Normally I think Swarovski jewels encrusted onto household appliances look tacky and ridiculous, so I'm a little surprised to hear myself saying that the Swarovski Jewels Sink collection from Antologia is actually pretty nice. Simple, tasteful, and artistic, the basic white and black sinks aren't overrun with big sparkling jewels so much as they're accented and enhanced by them. Each piece is put together by hand with Signity jewels.
Any kind of jewels on a bathroom fixture are still completely impractical and difficult to clean, of course, but these are nice to look at nevertheless.
As I was browsing a home magazine I was stopped by an ad for Sherle Wagner doorknobs, I mean, "hardware." They were so beautiful, I wanted to know more. So now I share ... Sherle Wagner International, headquartered in NYC but with eight U.S. showrooms and one in Kuwait, offers a number of home accessories in these categories: finishes, stones and patterns; bath fittings; bath fixtures; accessories; hardware; lighting; furniture; textiles; linens; and wall coverings. All Sherle Wagner products are originals, made by the company from the design inception stage to completion. The company uses "old world artisans and timeless techniques, so that every piece is a true original." And the staff is experienced in working with architects, designers and clients on projects of any scale. If you browse the catalog, be sure to check out all the categories on the lefthand nav bar; there was much more on the site than I noticed the first time around. No prices, however, but I'm going to guess on the high end.
The latest in the line of minimalist bath accessories from Denmark's Vipp is this ultra-sleek laundry basket. The basket is available in white or black lacquered steel and rubber and has a rounded shape similar to the classic Vipp pedal bin. The lid is made from brushed stainless steel and is perforated for air circulation. Inside there is a removable dual-section inner bag for sorting. The basket also has hidden rubber wheels. At $625, this laundry basket costs as much as some washing machines.
Cittadini, founded 18 years ago, specializes in high-end, luxury linens. Made in the region of Florence, Italy, the styles are detailed and feature much embroidery. You can order custom bed or table linens, as well as towels. Select from 10 flange styles, 50 towel colors, 100 sateen colors, and 200 embroideries (0 up charges). If you're in the NYC or Long Island area, there's a showroom on Fifth Avenue (by appointment) and a boutique in Manhasset. For more info and prices, contact the company.
Porsche designed what they called the perfect man's kitchen, and now Hoesch has done what just might be the same thing but in the bathroom. Start with clean lines and the simplest of color schemes and combine it with cutting edge technology and you've pretty much made any guy (and many women for that matter) happy. It has a Mirror TV Cabinet, a Duo bathtub roomy enough for two, a walk-in shower with a drying area and special grid floor that eliminates puddles, and both a shallow and a deep sink. All displayed and surrounded by classic white porcelain and your choice of walnut or macassar. What do you think guys, yay or nay?
It's all about "multimedia" these days with cell phones that double as mp3 players and iPods that play movies. But have you ever considered getting yourself a multimedia washbasin? It probably strikes you as ridiculous (and if it doesn't it probably should), but honestly I think it's actually a pretty cool idea. At least I think this interpretation, the Meltdown Sink by WET STUDIO, is a cool idea. The Meltdown functions as (of course) a sink, but in addition to that it has the following decidedly unique and weird (but totally fun and useful) multimedia features: • It glows from within in your choice of orange, lemon, white, or black. • The glow can be customized with a small static projection screen to display personalized messages, artwork, or anything else onto the sink's surface from within. • An internal amplified speaker system allows the sink to play your CDs and mp3s. No more ugly radio in the bathroom messing up your decor!
To me, granite counter tops are the creme de la creme of kitchen spaces but adding matching knobs is a little much. At first glance, the knobs not yet attached to the cabinetry look like pretty chess pieces but fashioned to the woodwork they make for a busy and cluttered look. The only one I think that may bring an element of sophistication to a kitchen or bathroom are the dark slate colored knobs. But I still feel like less is more.
And who would have thought to chisel granite or stone to fit a light switch? Most granite has a mottled, colorful look and in my opinion only the purist color palette would work on a wall (unless your wall is granite too which would make for a blended look). Then again I don't wear animal print or plaid so maybe my tastes lean towards monochromatic schemes. In any case, I would leave the granite and stone to counter tops and quarries and keep it off the cabinets and walls.
Not only is this faucet beautiful but it also appeals to the whimsical child inside of me that still secretly gets a kick out of using silly straws. Bright vibrant color combines with the natural beauty of glass for a unique visual impact. Standing tall above the vanity the James McKelvey collection of glass faucets feature a ribbed hand-blown design in lead-free crystal that is easy to clean and bacteria resistant. And they're not only beautiful to look at, but to use also as the water will stream down from such a high vantage point. Available in a variety of heights, colors, and single or double-twist designs, you can easily fit it into almost any color and decorating scheme.
Now here's a high-tech faucet: the Miscea Sensor Activated Faucet. The faucet recognizes through motion alone what you want not only in the way of water on/water off, water warmer/water colder but also soap and disinfectant lotion options. It's made of stainless steel with a laser-engraved glass interface that uses LED lighting to activate corresponding features as you bring your hand close. And it's high-tech in an eco-friendly way by both encouraging a cleaner environment (no touching germy or wet hands to the faucet) and by using 70% less water on average for washing hands.
I love fun techie gadgets as much as anybody, and it definitely looks futuristic (although I generally like things simpler), but I'm skeptical that it can't always be reliable to use -- shaky hands? Don't scald yourself!
Talk about a great way to relax -- just looking at this Thalassor Beleina Whirlpool Tub makes me feel a little less stressed. It must be the sweeping sculptural tub design, coupled with the raised faucet that makes the whole thing feel a little like you're sitting in a fountain. But most fountains don't have massage jets, hydrojets, and a chromotherapy system that offers 512 colors (that's ridiculous!) for an experience that is absolutely and completely tailored to exactly what you need. Can't get better than that!
This isn't the most practical sink I've ever seen, after all the bowl is upside down, but it does have a hidden benefit. The Concerto Major sink's bowl is upside down. The benefit of this is that when the water hits the hammered copper dome it creates a waterfall with gentle sound effects. The sink has a very natural feel with the combination of mesquite hardwood and copper. It would work well in a spa bathroom for a very zen retreat.
I think bathrooms lend themselves to a sense of peace naturally, if only because of the flowing water and solitude, but this Yin Yang Wading Pool Lavatory from Kohler takes inspiration from seashells and the Chinese symbol for harmony to enhance that feeling even further. It's extremely simple, with a shallow basin that has a slightly raised center to encourage unique water patterns as it flows towards the offset drain. It's all designed to inspire elegance and a sense of balance, which I think it does very well.
Wouldn't it be great to have the option of stepping into a steam bath or a sauna whenever you felt the urge? But heading to the spa isn't always convenient, or even desirable if you're not in the mood to leave house, so all too often you're just left wishing.
Well you wouldn't be if you had this Tris Shower Cabin from Ideal Standard. It combines a shower, a sauna, and a steam bath all into one beautiful luxury unit that doesn't take up any more space than a standard bathtub. It has high tech controls blended seamlessly with a warm golden woodgrain design for a luxurious appearance as well as a luxurious experience.
Can a shower head make you look more beautiful? the Methven Satinjet Maia is a multi-functional showerhead that offers a spa-like experience. It is both a facial and a conventional shower as well as a water massager. The Satinjet Maia is equipped with a Vitamin C filter which eliminates chlorine and purifies the water. The faucet will sell for $395 and will be available exclusively at Barney's as of October.
This just goes to show that anything in your house can be upgraded and used as an opportunity to express your personal style, even the drains in your sink and shower. These Luxury Venetian Jewelled Vanity Wastes can either be the perfect accent of color to an otherwise plain and simple sink or shower, or they can add even more spice to an already bold design. They're available in so many designs and colors from Murano House you're sure to find something you like -- from bright rainbow colors to simple classic Italian time pieces. Who wouldn't want a beautiful drain that also tells you the time while you're taking a shower in the morning?
