KBzine: the original kitchen and bathroom industry e-news - since 2002
24th April 2019
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International News
Products Be inspired by new kitchens from Keller
The brochure is packed with beautiful imagery of stylish kitchens and a focus on each model's detail such as handle trims and lacquer cabinetry, to show it off to its full advantage. New Hotpoint fridge freezers offer extended freshness
TKC adds Dust Grey colour to its contemporary Lucente and Vivo+ ranges
LochAnna Kitchens now available on Compusoft's Winner Design
Cool concrete sinks for today's industrial style kitchens
Grohe presents first 3D metal-printed taps
Bushboard Vista now available from Ireland's Potter Cowan
Complete colour coordination from Abacus
Trend - for beautiful surfaces
Experience the future with app-activated and smart kitchen appliances
Königquartz - 28 colours to keep kitchens on trend
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As you might imagine, I was delighted to learn that Grand Designs Live is to feature a new area for those of us who hate to see anything thrown away if it's at all possible to save it or cannibalise it to create something new. At the 'Upcycling Hub', we'll be able to closely observe some of the skills used by these master craftspeople to create bespoke pieces, and talk to them about what works and what doesn't, and how they get the best results.
It will be interesting to learn more about where they acquire their pieces... I'd like to know whether it was a 'one-off' that a woman was recently threatened with potential arrest at the civic amenity tip unless she left without the cabinet she'd acquired from a man about to dump it, or whether these facilities are completely out of bounds when it comes to taking goods away. I know some have shops where decent but unwanted items intended for landfill/breaking up for recycling are rescued by the handlers and sold to raise money for the council, but these are, sadly, all too rare. I'm going to make sure my daughter Melissa goes along to the Upcycling Hub... she's into upcycling furniture as it was the only way she could furnish her flat. The results have been impressive but I do wonder whether she's always taking the best route. The quicker and more accomplished she becomes in her work, the less I'm going to have random pieces of furniture stored at home, awaiting her 'treatment'! Yours,
This Week's News
KBSA 'Staying Ahead' conference is open for bookings
"We have a significant number of new members this year and have already had a lot of interest in bookings," says KBSA chair Richard Hibbert. Treasury claws back £300m+ from apprenticeship training at expense of small employers L Mark Dawe, chief executive at AELP says of the announcement: "It's desperately disappointing to hear the DfE admit that such a significant sum of money went back to the Treasury when we know that all of it could have been spent on funding apprenticeships of SME employers. Grohe shows sustainability savvy with record number of energy/water/materials-saving innovations
In addition to quality, technology and design, sustainability is an integral and crucial part of Grohe's corporate strategy. It is integrated into all products and processes and shapes the daily actions of employees worldwide. The global brand consistently pursues a 360-degree sustainability approach that incorporates the entire value chain, partners, customers, suppliers, employees and contribution to society in equal measure. Two new iF Design Awards for Unidrain Reframe Collection
Designed by Kenneth Waaben, the Unidrain corner shelf was selected as the best product in the Bathroom Fitting discipline and the toilet brush was awarded the iF Design Award under the Bathroom Accessory discipline. Union joins Crosswater's portfolio
The latest addition to Crosswater's luxury Vanguard collection, Union offers a complete range of brassware that includes basin mixers, bath fillers, and an exposed valve with kit and shower head. Gary Nolan is promoted to regional sales manager, Blanco UK
Gary has worked for Blanco for seven years. His new role means he is responsible for developing effective sales strategies and focusing on customer satisfaction within the Kent and Essex areas. Smeg introduces elegant white induction hobs this Spring
The hobs epitomise the very best of Italian design. Combining cutting-edge technology with exceptional performance and a glossy, polished aesthetic, this new pair of hobs make a welcome addition to urban and city kitchens. Roman opens architectural showroom in Malaysia
The grand opening of the Cosentino showroom partnered with Roman, had a huge attendance of 600 visitors from across South East Asia including major architects, interior designers and key journalists. The grand opening included the launch of the new Roman showroom, beautifully showcasing the British manufacturer's latest shower enclosures and solid surface capabilities. Keller's beautiful Blonde Oak kitchen
Open cupboards can be combined with wall-hung shelving to make the most of an open-plan or broken-plan kitchen scheme to increase space and storage. Designers can also add a rail or shelving to frontless cupboards to create quirky storage spaces which makes homeowners' most used items easily accessible. New operations manager appointed for Kitchens International
Having spent 22 years in the British Army as a movement controller for the Royal Logistics Corps, Francis is well versed with the movement of personnel and equipment worldwide in support of operations and exercises. His army career enabled him to gain a BSc (Hons) in Logistical Management, as well as qualifications in leadership, management and operational planning. Upcycling Hub; a new area for design-conscious and eco-friendly visitors at Grand Designs Live
Focused on the art of upcycling, this platform for talented upcycling designers will allow visitors to purchase or commission artisan pieces as well as gain an insight into their craft through live demonstrations on the Upcycling Hub stage - on each day throughout the show, at 10:00 and 13:00. Smallbone and Mark Wilkinson make three milestone career awards
Andrew (left of pic) started his career with Mark Wilkinson, drawer making at his Bromham workshop. He then progressed into the workshop at Devizes and develop expertise in the furniture production process from raw materials to the finished carcass. Caple's new furniture brochure is bigger & better than ever
The new guide features 14 new kitchens within five specific furniture categories - In-frame, Verse, Classic, Contemporary and Painted, to differentiate specific furniture styles. Verse is the newest collection, featuring Caple's first foray into true handleless kitchen design. Noted for its 14 smooth finishes, the range is so versatile, there is a choice of textured, matt or gloss doors in five styles and The KBzine Archive Search We keep an extensive archive of news stories and product information that have featured in past issues of The KBzine. If you would like to run a search of the The KBzine web site using the search tool below please just go ahead by entering in the name of the person, product or company or any other key words that you are looking for. How to contact us at The KBzine:
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KBSA experts to meet consumers at Grand Designs
Franke enlists help of award-winning culinary historian for its 2019 Blooming Great Tea Party
KBSA offers mediation service for members The KBSA has introduced a mediation service for members that can help resolve potential disputes swiftly and economically. The service is provided by Focus Mediation, a company that has an above average rate of over 90% in assisting parties to reach successful settlements and resolutions. BMA says a voluntary label and changing consumer habits is best way to save water
Nuance bathroom wall panelling celebrates new patent with new dedicated showroom
LDL prioritises training and customer service
Marketing
Bathroom design ideas from new website
Literature
Carron Phoenix releases 2019 brochure featuring new product ranges
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