How to: Add a Splash of Colour to Your Bathroom

 Bathrooms may commonly be filled with lots of white sanitary ware, but the overall feel of your bathroom shouldn’t have to feel sanitised and cold. Bathroom brands and designers are including more and more colour in their designs with colourful vanity units, bold brassware and bright baths to bring a unique and fresh feel to that cold white bathroom scheme. Adding colour to your bathroom may seem scary and you’re probably unsure to add it because the colour might go off trend (just like the avocado bathroom suite craze), but adding colour to your bathroom doesn’t mean going overboard. Don’t think about bright and garish reds, neon greens and vibrant oranges, or complicated and overwhelming colour schemes. Think less is more and don't focus on trends, or colours of the year, unless you love them.Most of the time just a splash of colour combined with a few neutral colours will do the trick. Colour works wonders to bring your bathroom away from the cold feeling that sanitaryware gives and into that long awaited feeling of rejuvenation and warmth. Colour can be added to your bathroom in a variety of ways and it’s also the perfect way to stamp your bathroom with your own personal style.  

COLOUR THEORY

Colour is a key element in interior design. It offers spatial perception and can balance different elements of any room. If you want to make sure that you’re picking the right colours for your home, to enjoy for years to come, then take some time to collect and play with colour samples, or simply create a mood board on Pinterest for an easy way to gather colours options and interior design inspiration. Also, take a look at seasonal colour palettes and see which direction you want to go in setting a mood for your room. For example, does your bathroom often feel cold and uninviting because it’s so large? Or, does it feel dark and gloomy because there’s a lack of natural sunlight?Some colour palettes will always remain classical, and some will always be associated to certain symbols or feelings. Colour symbolism in art refers to the use of colour as a symbol in various cultures. For example, red is used to communicate danger on sign posts, but it’s used to communicate the language of love. Often the best colour palettes use timeless colours and normally involve one main colour and then a mixture, shades and tones.   

COLOUR PSYCHOLOGY

Colour is often used to create feelings of coziness or spaciousness within interior design, but it can also be used to influence our mood and even our hunger levels. Similar to how different rooms in the home can influence our moods, which will ultimately change our state-of-mind, colours and rooms are often paired together to enhance certain feelings or perceptions.  An extreme example of how rooms and colours, when paired together, can influence behaviour is how the colour pink (specifically Baker-Miller pink) is used in prisons to calm down aggressive inmates. Project ‘Cool Down Pink’, implemented in Swedish prisons, uses the same design implementation in an attempt to calm down their inmates.A fun example of how colour positively affects our mood is how the colour red can cause hunger levels to rise. It’s often used in restaurants to stir customer apetities. Orange can also activate hunger sensations, as well as yellow, which activates our happy endorphins such as dopamine; high levels of dopamine = an increase to eat more.  So which colours work best in a bathroom? Forget the prison Baker-Miller pink for now, unless you really like it...

• Lilac is soothing and can create a stress-free sanctuary, which is perfect if you enjoy winding down in a bubble bath.
• Blue is calming and soothing, it can open the mind to promote intellectual thought and can also make you feel protected. It’s great if you want ideas to flow when you’re taking a shower, or if you want to feel calm after a long and stressful day.
• Pink, though often avoided because it’s too ‘girlie’, is also a good choice because it can be used to promote feelings of peace, leaving you feeling rested and rejuvenated. It doesn’t need to be a hot pink or baby pink. Think muted pastel pink tiles, even the slightest hint of pink will do the trick.
• Yellow orange!, as mentioned above, activate our happy endorphins. Not the biggest morning person? Then yellow and orange could be the colours for you. They also look great in modern bathroom designs.

  

COLOUR IN THE BATHROOM

You may be leaning more to redecorating your walls with colorful tiles, paint, or wall panels, but there are other options if you don’t want to redecorate your entire room.Beautiful Bright Baths: Let your bath do the talkingWaters Baths of Ashbourne allow you to personalise your bath by customising the outer shell with any colour from the Farrow & Ball colour palette. Each bath is hand painted by their artisan craftsman ensuring a perfect finish and attention to detail for a charge of £295.00 Inc VAT which, if you think about it, isn’t a lot for you to have a personalised bath (that you will love!) which is perfect for your bathroom.   Bold Brassware Accents: Let the brassware do the talkingFor those of you with love for bold design, Crosswater’s Union range offers a striking red lever in the ranges exquisite knurled surface. This confident pop of colour complements all brassware finishes in the industrial looking collection and will add a touch of sophistication to any bathroom. The red lever is available with all of the Union collection so it’s entirely possible to match all your bathroom’s brassware with this confident pop of red!If you're looking for something more colourful check out Tres tapware for bathrooms where basin taps, shower heads, shower valves and shower handsets are available in the following Loft colour finishes: violet, amber, orange, red, fuchsia, green and black. Even their kitchen mixer taps are available in the same colours!  Colour Match: Let your whole bathroom do the talkingUtopia bathrooms have some amazing co-ordinating furniture, fitted, wall mounted and freestanding, in a variety of sophisticated, classic and on trend, colours and shades. The Lustre range offers wall mounted units in sea green, powder grey, indigo and copper. The Star Range offers dramatic bursts of colour highlights. The Opula range offers sweeping lines and straight curves in three colour finishes; grey, sea green and indigo. The Symmetry range offers more colour with beautiful vibrant teal. The Roseberry range offers a more traditional style with a peacock blue or London grey finish. The Halo range offers a more contemporary feel with a wide choice of co-ordinating colours, such a denim blue and concrete grey.Bisque have a passion for colour and exciting finishes. They believe that customers should have the optimum variety of choice when it comes to their choice of radiator. In addition to their colour range some Bisque radiators are also available to be painted in international colour ranges such as RAL or NCS colours. Fancy a pastel lilac radiator? Bisque can do that! Bisque also offer iridescence finishes for their iconic ranges, such as the classic radiator, the classic towel radiator and their hot spring radiator. The 5 striking iridescence colour finishes have a two-tone effect when viewed in different light or seen from different angles.Doccia shower trays are also available in colours from the RAL color chart! Some you could match your shower tray to your Bisque radiator!  Powderey Pinks & Pastels: Let pastels do the talkingIn modern homes and 2018 interior trends it’s becoming increasingly popular to see pastel colours. This visually calming, chromatic range balances the surrounding space to bring inner peace. The most popular pastel in 2018 is pink, a powdery pastel pink. It’s soft yet vibrant personality works really well in interior design as it can increase the light capacity in each space it’s used. It’s also highly versatile because it pairs well with various colours and finishes, such as black and gold, and even natural finishes to add a touch of warmth and emotional wellness.Bathroom Brands such as; Fiora, Villeroy & Boch, Dansani, Bisque, Vitra, Britton, Crosswater, GSI and catalano all feature pastels within their bathroom designs, some even offer furniture and sanitaryware in various pastel finishes. 

 Fun & Funky Tiles: Let your tiles do the talkingWhatever the style, tiles are a great way to add a creative and colourful touch to your bathroom, plus there are many different designs to suit all tastes. Tiles will speak for themselves, so if you want your new bathroom to be creatively colourful and you’ve found just the right tiles to do the job then your new bathroom may not need any additional colour. This is helpful when it comes to thinking about the other areas in your bathroom as you won’t need to think too much about an overly complicated matching colour scheme (unless you do!). Why not take a look at our tile page where there's plenty of colourful tiles to choose from?  Not as creative as you think? We don’t judge! There’s actually a lot to think about when you start to involve colour schemes in your home. Why not let us have a go for you? Visit an Island Bathrooms showroom when you're next free, or book a free 30 min consultation with one of our bathroom experts and let them know you want to add a splash of colour to your bathroom!  

Burlington Coloured Ceramics

Introducing the Burlington Coloured Collection. Distinctive and unbelievably striking, the new colours provide the ultimate opportunity for originality within your bathroom. Inspired by the bolder colours synonymous with the early to mid 1900’s, Confetti Pink, Alaska Blue and Moon Grey introduce a playful and contemporary twist to traditional ceramics.

Alaska Blue

Inspired by the coloured suites of the late 1900s, the cool and contemporary Alaska Blue ceramics demonstrate how to bring colour into the 21st century traditional bathroom. Sophisticated yet bold and beautifully daring, Alaska Blue offers a twist on a classic vintage bathroom style.Browse Products

Confetti Pink

Paying homage to the mid-century era, the confident blushing shade of Confetti Pink strikes the perfect balance between authentic traditional style and characterful contemporary design. Confetti Pink ceramics promise to add a striking look to your colour scheme.Browse Products

Moon Grey

Subtle yet distinctive, the Moon Grey ceramics introduce a subtle approach to incorporating colour into the bathroom. A soothing and elegant shade, the sophisticated tones of the soft grey perfectly complement the characteristic shapes of Burlington’s Edwardian ceramics.Browse Products The Burlington Coloured Collection is available to purchase through Island Bathrooms today! Let's make a statement.

Why You Need Fitted Furniture

Fitted furniture seems to be the perfect match for a bathroom of today, especially if you're trying to achieve a designer look. There is a huge variety of styles, ranging from traditional to modern, as well as a range of colours and finishes to compliment any bathroom, cloakroom or en-suite.Fitted furniture has the ability to be attached to the wall and the floor which provides you with a great place to store toiletries, towels and your other bathroom essentials. Many come pre-assembled for ease or installation A clean and tidy room is the best way to create a relaxing space in which to relax and unwind in. Pipework can be covered within your chosen furniture this will reduce any visual clutter and provide you with plenty of space for keeping all of your toiletries out of sight.Tall and shallow options are available to ensure that you make the most out of your small rooms, and a choice of a left or right opening allows you to create a bespoke and original fit. We have a wide range of fitted furniture suitable for bathrooms small and large as well as a range of great looking designs and styles.

Some of our favourite fitted furniture pieces, available at Island Bathrooms

Contact us today to speak about your new bathroom transformation!

Matt White Collection

Introducing Matt White, the latest finish in the Crosswater MPRO range! This finish offers the same high-end luxury feel as the original collection however it is now available in a stunning new on-trend colourway. If you are searching for new brassware that is going to make a statement then look no further as this crisp monochrome collection is your answer. The colour has been applied by using powder coating. Powder coating is a proven method used to protect brassware against harsh conditions, making it the perfect finish in your home. 

MPRO Basin 2 Hole Set.

To begin with we have this beautiful 2 Hole Basin Set. The MPRO range from Crosswater provides you with the very best in brassware engineering.

MPRO Basin Monoblanc.

This is a very popular design at Island Bathrooms for it's high-quality design and finish. And now available in Matt White we have something to offer our customers looking to create a statement.

MPRO Crossbox.

Available in a 1,2 and 3 outlet valve we have something available for all of our customers bathroom requirements. A white finish really can create a timeless statement in any bathroom.

MPRO Showerhead.

Available in a 200 and 300mm head. This stunning showerhead is guaranteed to create wow-factor. The sleek white shade will go with any colourful tiles to create that beautiful monochrome effect.This striking new colour joins the five existing finishes to continue the evolution of this iconic product range, meeting the demands of today's modern day bathroom!

How to: Take Care of Your Bathroom

We know a thing or two about bathrooms after almost 40 years in the business, so here's some advice on how to make the most out of your bathroom.

(so it lasts for years to come!)

1.

Our first recommendation is to make sure you install a suitable extractor fan to remove all condensation which will settle and cause mould and rust. A 5/10-minute shower can produce 2 pints of moisture in the air, so an open window is not enough to keep your bathroom dry! Early Autumn is the most popular time for condensation to form on your nice new chrome radiator, so make sure to keep it dry to stop rust from forming. You can also use PEEK CP polish or even Pledge furniture polish on the surface for extra protection.

2.

If you have drained your central heating system to install a new radiator make sure some relevant Fernox has been re-added to your system.

3.

If you have installed a wooden bath panel make sure you seal the gap between panel and bath with dow corning to avoid water ingress. Also, if you have cut the ends please varnish these too.

4.

A good acrylic bath should last for years. In the unlikely event that it gets scratched, you can remove scratches with fine grain wet and dry mixed with fairy liquid. A small amount of GT compound will then replenish the shine. Please ask for further advice if you're not sure.

5.

Bleach, Cillit Bang, Mr Muscle, Astonish, Limelite etc are all very acidic and can damage bathroom waste, taps, seat hinges etc. So, keep these well away from bathroom equipment!

6.

The new Isocast/polymarble or SMO basins have more flexible designs, they are better engineered than normal china-wear so they can be polished to remove scratches to keep them looking like new!

7.

Scale is the biggest problem in hard water areas, and as you probably know, will affect your taps or shower valve. To get rid of hard water scale, simply remove the cartridges and dip them in white vinegar and water mix for 20 minutes. Thermostatic shower valves can also be affected by scale, so use the same method to clean your wax cartridge, then re-insert and re-calibrate using the manufactures instructions (if you're not sure please call).

8.

Use a wiper to clean down shower glass every week or so, this will stop scale build up. You can also use Vaseline to lubricate door rollers.

9.

Tile grout can be protected after installation by coating with 2 coats of Lithium, you should ask your tiler about this! It's an easy process which will stop your grout from discolouring and going mouldy.

10.

Last, but no means least, your vanity unit or fitted furniture (which is usually made of MDF or wood) should always be kept dry. If water is left to lay on the surface then it could penetrate and deteriorate your furniture (which will not be covered by warranty). Make sure that you've also got appropriate sealant between basin and worktop to stop any internal water damage from occurring. 

Need some more advice from our experts? Send us a message or give us a call and we'll be happy to help!

On Trend: Black Bathroom Ideas

Incorporating black in your bathroom is a great way to give your bathroom an infusion of style, especially if you have a flat white scheme or a colour palette which needs a pick me up. It’s always hard to pull-off an all black colour scheme because black will often make a room seem claustrophobic and gloomy, but when black is used sparingly it works wonders to highlight certain aspects of any room, regardless of the rooms style. Black is as versatile as white and will act as a balancing colour to unite any chosen colour scheme. It’s a great colour choice if you’re looking to rejuvenate an existing colour scheme or if you’re trying to unite a palette of colours.You may see a lot of modern black products on the market but this latest trend isn’t only focused on modern design, traditional properties will also benefit from an infusion of black too. From black trellis shower frames to elegant black handle bath mixers, there’s plenty of classical products which will add a touch of elegant sophistication to your bathroom. There are a number of ways to add this versatile colour into your existing bathroom design or remodel, but the trick is to choose where you’d like to feature this colour, so it doesn’t overwhelm your space. To help get you started we've added a few ideas below on how you can incorporate black in your bathroom. We've also included a handful of black bathroom products which are available in-store, so if you see anything you like just give us a call!

BLACK FEATURES TO FOCUS ON

Black bathroom accessories: If you’re not planning on remodeling your bathroom then why not buy a new set of black bathroom accessories? Adding black bathroom accessories and decorative touches is an easy way to highlight certain aspects of your room, plus they'll also add depth to your existing colour scheme.Black and white tile combos: black and white hexagon floor tiles are available in modern or classical designs, or you can keep it simple with white rectangular subway tiles and black grout which look smart in any home, no matter what style. Black brassware: Whether you have a traditional or modern home there’s beautiful black brassware to match either style. Try combing a black basin tap with a black shower head or bath tap.Black shower frames: Black shower frames are a great way to make a contemporary or  classical statement. Plus there are a number of options to choose from, from traditional trellis frames to contemporary black tinted shower panels and doors.Black statement pieces: From shower trays, baths and vanity units, adding a black statement piece will give your room a wow factor focal point. You can then go on to add accessories and decorative touches to match.

PROS & CONS OF BLACK BATHROOMS

Pros:

• Black detail will instantly standout in any room
• Fingerprints won’t show up so easily on matt black fittings
• Watermarks don’t show as much on black tiles or shower panels
• Depending on the type of black finish or material, a good quality black tap will have a durable finish that’s resistant to scrapes and scratches

Cons:

• Dust, Soap scum, toothpaste and limescale can become more visible
• Depending on the type of black finish or material, cheap black taps with cheap black coatings can be more susceptible to scraps and scratches

COLOUR SCHEMES (TO THINK ABOUT)

Black & white: colour schemes are iconic, they offer timeless appeal to both contemporary and classical homes. It’s a very easy and versatile colour scheme to work because it contains just 2 colours; so you can choose to be very creative or you can just keep it simple! Black and white tile combinations are a great way to set a monochrome mood in your bathroom, plus there are a variety of black and white tile options to choose from.Black with wood: combos offer a down to earth and cosy feeling, especially if you add some greenery into the mix. Any wooden finish will match with black so it’s really easy to combine any style of wooden vanity unit.Black & grey: work best together when one is used to highlight, while the other is used as the main feature. This combo looks fantastic in modern homes offering a cool, calm, and collected feel.Black with colours: because black is neutral it matches with most colour schemes and styles. It looks particularly good with pastel pinks and muted blues, but if you’re looking for something more dramatic, it really makes deep greens, indigo blues, vibrant purples, and mustard yellows pop!

BLACK BATHROOM PRODUCTS (AVAILABLE IN-STORE)

Baths:

 

Good to Know: What's WRAS All About?

WHO?

— WRAS stands for the Water Regulations Advisory Scheme.— WRAS was incorporated in 2008. 

WHAT?

— WRAS raise's awareness and understanding of the UK Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Byelaws.— WRAS provide's an approval scheme, as well as processes and guidance, to enable organisations and individuals to demonstrate and show compliance with the UK Water Fittings Regulations.— WRAS approvals are given to bathroom products which meet the UK Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Byelaws. 

WHY?

— UK Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations and Scottish Byelaws safeguard against waste, misuse, undue consumption or contamination of the water supply. — Water companies have been working together for over 100 years to help individuals and organisations comply with byelaws and water fitting regulations.— WRAS contributes to the protection of public health by preventing contamination of public water supplies and it encourages the efficient use of water by promoting and facilitating compliance with the UK Water Supply Regulations or Scottish Byelaws— WRAS approval is the easiest way to validate compliance with the UK Water Regulations and Scottish Byelaws.— Having WRAS approval is like wearing a badge of honor for any bathroom product. 

WHERE?

— UK Water Regulations and Scottish Byelaws apply to all premises receiving a public water supply and focus on the passing of water between the boundary of a property and the mains cold supply.— Any water fitting which (when installed) will carry or receive water from the public mains water supply will need to comply with the UK Water Regulations and Scottish Byelaws.— WRAS approval extends to any products which can be connected to a water supply.— WRAS approval is accepted by every water supplier in the UK.— Products which have WRAS approval are widely advertised by brands and retailers.— Products which have WRAS approval will have the 'WRAS Approved Product' logo advertised online or in their product brochures. 

HOW?

— WRAS certified approval is issued after a product has undergone significant testing by independent labs and water suppliers (to meet the UK water regulations and bylaws).— Valves, boilers, taps and showers undergo mechanical and water quality testing.— Non-metallic materials & components undergo testing for their effects on water quality. 

THE IMPORTANT STUFF

— WRAS approved products are not required when replacing bathroom products to an existing water supply. — If you’re planning on building an extension, which includes a new bathroom or kitchen, and there is an existing water supply then you do not need to install WRAS approved products.— WRAS approved products are required in new builds, building projects and extensions which need to be newly connected to the mains cold water supply. — WRAS approved products are required if you are upgrading a building intended for public use (shopping center facilities, leisure facilities and hotels) regardless of if there is an existing water supply. — If you are responsible for purchasing water fittings for new builds or extensions (which need to be newly connected to the mains cold water supply) or you are upgrading a building intended for public use then you will need to purchase WRAS approved products.— WRAS approved fittings need to be installed to WRAS standards, and by a qualified plumber, in order to uphold full WRAS compliance.— Each WRAS approved product will have a certification and approval letter. 

THE IFS & THE BUTS

— There’s no legal obligation for manufacturers or brands to have their products WRAS approved. It’s a voluntary scheme.— Getting products WRAS approved can be costly so some brands and certain products will not have WRAS approval, as well as some product replacement parts.— It’s possible for your WRAS approved fittings to be inadequately installed, this would stop your WRAS approved product from being fully compliant with UK water regulations.— In theory, it’s possible for contractors to legally purchase and install non-WRAS approved products, but it is illegal to run water through them (plus your local water board wouldn't allow it!)— When your local water board comes to check and connect your new water supply, and there are not WRAS approved fittings to carry or receive water from the public mains water supply (or if the fittings are inadequately installed), then the water board will not be able to connect the water supply until there are WRAS approved products fitted to WRAS standards. 

OUR ADVICE

If you want to inquire about or need to purchase WRAS approved products, speak to one of our bathroom experts in-store. If you are responsible for purchasing fittings for new builds, building projects and extensions (which need to be newly connected to the mains cold water supply), or you're purchasing fittings for buildings intended for public use, please tell our experts that you need WRAS approved products, they'll be happy to show you a number of available options. 

FIND OUT MORE

Visit the WRAS Water Regulations Advisory Scheme website to read more about WRAS approval and water regulations.

How to: Choose the Perfect Shower for Your Bathroom

Showers are often chosen by design preference, but what type of shower you’d like is very different to what type of shower your home might need. The type of shower which will work best in your home is determined by the pressure of your water from whichever water system your home runs on. Do you have a hot water system, a combination boiler, or a gravity system? Water systems and the water pressure they provide will affect the type of shower you will need. There are showers for all types of homes and pressures, there's also solutions such as shower pumps to fix low pressure gravity systems. Once you know your water pressure, you’ll know which type of shower to choose, then you can choose from a variety of designs these types of showers offer.   

Types of water systems

 Gravity system - If you have a gravity system you’ll have a cold water tank in your loft and a hot water tank in your airing cupboard. This is a low pressure system so you may need a pump to increase water flow. If not, use a low pressure shower valve with both feeds coming from the storage tanks.Best type of shower to have: Install a shower pump to boost pressure or use a low pressure shower valve Combination boiler - If you have a combination boiler, which is very common in modern homes, you’ll have a wall hung boiler and no storage tanks. This is a high pressure system and it relies on mains pressure to deliver water around your home, giving you hot water on demand. Cold outlets are connected directly to the incoming water main and hot water is produced when cold water passes through equipment specifically designed for heating water at pressure.Best type of shower to have: Any thermostatic valve or kit for shower use & a manual valve which is ideal for exofil bath fillers Unvented water system- If you have a unvented water system you’ll have a cold mains water supply with a hot water storage tank, and wall hung boiler. The hot water storage tank is filled with cold water from the mains and heated within the tank. The tank then stores a quantity of hot water at mains pressure. Best type of shower to have: Any thermostatic valve  & manual valves for bath filling 

Types of showers

 Thermostatic mixer - A thermostatic valve maintains your chosen water temperature, keeping it consistent, even when someone else uses a tap elsewhere in your home. It does this by regulating any possible temperature changes, to protect you against temperature fluctuations, which can cause scoulding. Thermostatic mixers require hot and cold water supplies. They’re great for family homes because they’re the safest way to shower. They’re becoming the standard shower to have in most modern homes.Suitable for homes with: Unvented water systems, combination boiler systems & gravity systems Electric shower - Suited to homes with low pressure, electric showers have their own heating element, producing heated water on demand from a cold mains supply. So you can have a warm shower at anytime of the day. Suitable for homes with: Combination boiler systems & gravity systems with poor pressure. Consider this type if you have poor pressure from your existing system Digital shower - Popular in modern bathrooms, digital showers offer state of the art technology.  They sometimes allow you to control your shower via a remote control or even your smartphone. They also offer ease of installation in modern bathroom renovations. Digital showers allow you to set an exact water temperature much like a thermostatic mixer, but fancier, so the showers already at your prefered temperature for when you’re ready. Most digital showers offer touch control and can also change colour from blue through to red depending on the water temperature.

Suitable for homes with: Any system, plus digital showers can come with/or without a pump

Still unsure? Please visit a showroom to speak to one of our bathroom experts for full clarification.

Types of shower designs

             

Unsure of your water pressure? We can help with that! Why not contact us or visit us in-store?

Our bathroom experts will be able to show you a variety of showers suited for your water pressure and your bathroom!

KBB Exhibition Review: Brand Highlights & 2018 Bathroom Trends

WHAT WE SAW...

This year at the 2018 KBB exhibition in Birmingham we saw an array of new bathroom technology, new bathroom products and designs, plus the latest interior trends. We caught up with our favourite brands while meeting new and inspiring brands. Plus, we got a glimpse at the new colour palette for 2018, and saw new materials and textures being chosen for bathroom design in 2018.

The exhibition was truly inspiring, brands showcased complete interior decorated rooms which looked like gallery style exhibits, to show off the latest design trends as well as their new bathroom products. This year there were 3 design factors which were prominent across many of the brands on-show:

1. Thoughtful and versatile products focusing on user comfort and modern design

2. Bathroom products which are designed to feel good

3. A crossover between timeless design and contemporary style

THERE WAS ALSO...

Industrial inspired design, bold one colour statement furniture, Scandinavian inspired design, black and grey furniture and brassware, textured and patterned bathroom products, modular furniture, tropical themes, greenery decorations, WC technology, luxurious baths, soft and neutral earthy tones, natural materials, marble and stone effect furniture and tiles/panels, pastel pinks, straight lines mixed with soft curves, gold brassware, brick style and wooden tiles/panels, plus soft to touch finishes.

 

WHAT WE EXPECTED...

Black brassware & sanitaryware, Scandinavian inspired design, wood finishes & natural materials, WC technology (rimless toilets), more rose gold products, more tropical inspired displays, more hexagon tiles, more Clearwater baths on display, and more of our favourite brands.

 

STAND OUT STANDS:

- Bathroom Brands (Because they had a 2 floor stand with a slide that went into a ball pit!)

- Scudo (Because their stand created the feeling of stepping into a home with differently styled rooms… it had very creative and comforting atmosphere.)

- Cubico (Because you could walk along and view each of their stunning displays with ease.)

- Frontline (Because each of their contemporary, exhibition style displays surrounded a very hip bar & seating area… it was very fun and exciting to be in!)

- Deuco (Because their stand reminded us of walking into an exhibition… the displays were stunning and the atmosphere was very relaxing.)

- Fiora (Because some of their bathroom displays were encased with glass and fabulous to look at.)

- Perrin & Rowe (Because their stand oozed a luxurious, open-plan, London penthouse apartment feel… it was absolutely stunning.)

- RAK (Because it felt like you were walking into the V&A museum & the science museum at the same time.)

 

TAKE A LOOK AT/LOOK OUT FOR:

- Crosswater’s industrial inspired Union range

- Scudo’s contemporary black bathroom range & their traditional floor standing vanity units

- Frontline’s Scandinavian inspired vanity units

- Hurlingham’s wow factor baths & sinks

- Creavit & all of their products

- Cubico & all of their luxurious & contemporary (yet affordable) products

- Dansani’s contemporary wall hung vanity units & modular furniture

2018 COLOUR PALETTE:

Black, Grey, Gold, Pink, Graphite, Red, Beige, Brown...

  

Combination palettes: Black & white - Black, white & red - Grey, white & black - White & wood - White & gold - Pink & gold - Black & gold - Grey & white

      

In the Spotlight: The GSI Ceramica Swirlflush® WC

Why would I need a silent flushing system you ask? Well, take yourself back to a night where you were silently asleep. Someone gets up to use the toilet, then suddenly there’s a hurricane in the bathroom and your rudely awoken. Exactly. Wouldn’t it be nice not to hear your toilet flushing all hours of the day? Well, GSI have just come out with a silent WC that’s so revolutionary it’s got its own registered design with its own patented flushing system. Take a look…

8d decibels quieter than a normal flush (which is around 72 decibels) the Swirlflush only emits around 64 decibels! To put this in perspective, showers are around 70 decibels and air conditioners are around 60 decibels. The Swirlfush WC also combines ExtraGlaze ceramic coating, another registered design from GSI. Extraglaze offers an extremely smooth, non-porous surface which creates a protective barrier against bacteria and limescale. When liquid touches the surface it runs right off or pulls together. Less germs are then spread on the surface and around the surface. The SwirlFlush also has a modern, quick-releasing and soft-closing seat… Something you’d expect from such a beautiful piece of modern bathroom technology. 

  

But the most important feature is how powerful the revolutionary drain system is. Due to the absence of the traditional rim water flow is maximised as well as the overall pulling power of the systems flush. Normally you wouldn’t need to, or think to flush down 36 pieces of toilet paper all in one go. Normal toilets wouldn’t handle this amount of paper. But the Swirlflush can and it can flush it away in around 5 seconds! Not yet a believer? Why not take a look at the test videos below which use some uncommon, yet apparently flushable materials. 

The new Swirlflush® rimless WC flushing system is currently available with GSI’s Norm, Pura, Sand and Kube ranges. Not yet convinced by the wonders of the Swirlflush? Watch us test 1 of the best toilets in the world at our showroom on Holdenhurst road!

Our director David has been showing our lovely customers the wonders of the new GSI Swirlflush toilet, at our showroom in Bournemouth! This revolutionary WC is currently the BEST WC on the market... It's super silent as well as being incredibly powerful! #gsiswirlflush #gsiceramica

A post shared by Island Bathrooms & Kitchens. (@islandbathroomsandkitchens) on Feb 28, 2018 at 9:27am PST

In the Spotlight: Old London Traditional Bathroom Furniture

Island Bathrooms are proud to introduce the newest range of Old London traditional bathroom furniture. Available in four distinctive finishes, the collection reflects an era of timeless elegance and quality workmanship.Choose from a subtle and muted colour palette of warm ivory, deep pistachio, earthy stone grey and exquisit natural walnut to compliment your period bathroom design.All pieces within the new collection feature a fantastic wainscot design of striking horizontal and vertical lines to create a fabulously British look that is ideal for making a personal statement within the home.The full collection of traditional bathroom furniture from Old London features a variety of co-ordinating pieces from traditional vanity units to storage cupboards, back to wall WC units, wooden cabinets and laundry baskets. You can even finish the look with a stunning range of matching wainscot design bath panels, available in all four finishes. All items are also finished to the highest possible quality and are backed by Old London’s generous 10 year manufacturers guarantee to provide that all important peace of mind for years to come.

Old London Traditional Vanity Units

The collection of bathroom vanity units from Old London come in two distinct styles. The first is a traditional vanity unit with a full width ceramic basin that comes in both 600mm and 800mm widths. The benefit of the full width basin is that it allows for much more countertop storage space for day to day bathroom accessories. The second option comes with a much more striking and chunky semi-recessed basin with two tap holes, making it ideal for creating a more genuine period feel by adding traditional tap pairs. Both styles of vanity unit come complete with soft closing doors as standard as well as ample storage space, metal sleeved feet and distinctive satin nickel handles.

Old London Traditional Bathroom Storage Units

To complement the look and provide some fantastic storage space within the bathroom, the Old London range contains some elegant storage solutions. Choose from freestanding options of 4 drawer storage units, single shelf open storage units, tall storage units with 4 internal shelves as well as the stunningly crafted tallboy storage unit with drawers and shelf storage. All freestanding storage units come with metal sleeved feet for minimal movement when placed in the bathroom as well as reflecting the Old London wainscoted panelling style.

Old London Finishing Touches

Old London have also provided the final finishing touches to complete that all important period look in your bathroom. The stylish back to wall WC unit maintains the same stylish, square feel and is available in all four stunning finishes. Combine with the Old London range of traditionally styled toilet seats to complete the look in your bathroom. Also available to create a seamless design are the Old London wainscoted bath panels. These are available in all standard bath sizes to accommodate whatever bath you have in your home. Finally, choose from any of the wall mounted Old London wooden mirror cabinets. They each have matching interiors to the chosen finish and come with a large internal shelf for easy storage. Combined with the elegantly styled handles, they make a fantastic addition to a traditional design.Shop a wide range of traditional bathroom products on our website. Alternatively, come into one of our showrooms and be inspired by tons of great traditional bathroom displays, as well as a number of premium brands we don't currently sell online, such as Imperial, Heritage and Burlington.

Island Bathrooms Introduces: Bomb Cosmetics

Island Bathrooms are proud to introduce Bomb Cosmetics into our Salisbury showroom, an exciting range of bright, natural, fun and affordable handmade bath, body, face and shower products. Bomb Cosmetic products not only smell and feel wonderful on your skin they look beautiful on display too, ideal for complimenting any bathroom.Made from only carefully selected ingredients, natural butters and pure essential oils Bomb Cosmetics offer only the finest products to nourish and care for your skin. We have an extensive collection of Bomb Cosmetic products on sale, here’s just a few of the best as chosen by our customers...

Beyond the Bath Tulip

Cleanse your skin with the beautiful Beyond Bath the Bath Tulip bath creamer. Classical, and pretty featuring a soft powdery scent with hints of aldehyde, jasmin, iris and spice. The rich heart mixes clove with amber, lily and peach with a complex musk finish that captures sandal, amber and vanilla. Containing skin softening butters combined with healing tea tree oil for an exhilarating bathing experience.

Knickerbocker Glory Whoopie Blaster

Delectable but not edible, the Knickerbocker Glory Whoopie Blaster is a fizzy ice-cream and soda fragranced bath bomb bursting with skin goodness, made from divine cocoa butter, pure amyris and thyme plus essential oils for an instant lift. Essences of wild fruit and red berry notes blend seamlessly with a creamy vanilla base to make a mouth watering fragrance.

Apple Cherry Choo Choo Bath

Apple Cherry Choo Choo bath is second to none. Featuring the perfect balance of skin softening cocoa, shea butters, pure bergamot, clary sage and essential oils for the perfect skin softening concoction.

Chic & Cheerful Bath Mallow

Enhance your mood with the Chic and Cheerful Bath Mallow. With beautiful essences of pure lemon and rose essential oils combined to soothe and uplift, infused with a generous dollop of pure cocoa and shea butters to moisturize and soften the skin, this luxurious bath bomb will leave you feeling revived and ready to go.

Rhubarb & Custard Bath Mallow

Naughty but nice, this yummy Rhubarb and Custard Bath Mallow is an ultimate bathing luxury, Infused with pure cocoa and shea butter, clary sage and amyris oils. Plus a fruity explosion of red berries and ripe rhubarb that leads to a heart of peaches blended with cream, with a close softened by the sweetness of caramel and vanilla.

Pina Paradise Bath Mallow

Pina Paradise Bath Mallow, an indulgent cocktail of mallow, pure butters, pure mandarin and grapefruit essential oils, with skin conditioning Nirvana. Featuring fruity, sparkling notes of fresh pineapple and oranges, the creamy, coconut heart blends peaches and almonds with a sweet finish of caramel & rich vanilla. Place your bath mallow in warm water and watch as it fizzes softly, melting and releasing its skin softening cocoa butter.

Rosehip Bath Buttercup

Rosehip Bath Buttercup features a classic, floral fragrance with nourishing butters to moisturise the whole body, with added benefits of ylang ylang and chamomile essential oils to soothe and comfort. With a soft powdery scent that captures aldehyde, jasmin, iris and spices at the opening. The rich heart mixes clove with amber, lily and peach with a complex musk finish that captures sandal, amber and vanilla.

Superfruiter Bath Buttercup

Full of fruity goodness, this Superfruiter Bath Buttercup is sure to enliven your senses, featuring the perfect cocktail of cranberries and zesty lime with supporting fruity notes of strawberry, raspberry, plum, peach, apple and cassis with hints of white flowers on a woody base. Breathe in its fragrance, and wonder as the butters melt into your bath and fragrantly nourish your body, with pure lime and clary sage essential oils.

Ripple-licious Butter Loop

Radiant and redolent, full of pure butters the Ripple-licious Butter Loop is infused with pure magnolia oil and blends of red fruits, raspberries, grapes, blueberry ad juicy pears, finishing with the sweetness of vanilla and rich caramel, leaving the skin softened and revived.To see our full range of Bomb Cosmetics on show visit our Salisbury Showroom. 

New in: Hudson Reed Memoir furniture

Introducing....

the new Memoir Furniture collections from Hudson Reed featuring clean contemporary designs, available in an array of colours including walnut, blonde oak, gloss cashmere, gloss white and gloss grey finishes. Hudson Reed furniture offers exceptional quality without the steep price tag. Manufactured to the highest of standards combining the perfect balance of practicality and reliability, Hudson Reed is a brand you can trust.The Memoir Furniture collection is ideal for adding a contemporary feel to your bathroom, and a great way to introduce bold colours. All pieces within the Memoir collection are backed by the 5 year Hudson Reed manufacturer’s guarantee; click here to shop for Hudson Reed Memoir Furniture.

Floor standing Vanity Units with Basin

The Memoir collection includes a stunning array of floor standing vanity units to coordinate with your chosen finish. These durable units are available in two doors and two draw versions and in 600mm and 800mm versions, all with plenty of space for toiletries to ensure of a clutter free look, complete with a durable mid edged ceramic basin. The vanity unit drawers and doors feature soft close technology, come already assembled with handle included. An alternative basin can be supplied for this item if preferred.

Wall Mounted Vanity Units with Basin

If you are looking for a space saving and minimalist unit, the Memoir collection includes a beautiful range of 1 draw wall mounted vanity units featuring soft close drawers, complete with a durable mid edged ceramic basin. These beautiful vanity units are supplied fully assembled with handle included. An alternative basin can be supplied for this item if preferred.

Wall Hung Storage Units

Ideal for space saving are the Hudson Reed Memoir 1400mm tall wall hung storage units. Featuring soft close doors that can be hung left or right hinged these durable units come ready assembled in a range of coordinating colours to match the rest of the collection.

Cloakroom and Unit Basin

The collection also offers a range of in smaller compact vanity units with basin 500mm in width, ideal for the smaller bathroom or cloakroom.

WC Units

The collection also includes coordinating a range of WC Units for back to wall toilets 500mm in width.

Bath Panels

Also to complete the look of your bathroom is a host of coordinating bath panels available in 1500, 1600 and 1700mm widths. For the end of your bath there is a collection of bath end panels and plinths available in 700mm, 750mm, 800mm, 1500mm and 1600mm widths.The Memoir collection is ideal for adding a contemporary feel to your bathroom, and a great way to introduce bold colours. All pieces within the Memoir collection are backed by the 5 year Hudson Reed manufacturer’s guarantee; Click here to shop for Hudson Reed Memoir Furniture

In the Spotlight: Tavistock

Tavistock.....

Are a leading manufacturer of beautiful bathroom products, from modern designs to vintage inspired collections they've got it all covered. Tavistock bathroom furniture and pottery offers functional yet stylish designs to compliment your bathroom at very reasonable prices that are sure to reflect your individual sense of style.

Bath Panels & Bath Screens

Tavistock offer an extensive collection of bath panels in wood veneer such as the Milton antique pine collection and contemporary white gloss finishes such as the Meridian bath panel collection all at superb prices. With a whole host of modern and traditional styles to choose from there’s something to suit every bathroom and budget.Tavistock also offer a sleek and elegant collection of bath screens available in curved and straight designs crafted from 6mm thick safety glass backed by the Tavistock manufacturer lifetime guarantee for your peace of mind.

Bathroom Cabinets

Ideal for keeping your bathroom de-cluttered with the joint purpose of a mirror, Tavistock offer a stunning collection of bathroom cabinets in an array of finishes featuring a whole host of benefits including soft close doors, double sided mirrors, integrated lighting and internal shaver and toothbrush recharging sockets.

Bathroom Furniture

Tavistock offer an extensive collection of bathroom furniture in fantastic designs from traditional to contemporary. The collections include cloakroom units, vanity units, storage units, wall-mounted vanity units and WC units in a variety of different finishes from wooden finishes such as Walnut and more contemporary finishes such as Black gloss, Montana gloss and white gloss which all come complete with a full 10 year manufacturer’s guarantee.

Bathroom Mirrors

Bathroom Mirrors If you are looking for a beautiful bathroom mirror Tavistock offer an extensive collection of bathroom mirrors featuring a host of benefits including heated demister pads, ambient lighting, charging socked and infra red sensors. All mirrors from Tavistock are IP44 rated and come with the 12 month Tavistock manufacturer’s guarantee.

Taps

Tavistock offer an array of modern taps in stunning styles to suit all water pressure systems. There are a beautiful collection of modern taps such as the Tavistock Q60 Tap collection that provides a cascading waterfall effect, ideal for adding a little wow factor into your bathroom. The collection has everything you need to coordinate your bathroom with this beautiful look including basin mixer, bath filler and bath shower mixer at surprisingly affordable prices. All of Tavistock’s taps come complete with a full 5 year Tavistock manufacturer’s guarantee.

Shower fittings and Shower kits

Tavistock have a large range of shower fittings, shower kits, shower valves and controls ideal for adding the perfect finishing touches to your bathroom. The Tavistock showering ranges also include a variety of concealed and exposed shower bundle kits all at fantastic prices complete with a 10 year guarantee.

 Shower doors, Enclosures & Trays

Tavistock have a large choice when it comes to shower enclosures and doors all of which are fully guaranteed for a lifetime and are fantastically priced Tavistock’s Oxygen 8 shower trays are crafted from durable cast stone that will last for years to come backed by a 25 year manufacturer’s guarantee as standard.

Basins, Wastes and Bottle Traps

To compliment your bathroom Tavistock have a wide selection of beautifully crafted modern and traditional bathroom basins in a variety of shapes and sizes with and without pedestals. All Tavistock basins come complete with a full 10 year guarantee. If you are looking for a basin wastes from clicker to pop up, Tavistock are sure to have a waste and bottle trap suitable for your basin, all of Tavistock’s wastes come with a full 5 year manufacturer’s guarantee.

Toilets & Toilet Seats

If you are looking for a new toilet, Tavistock offer a large range of toilets including traditional toilets, wall hung toilets and back to wall toilets. All toilets from Tavistock come complete with a 10 year manufacturer's guarantee. To compliment your new toilet Tavistock also offer a large range of toilet seats from the standard white gloss design all the way through to several wooden veneer finishes.Tavistock as a brand have alot to offer with beautiful looking bathroom ceramics and furniture made from durable materials, many with up to a lifetimes guarantee. At Island bathrooms we offer an extensive range of Tavistock products at the lowest prices guaranteed.