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warm greetings from norway

Dear Iacopo!

I just want to send you some words, and pictures, from Norway, saying that we still are in love with our Hinoki bath tub, and we use it several times every week (except the warmest weeks of summer)!
On Christmas eve, our daughters (that have started to ask for a bath when they come to visit…:) wanted to have a “Christmas bath” – as did I of course. Inspired by the book “the japanese bath”, I made a “Christmas edition” bath, as you can see from the picture.

(We usually do not add anything to our tub water, of course, the hinoki scent is wonderful on it’s own). I took the chance that this would not harm the tub, and it seems to do fine:)
Since our three daughters were using this bathroom during the Christmas holidays, we agreed that the use of perfume, hairspray etc would have to be used in another room (the toilet), not to ruin the hinoki scent that meets you as soon as you slide the door open, and greets and calms our senses. The shoji doors, which were sliding perfectly the first half year, have started to stop halfway for some reason. We have to look into that. Maybe the humidity has been too hard on them?

I follow your blog posts with great interest! It is exciting that you provide suggestions for future visits to Japan! Especially the hiking trips look very nice.
As Norway is a country with many travelers, and Japan becoming very popular, ideas are popping up… Hm. It is a real dilemma now, with our environmental challenges, not to travel so much with airplanes, on the other hand being adventurous and really love to travel..

Anyway, Happy New Year and thank you for all your shared inspiration this past year!

So here are some pictures! You can see the lamps, that were not installed in your last pictures – and the rhododendron is blooming outside in the June pictures, beautiful when they reflect in the water. Unfortunately we have had no snow this winter so far, so no real wither pictures.. Since you are an architect, I attached some pictures of the room itself too. Look at the reflections from the tree outside on the wood panel behind the ofuro in the early morning light! (aspen wood). (Should you want to use some of the pictures, you are welcome of course:)

Remember, if you ever come to Norway, you would be most welcome to visit, and look for yourself:)

Warm greetings,
H.

custom height kadomaru

Trying to get something close to 34 inches all over- L 34 or so and W 34 and a deeper than what is shown in your homepage. Maybe 32 in. Price? and also can bath fizz bombs be added to this wood?

Thank you for your interest in our japanese bathtubs！

From your description, I guess you are consideting our kadomaru tub.
-> “kadomaru-S” nostalgic hottub 850×630

In this case, the length of the planks (to be mounted side by side like in a barrel are pre-cut (final height = 740mm = 29″).

For this reason, we cannot simply extend the height.

We have the option of cutting custom material for a taller kadomaru but this would increase the cost in a higher proportion than the benefit you can enjoy

Another option consists of making a box-like custom tub with the height to match your requirements.

If you let me know the plan size you require, I can prepare a quotation.

You can refer to the standard tub sizes for reference ->-> ofuro price list

Or just go for the sizes you like (a custom size is not more expensive than an equivalent standard size)

◆fizz balls: I do not know the composition but I am afraid it would stain the wood.
You can use some neutral bath salts, anyway the whole concept of the hinoki bath is to enjoy the natural aroma without any addition.

We are looking forward to working with you and remain at your disposal for any question/problem.

With Best regards,

—
Bartok design Japan Co.
Manager: Iacopo Torrini

meeting friends in NY

Last December 11-15 I was in NY and as I explained my plans in the last newsletter, I received many replies from 4 past and present clients.
I experimented this way of traveling to other countries last year and it is extremely rewarding!
I go abroad and you meet people with whom you corresponded, friends, people who share my path and interests.
I will never forget in summer 2018 when a Parisian architect who used Bartok design ofuros for 3 projects come to meet me in Dubai.
Or shortly after when a Japanese lover and former Tokyo resident hosted me in her house in Phoenix with a huge cactus in the garden.
Feeling at home and meeting friends everywhere you go is probably one of the sweetest experiences in life!

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Princess Sawara – outlet tub – SOLD OUT

(sorry, sold out… but its twin is available here↓ ）
https://bartokdesign.com/8-outlet-tubs/princess-sawara-twin-outlet-tub.php

Sawara is a close cousin of hinoki and is commonly called japanese cypress tree because of its slightly orangeish color (it reminds of cherry wood). Soft, light and feminine, it is definitely the “princess” of japanese conifers.

Lightweight and compact, this ofuro does not require a plywood box for the shipping making it possible to cut both on the costs of packaging and shipping.

We still have other material of this beautiful lot, so if you need a custom size in Sawara go ahead and contact us (we do not have thick material to make top border frames, so it needs to be a compact size that can be build with simple plank construction.

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japanese softwoods

For a description of the essences we use to build ofuros, please read the description below. (or return to the category: our woods and scroll down)
Note that we may also have the availability of Koya-maki wood or knotty hinoki but these are becoming rarer.
For a more compact, printer-friendly version, check our download area and select the document on top of the list (1)

Lastly, note that we only use japanese woods. we cannot make ofuros in teak or port orford cedar. Also, pine is not suitable to make ofuros because it bends easily with changes of humidity and it produces discharges of resin.

If you need samples, please contact me by email at japan@bartokdesign.com specifying your preferred shipping address.

durability of different woods

I was told that sawara has poor durability compared to hinoki and kouyamaki is better durability,… can you clarify? which is better for longevity and mold resistance and cracking?
Hinoki contains more aromatic oil than sawara so in a test environment it can be said that it is more resistant… Anyway the secret to have a long lasting ofuro is love and care. Like a nice pair of leather shoes: it is smart to prevent problems with a constant even if easy maintenance. In case you need to repair a problem it will be costly and time consuming and you will never be able to restore the original condition 100%. It does not matter too much which type of wood you use. Just avoid contact with soap and dry condition. And ventilate well to avoid mold. It is that simple.

0 size – outlet tub – SOLD OUT

(sorry, sold out)

As the famous movie title goes “Some like it hot”.
Some like it “large”, some like it “small”.
At Bartok design we produce custom made ofuros without the “custom made” option cost!
Said that our most convenient deals are of course in the “outlet tub” corner.
Immaculate brand new, never used ofuros either resulting from clients changing their mind or produced in between orders thus optimizing the costs beyond the reasonable.

In the case of outlet ofuros, of course, you cannot change the size but who knows: sometimes the perfect match comes as a gift from the destiny!

Some like it curvy like Sofia Loren who stated: “everything you see I owe it to pasta”. Some like it minimal like Kate Moss and the contrast between the minuteness of her body and the depth of her eyes.

This outlet tub is definitely the Kate Moss type. It uses the most refined hinoki lumber, has a very compact size but is deep inside: offering a perfect comfort even in a tiny bathroom space. The quintessential 0 size!

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Give the Gift of Pure Nature

Hinoki Esential Oil is both calming and uplifting. Like the scent of a forest on a warm summer day, the scent of Hinoki is earthy, lemony, fresh.

Our original Bartok design Hinoki Essential Oil is the purest you will find. We extract the oil ourselves from off-cuts, shavings and wood chips – all real wood. There are no twigs, leaves or bark in our product resulting in a pure clean scent that is unparalleled. The complexity of our oils is exceptionally deep.

Hinoki Essential Oil
Hinoki Essential Oil made by Bartok design
The Bartok design Pocket Onsen set is a gift box ready for holiday giving

The Bartok design Pocket Onsen Set contains a choice of two oils:

  • Hinoki Cypress is extracted from trees roughly 40 years old. A ‘young tree’ used in construction, for decorative items, religious artefacts and furniture. Our bath accessories are made from this wood which gives us a good supply of offcuts from which to extract the gorgeous essential oil.
  • Special Reserve Hinoki 250 is extracted from mature growth trees, usually at least 250 years old. The wood from older trees is compacted tightly which makes it ideal for use in wet zones such as the bathroom. Therefore we use this wood to make our Japanese ‘ofuro’ soaking tubs. Like a fine wine, cheese or whiskey, the aged product has a complexity and depth not seen in younger wood.

    *It is also possible to order a ‘compare set’ with one of each oil.
Instant onsen
Instant Onsen
special reserve hinoki 250 years oil made in japan
Hinoki Japanese Cypress extracted and bottled by Bartok design
Each Pocket Onsen set comes with three orbs made from hinoki.
Order your Pocket Onsen here

Refined Elegance: Contrast and Texture

Our friends at Nora Studios sent us a few of the preliminary photos of a recent bathroom installation. It’s stunningly beautiful. The contrast of warm wood and cool stone is magnificent.

Ofuro specs: japanese Knotless hinoki wood bathtub (quarter-sawn)
dim L1060 x W660 x H629mm (ext. dim.) 570mm(deep)
nat. oil @ apron, wood dowels. Iron brand at front side top-right
(Accessories are available from our shop)

It is difficult to understand it from the pictures as the sizes are so laser-perfect… but the tub feet are recessed in a ditch which collects the drain water as well as the overflow. Amazing detailing!

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a tropical heaven overlooking the north sea!

According to the client, the installation is still incomplete: the shower glass partition is missing and the faucet inside the spout needs to be modified. Also the lighting fixtures are still missing – but since the boreal spring provides some light until late in the evening, the ofuro is already operational.
Well, this space seems already PERFECT to me !
I cannot imagine how it will be when it is complete with all the bells and whistles!

from the window. A tropical heaven overlooking a Norwegian fjord!
look at the water droplets! this picture is so inspiring!
what a wonderful smile! Natural? Hinoki induced?

This beautiful bathroom was designed by Oslo architects Skajaa Arkitektkontor, outstanding job!

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