Roca has a bit of a reputation for making the ordinary somewhat extraordinary. Specifically, these designers are skilled at transforming the boring, mundane (and semi-taboo) fixture of the toilet into an artistic centerpiece of a design – or at least a more functional and integrate part of a bathroom interior.

One of their more clever designs is a two-in-one toilet-and-sink combination that saves space and adds a touch of elegance to two rather conventional (but entirely essential) bathroom fixtures. A single swooping curve encompasses the combined design, which hovers a few inches off the ground.

Another clever solution from Roca, this bidet-and-toilet set is concealed under a warm-colored wooden bench which allows for ventilation and seating while disguising the function below for a cleaner aesthetic.

Not sure you want something quite so complex? These simple-but-colorful bidet-and-toilet designs provide a way to add some accents to a bathroom interior without going too far overboard.

“Innovation and technology join forces to the benefit of sustainable progress. This concept is synonymous with saving water and optimising space. Its innovative system filters the wash-basin water so it can be reused in the toilet. A unique, distinct and original design that brings elegance and sustainability to the bathroom. This product’s innovative technology is totally sustainable.”

“Roca began its activity as a company that made cast iron radiators for domestic heating at its factory in Gavà, near Barcelona. After these first radiators, the firm expanded its portfolio with the production of boilers. In 1929, Roca entered the bathroom space by starting the production of baths.”

“The turning point of the internationalisation process took place in 1999, with the acquisition of the Swiss Keramik Holding Laufen, fourth global manufacturer in those days. The acquisition of Laufen allowed the Group to strengthen its position in strategic markets where the brand had less presence, such as Eastern Europe, Brazil and the USA. In 2005 Roca announces an ambitious strategic plan focused on bathroom spaces, achieving the world leadership of the sector in 2006.”

The post Space-Saving Sink-and-Toilet Combo first appeared on Dornob.

Created using carefully selected, high-quality materials, the luxury wooden faucets from Green Home Design harness all the breathtaking aesthetic of the woodlands, but with a sleek functionality that will mold elegantly and effortlessly into the modern home. Because their designs encompass all the naturalism of the tree rings and original wood markings, each tap is completely distinguished in uniqueness to the next, meaning that no two are the same.

The Genius

Born from the spirited and passionate minds of Anna Piotrowska and Rafał Kaminiarz, Green Home Design promotes an unconventional look for those with an enthusiasm for artistic design and lavish mechanics. Their initial foray into the interior design industry was a rousing success, creating a highly sought after brand that drove them to set even higher ambitions for the future.

They want to continue to exceed customer expectations when creating products that will be used every single day, perhaps even for the rest of their customers’ lives, and emphasize the need for perfection in the look and utility of what they offer. Since they also hold to a philosophy built on life time customer gratification, there is an immense pressure for their household appliances to perform for a long time after they have been purchased as well, and so far Green Home has delivered flawlessly.

The Design

The wood that is used to create these taps endures a special line of processing before it can become the refined end product you see on the website. Before manufacturing, the wood—which comes in a choice of European oak, Black walnut, and African mahogany—is subjected to long-term drying techniques in order to warrant a life of durability. Then, using a unique impregnation system, the wood is then transformed into a durable substance that can withstand water and resist moisture. This “unseen durability” combines with the faucets’ high quality blend-of-metal structure and a multi-layer varnish coat, which keeps the product waterproof, making it easy to maintain and clean!

Each faucet showcases all the wood’s original composition as well, using the taint and tree rings to provide an aesthetic that promises to bring that element of nature into your humble abode. The handle of the tap is completely wooden whilst the external metal parts are covered by chrome, bringing an edgy metallic finish to your Scandinavian-inspired design.

The Product

With five tap sizes to choose from, you could easily outfit your whole home or living space with faucets that fit your needs. The Tall Basin Tap, which measures 296 mm, is ideal for the kitchen—you can fill your sink high with bubbles and wash all of your dirty dishes with no problem. As the most popular design, the Tall Basin Tap comes in a choice of wood makes and colors: European Oak, African Mahogany, American Walnut, Lagoon Alabaster, Cocobolo, and the golden tinted Eldorado.

The 167 mm Short Basin Tap, however, is likely to feel at its best use in the bathroom sink. The Wall-Mounted Bath and Shower taps are self explanatory whilst the Bidet Tap is small enough to sit snuggly in your Bidet sink. All have a cascade structure which prevents limescale and resists any deformation as well.

Proper Care

Because the faucets are made using glossy chrome, avoid using abrasive cloths or sponges whilst cleaning to protect the taps from scratching. Never use any ammonia cleaning agents either as these may discolor or damage the wooden surface. Simply wipe down the tap using a soft, damp sponge or cloth and natural soap.

Limescale may appear on the chrome base of the tap, which you can remove using a simple brush. Any chemicals should be strictly avoided.

What You Need to Know

All of Green Home Design’s products come with a five-year warranty, free shipping, and an array of beautiful colors to choose from. There is also an option to “design your own tap,” where you can special order a unique design of your own using different wood species than what is currently advertised. Delivery time for any tap can be anywhere between seven days and three weeks depending on whether the requested model is in stock at the time of order.

Conclusion

Wooden faucets offer a warmer vibe to your living area than perhaps the usual metals and marble that we see adorning our kitchen, bathroom, etc., as they manage to encapsulate that beguiling element of nature and bring it indoors. Along with its streamlined and cutting edge style, the taps have been intricately designed, tried, and tested in order to bring you guaranteed performance every time you use it.

The post Wooden Faucets Offer a Warm Alternative to Marble and Metal first appeared on Dornob.

Your bathroom faucet seemed fine all these years, but it’s about to feel dreadfully boring. American Standard has unveiled three new faucet designs that look absolutely impossible. They were made using 3D printing, a technique that allows for a great deal of freedom that can’t be matched by traditional manufacturing.

The basic physics of water faucets tell us that the water needs to travel freely through a tube in order to come out of the tap. With traditional manufacturing, that means a straight tube curved down at the end because, well, that’s what works. But the American Standard faucets have crazy criss-crosses, graceful loops, and one absolutely bonkers waterfall.

3D printed faucets aren’t completely new; companies have been using the technique to make prototypes for years. There have even been some plastic 3D printed faucets sold to consumers. But the faucets in this line are the first high-quality, working, ready-for-market products.

Style like this doesn’t come cheap, we’re afraid. To score one of these marvellous pieces of hardware you’ll need patience and many thousands of dollars. The printing process itself takes 24 hours per piece, and then there’s the careful buffing and polishing. All of this fanciness will add up to a price tag of $12,000-$20,000 when the faucets hit the market in 2016.

The post 3 Incredible 3D Printed Faucets That Will Blow Your Mind first appeared on Dornob.

Watch your pet fish flit around peacefully as you cook with this sleek minimalist kitchen island that doubles as a massive aquarium. Created by Dutch designer Robert Kolenik, ‘Ocean Keuken’ appears at first glance to be one big rectangular aquarium taking up the entire center of the kitchen, but walk around to the other side and you’ll see that it’s actually functional, too.

The aquarium is L-shaped, wrapping around a storage unit and sink that’s rendered virtually invisible with the use of reflective materials. Wondering how you feed the fish or clean the tank? Press a button and the entire countertop rises into the air.

The freshwater tank includes an integrated water filtering system built into one of the four cabinets. Designed for a client who wanted a large aquarium close to the kitchen in a luxury villa, the custom creation has inspired requests for similar built-in aquariums in unusual places.

“Absolute eye catcher in the board room, is the unique aquarium under the kitchen top which effortlessly lifts just with the press of a button. Apart from being a one of a kind design object, it is surprisingly functional.
Seemingly an oversized aquarium, the intelligent L-shape hides generous space for storage and equipment. This Robert Kolenik state of the art masterpiece is available in a limited edition and can be made to measure.”

“Robert Kolenik (1981, Westervoort) is an interior designer and furniture designer with a warm, luxurious, international and timeless signature. He represents the new generation of Dutch designers who are respected and admired around the world. This is due to the high quality of their work, their businesslike approach and their unique design style. What’s more, Kolenik combines all this with a huge amount of passion, a critical eye and an inspiring personality. His design studio is based in Amsterdam in the Netherlands. “

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In a bathroom, the surfaces and fixtures usually take center stage. The Swirl Faucet concept puts the focus not on the faucet, but on the water.

The concept from designer Simin Qiu features two internal turbines that spin in different directions. The water flows out in a delicate lattice pattern.

The designer was inspired by the nature of water itself. Water is gentle and flowing, and the Swirl faucet puts those qualities on display.

Qiu’s design allows the user to pre-set the temperature of the water so that a simple touch is all it takes to turn the swirling water on and off.

Besides being lovely to look at, the faucet uses 15 percent less water than a traditional faucet. And because the water doesn’t need to warm up, the concept is even more energy efficient.

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The post Minimalist 3D-Printed Tap Doubles as a Water Fountain first appeared on Dornob.

Modular and all-in-one bathroom systems are becoming increasingly popular, concentrating most of the required fixtures into a small space so the room feels larger. This concept, the Roundabath by Allegory, is a freestanding unit on a triangular concrete base combining a sink, mirror and shower with organizers for various small items.

By placing the sink and mirror on the other side of the shower partition, the design makes it possible to fit a lot of function into a tiny footprint. Even a bathroom that’s barely larger than the size of an average shower stall would have plenty of places for towels and toiletries.

Rounded bowls of various sizes and shapes are staggered in height around the basin for easy access to the necessities when you’re getting ready. Contrasting geometric and rounded shapes gives the minimalist setup an almost sculptural appearance.

Other all-in-one bathrooms save space in similarly innovative ways, like hiding fold-out fixtures in a wall or placing them all on a central axis so you can simply ‘swing’ out the ones you need.

The post Roundabath Bathroom: All-In-One Space-Saving Design first appeared on Dornob.

Some designs don’t change much over decades, and it’s usually because the typical design works and doesn’t need improvement. A perfect example is the toilet typically found in the Western world. While some differences exist from one country to the next, the classic porcelain throne doesn’t have a lot of variation.

Enter the Iota Toilet, a project by University of Huddersfield design students Gareth Humphreys and Elliott Whiteley. The toilet folds to save space in the bathroom. The designers also say that the futuristic toilet design would cut water consumption by 50% over a standard toilet.

The Iota Toilet works by utilizing a movable bowl. When the bowl is in the down position, it can be used as usual. When finished, the user then lifts the entire bowl up toward the wall. In doing so, the user connects the pipes in the bowl and a powerful burst of water is released to flush the waste away.

The folded toilet takes up much less space in the bathroom than a conventional toilet, but it is also lower to the ground. This can be a problem for older people or those with leg or knee problems. But the design, even with its potential flaws, is an aesthetically pleasing alternative to the open germ pools that most of us currently have in our bathrooms.

“Iota is designed for use in home bathrooms to create more free space and save water. These advantages make Iota much better than most existing toilets making it a major competitor in this market. The main continents in which this would be marketed are Europe and North America as these are the main consumers of conventional upright toilets. These areas also avoid confusion between the use of seated and squatting toilets as this action would be dangerous on Iota. Another application could be on airplanes due to its ability to seal off the open bowl. This would aid the reduction of sound where a vacuum flush is fitted. This feature would also prevent water from overflowing through toilets on boats with its ability to disconnect and seal off the waste pipe.”

(via: Designboom)

The post Space-Age Folding Toilet Saves Water first appeared on Dornob.

Combining conventional Italian elegance, modern details and a clever optical illusion, this special sink looks more like a three-dimensional digital model or partial sketch than a full-fledged basin system.

The Kub by Victor Vasilev consists of a sliced marble cube anchored to the wall and intersected by a nearly-invisible glass basin, the latter draining into the former.

The water appears from a separate and likewise simple steel tap above, lands in the the basin then drains into the cube, breaking the stages of washing down into distinct interplays between these different constituent forms.

Other cubes can be added in sequence to create shelves and storage alongside the sink system.

Meanwhile, variant designs are also available that extent the same language of materials and forms to larger sinks and basins.

The post Wireframe Wash Basin: Minimalist Effect Forms Invisible Sink first appeared on Dornob.

Could touch-free give way to touch screens in the bathroom? It might sound like a strange mix of water and delicate electronics, not to mention a bit unnecessary, but high tech modern faucet designs could actually be more convenient, environmentally friendly and hygienic than they sound.

Bathroom fixtures are getting more and more sophisticated as technology allows for new and different integrated functions. The Reece Slide Tap, designed by Zeyu Zeng, is a high tech take on one of the most important parts of the bathroom. Sleek and simple, it uses intuitive gestures to activate the water and reduce waste.

The tap looks – and works – a bit like a slide-open cell phone. To turn it on, all you have to do is slid the top part toward you. This is especially helpful when your hands are dirty and you just need to rinse them off in a hurry. Simply slide the faucet closed when you are done.

The Slide Tap also allows you to customize your water temperature via the touchscreen on top. You can eliminate water waste by pre-setting your temperature so that it is perfect as soon as it comes out of the tap. Don’t know what a good temperature is? You’d probably figure it out after just a single use of this highly customizable hot water faucet, but for most people, it’s around 100 – 105 degrees. No more turning on the faucet and waiting several seconds for it to reach a comfortable temp before washing your hands.

The Reece Slide Tap was named as a finalist in the 2013 Bathroom Innovation Award competition. It remains a concept for now, but if it is ever produced it would be the perfect finishing touch for any space-age bathroom. Would you install it in your home over more standard faucet designs, if you had the opportunity?

The post Space Age Touchscreen Water Faucet first appeared on Dornob.

It is a small thing, but still, a strange moment when you have to bring your dripping-wet hands from the sink where they were freshly washed, and hover over at least a counter (if not the floor) on your way to the wall-mounted dryer or towel dispenser.

This combined design, the Dyson Airblade Wash+Dry Wall, lets you skip a step and have less hardware to handle and hang as well – simply put your hands in front of the sensor to first get them wet, then dry them via forced air pushed through the same tubes.

It took tens of millions to develop the product, but the result is amazing: it spins up from 0 to 90,000 RPM in under a second, and pushes air through filters for a fully-clean experience, all part of a new line of leaner, cleaner, sleeker and eco-friendlier versions of old bathroom devices.

“Precise infrared zones operate the Dyson Airblade Wash+Dry hand dryer automatically. And because it switches intuitively between water and air, there’s no need to touch dirty faucets or buttons, and no drips on the washroom floor.”

“The Dyson digital motor V4 uses digital pulse technology to spin at up to 81,000rpm – three times faster than a conventional motor. So it can draw up to 5.5 gallons of air per second through the machine. Clean air from the HEPA filter is forced at 331 mph through apertures 0.55mm wide, literally scraping water from hands, quickly and hygienically. Dyson Airblade™ hand dryers have been certified globally for use in food preparation environments by meeting HACCP International standards.”

“The Dyson Airblade Wash+Dry hand dryer takes just 14 seconds to dry hands.⁺ So users spend less time in your washrooms, making it easier to manage, especially at busy times. Up to 76% less expensive to run than other hand dryers.* Up to 98% less than paper towels, with up to 79% less CO₂ – creating a better environment in your washrooms and in the outside world.**”

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Maybe long ago, when bathrooms were little more than tiny wooden huts in the yard, they could get by as purely functional spaces. But the modern home calls for bathrooms that are relaxing and comforting as well as functional. Using a smooth mineral composite material called Minacor, German manufacturer HANSA International makes some of the most distinctive basin/faucet pairs in the world.

The HANSALATRAVA starts off with a faucet that presents water proudly to the world rather than simply streaming it straight into a basin. The flat faucet looks more like a sculpture than a bathroom fixture as it allows water to cascade down into the elegant basin. A basin which features no central indentation, but rather guides water down on a gentle slope. Both parts of this pair introduce shapes and design elements never before utilized in bathroom fittings.

HANSA refers to the HANSACANYON faucet as having “radical linearity.” Indeed, its 90-degree angle looks harsh until the eye drifts up to the open channel at the top of the fixture. Colored lights illuminate the water there, telling you at a glance what the water’s temperature is. The water falls on a gentle curve into the subtly warped slab below that is the matching basin.

Embracing curves and contrasts seems to be the inspiration behind the HANSAMURANO faucet and basin. A lighthearted, almost playful, approach to design pairs a transparent glass disc on the rounded faucet with a perfectly circular water basin and indented rectangular body. The shapes and elements seen here are not new or groundbreaking; they are simply used in new and groundbreaking ways to create a singularly lovely fixture.

“Tap turned on, water flows: Well, yes, but a modern faucet is much more than that. For instance, it can be operated both manually and touchless. It can be used as a shower or it can be adjusted via Bluetooth. This makes today’s fittings not only very flexible, but especially creative. With useful details, intelligent technology and strong design, the multifunctional fittings from HANSA offer exceptional levels of comfort at your washbasins and enrich your life. Plenty of space for your hands, room to manoeuvre, optional touchless operation and an economical use of our most important resource – water. HANSA faucets fits perfectly to your needs. “

The post Unique Touchless Bathroom Faucets first appeared on Dornob.

Washing dishes will probably never be fun – it is a chore, after all. But would it be a bit less of a pain if you could do it in a fun and unusual kitchen sink?

This custom guitar-shaped sink was fabricated by the creative minds at Pearidge Concrete and Crafts. The unique sink was installed outdoors on a custom cabinet made from salvaged wood.

At eight feet long, this one-of-a-kind outdoor sink might not fit in every household. But there is no reason that creative sinks like this should only be installed outdoors.

Concrete sink basins can be made in other shapes also – just in case you aren’t a guitar fan. But for anyone who plays or just enjoys the sweet sounds of a guitar, these pictures ought to inspire a kitchen – or at least a sink – makeover.

The post Custom Guitar-Shaped Kitchen Sink for a Harmonious Home first appeared on Dornob.

The post Combination Urinal Concept Surprisingly Blends Sink & Toilet first appeared on Dornob.

Concrete is rarely considered a subtle material, but when artificially subjected to the corrosive forces of time and the elements shows, it shows another side to its potential. What once would have felt incredibly hard and impermeable gains character, personality and a sense of history with a little artistic tweaking.

Gore Design Co., now known as Hard Goods, works on fireplaces, furniture, counters and more, but their sinks stand out from the collection, and reflect a rather aggressive philosophy of creative self-expression.

“Hard Goods started as Gore Design Co. in 2004 and has been advancing the art of concrete sinks and vanities ever since. Every piece is a made-to-order original design handcrafted in the United States. Architects, designers and homeowners depend on us to deliver the highest quality custom products on time and to exact specifications. We invite you to experience our customer service and craftsmanship firsthand on your next project. “

The company has a cheeky way of explaining their vision of how concrete should be adapted for modern usage.

“Concrete, as it has been known for more than 2000 years, died in early 2004. Born during the Roman Empire, Traditional Concrete thrived as aqueducts, sidewalks and lawn gnomes.”

Some of their sinks are simple cast shapes that add interest to flowing water, while others exhibit material processes found in nature or simply imposed by, say, a hand printed on still-curing concrete. It reflects a fun, refreshing approach to this common material, and certainly sets them apart from the competition.

“A full-blown green design studio. Fewer credit cards. One guy plus a small creative team who’ve decided this is where they want to be. We’re a little off-kilter. We like caffeine. We were damaged by soul-draining corporate jobs. We’ve recovered. We wear shorts and T-shirts to work. We eat a lot of sandwiches. We recycle. We make beautiful, functional art. We’re believers in change. There’s little that we don’t see within our reach. We love what we do. We know we can do more, and we will…”

The post Concrete Sinks Show the Elegance of Erosion first appeared on Dornob.

Sick of unsightly dishes waiting to be washed in your kitchen basin? Rotate that to-do dishware out of the way, or, better yet, rinse right away and then switch to washing with ease.

While still a concept, the solution is elegantly simple: “the Eco Automatic sink is donut shaped with one half exposed/open for loading, once full the sink then pivots underneath the enclosed section for cleaning and an open sink takes its place.” 

The post Swivel Sink Remixes Dish Waiting, Washing & Rinsing Space first appeared on Dornob.