KITCHEN & BATHROOM NEWS The latest

KITCHEN & BATHROOM NEWS

The latest trends and best buys to make life easier and more beautiful

HANDLES INSPIRED BY NATURE

Cupboard handles shouldn’t be an afterthought, as they pull together the entire kitchen scheme. We love Alex Monroe’s new nature-inspired designs, £40 each, which are cast in solid brass, for finishing off a classic country look.

PALE & INTERESTING

Symphony has been busy expanding on its line of kitchens in the build-up to its 50th anniversary. The Princeton kitchen (below) now comes in a gorgeous shade of pale blue, evoking clear skies that foster a sense of peace and tranquillity. Other designs include the Inline, a handleless kitchen that creates a minimalistic, streamlined look, and the Harvard, a modern take on a classic Shaker. Prices start at £4,190.

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KITCHEN SINK DRAMA

The trend for individual designs has found its way onto sinks with the Gallery collection from Shaws of Darwen. Known for its high-quality Belfast sinks, Shaws has updated the style with artworks inspired by nature, from the illustrative Eucalytpus (left) and Wild Grass, to the more abstract Patina and Metallic. From £560.

TRIED & TESTED TOASTIE MAKERS

The experts at the Hearst Institute put these gadgets through their paces to bring you the best

BEST INVESTMENT A deep-fill design and recipe booklet make this ideal for those looking to get more experimental. It also has a temperature control for the perfect cook every time. Cuisinart Overstuffed toasted sandwich maker GRSM1U, £59.99, Lakeland

BEST ALL ROUNDER Great for speedy results. It takes two mins to warm up while you prep the filling, then less than five to get it crispy on the outside and hot right through. Breville VST091 Deep Fill two-slice toastie maker, £29.99, Amazon

BEST VALUE BUY An impressive model for under £20, which created evenly cooked, golden toasties every time. Breville VST057 two-slice sandwich/toastie maker, £15.99, Argos

TREND ALERT PATTERNED FEATURE WALL

The kitchen may be having a moment of calm, but in the bathroom there’s an explosion of colour and pattern – perfect to help banish the winter blues. The Burgess Snail wallpaper from the National Trust Papers Collection with Little Greene makes for a striking feature wall that conveys a connection with nature. Burgess Snail wallpaper in Juniper, £90/roll; left wall and bath painted in Juniper Ash, from £48.50/2.5L matt emulsion, Little Greene

D E S I G N D E TA I L S Soft shades plus natural materials equals bathroom bliss

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2 Period feature

Introduce Edwardian styling with a freestanding bath 3

EASY LUXE UPDATE

Looking for a quick bathroom upgrade? The new Marble collection from Kalinko will instantly add a touch of elegance. The entire range is hand-carved in a family workshop in the town of Sagyin (which translates as ‘marble’), in Burma, with purchasing costs going straight to the maker. From £24 for a soap dish.

TILES WE ADORE

The new Haven Mosaics tile collection at Claybrook, from £199.94/sq m, includes the playful Columbus (above), and is made with luxurious marble and textured stone for a smart take on geometrics.

GOING FOR GOLD

Say goodbye to plain glass shower screens and hello to spectacular gold. Matki has unveiled a fabulous design made from gold and silver mesh. The Eauzone screen is a bit of an investment (it starts from £3,481), but it will totally transform your space, bringing opulent glamour with its glittering sheen and handwoven appearance.

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LOVELY LIGHTS

British lighting company Lights & Lamps has expanded its collection to include options suitable for bathroom use. All designed with form and function in mind, the range includes wall lights, ceiling lights and pendants, including the Silio (right), £69

NEW COLLECTION

Renowned designer Tom Dixon has collaborated on a collection with Vitra. The Liquid range encompasses everything from shower systems to vanity units, with chunky, soft-edged designs that bring practicality and style – and continues our love of curves into the bathroom. From £286 for sanitaryware; from £80 for accessories.