We all still seem to be filled with enthusiasm for home improvements, so we thought we would bring you news of some of the latest ideas which have been recently launched.  After a slow 2020, there is now an abundance of new collections for kitchens, bathrooms and interiors. We will keep you updated, needless to say!

LVT (Luxury Vinyl Tiles) are an extremely efficient choice for kitchen and bathroom floors – LVT needs to be professionally installed, and then will provide a tough, hard wearing and waterproof surface that will look good for an extremely long time. These tiles are Kura Kala Brick Block with slim strips to replicate the grout lines between tiles. Amtico specialist retailers can help with the design of your new floor, including positioning of motifs or borders, or make a start here with Amtico’s Room Visualiser.  

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A boiling/hot water tap must be considered an essential for every new kitchen upgrade, and there are some very appealing models out there. One that is definitely worth adding to the wish list is the Evol-S Pro Hot + Filter tap. This semi-professional model in stainless steel provides the usual hot/cold water, plus boiling water and cold filtered water. With rotary control, measuring dial to dispense accurate amounts of boiling water by touch control and insulated spout. Shown here with a sleek Black Silgranit sink, both by Blanco.

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The choice of flooring, for any room in the house is vital to the overall decorative scheme of that particular room. An easy decision is to go for a ‘neutral’, such as timber planks or stone/ceramic/porcelain tiles in the grey-beige colour spectrum. But … starting a new project provides a chance to up the ante with a bold choice, perhaps pattern or colour (or both) to create a statement floor. We’re keen on the new Atlas Porcelain Collection from Ca’Pietra. The starburst pattern uses two shades of blue, is suited to bathroom and kitchens, and each tile measures 200mm x 200mm. The Blue colourway also looks very at home as a kitchen splashback too, or perhaps as hallway or porch floor tiles.

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Hopefully, summer 2021 will be spent basking in the sunshine, on our new patios, outdoor dining spaces or even just the same old back garden, enjoying the company of friends and family – but minus the restrictions we’ve all had to adhere to over the last year. So, tackle the rush for outdoor cushions, throws and other assorted outdoor accessories by taking a look at the collections from The National Trust. Shown here, a selection of ceramics, plus the Nymans Flora Cushion and, top of pile, the National Trust Fishbone Multicolour Throw.

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Planning a new kitchen generally means more than just a new kitchen … projects have a habit of creeping upwards, sideways and outwards. We’re having a good look at flooring this month, and love these Dijon Tumbled Limestone Pavers from Quorn Stone. Isabel Fernandez, Director, Quorn Stone, comments ‘Our stone-effect porcelain tiles and pavers come in numerous styles that range from sleek and contemporary with straight cut edges, to more rustic designs with worn edges. The scratch resistant surface and colour bodied clay make them a practical choice for family kitchens. And many of our ranges are also suitable for exterior use with a grip finish, to enable the kitchen to flow smoothly from indoors to outdoors’.

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However large or small your new kitchen project may be, there’s always room for some new accessories! Try this Truly Tropical Double Oven Glove and Set of 3 Truly Tropical Teatowels – just one is shown here, each is a different colour, from Joe Browns

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You might just need those oven gloves if you are cooking outdoor pizza over the summer … This is the  Bravo Pizza Oven from ACR Stoves. The range is designed in Italy, the ovens reach 500 Deg C in 30 minutes, and have a steel out with stainless steel inner and can also be used for roasting and slow cooking. Get those napkins out!

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Style up the outdoor dining experience with a set of Rio Corte Melamine Dinner Plates from Freemans.

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Back to the new kitchen or kitchen-dining-family room … new lighting will be required, no doubt … Try the Marius Pendant with a ribbed glass shade and antique brass finish, from Soho Home.

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And now for a look at some new bathroom ideas … These are from the new AddStoris collections of accessories from Hansgrohe. Designed in collaboration with Phoenix design, there are hooks, mirrors, shelving and everything else imaginable, all in six different finishes, including Polished Gold Optic as shown here, as well as Matt Black and Matt White. All designed to be used seamlessly with Hansgrohe taps and fittings.

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A closer look at the understated lines of the AddStoris accessories, taps and storage collection in Matt White. A refreshing change from all the various golds, brass and black colour options that have been so prevalent in recent years …

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Do your bathroom plans tend towards traditional styling and classic finishes? Take a look at the  Classica Hinged Door and inline panels for a recessed installation. This combination features pure brass frames, ultra-clear glass and is also suitable for use in a steam-room installation.

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New bathrooms, kitchens and appliances should bring to mind the implications of water usage, so we’re happy to share some tips from Not Just Taps. Personally, having recently cut my own water bill by £50 per month by installing a water meter, I may take even further water-saving action!