Ben Bryden, Sales and Marketing Director of RAK Ceramics UK Ltd, discusses how keeping abreast of what might be coming in interior design is the key to success
From guest bathrooms to kitchens and outdoor spaces, RAK Ceramics provides a full interiors solution. A one-stop shop for all aspects of design, the manufacturer offers a portfolio of quality products, encompassing sanitaryware, brassware, mirrors and accessories, to tiles and surfaces for walls and floors.
“As an innovator, helping shape new trends and ideas rather than simply responding to them, RAK Ceramics is able to offer a complete solution for any project,” comments Ben Bryden, Sales and Marketing Director for RAK Ceramics UK. “By keeping abreast of forecasts of what might be coming next in interior design, we can react quickly with product solutions that fulfil a need with designers. This is supported by a unique supply chain, with full UK warehousing.”
Sanitaryware that is stylishly practical
As comfort levels rise in the domestic bathroom, the sanitaryware chosen for such spaces needs to work practically and visually. RAK Ceramics delivers, with sanitaryware collections that create a relaxing ambience to transform the bathroom into a calming oasis.
Minimal lines for a sleek and streamlined finish are a perpetual trend in bathrooms, and one that is showcased beautifully with the RAK-Des collection. The range boasts a versatile choice of bowls and freestanding washbasins, combining with RAK-Precious countertops that emulate the natural properties of materials such as stone and marble, while offering the ease of cleaning and durability that is so necessary in hospitality environments.
For a long time too, the focus for sanitaryware in the bathroom has been starkly white, but this is changing, with soft pastels and muted shades increasingly being seen. Less clinical than an all-white bathroom, these pops of colour can be scaled up or down to meet individual tastes. Colour doesn’t need to mean bold and bright and in this instance the trend takes a far subtler approach, with the nature-inspired tones of the RAK-Feeling collection serving to add character while creating a relaxed and tranquil vibe.
Tapping into bathroom brassware
Brassware in the bathroom can make just as much of a visual impact too, with trends shifting towards the mixing of materials and finishes to make the basin, bath and shower area stand-out features while maintaining the sleek and simple design principles.
RAK Ceramics offers over 30 tap ranges, with brassware in five finishes – Polished Chrome, Black Chrome, Brushed Gold, Matt Black and Brushed Nickel – across many of its most popular ranges. Nowhere is this trend better represented than with the luxurious RAK-Amalfi collection. Encouraging creativity, RAK-Amalfi does things differently, with handles that can be combined in several ways with the tap body, mixing metals for an individual look throughout the bathroom.
Style and function with no compromise
Minimal design must meet minimal maintenance, of course, and with RAK Ceramics that needn’t mean any sort of compromise. Touchless flushing on WCs like RAK-Sensation, for instance, encourages users to flush in a hygienic way, while the absence of awkward levers or buttons to press makes the bathroom more accessible too.
In terms of ease of cleaning, rimless WCs are a dream, while anti-bacterial coatings raise the hygiene levels even further, acting as an invisible barrier to harmful germs and bacteria. Special glazes, such as RAK-Sanit, applied during manufacture mean there is no need for lots of scrubbing and the use of chemicals. A regular wipe down with a soft damp cloth is all that is needed.
Multi-functional kitchen design
The kitchen too, is covered by RAK Ceramics ingenuity. Imagine a kitchen worksurface that doubles as a cooking area, seamlessly. CookingRAK from RAK Ceramics makes it a reality with a true innovation in surface and kitchen technology.
The induction hob is concealed in the porcelain surface, taking the kitchen from meal preparation to social space effortlessly. This one-of-a-kind hidden induction cooking system creates a stylish impression in the modern kitchen, combining the high-performance of RAK Ceramics porcelain slabs, with an innovative induction cooking system for professional results.
The surface itself – available in six styles and a range of colour schemes to suit any décor, is perfect for the busy kitchen environment – resistant to heat, stains and scratches and with any spillages easily wiped clean away.
Surface level
The RAK Ceramics surfaces collection is extensive, with floor, wall and countertop tiles in a wide range of styles and sizes, along with mega slabs for a minimal finish with virtually no grout lines. Versatile and simply beautiful, the Maximus slab revolutionises the design and architecture world by opening up new perspectives in tiles application that were previously unimaginable. All the continuous surfaces are designed for any type of application: floor and walls, cladding, furnishing, countertops and provide creative flexibility and high technical and aesthetic performances.
These include revised classy marble and granite patterns displaying elegant veins which remodel spaces, creating sophisticated ambiences. The timeless beauty of one of the finest materials in nature, combines with all the advantages of porcelain and ceramic tiles in terms of performance, durability, ease of laying and maintenance.
The stunning Metamorfosi collection is a decorative porcelain surface that makes an eye-catching impression for any interior, from dining room to spa space. Metamorfosi is a large-format surface, available in two sizes – 120x260cm and 120x120cm. Inspired by the colours and shapes found in nature and responding to this important interior design trend, the surface is highly durable and splash resistant, just as porcelain should be, yet visually striking in its appeal, with several design options to choose from.
Equally as striking and innovative is Luce, a translucent porcelain surface that makes a stunning centrepiece hospitality area, and even more so when enhanced with backlighting technology. When illuminated, Luce’s special body gives a soft glow and transforms the design from a plain tile to a soft natural marble, perfect for carrying the room through from the practicalities of daytime into evening, to a more sociable ambience as night falls.
The range includes seven different graphics and colours in marble and onyx effect that replicate the natural ability of the stones to filter the light.
Nature-inspired design, outdoors
Able to match indoor and outdoor paving for a seamless flow, the Outdoor Living porcelain tiles collection is versatile and easy to install, the ideal choice to design or revamp gardens, patios, terraces, driveways or pool areas.
Available in a range of style options, the different installation possibilities allow the material to blend in with its surrounding landscape. With a host of technical advantages that ensure the tiles are weather-proof and highly durable, the extra thick tiles are ideal for installation on any outdoor areas.
UV resistant, the tiles won’t discolour from direct sunlight, while their slip resistance make them a safe flooring option for all situations. The tiles also feature the award-winning Klima technology, that repels the heat from sunlight, resisting high temperatures. Even with significant sun exposure, the surface is not burning hot, and the floor remains cool and pleasant to walk on with bare feet.
Ideal for gardens, gazebos and walkways, the porcelain tiles can be installed directly on to grass, or on to gravel and sand. For terraces and high traffic areas installation can be made on to screed with adhesive.
The Outdoor Living porcelain tiles collection includes 8 styles – Carmo Stone, Fashion Stone Outdoor, Gold Calacatta, Grey Calacatta, Maremma, RAK Stone 2.0, Stone Lagoon and Surface 2.0 Outdoor, with a variety of colour options to suit any setting. The tiles measure 60cm x 60cm and 60cm x 120cm, perfect for covering large areas with ease.
A hub of creativity in Clerkenwell
All of these ideas and more can be explored in person at the RAK Ceramics Design Hub in London. The go-to destination for designers, architects and developers looking to explore the possibilities of choosing the brand for their projects, the location is designed to be an interactive environment to inspire creativity. The Hub is well placed for those visiting the capital’s design quarter in Clerkenwell and is one of the largest venues of its kind in the area, with 7,276sq ft over two floors.
The space provides designers with an immersive space to share ideas and explore the possibility of working with RAK Ceramics on their projects. Designed to be an interactive and immersive environment to inspire creativity, the Hub includes a working tap display, Virtual Worlds 4D Theatre and a ‘Grab and Go’ sample area.
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