PHPD catches up with Leanne Martin, Head of Product at Ideal Standard, to discover the latest design influences in the bathroom and explore the company’s new range: Studio Echo.
Q. Bathrooms are a key selling space for housebuilders – what are the latest trends and design features that can help to make a bathroom stand out?
There’s definitely an appetite in the market to create more of a feeling of luxury in today’s bathrooms – rather than focusing on a purely functional space. Homeowners want their bathrooms to leave a lasting and positive impression on their visitors. Certainly, when creating the Studio Echo range – a reimagining of one our most popular collections, Studio – we identified a strong fashion for a mid-century bathroom collection, with up-to-date styling. With this collection, we haven’t been as understated as before – we’ve maintained familiarities of the previous suite but incorporated new styles in line with the latest trends, to make the range more contemporary.
Studio Echo has been designed to stand up to the robust needs of daily life, balancing stunning aesthetics with the practicalities of a modern family bathroom, so it’s perfect for new builds.
Q. Ideal Standard has recently launched the Studio Echo bathroom collection – why is this new range particularly well-suited to residential new-build?
Studio Echo has been designed to stand up to the robust needs of daily life, balancing stunning aesthetics with the practicalities of a modern family bathroom, so it’s perfect for new builds. It has a lighter, more understated appearance than its predecessor, creating a striking look that will blend in with any interior style. We’ve developed Echo using a combination of the latest manufacturing processes so it can survive and perform decades after purchase. In today’s homes, end-users are increasingly becoming more focused on water saving. With this in mind, Studio Echo toilets can also be flushed on low water volumes, helping to save homeowners in utility costs.
Q. The company has a long relationship with designer Robin Levien and Studio Levien – how has this helped in the creation of this new bathroom range?
Robin Levien actually worked on the original Studio range before its launch in 1986, helping Ideal Standard bring contemporary design into ordinary bathrooms for the first time. Our long-standing relationship with Robin has allowed us to come together and create an exciting, more up to date version of the popular suite, building on its heritage. It’s testament to Robin’s design, expertise and creativity that Studio has only been replaced after 35 years.
Q. Storage is a key issue for many homebuyers – can Studio Echo be used in conjunction with the company’s ranges of furniture?
The Studio Echo range – particularly the semi-countertop washbasin, back-to-wall WC and the wall-mounted WC – really complement the Ideal Standard Tempo furniture. Using the two in conjunction creates a neutral, yet smart and discreet storage solution for the homeowner, with streamlined shapes also helping enhance the feeling of space.
Q. In many new residential properties, bathrooms and cloakrooms are designed to fit into small spaces. Does the new range incorporate options for smaller room sizes?
Absolutely – the range has been designed with the specifications of modern homes in mind. It comprises three different sizes of basin (60cm, 55cm and 50cm) to suit every installation, while a selection of handbasin products have been specifically designed for cloakroom and en-suite projects. For example, hand rinse and corner handbasins are available to offer space saving solutions. The WC options have also been developed to take up much less room, with compact close-coupled back-to-wall designs and thinner cisterns.
