British designer Bethan Laura Wood talks about her Avocado Dreams collaboration with Kaldewei, which features in Bath [o] philia at Fuorisalone in Milan from April 16-21, 2024.

Q: Colours play a crucial role in your designs – what inspired the colour palette for this collaboration?

A: I wanted to work with a colour palette that is neither too feminine nor too masculine.

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Additionally, I liked the idea of referencing the classic British avocado swimsuit, which holds a very emotional connection for many people in the UK.

Personally, I love it when you can create an emotional connection with beautiful products.

I chose three colour variations: one that leans more towards avocado tones, one that incorporates blue and violet tones to evoke a connection to water swirls.

And the third one, of course, because I am a very colourful person, is like a colour disco for a bold and adventurous bath user.

Q: What was the design reference for the pattern?

A: In the project with Kaldewei, I was very interested in designing a pattern that reflects the aura of the bathroom itself or the idea of a luxurious space where one takes time for oneself.

I love this kind of luxury and the feeling of being enveloped in something beautiful, so I took this as a reference for my patterns.

I also looked at the typical soft bathrobes that people often wear after a nice bubble bath, which is where the inspiration for the swirling patterns comes from.

I wanted to stay true to my style, with a lot of movement and play in my design, but it shouldn’t be too loud, overwhelming, or intimidating.

Q: What sets this collaboration apart for you?

A: I always enjoy working in a field or with a material I haven’t worked with before. That’s why I found the challenge of designing an edition of steel enamel with very special patterns for Kaldewei so exciting.

It’s exciting to collaborate with Kaldewei because it is a highly modern industrial company, and most people have minimalist white bathrooms.

I think it’s great that Kaldewei wants to collaborate with me and create something distinguished by extraordinary patterns and vibrant colours.

Q: Kaldewei is known for its enamelled tubs, shower surfaces, and sinks. How did you reconcile your creative vision with Kaldewei’s technical and aesthetic requirements?

A: To reflect the high quality, delicate texture, and technical expertise of Kaldewei’s products, I wanted to bring a certain sophistication to the patterns.

Striking a balance between bold graphics and beautiful, soft forms.

It’s similar with the material: steel is pressed powerfully into soft shapes and finished with elegant enamelling.

This creates luxurious contours that fit the body perfectly and make it feel comfortable.

I wanted to capture this enchanting feeling in the shapes and swirls of my patterns, a feeling of elegance that precisely mirrors the precision I observed during my visit to the production where these beautiful pieces are made.

Q: How important is sustainability and how is that reflected in your work?

A: I always strive to use the right materials for a project and work towards a circular design.

Many of my works also play with the contradictions of an industry closely tied to mass production but still trying to reshape its systems with limited resources and environmental impacts in mind.

As designers, we are increasingly aware of the need to address environmental issues and use materials consciously.

That’s why I’m thrilled to work with Kaldewei because they consider the ecological footprint in everything they do.

Through changes and optimisations, the company continuously works towards becoming even more sustainable.

Kaldewei unveiled Avocado Dreams at London Design Festival with West One Bathrooms and C.P Hart.