Over the years I have been fortunate to work as a design consultant with many developers. Ultimately their primary objective is to create the wow factor and give themselves an edge with the competition. In my experience buyers normally have a wish list, which includes light open spaces, designer kitchens and striking bathrooms. Certainly these are also aspects that architects pay special attention to.
Presently there are many brilliant bathtubs available on the market. I have always favoured freestanding baths because they create the illusion of space. They also have a more opulent appearance (in my opinion) than fitted baths. This is why contemporary brands are experimenting with a wide variety of materials like concrete, marble and limestone. There are also a couple of innovative companies (Corsel and Splinterworks) that are using carbon fiber. Certainly if money was no object I would purchase one of their wonderful creations. Another manufacturer that has created some interesting designs is Maison Valentina.
Whilst I was researching material for another article I came across an image of their striking Lapiaz Bathtub. Visually it really is designed to make a bold statement and is unlike anything else on the market. The bath tries to replicate the effect of frozen cracked stone and the surface revealed beneath. To achieve this distinctive appearance Maison Valentina have used materials like Polished brass, mirror and lacquer. The result is a beautiful looking piece of sanitary wear that will make an artist statement in anyone’s home.
Certainly at a price tag of $32,955 this bath won’t appeal to everyone and even if I could afford one it probably wouldn’t be my first choice. Nevertheless the Lapiaz is beautifully presented and has modernistic sculptural aesthetic.
