PHILLIP COLE, CONTRACTS MANAGER OF PERRIN & ROWE

Posted in People, Products on 5 April, 2018

Through the past 40 years, Perrin & Rowe has established themselves as one of the most successful bathroom fittings manufacturers in the country. Now they have opened their first showroom in the prestigious Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour. Features Editor Tonje has a chat with Contracts Manager Philip Cole…

What is the significance of opening a showroom in Chelsea Harbour for the business?

While Perrin & Rowe® has displays across the UK with retailers, this is the first showroom that is dedicated to Perrin & Rowe® products and allows designers, architects, developers, specifiers and consumers to see the collections and finishes under one roof. The Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is a prestigious destination for the design industry and home to many influential brands and individuals, and we are excited to become part of this community. It is a great space to showcase and demonstrate first-hand the quality of Perrin & Rowe® products, which are designed, engineered and hand-crafted in Great Britain using the latest engineering technology and highest-quality raw materials available for a flawless finish and unbeatable performance. A dedicated meeting area also provides architects and designers with a space to meet with clients and our contracts team to discuss projects.

What major trends have you seen in hospitality bathroom design?

Luxury is and always has been a key trend within the hospitality sector we work in. Part of staying in a top hotel is a fantastic shower experience with luxurious products such as a 12-inch rose, rain bars and body sprays. A freestanding bath with a floor-mounted bath-shower mixer is the ultimate indulgence and exudes sophistication.

Open-plan living isn’t just for the living room or kitchen anymore, bathrooms have taken on this trend too. Minimalist walk-in showers with streamlined trays, undermounted basins for a sleek countertop and geometric-shaped chinaware with clean lines are in demand. However, when space is at a premium, well-designed, multi-functional products are key, such as bath-shower mixers that offer guests a choice of bathing options and sleek mono-bloc basin mixers.

Beautiful textures and colours that have been seen in the kitchen and living spaces are making their way into bathroom designs along with fixtures and fittings in special finishes. Our Satin Brass finish is proving particularly popular for bathroom hardware, as it’s understated to fit in with modern accessories, but carries that subtle hint of glamour.

And of course, longevity and quality of design is of paramount importance as it can be a costly exercise when taps and showers go wrong. High-quality brassware not only looks better and lasts longer but also offers guests a memorable experience. Quality sanitaryware is also a must – you don’t want to run the risk of basins being discoloured or having an uneven glaze.

In what way is your British heritage maintained in your products and approach today?

Perrin & Rowe® products are an authentic celebration of classic British elegance. It is a key point of difference that all brassware and chinaware is conceived, designed, engineered and hand-crafted at our own facilities in Great Britain. This gives us complete control to deliver high quality products, which specifiers can install with confidence.

How have developments in technology affected the way you manufacture your products?

We use a combination of the latest engineering technology with CNC machinery, combined with hand craftsmanship to ensure a flawless finish and unbeatable performance. Using CNC machinery means that we have very accurate and repeatable operations, allowing our team to take care of a range of different projects, from one-off parts to a large quantity of complex CAD components. The machines can be easily programmed and modified allowing us to respond faster as the market changes, producing some objects and prototypes quicker than creating them by hand.

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