New Product: Axor Starck Organic

On the 19th September almost 1000 VIP guests gathered in Berlin to celebrate the spectacular unveiling of Philippe Starck's new range for Axor, Organic.

Axor has been working with the designer Philippe Starck for 20 years. 

In 1994, they took the sanitation industry by surprise with Axor Starck. In conjunction with

the salon d’eau, the image of a modern living room/bathroom in one. This collection became a revolutionary part of bathroom history.

Philippe Starck is a tireless free spirit and one of the most brilliant designers of our time. Over and over again, he touches us with his designs and makes us think. The vision of a better world influences his creations.

The time has come once again for a new dimension in bathrooms.

And who other than Philippe Starck could be better suited to join us in considering a revolutionary way of using water. 

With Axor Starck Organic, he creates harmony between design and technology, ecology and economy and the heart and head. 

According to Philippe Starck, harmony is precisely what we most require as humans. 

A new bathroom collection was therefore created that equally appeals to the heart and the head.

The Axor Starck Organic design is sculptural and characterised by slender beauty.

The two handles are harmoniously integrated into the mixer body.

Such a wide mixer shower spray guarantees a

particularly sensual experience under the water.

As when showering, the water droplets fall gently onto

the skin, soaking your entire hands. Yet at the same time,

the new jet uses less water than conventional mixers.

▸ New jet former with 90 tiny openings:

softer, more voluminous mixer shower spray with

an experience comparable to that offered by the

Raindance 100 hand shower from Hansgrohe

▸ Broad jet:

thorough wetting of the hands

▸ Flow limitation:

normal spray with an efficient 3.5 l/min

The newly designed two handle mixer from Axor Starck Organic is the next step in the

evolution of mixer operation – away from the classic single lever mixers, with which the

temperature and water volume are always simultaneously controlled. The mixer not only

consumes water economically but also moves ergonomically: the temperature control is

positioned at the top of the mixer while the regularly used handle for controlling the water

volume is practically positioned at the lower end of the mixer on the spout.

images and info via Hansgrohe

The 'F' word

In the design world there is constant discussion and debate over originals and design replica's, aka fakes.

Just like fashion, furniture and artwork there are fake and imitation bathroom design pieces.

Most people don't realise that the bathroom fittings they use everyday have been designed by some of the most infamous and influential designers of our time like Philipe Starck, Alessi, Patricia Urquiola etc.

These designers are normally commissioned by the world leaders in bathroom ware such as Hansgrohe and Duravit, and they spend huge amounts of time designing a product which is aesthetically pleasing as well as practical. These are brands that focus on environmentally-friendly manufacturing and all products are made to keep up with water saving technology and sustainable materials.

Not only do bathroom fittings need be pleasing to the eye, they need to work. So the designers must have an understanding of plumbing, hydraulics and even electrics.

Hansgrohe's Axor Starck range (originally designed in 1994) was designed with the concept of our past dealings with water. For example, the slanted spout resembles that of a water pump while the bath and basin mimic an old-fashioned tub. 

This joystick style mixer and tub-like basin have been copied countlessly, however the elegant proportion and manufacturing quality cannot be replicated. 

Probably the most copied mixer tap of all time is the iconic Vola which was designed by Arne Jacobsen in 1961 after being contacted by the owner of Vola, Verner Overgaard.  He imagined a design where all the mechanical parts of the mixer are hidden leaving only the handles and spout exposed. At the time this was a completely new concept, but Jacobsen realized that this idea combined with his functional approach to design could be developed. With that basic principle in mind, the simple and concise VOLA design that we know today was conceived.

These are just two examples of the hundreds of methodically thought out products available in the bathroom market. These products combine classic design which will never date and the world's best quality product to ensure it will last a lifetime.

Many of the replica bathroom products available are not only crude copies, they don't have the quality behind them that is so essential to bathroom ware.

Unlike furniture, a toilet/basin/bath isn't something you can easily change over once it is installed. So it is extremely important to purchase a product that doesn't need to be replaced in say 2 years time.

Yearly we spend 21,900 minutes in the bathroom, so wouldn't it make sense to surround yourself with the real deal?

New Product: Devon & Devon

 PRESIDENT BATHTUB

President, an impressive mono-block bathtub of understated sculptural elegance characterised by geometrical bas-relief texturing, neo-classical details and a fascinating tactile surface texture.

President is made of White Tec, a mix designed and produced exclusively for Devon&Devon to deliver high-tech performance and compliance with the highest quality and environmental standards.

Using a particular pigmentation process, the tub is available in an attractive cream shade in addition to the classical white version. Devon&Devon also proposes a suite of exquisite marble decorative elements, a set of vertical panels and a top, options that further enrich and enhance the tub.

President is available in a right corner, left corner and centre wall version. Finishes of marble options in catalogue: White Carrara and Black Marquinha.

 JETSET VANITY UNIT

Jetset, a stylish complement for the most elegant bathrooms, evokes all the fascination of the art deco style popular in America in the 1940s.

Its clean-cut, uncluttered design is further accentuated by an attractive black gloss lacquered finish and the striking contrast between the deep black of the wood structure and granite top and the dazzling white of the three push-opening doors.

Jetset is available in 2- or 3-door versions with a wide choice of combinations of marble, ceramic and wood.

VOGUE MIRROR
Vogue, a gloss lacquered wood mirror that is the perfect complement for the Jetset vanity unit, reflecting the same elegantly sculpted forms.

The mirror features an elegant two-colour black and white double frame that combines linear design and elegant styling. 

HOLLY SOFA

The clawfoot bathtub-come-sofa on which, in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”, Holly – interpreted by a splendidly chic Audrey Hepburn – lounges in her New York salon: Devon&Devon has dipped into a timeless classic of American cinema of the early Sixties to present Holly, a hand-crafted sofa cut by hand from the Draycott tub with enamelled cast iron interior, while the exterior surface is prepared with a white primer and then painted in the personalised colours of the enamels of the “Colors Collection”.

The cushions – seat and back – are available in all the fabrics of the Devon&Devon Home Boutique catalogue. With a come-hither look, both casual and chic, Holly expresses an original design concept that furnishes any environment of the home with style and versatility.Déco model feet in polished aluminium, also available in natural aluminium, light gold and white enamel. 



via Studio Bagno

Sicis in Vegas

A Candana team member recently spent some time in the U.S which included a stay at the infamous Las Vegas.

Most (if not all) interiors in Sin City are over the top, extraordinary and vivacious- just like the city itself.

Within the luxurious Wynn Casino & Hotel lies an abundance of artistic Sicis mosaics in stunning floral and butterfly patterns.

We couldn't resist sharing these with you, and it will all make sense within a few months why.

images via Sicis and Candana