New Broughty Ferry showroom has £3,000 toilet and £7,500 bath

The Courier

2 days ago

A new Broughty Ferry bathroom and kitchen showroom is selling a £3,000 toilet and £7,500 bath.
Despite the eye-watering price points of some items, Home Improvement Centre owner Maria Inglis says her focus is on 'affordable luxury'.
The new business is located on Gray Street, in the former Millars clothing store unit, which shut last year after more than a century of trading.
The shop boasts three kitchen displays and eight bathroom bays and offers a full design to installation service.
Maria said: 'We have a variety of price points – it's not all top end. We want to be attainable.
'Affordable luxury is what we're going for – everyone should have a nice space to live in.'
The heated Japanese toilet on display has the ability to wash and dry.
The £7,500 black stone bath in the window has been imported from Italy. It required six people to lift the 220kg bath into the shop.
'The Japanese-style toilets are becoming more popular,' said Maria. 'It is an expensive item – not everyone will put this in their bathroom – but there are people who will go for this.
'It has ambient lighting on the toilet so you don't need to put the bathroom lights on in the middle of the night.
'The bath comes from Aquabella, a Spanish company. They are quite exclusive and expensive, for people who want to have something extra special.
'We've put it in the window to show we're different and not run-of-the-mill. We hope having something spectacular in the window will draw people in to have a look.'
Maria, who is married to Ian, said she has a passion for bathrooms and kitchens.
She said the kitchens in the business are British-made with an emphasis on innovative storage solutions.
She adds: 'I find kitchens exciting. As a mother of three, I feel like I spend my life in the kitchen.
'It's such a valuable space in the home. It needs to look good, but it needs to work for you as a family. It's the heart of the home.
'The Scandi-look is on trend at the moment, with a lot of natural textures and quite clean and minimalist.
'Open shelving is very popular, particularly in smaller spaces as it gives the feeling of more space.
'People are wanting to see a bit of texture in their bathrooms.'
Maria said there had been a lot of interest from passing customers as the shop underwent a three-month refurbishment.
The couple, who live in Monifieth, have spent more than £160,000 on the refurbishment and stock.
Maria, who overcame throat cancer five years ago, said: 'When the premises popped up on Gray Street it was an opportunity not to be missed.
'We have had so many people asking about the shop as the work's been going on.
'We're really excited to open our doors on Saturday.'