COMMENT: Using colour in the bathroom

Hayley Tarrington, creative director of Plug In Design, says colour is key in the bathroom

When it comes to the bathroom, ‘colour’ is an extraordinary design tool to play and have fun with. For me, more home owners desire their very own sanctuary, a place to unwind and relax, and it’s a known fact that colour in a room can influence not only your mood but also the size of space. With the bathroom not just being a place of function anymore, homeowners can really make a design statement!

Injecting a splash of colour to counter-balance the most austere of sanitaryware can be easy, but the trick is using the right amount and to be clever with your colour combinations. This is because colour is the one of the biggest factors to consider when helping to create contrast and interest in a room. Warm and cool colours can change the dynamics of a room as well as the relationship between light and dark. I find, in most successful colour schemes, it is best to use one dominant colour, a secondary shade, and one for an accent or trim.

Autumnal, earthy shades are very effective at drastically warming up your surroundings, as warm spaces alter our perception of temperature and so increase our body warmth. However, if you crave a sanctuary for relaxation, then err towards cooler colours and tints. Not only will this make the space appear larger but again, the cool space will also give the impression of time passing more slowly.

A material is also something that needs to be taken into account. ‘Smooth’ surfaces can provide a reflective platform, allowing for more light to bounce around the room, whereas ‘texture’ can add vitality and warmth.

So, when you’re in the stages of choosing a colour scheme for your interior make sure you establish; what do you want to achieve from your room? How do you want to feel? And more importantly what style do you like?

For more news, views, trends, and for the latest on colour revival in the bathroom make sure you subscribe - for free - to Kitchens & Bathrooms News

NTG bites back

There appears to be a lack of knowledge amongst some blogtwitbookers about the role of the NTG in today’s kbb markets,so let me give them some relevant facts.The NTG was formed in 2004 with the objective of becoming the conduit for relevant training opportunities for people in thekbb sectors. Before that there was simply nothing specifically for our sector, as all other national training opportunities were focussed on the wider (and larger) ‘construction’ sector – as opposed to our mission which relates specifically to ‘rooms’ rather thanbuildings.

Setting up from nothing basically, and there was much bad feeling about the statutory CITB levy and grant system, which again, ever aimed its cash at the kbb market, despite many participants being levied on their payroll to fund training activities – so you can understand the frustration of many of us in the industry, but also see the opportunity for a body to focus

specifically on kbb training.

Now getting accreditation, developing NVQ’s, developing a framework for an apprenticeship programme – even doing anything like this, is a minefield covered in red tape and obstruction…it’s an obstacle course that puts many people off at the start, but we were committed to developing relevant training opportunities for the industry – despite these obstructions.

Also, you must bear in mind that we are not exactly flush with money, and had to develop our own income stream to enable us to continue, and we had some generous supporters in the shape of the BSH Group, the KBSA Corporate members, Industry partners and the BMA (Bathroom Manufacturers Association) which enabled us to obtain matched funding from

Construction Skills – as we were able to convince them that this would be recognition that the kbb sector needed specific support, away from the construction sector.

Having started, we have been working tirelessly to develop relevant activities, and some of the courses run recently were:

3 day kitchen design courses

The BMA Bathroom Academy – This gives on-line training modules

Skills Academy Masterclasses – sponsored by Blum, Egger and Hettich

Sales & Customer Care courses

Building Regulations – how they affect the kbb sector

Many NTG accredited CPD learning sessions delivered through company in-house training

A kitchen installation apprenticeship scheme at level 2 NVQ – which produced 12 young apprentices (32 currently being

trained and ongoing) in 2011 through the scheme run by Webs Training in Nottingham as well as other training providers in the North.

We are trying to encourage more schools/colleges and universities to take the kbb markets as opportunities for employment – whether that be in sales, design, installation, project management etc – a mission that must continue.

We may have been hiding our light under a proverbial bushel in the past, but our mission for 2012 is to raise our profile, develop new courses (like The Living Kitchen Workshop, which we trialled in December with several KBSA retailers) – focussing on the need now to include elements of interior design when planning a kitchen project), and then promoting these

opportunities in our trade press and other relevant areas.

Members of the relevant trade associations (KBSA, BMA) receive discounts on course costs, and there are grants available also from Construction Skills which cover in-house as well as external training sessions undertaken. As our markets have become driven by ‘fashion’ over the past decade, the industry is finally emerging as a vibrant, exciting, and rewarding employment opportunity for many young people – and is becoming a job that’s worth consideration – rather than one that is viewed as old-fashioned and unexciting.

I hope you can share the vision we have, and are working towards delivering to the benefit of improving standards in our modern industry. So, the more people embrace these opportunities, the quicker we will succeed.

Graham Ball

Acting chair

KBB National Training Group

Mixed KBB retail sales in December

Kitchen and bathroom retailers have reported mixed sales in December, with some showrooms describing the Christmas holidays as “amazing” with others citing a “slow start” to the year.

Members of the Kitchen Bedroom Bathroom Specialists Association (KBSA) had divided views in its latest Member Monitor.

Ben Sambrook, bathroom designer at Ream Kitchens, Bedrooms, Bathrooms in Gillingham and Eltham said the company had an amazing holiday period, with New Year’s Day being fantastic. According to Sambrook, the diary is full of quotes and orders. Sambrook believes it’s because they’re a renowned company locally, and also because they’re running a VAT-free deal in January.

However Phil Gibson of InToto in Cheam was quoted as saying it had been a quiet start since the beginning of January. But the national franchise is now entering into a sales period and the showroom is now seeing a few more enquiries and starting to do quotes, which Gibson hopes will see the business through to the spring.

Abacus Kitchens in Henley-in-Arden and Solihull also suffered with poor sales before Christmas, but is finding it slowly improving. Mike Kentish says the company has to compete with self-employed fitters but he is now also running a VAT-free deal.

Roger Hibbert of The Kitchen Showroom in Sudbury looked to advertising to drive business, using social media. Hibbert said: “We’ve been very pro-active. We use Facebook and Twitter and update the website regularly.” During Christmas and New Year, he opened the showroom and said: “One couple even came from over an hour away because they liked what they saw on the website.”

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Belling strikes 100 - not out!

MD of GDHA, Denver Hewlett

Appliance brand Belling is celebrating its 100^th anniversary this year. Denver Hewlett,  MD of parent company Glen Dimplex Home Appliances, talks exclusively to K&B News about its success and says retailers should be optimistic about appliance sales

Belling is one of the UK’s most recognisable cooking appliance brands, having traded successfully for 100 years. During this time, it’s seen the launch of the Baby Belling – a combined oven and sealed electric hob used on the worktop – and more recently introduced a built-in oven with induction plate.

Denver Hewlett, managing director of parent company Glen Dimplex Home Appliances (GDHA), says Belling’s ability to introduce ideas like these has been key to its success.  Marketed as a good value for money, family brand, its perhaps then surprising Belling has been instrumental in driving appliance design and technology. Denver continues: “It’s been quite innovative over the years and had quite a few firsts. [Belling] was the first company to make a fully enamelled cooker and was the first to market a 600mm slot-in cooker. I used to be a retail customer of Belling and there was a waiting list for up to a year to be allocated a freestanding, slot-in cooker from Belling. And they used to sell for £699.” He continues: “[Belling] created the first fan oven as well.”

But it’s not just about the functionality of the ovens; Denver says the company has focused on the design of the products too. In fact, as part of its 100^th anniversary celebrations, Belling is set to unveil the 100 Collection, at London’s Savoy Hotel in March, which will feature a new fascia aesthetic. And the launch is being supported by an updated website, with revised logo and trade campaign. In addition, for each 100 Collection appliance sold, Belling will be donating money to charity, which will be chosen by its Facebook fans.

With all of Belling’s accomplishments, and its upcoming launch and celebrations, it could be difficult to choose the most significant, achievement over its 100 years trading. But Denver is adamant that it the longevity of the brand: “We’ve been around for a long time and we’re still here. That’s the biggest achievement. We’re still relevant to the marketplace. The brand has really kept up with the times and progressed and we’ve kept it really in-line with the trend of what people want and what they expect”.

And he’s equally positive about appliance sales in the current market. He says: “It’s challenging. But I always try and be optimistic about these kinds of things. If the market is 55 or 10% down, whatever people say it could be or might be – it still means there’s 90% of the market to go for. There are still lots of people buying appliances. There are still lots of people buying kitchens. Sometimes when you listen to people, you’d think people have stopped spending money altogether but they haven’t. It’s just making sure that you get your business in front of those people. It is hard. It is tough. But you’ve got to get on with it and be sensibly optimistic because things will get better, people will start buying again, and house prices will start moving up again. I think [retailers can help] by making sure they’ve got the right product, at the right price, on the shop floor and by offering the right sort of service.”

BrIT Girl: Can you beat The Cube?

Assistant editor, Britta O'Boyle

Electrolux has created travelling pop-up restaurants, called The Cube, to celebrate its 90^th anniversary and showcase its professional and domestic appliances. No clues for guessing which lucky girl was invited to its latest destination – Milan!

Pop-up restaurants have become a global phenomenon – from Dishoom Chowpatty Beach Bar (brilliant name) on London’s South Bank through to The French Laundry at Harrods, which opened for just 10 days. You snooze you lose. It was only a matter of time before the kitchen industry embraced this bang-up-to-trend culinary movement. And boy am I glad it has!

Appliance brand Electrolux has taken the lead with its pop-up restaurant, The Cube. In fact, since last year, there have been two Electrolux Cube restaurants travelling throughout Europe, to arrive on-top of landmark sites for just three months. Now you see them, now you don’t. I wonder what the sight-seers have to say about this!

Electrolux Cube pop-up restaurant on top of Milan building

Electrolux introduced its The Cube pop-up restaurant to celebrate 90 years of professional heritage. And fresh from its jaunt to Brussels, The Cube I was invited to visit had just landed in Milan. The 140sqm restaurant has been located on top of Number 1 Via Ugo Foscolo in Milan – overlooking the cathedral - and will be there until April 26. Then it makes its way across to the UK later this year. I must admit, I am very much looking forward to finding out which London building it will be landing on, any thoughts?

From its lofty position, The Cube claims to offer ‘fantastic tastes and never before seen views’ – a big statement? No. Not in the slightest. With the landscape and the beauty of the building itself, it was pretty incredible and quite frankly made me speechless (not an easy accomplishment).

The Cube not only looks uber-stylish (understatement of the year), but its design is pretty clever too. It boasts a table, which seats 18 guests, that drops from the ceiling for meal times. It overlooks the kitchen featuring professional and domestic appliances. And when the meal is finished, the table raises back into the ceiling, allowing guests to mingle for post dinner drinks.

Don’t even get me started on the food! One word – amazing. Seven courses (I know) were prepared by Michelin Starred Chef Andrea Sarri, one of 13 chefs on a rotation system whilst in Milan. The chefs are selected from the country the restaurant is in and they must work with Electrolux professional equipment within their kitchens. But with 50% of Michelin Starred restaurants around the world using the equipment, they aren’t stuck for choice.

The Electrolux Cube also allows guests to interact and learn from the professional chefs, ‘inspiring its guests with a once-in-a-lifetime’ and ‘memorable’ dining experience. I’m sure they probably won’t be forgetting the brand anytime soon either!I’m not joking when I say it’s not marketing fluff. The restaurant might be temporary, but it certainly won’t be something I forget in a hurry!

Ram Kitchens makes return

Famed for pioneering flat-pack kitchen furniture manufacturer, the Ram Kitchens brand is back led by the PJH Group.

A distributor of the brand in the 80s, PJH Group is re-introducing the dormant brand with the same values of ‘high quality craftsmanship at an affordable price’.

PJH believes the brand will complement its mid-market K Kitchens brand, offering its retail, merchant and contract customers a choice of furniture.

There are a range of 16 kitchens, with 18mm white cabinets, and designs that span classic and contemporary designs. These will be complemented by a large choice of accessories, handles, worktops, sinks, taps and appliances.

It will be supplied exclusively by PJH Group, from stock, on a 48-hour delivery and the Ram Kitchen Collection will be available from February.

PJH Group will be supporting the brand with marketing materials including a Ram Kitchens website, Apps to download, social media support, brochures, price lists, POS, display discounts and promotional activity.

Amanda Watson, kitchen product manager, PJH Group, said: “By re-acquainting and reminding customers of the many qualities of the Ram brand – from its ‘Made in GB’ robust and durable manufacturing properties; to its highly competitive pricing; and on-trend styling; combined with PJH’s market leading distribution and customer service standards, we believe the Ram kitchen collection will prove popular with stockists and consumers alike.”          

Trade Associations: Is less more?

Philippa Turrell, Editor
Kitchens & Bathrooms News

There are just some things in life you can just never get enough of, celebrity scandals, chocolate, chips and champagne - or is that just me? But can the same be said for kitchen and bathroom or associations? Surely the power is in the fewer the better. That’s not to say I don’t appreciate the role of industry associations, I do. I understand the need for an organisation or even a couple of groups to represent kitchen and bathroom businesses. But with the launch of yet another, planned for this year, the Independent Kitchen Specialists Association (IKSA), the (trade or professional) body count could now rival a teen slasher film.

It brings the number of trade and professional associations, targeting the UK kitchen and bathroom industry to six. The IKSA is set to add to the Kitchen Bedroom Bathroom Specialists Association (KBSA), the Bathroom Manufacturers Association (BMA), the Federation for Kitchen & Bathroom Designers (FKBD), the British Kitchen Designers Association (BKDA), and the Society of British Interior Designers (SBID).  PHEW!

Now, how can all these be of benefit to the kitchen and bathroom industry? Surely the kitchen and bathroom industry could survive on just half this figure; One association for manufacturers, one for retailers and one for designers, seems quite appropriate. But six?

The power of any association is in its ability to represent its members. And I’m sad to say in the retail and designer sector, it could almost be a fruitless task, with a growing number of organisations vying for the same audience. It’s a baffling mix and the confusion could have quite the opposite affect and instead of attracting kitchen and bathroom retailers or designers – see them (almost literally) run in the opposite direction.

Of course, I’m using this as a gauntlet – throwing down a challenge for all associations to show their merit. Not to prove it to me but to all the members they are trying to attract. How many associations do you think should represent the KBB industry? Who are you trying to target? How many members do you have? What are the advantages of being a member of your association? What is the cost?  Can you be the member of more than one association?

Alternatively are you a member of these associations? Why? We want your thoughts too. Do you welcome another association to the kitchen and bathroom industry?

But please hurry otherwise it won’t be long until some bright spark launches the seventh association - Kitchen Retailers And Professionals - and let's not consider that abbreviation.