apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

When I first saw pictures of this shower a few weeks back, I thought immediately of the 1967 Mario Bava comic-to-screen spy thriller "Danger: Diabolik" (starring John Phillip Law in the title role). There is a scene in which Diabolik and his partner-in-crime (and in bed) Eva enter his underground lair.

It's a prolonged sequence that is all about the set design. Each area of the lair looks like Verner Panton on steroids--boldly striped carport/turnatable with an overhead light fixture with a photo print of the surface of the moon, rotating multi-level round bed, geometric light installations, slick surfaces and finishes. And the his-and-her showers? Each of them is equipped with a similar rainfall water shower feature. Each shower room is encased in glass, with a floating translucent plexiglass circle or square positioned at torso-level for peek-a-boo modesty. And the entire sequence is accompanied by a breathy Ennio Morricone composition called "Deep, Deep Down". Fab! [Footnote: Roman Coppola has an homage to this sequence--including the shower--in his film-within-a-film movie "CQ".

This cult movie was just released on DVD in July and is a must-see for fans of late 60s modern design.

I'd love it as a "water feature".

But am I the only one who doesn't dig the "all or nothing" placement of an overhead rainhead? I don't always want a face/head full of water, but with this kind of orientation, you're either in or out, no? Or, I suppose, one wall is outfitted with ridiculous amounts of body sprays like some personal carwash.

Sorry to be so practical and "half empty" on a post for something so beautiful.

i've seen that these systems cost more than $5,000.

http://www.luxuryhousingtrends.com/archives/2005/09/dornbracht_rain_1.php

Hmm, am I the only one who thinks this might be just a little bit *too* much water? I mean, there's wasting water and then there's just really irresponsibly wasting water... that stuff doesn't grow on trees you know!

P2, I too have been wondering how the downward pouring showerheads could possibly work well.

I don't see much reason for these to cost THAT much more that a large rainhead. It's just a square rainhead mounted flush in the ceiling. Seems you could have one custom made for a grand, plus intall labor.

It's gorgeous but you'd really need to install this in a wetroom as opposed to a standard shower stall to appreciate it's full beauty! You'd definitely need an alternate "traditional" shower or new fangled bodysprays so you didn't always have to get your hair wet. I can't really see them advertising this piece with someone wearing a shower cap! Not to mention you'd need a gazillion dollars since it's also ludicrously expensive.

Reef

aq -- I'm with you. When I see these super showers, I just see wasted water, especially since I like to spend a good half hour in the bath and never figured out the whole "short shower" thing. This sort of thing screams "overconsumption" to me, not "luxury"...

"It's gorgeous," yes ... but one appreciates "its full beauty." "It's" is a contraction of "it is," but it's not a possessive! (Sorry, I'm an editor... I do this all day!)

:)

here's a low-rent version that would probably use less water. each watertile cost $100-$200.

http://www.us.kohler.com/onlinecatalog/newproducts_detail.jsp?section=2&aid=1276

costs, not cost.

Yes Jane, I'm sorry. I only spend a couple of seconds typing these posts.

Reef

Beam me up Scotty im clean is the first thing that comes to mind not to mention the annoyance if having to climb all the way up that ****er every time something goes wrong. Would be perfect for my next movie scene tough

This shower looks great. Jane "the editor" - get a life!

Well i'm buying one for my house.

Tony, did you buy one? It looks fabulous, but does it work the way they advertise? I would hate to spend that much and not have it be the absolute best.

I will buy one if I have to fly to Germany and carry home on my back.

As far as how it works, AFAIK, it is a system of holes through which water drops, at least the Rainsky M.

I suspect that a premier manufacturer in Germany can run water through holes ok.

Frank

Or there's the Hansgrohe Rainmaker, costs about £2,800 for a full system (about $5,600). Not that I can afford one.