Working in perfect harmony with Schlüter Systems

With an enduring dedication to protecting tile and stone, Schlüter-Systems offers more than 10,000 products for the long-lasting installation of tiles and natural stone, including a comprehensive range of trims, waterproofing, underfloor heating and wetroom drainage systems. The brand is an ideal choice for the premium end of the bathroom retail sector, especially for those looking to take a system-led approach to their bathroom designs and installations. Parts of Schlüter’s portfolio, such as the underfloor heating and tile trims, also appeal to premium-end kitchen showrooms and retailers.

Here we talk to Koralia Hume, director of Quarrybank Boutique Bathrooms, to find out how the companies work so well together

Quarrybank’s story

We are a family-run business in the heart of Wilmslow, which was created by myself and my husband, two years ago. We are a boutique style showroom and offer a unique solution for bathroom spaces based on quality and creativity. We don’t sell just bathrooms – we sell visions which are always backed up by high-quality products. When our customers come to us they are looking for a top-quality service with top-quality products and oodles of creativity. I would like to think this is exactly what we offer; when a customer chooses to work with us, they know that they will receive an exceptional quality of service. We are now an award-winning company after our installation team won a KBB Review award for Installation Company of the Year which only confirms what we already knew; we are the best installers in our area! With that in mind, it is our reputation on the line every time we go into the customer’s house to transform the existing, probably quite outdated space, into something really exceptional. We provide quality, we install quality, and we guarantee quality.

How did you become involved in the bathroom industry?

My husband and partner, Steven Hume, has been in the plumbing and heating trade for many years. As he was already a successful installer of luxury bathrooms, it seemed a natural progression to offer a complete solution to our customers and we took the plunge(!) and opened our 600 sq ft showroom in June 2022. We chose Wilmslow as it has such a vibrant, positive town centre.

How long have you been a Schlüter-Systems retailer?

We have sold Schlüter-Systems’ products to our customers for two years. Steven had used Schlüter’s excellent products on many high-end bathroom installations over the years and, when we opened the showroom, we knew we wanted to offer these same products to our customers.

As a business, how have you adapted over the past three years?

Our customers like to see for themselves what we can offer them, and we have 15 displays at the moment. Choosing a new bathroom is a very personal experience and people value a one-to-one discussion and actually seeing the displays we draw inspiration from.

Have you found customer demands changing in recent years?

Customers are definitely paying more attention to their spending and are looking for quality products, great workmanship and a beautiful finish in a bathroom that will last. Schlüter’s products help us to achieve our customers’ exacting requirements.

What, for you, is a typical bathroom installation size and value, and customer profile?

We attract customers from the Cheshire area. They tend to be in their 40’s with young families. With a typical space of up to 10m2, customers spend an average of between £23,000 – £25,000 for a fully installed bathroom.

Do you design, supply, install?

Yes, we look after the whole process!

How do the next five years look for Quarrybank Boutique Bathrooms?

We want to be the go-to showroom in Cheshire, recognised for our creative approach to supplying unique solutions. We are looking to expand the installation side of the business alongside an increase in sales. Oh, and we’d like a Showroom of the Year award to go with our Installer Company of the Year award!

What bathroom trends are you seeing?

Consumers are really interested in sustainability and are looking to emulate natural materials with wood finishes and wood effect tiles. There is a trend for earthy colours, such as terracotta, in the bathroom.

What do you love about the industry?

As a designer, I love the creative process. Showing a new customer the endless solutions available and creating something spectacular is a big thrill!

Why did you choose Schlüter-Systems?

As a showroom of unparalleled reputation, we only work with top-quality products. Our reputation is everything to us and, as a showroom providing full bathroom services from design to supply and installation, it is crucial that only the best is offered to our customers.

When selecting our partners and suppliers, we carefully choose brands that align with our values and provide high-quality products across a wide range.

Schlüter-Systems is a tile installation expert with over 50 years of experience. When we discovered the company’s products, we knew it was a perfect match. After trying and testing the products, we found that they significantly enhance our installations, offering even more detail and unique solutions to our designs.

We pride ourselves on delivering unique solutions for bathroom designs, ensuring the longevity of the finished product, and enhancing the usability factor for our customers. With Schlüter-Systems, we can achieve all that and more.

What are popular products/ranges amongst your customers?

We love Schlüter tile trims. They are a joy to work with and our customers love choosing them. The variety of finishes and colours is vast, allowing us to play with samples during appointments and find the perfect match for each customer.

Schlüter-DITRA-HEAT underfloor heating is also very popular when it comes to adding an extra heating system in the bathroom. The quality of this product is excellent, far superior to anything else on the market. What customers particularly appreciate about DITRA-HEAT is the second cable attachment feature. If anything goes wrong over the years, you can simply re-plug the system with a second cable – something other manufacturers do not offer.

How do you find the customer service from Schlüter-Systems? Is there anything that stands out to you?

The customer service at Schlüter-Systems is second to none. Our enquiries are answered promptly by attentive staff, allowing us to pass on complete information to our customers. Our rep, Philip Cutts, is a wonderful person inside and out. He visits us often to ensure we have the latest knowledge and products, offers training to both our showroom staff and installation team, and is generally a pleasure to work with. His attentiveness and extensive knowledge, particularly from his background in installation, are invaluable when we discuss complex design points. As a family-run business, relationships mean everything to us. Partnering with Schlüter-Systems has been a wonderful experience and journey. We always feel supported, inspired and encouraged.

Have you completed any exciting projects recently featuring Schlüter-Systems?

Every single project of ours is completed with Schlüter trims. We’ve been using their products for nearly two years and our installers find them super easy to work with, while our customers find them very attractive. It’s a great combination because our installers have a keen attention to detail, and when such skills are matched with the right product, the result is incredible.