TESTING THE WATERS

Smart bathrooms have yet to take over homes, but smart bathroom-fittings stores?

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Smart bathrooms have yet to take over homes, but smart bathroom-fittings stores?

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That’s the next stage of retail as Grohe opens its two-storey flagship – a first for the company in South-east Asia – in the heart of Orchard Road. Aside from a live shower facility to demonstrate a range of sprays, from soft rain to pulsating massage jets, the Grohe Spa showroom features a Shower Configurator, a virtual reality setup that allows visitors to see and hear simulated running showerheads. Come prepared with your bathroom floor plan. The Grohe team can create VR simulations to help visualise said bathroom with your choice of fittings. #01-04/05 and #02-04, Shaw Centre.

ALL IN ONE
Luxury hotel bathrooms decked out in Grohe wares are recreated in the store for inspiration Each bathroom has a special code that can be scanned with a mobile device for easy access to product information.
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PERANAKAN INSPIRATIONS
Collaborating with local designers Jeremy Sun and Nicholas Paul, homegrown furniture label Ipse Ipsa Ipsum pays homage to Peranakan culture in its latest series of tables, cabinets and mirrors. Called Peranakan Moderne, the collection takes inspiration from prints and designs in The Peranakan Museum and presents them in modern contexts. Case in point: The Straits Reflection vanity mirror with bone inlay by Sun, doubles as an air quality sensor and temperature display. #11-02, Tan Boon Liat Building.
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LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION
While the Filigree Floor Lamp by Dutch design company Moooi resembles umbrella lights used in photography, its floral-patterned aluminium cage, reminiscent of jewellery metalwork, sets it apart from ordinary light sources. The stainless steel stand is adjustable and lightweight, allowing the user to position the lamp’s muted LED glow as a direct or indirect light source in the room. A cool addition to the home, or as lighting for selfies. Space Furniture, 77 Bencoolen Street.