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Berlin-based furniture and design fair Qubique aimed at setting new standards in the sector. However, its first effort at the former airport Tempelhof failed to live up to expectations. Nevertheless, the underlying conceptual approach, with the emphasis on more quality despite practical difficulties, does seem to be the right one.

The bathroom – a little world of wonder made up of technology, light and water. As one of the leading trade shows in the area of ceramics, “Cersaie” in Bologna once again revealed just what can be achieved in the wellness zone.

There is a camel here, a small monkey there. And which soap adorns the latest washstands? Some presentations at this year's ISH were real eye-catchers, others simply a bit drab. But all were careful arrangements.

For eight years now, Spanish designer Jaime Hayon has concerned himself with bathrooms. His first collection for ArtQuitect made him renowned world-wide. Yet he was first able to truly formulate his idea of the elegant bathroom with the "Bisazza Bagno" line that he just presented at the ISH. Nina Reetzke talked with him about bathrooms, elegance and Art Deco.

Mosaics have been enjoying a renaissance for the past twenty years at least. The beginning of the digital age also marked the start of the triumphal march of the mosaic stone, the smallest element in a complex picture.

Though the term "tile manufacturer" is correct, it does not by any means describe the company Bisazza. The Italian mosaic maker creates real worlds of glitter and glamor. The small, square stones make opulent decoration and thanks to their creating the look of ornamental wallpaper have made a triumphant entry.