The first new kitchen launch in over a decade marks the start of a defining year for the brand. Neptune proudly introduces the Borough freestanding kitchen collection, its first new kitchen collection in more than ten years, combining the versatility of freestanding furniture with Neptune’s hallmark craftsmanship and timeless design values.
A twist on the traditional kitchen; Borough is a collection of freestanding furniture, rooted in three decades of design expertise. Fitted with appliances, each piece – from cooking island to sink cabinet and pantry – has been designed to sit independently or together, offering a more fluid, informal approach to cabinetry. Elevated on tapered legs, Borough blends Mid-century Scandinavian design with a distinctively British design flair. It’s clean architectural lines are softened by gracefully curved corners, bringing a contemporary ease and character that feels at once timeless and modern. Seamlessly integrating with a home’s architecture, Borough adapts effortlessly to open-plan spaces or alongside fitted cabinetry, considering form and function in equal measure. These new kitchen pieces are launched in addition to existing pieces previously launched in 2025, including the kitchen island and chopping block.
The Borough collection takes its inspiration from the very first kitchen John Sims-Hilditch, co-founder of Neptune, created for his own home – a freestanding design that prioritised flexibility and individuality. With that same pioneering spirit, Borough reimagines the concept for today’s homes, spaces that are no longer static but continually adapting to modern life. Designed as furniture in their own right, each piece can be reconfigured, layered over time, and carried seamlessly into the wider home. The result is a collection that honours Neptune’s heritage while answering the needs of modern living.
Borough’s hero pieces are designed with flexibility at their core, making them just as relevant outside the kitchen as within it. The cooking island doubles as both a generous kitchen prep surface and a social hub, with space for seating that makes it ideal for open-plan living. The pantry shows its versatility in any setting – as useful for storing drinks and glassware as it is for dry goods and appliances. The sink cabinet conceals a dishwasher, bins, and cleaning essentials, helping maintain a clutter-free space, while smaller pieces such as the wall cabinet or step stool lend themselves to boot rooms, utility spaces, and beyond. Each design can move fluidly through the home, adapting as needs change.
"We’ve created something distinctly our own, refreshingly different in it’s freestanding design, modern in form but unmistakably Neptune in spirit. We’ve never followed trends; we’ve always built with authenticity and purpose. Borough is the next chapter in that story: evolving with the way people live today, while staying true to the values that set us apart and still always built to last for generations." - Fred Horlock, Design Director, Neptune.
Borough Cooking Island - £5,165 Borough Pantry - £4,995 Borough Sink Cabinet - £4,495 Borough Pan Drawers - £2,195 Borough Wall Cabinet - £995 Borough Step Stool - £249
About Neptune
Our Neptune collection comprises over 1,500 products – a full lifestyle offering for the home that includes kitchens, furniture, lighting, home accessories and an edited paint collection. All of our Neptune kitchens are made from the finest quality timber using expert joinery. Our Trade Membership is designed to support the best in the design industry. We work with professionals who share our passion for beautiful and enduring design that takes a stand against throwaway culture and fleeting trends.
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“AXOR is setting new standards in terms of bathroom customisation. This enables architects, interior designers, and discerning customers to realise their creative visions, meet their special requirements, and express their personalities. It all starts with the colour: AXOR design objects are available in up to 12 exclusive AXOR FinishPlus colours - from polished to brushed, from glossy to matt,” explains Olivier Sogno, Vice President AXOR, Hansgrohe SE. These are brilliant surfaces that owe their robustness and durability to production at the highest technical level. From individual items, i.e. one piece, to large quantities, AXOR FinishPlus surfaces have character. The PVD surfaces are the result of intensive development and refinement in the vacuum chambers of the AXOR Centre for Excellence at the Hansgrohe Group headquarters in Schiltach in the Black Forest. An electric arc is discharged in a high vacuum, and gases combine with zirconium. The mixture hits the chrome surface of the object and gives the surface unprecedented brilliance and a new colour. In addition, an additional layer up to 0.3 μm thick provides greater resistance. This makes the fitting more resistant to scratches and cleaning agents, or the salt in the sea air.
“On request, almost any AXOR product can be further personalised, customised and adapted via AXOR Signature. Custom finishes, length changes, engravings and entirely new developments are possible. Nothing stands in the way of applying your own initials to a tap - the AXOR experts use precise craftsmanship and state-of-the-art technology to express your own personality in the bathroom,” Sogno continues.
“An individually designed living space is much more than aesthetics - it reflects attitude, values and lifestyle. Good interior design supports the personality of the resident without pushing itself into the foreground”, says Stephanie Gehringer, Founder Stephanie Gehringer, Studio for Interior Design and Architecture in Munich, Germany.
Until the late 20th century, most bathrooms were functional wet rooms. The idea that you could spend longer than necessary in the bathroom because you wanted to feel good was still foreign to most people. As was the idea of wanting to personalise this space. It was precisely because Hansgrohe recognised the potential of the bathroom as a living space that the company established its own design brand, AXOR, in 1993.
AXOR built on the experience of its sister brand hansgrohe in the field of design and consistently expanded it. However, it has also developed its own approach: if you want to help shape the transformation of the bathroom, the best way to do this is together with designers, interior designers, and architects. To this day, the variety of selected design partners from these disciplines with whom AXOR works successfully is unique. This is also based on the conviction that real progress is more likely to be made if all those involved are given as much freedom of design as possible and if they engage in an open, appreciative dialogue. For over 30 years now, AXOR has been working with the world's best architects, interior designers and product designers to develop visions of the bathroom as a living space and collections that offer a variety of sustainable solutions for the realisation of personal bathrooms and the individual use of water.
Based on the conviction that good design creates products that are not only beautiful, but also long-lasting, AXOR and its design partners develop solutions at the highest aesthetic and technological level that allow for the respectful, conscious use of water, while at the same time providing new pleasure in the water experience.
About Hansgrohe UK
With its brands AXOR and hansgrohe, the Hansgrohe Group, based in Schiltach/Southern Germany, enjoys a reputation as a leader in innovation, design and quality within the bath and kitchen industry. Founded in 1901 in the Black Forest, the company gives water form and function with its taps, showerheads and shower systems. In combination with sanitary ceramics and bathroom furniture, the company offers individual design options for holistic bathroom experiences. The Hansgrohe Group stands for long-lasting quality products and for responsibility towards people and the environment. As part of its sustainability strategy, Hansgrohe is equipping all water-bearing products with water-saving technologies by 2030.
Global design and BIM software provider Vectorworks, Inc., reveals its 2026 industry trend insights, outlining the key forces set to define the architecture, interior architecture, landscape architecture and design, and live events industries. The trends reflect input from global practice, industry commitments on climate and biodiversity, and Vectorworks’ own research into how designers are evolving their workflows.
“As we look to 2026, the firms that will lead are the ones turning industry change into daily practice,” said Vectorworks Senior Product Marketing Manager Eric Gilbey, PLA. “From embodied carbon tracking to AI-assisted design and immersive live experiences, these trends represent real opportunities for designers to elevate performance and impact.”
For architects, the 2026 trends emphasize the convergence of BIM, AI, and sustainable design analysis as the new baseline for competitive practice. Survey data from the Vectorworks AEC Trends Report indicate strong BIM adoption and a clear recognition that data-rich models deliver a measurable return on investment through improved coordination and visualization. Architects are also looking ahead to increased use of digital twins, AR/VR, and open interoperability to extend value across the entire building lifecycle.
At the same time, the outlook emphasizes adaptive reuse, natural materials, and biodiversity-aware design as key responses to climate commitments, such as the AIA 2030 Commitment and RIBA 2030 Climate Challenge.
For interior designers, Vectorworks’ 2026 perspective highlights the growing expectation that interior projects contribute meaningfully to carbon reduction and occupant well-being, not just aesthetics. Building on this shift, the trends point to flexible, shape-shifting spaces, holistic sustainability, and embodied carbon calculation as defining themes for the year ahead. Designers are being asked to make commercial and residential spaces work harder, supporting multiple modes including collaboration, focused work, living, and wellness within the same footprint.
For landscape architecture, the 2026 trends are anchored in climate responsibility, with national and international action plans setting a new bar for emissions reduction, biodiversity, and long-term ecological performance. Updated frameworks from organizations such as ASLA are driving firms to revisit materials, water strategies, and project management practices through a climate and equity lens.
Insights note accelerating focus on biodiversity, native planting, water-sensitive design, and emerging uses of sensors and drone-based data to monitor performance and urban heat.
In live entertainment and events, the 2026 trends showcase a sector defined by immersive technology, AI-enabled workflows, and rising expectations around sustainability and audience impact. Designers are leaning into LED-based environments, energy-efficient lighting, and GIS-informed site planning to create experiences that are visually powerful, operationally efficient, and easier to manage at scale.
Alongside this, the trends emphasize climate-conscious logistics, community impact, and audience-driven, hyper-personalized experiences as defining measures of success for live events in 2026 and beyond.
Explore the full collection of 2026 industry trends in the Vectorworks Newsroom, including insights for architecture, interior design, landscape architecture and design, and entertainment professionals.
Experience how these trends come to life in practice with a free trial of Vectorworks Design Suite.
About Vectorworks
Exceptional design demands exceptional tools - a platform built to deliver absolute creative expression and maximum efficiency. Vectorworks believe your design software should offer the freedom to follow your imagination wherever it may lead you, to seamlessly share your vision at any phase, and to easily interpret the information needed to make the smartest decisions every time.
Cosentino, a global leader company in the production and distribution of innovative surfaces for architecture and design, expands the range of its ultracompact carbon neutral surface Dekton® with Nara, a new outstanding design included in the existing brand’s Natural Collection.
Inspired by the serene beauty of nature, Nara combines the warmth of beige tones with a soft and enveloping design. Its subtle veining, set against a luminous background, reinterprets the timeless elegance of Taj Mahal quartzite with a contemporary approach. Its silky finish enhances a sophisticated character, inviting touch with a texture that conveys harmony. A balanced and versatile option aimed to spaces seeking a touch of sophistication.
Dekton® Nara is available in the matte finish “Velvet”, and in 0,8 cm, 1,2 cm, and 2,0 cm thicknesses. This new color joins the Natural collection, one of the first series developed for Dekton® palette, that seeks to reflect natural aesthetics and emulates the best of nature.
About Cosentino
Cosentino Group is a global, Spanish, family-owned company that produces and distributes high value innovative surfaces for the world of design and architecture. It works together with its clients and partners to provide with solutions that offer design and value, and inspire the life of many people. This objective is possible thanks to pioneering and leading brands in their respective segments such as Silestone®, Dekton® or Sensa by Cosentino®. Technologically advanced surfaces that allow the creation of unique environments and designs for the home and public spaces.
RAK Ceramics continues to reinforce its reputation as a trusted project partner with the completion of the prestigious Queensgate development in central Birmingham.
DRG Interior and Building Solutions, a leading family-owned construction company known for high-quality refurbishments with a low environmental footprint, selected RAK Ceramics to supply all bathroom solutions for its latest mixed-use development. Located adjacent to Birmingham’s Mailbox, Queensgate has transformed a former nightclub and office complex into 67 luxury apartments with commercial office space across seven floors.
With a partnership spanning more than eight years, RAK Ceramics has become the preferred supplier for DRG’s projects. The two companies share a commitment to quality, efficiency and design excellence, values that have defined their collaboration.
Stacy Cox, Buyer at DRG Interior and Building Solutions, commented: "Being a preferred supplier means RAK Ceramics understands our requirements, quality benchmarks and ways of working, which makes working together smooth and efficient. This trusted partnership reduces risks and ensures that every project starts with a strong foundation."
RAK Ceramics supplied a comprehensive range of products for Queensgate, including baths, concealed shower valves, basins, mixers, back-to-wall pans, concealed cisterns and illuminated mirrors, selected for their design flexibility, durability and premium aesthetic. The RAK-Petit, RAK-Series 600 and RAK-Variant product ranges were among the standout features installed.
"The quality of RAK Ceramics’ products has always been a decisive factor in choosing them," Cox continued. "Their wide range of tiles and sanitaryware is known for durability, design versatility and premium finishes that meet both functional and aesthetic requirements. Quality assurance is critical to the success of our projects, and RAK’s products consistently deliver excellence, ensuring long-term satisfaction for our clients."
Service and logistics also played a crucial role in the success of the project. RAK Ceramics provided reliable lead times, proactive communication and responsive support throughout, ensuring the build remained on schedule.
"This efficiency allows us to plan and execute projects seamlessly, avoiding unnecessary delays and ensuring that deadlines are met. Their service approach reinforces them not only as a supplier but as a dependable project partner," Cox added.
The Queensgate project is the latest in a series of successful collaborations between DRG and RAK Ceramics, solidifying the brand's position as a first-choice supplier for high-end residential developments.
About RAK Ceramics Ltd
RAK Ceramics products feature in some of the most iconic buildings in the world. Known for a wide product range and the ability to produce bespoke solutions for both small and large scale projects, RAK Ceramics enable clients to bring their ideas to life. They respect, inspire, improve and deliver; today, tomorrow, no matter the ambition, no matter the challenge, RAK Ceramics take care of all the details, so you don’t have to. Their passion and expertise combined with a careful attention to detail means they can provide you with a range of integrated ceramics solutions, allowing you freedom to be creative and plenty of room for imagination.
British fabric house Linwood proudly introduces Maru, a new collection of printed linens that captures the quiet beauty of the natural world. Designed in the UK and printed on pure linen, the collection reinterprets archive references and folk motifs through a contemporary lens.
Each of the seven designs offers a different visual rhythm – from lyrical birds and playful lions to stylised florals and expressive stripes – in a palette that ranges from earthy neutrals to rich, modern tones. Suitable for both upholstery and curtains, Maru is a versatile and elegant addition to the Linwood portfolio.
Already a favourite in Linwood’s velvet range, Songbird now appears on linen, offering a lighter, fresher feel. Inspired by antique crewelwork and hand-painted in our studio, the design features birds, scrolling foliage, and stylised leaves.
A small-scale botanical inspired by an Asian trellis pattern, Ima is refined and rhythmic. Layered leaves and outlines give subtle texture – ideal for both modern and classic schemes.
Whimsical and richly decorative, Pipili takes its cue from an antique bedspread. Hand-painted lions, florals, and starry motifs combine in a storybook-style design full of British charm.
A bold reinterpretation of a hand block-printed textile from Uzbekistan. Sweeping foliage and stylised blooms form an elegant, expressive repeat for statement decorating.
Designed to complement Yala, this painterly stripe adds tonal variation and balance. Its hand-drawn quality lends itself to layering or standalone use for a more graphic look.
Delicate florals drift across the linen ground in this calming, considered design. Inspired by Asian folk art and simplified from a richly coloured original.
Striking yet serene, Taiki presents stylised palm fronds in a rhythmic vertical stripe. It brings movement and structure to interiors with a confident, architectural edge.
‘Each design in Maru is a celebration of nature, reinterpreted through a modern lens,’ says Ella Richards, Head of Design at Linwood. ‘Our studio team has created something fresh and usable – perfect for homes that seek comfort, character, and timeless style.’
The Maru collection is available from September at £77.90 per metre (RRP). Printed on pure linen and suitable for curtains, upholstery, and soft furnishings.
About The Linwood Fabric Company Ltd
Linwood draws on classic English style and imbues it with a contemporary spirit, producing exclusive collections of fabrics, wallpapers and cushions that brim with personality and charm. The brand’s artistic vision is an individualistic one – they don’t offer a specific Linwood look: rather, every collection that they produce – be it pleasing small-scale prints or quintessentially English botanicals; informal plain linens or sumptuous printed velvets – is driven by a desire to captivate and delight, bringing a playful, distinctive style to all manner of interiors. Please visit us at our London showroom: Studio Two, Worlds End Studios, 132-134 Lots Road, London, SW10 0RJ
Lighting has long been an important feature of the kitchen, but as the space evolves into something more multifunctional, the latest lighting trends are shaping it more than ever. Lighting is now shaping layouts, zoning areas and defining the overall ambience of the home – illumination is now becoming a seamless blend of architecture and art, and that fusion is unlocking extraordinary creative potential.
Roundhouse is predicting a move away from the traditional spotlight-and-pendant formula and towards lighting schemes that feel more layered, expressive and character-driven. From sculptural statement pieces to illumination that almost behaves like furniture, lighting is proving to be one of the most transformative tools in bespoke kitchen design.
Softer, more organic lighting is influencing kitchens for the year ahead. Crescent profiles, arcs and rounded silhouettes are becoming more prominent, offering a gentle counterbalance to the clean lines of modern cabinetry. This direction has been led by designers such as Tom Raffield, John Pomp and Lindsey Adelman, whose work explores sculptural circularity, curved glass and halo-like forms. Their pieces demonstrate how circular lighting can create a warm, atmospheric glow with refined, architectural impact.
Roundhouse’s Ashbury Project highlights this beautifully. Tom Raffield’s Loer Crescent Pendant, suspended over the breakfast bar, introduces quiet drama without asserting itself too strongly. Curved lighting works particularly well in busy family kitchens, encouraging a more soothing, inviting atmosphere. These rounded shapes also pair effortlessly with natural materials like timber, stone and plaster, which are hallmarks of many of Roundhouse’s bespoke designs.
Another key movement for bespoke kitchens in 2026 is the integration of lighting traditionally associated with living rooms. Designers such as Bert Frank, Matteo Bianchi and Gabriel Scott have helped champion this evolution, showing that decorative lighting can actually enhance practicality. Kitchens are now beginning to borrow the warmth and intimacy of lounge environments - not just through sconces or wall lights but increasingly through table lamps. A table lamp in a kitchen immediately softens the aesthetic, creating a sense of comfort and intentionality.
Roundhouse’s Ling Project illustrates this shift with Vibia’s Mayfair table lamp in gold satin placed on the island. Its soft glow and touch-dimmer control offer a salon-like refinement, demonstrating how ambient lighting can add depth and cohesion in open-plan settings.
Personalisation continues to be a defining theme in interior design, and lighting is following suit. Brands such as Buster + Punch, Martin Huxford and Porta Romana have pushed forward with modular systems, mix-and-match components and adaptable silhouettes, enabling lighting to evolve alongside the demands of multifunctional family homes.
This appetite for customisation reflects an evolving desire for flexibility - designers are embracing adjustable cords, pivoting heads, interchangeable shades and modular assemblies.
Roundhouse’s Weir Project captures this versatility with Buster + Punch’s Hooked 6.0 Pendant Nude. Each element can be repositioned or reconfigured, allowing the piece to serve different roles within the same space. In bespoke design, this adaptability is especially valuable, responding to unique architecture and varied family routines.
A more curated form of eclecticism is emerging, driven by a desire for spaces with narrative depth and authenticity. Designers such as Kelly Wearstler, Beata Heuman and Martyn Lawrence Bullard have embraced the dialogue between past and present, blending vintage lighting with contemporary architecture to create interiors with soul.
Roundhouse’s Moony Project with Webb Architects demonstrates the strength of this approach. A vintage chandelier is suspended within a modern take on an Arts & Crafts kitchen, adding instant character and a sense of history. This interplay works particularly well where the kitchen forms part of a wider architectural storyline. A heritage light can anchor a streamlined contemporary space, while surrounding modern elements keep the overall design feeling balanced and current.
For homeowners seeking boldness, oversized pendants continue to make a commanding statement. Influenced by the sculptural, gallery-led collections of brands including Tom Dixon, Bomma and Moooi, these larger-scale fittings combine visual drama with generous illumination.
In a recent Roundhouse kitchen project created in collaboration with QWC Stone (photographed by Carmody Creative), Tom Dixon’s Beat Stout LED pendants take centre stage. At more than 50cm tall and wide, they offer architectural presence while delivering focused light. Oversized pendants work best when given space to breathe, with clean sightlines and complementary materials ensuring the scale feels intentional rather than overwhelming.
Explore these evolving trends first-hand by visiting one of Roundhouse’s seven showrooms; Wigmore St, Clapham, Fulham, Richmond, Guildford, Cambridge or Cheltenham, where Roundhouse’s expert designers can help you reimagine lighting for 2026.
About Roundhouse Design Ltd
Founded by architects, Roundhouse is a multi-award-winning British company, creating beautiful bespoke kitchens and furniture. Their stunning kitchen designs feature a signature understated aesthetic, influenced by contemporary and traditional design, using innovative materials, texture and colour. Each project is made to measure from a wide range of stunning finishes. Expertly crafted by skilled designers and makers in a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Malvern, Worcestershire. Visit any of seven Roundhouse Design kitchen showrooms; Wigmore St, Clapham, Fulham, Richmond, Cambridge, Guildford & Cheltenham.
Forbes & Lomax has become synonymous with elegant light switches inspired by the late Victorian era and the art-deco period. Forbes & Lomax is world-renowned for its classic collection of lights switches and sockets and has now launched its highly anticipated new finish, Matte Brass.
Joining the original Invisible collection, Unlacquered Brass, Brushed Brass, Nickel Silver, Antique Bronze, Stainless Steel, Aged Brass and Paintable switches and sockets, Forbes & Lomax is excited to introduce its new Matte Brass range to the UK.
With its muted golden tones, Matte Brass is a refined and versatile finish, which brings warmth and sophistication to any interior. The durable baked lacquer coating resists fingerprints and is easy to maintain. Designed for subtle elegance, Matte Brass adds a touch of timeless and understated charm.
Toggles, dimmer knobs and push buttons are available as well as sockets giving a streamlined, classic feel to the design. Sockets are supplied with black inserts to complement the finish.
Forbes & Lomax offers a full range of British made switches, dimmers and sockets in all its finishes with all plates handcrafted in the UK and assembled at the Forbes & Lomax workshop in South West London. The focus for its designs has always been understated elegance and the Matte Brass range is the perfect addition to its collection, offering a classic look that never goes out of style.
About Forbes & Lomax
Forbes & Lomax has been producing elegant, innovative light switches and sockets for over thirty-five years. Renowned for launching The Invisible Lightswitch®, it has always approached lighting control from an aesthetic point of view. The Forbes & Lomax collection comprises nine carefully chosen finishes, which are suitable for traditional and contemporary interiors, making it the brand of choice for many top interior designers, architects and decorators. The range includes push buttons and dolly switches for integrating with intelligent lighting control and home automation systems. It also offers a bespoke engraving service. Visit the showroom at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour.
Over the past year, residential interiors have become even more considered and purposeful, with greater emphasis on adaptability and long-term wellbeing. Homeowners and interior designers alike are increasingly drawn to flexible layouts and intelligent details that support everyday living for all, from food prep to hydration and entertaining.
Nick Taylor, Head of Residential at Zip Water UK, has observed a growing demand for solutions that feel intuitive, inclusive and easy to live with.
“In 2025, residential clients placed far greater value on solutions that support real, day-to-day use,” Nick says. “It’s about versatility, confidence and ease, whether that’s hygienic controls, inclusive multi-user access or taps that adapt to everything from food prep to everyday tasks.”
This perspective closely reflects Zip’s long-standing approach. A pioneer in drinking-water innovation, Zip has always focused on elevating everyday hydration through advanced filtration, thoughtful technology and designs suited to contemporary living spaces. The HydroTap range continues to embody this approach, offering solutions that declutter while meeting the demands of modern, multi-use households. This commitment to practical innovation has shaped Zip’s developments throughout 2025.
One of the defining moments of the year was the Celsius Plus All‑in‑One Pull‑Out receiving an iF Design Award, one of the most respected design accolades globally. The recognition represents more than an award win; it is a testament to Zip Water’s dedication to pushing boundaries in kitchen technology.
Praised for its considered engineering and everyday functionality, this elegant solution combines instant filtered boiling, chilled, sparkling, and mixer water, with a retractable hose spray for greater flexibility and efficiency in a single tap.
Nick, explains: “The Celsius Plus All-in-One Pull-Out showcases truly market-leading technology. Our patented Hose Management System ensures smooth, snag-free retraction, while the water delivery system maintains separate filtered water paths. Combined with advanced safety features and best-in-class filtration, it delivers the ultimate drinking-water experience.”
Beyond its versatility and refined design, the HydroTap continues to support more sustainable living, reducing reliance on single-use plastic bottles and optimising energy efficiency.
Another significant milestone this year has been the continued development of Zip’s accessibility offering, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to inclusive, user-led design.
Nick highlights the importance of collaboration in bringing this focus to life: “It’s been fantastic working closely with Symphony Kitchens this year to help spotlight our accessibility range. A real highlight was seeing the Celsius Plus All-in-One featured on George Clarke’s Kitchen vs Garden. The kitchen, designed by Adam Thomas as part of the Freedom range, perfectly demonstrated the versatility and usability of our HydroTap solutions, showing how they can support people of all abilities without compromising on design.”
Through the close collaboration of Adam Thomas and Zip’s residential specialist Charles Ireland, the project reflects a shared understanding: that design must achieve both accessibility and aesthetic quality, without compromising either.
As conversations around inclusive design continue to gain momentum across the industry, Zip is setting the pace with its new accessibility controller, designed to make everyday interaction with filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling drinking water safer and more intuitive. The controller features clear, easy-to-use controls and flexible positioning options, enabling usability for all.
Adding to an exceptional year, the HydroTap Arc Plus was awarded the SBID Kitchen Product of the Year, an accolade judged by industry professionals who understand how products perform in real environments.
Nick describes the win as a defining moment: “Winning the SBID Award was genuinely heartwarming. It’s incredibly rewarding to see HydroTap Arc Plus recognised by designers who understand the importance of usability, placement and performance. It confirms that the attention we put into detail and user experience truly matters.”
A key strength of HydroTap Arc Plus lies in its flexibility of installation. Designed to work seamlessly over the sink or via a countertop font, it suits a wide variety of layouts from kitchen islands and breakfast bars to home bars and open-plan living. By delivering instant filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling water exactly where it’s needed, HydroTap Arc Plus enhances both functionality and ease of use.
As 2025 draws to a close, Zip continues to expand the Celsius Plus range with the introduction of a new Brushed Brass finish. Designed to reflect the evolving direction of contemporary kitchens, the finish offers designers greater flexibility.
“Brushed Brass feels perfectly in step with how kitchen design is evolving,” Nick says. “Designers are embracing richer tones and more characterful finishes, and this option allows the HydroTap to integrate beautifully into a wider range of interior styles.”
The Brushed Brass finish joins Zip’s suite of premium design-led options, offering greater freedom to tailor the tap to the personality of the space, whether as a subtle complement to natural materials or as a confident focal point within more expressive kitchens.
As with every finish, Brushed Brass has been engineered to meet the brand’s exacting standards. Engineered for durability, colour consistency and long-term performance, it reflects Zip’s commitment to combining aesthetics with reliability.
Taken together, these milestones paint a clear picture of Zip’s progress throughout 2025. From international design recognition to inclusive product innovation, each achievement reflects our values grounded in real human needs.
“What stands out most to me is how clearly our priorities have come into focus.” Nick reflects. “Across every project this year, the emphasis has been on thoughtful design, reliability and finding practical ways to enhance how people use and experience water in their homes.”
This year also reinforced the value of long-term care and protection. Through the HydroCare service offering, Zip ensures systems remain efficient and high performing from their first drop to their last. A reminder that great design extends beyond launch and is sustained through maintenance and peace of mind.
Looking ahead to 2026, the achievements of 2025 serve not only as moments to celebrate, but as a strong foundation for the next phase of Zip’s innovation, one built on trusted performance, human-centred design and a commitment to delivering exceptional drinking water experiences for years to come.
About Zip Water
Experience water at its best with the ultimate in luxury home appliances. Zip Water are manufacturers of the iconic Zip HydroTap - a revolutionary drinking water appliance offering the very best in filtered boiling, chilled and sparkling water; designed to upgrade your lifestyle. A health-boosting, time-saving, space-saving and planet-saving marvel, the HydroTap transforms ordinary tap water into something extraordinary.
Leather is entering a fascinating new chapter in contemporary interiors. Once closely associated with the formality of Chesterfield and traditional club chairs, it is now being reinterpreted through a refined, design-led lens. In spaces where atmosphere, durability, and sensory appeal must coexist in perfect harmony, leather’s versatility has never been more compelling.
This season, designers are exploring mid-century influences translated for modern interiors. Elevated legs, clean, sculptural lines, and generously proportioned cushions allow leather to retain its characteristic warmth without imposing visual weight. The result is a material that exudes understated elegance rather than overt grandeur; an aesthetic that resonates across lounges, study areas, home offices, and residential living spaces alike. Where leather once commanded attention, it now invites engagement, offering a tactile, immersive presence that enriches the spatial experience.
At the forefront of this contemporary approach is sofa.com’s Ellora armchair, a piece that epitomises the balance between heritage and modern sophistication. Ellora reinterprets the classic leather armchair with soft, enveloping cushions and retro contours, providing all the warmth and familiarity of traditional design, while shedding its formality. Its relaxed, mid-century-inspired silhouette ensures versatility, equally suited to a serene reading nook, a collaborative workspace, or a refined executive study. Ellora embodies a guiding principle of modern interiors: furniture should be as inviting as it is aspirational.
Durability remains one of leather’s most significant qualities. Few materials respond to the passage of time with such grace. Over months and even years, natural creasing and subtle tonal variations develop into a rich patina, imbuing each piece with singular character. Rather than diminishing in time, leather accrues distinction, rendering it a long-term investment that enhances both the aesthetic and functional integrity of a space.
Above all, comfort remains central to design. The Ellora’s generous cushioning encourages people to linger, whether for work, reading, or conversation. Its tactile richness fosters a sense of intimacy and luxury, while its elegant proportions elevate the overall visual composition.
About Sofa.com
Passionate about outstanding interiors, sofa.com offers a diverse and design led collection of made-to-order sofas, armchairs, beds, footstools and home accessories. With an extensive range of styles and over 100 fabrics to choose from, as well as the option to upholster in your own fabric, the customisable nature of sofa.com’s products make each piece easily adaptable to any interior style – perfect for interior designers and specifiers looking for stand-out pieces for upcoming projects.
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