“When it comes to kitchen design, discussing the latest trends can be tricky,” says Charlie Smallbone, founder of Ledbury Studio. “Unlike other areas of the home, such as furniture or decor, kitchens require a significant financial investment. Therefore, homeowners are more likely to choose timeless and durable materials and designs that will withstand the test of time, rather than embracing short-lived fads that quickly become outdated.”
Here, Charlie identifies six long-term trends that align with the need for durability and sustainability.
Transitional design, a perfect blend of classic and contemporary styles, is a great example of a longterm trend. This design aesthetic combines the warmth and elegance of traditional materials with the clean simplicity of modern design. The result is a timeless and versatile style that appeals to a wide range of tastes and preferences. Ledbury Studio’s Hampstead kitchen perfectly embodies the spirit of transitional design, with its modern interpretation of a classic Shaker kitchen and stunning marble worktops.
Our second trend is closely linked to the first, as metals have always played a key role in transitional kitchens – although primarily in smaller details such as handles or taps. At Ledbury Studio, we were ahead of the curve in expanding the use of metals beyond hardware and giving them a starring role in our kitchen designs. For instance, our signature copper-fronted kitchen cabinets are made by individually aging and patinating sheet copper to achieve a beautiful Verdigris effect. This approach combines the traditional warmth of copper with an on-trend aesthetic resulting in an entirely new look, which nonetheless won’t go out of style for years to come.
The rise of tactility in kitchens is not just a passing trend but a reflection of our desire for a more sensory and immersive experience in our homes. This has resulted in the popularity of tactile elements like fluting and reeding, which also add movement to surfaces and, when used sparingly, bring a subtle level of interest without overpowering the overall design. This technique is particularly useful for giving a contemporary kitchen a softer look and can be applied to various materials and surfaces. This Camden kitchen boasts many show-stopping features, as well as some more subtle additions that lend serious weight to the overall design. Take note of the delicate reeded oak on the ends of the island: it adds texture and depth to the otherwise flat surface.
What could be better than coming home after a long day and heading to your own home bar to make your favourite drink? Or hosting friends and offering them a variety of perfectly chilled beverages instead of relying on what’s in the refrigerator? That’s why many people are now opting to include a home bar as part of their new kitchen. It’s also the reason why Charlie is increasingly being sought after to incorporate these bars into his designs.
The Hackney kitchen features a generously proportioned home bar with a Stone Italiana Ambra countertop that provides ample preparation space. There’s even room underneath for a pull-out wine rack and a compact wine cooler. However, the true highlight of this bar is the glass cabinet. It has fluted glass doors (another on-trend feature) and can be illuminated from within, creating a visually appealing display and adding fantastic mood lighting in the evenings.
If breakfast is considered the most important meal of the day, it’s no surprise that a breakfast cupboard is becoming a must-have in every Ledbury Studio kitchen. Whether it’s freestanding or built-in, a breakfast cupboard is designed to provide space for storing your breakfast essentials and keeping them conveniently in one place.
For this kitchen in an Edwardian home in the New Forest, the design brief was for a contemporary aesthetic. Charlie achieved this by combining beautiful book-matched walnut veneer and hand-patinated zinc panels edged in walnut. The addition of aged-brass handles adds an elegant finishing touch. In line with Ledbury Studio’s transitional design style, Charlie also created a spacious breakfast cupboard that pays homage to Edwardian homes while incorporating a modern edge. Inside, there are shelves for a microwave and breakfast items, with pan drawers below and fluted-glass cupboards on either side, illuminated from within.
A second kitchen is gaining popularity because it serves multiple purposes. It can offer additional prep or cooking space, double as a laundry or utility room, or provide storage for various items. Its versatility depends on its size, but its primary function is to relieve pressure from the main kitchen and provide a place to hide everyday clutter. This is particularly beneficial in open-plan kitchens where the main kitchen is always visible.
Prices for a Ledbury Studio kitchen start from £70,000.
About Ledbury Studio Ltd
Charlie Smallbone needs little introduction. The founder of iconic brand Smallbone of Devizes, he has been pushing the boundaries of kitchen design for over 40 years. Charlie’s latest venture, Ledbury Studio, was born of his desire to harness the beauty of original materials whilst creating practical kitchens that exude style and elegance.
If you’d like to feature your news or stories on SBID.org, get in touch to find out more.
If you’d like to become SBID Accredited, click here for more information.
Porcelain and ceramics are the go-to surfaces for kitchens and bathrooms and now solutions for all spaces can be found in one dedicated resource, with the launch of the new Surfaces brochure for 2024 from RAK Ceramics.
RAK Ceramics gives porcelain perfection and limitless imagination with unique and inspiring products that realistically resemble natural materials. The new brochure, spanning 132 pages can be browsed in various ways – alphabetically, by look and by size – making it an important reference tool for retailers and designers whether seeking inspiration for their next project or to place an order with full specification details.
Style-wise the brochure features quality, highly durable porcelain surfaces that emulate the key trends in interior design, including marble, metal, concrete, stone and wood. These include Maximus slabs that provide seamless consistency when used over large areas such as feature walls.
For the kitchen, retailers can browse the RAK Ceramics countertop collection – the next generation of large format tiles that are versatile and highly technical, featuring through-body veining – while the range of ceramic wall tiles is just as innovative, meeting the latest trends and achieving original and eye-catching aesthetic results, with a wide range of structures and colours: from the latest pastel tones to the most intense material effects.
Surfaces for outdoor spaces also feature in the new brochure, with a range of sustainable and adaptable porcelain tiles suitable for redesigning and revamping gardens, patios, terraces or driveways.
The product guide includes technical features of each range, maintenance details and tile-laying recommendations. Download a copy of the RAK Ceramics Surfaces Brochure 2024 here or call 01730 237850 to request a printed copy.
About RAK Ceramics
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.
Looking back at sofa.com’s favourite projects of 2023, it’s clear that boutique hotels are no longer simple nor quaint. We’ve worked with designers who are looking to bring the boutique hotel into modernity, and this starts with a reconsideration of what it is that makes a hotel welcoming, and how hotels can keep comfort and function as a top priority yet experiment more with colour and personality, creating a home away from home for guests.
One of the largest projects our dedicated trade team have worked on has been to furnish 9 bedrooms in a new luxury hotel in Ibiza. Perfectly pitched between boutique and mid-sized, Pikes is a project which showcases personality, textural interest and great use of materials. An infusion of colour with beautifully bright upholstered beds and complementary artwork creates an ambient and welcoming environment. Lucinda Swayne, interior designer on the project, comments, “During the renovation, it was vital that the quirky elements were retained to preserve the identity of the hotel. Within the redesign we have created eclectic comfortable rooms with a unique feel, coupled with micro-attention to functionality, so that guests will never want to leave”.
This focus on functionality comes down to vital design choices: bed size and placement, extra surfaces and storage, and lighting decisions.
A perfectly placed bed should leave ample space on each side, ideally enough for the essential bedside table. While beds are ideally placed centrally within the room, this can be a struggle within smaller spaces, when it comes to allow for storage on both sides. Working with designers at Rendall & Wright on a project in Norfolk, our nifty solution was to incorporate a storage ottoman at the foot of the bed, providing both a place to perch and somewhere to stow away personal effects.
Comfort is paramount, with almost all the designers we work with opting for king size beds, as the ultimate requirement for a great overnight stay, is comfort. The main goal is to ensure each guest has the best night’s sleep. Returning customers is the greatest compliment a hotel can receive, and the comfort levels will heavily influence the reputation of a great hotel.
Lucinda comments that a bedroom should be “a comforting space that provides guests with somewhere they never want to leave. Top of the list is by far a comfortable and statement bed.” For the ultimate in indulgence, beds with velvet headboards are a winner – not only do they look luxurious, but they are also beautifully soft and tactile.
Once comfort levels have been established, lighting is the next crucial element, and should be one of the first things considered. Where is the bed going to be placed? You’ll need bedside lamps or wall lights on a separate circuit to allow for adjustable light levels, and true comfort means not leaving your bed to turn off a light switch. Although inherently practical, lighting is another aspect of the room design that can be a vehicle for introducing colour or pattern.
Very much dispelling the reputation of being twee, it’s clear that smaller hotels are going through somewhat of a design shift. A well thought through and exquisitely executed delivery on all the non-negotiables of a dream hotel stay promises a luxurious escape form day-to-day life.
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. sofa.com have been delivering expert project solutions for over 10 years and have experience in a variety of sectors in hospitality, residential and commercial disciplines. With a sofa.com trade account, you can enjoy benefits such as industry leading delivery times, bespoke products, furniture packages, a sampling service and a competitive tiered discount structure.
Dulux has announced its Colour of the Year for 2024, Sweet Embrace. In this article, Dawn Scott, Senior Colour Designer at Dulux explains more about the research behind the colour, introduces its complementary colour palettes and explains how to use the shades across different sectors.
For the last 21 years, Dulux has been using trend forecasting to identify a Colour of the Year that reflects the current state of the world and needs of building occupants. Every year, Dulux colour experts and international design professionals come together for a Trend Forecast brainstorm and share insights about where the world is heading.
This year’s discussions found that although we’re better informed than ever before, we’re still searching for peace of mind, clarity and moments of joy. In a world that feels fragile and complicated, people are seeking a space where they belong.
The Colour of the Year 2024, Sweet Embrace, is a reflection of this insight. Named by Dulux for its ‘arm around the shoulder’ quality, it can be used for projects across all sectors to create a sense of belonging for building occupants.
In addition to Sweet Embrace, interior designers can also draw inspiration from the three complementary colour palettes: Warm, Calm and Uplifting. Each palette can be used alongside Sweet Embrace to support the end use of a space and evoke emotion in building occupants.
Sweet Embrace and its complementary colour palettes are incredibly versatile and can be used across any sector:
The key to designing education settings is making students, staff and visitors feel welcomed and motivated. Whilst Sweet Embrace provides a neutral backdrop that is perfect for the main walls of a classroom, the more saturated tones in the Uplifting palette like High Summer can be used to draw pupils’ attention to the teaching wall.
These bolder tones and the soft pastels such as Fragrant Peony can also be used to bring joy to education spaces, without being too overstimulating. This is key for supporting neurodiversity and making the environment comfortable for everyone.
For areas such as libraries or time-out spaces, the Calm palette is recommended. The sage greens and sea blues, which provide that subtle link to nature, will help students to unwind and feel at ease.
Across the healthcare sector, designs are moving away from industrial, sterile aesthetics. To support the softer and more comforting designs that are now becoming the norm in hospital settings, the Calm palette is recommended. Its links to nature make the colours feel restorative and soothing, which is ideal for creating positive environments for staff, patients and visitors.
For care homes, one of the top priorities is ensuring designs aid wayfinding and help residents maintain their independence. To do this, it is recommended to use softer hues like Sweet Embrace on the main walls and more saturated tones from the Warm palette, like Peanut Butter or Winter Pumpkin, for doorways and feature walls to make these elements stand out.
To create spaces that improve focus and boost productivity – whilst also offsetting high-intensity and stress – use the Calm palette. These colours bring the outdoors in and help people to relax, improving wellbeing in the work area.
However, to boost people’s mood and provide an upbeat welcome to those entering the building we suggest the Uplifting palette’s brighter yellows like High Summer and Ochre Sands for lobbies and entrance ways.
Hotels and restaurants can really benefit from the tones in the Warm palette, as they can be used to create a home-from-home feeling and make people comfortable. On the contrary, to encourage playfulness in leisure spaces, use the Uplifting palette.
For social housing, it is important to make residents feel at home as soon as they enter the building. The Warm palette is ideal for this, as the tones can create a sense of belonging and connectedness. The colours chosen for communal spaces are also incredibly important and should bring joy and imply friendliness – which can be achieved with the Uplifting palette.
Sweet Embrace and the Colour Futures palettes can be selected across a wide range of Dulux Trade products. For education environments, we recommend highly durably paints like Dulux Trade Scuffshield Matt. This tough, water-based emulsion contains ultimate scuff resistant technology that is designed to protect walls against scuff marks being left behind from items such as shoes and bags, to help keep walls looking good for longer.
To further support hospital specifications, a tough, scrubbable anti-bacterial paint like Dulux Trade Sterishield is an ideal hygeine solution as it inhibits bacterial growth, preventing the spread of germs.
Finally, for busy hospitality, commercial and housing projects we suggest using durable paints that can be easily cleaned. For example, Dulux Trade Diamond Matt can withstand 10,000 scrubs (which is the equivalent of five hours non-stop scrubbing) so it can be repeatedly cleaned, ensuring that unwanted stains are easily removed without damaging the paint film on the wall – making the professional finish last even longer. This product also supports sustainability goals as it is 99.9% VOC free.
Dulux Trade Colour of the Year 2024, Sweet Embrace, and the palettes are available to specify from 12 September 2023. For additional guidance on the use of these colours refer to the Dulux Trade Colour of the Year 2024 Specifier Brochure here.
About Dulux Trade
Dulux is the UK’s leading paint brand, with a wealth of products and services designed to help you find the colours that will suit your project, and give you the expert knowledge you’ll need to achieve great results.
The bedroom is one of the most important spaces in any project, whether residential or hotelier.
Considering the design of the room and ensuring that each element works effortlessly to create somewhere that promotes rest and enjoyment is key. Working closely with our global clientele over the past year, we’ve seen a noticeable shift in how designers are approaching each project, with a focus on creating a space of sanctuary. Each stage of the design process is an opportunity to create a space that evokes calm via colours, materials, furniture and accessory choice resulting in the perfect room layout.
As the centrepiece to all bedroom specifications, bed choice is key, and comfort is king. Think about both bed frame and mattress choice, as a deep slumber will be pivotal to guests not only feeling refreshed but recommending their experience to friends and colleagues.
Although we’ve seen hints over the past year or so that interior designers are becoming more experimental with colour, a calming selection of beiges, earth tones and off-whites remain top choices across our upholstered bed range. Texture is used as a way to add interest without opting for colour, with tactile fabrics such as sumptuously soft velvets, or comforting boucle offering the perfect starting point to create a neutral décor scheme that does not lack in design detail or impact.
Collaborating with our clients over the years, we’ve taken on board feedback on the importance of all the small details and our flexibility to fulfil bespoke requests means each element is considered, from bed height to access to switches, sockets and lighting.
Additional furniture should complement the overarching goal to create calm. Whilst acting as a decorative item and adding visual interest to a room, a well-chosen occasional chair at the right time of day can be either a relaxing additional space to unwind, or somewhere to sit and work. We’ve noticed an increase in designers’ incorporating seating at the foot of the bed, whether in the form of a chaise longue or decorative bench, again combining practicality that is tailored to the desired aesthetic. Bedside tables too should balance form and function, acting as a space to store personal items, while supporting stylistic factors within the room.
Often considered more by residential designers, incorporating elements of biophilia through the use of natural materials, and colours inspired by the outside environment has a multitude of benefits in hotel specifications. First popularised in the 50s to boost productivity in office design, this is a trend that has crept into hotel planning to promote a peaceful atmosphere.
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.
If you’d like to feature your product news here, get in touch to find out more.
Award-winning kitchen designers, The Myers Touch are delighted to showcase their recent projects that enhance homeowners’ sense of bringing the ‘outside in’ all year round.
Designer, Helena Myers explains “Homeowners want to engage with their outside environment in a greater way than ever before as it enhances positive emotions. By drawing in the sounds, smells and visual pleasures of their garden, they can fully enhance their sense of an indoor-outdoor lifestyle whilst being inside your kitchen.”
Renowned for creating kitchens with ‘Light, Space and Laughter’, The Myers Touch regularly collaborate with homeowners, architects and landscapers to not only create a kitchen-living space that looks and functions practically with a client’s outside space, but one that also provides a feeling of increased happiness and connectivity that allows families to eat, dine and relax together in one combined space.
By choosing complementary materials and tones from the outside, The Myers Touch designers regularly create harmonious interior schemes within kitchen design spaces that link both the inside and the outside. For example, blending natural, warm cabinetry, sleek worktops and a mix of materials such as slim wooden cladding merges seamlessly with the vibrant and natural colour tones of their outside. Designer, Keith Myers says “Enhancing the indoor-outdoor can be further achieved using textures that match the bricks of external walls. Using wood can elongate the space and timber brings warmth to cabinetry in cooler shades.”
The Myers Touch regularly work directly with homeowners who commission them to design a spacial remodel of their ground floor space so a larger, lighter and more family-focused kitchen-living area can be created which features a connection to their outside space. Designer Helena Myers explains; “We love to introduce the natural world into homes using a biophilic design approach in our kitchen designs. From large glass structural spaces to adding a feature glass window that reflects green foliage, herbs and plants in your garden to connect your kitchen with your outdoor space.”
About The Myers Touch
The Myers Touch specialises in the holistic design of luxury kitchens in the Winchester area, creating truly bespoke living spaces that offer far more than conventional cooking environments. Established in 2003 and based in Winchester, they enjoy long-standing partnerships with the iconic German manufacturer SieMatic and other leading brands including Gaggenau, Wolf, Sub-Zero, Miele and Siemens.
With the much-anticipated AW22 living and dining collection from Sofa.com that has launched on the 5th September, we have taken this opportunity to look back and share insight from the last 12 months. As we seek to identify trends spotted by our trade team, we can unveil the design and fabric preferences from their elite group of interior designer clientele.
The ever-popular collection of cotton matt and smart velvets has now been overtaken in sales volume by the brushed linen cottons – a collection made from 63% cotton and 37% linen offering a stylish and durable upholstery solution. The collection contains a mixture of neutrals and greys, blue and green fabrics with Taupe, Alabaster and Charcoal proving to be most popular.
Other recent launches have also captured the imagination with the Brushstroke fabric collection, already registering as our 8th bestselling line as the tactile nature of the fabric seems to be a requirement that many designers look for.
Our overall top sellers reflect a return to a pared back palette of neutrals. Overtaking the jewel toned velvets popular for the past few seasons are Pumice, Clay, Taupe, Alabaster and Armour.
Interestingly, the summer months have encouraged designers to opt for custom coverings with an increase in COM orders.
Upcoming fabric launches for AW22 include the Heathland Weaves collection as well as range extensions for Smart Velvets, Boucle, Vermeer Linen and Silky Jacquard Weaves. Available in a selection of neutrals, Heathland Weaves cater for a growing desire amongst designers to utilise greys and pared-back autumnal tones and fabric compositions that are as hard-w earing as they are stylish.
Delving deeper into the data the trade team have been able to identify the most popular pieces across the board. The modular Cohen has led the way for 2022, its contemporary styling and generous proportions proving popular across an array of design projects. Bluebell remains the perennial favourite, its timeless, classic design offers versatility for traditional and modern schemes.
Bestsellers in each category include the Izzy modular sofa, Alderney armchair, Thea bed, Arabella dining chairs, and Kingsley table.
Ever adapting to the needs of our designer clientele base, the sofa.com team are proud to be at the forefront of delivering the highest quality furniture, fulfilling each order to exacting specifications.
The trade team at sofa.com is on-hand to assist with any queries – please visit www.sofa.com/trade for more information.
The design team from award-winning kitchen studio, The Myers Touch, is delighted to announce the latest trends shaping their luxury, timeless and beautiful kitchen-living spaces.
Renowned for creating truly bespoke kitchen spaces that offer far more than just cabinetry and appliance options, The Myers Touch creates designs that stem from a deep understanding of their clients, their brief and how they want to interact as a family within the space around them. By applying their unique, holistic approach with the latest trends for each bespoke kitchen commission, The Myers Touch design truly personal kitchen-living spaces for clients that bring ‘light, space & laughter’ into the heart of the home.
“Clean, simple and stylish Scandi-vibe cabinetry aesthetics are increasingly popular among clients. We can create a touch of Hygge in a home through the contrasting and layering of natural materials such as walnut and oak, that look stunning matched with white tones in a kitchen space” Jaye Tidbury, Designer at The Myers Touch.
By using natural materials and timeless colour palettes in kitchen schemes, allows a room to span current and future interior trends. To ensure it remains both a practical and social space, consider accessible and flexible storage solutions in a kitchen to bring a sense of wellbeing into homeowners’ daily routines.
Even as many homeowners are returning to the office, The Myers Touch report the increase for a dedicated desk space within their kitchen designs. Including a desk space behind a pocket door system provides the opportunity to include a ‘hideaway’ desk area complete with storage cabinetry boosts family ‘inclusiveness and togetherness’ in one multi-functional room.
The separation of tasks and the definition of spaces to keep homes uncluttered and clean has never been so important in the home in our post-pandemic lifestyles. A common brief from their clients is the inclusion of a walk-in Pantry, Boot Room, Utility or Laundry room to create definition and functionality within an open-plan design so spaces don’t become one large area.
“The Boot room is a space where we can cast off our muddy boots, damp coats and sports gear before entering the rest of our home. It is a perfect room for pet owners and can be as simple as providing a place for a dog bed and coat rack, or as grand as an ordered storage facility for outdoor garments and equipment of all shapes and sizes.
A Boot Room should be warm with effective heating solutions, to quickly dry off damp coats and shoes with good ventilation. We always include a bench seat so you can sit down and cast-off wet trainers and sports boots, as well as plenty of hooks for keys, belts, dog leads, coats and handbags. For pets, we can also add extra storage for pet baskets, food, water bowls and even a small pet shower or sink.” Helena Myers – Director at The Myers Touch.
“There is also a wider range of materials available for splashbacks against ovens and sinks such as stone, glass, antique mirrors and other composite materials that are all practical options providing a durable surface for a wet, heavy usage area, whilst being an eye-catching design statement.” Sophie Mason, Design Manager – The Myers Touch.
Customers are also requesting bespoke cabinetry solutions for their favourite appliances which they use every day. For example, The Myers Touch recently designed a pocket door system to house a client’s beloved Thermomix as it was used frequently but needed to be tidied away and kept out of view.
Their designer created a pocket door system next to the main preparation and cooking zone which also had space for a toaster and fruit and vegetable basket so food could be stored and easily used in the appliance. The inclusion of stainless-steel shelves meant that the Thermomix could be used in-situ and without any steam damage before being closed away after use.
Their design team also love to be creative when a client wants to display special items in their kitchen space. For example, they recently created glass display units that were situated high into a ceiling that could be accessed via a functional ladder rail.
“Adding a dresser unit or a feature display cabinet in a kitchen-living space provides a softer and contrasting look in a room and also acts as a transitional point between the kitchen and dining space.” – Keith Myers, Director at The Myers Touch.
As energy bills increase, clients are looking for ways of reducing those costs in their homes. The Myers Touch team are increasingly advising their customers to consider the most eco-efficient solutions for their family to help minimise water and energy consumption.
Image credits: Paul Craig.
Abode, award-winning designer and distributor of market leading kitchen taps, sinks, bathroom taps & showering solutions anticipate the latest 2022 market trends for kitchen sinks and taps, as they continue to play a leading role in the modern home.
Following extensive market research and trends monitoring, Abode can reveal the following trends are set to influence kitchen design in 2022.
Leanne Adamson, Marketing Manager at Abode says, “The need for 24/7 convenience that empowers both home and lifestyle is inspiring new levels of design in the kitchen, utility room and hybrid wash zones like the home bar and boot room. Accordingly, end users young and old have become part of the now generation where time is of the essence and well-considered functionality that improves health and wellbeing is top priority. This has led to a rise in high performance kitchen taps, which add value and maintain their design integrity without compromising on style or user safety. Naturally, the trend for steaming hot water and filtered water on tap is set to reach new heights in 2022, with 3 IN 1 and 4 IN 1 taps becoming a staple of the traditional and contemporary kitchen whilst helping us all save energy, reduce our use of plastic bottles and lead healthier lives.”
As more of us are living in a multi-generational household, home ergonomics is a point for discussion with an emphasis on ease of use and product safety. Trends are therefore identifying water safety as a number one priority with taps that are designed to be used by people of all ages, including those with limited mobility, outperforming other inclusive-style taps that forego style over substance. Having a kitchen that can grow with you is going to impact how we design the kitchen wash zone next year with young families, downsizers and the newly retired alike seeking future-proof taps that are easy reach, hygienic and distinct by design.
PRODUCT – We recommend the Abode Agilis Single Lever kitchen tap, which is ergonomically designed. Featuring a sweeping L shape body with knurled aerator collar, the handle is located on the front of the tap body to reduce reach. Providing agile movement via a single lever, just a flick of a wrist will operate the water flow: great if you have dirty hands!
As climate change intensifies, the need to source only the most ethical products on the market is becoming a criterion when planning a kitchen space. Managing water and energy use will continue to remain on trend next year with multi-functional taps taking centre stage in the battle to save the planet. Enjoying the idea of chilled filtered water on tap is now easier than ever, not only cutting down on the use of plastic bottles but the rise in hot water taps has made the kettle redundant – freeing up space and time while reducing water consumption and energy in high usage households.
PRODUCT – Discover Abode Swich, a revolutionary design solution that will transform a new or existing kitchen tap in to a filtered water tap that delivers a constant supply of crystal clear filtered water! The exclusive and patented Swich water filter system is a discreet yet ultra-luxe device, which is easy to use and install, either retro-fit in an existing kitchen or add to a new kitchen design.
Popular with interior designers and homeowners alike, industrial-style kitchens stand to remain a firm favourite next year, with trends reporting a new appreciation for sinks and taps that help define a scheme. Practicality and luxury will therefore go hand-in-hand, with contemporary matt black and delicately distinct brass finishes in high demand. Complementing big ticket items like your appliances and designer fixtures, black will bring extra refinement to next year’s industrial-style kitchen and welcome an eclectic mix of materials and finishes that see the sink and tap area stand up and be counted.
PRODUCT – Answering growing demand for 24/7 convenience that is practical and beautiful, the Pronteau 4 IN 1 Propure Monobloc Quad is seen here in an industrial-style Matt Black finish. Available in five on trend finishes and two spout designs, this 4 IN 1 kitchen tap is a must for the design and time conscious. The steaming hot water is delivered via a two-stage safety handle and with cold filtered drinking water on tap as well as the domestic hot and cold supply you truly have everything you need packaged up in a sleek design that sits proudly in an array of kitchen styles.
About Abode
Established in 2002, Abode has a team with extensive knowledge of sinks, taps and the kitchen & bathroom industry. They are renowned for award winning product design and have been recognised by various industry awards. Over 15 years on their thirst for innovation, design, quality and service remains just as strong as it was on day one. Abode is part of the Norcros plc group of companies, a leading supplier of high quality and innovative kitchen and bathroom products.
SBID founder, Vanessa Brady OBE shared her thoughts on how lifestyle influences interior trends with Studio magazine in their latest edition of Design Influencers.
“At a recent SBID event, hosted at House of Harth in London, I was delighted to join Henrietta Thompson, founder of Harth, and Maryanne Cartwright, design manager at Graham & Brown to discuss what influences design trends…
It was suggested that social media is a main influencer and I agree that whilst Instagram has become the ‘directory of public WCs’, the biggest influence on trends is the way we live. As more jobs are for a three to five year term instead of for life, people are more willing to move around the world to accept improving career opportunities. This transient lifestyle means that more interim, short-term furniture is purchased rather than quality pieces for life. Think of the rise of IKEA and its range of affordable ready-to-assemble furniture.”
Vanessa continues to discuss other important influencers such as multi-country trading, fashion, demographics, key social trends and of course, climate change as key factors influencing interior design.
Click here to read the full feature.
The featured article was written by Vanessa Brady for Studio Magazine.
Join SBID
Find out more about our flexible membership structure.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
By subscribing, you agree to be added to SBID’s mailing list. As an industry’s standard bearer organisation, we strive to bring you the most up to date news and access to exclusive industry content through our various newsletters.