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Testimonials

round ofuro finds home in a snowwhite attic!


message from the client:

Dear Iacopo,

It’s here and it’s wonderful! It cleared customs with only a slight delay and is in wonderful condition. I’ve attached some photos of it in place here. It fits perfectly! It’s a good thing we adjusted the size, it just barely fit through the door.

Thank you so much, I’m extremely happy with my tub.

Sincerely,

K.

Reply:

Dear K.

This looks one of the coziest and brightest bathrooms that we d the honor to collaborate with!

I am sure that the “maru-buro” is as happy as I am!

All the Best ! \(^o^)/

iacopo

The “mariage” of Carlo Scarpa and a Japanese bathtub✨


message from the client:

Dear Iacopo,

I hope this email finds you well. I thought you might like to see how our bathroom turned out with the ofuro. We absolutely love it!

Thanks so much for all your help with our renovation. It’s been a real pleasure working with you.

Reply:

Thank you for the kind email✨

This is the quintessential “est meets west” bathroom design!

I love it!

All the Best ! \(^o^)/

iacopo

PS: you can find more photos of this amazing renovation at:

https://www.diespeker.co.uk/projects/terrazzo-home-with-carlo-scarpa-residential-bathroom/

Stressless… in Seattle!


message from the client:

Hey Bartok,
No better time than fall to enjoy a good soak, we’ve been loving the kadomaru!

J from Washington state


the American dream house with a Japanese twist


see photo here: https://odsarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/23-2048×1536.jpg

(photo credits: R. Brad Knipstein @rbradleyphoto )

Message from the client:

Hi, Everyone at Bartok!
We just wanted to send a thank you for our lovely ofuro. 
We think it works great in our newly remodeled home and we love it!

Our architectural firm just posted professionally taken photos of our house on their web site, and it includes a photo of our wet room with the ofuro, as well as a mention of Bartok Design in the Info page. ODS Architecture: Residential – Diablo Hills

We just wanted to send you the link to show you how wonderfully it turned out. 

Thank you!

Regards,

C.


Reply:

Dear C.

Thank you for the kind surprise and zillions of congratulations for your house!
It is really like “the American dream” (with a Japanese twist…!)

Can I publish it on our HP of course with the references to your architect`s homepage?

We have many upscale clients and I am sure that many are looking for an architect that can achieve this result.

Please let me know.

Best//

iacopo

white, black, and hinoki magic in Singapore!


https://www.myabode.sg/sale#/for-sale-day-and-night-loft

I obtained from the client permission to share here the project he did where he used our ofuro.
He has a unique design touch and you can see also from his other projects that his approach is of full respect for each different house’s individuality and he is enhancing the space with wit and refined taste.
We are now working on another project in Singapore!
Exciting!!
I think he may be very busy but you can try to contact him to operate magic also for your real estate assets!

https://www.myabode.sg/sale#/for-sale-day-and-night-loft

designers like it hot!


Message from the client:

Hi Iacopo,

Doing great and loving the tub! Hope all is well with you. 
At long last we have some pictures! 

Best//

SK


Reply:

Dear Shelby

Thanks for the amazing pictures and for the permission to share also your company name and HP:

Shelby Kass Design

I like that the design is clean but not formal: I find this bathroom classy and elegant yet unpretentious and warm.
I am sure that many Japan lovers following our news would be interested in working with you !
All the Best//

iacopo

be hot in any weather!

Message from the client:

Dear Iacopo,

We are loving the tub! It fits perfectly in our shower and is just the right size for moving out to the patio.Ill send more pictures.

J. from Canada


Reply:
Dear J.
The lacelike snowy landscape and the warmth of the wood create a perfect harmony.
Even your dog matches the color coordination… amazing!
This picture deserves the cover of a magazine!!
If you send me more photos showing the tub, may I publish them on our testimonials page?
Thank you//

iacopo

PS: I will publish more photos as soon as they send more to me.
I assume they followed my suggestion to move the ofuro outdoors (as it is not connected to the drain anyway)

When I mentioned this option, I had in mind to move the tub outdoors during the warm season, anyway I must admit that taking a bath while it is snowing and then being able to store it back safely indoors is definitely one of the best insights I ever received from the Bartok design`s Japan-lovers community!!!


more japanese than any house in Japan!

Message from the client:

Dear Iacopo-san,

Please be informed that I just forwarded some photographs you of our bathroom.
If you want, you can use these photos in your testimonial.
Kind regards,

A. from Holland


Reply:
Thank you for the nice news and for all the pictures!
At first, I was in doubt about which to choose for the homepage.
Then I thought that not only the bathroom atmosphere is top-notch, but more importantly, you offer many hints about the day-to-day use of the tub. With cover and without. With an inner seat and without.
The photos from different angles really help us understand.
I see now your plan about using shoji for the overhead storage and spare toilet paper storage.
Really lovely and definitely more Japanese than any Japanese house I saw in the past 20 years!!!

lovely reward!

Message from the client:

Dear Iacopo,

Well, it has been so long since you shipped our tub that you may have wondered what had happened to it. After a number of contractors backing out, and one quitting half way through the project; I was able to finish it off myself.
The tub is certainly the centerpiece of the modestly sized room but the look of it snd the scent of the wood riding on the steam are intoxicating!
We are really so happy with the tub.
It was worth the wait!
Thank you so very much for making it for us!


Reply:
Thank you for the update and lovely photos!
It sounds like your construction process was bumpy, but I am sure it was worth it!
The simple volumes of the vanity and the ofuro go wonderfully with the lovely geometric pattern tiles.
Other details such as the shower glass partition or indirect lighting are functional and make the bathroom feel even more spacious!

lights and shadows in London

Message from the client:

Dear Iacopo,
Also, I’m pleased to share a first photo of the completed bath room with you. It’s taken on my iPhone only so not the best quality, but it should give you an idea of what I designed around it in yellow cedar slats which match the ofuro perfectly 🙂

Hope it finds you well x

Well… this photo is already incredibly beautiful and communicative!
I cannot imagine a better one!

When I opened the email, at first I thought that by mistake I downloaded a photo from the internet… (;^_^A
I did not imagine that our traditional Japanese bathtub was transmuted in such a cutting-edge zen masterpiece!

I think this image is the quintessential vertical slit bathroom interior that all minimalist architecture lovers are dreaming of. I think that experiencing this space in person, with the five senses, must be even more powerful.

The edges of the room are sharp but immaterial at the same time, traced by shadows that are originated by the contrast with the bright cedar slats that form walls, floor, and ceiling.
I also love the well-balanced dialogue between symmetries and asymmetries.
A++!!

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