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Issue 61 - Vintage Modern Issue

Issue 61

Vintage Modern Issue

The breadth and scope of Habitus has always been extraordinary. With how we live at heart of every issue, we have stepped it up with Guest Editor David Flack of Flack Studio shaking the ‘how’ and looking at new ways to make a house a home. With Vintage Modern as the issues theme, we look at the way iconic design has stayed with us, how daring pieces from the past can add the wow factor and how architecture and good design defy the pigeon hole of their era.

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A Product of

Material innovation with antoniolupi
BathroomAleesha Callahan

Material innovation with antoniolupi

Italian bathware brand antoniolupi continues to find ways to innovate, marching to the beat of its own drum with the coloured, transparent resin base Cristalmood.


Striking a material balance of strength and beauty, antoniolupi’s uniquely formulated Cristalmood is unlike anything else. Launched in 2018, Cristalmood is a versatile, transparent resin crafted to transform bathroom design.

A custom-made product, Cristalmood allows for unparalleled creative freedom through its durable, customisable finish that blend aesthetic appeal with practical resilience.

What sets Cristalmood apart is its unique composition – a high-quality polyester resin that, unlike traditional solid materials, weighs 30 per cent less without compromising on durability. This material has the strength of stone, the vibrant potential of crystal glass, and the smooth refinement of wood, making it ideal for intricate and colourful design elements.

Its manual production process, from pouring the resin into silicone moulds to meticulous sanding and polishing, guarantees each Cristalmood creation is a one-of-a-kind piece, with subtle variations in colour, texture, and even tiny air bubbles that infuse a handcrafted authenticity. Antoniolupi skilfully carves each one to reveal sinks that are more than basins – they are statements of design intent, representing a harmonious balance between geometry and fluidity. This distinctive resin has redefined what’s possible in basin design, offering glossy or matte finishes that blend seamlessly with other materials.

Different basin for different aesthetics

Antoniolupi’s Cristalmood can be used on a range of the brand’s iconic basins. For example, the Borghi basin, with its harmonious blend of geometric shapes and clean lines, exemplify Cristalmood’s ability to elevate the bathroom experience. In the Borghi, the Cristalmood resin’s translucent, coloured surfaces provide a vivid contrast to natural stone, creating a focal point that’s both functional and visually striking.

Similarly, the Albume basin brings a new dimension to modern bathrooms, its curved contours and choice of rich hues exuding warmth and sophistication, even as they echo the material’s lightness and resilience.

In Aura and Astro, a set of freestanding basins by Marco Piva, the use of Cristalmood embodies a natural fluidity – solid yet seemingly liquefied, like an ice cube caught in a state of gradual melting. With Cristalmood’s translucent properties, Aura’s clean, geometric form appears softened, subtly sculpted by water’s natural erosion to create an organic depression. In contrast, Astro’s bold shape evokes the impact of a stone plummeting into liquid, pushing Cristalmood into a new, forceful geometry. Together, these basins transform resin into art, capturing the essence of water’s strength and serenity in a seamless, purifying form.

When a Nabatei basin is formed from Cristalmood it brings a new level of seductive tactility. Each piece can be appreciated as a unique artefact, where its inherent beauty is balanced with human craftsmanship.

Cristalmood’s durability isn’t merely skin-deep. The resin has been tested to withstand common household chemicals – from acetone to oils and even diesel fuel – ensuring that these basins not only captivate but also endure the daily rigours of use. This resilience makes Cristalmood ideal for homes that want longevity alongside style.

Crafted with care by artisans, Cristalmood exemplifies antoniolupi’s dedication to quality and innovation. Each basin made from this material isn’t just a fixture, it’s a work of art, where lightness meets solidity, colour meets transparency. Where the refined interplay of elements brings poetic beauty into everyday spaces.

Antoniolupi
antoniolupi.it


About the Author

Aleesha Callahan

Aleesha seeks out the unique people, projects and products that define the Indo Pacific region. Previously the editor of Habitus and Indesignlive, she has written and contributed to various publications and brands in the architecture and design industry, bringing intimate insight to her stories having first trained and practised as an interior designer. Her passion for mid-century design and architecture began while living and working in Berlin.

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antoniolupiantoniolupi cristalmoodbathroombathroom designbathwarebathware brandbeautycolouredCristalmoodinnovation


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Issue 61 - Vintage Modern Issue

Issue 61

Vintage Modern Issue

The breadth and scope of Habitus has always been extraordinary. With how we live at heart of every issue, we have stepped it up with Guest Editor David Flack of Flack Studio shaking the ‘how’ and looking at new ways to make a house a home. With Vintage Modern as the issues theme, we look at the way iconic design has stayed with us, how daring pieces from the past can add the wow factor and how architecture and good design defy the pigeon hole of their era.

Order Issue