Written by: Richard Elliot
Maison Valentina has
emerged as a popular
name in the last two years
in the world of luxury bathroom
furnishings and fixtures. They are
offering a stunning catalog of
bathtubs, upholstery, lighting
fixtures, and washbasins. The
designer brand has featured in
news and projects worldwide,
collaborating with some of the
most prestigious architects and
design firms. The latest addition
to their Lapiaz series, along
with a freestanding sink and an
amazing vessel basin element, is
the breathtakingly elegant Lapiaz
Bathtub.
Inspired by a contemporary
blend of natural, ergonomic
design that mimics limestone
rock formations, the bathtub
combines a premium fibreglass
exterior with a cast iron tub. The
most captivating design factor
of the bathtub is the golden
teardrop design that dissects
across the exterior face of the
bathtub in a strikingly graceful yet
prominent manner.
The Structure
The freestanding bathtub is
designed with the vision of
creating a fusion
between
natural
elements and contemporary
design. The exterior of the bathtub
is crafted with a premium highgloss
fibreglass in a matte white
colour that is made to resemble
a block of polished limestone.
The bathtub creates a bold
statement by combining highcontrast
colours and materials
that complement each other in
a very tasteful manner. Viewing
from afar, the structure imparts
the image of a precision cut
block of stone that is inlaid with
golden ore and high-contrast
black vessel.
The design seems to create a
sensation of humanity’s mastery
over the elements and offers the
concept of the amalgamation
of engineering and nature. The
exterior specifically pays homage
to the creativity of humankind
and the inherent beauty of
nature.
The Creative
Element
The seemingly plain exterior of
the bathtub is pierced
by a striking, shining
stainless steel tear across the
side that covers around one third
of the face. This alluring design
element again mimics natural
rock formations by creating the
illusion of a streak of golden ore
shining out from under the folds
of stone.
In terms of conceptual
design, this creative element
is incorporated as a tribute to
the resilience of nature as well
as the creative inventiveness
of humanity that shines like a
golden tear upon the face of a
blank canvas. Made by painting
the stainless-steel exterior of the
structure with high-gloss varnish,
the tear adds a distinctively
prominent element to the
design, which complements the
elegance of the unique bathtub.
Interior
Construction &
Design
The interior basin of the bathtub
is made with cast iron following
the classical styles of the bathtub.
The cast-iron tub, along with
being highly resistant to corrosion
and wear, is a striking contrast to
the bathtub’s light exterior. The
July 2020
Polo De’Marco