KITCHENS BATHROOMS INTERIORS
TRENDS 2025
Setting the K&B agenda for the year ahead
TOUCH AND FEEL
Material matters at this year’s Surface Design Show
GREEN LIGHT
Steffen Erath on why sustainability is the key to business progress
Welcome...
to the January issue of designerati
AS WE STEP INTO 2025, the world of kitchen and bathroom design is very much alive with innovation and inspiration. In this issue of designerati, we take a trip through some of the trends that will define the year ahead, from the materials and colours that will dominate interiors to the smart technologies reshaping the way we use these essential spaces.
One of the key highlights this season is the focus on sustainability, with natural materials, energy-efficient appliances, and watersaving solutions taking centre stage. Minimalist aesthetics are evolving into ‘warm minimalism’, with softer tones, textured finishes, and an emphasis on creating calm, wellness-focused environments. Meanwhile, bold contrasts and statement pieces –such as striking backsplashes and sculptural fixtures – continue to make waves.
There will soon be a chance to see some of these design directions up close and personal of course. KBIS in Las Vegas this February once again promises a huge showcase of cutting-edge kitchen and bathroom products, while ISH in Frankfurt in March will highlight global advancements in water and energy efficiency. We’ll be right across these shows and plenty more throughout 2025, so be sure to keep a close eye on designerati.co.uk for the very latest updates.
In the meantime, we’re thrilled to kick off the year with insights and inspiration to fuel your projects. Here’s to a year of creativity, progress, and beautiful spaces!
Martin Allen-Smith Editor, designerati
Meet the designerati team
EDITORIAL
Martin Allen-Smith, Editorial Director martin@designerati.co.uk
ADVERTISING
Clara Perry, Commercial Director clara@digitalsavvymedia.co.uk
MARKETING
Abby Sale, Marketing Apprentice abby@digitalsavvymedia.co.uk
ART DIRECTION & PRINT DESIGN
Creative Fabrik
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January 2025 - Issue 285
6 SOURCE
Our round-up of the people, products, and places that matter from across K&B design, including some extra texture by Cosentino, the latest extraction hob from BORA, and a super-cool addition to Smeg’s fridge-freezer offering
12 FROM VIRTUAL TO REALITY
In designing an open-plan space in an Arts & Crafts home, a longdistance client collaboration led to the creation of a contemporary hub that balances distinct zones with cohesive design
16 2025 TRENDS
We survey some of the designs and innovations set to make a creative impact over the next 12 months and beyond
24 TURNING THE TIDE
With sustainable design higher on the agenda than ever before, we caught up with Steffen Erath, Head of Innovation & Sustainability at Hansgrohe, for his take on the challenges – and opportunities –that lie ahead
28 COASTLINE CANVAS
An idyllic and inspirational space hidden away on the Brazilian tropical coast is a lesson in ‘light touch’ living space zoning
32 PREVIEW: SURFACE DESIGN SHOW
The very latest in material products will be on show next month when the Surface Design Show returns to London’s Business Design Centre (4-6 February 2025)
34 TIMELESS SIMPLICITY
Revisiting some of last year’s best designerati awards submissions, we take a closer look at finalist Carla Braun’s carefully crafted bathroom scheme…
38 EXIT
Classic styling with a modern feel was the order of the day for this ‘pretty in pink’ bathroom scheme
Source
Our latest digest of people , places , and ideas
Extra Texture
Cosentino has expanded its Ukiyo surface collection to bring additional texture options to the range. Following its initial launch in 2023, Dekton Ukiyo brought ready-to-install fluted tiles for use in residential or commercial projects.
The new Silestone Ukiyo will be available in matte or polished finishes and two fluted options: GV2 with grooves set 25 mm apart and measuring 5mm wide and 3 mm deep; and GV3 with grooves set 11 mm apart and are 4mm wide and deep. The large format of the range enables its use in broader applications, minimising joints to create a more seamless finish. Its slimline weight also opens the way to multiple tiling and decorative applications due to its lightness and practicality.
Designed to add texture and interest, most colours in the wider portfolio are now available with Ukiyo, including the recent EARTHIC and Le Chic Boheme collections by SilestoneXM. Cosentino / cosentino.com
Assistance in the Kitchen
Extraction specialist BORA recently introduced its BORA X Pure hob which includes BORA Assist functionality to more carefully control the cooking power and ensure that correct temperatures can be maintained.
The extraction hob is available with two different finishes: a high-gloss glass ceramic finish; and as BORA X Pure Rough with a matte look. Other features include a multi-coloured 7-segment indicator which enables the user to clearly see the setting modes of fan/extractor in blue, cooking temperature/zone in red and neutral indicator in white.
BORA / bora.com
Setting the Style with Tiles
Spanish tile brand Decocer has introduced several new collections for 2025. The small-format tile specialist has set out earthy tones, deep blues, and vibrant burgundies and reds through three new ceramic collections.
Mikado Wall features a wide range of colors and finishes, including both glossy and matte options, offering versatility to adapt the tiles to various settings, while Nébula is a porcelain tile crafted with a subtle, irregular body designed to highlight the character of each piece.
Meanwhile, Volcano has been created to blend artisanal tradition with a modern, adaptable style, making them particularly suited for projects that seek a contemporary/classic balance.
Decocer / decocer.com
Mikado wall tiles from Decocer
Decocer’s Nébula tiles
Smeg’s Cool Styling
Appliance brand Smeg has added a new four-door fridge freezer to its range. With a D energy class rating and a quiet 39db A noise level rating, the FQI60KD also includes LED lighting along the doors as well as stainlesssteel accents on the drawers and handles.
The new design –available in a Dark Inox finish – includes a number of technologies designed to store more fresh and frozen food for longer. Among them is the Multiflow stainless steel cooling system, which distributes cold air evenly, ensuring an ideal temperature and humidity for food storage. In addition, a LifePlus 0°C drawer preserves perishable food, such as fish, cheese and meat, reducing food waste.
Smeg UK / smeguk.com
Putting the Focus on the Bathroom
Kitchen and bathroom brand Abode has partnered with distributor PJH to offer its new FOCUS 60 bathroom collection to UK retailers.
The range centres around 60cm wash zones and offers a suite of products that are designed to coordinate in one complete bathroom space.
The collection includes a series of brassware and showering solutions, washbasins with practical countertops and complementary accessories, along with a mix of auxiliary bathroom products such as mirrors and other accessories.
Kim Cooper, Head of Marketing & Product at PJH, said: “We are delighted to partner with Abode to exclusively distribute this beautiful collection of products, bolstering our own offer for our valued bathroom retailers and customers across the UK. The new FOCUS 60 range brings a unique and distinctive portfolio to our product offering, providing something refreshingly different to complement perfectly our current bathroom collections.”
Abode / abodedesigns.co.uk
PJH / partners.pjh.uk
From Virtual to Reality
In designing an openplan space in an Arts & Crafts home, a long-distance client collaboration led to the creation of a contemporary hub that balances distinct zones with cohesive design
The project is in an Arts & Crafts home in leafy Surrey, and saw a kitchen, utility, pantry, dining and living area incorporated as an open-plan kitchen-living-dining room that is part of an extension to the house.
The homeowners are a professional couple with two sons and were living in America throughout the whole design and creation process, which of course required a lot of trust in their chosen designer Nathan Kingsbury of Nathan Kingsbury Design. They were
relocating back to the UK and so the whole design was done virtually via Zoom.
The clients wanted a contemporary kitchen and living space that was calm and had a natural feel; which would complement the beautiful surroundings and stunning views of the gardens and countryside beyond. The house is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the garden often has visits from a wide variety of wildlife, including deer, which they wanted the new design to make the most of. Kingsbury sought
to design a space where they could eat, relax and entertain as a family but also create a space that would become the central hub of the home.
The design focuses on creating three interconnected yet distinguishable zones: the kitchen, dining, and living areas. Each space has been carefully curated to serve its own purpose while maintaining a harmonious flow. The unifying elements include complementary colours, textures, lighting and styles, which bring cohesiveness without compromising each
area’s unique characteristics. Kingsbury said: “The goal was to create distinct moods, such as a sense of separation from the cooking area when relaxing on the sofa or enjoying a meal at the dining table. This differentiation was central to the design approach.”
The standout architectural feature of the space – the bespoke solid oak doors framing three of the outer walls – provides a key source of inspiration. “These doors not only emphasise the stunning views into the garden but also inspire and help set the tone for the interior design, with warm, natural tones integrated throughout,” Kingsbury explained. “The natural theme continues with a wall of stone-coloured tiles and oak herringbone flooring, enhancing the organic feel.
The bespoke contemporary shaker-style kitchen combines exquisite detailing with luxurious materials, such as natural Carrara marble by Salvatori. The design includes oak
wall-mounted shelving units with striking blackened steel surfaces, blending elegance with functionality.”
A standout feature of the project is the walk-in larder, which serves as both a stylish centrepiece and a highly practical element. “This space brings personality into the design, showcasing feature tiling and handcrafted oak shelving,” said Kingsbury. “A bespoke butcher’s block on wheels added flexibility and charm and subtle lighting enhances the ambience, while
Crittall doors with reeded glass panels provide a visual connection to the dining area. The pantry not only frames the dining space but also contributes to the overall aesthetic, offering a perfect blend of form and function.”
Despite its compact size, the utility room fulfils an extensive brief. It cleverly incorporates a concealed boiler and electrical board, laundry drawers, a large sink with drainer, coat cupboards, exposed coat hooks, shoe storage drawers, space for an ironing board and
hoover, a washing machine, a tumble dryer, and additional storage. The design also includes a bench seat with solid oak panelling behind it, echoing the kitchen’s natural materials – and a drop-off point for the door into the garden space behind it (the gardens wrap around the entire home).
The room balances practicality with calm, pairedback shaker details, making it an integral yet understated part of the home.
Nathan Kingsbury Design / nathankingsbury.com
TRENDS 2025
WE GATHER SOME INDUSTRY PERSPECTIVES ON THE DESIGN STYLES AND INNOVATIONS SET TO MAKE A CREATIVE IMPACT OVER THE NEXT 12 MONTHS AND BEYOND…
THE ART OF CONSISTENCY
Consistency is key in 2025, and will provide a direct link between the furniture, surfaces, and lighting throughout the ground floor, according to German kitchen brand Rotpunkt. From the kitchen furniture to your worktops, colour matched surfaces are the answer to a consistent look next year, as well as adding new form and function by extending the finish of both furniture and worktops to the walls to include complementary wall niches and panel systems. It adds that size will also be a factor in 2025, with new dimensions being used to elevate standard furniture sizes and blend with special units which are multilevel and greater in width, depth, and height.
Rotpunkt / rotpunkt.co.uk
Rotpunkt’s Zerox HPL XT Umbra and Clay Dark
Ignea by Neolith
PLANNING FOR THE FUTURE
Thinking ahead will be a critical role for those working in contract kitchens, according to Sarah Edwards, Managing Director UK at LEICHT Contracts. She explained: “The contracts market continues to be governed by a need for future-proof design, which supports UK building regulations and other factors such as demographics, cultural trends, lifestyle preferences, and community dynamics.
“Luxury property trends in 2025 are therefore looking at next-level design, where both style and function of the furniture are now viewed as one. Contributing to the creation of nurturing home environments for the UK’s prime residential sector, next year will inspire a host of contemporary environments which focus on quality materials and a rich interplay between colour, texture and construction.”
Edwards adds that ergonomic
furniture design will point towards quality materials next year, which help to engage all the senses and positively influence the home environment such as the look and feel, ambience, and functionality. Material choice is therefore paramount when creating a sensory interior scheme, with both dark and light wood furniture bringing the calming effects of mother nature in 2025, along with accents in glass being used to reflect natural light around the home.
VERSATILE AND ENDURING SURFACES
Similarly, lighting will come into its own next year with strategic lighting being used to illuminate task areas and help set the mood. The rise in smart lighting systems will contiue too, enabling users to control the temperature, colour, and energy efficiency of lighting throughout the kitchen living space and adjoining zones for dining, laundry and food management.
LEICHT Contracts / leichtcontracts.com
The kitchen in 2025 will continue to be the heart of the home, with an emphasis on sustainability, functionality, and timeless design. As a result, says surface manufacturer Neolith, homeowners will be increasingly seeking materials that can endure daily use, resist heat and stains, and contribute to a healthier indoor environment.
Compared to 2024, this year’s trends will reflect a heightened awareness of sustainable living, with a greater emphasis on eco-friendly materials that do not compromise on style or durability. One challenge for the industry is meeting this demand with materials that are both beautiful and robust, but it also presents an opportunity to lead with innovation. Neolith points to its sintered stone surfaces which it says are perfectly suited to meet these expectations, offering a range of colours and finishes that help transform kitchens into highperformance, design-driven spaces. The other emergence is a growing need
for inclusive design, as more generations within a family are living under the same roof, increasing the range of requirements a kitchen needs to meet. The kitchen and bathroom markets have seen significant developments in recent years, with sintered stone manufacturers increasingly integrating accessibility features into their product designs. For example, sintered stone floors and bathroom countertops can be customised to accommodate varying heights for the likes of wheelchair users, ensuring accessibility and comfort in kitchen spaces, or sintered stone can be installed on walls and floors to create a wet room area which minimises trip and slip hazards. Neolith / neolith.com
Concept Q collection by LEICHT
A RENEWED FOCUS ON WELLNESS
Bathroom brand Woodstock’s Head of Marketing, Charlotte Tilby, says that a greater emphasis on wellness is one of the factors set to shape bathroom design in 2025. She said: “We are going to see a strong push towards features designed purely to enhance wellness in the space – a less is more aesthetic approach – as well as the specific fusion of classic and modern styles. We will see more homeowners building on and enhancing the current trends, taking ideas like the spa bathroom even further. More than ever, consumers are expressing a need to create boundaries within different areas of the bathroom and allow themselves to have a safe space to switch off completely within their own home.”
Vanities have been on the rise for a few years now but in 2025, these rising stars are set to take centre stage with vanities and their mirror pairings becoming statement pieces. Accessories are no longer secondary, says Tilby, adding that they play a pivotal role in the bathroom’s overall aesthetic. “We will see the popularity of softer circles, shapes, distinctive basins, and real brassware to add an organic texture and feel to the space.”
Aligned to this, spa bathrooms have been a monumental trend throughout 2024, redefining the bathroom as more than just a functional space by weaving relaxation into its very fabric. Bathrooms are set to evolve further, with a growing emphasis on ‘wants’ rather than ‘needs.’ Tilby says this transformation is set to continue, shaping the way we design and experience these spaces. One notable development is the introduction of wellness stations – a designated area for organising skincare items and morning essentials, promoting easy access and efficiency.
Woodstock Furniture / woodstockfurniture.co.uk
Petra vanity by Calypso Bathrooms
BUY ONCE, BUY WELL
Quality will become even more of a key consideration for clients in the year ahead as they look to invest in products that will stand the test of time. Jonathan Stanley, VP of Marketing at Caesarstone, said: “In a tough economic climate, consumers are returning to the notion of ‘buy once, buy well’. This is a theme that is starting to permeate throughout the stone industry.
“A race to the bottom in recent years saw price trump everything. Ironically, as budgets for some projects have shrunk, consumers are now less keen to take a gamble on something completely unknown. They want recognised
brands, proper advice, long warranties and aftercare.”
He adds that with the stone industry in the news throughout the year, material provenance and certification – previously required mostly by architectural firms, specifiers and professional housebuilders – is now being requested by retailers and more closely scrutinised by consumers. Throughout the value chain, people want to know what it is that they are specifying, fitting and using.
“The need for texture and matt finishes is part of a bigger move towards more bolder patterns, and Caesarstone Porcelain delivers just that,” Stanley adds. “Warm hues, low reflective
surfaces and strong vein patterns, often with a slightly raised vein running across the surface –people are looking for surfaces that invite you touch and that you can really feel beneath your fingers. Caesarstone 508 Isobellia – with its textured golden streaks –and 506 Mirabel – with its copper veining – have become some of our best-selling designs within a very short space of time.
“The desire for pattern, texture and quality in a kitchen that is designed around the best core elements, means that the worktop is part of the very foundation of the design as one of the most visually prominent and hands-on pieces.”
Caesarstone / caesarstone.co.uk
Caesarstone’s Mineral Surfaces range
EMBRACING THE DARK SIDE
“Recently there has been a growing trend of customers opting for darker palettes, including black, in their kitchen designs,” said Molly Chandler, Kitchen Designer at Willis & Stone.
“Whether it’s a bold kitchen with dark cabinetry or a mix of lighter cabinets paired with a striking black island, this shift marks a departure from the lighter tones that have dominated in recent years.” Willis & Stone / willisandstone.co.uk
EXPERIENTIAL & PERSONALISED
Lewis Neathey, Leader, Product Management LIXIL EMENA, and GROHE UK, says experiential design and personalisation are impacting design trends in the home, with particular focus on the bathroom and kitchen.
With an increased awareness of wellbeing, design trends have shifted towards solutions and spaces that promote relaxation and mindfulness. “This shift mirrors the evolving role of the bathroom, once a utilitarian space, now seen as a sanctuary for self-care and revitalization,” said Neathey.
“Early indications of this trend are now gaining momentum, with the bathroom being reimagined as a regenerative space – a place for immersive experiences rather than just functional use. Which means refocusing the design from mere products to luxurious experiences.”
He suggests that this can take many forms, from finishes that bring a tactile sensation into the bathroom such as the new GROHE Satin finish due to market in SS25, to fittings that provide wellness benefits such as improved skincare. GROHE has just launched the
GROHE Rainshower
Georgian Shaker kitchen by Willis & Stone
GROHE’s Allure shower system shown in a brushed Warm Sunset finish
Aqua Pure shower that features a filter invisibly integrated into the thermostat and purifies the handshower water of chlorine and subsequent odours.
The concept of personalisation is becoming increasingly important in bathroom and kitchen design and has been for a number of years. Individuals are seeking to tailor their functional spaces to meet their unique preferences and needs. This may involve customising the layout, fixtures, finishes, and accessories to create a space that reflects their personal style and enhances their overall wellbeing.
A wide choice of styles and PVD colour finishes allows designers and customers to create a bespoke environment that reflects their own personal style and individuality. Neathey says GROHE offers its fully customisable range of fittings through its Atrio and Allure
Private Collections that includes customisable handles and levers from quartz surfaces brand Caesarstone. The collection consists of over 200 individual product codes, with numerous options available.
Alongside the personalised look and feel of the interior spaces, a personalised experience will also be prioritised. In the shower space, users are able to
utilise models that provide spray options for a person’s preference with many premium models now providing multiple spray settings that can even be combined. Elsewhere, smart shower toilets are available that provide users with saved profiles, meaning their preferred settings are instantly accessible.
GROHE / grohe.co.uk
BACK TO NATURE
Laminam’s R&D Director, Claudio Corniola, predicts a rise in nature-inspired spaces over the next 12 months or so.
“With over 291,000 #biophilicdesign posts on Instagram, the trend for bringing the outside in looks set to stay for 2025.
“There are so many benefits to creating a natural and organic look and feel within the home – it helps to create a sense of calm and mindfulness, connecting us to nature and providing a welcome retreat from the hectic world outside. Adding plenty of potted and hanging plants also has the benefit of improving air purification, absorbing excess moisture and balancing humidity, particularly important for bathrooms and wet rooms.”
Corniola also expects 2025 to see a big push towards opening up the bathroom, removing shower doors and creating a seamless and open wet room either on its own or within a bathroom or en-suite, to achieve a spacious and airy feel. He added: “Sleek and modern in aesthetics, the effect is also incredibly functional, especially when Laminam’s porcelain slabs are used for both walls and flooring. With no visible joins, the room is easy to clean as well as ultra-hygienic, as there are no grout lines for germs and bacteria to hide in.”
Laminam / laminam.com
TURNING THE TIDE
With sustainable design higher on the agenda than ever before, we caught up with Steffen Erath, Head of Innovation & Sustainability at Hansgrohe, for his take on the challenges – and opportunities – that lie ahead
Please tell us about your role and the part you play within the Hansgrohe business.
To use a football analogy, it’s a bit like offence and defence. Many people see sustainability as the defence. It’s about responsibility, compliance, and ESG stuff. That’s valid of course, but we see sustainability as an innovation research field.
So it goes both ways, and we combine it all because, designing new products or innovating in all kinds of ways, you’re also solving problems.
This principle does not just apply to industry of course. It’s highly relevant to the wider world. When you consider the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals, you realise that there is no reason not to use the superpower of innovation to try to solve the big issues. The water crisis, energy crisis, climate crisis, biodiversity – it’s all a big challenge, but in using innovation you can look to solve some of these individual challenges.
In doing so, you can create a big market. You can use the market dynamics to do good, and this is why we try to combine innovation and sustainability for design thinking as we look to help customers with their pains, gains and needs.
How do brands bring consumers along on the sustainability journey and ensure that they ‘buy in’ to the types of products that these environmental challenges
will require?
It’s a little bit like the famous quote from Henry Ford; if he had asked his customers what they want, they would have said ‘faster horses’. So sometimes you develop the ideas first and then let the customers choose.
As a manufacturer, we have to take responsibility – for people and the planet as well as for the industry. I think this is an important part of business ethics. At the recent United Nations water conference, they warned that in 2030 there will be 40% greater demand for fresh water than we can offer and supply.
And you see it in every part of the world – in South Africa, in Singapore, in California, as well in Europe. We have a water crisis right now. In some ways, bathroom brands can have an ambiguous connection to water because on the one hand we’re focusing on the micro aim of helping consumers enjoy it, while having to also work so hard on doing all we can to safeguard water in terms of those macro issues.
“AS ENVIRONMENTAL PRESSURES CONTINUE TO GROW, OUR DEFINITION OF LUXURY REALLY WILL CHANGE IN THE FUTURE”
At what point do consumers feel that to have a sustainable product means a risk of compromise in terms of performance? Is there an education process involved in reassuring consumers?
Of course, you do have to educate or, better still, let them test it. Quite often, it’s impossible for a user to notice that a certain product is using less water than another, because the technology – such as powder rain spray, air power, heat recovery, grey water systems etc – is being developed in such a way that from the user experience point of view, you don’t even feel that you’re saving water or energy.
Increasingly, people are becoming more interested in the story of the product. Where does it come from? What’s the design story? What’s the material and where is it from? It’s about the value perception of the product, the background that makes it outstanding and a unique piece. If you understand the story of the product, this helps you to appreciate it a little bit more. When you consider our value perception of water, if you only rate water with Euros, you could say say 1,000 litres of water is worth five Euros, so it doesn’t seem too valuable. And yet, if you experience a drought, or live in a part of the world where you have to walk two miles carrying 20 litres of water on your head, you certainly have a different appreciation of water than just rating it with Euros. I think as environmental pressures continue to grow, our definition of luxury really will change in the future.
Are materials the only component in the sustainability ‘conversation’? Our Green Vision Beyond Water bathroom concept was all about telling the story of the material and its origins. Materials are vital of course and aspects such as repurposing and recycling are really important, but our research also found that 90% of the carbon emissions occur during the usage phase, and it’s mainly the hot water.
This means that it’s only about 10% to do with the materials, and 90% about the water consumption, so the first and the most important thing is to reduce the amount of hot water; that’s the biggest lever of all.
So, from being an expensive ‘nice to have’ 20 years ago or so, has developing sustainable products become increasingly seen as a significant opportunity for both brands and consumers? You can do business and do good, and if you use the lever of capitalism – market
dynamics while doing good – then that’s a real change engine. Even as a consumer, you can become an agent for change if you have access to the numbers and you know that it makes sense to replace a perfectly functioning hand shower which uses around 18 litres per minute with a new one that uses only six litres per minute. Clear and transparent information can be the factor in enabling people to make decisions that really do cut carbon use.
Sometimes with sustainability, you think something is a certain way, but in real life it’s different. This is why we need education. We need to teach people just as we teach maths, geography or English.
I’m a part time lecturer at the University of St. Gallen – which is a really business and finance-focused business school – and they are taught this already. That’s a really good thing because it means that the next generation know how to deal with some of these issues. But the generation which is right now managing many of the businesses perhaps still have this older mindset.
And this is something we have to change. We have to tell stories and teach them with best practice, demonstrating that you really can grow turnover while reducing carbon emissions.
So it’s a decoupling and it really is possible. People said it’s not possible but you can decouple resource consumption from economic growth. Green growth is feasible and I think that’s the story we need. It’s not greenwashing – as long as you innovate and start to operate businesses within the planetary boundaries, that’s good. In fact, it’s a transformation.
The key drivers seem to be innovation from manufacturers – for new products to boost sales –and increasing demand from consumers for more sustainable products. What part will regulation play in the future?
You need all three factors. It’s a systemic approach. Back in the day, you could just produce a product if the consumer liked it and that was the basis for your
business. Today, you need society, environment, and government, all creating a kind of ecosystem.
The concept of the circular economy depends on all partners playing their part, otherwise the complete system breaks down. It requires everyone to work together, from the manufacturers, the water companies, the consumer and governments.
Given that Hansgrohe has made such progress with its sustainability goals up to this point, what are the main medium and long-term goals now?
There are three core aims. Number one is to help preserve water in any way that we can. Number two is cutting energy use, and this one goes hand-inhand with the first one because more water-efficient products can help reduce the levels of hot water consumption. And number three is bringing this all together as part of the circular economy.
These are our three priorities, and I think these should be the priorities for the entire industry. It shouldn’t differ too much from brand to brand because all of these topics are universal and fundamentally affect us all.
Hansgrohe / hansgrohe.co.uk
Coastline Canvas
An idyllic and inspirational space hidden away on the Brazilian tropical coast is a lesson on ‘light touch’ living space zoning…
Prized Perch: Brisa House is nestled in a beautiful location close to São Paulo’s Iporanga beach. The project, led by Flávio Castro and his FCstudio colleagues Leonardo Vieira and Bruna Antonialli, set out to redefine the concept of home, combining design, sustainability, and innovation. With its vertical structure and expansive sea views, the large windows and strategic use of the balcony maximize visual contact with the sea and the surrounding nature, providing an immersive experience.
Illuminated Ideas: In terms of innovation, the project stands out for its intelligent use of materials and adaptive design. The 8-long tensioned canvas light fixture, for example, is not just a light source but also a centrepiece that changes its appearance with the daylight, replicating the colours of the sunset and adding a dynamic dimension to the space. Additionally, the kitchen area combines practicality and design. Featuring a sink, a dry bar for organizing bottles, as well as wine coolers and storage drawers, the space is designed for stylish entertaining.
Well Connected: Furniture made from natural stone and technologies resistant to sunlight and salt air to ensure durability while also minimising cleaning and maintenance, while the windows and balconies maximize the connection with nature, creating a unique experience that promotes the well-being of the residents.
Photography: André Mortatti
Lofty Heights:
The rooftop was designed for sea observation. For this reason, the seating has been arranged to offer a privileged view of the ocean –one of the standout features of the layout is the side table, a genuine ship propeller topped with a glass surface.
FCstudio / fcstudio.com.br
Wonder Wall: The main living space features a Rosso marble wall which showcases a piece by Brazilian artist Bechara, adding an artistic touch to the environment. A sliding panel conceals the TV screen, which is revealed when needed for entertainment moments. The fireplace provides warmth, making the space perfect for conversations and relaxation.
Photography: André Mortatti
The very latest in material products will be on show next month when the Surface Design Show returns to London’s Business Design Centre (4-6 February 2025)
From fresh thinking by design graduates, a creative innovation gallery to an inspiring material library, the 2025 edition of Surface Design Show will present a host of features as well as an exhibition made up of over 180 companies showcasing thousands of materials.
Exhibiting at the Surface Design Show 2025 for the first time are the Green Grads, a platform that spotlights recent graduates from UK universities who are confronting the world’s most urgent environmental challenges. The materials showcased will be biomaterials made from woodchips, breadcrumbs and wool, algaebased dyes – an alternative to synthetic and often toxic
Preview: Surface Design Show 2025
pigments, and materials made from organic waste such as eggshells and banana peel.
“Our graduates are tackling sustainability, climate change, circular production, waste and pollution, biophilia, bio-diversity and much more. They include engineers, product and furniture designers, material scientists, ceramicists, textile and graphic designers, craftspeople, artists, and film makers,” said founder and curator Barbara Chandler, who brings over 25 years of experience as the Design Editor of the London Evening Standard.
Commercial Interiors UK will be launching its Supplier Finder Material Library at SDS, a curated collection of groundbreaking materials from its members. Visitors can explore over 100 innovative
material samples which have been designed with commercial interiors in mind, including textiles, wallcoverings, solid surfaces and timber. The interactive displays offer a tactile experience with materials displayed on wire mesh panels with informative tags that provide sustainability
credentials and production processes along with information about the brand.
The Innovation Gallery is a further debut for 2025, designed to champion up-andcoming material innovators, it is the place to discover groundbreaking materials and concepts emphasising new companies at the forefront of material innovation. With a strong commitment to fostering small businesses, the Innovation Gallery provides an invaluable platform for independent creators and SME’s to showcase their work on a global stage.
Among the returning features this year is Surface Spotlight, which will include a selection of
surfaces, finishes and materials that embrace the 2025 show theme of ‘Creative Conscience’.
Curated by material, design and trend expert Sally Angharad, the trends highlighted will be blended, softened, curved and polished.
SDS also continues its partnership with Furnishing Futures, a charity founded by interior stylist, writer, and social worker Emily Wheeler which focuses on helping to provide furniture in homes for women and children who have suffered from domestic abuse.
The charity partners with the interiors industry to repurpose good quality ex-display items, returns, props, or donated
furnishings and designing safe spaces. Based in Leyton in East London, Furnishing Futures will be present at the show, giving visitors the opportunity to see examples of their work and discuss this important topic in more detail.
Also returning is the Stone Knowledge Hub, with exhibitors including Albion Stone, Arcturus Stone, Brittanicus Stone, Burlington Stone, Fila Surface Care Products, Stone Cladding Systems and Welsh Slate. The space aims to provide architects and designers with inspiration and information for their natural stone projects. Surface Design Show / surfacedesignshow.com
Timeless Simplicity
Revisiting some of last year’s best designerati awards submissions, we take a closer look at finalist Carla Braun’s carefully crafted bathroom scheme…
Sometimes the simplest aesthetic can be one of the most complex to get right, which is what makes this bathroom design in South West London so special. Designed by Carla Braun, Senior Designer at Day True, the project was a finalist in the 2024 designerati awards and it is not surprising that it caught the eye of the judges. It goes beyond being just a functional space to be a sanctuary for the homeowners, embodying the principles of ‘less is more’ by focusing on quality over quantity, and keeping things
pared back wherever possible. Each detail, from the choice of materials to the precision
of the layout, has been carefully considered to create a harmonious and luxurious
environment.
A recessed niche beside the bathtub is a functional yet beautiful feature, providing space for essentials while maintaining the room’s clean lines. The choice of gold fixtures adds a subtle hint of glamour and makes a real pop of colour in the space. Their refined
design and precise placement is intended to add to the overall harmony and balance of the space.
The accent lighting highlights the decorative objects placed within the niches, adding a touch of elegance and sophistication to the bathroom decor. It
“This bathroom is a testament to the fact that true luxury isn’t about excess”
also provides a subtle glow that contributes to the overall aesthetic appeal. The natural light combined with the diffused shades ensures that the bathroom is well-lit for practical tasks. Mitred joints on the porcelain tiles in the niches also enhances the high-end feel of the space.
Braun said: “This bathroom is a testament to the fact that true luxury isn’t about excess, but in the art of creating a space where every element serves a purpose and contributes to a harmonious, timeless design.
“The gold fixtures introduce a refined touch of glamour, creating a striking accent that elevates the space, while frameless shower screens enhance the sense of openness, providing a clear and unobstructed view, which not only adds to the visual appeal but also maximizes the flow of natural light.”
Day True / daytrue.com
One last thing to inspire…
Blending classic styling with a modern feel was the aim for this modest sized bathroom in the Charlottenburg district of Berlin, where an apartment has been transformed into a contemporary retreat from the busy city outside.
Designed and refurbished by architect Gianni Verde of Berlin and Milan-based Sunostudio, the minimalist, modern apartment was completed last year with a style that reflects the eclectic design scene of Berlin.
The apartment is owned by a Greek family who, 10 years ago, made Berlin their home. It is in a classic historic ‘altbau’ [old building] and blends modern design with an enduring elegance. The art of modern living is epitomised in this design blending clean lines, natural materials with exceptional functionality.
Inspired by the aesthetics of the 1960s, the bathroom is clad with pink ceramic tiles by Ceramica Vogue. This homage to Berlin’s vintage art scene blends harmoniously with sleek contemporary elements such as Kaldewei’s
CONO Countertop washbasin in Alpine White, made from 100% recyclable steel enamel.
The washbasin is available in 12 colours across matt and gloss finishes ranging from white through to a choice of neutral beige and grey tones to black, and can be
specified in wall-hung or undermounted configurations. Verde said: “The clients chose the Cono Countertop for its sustainability and design. Its minimalistic and geometric shape was a perfect fit for the bathroom’s context and the clients’ aesthetic preferences. The bathroom itself features a striking design with pink mosaic tiles, and the Cono washbasin provided a harmonious geometric match.”
Kaldewei / kaldewei.co.uk
