Sleep event awakes the senses

Annual exhibition for hotel design, Sleep, took place at the Business Design Centre in London on November 24-25 and was acclaimed a success by bathroom exhibitors. Seemingly, the show is challenging interior show 100% Design as the place to be seen by bathroom brands for the contract market.

Among the company names exhibiting at the event were manufacturers Aqata, Aqualux, VitrA,  Villeroy & Boch, Grohe, Geberit, Kohler Mira, Twyford Bathrooms, Alape and  Dornbracht, as well as distributor Faucets.



Technical manager of VitrA Darren Paxford



In addition, multi award-winning bathroom retailer The Yard had also taken a stand at the show, promoting its work with hotels, including The Connaught in London.

Overall, manufacturers reported a good footfall of visitors, some of which were from international markets. And even specialist bathroom retailers could be seen traipsing the aisles of this design-led event.







Managing director of Aqata
Jayne Barnes



Although little was new to the market, at least for the specialist retail market anyway, there were still some interesting and rather decadent products on show. These luxury products included Grohe’s quilted leather flush plates and Kohler Mira’s feature basins spanning cast iron and glass models.

Quilted, leather-covered flush plate from Grohe

The Sleepotel feature area offered design visions for the future of hotel bathroom design and a seminar programme, including a talk on water efficiency by the Bathroom Manufacturers Assocation, added to the event.

Completing the show was its inaugural Product Innovation Awards, where 10 bathroom products were recognised as exemplary concepts. It included Duofix Shower Element by Geberit; Nova Light, Fresh, Rainshower Icon, Blue by Grohe; Axor Citterio, PuraVida and Raindance E420 Showerpipe by Hansgrohe; Katagami by Kohler Mira, W+W by Roca, and the Bathomatic TO Guard by Unique Automation.

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