complementary suite or as individual statement pieces; the choices are endless.

The image above shows the floor standing ‘Lilac’ WC and bidet, both of which cost from £305. The ‘Fly’ washbasin retails from £397 while the chunky ‘Ecoscape’ shower tray, which is available in two sizes; 1200mm x 80mm and 1400×80mm is sold for approximately £585. All prices include VAT.

With a further eleven colourways to choose from including red, orange and green to name a few, consumers can have fun with their bathroom design. Mixing and matching the different options, consumers can create an environment that is unique and reflects their individual style and personality.

Additionally, Aquaplus Solutions also sells a range of modern brassware and accessories that will complete the look.

For further information contact 0845 201 1915 or visit www.aquaplussolutions.com

Former Dwell editor, Virginia Gardiner, is an industrial designer at Design London Imperial College, where she is developing and promoting her plumbing-free toilet, the Gardiner CH4.

“In America, we have a flush-and-forget mentality,” she points out. But 2.6 billion people in the world lack any form of functional toilet, and humans create an average of two pounds of excretion per person per day.

In her video, Virginia shares the ins and outs of her low-cost, low-tech concept for a waterless toilet system. She reviews some new ideas for enabling better sanitation in even the most remote areas of the world, and breaks down the details on turning human waste into a high-value commodity.

It’s worth a look.

Do heated towel rails function as radiators or do I need to install additional heating in my bathroom?

Yes, you can use a heated towel rail as the only heat source in your bathroom, provided it gives out enough heat.

Towel rails fall into two categories: those used solely to warm towels (where a separate radiator is used to heat the bathroom) and those used to both warm towels and heat the bathroom.

All too often, people swap their bathroom radiator for a towel rail, without taking account of heat output. This can result in warm towels in an otherwise cold and miserable bathroom – especially in winter! With a bit of expert advice, this scenario can be avoided. Once you know what heat output your bathroom needs (your plumber or radiator specialist can work it out for you) then it’s a case of matching this to the right heat output.

If your bathroom is compact and well insulated, you shouldn’t have a problem in finding a towel rail that will heat your bathroom adequately. If your bathroom is large and not well insulated, most towel rails will not have the capacity to keep your bathroom warm, or may need to be ridiculously big in order to give out enough heat. The good news is that the radiator industry is finally responding to this problem. There are now several stylish and compact towel rails on the market, designed to maximize heat output with integral hanging rails.

Do you dream of an individually designed kitchen with state of the art technology and streamlined appliances? Are you bored with your bathroom and longing for a more luxurious experience? Then we have the Show for you! If you’re looking for the latest innovations and sleek designs visit the UK’s only dedicated Kitchen & Bathroom Show, on at Sandown Park on 27 and 28 June, where your dream kitchen and bathroom awaits you,

Meet over 50 individual kitchen manufacturers and suppliers, often not seen on the High Street, who will inspire you with bespoke designs, the latest technology and a fabulous array of colours which could transform your kitchen from sad to sensational.

Discover indulgent bathrooms to die for, featuring beautiful baths, designer taps and stunning showers, tempting transformations from a mere bathroom into your very own spa retreat.

As an added bonus, your ticket will give you free entry to the co-located and brand new Southern Homebuilding & Renovating Show. If you’re looking to improve, extend, renovate or even build your own home you can meet over 150 specialist exhibitors, attend free seminars and masterclasses and get advice from the experts. Your perfect home awaits you!

Tickets to The Kitchen & Bathroom Show are £5 in advance and £8 on the day (children under 16 go free). For more information visit www.kitchenandbathroomshow.co.uk or call 0844 581 1306.