Blog Archives - Page 11 of 17 - Kallums Bathrooms

International Women’s Day 2022 – what it means to our team

International Women’s Day 2022 – what it means to our team This International Women’s Day, we’re celebrating some of the women behind the scenes at Kallums Bathrooms by shining a light on them. They help make our family-run company what it is – a talented, supportive, and inspirational workplace. It’s been more than 100 years since the first publicly recognised day of this kind was observed across Europe. That’s already over a century ago, and the global movement has seen much progress and rise in participation. From our leading bathroom designers to marketing gurus, we caught up with a selection of our team to talk IWD, what inspires them and what has been their biggest career challenges to date. Alex, our design and specification powerhouse Alex first walked through our bathroom showroom doors in answer to the advert looking for someone to take on our luxury design projects and was an instant hit with the team. With her fantastic eye for design and implacable enthusiasm for every project she is part of, Alex is always bringing a smile to the faces of the Kallums team and her many happy clients. She is a testament to what women can achieve in the bathroom design world, and a big inspiration to us all! What first attracted you to Kallums Bathrooms? It’s a very personal brand with a good reputation and a lot of opportunities to offer. I’d been doing what I was doing for some time and I like a challenge, so it probably wasn’t stretching enough for me. Kallums Bathrooms was going to give me the opportunity to spread my wings and give me more freedom with my clients and the way I work, so I decided to make the change. What do you think are the challenges facing women in business today? Balancing business and family life. What women inspire you this International Women’s Day and why? One of many inspirational women for me is Katherine Johnson. She was an extremely smart, intelligent, and humble woman. She proved that it is possible to achieve your goals when you work hard and dream big… even during the challenging times she faced in her century. Ellie, our marketing buff Introducing our Head of Marketing, Ellie. Ellie started her marketing journey over 8 years ago in the bathroom world, and became part of the Kallum’s family after joining in 2021. She is extremely organised and strong minded, with a creative flair for writing. She’s a fountain of ideas: a lot of what you see online from Kallums Bathrooms comes from her, plus a lot of what you don’t see. What’s the best thing about your job? I really enjoy the variety; it makes it a very challenging role! As a marketer you must cover a lot of bases. You need to build solid relationships with lots of different people, and it’s also really technical at times. I think the fact that it’s so wide-ranging means it is really stimulating, every day looks different. It can be quite a pressured environment too, especially with a lot of different projects happening at the same time, so there’s a real sense of achievement when the leads come in. I’m very lucky to work for such a supportive company! As even when I’m feeling the pressure, I know I always have the support of our managing director and fellow colleagues. What has been your biggest career challenge to date? Like many people, I was made redundant from my previous role during the peak of the covid 19 pandemic. Dealing with unemployment during such stressful and uncertain times was incredibly challenging. I was incredibly luckily to find Kallums as quickly as I did! However, joining a new company during lockdown brought its own challenges! As well as working on a new ecommerce site, managing the main website and all marketing activities at the same time. What advice you would give your younger self? There are many things! Mostly, if there’s something you’re interested in or passionate about, go for it. When you grab the opportunities, that’s when the confidence comes. I always like to throw myself into every project I am a part of – that is how I have been able to grow my skills so quickly at Kallums. I’m also a big believer in that everything happens for a reason! Difficult times results in important lessons learned, which can you help flourish moving forward. What women inspire you this International Women’s Day and why? It might sound clichéd, but I’d have to say my Nannie. She is one of the most inspiring women I’ve ever met. Life has thrown many challenges at her, but she has overcome them all. Now, she is a lady of leisure and one seriously independent woman! Karolina, our design consultant guru Enthusiastic, determined, and highly motivated Karolina has been in the bathroom design business for over 8 very successful years. Working on many high quality and highly rated projects, her work is award-nominated, and she has featured in publications including the Ideal Home magazine. Karolina has joined Kallums with plenty of goals and ambition for both herself and the company as a whole and we can’t wait to see the bathrooms she creates with her distinctive sense of style. Have you ever had anyone mentor you, or done something that helped you take the next step up? I have never had anyone to mentor me. Everything I’ve achieved so far is by trusting my own gut and capabilities. I have worked very hard to get to where I am today, and I am very proud of that. I first moved to London when I was 19 years old. I did not speak English and was without a network of friends or family to support me. It took a lot of hard work and perseverance to succeed in my career like I have. I would love to use my experience and lessons I have learnt to help other women in

How We Transformed Our Luxury London Bathroom Showroom

How We Transformed Our Luxury London Bathroom Showroom 2021 was an exciting and progressive year for Kallums. We gave our luxury bathroom showroom a completed overhaul – it’s most extensive refurbishment to date! Transforming our London bathroom showroom enables us to provide a luxurious bathroom experience like no other. As the year drew to a close and we finalised the finishing touches of our new showroom displays, we received fantastic news. Our showroom became a finalist in the KBB Review Retail & Design Awards 2022 for ‘Bathroom Showroom of The Year’! It certainly was an incredible way to end the year, and we are beyond proud of our entire team. After a long and rather cold January, we entered February with renewed excitement! The countdown is officially on for the KBB Retail & Design Awards 2022 in Birmingham. With less than 4 weeks to go, we decided to sit down for a chat with our talented in-house designer Alex. Alex designed many of our new stunning showroom displays, so we wanted to get her thoughts on our showrooms amazing transformation and how that resulted in us being a KBB finalist! Visit our showroom What makes the Kallums Bathrooms Showroom stand out against other bathroom retailers? We recently went through a major refurbishment! Most importantly our displays are completely fresh and include the best new product collections. These new display showcase lots of different finishes (brushed brass, black, warm steel, gunmetal and chrome) as well as the latest trends and styles. We spent lots of time carefully selecting stylish bathroom tiles, as it’s important for clients to see various textures, colours, and way of tiling. This is something I feel other bathroom showrooms don’t focus on that much. However, what really sets our luxury bathroom showroom apart from is our exceptional customer service from start to finish. We offer a comprehensive service that includes bathroom design, supply and installation. Plus, a highly talented expert team who can create exceptional luxury bathrooms. What key changes were made to the luxury bathroom showroom that resulted with being a KBB finalist? During the lockdowns, we spent a lot of time reflecting on the look of our luxury bathroom showroom. We thought hard about the products we want to sell and the suppliers we want to work with. It’s extremely important for client to see the latest trends, a vast selection of different styles and finishes, as well as products at different price points. Plus, we like to include some more bespoke and unusual pieces. As well as the new displays, we decluttered and created a nice open space meeting area. Overall, the showroom now looks more spacious and welcoming for retail and professional clients. I believe we achieved everything we planned to do and then some, and I think the KBB judges could see this and is why we are a finalist. What is your favourite new display and why? There are two displays that I really love! The first is our front window display that features Gessi brassware, Idea Group NYU furniture and Majestic fluted glass. It is very simple but sophisticated. I really like the terrazzo tiles with marble effect slabs; overall it’s a very elegant bathroom design. The second is our new Lefroy Brooks display. Traditional, art deco style designs are one of my favourites! We chose large, busy tiles with heavy grey veins and paired with Bard and Blackwood furniture in a light gold finish. The brassware is a polished nickel finish, which works perfectly with the tiles. It’s a very brave colour scheme that makes a statement, which is something every showroom should have. What factors do you consider before designing a new display? When designing new bathroom displays, I analyse what brands, styles and manufactures my clients are asking for. I feel it’s so important to work with good quality brands and reliable suppliers, and I prefer to include those in my displays. Where did you find inspiration for creating the displays? I take my inspiration mainly from online on social media channels such as Pinterest, Houzz, LinkedIn but also from my suppliers and clients. I also find design exhibitions in UK and abroad really inspirational, and it’s great to see some many new trends and product prototypes in situ. As well the world slowly returns to ‘normal’ I hope to start visiting more bathroom design shows. What are your current favourite bathroom design trends? My favourite bathroom design trend is the simple, classic traditional look! With vertical, decorative tiles used for feature walls and patterned floors and complemented by traditional style basin stands and brassware. I’m also a fan of modern bathroom designs where I can use a composite basin with slimline vanity unit and large porcelain slabs without any grout lines. Favourite luxury bathroom brands? For traditional bathroom designs my favourite brands are Samuel Heath and Lefroy Brooks! But for more modern bathroom designs my favourites are Vola, Gessi, Idea Group, Catalano, Flaminia and The Sterlingham Company. What do you love the most about being a part of Team Kallums? The thing I love the most about Team Kallums is how quickly we have grown since I joined, and how we all have big plans and dreams for the near future that we are working hard towards. Everyone is friendly and it makes work so much fun, even during very hectic and busy weeks! If you would like to visit our award nominated luxury London bathroom showroom, or for more information on how we can design, supply and install your new luxury bathroom, contact us or click below. Luxury London Bathroom Showroom Lets Talk Kallums Bathrooms is an independent family-led business, founded in London by Matthew Kallum, who has a passion for luxurious bathroom design and outstanding customer service. From chic products to modern bathroom design methods, we specialise in exceptional bespoke bathrooms that give your space a distinct personality. 020 3620 2076 enquiries@kallumsbathrooms.co.uk 100 Lower Richmond Road, Putney, London, SW15 1LN Instagram Facebook Twitter

What makes the best London Bathroom Designer?

What makes the best London Bathroom Designer? The bathroom design business in London is a very busy and competitive market. Designing and installing luxurious and practical bathrooms is no small matter. There is lots to think about when it comes time to decide on fixtures, fittings, finishes and other practical considerations like electric and plumbing. With so many striving to be the best London bathroom designer it is extremely rewarding when your work is recognised and celebrated by industry experts! Which is why we are extremely proud that our in-house London Bathroom Designer Gary Read has been nominated not once, but twice for Bathroom Designer Of The Year in the KBB Reveiw Retail and Design Awards. This seemed like an ideal opportunity for us to catch up with Gary! One afternoon in-between clients we spoke with Gary about the latest London Bathroom Design trends and what he thinks we will see more of in 2022. Read on below to find out more about the process of designing a luxury award-nominated London bathroom. We share his best advice for you if you are thinking of starting your own bathroom project. Or you could check out our case studies to see some of Gary’s award-nominated bathroom designs in action! What makes a bathroom that has been designed by Kallums Bathrooms so unique? Can you identify it from others? I like to spend a considerable amount of time with a client. This is often over several meetings, consulting and focusing on all the aspects and qualities of the bathroom. We’ll cover the overall design layout to the smaller details which in my opinion cannot be neglected! I like to think that the bathrooms I create with my clients have that attention to the smaller details that often get overlooked and forgotten. Can you tell us a little more about the process of designing a luxury London Bathroom…what’s involved? Usually, it’s best to start with the bigger picture and work my way down to the smaller details. A typical bathroom design will see me playing around and experimenting with various layout options. Once I am happy with the overall layout, I then start to look at the specifics of the styling and more closely at the details. Once I am happy with the overall design features, I then begin to play with various lighting options. I’ll focus on the different materials, finishes, textures, and tiling formats. Throughout this process I am liaising with the client. Its important to engage with them to ensure we are both on the right track and moving towards a design ideal. Do you have a favourite from the new Putney luxury bathroom showroom displays and why? The new Kallums London Bathroom Showroom is our best yet for sure, and well worth a visit. It’s difficult to choose my favourite installation but I have to say I do love the new Oxide Verdigris slab tile we have on display now. I think it looks like a sheet of copper that has gradually developed a rich green / turquoise patina… reminiscent of Verdigris. What new bathroom trend in 2022 do you think we will see? Open plan ensuites! If it is the wow-factor you are looking for then this design choice will most definitely tick the box. London ensuites can often be quite cramped – by removing the walls you can often make the bedroom and ensuite feel larger and lighter. What are some of your favourite bathroom brands in 2022? There are so many brands I like to work with, but I have always appreciated IdeaGroup. I know their numerous ranges inside out and this really helps me when I am creating new designs. They make wonderfully designed vanity units, and their service is one of the best in the industry. Wetroom materials are my go-to wet floor with their unidrain product. I particularly like using Thermosphere’s dual control to thermostat which operates both the underfloor heating and towel warmer. It’s from one programmable control, much more practical than duel fuel or central heating only! Is there a particularly exciting or challenging project you have worked on recently? They all have their challenges, one way or another! A project I am currently working on, the client would like an open ensuite in their master bedroom, open plan ensuite you could call it! This has been a challenge to design as we want to achieve a soft transition between the bedroom space and the ensuite. One of the ways we have achieved this is to use a wood effect porcelain tile throughout the flooring which helps to blend the two spaces together. Then coupled with similar tones throughout between light switches and bath taps, we can allow the spaces to work together. What sparks your imagination for new bathroom design ideas? I often look at pinterest as a lot of the design houses & Architects create experimental 3D renders and visualisations of new designs, trends and styles which make their way there. Unlike years ago, now, a 3D model and render can be done in less than a day. This is so realistic as you can see exactly how a space will look, being able to experiment without the time and cost involved allows for a much more diverse and rich design concepts. If someone was reading this and was about to begin their own bathroom design project, what would be your best advice to them? Gain a good idea of the type of bathroom you want to create. Try and get inspiration from the likes of Pinterest, Houzz etc then take that idea and come and see someone like myself! We can make it happen whilst helping you avoid the potential pitfalls and traps you can find yourself in if you take such a project on yourself. And wildcard question! What was your favourite film of 2021? I love sci fi, so I have to say Dune was a real treat to watch! Read more about Bathroom Design Lets

London Bathrooms – 2022’s best bathroom trends for you to try

London Bathrooms – 2022’s best bathroom trends for you to try We have experienced a year of lots of changes going on in the world around us. These lifestyle changes mean change for bathroom design and installation in London too. 2021 saw many friends and family leaving London for more rural pastures and bigger homes. For those of us already living in the built-up urban areas of London (and not prepared to leave our wonderful capital but also wanting more space), we started taking advantage of clever home extensions and moving further out to the suburbs. So, watch out 2022 – bigger bathrooms and luxury ensuites will continue to be on the rise. The fact more people than ever before are now working from home means that more and more of our clients have expressed a wish to own a place to truly relax in, and a bespoke luxury bathroom can achieve just this. No matter if you are looking to update just a corner of your London bathroom or going for a complete bathroom refurbishment, learning about upcoming trends in London bathroom design for 2022 is an excellent place to start. Designer Bathrooms Bold, classy, statement walls in bathrooms were popular in 2021 and it doesn’t look like they are going anywhere anytime soon! Choosing the right wallpaper for your bathroom can transform the space. A sumptuous, wallpapered feature wall doesn’t need loads of natural light to really stand out, so could be perfect for a smaller designer London bathroom or cloakroom. The neutral, brassy tones of this Kast concrete basin are highlighted by the richly patterned and luxurious grey/gold toned walls, giving the space a glamorous feel. TIP! When choosing your wallpaper, try to draw out a particular colour or shade and match it to your brassware or bathroom accessories for a more streamlined look. The pretty, elegant yellow hues of this stand out master bath adds warmth to the space. If you are looking to give your London-based master bathroom character – this is one way to do it! Check out how we approached this south west London project for some more design inspiration. Master bathroom ideas Although it’s now 2022, we are all still finding ourselves at home a lot of the time. This means the trend for home improvements is still going strong as the focus is still being indoors. Comfort in our homes is key – this now includes the bathroom in ways it never has done before. The trend for smart tech in bathrooms can eliminate the need for an expensive day out to a London spa as technology creates a next level degree of relaxation in master bathroom suites. Bathroom furniture design is indeed looking to the future. Looking for a luxurious bathroom upgrade? TOTO’s Washlet™ is a technological marvel while also looking sleek and trendy in any bathroom. A sensor-activated lid, heated and adjustable toilet seat and automatic descaling are just some of the long list of plus points for this smart toilet. Or why not create a spa-like high tech sanctuary with warming drawers? Toasty towels are the order of the day as linens are gently warmed and the smart drawers also create an additional heat source. Smart drawers will come complete with a timer so you can count on a warm fluffy towel after a long soak in the bath. Read more about Bathroom Design Seen frequently in American sitcoms, double vanity bathrooms are traditionally a comfort many have only experienced in luxury hotels. An oncoming trend for 2022 is an increase in double sinks in luxury master and family bathrooms as more and more couples opt for this bathroom design. Looking for a sleek, stand out finish for your master bathroom counters? Try this 2022 bathroom trend – extra thick marble counter tops. And we really do mean extra thick! VISIT OUR SHOWROOM Small Bathroom Designs Pull down your shower curtain! Frameless glass shower doors are on-trend for 2022 and absolutely ideal to make any bathroom feel roomier. Our designers love them as you can order them in any size, they transform the room with light and BONUS! They are easier to clean and have less chance of mould build up too. Walk in showers are both eye-catching and easily accessible (ideal if you don’t have much space but need a bathing option to suit all ages). We offer walk in showers in a range of styles with lots of luxurious additions– anything from lavish rainfall shower heads, comfy shower seats with additional storage or wall-mounted body jets to enjoy an invigorating massage. And last but not least on our list of best bathroom trends for 2022…..is foliage! Organic blooms will both smell and look great in the bathroom as well as giving a splash of colour in a small space. Plants have usually been kept away from bathrooms in the past because of the excessive heat and moisture… we suggest trying the pretty light asparagus fern, it’ll thrive in the humidity of the bathroom. Bathroom installation London Planning or dreaming of a new bathroom for 2022? We love providing people with high quality designs and bathroom inspiration ….and installing is no different! With our own friendly and professional installation team, we provide a unique approach to creating luxury bathrooms in London. Get in touch today or check out our installation page to learn more us and how we can help you achieve that trendy new bathroom for 2022. Find us on social Explore inspiration for stylish bathrooms with our real bathroom examples, latest trend stories and expert bathroom design advice. Be the first to discover our stunning new ranges, along with exclusive tips, promotions and the latest luxury bathroom insight. Follow us on Instagram, Pinterest and Houzz to explore more and sign up to our newsletter below. Instagram Facebook Twitter Linkedin Houzz Pinterest

Best Cloakroom Design Ideas

Best Cloakroom Design Ideas In the UK, space is a privilege that not many have – particularly when it comes to the size of our bathrooms! This is especially frustrating considering the amount of time we spend in our cloakrooms. Many of us have small bathrooms, downstairs toilets, or cloakrooms and are not optimising the space. “I have a very small bathroom and don’t know what to do” is a phrase we regularly hear from our clients who are struggling with small bathroom design. To help, our expert team have created this useful guide for cloakroom design ideas. The Kallums team have designed many cloakrooms, downstairs toilets, and small bathrooms. We have collated our best design advice, product suggestions and technical considerations for all types of small bathrooms – with the aim of sparking some inspiration for your next project. Downstairs Toilet Ideas Many homeowners with a big family decide to install an extra toilet downstairs. Or in some older UK properties, it’s common for the toilet to be in a separate room from the rest of the bathroom. Some homeowners like to install a cloakroom for convenience, especially when having guests over. Either way, this room is typically very small and compact! We find that many people do struggle with cloakroom design ideas and downstairs toilet ideas. For more design inspiration, browse our case study page. If you are considering a small bathroom remodel find out how our bathroom design service could help you. speak to a designer Small Bathroom Design Considerations When researching small bathroom designs, there are many important things to consider! Below are our top suggestions on how best to design and technically optimise your small bathroom layout. Conceal All Waste and Water Pipes Attention should be paid to the location and entrance points of water and waste pipes. If possible, they should be concealed into the floor and walls. Clean surfaces without visible pipes will create a more spacious and seamless cloakroom design. Cloakroom Lighting Before starting a small bathroom remodel, it’s important to assess how much natural light your space gets. Lighting is important to make a room feel brighter and more spacious, particularly with cloakrooms. Once you’ve assessed your space it’s easier to work out your lighting needs. If you don’t have any windows in your cloakroom, statement pendant lights are a great option and create a luxe aesthetic. Tiles For Small Bathrooms The right tiles can make or break a small bathroom design. Large format tiles are ideal for making your cloakrooms appear visually larger. Using the same colour tiles on the floor and walls create a seamless and spacious effect. However, we also love to use two different types of tiles on the wall to create a bold contrasting design. Wallpaper For Bathrooms One of our favourite small bathroom décor ideas is to use a striking wallpaper! Cloakrooms are perfect for using bold colours and extravagant patterns. Our bathroom designers love to pair bright, eccentric wallpapers with contrasting tiles. This always looks fantastic as a feature wall, particularly near the basin as mirrors look great over bold wallpaper. Products For Small Bathroom Designs There are many bathroom products that are designed to optimise space in small bathrooms without compromising on functionality or quality. Below are our top product suggestions when looking for cloakroom design ideas. Compact Toilet We supply a vast range of compact toilets with a smaller projection. Many of these are wall hung toilets with a rimless design. Wall hung toilets create the illusion of more space and make the floor of your cloakroom seem larger whilst also being easier to clean. Small Bathroom Sink There are many options when looking for a small bathroom sink to optimise your space. Our personal favourite are small countertop basins or washbowls, as these offer a more luxury aesthetic. We also supply compact wall hung basins or space saving corner sinks. Small Bathroom Vanity Unit If space allows, a small wall hung vanity unit offers a great storage solution to keep your small bathroom free of clutter. Just like wall hung toilets, Wall hung vanity units also create the illusion of more floor space. Cloakroom Mirrors Mirrors for small bathrooms are perfect, as they make the room look larger and more open. To add a more luxurious ambience to your cloakroom, consider an LED mirror. We have a fantastic range of cloakroom mirrors, from simple and modern to more decorative and striking! If you need help with cloakroom design ideas, downstairs toilet ideas or a small bathroom design – Contact us! Our expert team are always happy to help. For more bathroom ideas and inspiration, browse our case study page. For the best source of bathroom inspiration, visit our luxury bathroom showroom based in London. Our Services At Kallums, we take a unique approach to designing your bathroom. We have a conversation about your preferences—what you love, what you don’t—and explore your inspirations, whether it’s magazine clippings, Pinterest boards, or your own ideas. Before we begin, we ensure we fully understand your vision, so that every detail we create reflects your style and personality. bathroom design bathroom supply bathroom installation Complete Bathroom Service Bathroom Inspiration brochure Download our free Bathroom Inspiration brochure for the latest information and trends to help inspire your bathroom project. Download brochure now