100% Design: Total recall

Now under new management, 100% Design has taken on a fresh new look this year. Using the same formula as its sister show Grand Designs Live - tunnel entrance and central bar leading to themed spaces - it still manages to maintain the air or ambiance associated with 100% Design.Think of a uber-chic Cocktail bar where it's so stylish, you feel you shouldn't be allowed in. Door hosts? Check. Dark, theatrical areas? Check. DJ spinning chill-out tunes, designer labels. Check and check. It's fashionable, it's bang-on trend but far from being effortless, this show is contrived to be the at the apex of cool.

Yet is it simply a case of style over substance?The division of the exhibition space and dedicated Kitchens & Bathrooms zone helps to focus on these rooms of the home. But separated from the Interiors space, it does lose out on the relationship between designs that influence kitchen and bathrooms.
The Kitchen & Bathroom space of the show may not have the largest representation - visitors could navigate the area in a matter of hours - but think posh shoe shops, the more expensive, the fewer in the window. And, although far from comprehensive, it does have a wide choice of products on display from appliances to work tops, furniture and  hot taps through to sanitaryware. But what makes 100% Design stand-out is the names the show attracts, which differ from the regulars on the kitchen and bathroom exhibition scene. Silverdale Bathrooms, Venete Cucine, Ella, DeVol, Not Only White, Doca and Bora are just some of the designer brand names on show.
It would be unfair to judge 100% Design as a bathrooms and kitchens show, after all the space forms part of a wider contemporary design event, including Offices and Eco Design & Build. But for bathroom and kitchen designers, who want to see the very latest in cutting-edge cool, 100% Design is in its 18th year and has come of age. And it will be interesting to see how this revamped show continues to mature.

100% Design takes place at Earl's Court in London and runs until September September 22, 2012

To see the products from the show, read the review of 100% Design in the November issue of Kitchens & Bathrooms News. Subscribe for FREE.

Doca opens doors to London showroom

Spanish kitchen, bathroom and bedroom furniture manufacturer Doca has opened the doors of its 1,500sq ft showroom in West London. Architects, developers, interior designers, housebuilders and kitchen retailers visited the showroom, during the two-day opening event at the showroom, situated at Studio 20, Acklam Road, just off Portabello Road.

Doca has identified London and Russia as its first two 'strategically important' export markets, as it aims to broaden the base of its business outside its native Spanish market.

Its London trade showroom features three kitchen displays, two of which are working, as well as bedroom furniture. Taking centre stage of the showroom was the Milano kitchen with chamfered veneer doors and matching chamfered worktop edge, for a floating surface appearance. It is available in a choice of 30 veneers, eight carcasses and three internal drawer finishes.

This was joined by a kitchen display in white, with full ceiling-height top units with bi-folding electric opening doors. However the same display is available in 25 standard lacquers or any RAL colour providing over 250 finishes.

Completing the kitchen displays was a setting with a 7.5m walnut ‘dining’ table, which has a secondary use as a boardroom/training table for dealers. However, arguably of key interest in the same room setting was a ‘Gum’ lacquer that felt like soft rubber.

Completing the showroom, were wardrobe systems made from framed glass doors with an internal light which, when switched on, allows the opaque glass to become transparent.

Director of Doca UK, Steve Holgate was pleased with the response to the London showroom. He said after the first day of opening: “It was absolutely constant. We were open 12-8pm. The last person arrived at 7.20 and although we were open until 8pm, we were prepared to stay open longer.”

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Doca opens London showroom

Spanish kitchen, bedroom and bathroom furniture manufacturer Doca is opening a trade centre in London in July. Designed for use by architects, interior designers, developers and kitchen and dealers, the 1,500sq ft premises will be designed to mirror its HQ showroom in Barcelona. The company will be based off the Portobello Road, in West London. Director of Doca UK, Steve Holgate explains why he chose to site the business away from the popular kitchen area of Wigmore Street: "We don't want to sell retail".

The company currently has 20 showrooms across London and the Home Counties and is now looking to double the number of retailers, across the country.

Doca furniture spans mid-to-luxury prices, spanning a wide range of colours, veneers and lacquers - all of which is made to order. The London showroom will feature three kitchens, two of which will be working displays. In addition it will showcase two wardrobe systems, boast a bathroom area and workshop.

Steve Holgate comments: “The new London showroom is a major investment in providing UK specifiers and end-users with a place where they can engage with Doca in an appropriately high quality environment.”

He added: “They will be able to see close up, not only the distinctive styles and high level of design that goes into every piece of Doca furniture but also the precision engineering and commitment to product quality that is devoted to bringing that design to fruition.”

An in-depth interview about Doca's presence in the UK will feature in the combined July/August issue of Kitchens & Bathrooms News. For more news, views and product trends, subscribe for a regular issue.