Grohe launches new ceramic bathroom line-up

Grohe, a leading global brand for complete bathroom solutions and kitchen fittings, has launched a new line of ceramic bathroom products.

Essence, as it is known, is based on the reduction to pure elegance and exposes the beauty of ceramics presented in its purest form. The washbasins and vessel basins as well as toilets and bidets feature natural, delicate lines. Grohe is now also offering bathtubs as part of the new Essence ceramic line, completing its product portfolio.

Subtlety, clarity and lightness are qualities that differentiate Essence. The design line’s characteristics are its gentle organic forms that are based on their reduction to the essentials. The new vanity washbasin models are a highlight of the series. With a rim thickness of a mere 17 mm, they come with a particularly slim and smooth design. The overflow has been positioned opposite the faucet, complementing the harmonious look and design even in the smallest of details.

The freely positionable wash bowls (available in oval or round designs starting in May) feature a ceramic drain cap. These models come without an overflow.

The toilets also fit seamlessly into the design series’ elegant look, thanks to their particularly slim toilet seats. These are available with or without the SoftClose feature. Essence, in line with the Grohe PerfectMatch philosophy, harmonises with the Grohe Atrio, Essence, Plus and Lineare faucets and enables planners and installers to easily respond to individual customer requests without having to compromise when it comes to bathroom aesthetics.

Sombra ... areas of relief created with viscose and wool.

Mohebban rugs build on interplay of light and shade

MOHEBBAN Milano has launched the Sombra series of rugs and cushions that celebrate the points of encounter between architecture and nature.

“The word ‘Sombra’ means shadow in Spanish, perfectly describing the interaction between light and shade and how these natural phenomena change and dominate architecture throughout the day and night in a range of chromatic intensities,” says a spokesman for the Italian manufacturer.

Sombra is the latest phase of the ongoing research between Mohebban and Miguel Reguero, who designed the company’s Plano rug collection in 2017. The strictly handmade rugs are combined with generously sized cushions for a contemporary lifestyle.

“The rational linear shapes contrast with the free arrangement of the materials. This concept is immortalised through a change of components, with several areas of relief created in an alternation of viscose and wool,” says the spokesman.

The technique used exalts the skilled craftwork in the hand-knotted production meaning that each rug is absolutely unique, he points out.

The rugs comprise 50 per cent wool, 40 per cent viscose and 10 per cent cotton with any size or format offered on request.

Leva ... crafted by Mattiazzi.

Foster + Partners design chairs inspired by oars

Leva, manufactured by Italy’s Mattiazzi, is a new ergonomically-designed chair that combines craftsmanship with sophisticated machinery. It is the first timber chair designed by Foster + Partners of the UK.

Inspired by the efficiency of form and materiality of an oar, it is carved and shaped in response to its functionality. According to Mike Holland, head of industrial design at Foster + Partners,  a well-designed chair must be pleasing to the eye, able to fit in a variety of settings from living rooms to restaurants, comfortable to sit on, and durable enough to last generations, he says.

“Leva is an attempt to resolve these various constraints by combining craftsmanship and a deep knowledge of wood with the latest technological advancements the industry has to offer,” he says.

Capitalising on the tactility of timber, the gentle ergonomically-designed curve on the seat creates a comfortable cushion that encourages you to sit back and relax. The design draws on the imagery of an oar, the steam-bent arms – made of a single piece of machined timber – are slightly inclined, widening in the middle to form the backrest for support. Its seemingly simple shape is the result of complex surfacing that optimises the chair for mass production, while allowing for a carefully crafted finish. The sparing use of material and detail is rooted in the idea of sustainability – to do more with less.