Words by Gita Hari
A bon vivant’s house may have great looking interiors but it’s the bathroom, the most underrated space in anyone’s home, that resonates the inhabitant’s personality. Whether it is the soft lighting, fancy vanity cabinets, floral arrangements, aromatic candles or Egyptian cotton towels, there’s more by way of classy sanitaryware to lift the mood of a hedonist from the start of the day. And when it’s all finished with a splash of gold, silver, or hold your breath – diamonds, it’s the ultimate in bathroom suite luxury.
Sternhagen, the German brand of premium sanitaryware and bathroom fittings, owned by the Acrysil Group, is famous for their aesthetically created products coupled with cutting-edge technologies, setting a high standard in the bathroom space. This design-driven brand’s competitive edge has been the combination of fine art and impeccable engineering, ensuring industry-leading awards such as the RedDot design’s Award and the iF Design Award along with a German Design Award nomination in the past.
And when such a glorious brand decides to join hands with India’s celebrated jewellery designer Farah Khan Ali who is also a visionary, an artist and a storyteller, it’s a given to expect flamboyance and opulence at its best. From music icon Beyoncé and tennis star Serena Williams to A-list Hollywood and Bollywood celebrities, the biggest names in the business have worn Farah’s jewellery on the most photographed international red carpets.
Drawing inspiration from the country’s grand heritage and overwhelming architecture, Scherezade – the recently launched collection is a celebration of the magnificent Indian culture, with Farah’s brand monogram Aayat. The ‘wow’ factor of the launch event was the Aayat faucet – painstakingly crafted in silver and studded with a total of 473 natural diamonds that weigh a total of 8.62 carats.
“A bath suite is more than just a place to take a shower. It’s where one pauses to think of the day (ahead) or the day gone by. It is a time to reflect with yourself alone and time to prepare or even unwind for the day. With my first lifestyle brand association, I chose bathrooms because it involved use of ceramic, metal, and Quartz, all materials which I’m familiar working with in my line of jewellery. Also, the idea of collaborating with a luxury brand like Sternhagen, that prides itself for art with engineering, made me want to align my design sensibilities with them,” observed Ali.
Some of the other eyeball-grabbers were the elegantly designed, delicate, seamless arcs of the faucet and basin, skilfully adorned in imperial gold with an ingenious and arty flourish. The towel and tissue paper holders carry the Aayat motif, hauling up the feel of the bathroom a notch higher. The majestic style of this collection is evident in the water bidet where the seamless impression of the brand motif can be seen along the fringes.
Chirag Parekh, chairman and managing director at Acrysil Limited, added: “As a brand, every Sternhagen product is all about creating intricate designs with beautiful aesthetics and uncompromised quality along with practical functionality. This collaboration with Farah, is yet another manifestation of the perfect union of art and engineering. It enhances bathroom spaces with a luxurious touch while retaining a sense of Indian heritage. Scherezade is a testimony to our philosophy – where art and style meet technology and innovation for bathrooms.”
For more information, visit sternhagen.com.
