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Meet you in Dubai…tomorrow?

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 !!

iacopo☆彡

In Dubai – outlet tub

A “Fashionabel!” ofuro & unique opportunity if you are based in the UAE!

The outlet tub is already in Dubai so you can minimize or completely void the transportation and customs fee!

Absolute star on the runaway of Fashion Show October 2025!

Here are the details:
sizes: L1300mm x W750mm x H630mm (external dimensions) – 550mm(depth) 

Material: knotless natural Sawara wood bathtub (both sides slanted back)

1) AB grade tub (quarter sawn)  : 555,000. JPY

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)  

pdf drawing:

outlet250731Download

tropical winter for you – outlet 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

1) AB grade tub (quarter sawn)  : 553,000. JPY

2) Packaging: 143x88x83cm reinforced cardboard box: 34,000. JPY

3) transportation: to be quoted (please let us know your exact address and postal code; we 
will provide a quotation before you purchase the tub)  

pdf drawing:

outlet260106-1Download

A tragedy with a happy end!

photo1. Happy days!
photo2. problem…
photo3. getting worse… …
photo4. the Christmas miracle (with snow)

First Message from the client:

Hello iacopo,

I hope you are well.

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?

Let`s gallopp together in 2026!

Hi !

 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

And if you really like it… here is → a gallery of the previous editions

Hoping that our paths will cross closely in 2026, I send you a big hug and will see you on the other side!

Happy New Year!

iacopo

YOKU-I yukata preview!

Here is just a home-made gallery with some photos of the new yukata.
You can also find them in the shop-> https://bartokdesign.com/product-category/fashion/yukata

We called this product YOKU-I which is another way to pronounce 浴衣 which actually means literally: 浴=BATH and 衣＝CLOTHES, GARMENT.

Feel free to use YOKU-I as a luxury bathrobe or as a kimono to attend events and festivals.
Also, you can use it casually as a light coat on blue jeans✨

(more…)

FF12 in dubai: join us on the runway!

As anticipated, Bartok design will participate as a main exhibitor at Fashion Factor Fall ’25.

Of course you are invited! Apply as per the instructions at the bottom of the page:

◆ Date: 25 and 26 October 2025. (Bartok design show is scheduled for the 26th. Details to follow.)
◆ Venue: The Agenda – Media City –  Abdullah Omran Taryam St – corner Al Jaddi St – Dubai – United Arab Emirates – Phone: +971 4 580 9159
◆ Products presented:
・one ofuro (Hanabi outlet tub)
・five furoshiki-scarf designs (see shop)
・ten yukata (see shop)
・twenty+ new shu-ha-ri belt designs (see shop)

Yes, these are photomontages for the time being, but an ofuro will actually be on the runway, and I believe it is a world premiere !!
But the real protagonist of the show will be Bartok design original jukata and furoshiki together with the Shu-Ha-Ri belts.

We will use this page to provide more information, so do check daily for updates.
Please scan the QR code below for registration (free) if you can participate, or contact me for a VIP invitation (we only have 20 so please hurry). The VIP invitation will also give access to the gala party on the 26th: expect to meet other super-VIPS and celebrities!

Marriage of East and West in Michigan

Message from the client:

Dear Iacopo,

Thank you! I was able to remove the drain with no problem.
Got the tub installed. It looks and smells beautiful! 

R. from Michigan

Reply:

Dear R.

Amazing！
I love the color balance of the white wood and green stained glass!
Also conceptually the marriage between east and west is stunning!!

Do you think we could publish the photo in our outlet corner?

Of course I would omit any personal information.

Just mention it as “from R. from Michigan” or similar.

Please le t me know.

Best//

iacopo

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