LUXURY PHANTASIES: Thrones and Bathtubs

How many synonyms do you think exist for the word "toilet"? Here are some examples from which a few  may not be exactly clubbable:

the ladies' room, men's room, WC, powder room, lavatory, throne, bathroom, latrine, privy, outhouse, can, commode, john, johnny, seat, pot, potty, restroom, litter box, sand box, washroom, water closet, chiffonier, loo, washstand, shitter, porcelain god, bog, the foreign office, public conveniences, carsey, crapper, bano, head, dunny, the dump, blow hole, thunderbox etc. I am sure there are much more.

Most of the symonyms I mentioned above are probably not appropriate for the examples I found during my little research because these "places" are more than just potties?

A 24-karat golden throne is this one - made in Japan, known to be the land of the most sophisticated toilets in the world...

image source

This golden sink with diamonds would certainly complement the golden toilet:
One brilliant cut diamond 2.00 ct, VS2 G, and eight brilliant cut diamonds 0.25 ct, VVS1 E, with Bazel setting in white gold.

image source

Another  24 carat gold plated lavatory that was unveiled at the last World Toilet summit and expo in China. It costs only $200, 000 and would be appropriate for any Royal Highness...

image source

The Hall Of Gold has become a famous tourist attraction in Hong Kong. Owned by Hang Fu­ng Gold Technology Group the golden throne is meant to be admired, not put to practical use...what a shame...

 image source

Designed by Jemal Wright, this is from the “Isis” range of bathroom fittings and is either fully or partially handset with Swarovski crystals...costs only 75.000 $

 image source

This is actually a Teuco Swarovski crystal bathtub and it is beautiful and fully functional...

image source


I think the following may rather belong into the bizarre section of expensive thones:
John Lennon's toilet from Tittenhurst Park, Ascot, which sold in an auction for 14.740 $. Btw - would YOU have thought that the Beatle finished his biz on a throne such as this one that may rather fit into a typical English cottage??

image source

It does actually not look like an expecially expensive bath tub but it is made of solid copper and hand-crafted. Over five feet long and two-and-a-half feet wide, the tub is spacious enough to comfortably accommodate just about anyone. The fluted faucet and hand-held shower unit are designed with the same aesthetic quality as the rest of the tub, featuring a finely engraved starfish-on-seashell knob. So the Kallista Archeo Copper Bathtub is available for a mere 67,557 $

 image source

The contrary of looking very expensive and not having to pay a fortune for this might be this example from Melanie Royals and her invention of the Modello Decorative Masking Patterns. "Any surface can be enhanced with design and decoration"... Melanie says and mentions a project by Kathy Wear where her beautiful stencils are used "to create a throne fit for a king":

image source


But back to the most expensive bathtubs. Here is one, made of turquoise malachite, designed by Luca Bojola and available for 222.000 $ only:

image source

There is a similar bathtub available, the Amaltea bathtub, also designed by Baldi of Florence, Italy,  but this is made entirely of the precious purple gem amethyst, and adorned with 24-karat gold-plated legs, priced at 190.000 $.

image source


Designed by Luca Bojola this bathtub is carved from a single piece of Amazonian rock crystal and measuring over 8 feet in diameter. Available for only 790.310 $. Nevertheless it is defintely beautiful.

image source

By the same designer a crystal rock basin matching the above bathtub:

image source

You think that's it? Not so. Here comes the  £ 1 million bathtub. It’s called “Le Grand Queen” and was sculpted out of an extremely rare stone that can only be found in the volcanic rocks in Indonesia.

image source

And last but not least you need the appropriate toilet paper. What would be more decadent than cleaning your derrière with money bills???

image source

~~~

 

LUXURY FANTASIES: Ornaments which make you drool

I was not quite sure whether I should put this really under LUXURY FANTASIES because normally the objects I describe here, are hardly accessible for "normal people" with an average income - but this time I use it in a different sense, the LUXURY of FANTASY. I am talking about the work of Melanie Royals from  the Royal Design Studio and her crew and some ways to turn your home into a luxury accomodation.

Melanie is the highly talented artist who makes this luxury accessible to anyone who has a bit of artistic talent and - if not - at least supplies you with the necessary resources i.e. materials and potentially the professionally trained artisan in your area to fulfill your dreams of a luxury home.

I can show you only a very small collection of images from her work and I recommend you to check her official website of the Royal Design Studio and scroll though hundreds of images and let your fantasy go bonkers.

For example there are
Allover Production Stencils: "Production pattern stencils allow you to complete allover wall stencil patterns quickly. Each Production stencil pattern contains multiple repeats of the allover pattern, meaning that you will not have to reposition your allover wall stencil as frequently" 

Ceiling Motif Stencils: "These ceiling stencils are the perfect way to add stenciled color and pattern to the "fifth wall"."

Nature Harvest Stencils:  "This stencil collection features classic fruit and foliage stencils that are ideal for adding stenciled accents to kichen and dining room walls, as well as stenciling on fabric and furniture."

And various ethnic collections - which I love specifically - such as the
Moroccan Stencils: "This collection of Moroccan stencils was created for, and inspired by, three painting trips to Marrakech, Morocco."

But this is not all. There are stencils you could use for slipcovers - imagine how to give your old chairs a complete renovation with just a stenciled slipcover.

And what about stenciling some simple boxes - they could be turned into some precious vessels for your little secrets...pretty little Christmas presents that do not cost you a fortune but are handmade with love.

(all images with courtesy and copyright of Melanie Royals)

But this is still not all: Melanie also offers various books and videos, on-line workshops as well as DVD's where you can train and explore your own artistic talents including several free How-To's about the basic techniques.

Melanie Royals is a self-taught artist and entrepreneur who re-discovered and updated decorative arts stenciling beginning in 1984 and founded Royal Design Studio in San Diego, California in 1991. The first catalogue of pre-cut designer stencils was released in 1994. In it, the studio introduced an entirely new concept, "free-form" stenciling, which is now a much-copied, industry staple. Melanie and her crew continue to create new looks and inspirational techniques.

And if you would like to know more about Melanie's personal views and experiences - she also writes a wonderful blog: Designamour that says it all...

~

LUXURY FANTASIES: the Bed you sleep in

~~~

"Luxury are items which provide extra pleasure 

by flattering all senses at once" 

(Wikipedia) 

 ~~~

Many people do not pay attention much to the fact that they spend a third of their lives in bed. Beds are often neglected when it comes to design or renewal. And the bedroom especially is often the stepchild of decorating and/or interior design because it is generally not accessible to the "public" as a dining room or a living room.

Now imagine you have a budget without the common limits - what would you be craving for? For a canopy bed such as this one by Irish designer Joseph Walsh ?

original image source luxury-insider

This marvellous bed is "built from wood which is sliced into thin layers, Walsh used free form bending to give the wood its elegant curves. It is a one of a kind piece." (read more luxury-insider.com)

Or would it rather be this type of bed?  

"Liechtenstein based Lomme  presents a new sleeping experience designed to focus on inducing quality sleep, the Lomme Bed.
This egg-shaped bed combines simple, minimalist design with sophisticated, cutting-edge technology to create a protected, relaxing space ideal for rest and rejuvenation." (read more luxury-insider.com)

original image source luxury-insider

Or would you prefer to sleep in a rather traditional bed but designed with exquisite types of wood, created by Parnian, a family business that specializes on luxury furniture. 

"Parnian has gained a world-wide reputation is in its exquisite hand-painted finishes. At first glance, furniture done in the custom mixed and painted finishes seem to resemble delicate porcelain, or marble. In reality, the Parnian Porcelain Signature Collection of furniture is created out of wood and wood products which are then finished in a thirty-five step lacquer/urethane resin finishing system." (from their website)

 original image source luxury-insider

And here is another option for your precious sleep from a company Vi-Spring located in Great Britain which apparently produces beds for unspeakable 84.000 $!!! But they are eco-friendly! I am sure you are paying this from your pocket money just as David Beckham....

original image source trend-hunter

I think if you belong to those people who just don't make such a fuss about headboard, foot part, inbuilt night tables etc. the following may be the right dream for you. A bed that is "hanging" free, to be placed wherever you want, a "suspended bridge bed" by Max Longin.  

 "This design was inspired after Max Longin, mathematician and designer, had been sitting on a suspension bridge and noticed the nice, calming movement the bridge produced-a perfect sensation to fall asleep to. Float is held in place by four stainless steel cords that are connected to a frame of wooden rods and steel bows which can support a weight of up to 2645 lbs." (from yanko-design)"

original image source yanko-design

or would you rather go with the Fluttua Bed for the optical illusionist???  

"Fluttua is an innovative bed design with no legs visible so it appears to be floating. It’s actually very simple, with support from the wall and one leg under the center of the bed. It gives a great visual effect, specially with the underbed lighting - look - no monsters!" (see more here)

 The bed has been designed by Daniele Lago, 2004

 original image source trend-hunter

You like stained glass - then be sure to check out this for an unusual bed:

"Xander Blue fuses the mythical glow of old-world stained glass and the sleek style of high-tech construction; creating unique glass furniture for residential and business use. Each piece is custom made by designer, Andrew Ramsgard." (from website)

 original image source trend-hunter

~~~

LUXURY FANTASIES: about a House...a House?

Tell me - what are your luxury fantasies about a house?
Quite a while ago I found this elegant hilltop luxury house with green technology (the latter being of interest for me).

"The Hilltop House in Rancho Santa Fe, is a perfect sample of timeless luxurious architectural masterpiece, especially designed to maximize the 360 degree views from its hilltop location and offers an amazing panoramic breathtaking views nestled on a private & gated 2 acre pinnacle setting in Rancho Santa Fe. (continue to read...)"

 (original image source from http://www.momoy.com)

In the description you can read that this "house" contains "6 bedroom suites, 8 baths, office tower, library, and media room with nearly 10,000 square feet of luxury living, plus patios, terraces, and 6 car garages".
What rang a cord in me was the question in one comment "can you still call it ‘green technology’ after using so much of wood?" And the realtor's answer was "The wood for this house was purchased from Canadian Wood Specialties. Their specialty is log salvage. (continue to read ...).
This is definitely a beginning but is it a true change of mind and attitude towards environment? Well - I doubt that.
I know that in some areas of this world space is not an issue at all because there is plenty of it but does man really need that much space to live in? Does true environmental awareness not include the attitude of practising more modesty instead of spending more, using more, building bigger etc.? 
What about habitat of wildlife that is destroyed irretrievably even if it is "only" desert land? I mean this one estate is using more than 87.000 sq ft of land?

This house uses several pools not only one. Isn't this questionable in a semi-arid region where precipitation reaches only 15.24 inches per year? The list would be endless of all those arguments which definitely speak against "green".
What a shame that "green" is only used again as a cheap excuse and sanction... I am disappointed...

~

LUXURY FANTASIES: Cooking in a crystalized Kitchen?

uroWould this belong to your ultimate fantasies of luxury? A hyper-modern kitchen design with magical stones everywhere? Maybe these crystals inherit a kind of spell which would make your dishes automatically a fantastic experience for your taste buds and those of your guests! But who on earth would dare to make a mess in a kitchen such as this one

"Auro is a Spanish company, which is great in production and design kitchen furniture. It offers high quality products to consumers for 25 years. It always presents contemporary designs and perfect craftsmanship finishes, but on its 25th birthday it has surpassed itself and has created an excellent luxury kitchen. Its name Crystal25 perfectly reflects the main its feature: cabinet doors incrusted by Swarovski crystals." Continue to read...

all images from original source www.auroweb.es
~

LUXURY FANTASIES: Sitting on Illuminations...

~

"Thus first necessity invented stools, Convenience next suggested elbow-chairs, And luxury the accomplished sofa last."

a quote by William Cowper, 1731 – 1800 (poet)

I thought it might be a good idea to loosen up this blog a little bit and to add some of the finds from my researches through the Internet you might not have seen yet. Not to be taken too seriously I try to find the funny, breathtakingly beautiful or other items which are considered luxury objects or subjects (not necessarily by myself!).

What are your fantasies of luxury? Luxury is - having enough chairs so that you don't need this one for to really sit on - my addition to above quote...

More to read and see under Lighted Fantasies

from www.luxury-insider.com