After Fashion Factor last October, Bartok design is doing it again in Cannes!
Fashion Show on May 15th at Villa PFA 2024 Chemin des Collines – 06610 Le Cannet, Cannes, France organized by Paris Fashion Air
If you are in France or are going to the film festival, please do come to meet us! We also have a guest list for the shows, so let us know if you’re interested.
Besides the 15th evening runway, we will display an outlet bathtub, bath accessories, belts, and yukata at Villa PFA from 15 through May 22.
I will post here the photos of the venue and the event, so if you cannot come to Cannes, stay tuned!
Actually nothing to do with Elton John… In this testimonial, not only do we share an absolutely stunning interior, but also a miracle repair that I hope can help other ofuro users. photo1. stunning bathroom photo2. problem… photo3. Wood is happy again!
First Message from the client:
My name is B. I was the client who bought your ofuro.
It was installed in Jan 2026 and I have been using it a few times a week and loved it. I left for a trip for 10 days and returned to see a large crack. I am so heartbroken as I love the ofuro. Please help.
The tub is contained in a shower room. No heated floor. Here the weather is wet and cold. Not hot.
B. from Canada
First Reply:
Dear B.
Aw… I am sorry to hear that. Can you send some photos, so we can advise? Did you try the newspaper trick to let the wood absorb water and expand back to its position? https://bartokdesign.com/91-references/a-tragedy-with-a-happy-end.php If you tried and it did not work, the only solution is to seal the crack with epoxy grout. We can send it to you but will require a payment of 5000 JPY (inclusive of shipping) Please let me know. Best//
iacopo
Second Message from the client:
Dear Iacopo,
It took a few days but I am happy to report the large crack has disappeared! Amazing!
Question: My bathroom gets direct sunlight from the large skylight and window. Should I shield it from the direct sun or is it ok? I was thinking of using the sun shields people use for their cars. Any suggestion? Do you sell a cover?
Also, I am so worried about it cracking again. Should I always leave water in the tub? Is it bad to constantly leave water in the tub?
Thanks,
B.
Second Reply:
Dear B,
Brilliant, the tub recovered beautifully! I recommend keeping water in the bottom for a while, but direct sunlight can cause algae proliferation. Therefore, please block out the sunlight.
You can use a softcover (procured locally through spa cover companies or eoutdoor furniture/yacht upholstery companies)
Alternatively, we can make a wooden cover
We can propose two types:
a) Simple side-by-side lid (7 slats) – Periodically turn over the planks to prevent warping. b) With stiffening joists/handles (2 sections) – A little heavy and requires space to store
Please let me know if you need an estimate.
On a side note, do you think we can share your story and photo on our blog?
By broad request, we compiled a comprehensive “orientation” article to guide you towards the choices and options you have when ordering your ofuro bathtub.
Before posting this outlet tub, I seriously considered keeping it for myself. The generous length allows you to fully extend your legs (even if you are a 7′ Basketball player) With a width of 80cm, it is perfect for 2 occupants looking at each other (although it may feel a little cozy for 2 x 7′ Basketball players…)
We used thicker planks (42mm solid sawara cypress) so we could achieve the sleek design without a top frame border.
I recommend deciding quickly, before I have an afterthought!!
Hi ! I am writing from the inflight wifi so i will be brief …💧
★.Yes, I am heading to Dubai and will have some free time on february 3rd, expeciallly in the morning or from 15 to 17. Anybody in Dubai who can join me for a coffee?
★★i if you are busy on the 3rd, but are interested in joining a family office event, i can try to get an invitation to the GFOIS event at Mandarin Palace on 4th and 5th, but let me know asap!
★★★ on the other hand, if you prefer to relax, I just uploaded 2 amazing outlet tubs and one is already in dubai! https://bartokdesign.com/8-outlet-tubs (So, if you come for coffee with your stationeagon or SUV… you can leave in company of the sexiest curvy waistline ofuro that was ever made!)
★★★★ Finally, if you are not in dubai this week… take a look at the sawara outllet tub. Your anthidote to this supercold winter.-> https://bartokdesign.com/8-outlet-tubs
And if we cannot have that coffee…😢 … we can meet on zoom or chat on whatsapp at your convenience＼(^-^)／
I shared what is on my desk this week and would love to hear about what you are up to. Take care and see you, sometime, somewhere, soon !!
3) transportation: pick up from Dubai (Media City area) or contact us for a quote (please let us know your exact address and postal code; we will provide a quotation before you purchase the tub)
As many northern hemisphere countries are experiencing out-of-the-ordinary freezing cold days, raising the thermostat of the heater is simply not enough. You feel more than ever the need to soak in hot water so that the soothing heat penetrates into the core of your body and warms you from the inside… If this rings a bell, you probably need a wooden Japanese bathtub.
Wood is not only aromatic and relaxing, it also feels warm to the touch which creates a comfort zone so that even your unconscious self can fully relax, knowing that everything you can touch, even with your eyes closed, is warm and friendly. Another merit of the “non-conductive” property of wood (and Japanese soft woods in particular) is thermal insulation. Water stays warm longer.
But as any bathtub, also in the case of ofuro, a large portion of the heat is dissipated through evaporation from the water surface. Well, we gut you covered also on this point: in the outlet ofuro you can see above, we decided to solve every problem that could diminish your enjoyment of the hot water. We are including in the price a bath-cover! (Sorry for the telemarketing vibe… www)
The traditional bathcover consists of knotless, spotless quarter sawn of cypress wood to be placed site by side to keep the water warm before use, as a compact table to hold a cup of steamy tea ant also to minimize the heat loss while you are taking a bath. The planks are easy to store and lightweight.
The only problem is that the price is so low that the tub will probably sell within minutes of publishing…
Here are the details: sizes: L1300mm x W750mm x H630mm (external dimensions) 550mm(depth)
Material: knotless natural Sawara wood bathtub with traditional cover
Just wanted to tell you of my adventures with my tub.
So we have had it now for some 9 years, and no problems!
But, unfortunately over the holiday period, I was busy and unable to take care of it. It was very cold outside and humidity in the house was at 24%. So it split, and so badly that I thought it would never recover.
But I did not panic (well, actually I did!) but checked out your website first for how to fix it. And, it has worked! I had more than 1cm gap in the ofuru, but put in the newspapers and wet cloths to keep it damp and within 36 hours, I was able to use the tub again.
So just wanted to say, a big thank you for the quality of the tub and the good advice that has saved mine. I could not live without it now, and the whole bathroom was designed around it!
Many thanks,
G. from Switzerland
First Reply:
Dear G.
What a thrilling adventure! And I am so glad to hear of the happy ending !!!!!!!!
Do you think I can post your story on our homepage? It is so inspiring, and I think it can help other ofuro users.
Of course I would omit your personal details, maybe just sign G. from Switzerland.
Let me know your thoughts about it.
Best//
iacopo
Second Message from the client:
Dear Iacopo,
Yes, of course. I wrote to you so that other owners might see that it works! Possibly many others have difficulty maintaining humidity, especially in the mountains where the air is so dry.
I was so relieved and incredulous that it could be so easily fixed, though I guess I will need to be more careful now.
Sending you a picture of the bathroom with snow outside.
My only problem now is to get the steel bands back in place, as they are all crossed over. Maybe the thicker copper bands would have been simpler?
Best wishes,
G.
Second Reply:
Dear G. WOW! I am sure the community will appreciate your input. Also the photo with the snow is really stunning!
Re: copper bands: Actually they would not be functional because copper is very soft and would not be able to contain the wood dilating under pressure.
For tidying up the stainless steel wires: use a small wood block and a hammer, and gently hammer them upwards (by hitting the wood block) does it make sense?
An incredible year is closing, and another one, —exciting as a stampede—is just beginning. Sit firm on the saddle to enjoy the ride in 2026: the year of the Fire Horse!
No need to try to read the future on Gemini or browse through YouTube channels. You can feel it in the air. Change is coming, and you want to be on the right side of the track when the horse starts galloping.
You can buy silver or gold, but what I most recommend is to buy hinoki wood! (by the way, hinoki literally means fire-wood ✨)
Paper money is definitely losing its value, and prices will have to increase to cover the real costs of materials and workmanship. Our pricelist has not changed since 202,1 and as much as our suppliers are always very responsible and stoic, I am sure we will have to adjust the prices in early 2026.
Needless to say, while the weak Japanese yen has favoured foreign buyers, energy costs in Japan are skyrocketing, and this impacts the entire economy from the bottom up.
But that’s enough for the predictions corner: just dive into your ofuro to cool down or warm up, … depending on the circumstances.
Let the water soothe your worries and energize you to take the correct action to turn this liquid situation to your advantage in all departments of your life.
We wish you HEALTH, WEALTH, and LOVE for an exciting and successful 2026!
★ Bonus content: Tired of unnecessarily complicated time management applications and utterly verbose A.I. assistants, I decided to produce my own original software to manage tasks, schedules, and decisions. It is called “twicemore” as it enables you to be twice more productive (and enjoy twice more well-deserved relax time in your ofuro!)
The core feature is the creation of meeting minutes, which will automatically populate tasks, schedule, and fine-tune appointments. It is a no-brainer concept and was on my wishlist for years. Since nobody was creating it, I gave up waiting and did it myself with the help of a Pakistani software company.
As a Happy New Year present, I would like to share it with my friends, with a free 6-month subscription to the first 999 users. You are welcome to pre-register at this link: twicemore.jp The software will be accessible for the early birds starting from January 24th.
★Second bonus content: is my yearly funky video card, which I create for my architecture business in Japan.If not the most advanced example of digital creation technique, at least you can rehearse your knowledge on proverbs about horses…. at → https://youtu.be/6Y69ycpdq6E
The Fashion show in Dubai was amazing and I am planning to share all the official and behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram. Find here the first shots!
