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When Designer James Treble recommends a product, you know it's a good thing! Caroma's new Liano II Coloured Basin Collection definitely has the wow factor! Shop the range here
Today is the launch of the first ever 'Australian Made Week'. Cook’s Plumbing Supplies proudly supports local manufacturing wherever possible. With our product supply covering bathrooms, kitchens and laundries, it’s exciting to know that home grown manufacturing is represented in each of these categories across the industry. There are some great local products on the market, here we look at a few of the wonderful suppliers doing great things in the industry.
Bathroom
Concrete Nation entered the market in 2013, but what an entry it has made. Manufactured on the gorgeous Gold Coast in Queensland, their meticulous attention to detail and quality craftsmanship pushes boundaries and stays ahead of industry trends. The handcrafted concrete basins are simply divine and come in a range of stunning shades. They also do a pretty good concrete bath we must say!
Kitchen
It was 1947 in a small suburban factory in Adelaide where Oliveri was born. Fun Fact: Founders decided on the name ‘Oliveri’ in a local Adelaide restaurant, by voting on names written on napkins.
They remain Australia’s only commercial stainless steel pressed-bowl sink manufacturer, whilst also importing quality products. The vast Oliveri range and superior design of sinks and taps are enjoyed by homeowners around the world and the Oliveri name continues to be synonymous with style, quality, reliability and great customer service.
Laundry
Another Queensland success story is Everhard. Since 1926 the name Everhard has been a well-recognised and respected family owned brand in the industry. Their range of ‘Excellence’ laundry tub and drawer units don’t disappoint. The drawers include two soft close doors, with finger pull functionality and ample storage. A great look (and practical piece) to integrate into any laundry design. They are available in timeless white as well as modern black finishes.
Contact a Cook’s Showroom Consultant for more information. Their product knowledge is second to none, providing advice and information not only on these products, but the extensive range of bathroom, kitchen and laundry products available in the Australian market.
The Elvire bathroom collection. Pairing beautiful sustainable Tasmanian timbers with sophisticated gunmetal finishes, to create a unique collection that is grounded in practical, functional and sustainable design principles. The Elvire collection includes innovative enamelled steel basins and beautiful timber accents which invite touch and interaction, whilst ensuring the highest level of quality and luxury. The result is a collection that reflects Caroma’s unique connection to the Australian environment, and passion for progressive Australian design.
Caroma utilises renewable and recyclable materials to help support a sustainable future. The Elvire collection showcases a beautiful selection of locally grown and sustainably sourced Tasmanian timbers, passionately crafted in celebration of Australia’s natural environment. Tasmanian Oak and Tasmanian Blackwood have been selected for their natural beauty and versatility throughout the collection. The Elvire bathroom collection is like no other.
Elvire vanities are finished with a satin seal - with no staining - to accentuate the natural beauty of the product. The distinct thin edged basins are made with enamelled steel and crafted with precision for complete symmetry and a flawless fit. The range includes a variety of styles and sizes across both vanities and basins.
Other products in the Elvire range include showers, tapware, baths, toilet suits and accessories.
Cook's has access to the entire range of Elvire products - you can purchase via our website, or speak to any of our Showroom Consultants who will be able to assist with your enquiry.
It’s spaghetti night and there’s a full house - that means heaps of saucy dishes requiring rinsing before they hit the dishwasher. The existing (and tired looking) fixture hovering over the sink is just not going to cut it anymore. Note to self – call the Plumber in the morning!
‘’What you need a is a new “flick” mixer’’ he says, before asking if a pull out version would suit best - (um... flick what and pull out of where?!)
When it comes to tapware and mixers there are a range of options available that you need to know about if you’re renovating or building a new home. The first and most important differentiation to know is that mixers are mixers, and tapware is, well, something else.
Both options produce the same results (clean, running water) but they are mechanically and aesthetically different. What you decide to go with will depend on a variety of factors, and below we will explain the ins and outs of mixer taps to start you on the path to making an informed choice.
Mixer mixer on the wall, what exactly are you for?
“Mixers” allow for hot and cold water to be mixed and controlled via a single function. They can be found in the bathroom, kitchen, laundry, and even outdoors (think alfresco areas around a pool). The most common types of mixers include the basin mixer (6), sink mixer (1 & 2), and wall mixers, which are installed for bath and shower use (7,8 & 5).
True to all things reno though, mixer selection is a little more complicated than it looks. Wall mixers like the number 5 bath mixer in the diagram above, can be used in bathrooms over basins too (if you’ve got a vanity or basin without a taphole, this can be a really modern look).
Pic credit: Timberline
They will, however, have different aerators to meet differing WELS requirements though. If you would like a bath that takes 5 hours to run, swap your mixers around and install a water restricted wall basin mixer above your tub. (Said tongue in cheek. Don’t do that - please).
To get the best out of your mixers, check labels, ask showroom staff, and make sure your terminology is on point. Basin mixers go above (or on) the basin, and bath mixers go above (or near) the bath. Even if they do look very much the same, they’re not. Luckily, many companies now manufacture combined basin/bath wall mixers, which include a different aerator in the box for both applications.
If you’re not fussed on having your tooth-brushing water coming out of the wall, but you love the look of an above counter basin, you might require an extended (sometimes called a “high”, “tall” or ''tower'') basin mixer (4).
Pic credit: Timberline
When selecting basin mixers, it’s important to take into consideration what is practical, and what will fit. Our Showroom Consultants can work through things with you, but you will need to know where your plumbing is coming from (are you limited to the existing pipework and outlet locations?), and have a rough idea of the look you want. We have a variety of different products available to suit any budget, whatever style you have in mind.
When it comes to showers, there’s a few (more) things you need to know. What shower you choose will 100% affect your mixer choice.
If you’re planning on having two shower heads in one shower cubicle, and you haven’t opted for an all-in-one twin shower with its own in-built diverter switch, you will more than likely require a wall mixer with a diverter function (8).
This will allow you to control which head the water comes out of.
For standard rail showers, single rain showers, and wall shower outlets, no diverter is required, and a single mixer will be fine. Feel free to mix and match between models and brands to create your own unique style.
Up until recently, tapware has been the go-to choice for use with baths (two taps on either side of a spout). However, modern design trends focus now on wall mixers with either independent bath outlets, or with a bath outlet and lever joined together on a backplate (5).
Shower and bath mixers without spouts can be used interchangeably, and will often be labelled as such (i.e. “wall” mixers, or “bath/shower mixers”). Number 7 in the above diagram is an example of one.
Freestanding baths are another very modern design fixture, and look amayyyzing with a feature mixer that is freestanding too (3).
Freestanding bath mixers (AKA fillers) do have pretty specific plumbing requirements though, so it’s important to check in with your installer before you get carried away with inspo ideas on Pinterest and Insta, only then to be extremely disappointed.
Pic credit: Linsol
The last most common way that mixer technology can be utilised in the home is via the humble sink mixer (1 & 2), which - you guessed it - is intended for use with sinks.
**If you’ve been following our Reno blog series, you’ll know that sinks are found in the kitchen and laundry only (and sometimes outside). Sinks are different from basins (which are designed to be used in the bathroom). If you weren’t aware of this, you can brush up on your plumbing lingo here.
Sink mixers are quite literally the hero of the home - they’re an absolute life-saver in the kitchen. Being able to turn water on and off with the flick of a wrist when your hands are covered in flour and dough can mean one less baking disaster, and a lot less stress. Retractable spray functions and swivel spouts help to reduce dish washing time dramatically. Some sink mixers now offer in-built filter options - meaning you can feel safe drinking straight from the tap.
If you’ve got an island benchtop, you’re sink mixer can be a real focal point and feature of your home. There are a huge range of stunning options available on our web store, in a variety of colour finishes and styles.
Plumbing Terms 101 - Basins & Sinks
Plumbing Terms 101 - Toilets
From February 1-April 30 2021, spend $699 on Oliveri product at any Cook's showroom or online and receive:
Find your nearest Cook's showroom
Want more Adairs gift cards? Check out the Cook's social media promo
Have you purchased your bathroom, kitchen or laundry products from any of Cook's Showrooms or online? Here's how you could win a $100 Adairs gift card....
That's all you have to do to be in the running for a $100 Adairs gift card, and enjoy purchasing accessories to complement your new fit out.
Monthly Adairs gift cards to be won throughout 2021! SHOP NOW
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The Urbane II Collection is a game-changer.
Featuring an extensive colour palette of subtly sophisticated shapes in 5 quality finishes (3 x PVD options, along with electroplated black, and timeless chrome), the scope of interior styles this range alone can produce is staggering.
Lending to the Urbane II collection's versatility is the fact that it comes with a choice of interchangeable trim kits. This means you can mix and match and change colours on a whim. Though the concept of swappable mixer components has been floating around for some time, thanks to industry-leaders Caroma this technology will now be accessible to the wider market, and we expect to see the trend explode in 2021.
Being able to customize your fittings post installation gives homeowners much greater freedom in self-expression and guarantees the ability to upgrade as time goes on - without the need for expensive behind-the-wall work. So if you change your mind like you change your clothes, Urbane II is ideal for you.
On the quality side of things, all Urbane II mixers are 100% leak tested, with durable brass bodies and superior ceramic disc cartridges, which minimise maintenance and drips.
We’re really excited to see how this versatile yet quality range enhances our customer’s homes! To get the creative juices flowing and provide some mood board inspo, we’ve listed several colour concepts using the Urbane II below.
The Brushed Brass Bathroom
Brushed Brass has typically been significantly more expensive than other tapware finishes, and known to lose its lustre over time, but the PVD finish of the Urbane II means your colour will last longer, and at a fraction of the cost.
Although Brushed Brass fittings were seen first and used most often in heritage themed homes, modern interior trends have made this finish popular in contemporary styled spaces too. A lovely Brushed Brass tapware ensemble looks incredible alongside timber accents and a backdrop of white, or with soft greys and plush navy blues for a cooler tone.
Minimalist & Modern With Matte Black
The all-white bathroom is long gone, the mostly-black one is undoubtedly here to stay. Making its debut on the market in or around 2013, the popularity of matte black fittings and fixtures have now surpassed even that of chrome.
If you’re looking to update your home in a style that will go the extra mile and help you stay trending for a long time, you might want to opt for matte black. If you change your mind later, the interchangeable trim kit capabilities of the Urbane II mean you can easily change your bathroom palette too.
Gorgeous Gunmetal
2020 is the year of the industrial look- and gunmetal is the king of the metallic tapware trend. For a masculine look, gunmetal fixtures look incredible with black and white accents and dark mahogany coloured wood.
Brushed Nickel Is The New Black
Modern or traditional, brushed nickel suits it all, and this is one finish to keep an eye on in terms of trending styles. Because brushed finishes don’t show fingerprints or soap scum like polished ones do, this can be a great option for the time poor, or for a large family home.
Preceding the introduction of chrome in the 1920’s, nickel was actually the original finish for tapware, and as such can lend a warm, classical look. It’s association with commercial products in modern times does, however, give it a certain urban-chic. This makes it perfect for pairing with soft greys, and modern subway tiles.
A vast range of products from the Urbane II collection will be available on our website soon. In the meantime, you can contact our friendly Consultants who are expert in providing product and style advice. They'll be able to guide you through all the options for Urbane II. Our 'Book A Consultation' option allows you to liaise with our Consultants in various ways - whether it be in the showroom, via Zoom or phone.
When it comes to updating your bathroom, kitchen or laundry, we understand the hustle and bustle of life doesn’t leave much time to explore and finalise those extra things you need to get done. We’re solving that problem and extending our retail showroom trading hours on Saturday’s! From the 5th of September, Cook’s showrooms will be trading from 9am-3pm every Saturday. For the early birds, our Sumner Park showroom in Brisbane will be open from 7.30am-3pm.
Normal week day trading remains the same: Monday-Friday 8.30am-4.30pm.
Cook's has all the top brand names such as - Abey, ADP, Astra Walker, Caroma, Fienza, Franke, Marquis, Oliveri, Timberline, Turner & Hastings and many more. Our Consultants look forward to assisting you with your planning and product requirements at a time convenient to you.
Did you know you can also book a consultation (walk-in, phone or Zoom), and take a virtual tour of our Penrith showroom?
Showroom locations - NSW: Castle Hill, Penrith, Windsor QLD: Brendale, Sumner Park
From July 1st 2020 until September 30th 2020, you'll receive a Kilikanoon wine pack by redemption when you purchase any Oliveri products from any Cook's Plumbing Supplies retail showrooms. PLUS all approved redemptions will automatically go into the draw for a chance to enjoy 2 nights in the Clare Valley for 2 people.
Spend $699 or more on Oliveri products and receive six bottles of Kilikanoon wine.
Choose from one of the below packs:
Red: 2 x Killerman’s Run Shiraz, 2 x Killerman’s Run Grenache Shiraz Mataro, 2 x Killerman’s Run Cabernet Sauvignon
White: 6 x Killerman’s Run Riesling
Mixed: 3 x Killerman’s Run Riesling, 1 x Killerman’s Run GSM, 1 x Killerman’s Run Shiraz, 1 x Killerman’s Run Cabernet Sauvignon
Spend $1,299 or more and receive twelve bottles of Kilikanoon wine.
Choose from one of the below packs:
Red: 12 x Killerman’s Run Shiraz
White: 12 x Killerman’s Run Riesling
Mixed: 6 x Killerman’s Run Riesling, 2 x Killerman’s Run Shiraz, 2 x Killerman’s Run GSM, 2 x Killerman’s Run Cabernet Sauvignon
