Innovative Living

Victoria + Albert’s Ledro

The new Ledro freestanding bath offers style, functionality and eco-friendliness. Shaped like an avocado, with ample space for shoulders at the head end, it tapers towards the foot end, allowing space for the knees to rest. The angle of recline is gentle, comfortably supporting the lower back, with a flared rim to rest the head. The high sides cocoon the bather for a deeper sense of relaxation.  Made from Quarrycast^TM, a unique composite of Volcanic Limestone^TM and a special resin. The material is durable and relatively light and is scratch and stain resistant. It also acts as a natural insulator, so it retains more heat from the water, resulting in a longer-lasting warm bath.  Ledro complies with all current regulations and guidelines, including BREEAM Level 1, Building Regulations Part G and the Unified Water Label.

Ideal Standard’s  La Dolce Vita

Ideal Standard unveiled the La Dolce Vita range as part of its design-forward Atelier Collections, crafted by Chief Design Officer Roberto Palomba. This collection captures the essence of ‘the sweet life,’ transforming bathrooms into tactile, expressive spaces. Explaining his vision for the range, Palomba stated: “I sought to reinterpret la dolce vita, a phrase evoking a lifestyle where one can take the time to appreciate the beauty in the everyday. The collection creates a space that sparks inspiration and dreams, where new ideas come to life. Every detail was carefully designed to reflect this essence.”La Dolce Vita offers a full suite of bathroom solutions – including vanities, vessels, toilets, bidets, bathtubs, mixer taps, shower products and accessories – that allows easy integration with other products. Accompanying the range, the Finesse furniture series features sleek designs with recessed handles, available in four matte colours and two wood finishes. Sustainability is a key focus, with materials sourced from certified sustainable forests.

Visually, the collection strikes a balance between geometric precision and organic forms, and includes tapered, curved ceramic vanities and toilets, striking vessel basins and a signature freestanding bathtub. Fittings and accessories come in chrome and PVD finishes, including brushed gold, magnetic grey and silver storm.

Axor’s ShowerSelect ID

Developed in collaboration with Phoenix, the Axor ShowerSelect ID brings unparalleled precision and personalisation to the shower experience. The concealed thermostatic mixer, made possible by the innovative AXOR iBox universal 2, extends just 45 millimetres from the wall and features a central temperature control dial that provides haptic and auditory feedback. Surrounding paddles, equipped with Select technology, allow for effortless switching between spray types and outlets. Available in three design styles – round, square or ‘softsquare’ – and offering a wide range of the brand’s FinishPlus surfaces and Signature custom inlay options, ShowerSelect ID merges cutting-edge technology with a sleek, minimalist aesthetic. Its ultra-precise controls and modular potential enable up to four outlets to be seamlessly integrated into the shower setup. The solid metal surfaces, inscribed with fine symbols, allow users to control water flow with a simple touch, while the SafetyStop feature prevents scalding. As a fully customisable product, it brings individual identity and style into the bathroom, while options including black Nero Marquina marble and mirrored glass make it a true statement piece for any interior.

Zucchetti’s Sablier

The Sablier collection is a new range of stainless steel taps designed by Monica Armani’s studio, offering a fresh perspective on the treatment of steel. Crafted from AISI 316L stainless steel, Sablier redefines the material by transforming its typically rigid, angular forms into soft, flowing contours. This delicate sculpting infuses each tap with fluidity and grace, complemented by a smooth, pleasing, tactile experience. The design is inspired by the silhouette of an hourglass, from which the collection derives its name – a timeless symbol of the passage of time. Monica Armani and her team embraced the challenge of designing their first tap with enthusiasm. Despite the compact size of the pieces, each one demanded intricate attention to detail. Sablier captures the organic essence of mountain landscapes, reflecting the transformative power of natural elements such as time, wind and water. The result is a modern, refined collection that blends the forces of nature with human innovation. In addition to conventional brushed steel, the collection features a new matte finish achieved through sandblasting, subtly altering light reflection and enhancing the aesthetic softness. This blend of organic forms and high-quality materials results in taps that are not only practical but also rich in aesthetic appeal, connecting modern design with a deep respect for nature. The Sablier collection includes single-lever mixers and two-handle taps, all designed with water-saving features to meet the latest environmental standards.

Kohler’s Loope

The Kohler Loope, a waterless sanitation toilet and recipient of the prestigious 2024 iF GOLD Product Design Award, marks a major innovation in sanitation solutions, making it particularly valuable in densely populated urban areas lacking traditional sewer infrastructure. This toilet operates without sewage systems or electricity, utilising a container-based sanitation model that separates liquids and solids for efficient, sustainable waste management. Developed under Kohler’s Innovation for Good (IfG) platform, Loope embodies the company’s commitment to social and environmental impact, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals by addressing global challenges like safe sanitation access. Designed by Hiro Muraoka and his team, Loope combines form and function, with a water ripple-inspired design that emphasises the value of water while showcasing the ingenuity of a dry toilet without compromising aesthetics.

Roca’s Avant 

The Avant toilet by Roca redefines modern bathroom design with a focus on space optimisation and sleek aesthetics. Featuring the innovative ‘In-Tank’ system, it seamlessly integrates the water cistern into the toilet, eliminating bulky components and maximising space. Perfect for compact areas, this all-in-one solution is easy to install and maintain, requiring no major renovations and available is electric or electricity-free forms.

The electricity-free Avant uses mains water pressure at 2.0 bar and a flow rate of 14 litres per minute. If the installation does not support these specifications, the electrically connected Avant-E is available as an alternative. Avant’s patented ‘Venturi Effect’ flushing system offers powerful performance with full and half-flush options, improving water efficiency. The ‘Rimless Vortex’ dual-flush system delivers a quiet, 360-degree flush that reduces both noise and water usage, while its ‘Supraglaze’ technology ensures a dirt-resistant surface for easier cleaning. Combining cutting-edge design, silent efficiency and advanced hygiene, Avant is a game-changer for the modern bathroom. Offering a blend of elegance and functionality, it’s the perfect solution for homeowners seeking innovative style and space-saving brilliance.

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