What are the odds of encountering two new products on a Monday both designed by a man named Matteo? Quite good, actually, if the terrain is Italy by way of Milan, ground central, arguably, for innovation in A&D, as well as local stomping grounds of both Matteograssi (see Kompass) and Studio Matteo Nunziati. The latter has been on the radar for about 10 years now. He frequently collaborates with some major manufacturers for product design (Molteni & C., Tisettanta-Halifax, Fontana Arte, and Matteograssi, among others), in addition to providing interior, industrial, and landscape design services to hotels, spas, and residences throughout the globe. Given the slim silhouette and high-functionality of Nunziati’s Elle Compact Bathroom Cabinet, I’d not be surprised at all to encounter the piece at Dubai’s Ventiquattro Radisson Blu or Beijing’s Victoria Gardens Spa.

Elle. Designed by Matteo Nunziati for Rapsel.

Four Full Functions in one Bathroom Cabinet

Elle has tall aspirations, especially in mind of its diminutive dimensions. The piece encompasses a washbasin, shelf system, cabinet, and towel holder, all in the modest confines of a scant three cubic feet. Elle’s materials palette consists of wood and Parapan, a recent addition to the washbasin lexicon that might sound like a preservative for cosmetics but is, in fact, a new variety of high-gloss solid acrylic that’s more pliable than other varieties: “Parapan is extremely workable as it can be thermoformed into curves and machined like wood” (Parapan Co.). Elle’s profile is rectilinear, so perhaps Parapan’s mold-ability is not foremost among its incentives for Matteo Nunziati, yet the material repels water well and is extremely durable too. As MN says, Parapan is “aesthetically, qualitatively and technically high in terms of cleanliness, hygiene and resistance.”

The same might be said of the entire Elle ensemble. The L-shaped intersection between Parapan and wood (visible from the front) gives Elle an inviting shape well imparting the functional boon of hidden infrastructure (unsightly and bulky pipes reside here). The space within the wood, to the contrary, is unimpeded, both drawers and shelves expressly awaiting your assortment of towels, your collection of toothbrushes, your shaving implements and multifarious creams and lotions, which, regardless of whether or not they contain Paraben, will be perfectly displayed within Elle’s inviting expanse of open shelving.

Via MocoLoco.