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Bathrooms Jan 15, 2025

Minimalism vs. eclecticism: re-imagining the world of the bathroom

 

Sculptural: The freestanding bathtub from the White Tulip range by Philippe Starck is perfectly showcased and lends the bathroom an especially elegant and luxurious aesthetic. (Image source: Glen Allsop)

Two projects are a testament to the adaptability and versatility of designer bathrooms from Duravit.

    A radically streamlined bathroom, or perhaps a carefully composed design with exacting attention to detail? Two reference projects fully fitted out with Duravit products showcase the possibilities for personalized bathroom design. The American designer and architect Robert McKinley shows how different design styles can be combined with vintage elements to create a complete work of art. The Dutch influencer Melike Doganbas, on the other hand, masterfully proves how little is needed to create a room atmosphere full of clarity and lightness.

     

    Robert McKinley’s bathrooms are coordinated right down to the smallest detail. The designer’s unmistakable signature runs through the firm’s various construction projects like a red thread.

    Robert McKinley’s bathrooms are coordinated right down to the smallest detail. The designer’s unmistakable signature runs through the firm’s various construction projects like a red thread.

    The bathroom as a journey

    The award-winning designer Robert McKinley and his eponymous firm – Studio Robert McKinley – has been working with Duravit products for more than eight years. He and his talented team design holiday homes on Long Island, New York. Each house features a unique interior: an eclectic yet tidy interior design inspired by the natural environment. “Each of our bungalows has its own charisma. Our latest bungalow is connected to the bay, the beach and the rugged coast where it is located,” explained Robert. “When we designed the house, we sought to blur the boundaries between tradition and modernity by mixing the old and the new and playing with textures and surfaces that we felt connected in harmonious ways.”

    To be able to offer the requisite standard, Studio Robert McKinley favors Duravit designs produced in collaboration with renowned designers. McKinley’s favorites include the Philippe Starck ranges and Happy D.2 from sieger Design.

    Pared down to the bare minimum – and more than enough. The Zencha freestanding bathtub catches the eye with its inviting dimensions and its striking, unconventional form

    Minimalism: the principle of simplicity

    In stark contrast to Studio Robert McKinley’s approach is the bathroom design of the Dutch influencer Melike Doganbas, who pushes the principle of minimalism to its limits. True to the motto “less is more”, she radically rejects superfluous decoration, textiles, and care products. Instead, she focuses on strict order, a neutral colour palette, and natural light.

    This approach is highlighted by the elegant Nordic console washbasin by Cecilie Manz with Satin Matt lacquer and a matching quartz surface. With its precise edges and clear forms, the above-counter basin of the series is an ideal enhancement to the overall design. The addition of the freestanding bathtub from the Zencha series by Sebastian Herkner creates a spacious atmosphere in the room, perfectly showcasing the selected products.

     

    Material mix: The bathrooms from Studio Robert McKinley feature a totally unique yet also harmonious mix of different surfaces, textures, and shades. The gold faucets and built-in washbasins from Duravit blend seamlessly into this ensemble. (Image source: Glen Allsop)

    Material mix: The bathrooms from Studio Robert McKinley feature a totally unique yet also harmonious mix of different surfaces, textures, and shades. The gold faucets and built-in washbasins from Duravit blend seamlessly into this ensemble. (Image source: Glen Allsop)

    Contact: Duravit AG

    Founded in 1817 in Hornberg in the Black Forest, Duravit AG is today a leading international manufacturer of designer bathrooms and is active in more than 130 countries worldwide. During product development, the complete bathroom supplier’s internal-design team worked hand in hand with a global network of designers such as Cecilie Manz, Philippe Starck, Antonio Citterio, Christian Werner, and Sebastian Herkner. As an energy-intensive company, Duravit AG is aiming to be entirely climate-neutral by 2045 and avoid CO2 offsetting as far as possible.

    Visit Duravit.

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