This exclusive Ask the Expert feature sees Paul Illingworth, Design Manager of Abode provide insight into the latest industry and company innovations.
Can you tell us more about Abode? What is the history of the company and what do you stand for now?
Passion, service and quality assurance are the cornerstones of our brand and business. Established in 2002, Abode’s dedicated team has extensive knowledge of sinks, taps and the kitchen and bathroom industry, based in Barnsley, South Yorkshire. Our core values represent the design and supply of unique kitchen and bathroom products, designed in the UK by our in-house product design and development team.
Abode is known for their high-quality kitchen and bathroom products; how do you ensure innovation in a competitive market?
We’re dedicated to keeping abreast with the latest developments in kitchen design and gaining insights from our annual UK market report, which spans consumer buying habits, go-to products, trends, market growth and conditions of the UK housing market. This, along with our customer feedback is what drives our new product development schedule forwards.
We pride ourselves on being the supplier of choice to the trade, by delivering original product designs, which are all tested to meet industry standards: an area we invest more on each year. Consequently, we offer a range of WRAS approved steaming hot water taps, all regulated and approved under the Water Regulatory Advisory Scheme having undergone extensive testing to ensure these taps do not cause waste or undue consumption.
What’s more, all components within the Pronteau hot water tap system are also WRAS approved; an essential accreditation that demonstrates Abode’s commitment to designing compliant products for the kitchens of tomorrow. During development, we considered every aspect of safety, both for the dispensing of the steaming hot water and the maximum temperature for stored water in the boiler. By dispensing a steaming hot water from 75°C to a maximum 98°C, our steaming hot water taps are fully compliant with Part G (3) of the UK Building Regulations unlike our competitors, which boast 100°C instant boiling water that cannot be approved. Plus, all Pronteau hot taps are insulated which means the water is hotter at the end of the spout, but the outside surface remains cool to touch.
How do your products shape the landscape of a kitchen and bathroom interior design?
The perception of the wet zone in a kitchen is constantly evolving and I believe that new developments in sink and taps have altered the design dynamic between the kitchen and living space in general. Today, the wet zone in the kitchen has become a high-traffic, multi-functional space as the latest steaming hot water taps are transforming the sink area into a multi-purpose drinks station, food prep and cooking area, as well as a focal point for handwashing and cleaning.
As the kitchen diversifies to support multi-generational family living, working from home and socialising, the sink and tap now must adapt to be more hardworking than ever before. We know the sink area is the most heavily used area of a kitchen so with more demand, products now need to be functional as well as aesthetically pleasing. We know our products play a key role in the bigger design conversation, influencing an ever-expanding range of finishes and styles in the kitchen and delivering on quality, safety, sustainability, and function.
Read more of this article in our new edition: April 2022 Single Issue – Show Home Magazine (yourshow-home.com)
Media contact
Roshini Bains,
Editor, Showhome Magazine
Tel: +44 (0) 1622 823 922
Email: [email protected]
