15.03.2011
Everybody's Darling refined
Relaunch der erfolgreichen Keramik- und Möbelserie Darling von Duravit
The new Darling New range includes washstands, bathroom furniture, bathtubs and other products that are available in a lower price segment despite their high-quality design. Michael Sieger refers to this as "the democratisation of design". Duravit launched the range's predecessors, developed by sieger design, in 1994. The subsequent range has now been adapted to today's requirements.
Since the 90s, this ceramic and furniture range has represented "Everybody's Darling" approach to innovative and modern bathroom design. 17 years later, it has received a makeover without losing its essence: the ambition to appeal to a wide target group with a range of bathroom products featuring sophisticated design. Back in the 90s, Duravit and sieger design were the pioneers of this approach in this price segment. Darling New is ideal for people fitting out their first home, such as young families with children or customers on a limited budget. The range is fresh, modern and flexible. However, people today want to see more for their money - particularly when it comes to functions.
This revised series enables customers to configure their own bathrooms and thus create their very own personalised space. This is underlined by the many different products and the design, which has more minimalist lines than the original 1994 series. "The harmonious basic shape of the circle in the outer and inner lines has remained but the edge of the old washstand, which now appears slightly overdone, has been slimmed down and has a finer, more elegant touch", says Michael Sieger of a key aspect of the modifications. The basin appears lighter and more modern in the new series because the outer lines are significantly flatter. In addition, the tap ledge and the rounded semi-pedestal underneath the washstand have been removed. The finer edge is a leitmotif throughout the design of the products - and this also applies to the highlight of the entire range, the washstand units. "The bathroom is no longer seen as a temple to hygiene alone. Cosiness, well-being and relaxation are important today so that the user feels pampered. As a result, it is understandable that people want to make their bathrooms more and more cosy. To do this, you need the adequate furniture", says Michael Sieger of the trend in bathroom design. The agency team paid great attention to the collection, which features 52 different types, making it the most extensive furniture collection in the Duravit portfolio. Here, too, the principle has been to design the products along clearer, more minimalist lines. The basin itself has been completely integrated into the washstand top in order to create more space. A comprehensive range of base cabinets complements the ceramic elements. All the scratchproof and easy-clean units feature a generous shadow gap in the upper sections, which gives the effect that the top of the washstand is floating. This emphasises the lightness of the minimalist ceramic elements. Horizontally positioned aluminium bar handles continue this minimalist principle. Furniture combinations with countertop basins, tall cupboards, roller containers, mirrors and a wide range of fresh colours such as grass green or azure blue mean you have plenty of design options available when it comes to choosing the fronts for your cabinets. In addition to ceramic elements and furniture, there is also a range of new bathtub modules with the finer edge, which is characteristic of the new series. The demands for comfort play a decisive role here. Compared to the 1994 models, the inside contour is more rounded and the front edge of the bathtub is wider. This creates a practical space for sitting. "As a particular highlight, the elegantly fine edge can be fitted with a white LED light, which gives the impression of being surrounded by a halo of white light while you are in the bath", adds Christian Sieger.
The entire range comprises 25 ceramic items, 52 furniture models and 12 bathtubs. All are designed with clear, minimalist lines and sold at Duravit's reasonable prices. Back then, the production process already played a key role in the development of the range. When the design was first being developed, a ceramics factory was established in Meissen, where the ceramic for the new range could be produced with a new moulding technique, in order to be able to achieve the desired price category. This was a major challenge for the design team but it marked the start of decades of success for the range.
The entire range comprises 25 ceramic items, 52 furniture models and 12 bathtubs. All are designed with clear, minimalist lines and sold at Duravit's reasonable prices. Back then, the production process already played a key role in the development of the range. When the design was first being developed, a ceramics factory was established in Meissen, where the ceramic for the new range could be produced with a new moulding technique, in order to be able to achieve the desired price category. This was a major challenge for the design team but it marked the start of decades of success for the range.