The Iconic brand, Cobra has become one of the first companies in the South African sanitaryware industry to set up a virtual showroom. Try it from the comfort of your home.
“Product brochures are notoriously misleading. They typically show pages of people living perfect lives in immaculate homes, with everything in its rightful place. But life isn't the fairy tale brochures might make us believe,” says Corrie Stride, Leader Marketing at Lixil Africa.
Now, new virtual showroom uses 3D renderings and videos to create a virtual space that feels tangible and real - in your own home.
“Our homes can be messy, with dishes piling up in the kitchen sink and the occasional towel discarded on the bathroom floor. But that’s what makes them special, personal and unique,"
As a result, Cobra has recreated its product brochure, which is aptly named, ‘Not Another Brochure’. The brochure also shows you how to change and add tap fittings through a DIY video and PDF.
Click here to explore the Brochure
Nthabi Taukobong, from The Real Interior, says the current trends with regards to the finishes in the kitchen and bathroom are the elements that bring in a touch of nature.
“Nature is our natural and go healer. I encourage my clients to balance their senses and achieve true design harmony, we also need to add in natural elements such as natural wood, stone, glass and open airy windows in which peace and sense of calm can be created.”
“I have noted that with my clients, bathrooms have turned into full out home spas. There’s a very strong and growing need to return to our homes after a busy day and have spaces in which to unwind and escape for a few hours,” says Taukobong.
"Even the way we eat and live has translated into our kitchens and how we use them. In the search for more conscious, eco-friendly and responsible living, again design items and products that are being sought after need to complement this growing lifestyle choice."
These are some of the latest tap trend styles you can include in your kitchen and bathroom
Matte textures
Matt black is a trend making its way into the kitchen through fixtures and fittings. It dares to push the boundaries of luxury tapware, in an ever-changing landscape where design trends shift away from traditional Chrome.
Bordo Round Ebony
The Cobra Bordo square bathroom and kitchen range reflect clean-cut cubistic lines that will add a touch of flair and style in your home.
Brass tapware
Brass has always been popular, particularly in the 19th and 20th centuries when this material was in vogue for all types of fittings. Brass accents will add warmth to any room in a home, including bathrooms and kitchens, but this metal element really shines when it's highlighted by neutral or light cabinets and fittings or when it's used to bring out the best in a colourful kitchen.
A touch of technology
Sustainability and water-saving technology is also another trend as consumers are greener and want to save water as where they can. The stylish look of Focus tap from Cobra combines sleek modern design and state-of-the-art saving technology.
Stride says there is also an increase in multi-function products such as the Spectra Duo – seamless integration, shower and magnetic hand shower, new technology and space-saving.
Bathroom garden
Bathrooms have fluctuating temperatures, constant humidity and lots (or little) sunlight, depending on the number of windows and the direction they facing. Therefore, you need to choose hearty babies to survive these variable conditions.
You may be surprised to know that your local Builders Warehouse stocks a variety of indoor plants. Alternatively, visit your local nursery or garden centre for advice on the best indoor plants for your particular bathroom.
High-light - Opt for crotons, azaleas and cyclamens.
Medium-light - Choose peace lilies, calathea and aglaonema.
Low-light - Buy spider plants, Boston ferns and philodendrons. Others include African violets, bromeliads, parlour palms, cast iron plants, bird’s nest ferns, ponytail palms, zebra plants and begonias.
(Sources: grand designs, House Beautiful, HomeDzine)
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