In your corner

Recognising that every bathroom is different and not every bath is suitable for every layout, a local bathroomware provider has designed a composite stone, back-to-wall-style, free-standing corner bath, which offers the aesthetic benefits of a free-standing model but designed for the traditionally compact New Zealand bathroom.

Free-standing baths are a great addition to any bathroom but they’re not always the most practical solution, says Josh Burkhead, Managing Director of Elite Bathroomware.

“People want the look but the reality is that free-standing baths have particular requirements, including needing a certain amount of space around them, if they’re going to look good. All too often people try to fit a free-standing bath into an inappropriate space—particularly if they’re renovating an existing, smaller bathroom in an older home—and the result is less than pleasing.

“Back-to-wall baths have many models available but we were still getting requests from clients looking for a specific solution to their problems. That led us to partner with an existing supplier to provide customers with our back-to-wall corner models—both left- and right-hand versions.

Josh says they designed the 1600mm x 800mm bath as a catch-all solution, with a number of innovations to appeal not just to homeowners but plumbers as well.

“We decided one mid-range size would appeal to the most customers and we have designed it specifically with a thin profile, which has not only resulted in a crisp, modern look, it also contributed to a dramatic reduction in weight—just over 100kgs versus most other models on the market that come in at 200kgs. The lower weight makes the bath easier to install as does the allowance under the bath for the waste pipe, meaning it doesn’t need to be inset. Plus the bath comes with a compact S-trap included and all are no overflow.

“It is also an extremely comfortable bath to lie in due to the curved interior surface and is really spacious internally, with enough room for two people to fit comfortably, especially if the taps are placed centrally. We chose two finishes; gloss white and matte white to tie in with a range of popular stone-like finishes, such as concrete and our exclusive Cervo and Curve basin ranges in matching material. The plug/waste comes in all the popular metallic finishes to complement a range of tapware.

“It really is the ultimate bath on the market and the only composite stone corner bath in New Zealand currently.”

Elite Bathroomware also has a range of new bathroom accessories for you to team with your new stone corner bath, including exclusive coloured shower columns and heated towel rails.

“We’ve introduced a new selection of Code shower columns, which aside from the hand piece and hose, are full-brass construction. These are available in two styles; a round, more minimal style and a square, contemporary look and also come with a 250mm rain head—also square or round.

“These columns feature an integrated bottom inlet for water and diverter and there is also a more simple slide option that doesn’t feature the rain head. The columns are available in five colour finishes, which, given that they are brass construction, have been applied using the physical vapor deposition (PVD) coating process.

“Rounding out our bathroom accessories is our heated towel rail offering, which includes a range of sizes, styles and finishes including matte black, matte white and brushed copper. These are available in two profiles—50mm x 10mm and a new slimline version that is 40mm x 10mm.

“We’ve also introduced a heated hand towel rail—ideal for powder rooms and sculleries—and which is, I believe, the only one in the world.”

Moving out of the bathroom, Elite Bathroomware has also released a range of air switches, which can be teamed with any insinkerator unit that is air switch compatible. Again, these have been designed to match with the most popular tapware finishes and are available in gunmetal, brushed brass, brushed copper, stainless steel and matte black—all PVD finishes over stainless steel.

Elite Bathroomware is based in East Tamaki, Auckland and ships nationwide via its quick and easy online portal.

Learn more about the range of baths and bathroom accessories available through Elite Bathroomware.