RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Arriving in Rio de Janeiro in the middle of the Brazilian summer, in a country experiencing an ongoing economic boom, certainly puts the bleak, uncertain economic outlook of wintry Europe and North America into sharp relief. I was invited to Brazil on the generous invitation of ABIT, the Brazilian Textile and Apparel Industry Association, [...]
The Business of Fashion

LONDON, United Kingdom — The seemingly unflappable luxury market continues to waver, with growing worries that China’s booming economy — the driver for much of the rapid growth of luxury brands in the past few years — is beginning to slow down. As a result, every major luxury brand has been hit, and hit hard. Big [...]
The Business of Fashion

LONDON, United Kingdom — Once upon a time, luxury goods makers delivered individualised products to customers based on the buyer’s personal preferences, tastes and budget. It was a process that often involved a series of face-to-face interactions between individual clients and the skilled artisans who would craft the goods. But as mass production began to [...]
The Business of Fashion

LONDON, United Kingdom — For years, London’s Bond Street and Sloane Street have been the destinations of choice for luxury brands looking to set up shop in the British capital to serve the wealthy Arabs, Russians, Indians and Asians who call the city home, and more recently, the hundreds of thousands of luxury shoppers that [...]
The Business of Fashion

I wanted it to be clean, modern, and spa-like — that was my vision.

Photography by Gordon King

“The advantage of being in the business I’m in,” says design/builder Gerhard Linse, “is that I get to see so many styles and ideas.” That said, it’s not so easy to make all those big decisions when you’re designing your own space. This is Gerhard Linse’s own bathroom, one he says he considers a gift to his partner, Mary Lynch. “I wanted it to be clean, modern, and spa-like — that was my vision.” Linse pictured the room in his head, then created working drawings for Karhu Fine Cabinetry & Millwork, which crafted the deep walnut cabinetry, fitted counters, and tub deck. Having worked with Karhu for 25 years, Linse says he could relax, knowing that the details would be perfect. And this is a bathroom that is all about details. Take the floors, for example. Those big commercial-grade tiles invoke a lovely and modern sensibility, but there is also true utility to Linse’s choice — fewer joints make for easier cleaning. Those same floors are heated from below with radiant heat. “Because waking up in the morning and walking on warm tile is absolutely therapeutic.” For the record, the floor of the tub is also heated. Now that’s luxury.

Design: Gerhard Linse Design & Building Consultants | Contractor: Gerhard Linse | Cabinetry: Karhu Fine Cabinetry & Millwork | Handles: Richelieu | Counter: Corian in ‘Canvas,’ Karhu | Tub deck: Corian in ‘Cameo White,’ Karhu | Tub: BainUltra Tekura, Westend Plumbing | Sink: Duravit, Astro Design Centre | Faucets: Hansgrohe, Mondeau Bathroom & Kitchen | Shower head: Grohe, Mondeau Bathroom & Kitchen | Toilet: Caroma Caravelle, Grohe, Mondeau Bathroom & Kitchen | Towel ladder: Astro Design Centre | Mirrors/Shower glass: Mirror Works | Flooring: Interscapes Tile and Stone Gallery | Shower flooring: Interscapes Tile and Stone Gallery | Pendant lighting: Hèmèra ‘Cassis,’ Marchand Electric

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