Will you be attending the extravaganza known as the May Design Series next week? John Austen and I won’t be there but that’s only because we’re committed to attending an exhibition in Verona. May Design Series in London versus a cleaning show in Verona? Mmmmm… I’ve been receiving regular updates on the London event for months now, and as it’s got closer, I’ve wished more and more that I could experience it first-hand. I say ‘experience’ as there is so much going on and it goes way beyond the KBB sector too.

The organisers have just contacted me with the latest news on new exhibitors and product launches I’ll be missing. For example, fresh from ISH, Dornbracht (pictured) will present an exclusive UK preview of its new CL.1 fitting series for the bathroom, with a new flow pattern that “gently immerses the user's hands in 40 soft, individual jets of water”. Wonderful! Dornbracht will also reveal its latest advances for the kitchen as well as new products from sister-brand Alape.

Bora, from Germany, will launch kitchen worktops, extractors and accessories in its Classic and Professional ranges “aimed at those with a clear concept of quality, design and technology,” as well as energy-saving, worktop-mounted extractors which are easy to clean.

Debuting this year will be Polish company Terma UK with the release of its latest heating element, ‘One’, a series of electric and dual fuel radiators featuring single button operation that combines smart functionality with a clean contemporary style.

Formani UK will showcase collections by Dutch designer Piet Boon whose projects enjoy worldwide recognition, while London-based Tord Boontje (Professor and head of design products at the Royal College of Art) will reveal the “stunning” new stainless steel Fold collection with its exciting new Red Dot Design Award-winning function.

Carmenta Wellness will launch a new line of home wellness and sauna products, available in standard sizes for the first time but offering the same technology and materials at around two-thirds of the cost of their bespoke options – just the kind of thing John and I will need following a week at the Verona show! If only…

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Yours,

Jan Hobbs