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Utopia, April 2011
March 03, 2011
Bongo basin from Lapicida
Rock on
We all know that beautiful natural materials are ideal for serene bathing spaces, but who would have thought that stone sanitaryware would be such a strong trend? We all know stones can be a status symbol – the size of the one in a girl’s engagement ring being a case in point – but now the latest trend in luxury bathrooms is for baths and basins hewn out of rock, or at the very least, moulded out of a mineral composite. On the hard stuff – for example, at last year’s Milan Furniture Fair, one of the bathroom sets creating the biggest stir was by Italian company Baldi, with a white egg-shaped quartz tub as its centrepiece. There’s a certain Bond villanesque luxury about this particular example, and given its price tag – in excess of half a million sterling – it’s probably only within the grasp of the well funded, although being an evil genius does not appear to be a pre-requisite for ownership. If you’re looking to combine glamour with a natural feel in your own bathroom then a range of options is available, and the good news is you won’t need either a lottery win or a second mortgage to invest in the trend....Set in stone – real stone is, of course, more expensive than composite. However, which material you opt for really depends on the effect you want to achieve – the former is a natural product created over millennia, with accordingly unique pattern and colour, while the latter suits those looking for a surface with all the appeal of rock but with a more predictable and even tone. This lends itself well to minimalist styles...In the shade – composites are available in practically any shade you care to mention, although neutral tones give the most rock like effect. Natural stones come in a surprisingly wide variety of options, with a myriad of shades ranging from the whitest marble to blackest granite. Some of the most striking designs for the bathroom are those shot through with glorious colour...Geology class – of course, the vibrant (and delicate) semi precious stones have been big news in bathrooms lately. At the opposite end of the visual scale, we have the more understated options with a distinctively organic form, for those looking to achieve a more natural and Oriental spa inspired feel – which have also enjoyed a fillip of popularity. Stone shower trays are also available...Practically speaking – aesthetics aside, composite materials are often easier to clean than their more natural cousins, as they’re not so porous. Weight may be a factor too. A freestanding bath made from a single piece of quarried stone is a real centrepiece for a bathroom but watch out as they literally weigh a tonne” Conser where the bath is being positioned in the home and what the floor is made of – wooden floors will almost certainly need reinforcing to take the combined weight of the tub, the water and bather. For basins the same is true also. The trend for wall hung vanity units means that walls need to be solid or reinforced to take the weight of a heavy stone bowl on top. Composite stone might be more suitable if you’re concerned about whether your walls and floors will stand up to this weighty test.....With a distinctive drum shape, the Bongo basin is by stone specialist Lapicida. It’s made from an eye-catching cascais limestone from Portugal – W51xH85cm, bowl 12cm deep. Also available in mocha cream limestone. From £1,900 01423 400 500 www.lapicida.com
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