Merging comfort and style, black bathrooms are here to stay. The Black Sapphire Collection of dark sanitaryware by Imperial Bathrooms ups the ante, finally bringing ceramics over to the dark side.

The bathroom of 2021 has emerged as a space for wellbeing and retreating to for a moment of calm; time spent in the bathroom of today is prized, an opportunity for peace, privacy, self-care and time out from frenetic lives of home working, schooling and multitasking. No longer simply a functional room, bathrooms have become another lifestyle zone within the home, fulfilling emotional needs as well as practical ones, and in response their design has become more expressive, experimental and exciting.

Enter the vogue for black bathrooms, with dark, cave-like spaces creating sanctuaries where the stresses of outside cease to exist. While surfaces, furniture, fixtures and accessories have all been doused in black tones of late, sanitaryware remained traditionally white and bright – until now. Imperial Bathrooms’ new Black Sapphire Collection has put an end to interrupting dark schemes with chunks of dazzling paleness, with the extensive offering, encompassing basins, toilets, bidets and accessories in a myriad of styles, enabling bathrooms to wholly embrace the darkness, as well as adding an unexpected edge to monochrome designs and broader palettes.

‘Black and monochrome rooms soothe the eye and allow an overworked mind a moment of calm’ explains Graeme Borchard, MD at UK Bathrooms. ‘The Black Sapphire Collection from Imperial Bathrooms means that bathrooms can now fully commit to a black palette, and offers wider and bolder options for lovers of statement spaces.’

The range incorporates four sanitaryware families, the first truly comprehensive collection of black bathroom ceramics.

Etoile Black Sapphire

Bedecked in the pigment-rich Black Sapphire finish, the round edges, intricate design and striking silhouettes of the Etoile collection take on an alluring, opulent feel. Each piece is crafted in Britain, repeatedly fired and smoothed to ensure a flawless, glossy finish. Team with high shine tiles in a matching tone and polished metals for maximum effect.

Astoria Deco Black Sapphire

The Astoria Deco range takes on an edgy, moody personality with a glossy Black Sapphire coat. The sculptural quality of its Art Deco angles, defined lines and shapely elegance make a dynamic statement – bring together multiple pieces for high impact and unforgettable wow factor, if you dare.

Drift Black Sapphire

Combining the playfully curved lines of the Drift range with a blackened coat creates a tongue-in-cheek effect, the modern finish and shapes merging with hints of the traditional. Place the subtly decorative ceramics against a white, coloured or patterned backdrop of to make the most of the collection’s design details.

Radcliffe Black Sapphire

With slick lines and an even sharper attitude, the refined Radcliffe range is a nod to classic British bathroom design, made even more stately and statuesque in a shadowy glass-like finish. Style with traditional brassware, lighting and mirrors to complete the powerful, sophisticated aesthetic.

Traditional bathrooms are centred around various different influential design periods from British history. You can find something here to harmonise either Victorian, Georgian or Edwardian era interiors, through to an ultra-modern home with a nod to classic, period forms. Traditional bathrooms provide a truly spectacular style that can create a sumptuous bathroom interior. The look of Victorian or Edwardian bathrooms can be easily achieved through this simple guide. Browse our three traditional bathroom inspiration colour boards for some ideas!

Soft and elegant 

Use the exquisite Arcade Albany freestanding bath to create a focal point in the room. The egg-shaped bath with its ribbing details is absolutely elegant. The use of the Arcade traditional double bowl basin and has created the clean edges with a soft touch.

Timeless touches

Can you think of a Victorian period invention? The Sewing Machine was invented by Elias Howe; Petrol had been developed; the first public flushing toilet launches in London, even ice cream was invented at this period. Victorian is a great era that influences so much of our modern life! This is a great timeless bathroom design that is influenced by the Victorian period. Classic and Innovative!

Vintage Charm

This could be perfect for your cosy cottage. The Arcade Piccadilly Shower Temple is a centrepiece that makes your bathroom design unique and classic. Choose a matt black toilet seat that makes this traditional bathroom slightly trendy. This is Monochrome Magic!

Find the products that we feature in this blog:

Baths

Royce Morgan Melrose Double Ended Bath with Plinth

Imperial Baglioni Cast Iron Bath

Arcade Albany Natural Stone Free Standing Bath

Vanity Units/ Basin

Bayswater 1200 Curved Door Basin Cabinet

Bayswater 1200mm 4 Drawer Basin Cabinet

Arcade Traditional Double Bowl Basin

Toilets

Imperial Bergier Wall Mounted Toilet

Imperial Carlyon Wall Hung Bidet 

Bayswater Fitzroy Comfort Height Low Level Toilet with Ceramic Lever Flush

Imperial Astoria Deco Close Coupled Toilet

Showers

Arcade Piccadilly Shower Temple with Tray 

Perrin and Rowe Traditional Shower Set Three

Taps & Mixers

Burlington Anglesey Deck Mounted Angled Bath/Shower Mixer

Perrin & Rowe Traditional Three Hole Wall Mounted Basin Set with Country Spout

Radiators

Arcade Bruton Traditional Column Radiator

Bathroom Accessories

Perrin and Rowe Traditional Wall Mounted Soap Basket

Perrin and Rowe Traditional Single Tumbler Holder

UK Bathrooms have a wide range of traditional bathrooms available, click here to see more

Since 1988, leading British manufacturer Imperial Bathrooms has been devoted to achieving Rolls-Royce of bathroom brands status. Imperial Bathrooms are positioned high in the Bathroom industry through their high-quality design, product development and dedicated manufacturing capabilities.

UK Bathrooms team visited Imperial Bathrooms head offices in Aldridge just before the Easter holiday. We were very impressed with every detail during the factory tour.

Let us show you how Imperial stands out with its finely designed toilets, basins, baths and much more.

Toilet

Imperial Bathrooms presented the world’s first ever range of solid timber toilet seats as part of its pioneering new product development programme in 2008 with a soft-close mechanism hinges. A range of wood finishes are available, all handcrafted in Imperial Bathrooms own wood factory based in the Midlands. The hinges are available in 3 finishes for a bespoke look that will match any interior: Gold, Nickle or Chrome.

The above picture is the Imperial Radcliffe Close Coupled Toilet

Imperial toilets are designed, manufactured and handcrafted in-house to the highest quality standards. Every piece needs to go through as many as15 quality inspection checks. Only the first class performance is accepted.

This unique range features a specially designed hinge that enables the soft and slow closure of both the seat and cover, therefore eliminating the possibility of the seat slamming shut which can produce unwanted noise and potential damage to the seat and fingers!

The above picture is the Imperial Westminster Toilet with Low-Level Cistern

Furniture

Handcrafted in Imperial’s own furniture factory based in the West Midlands, using the finest quality solid woods, the soft-close timber seats match beautifully with Imperial’s extensive range of luxurious sanitaryware and solid wooden furniture. The magnificence of the wood’s natural pattern and grain is safely sealed beneath a layer of specialist protective lacquer to resist moisture ingress in the bathroom setting. The soft-close option features across Imperial’s entire range of solid timber toilet seats. All seats are available in a variety of design styles and finishes.

 The above picture is the Imperial Westminster Linea Vanity Unit & Basin

The above picture is the Imperial Carlyon Roseland 2 Drawer Vanity Unit 

The above picture is the Imperial Carlyon Thurlestone 1 Door Cloak Vanity Unit

Also handcrafted is Imperial bathrooms extensive range of bathroom furniture, suitable for traditional, contemporary classic and more modern bathroom designs. Imperial offer a fantastic customisation service where they can hand paint their furniture in one of several lovely colours:

Washstands

Imperial also produce a sumptuous range of luxury washstands for a truly indulgent, stunningly opulent bathroom wash space. These are also available in custom finishes of Gold and Nickle, Chrome being standard. These can be matched with their range of taps in the same finishes.

The above picture is the Imperial Adare Marble Console Stand with Radcliffe Basins

Shop here for Imperial Bathrooms products

Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes in the making of your new bathroom suite?
Probably not until you started researching for your new bathroom!
Let us tell you more about Imperial’s renowned Midlands ceramics factory and wood workshops.

We continue to work closely with Imperial Bathrooms as we have for several years.
Their products are proudly on display in our showroom.
Our sales staff have visited Imperial’s factories to see how the goods are manufactured first hand.

The above picture is the Imperial Drift High Level Toilet

The above picture is the Imperial Firenze Large Basin 705mm

So what’s the magic of their renowned ceramics factory?

It’s not just another ordinary sanitaryware factory.
Imperial is a company that relies firmly on the expertise and diligence of its craftsmen.
Skilled employees some with 20 or 30 years’ knowledge and understanding of traditional hand-finished ceramic production.
They are the essential and vital workforce behind Imperials superior product.
This type of hand-made ceramicware depends on traditional human experience to manufacture best-quality products.
Goods are handled and hand inspected at various stages ensuring the highest possible quality.

The above picture is the Imperial Carlyon Roseland 1 Drawer Wall-hung Vanity Unit

Where is Imperial’s Ceramics Factory?

Imperial is a British company who strive to support and keep local craftsmanship alive.
Its Ceramic Manufacturing Division is situated in a beautiful historic town, Aldridge.
Originally recorded as a settlement in the Domesday book of 1086, the native landscape is naturally rich in clay and coal,
as such Aldridge is well-known for its history of clay and brick production.

The above picture is the Imperial Oxford  Low Level Toilet

Imperial’s company philosophy is a belief in the ability of the team to set and maintain high- standards which are unequalled elsewhere.
They will carry on perusing its high-standards and as a well-respected name throughout the bathroom industry.
Imperial devote to high-quality design producing the best in British-made bathrooms.
This ensures we have absolute confidence and pride in selling Imperial Bathrooms.
As we’ve seen the care and attention, knowledge and expertise that go into producing this industry-leading brand.
For us, it is a beautiful and reliable product.
And the same goes for the customer themselves who will enjoy a stunning-looking new bathroom that will stand the test of time!

Our Winter Sale over Christmas 2015 and New Year 2016 was hugely popular, with lots of our customers; new and seasoned regulars, making great savings on coveted branded bathroom goods through our website. Don’t despair if you missed out on the January offers, we are extending some of these great savings into February. As such, a selection of brands are still at an additional 5% off normal web prices.

This is a really great chance to snap up those branded goods and make decent savings on items that will be increasing in price in 2016; as manufacturers will eventually introduce their annual price increases.

We wanted to showcase some of our favourite Sale items to give you an idea of which products are on offer.

Our top 5 Sale items

5. Imperial Astoria Deco Close Coupled WC – Save up to an additional £182 off this WC

Imperial Bathrooms are a quintessential British bathroom manufacturer. All their ceramics are hand finished in the UK to the highest quality.

Perfect for: Anyone looking for a traditional bathroom with unrivaled attention to detail.

4. Burlington Close Coupled Toilet – Save an extra 5% on all Burlington

Burlington is a fantastic Traditional styled brand, bringing together the most elegant and rich styling from decades gone by with the most up to date materials and technology available today.

Perfect for: Those who want the traditional look but the reliability and water saving features of a contemporary WC.

3. Simpsons Edge Pivot Shower Enclosure – Save up to £110.80 off the RRP

Shower enclosures can be a tough decision. At one extreme you have design led manufacturers who can be eye wateringly expensive, or you can have an unbranded shower; which whilst cheap runs the risk of leaking (which we don’t sell). Simpsons is a great manufacturer, who are proud to offer lifetime guarantees and competitive prices.

Perfect for: When you don’t want to lose sleep over a leaky shower

2. Hansgrohe Ecostat S Concealed Shower Valve – save from £116.88 off the RRP

Hansgrohe is synonymous with reliability. Powered by its revolutionary iBox the Ecostat is a plumbers dream to fit and by far our most popular shower valve.

Perfect for: Keeping your plumber happy

1. Villeroy & Boch Subway WC – Save an additional 5%

*Pan available in open and fully back to the wall

German Design Giants Villeroy and Boch offer this ever popular close coupled toilet suite from their established Subway range, a favourite with architects and designers. With the full Subway range you can mix and match complimentary products to create a well put together bathroom suite.

Perfect for: Design enthusiasts

This is just our perspective; let us know in the comments what your top 5 would be.

If you care to trawl through our web pages which display shower heads you will see no less than 115 of them and they all do what they have been designed to do. However, we are showing just four of these which will definitely drench you with water when taking a shower, but they also will create a focal point for your bathroom.

The Grohe Euphoria Cube Headshower is undoubtedly a stylish shower head and is offered at a very affordable price. It has a generous wide shower head and you have the trademark Grohe Rain setting, which gives the user a comfortable and relaxing shower experience. The high chrome finish together with the brisk geometric lines is sure to be a focal point as well as being a very efficient shower head. The head has a specially formulated treatment to repel the build-up of dirt and lime scale

We can be sure that just like so many products form this innovative company, the Hansgrohe Raindance Rainfall 150 Shower Head will be the centre of conversation for friends when they first see it. Not only is it eye catching, but it is also offers a super experience when taking a shower. This truly ingenious design ensures a wide, powerful spray from its uniquely formed spout. If you are looking for a focal point for your bathroom, this fits the bill perfectly.

The Phoenix Shower Blade 2 with Waterfall is a quality product that fit into a minimalistic bathroom with ease. The range of products from Phoenix has got a stunning unique shape and can rightly claim to have clean stylish lines which we are certain that you will cherish and enjoy every moment you spend under its rejuvenating cascade. The compact blade will work at a low pressure of just one bar, easy to clean and is guaranteed against any manufacturing defects for five years.

Imperial Bathrooms are noted for their leading classically designed bathroom products and by choosing Imperial items for you bathroom you can be certain that you will own something unique; an example of true British craftsmanship. Nothing is mass produced and items can often take days to produce each hand crafted piece. The Imperial Bathrooms Aqueous 8 inch Fixed Shower Head has been skilfully designed to produce an impressive flow, it is hard wearing and very dependable. Available with a classic chrome finish or an attractive Antique Gold finish it is simple to install and easy to clean. It comes with a 5-year guarantee and is offered at our unbeatable price tag.

Perhaps nothing makes a bigger impression in a bathroom than tiles and here at UK Bathrooms we offer a range of tiles in ceramics, porcelain, and glass. We also offer water resistant panels that making covering large bathroom areas easy.

Mere Reef Interlock Panelling 3 Tile Wall Panels can be used anywhere in the home to create a water resistant and realistic tiled effect. With the clever interlocking system, the need for grouting is eliminated and with the panels you can cover both walls as well as ceilings. Supplied in four attractive colours, the panels are easy to fit and are resistant to fading and easy to keep pristine by wiping with a damp cloth.

If you have a bathroom that is antique or retro in appearance then the Imperial Antique Crackle Ceramic Capping Tiles will be perfect for your bathroom. Cleverly designed to mirror the turn of the century look and replicating perfectly the handmade appearance with their irregular edging, these capping tiles are available in six beautifully neutral colours including ivory shell, grey ecru, sage thistle, cream haze, white linen, and canvas wheat.

Villeroy & Boch Bianco Nero Decor tiles add a touch of sophistication and flair to any bathroom and they do far more than keeping the bathroom watertight, they add class and style. With a mirror like effect the tiles are offer in a choice of either black or white gloss, you will be amazed at the 3D effect that these beautiful tiles give. The tiles can be used either indoors or out and are 60×60 in dimension.

Tiles do give a lasting impression as well as being an important functional addition to the bathroom, kitchen, en-suite or shower.

At UK Bathrooms we have been advised of a tie up between two manufacturers of bathroom equipment, the well respected and 140 year old American company Kohler and the highly regarded British manufacturer of classic shower enclosures Daryl. Although junior in terms of years of establishment, the reputation of Daryl as a maker of top quality shower enclosures and bath screens did not escape the attention of the makers of bath and sanitary ware and a tie up with Kohler was agreed.

The company is still responsible for manufacturing shower enclosures to the very same exacting standards, but will now be renamed Kohler. UK Bathrooms are pleased to be chosen to continue to supply the items formerly sold under the Daryl name and our web pages are being adjusted to show the range of products from them. Just as previously, our web pages offer the value in terms of quality and pricing.

Retro styling in the bathroom has really taken off with some outstanding designs that are not only great looking items that mirror bathrooms of yesteryear, but incorporate all the modern elements that you would want and expect today. UK Bathrooms has a wide choice in retro items for your bathroom and Imperial showers have some elegant Victorian styles.

The Imperial Victorian Exposed Thermostatic Dual Valve Shower will take you back to a time of Hansom Cabs with a pace of life that moved at a more elegant pace than today. The Imperial Victorian shower is offered in a choice of chrome or gold finish, with a large five inch (app 150mm) shower head, the riser is rigid and the shower valve is suitable for both high and low pressure systems. Along with the rest of the Imperial range of bathroom products, these are of the highest quality and give performance and functionality.

Just a few added touches can transform the look of a bathroom or cloakroom area and by doing so it can mean a new area without the need to change all the sanitary ware. One simple idea is to change the colour scheme, perhaps re-tile the splash back and add some new blinds or curtains. But one that is sure to give the room a whole new look is to fit a new modern toilet seat to the existing WC pan. The Imperial Astoria Deco Oval Toilet Seat is one of many toilet seats that we can offer and with Imperial’s products you are assured of quality. These are manufactured in-house by skilled specialists and are hand-finished to exacting standards that set the benchmark for quality throughout the bathroom industry. Designed and painstakingly handcrafted by Imperial in the UK to the highest standards, styling is complemented throughout by traditional touches. The seat is available in Wenge, White, Mahogany or Natural Oak; the hinges are chrome finished and have a soft closing style.