Luxurious simplicity

Dubai-based, Italian-born Marianna Piccolo fuses cultures with luxurious simplicity in an unmistakably Parisian apartment.

TEXT: DoroThy waLDMan

Marianna Piccolo, an avid reader of identity, is an architect and interior designer who in 2014 founded My Pick One Studio Design in Dubai Design District (d3). Her aesthetics were moulded by the beauty, culture, music and art of her childhood home in southern Italy, and her skills were developed at the legendary Polytechnic University of Milan. Under the esteemed tutelage of identity Design Awards juror Marco Piva, Piccolo honed her philosophy of discovering the beauty of luxurious simplicity. Piva taught her a rational approach to design and encouraged her to listen to her inner creative voice and think beyond the established norms. Her love for imperial Italian architecture, as well as the beauty of the simple and rustic, makes all her designs pleasingly elegant and workable.

In February this year, the 38-eight-year-old creative entrepreneur was named as one of the ‘Top 50 Most Influential Designers in the Middle East’, a major accomplishment for the head of a young boutique firm. In each of its 50 high-end commercial, hospitality, residential and retail projects in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Italy and France, My One Pick has always been mindful of each client’s requirements, budgets and timelines in their bespoke designs.

For duplex apartments in picturesque Saint Germain, Piccolo merged the historical, literary and artistic charm of the Parisian location with contemporary residential elements. Nestled between quaint shops and homes, the structure itself is a major landmark. My Pick One wanted to reflect the elegant and artistic European essence of the neighbourhood, and so incorporated French architectural features such as high ceilings, panelling and ornate fireplace surrounds, while simultaneously catering to 21st-century lifestyles. The elegance of the spaces is enhanced with mirrors – some with ornate, typically French frames and others in more subdued, contemporary shapes and sizes.

At the owners’ request, the apartments have a highly simplistic and minimalist design to provide a relaxing, clean atmosphere. Open spaces give a spacious, uncluttered feel, enabling the occupants to decompress and think more clearly while enjoying the excitement of the City of Lights. The timeless, sophisticated elegance of French culture was achieved through a complex yet subtle palette of beige, black, brown and white, with varied contrasts of red, vibrant blue and other surprising hues inserted throughout.

The white walls of the French panelled living rooms provide a stunning

backdrop for the elaborate chandeliers and sconces that inject classic,

luxurious elegance. However, the exclusive, minimalist and unique nature of

the furnishings is designed for contemporary living. In the master bathroom,

the clean lines, extensive use of seamless glass walls, marble and bespoke

fittings create soothing yet luxurious simplicity. The master bedroom,

likewise, offers sanctuary with a muted colour scheme, but with an injection

of boldness in the pair of red chairs. Soft lighting and mirrors add to the

comfort of these private spaces.

Though certain parts of the duplex are similar and even identical to ones

found in My Pick One projects in Dubai, at no point does one forget that they

are located in Paris, thanks to site-specific elements such as the complex

patterns of the wooden floors and displays of French artefacts, antiques

and cutlery. By paying supreme attention to such details, Piccolo’s soothing

interiors – whether in Dubai, Paris or elsewhere around the world – are

unapologetically artistic and elegant.

Piccolo and her talented design team at My Pick One currently have

residential projects underway throughout the region, including an Al Fairooz

apartment and villas at Emirates Golf Club and Jumeirah Beach, as well as

completed projects in Al Barari, Zabeel Saray, Emirates Hills and elsewhere.

Her design aesthetic soars beyond fabulous residences, as illustrated by the

Oberoi Beach Resort located within the biodiverse Al Zorah region of Ajman.

Created as an idyllic beachfront sanctuary with breath-taking panoramic

views, and within easy reach of bustling Dubai, the resort is architecturally a

blend of contemporary design that takes inspiration from Europe and America,

with injections from Africa, China, Japan, India and Europe.

For the Mall of the Emirates store of high-end Italian retailer Fendi, Piccolo

designed a sleek, elegant environment that exudes the undeniable prestige of

the brand. Other exemplary projects include offices and commercial spaces

Well-being spaces

Personal well-being spaces have never been so desirable or achievable. In this germophobic era we are we are living through, feeling clean, fit and pampered has never been more important. identity recently went on a virtual windowshopping expedition in pursuit of the latest bathing, relaxation and fitness space accessories to create a true haven…

TexT: caTherIne belbIn

mastello This oval bathtub, designed by Mario Ferrarini, features the new, patented Flumood liquid metal coating developed by Antonio Lupi. The technologically advanced paint coating gives a solid appearance that looks like genuine bronze, brass or copper.

Design formula

Available in a multitude of shapes, colours, finishes and materials, the humble bathtub is a contemporary luxury hitherto reserved for the bigger bathing area; however, savvy designers have managed to minimise the space necessary for a luxurious soaking tub…

Happy D.2 Plus by sieger design for Duravit Duravit’s world-exclusive ‘C’-shaped Happy D.2 Plus bathing accessories by sieger Design are an expansion of the existing line. Made entirely from DuraCeram, the specially finished fixtures enjoy all the benefits of a ceramic glaze. the new patent-pending technology guarantees that the basins and furniture run in perfect parallel lines with no overhang or recess, offering scope for new bathroom designs.

BetteSpace L from Bette BetteSpace L trapezoidal-shaped bathtub is designed to save space in the bathroom and to accommodate more than one bather at a time. the German manufacturer had families in mind when it created an integrated tub that can take two people – ideal for kids’ bath time. With a lying side measuring 130 centimetres wide and a foot end that’s 75 centimetres wide, it can save a square metre of space within the bathroom – making it ideal for small bathrooms.

We spend more time washing our hands these days than we have in years – elevating the importance of the wash hand basin to new levels. Whether in a bathroom or a guest powder room, the sink is the pedestal, either wall- or surface-mounted; round or square, it makes a powerful design statement.

Forma from Inbani Designed by Ludovica+Roberto Palomba with Matteo bollati and stefano Contini, inbani’s Forma collection features a combination of contrasting pure organic and geometric shapes. The natural materials seamlessly create functional, bright and elegant bathing environments.

Teorema 2.0 from Scarabeo Ceramiche This white ceramic sink from the italian firm scarabeo sits at the heart of the Teorema 2.0 collection and is perfect for creating a modern look. The ceramic basin can be either wall-mounted or placed on a countertop and offers ample space for bathing accessories. it’s designed for a single-hole tap.

Steel19 from Alape

This compact and slightly retro Steel19

vanity unit from the prolific sieger Design

studio for alape is a perfect accent piece

for a guest wash room.

inspired both by urban and industrial

references, the vanity is extremely

practical as it comes with a handy

integrated back splash and a little glass

shelf to store towels, etc.

it presents the ideal solution for those

wanting to maximise both space usage and

visual appeal.

The expectation of the shower continues to rise. Bathers expect more than just to lather up and rise off. Today’s showers have to be multi-functional to the last drop. They should offer a variety of different pulses and pressures, and provide mood lighting, music and even the aroma of a rainforest. With strategically positioned multiple jets, the shower zone continues to be increasingly sophisticated.

Rainfinity from Hansgrohe Due to its 10-30 degree tilt, hansgrohe’s Rainfinity is the perfect shower system for those who enjoy an overhead showering experience but don’t want to get their hair and face wet. The collection includes shelves and concealed controls and adds a modern splash to any bathing space.

This shower has snapped up a bath full of design awards, including the iF Gold Award, the 2019 red Dot Award ‘Best of the Best’ and the 2019 ‘Best of Best’ Innovative Architecture Iconic Award.

Aquamoon from Dornbracht Dornbracht’s Aquamoon has to be one of the ultimate shower experiences, as it awakens all the senses. With creative direction from Mike Meiré, the product was designed by Michael Neumayr to be a multi-sensory water experience, and features four flow modes. The pioneering shower was first presented a few years ago as part of Dornbracht’s LifeSpa series. Its minimalist, almost invisible design allows the focus to be on the experience rather than the actual fixture.

Touch&Feel from Noken Porcenalosa Bathrooms

Touch&Feel from spanish brand Porcelanosa is a

straightforward, easy-to-use shower system. The technology

for the shower was developed by the r&D department of

Noken. The result is a unique functional wellness system that

also meets the highest design aesthetics.

The fact that you can combine its functions – such as rain

and cascade or rain and the jets function – at the same time

converts the shower into a personal wellness zone.

Whether you call them faucets or taps, these little waterspouts can make a massive difference to the bathing experience. the choice of design – two spouts or a mixer, the type of material, finish and ease of use – all play a significant role. after a decade or two focused on chrome, the trend has edged towards shades of gold, copper and classic black, making these items more apparent in the overall design scheme.

Bellagio by Matteo Thun and Antonio Rodriguez for Zuchetti.Kos For almost a century Italian luxury brand Zucchetti has been at the forefront of bathroom fixtures. With decades of experience behind it, the firm is looking to enter a new experimental phase. identity loves these elegant and refined Bellagio taps designed by Matteo thun and antonio Rodriguez. they are available in nickel, brushed gold and gold.

Haptic from Ritmonio Ritmonio is once again pushing the boundaries of pure design with a new take on the classic chrome tap finish. the new collection, with finishes in rose gold, frosted black chrome, frosted champagne, brushed rose gold and dark bronze, was conceived to take the brand into more residential spaces as well as the contract and hospitality sectors.

Mod+ from Graff add a touch of contemporary tuscan style to your bathing space with these unique designs from Graff. Made from the finest materials, the Mod+ collection is not just elegant and functional; it also complies with the highest eco-standards, to reduce water wastage and ensure 100 per cent zero waste in the manufacturing process. the marble handles are an unusual touch, allowing you to entirely customise your bathing space.

Clever storage and accessories provide perfect solutions to help keep bathing spaces neat and tidy. Fortunately, many leading manufacturers of bathroom furniture and fixtures are answering the call for improved storage and complementary accessories. From convenient and practical bathtub racks to towel racks and toothbrush holders, get organised and tidy up with these new accessories.

Compact Living from Rexa Keeping bathrooms prim and proper with any of rexa’s organisational accessories is a breeze. This wall-hanging toothbrush and beaker holder helps ensure valuable countertops stay free of clutter. The great thing about the rexa collection is that the accessories are designed to complement their storage units.

Round towel warmer from mg12 You can never have too many places for storing towels or bathrobes. This model from Mg12 is a favourite, for it’s actually a radiator as well. Heaters are not often necessary in the Gulf, but the unit can be used to dry up to three damp bath towels or to warm your favourite towel for those early starts on winter mornings. The front panel can be personalised to match your bathroom décor.

H2O collection from Vaselli

Designed by irene Goldberg, H2O is an elegant bathroom

collection from Vaselli that includes a bathroom unit,

shower tray, bathtub and various accessories. it was

inspired by the idea of developing a successful blend of

two natural materials: stone and metal.

The outer metal frame wraps the stone bathtub to

produce a double-layer effect while also giving a sense of

cleanliness and weightlessness.

Today, toilets – like showers – are fountains of technology. Now mostly rimless, they can be programmed to self-clean and neutralise unpleasant smells, to warm the seat, and even to silently and gently self-flush and close the seat-cover. Soon, perhaps they will also be able to test urine and provide an analytical report…

Viu from Duravit Germany’s Duravit and Sieger Design have collaborated yet again on the Viu/XViu furniture and ceramic range to create a stunning forward-looking collection that you really want to keep in full view.

An elegant post-industrial look is achieved through a careful balance of precise geometry and soft organic shapes.

Sensia from Grohe

Toilets don’t really come much smarter than Grohe’s Sensia. This little bathroom assistant thinks of everything itself. it is equipped with technology to self-clean, remembers to independently close the seat and neutralises odours. it is even equipped with a shower toilet, which reduces toilet paper consumption and also glows in the dark, to guide you at night…

Geberit The new Geberit VariForm range of lay-on washbasins makes it possible to create customised solutions for the bathroom. The sleek, slimline and compact laminate panel, which is just 4 mm thick and features a black line around the outside, is in harmony with the current trend of minimalist design.

Designed for the bathroom of the future, the wall-hung Geberit ONE WC is smart, germ-resistant and perfectly proportioned.

Under the Soft Touch lid, the asymmetrical, completely rimless inner geometry of the ceramic toilet makes it ultrahygienic. it also has a super-quiet Turbo Flush.

Additionally, the lid can be removed independently of the seat for thorough cleaning; or both can be removed together.

COVID-19-induced social distancing has led us not just to isolate but also towards a renewed sense of self and an appreciation of the basics that we need to create healthy, spic-and-span safe havens.

With gyms and spas closed, these activities can be enjoyed at home in pure and energising personal Zen-like spaces.

Closca Designed in Spain a few years ago, the Closca Mask has already picked up a couple of significant design awards – including the ADI_FAD in 2016 and Red Dot the previous year. However, now that the facemask has become a symbol of the COVID-19 pandemic, the reusable Closca Mask has been slightly modified.

Dyson One of the best ways to keep your home or workplace dust-free is with a mega-powerful nippy little cordless vacuum cleaner like the Dyson V11. The compact little genie will keep sucking up dust and particles for up to an hour, thanks to unrivalled suction power that allows it to capture 99.97 per cent of particles as small as 0.3 microns.

Devon&Devon No wellness zone is complete without a gorgeous air-freshening scented candle. Some of the best are the toxin-free, refined paraffin ones from Devon&Devon. Made in Italy, these delicate, long-lasting perfumed hand-made candles have pure cotton wicks and will envelop your personal space with a naturally relaxing and soothing aroma. The Devon&Devon Home Boutique collection includes soft bathrobes, towels, elegant linen guest towels and much more…

Technogym This sculptural Technogym pieces, designed by Antonio Citterio, is guaranteed to encourage you to work out and stay fit during this lockdown period. Whether it’s the Kinesis Personal that allows some 200 workout moves within less than one square metre of space, or the sleek treadmill or bicycle, using these functional and stylish pieces of exercise equipment will help ensure that you remain healthy during the period of social distancing – and beyond.

Cosentino

With walls and floors covered in hygienic Cosentino Dekton

surfaces, this luxurious bathing sanctuary, featuring a copper

bath, has been equipped to keep germs at bay.

Dekton is an engineered surface created through the process

of ultra-compaction; it has superior technical properties,

including zero porosity, making it bacteriostatic.

Silestone is treated with N-boost, which modifies the

molecular properties of the quartz. This, in turn, eliminates

micro-porosity – making it water-repellent, highly resistant to

stains and extremely easy to clean. The treatment incorporates

antimicrobial protection system in its composition, making it

a preferred material in areas where the highest standards of

hygiene are sought.

Both these surfaces come in large-format slabs, meaning

fewer seams are required during installation – again allowing for

increased hygiene levels. ID

Design sources

alape.com antoniolupi.it; tel: 04 447 4634 closca.com cosentino.com devon-devon.com; tel: 04 447 4634 dornbracht.com; tel: 04 507 6000 duravit.com; tel: 04 427 4080 dyson.ae ex-t.com geberit.com; tel: 04 507 6000 graff-designs.com; tel: 04 380 8808 grohe-mena.com hansgrohe.com; tel: 04 448 0200 inbani.com; tel: 04 447 4634 mg12.it my-bette.com noken.com rexadesign.it; tel: 04 451 1981 ritmonio.it; tel: 04 551 6773 scarabeoceramica.com sieger-design.com technogym.com; tel: 04 337 5337 vaselli.com; tel: 04 551 6773 zucchettikos.it; tel: 04 447 4634

Frieze from Ex.t Frieze, the new collection of washbasins and bathroom accessories designed by Marcante-Testa for ex.t. is inspired by roy Lichtenstein’s “entablatures” series, introduces art into the bathing space.

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