Kitchen trends have changed, especially when it comes to renovating or building, from using increasingly popular materials like granite to the open-plan kitchen forming part of the house with more colour.

hansgrohe has moved on from just specialising in bathrooms to specialising in kitchens too, adding state-of-the-art stainless steel and granite sinks to its collection, complementing the already well-known kitchen mixer ranges.

The minimalistic design of the hand-brushed L-shaped basin blends perfectly with any modern kitchen. You can choose between five different sink sizes in stainless steel as built-in, undermount or flush mount, which will perfectly complement a premium hansgrohe kitchen mixer.

The hansgrohe range also includes granite sinks, available in five different sizes, as either undermount or built-in with three different colour options: graphite black, stone grey and concrete grey.

A premium hansgrohe sink with a select or pull-out kitchen mixer allows for easier control and more freedom of movement in the kitchen.

For more information, visit hansgrohe.co.za.

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In collaboration with bathroom brand Roca, Milan designers Gabriele and Oscar Buratti created W+W, a combined washbasin and toilet that makes saving water easier than ever before.

Here in Cape Town, where VISI HQ is located, tough water restrictions have been imposed. This, coupled with the general water scarcity in South Africa, have made us acutely aware of the need to save water, so we were thrilled when we spotted W+W. The innovative design cleverly combines a washbasin and toilet, not only reducing water consumption but also maximising space in the bathroom.

The inventive design employs Roca’s new water-reuse technology to filter and store waste water from the basin, which is then used to fill the cistern. Rest assured, the grey water passes through a double filtration system to remove bacteria and odours. Waste water can be diverted to the drain if necessary, and the cistern can also be filled from the mains. Reusing the waste water from the basin in the toilet means usage is reduced by up to 25%, in comparison to a standard 6/3-litre dual-flush toilet. Talk about sustainable design!

For more information, visit roca.com.

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The briolette – an oval or pear-shaped gemstone cut with geometric facets – has had quite a history. From its roots in ancient India, it was discovered by European royals, became popular during the Victorian period and re-emerged at the heart of the Art Deco era.

The Kohler Briolette basin echoes the same reflective facets in delicately textured glass – a jewel reimagined as a functional, translucent work of art for your bathroom. Hand-spun by a small fraternity of glass artisans in a modest Wisconsin studio, the time-sensitive process leaves tiny variances – minute bubbles, gentle undulations – so each piece is unique.

The US company has come to South Africa with the opening of four showrooms – in Johannesburg, Durban, Ballito and Cape Town – bringing with it four generations of bold design and innovative bathroom luxury.

Kohler fittings from its design teams in London, Wisconsin, Shanghai, Paris and India have found their way into some of the world’s poshest hotel bathrooms, including The Savoy in London, The St. Regis New York and Westin Cape Town.

The Briolette is part of the Artist Editions series – a range inspired by cultural and artistic traditions spanning continents, and generations of artisans who have crafted many of the sculptures and vessels found in the world’s great museums. But Kohler’s offerings in Africa go beyond the artisanal. Want to wash your hands in the sink without having to turn on the tap? There’s the Sensate touchless kitchen tap. Fancy yourself a vocal talent in the shower? The Moxie showerhead has a built-in wireless speaker, so you can play your favourite tunes via Bluetooth. The innovative Kohler Karbon articulating tap – all bends and angles – won a bronze IDEA award in 2009. There’s no reason not to add some art and innovation to your morning routine.

Kohler has a wide range of products, starting from R1 200 for taps and mixers, R2 000 for basins and R3 500 for toilets. The Briolette basin retails for R16 500 (excl VAT).

For more information, visit africa.kohler.com.

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“Innovation, high quality and perfect form – everything that is needed to take the bathroom to a new level.” Duravit’s promise comes with brand-new developments that set new standards in bathrooms, reports our deputy editor Annemarie Meintjes.

Everything is brand new!

The new DuraStyle bathroom series by Matteo Thun & Partners is deliberately simple and reduced, with a focus on functionality that allows for flexibility and freedom of style in your bathroom.

We love the “upward lip” on the rear rim of the bathtub, which not only conceals toiletries and other bathroom products, it also provides support when getting in and out of the bath.

The slender, understated and almost weightless flat toilet seat and cover gets our thumb’s up, but the Scandi-chic washbasin, with its timber legs and slim silhouette, steals the show, creating an air of sophistication and serenity.

Sound reflections

Queuing for the bathroom is about to get real, with Duravit introducing an integrated sound system for bathrooms. Music can be streamed wirelessly from any Bluetooth-compatible devices, such as smartphones and tablets, and up to eight different users can be registered in the system, allowing every member of the family to enjoy their own playlists! (Read more articles about techorating here.)

All technical components are concealed behind a panel inside the mirror cabinet, which are only visible when the cabinet doors are open. The module comprises a high-quality 2.1 system with two patented flat-drive speakers and a subwoofer with passive radiator. It’s waterproof and moisture-resistant and emits soft, clean surround-sound.

Starck 2 redesigned

The affordable classic has been redesigned, with small tweaks and slick details giving the new range a fresh, light and modern look. (Read about Philippe Starck’s redesigned Axor Starck Organic faucet collection here.)

The slightly oval, surface-mounted washbasin is more organic in appearance, while the reduced rim-height of the quadrant-shaped shower has a flatter, more elegant look. The show-stopper is undoubtedly the rectangular bathtub with its integrated neck rest, which makes long, languid soaks impossible to resist. 

For more information, visit duravit.com or email karen.robyn@za.duravit.com

Read more articles by Annemarie here.

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