Getting special treatment: CEAdesign

CEA’s streamlined bathroom fittings evoke the unimpeded flow of water. In fact, the theme of freedom is close to the company’s heart expressed by the many finishes of its taps, which give its many clients – from architects and interior designers to design-savvy homeowners – free rein to express their creativity.

CEA is the first and only company in the world to manufacture all its metal designs using one material – stainless steel – giving them a pleasingly consistent aesthetic. ‘CEA launched its special finishes in 2011 to give a new appearance to stainless steel and enhance it, without making it less resistant or ecological,’ says founder and creative director Natalino Malasorti.

Thanks to their scratch-resistant, highly durable finishes in a number of different tones, the bathroom fittings suit individual tastes. The elegant neutrality of CEA’s bathroom fittings suddenly takes on a more luxurious or defined quality when acquiring one of its finishes.

First to be introduced was the darker-toned Black Diamond finish that cleverly emphasises the natural properties of stainless steel – and gives it a dramatic, stronger graphic tone. Later joined by three other finishes, of these, the fiery yet clean sheen of the Copper finish looks at once industrial and on-trend. By contrast, the highly unusual, relatively more subdued Bronze finish conveys a desire to be discreetly fashionable. As for the Light Gold finish, its delicate tone is unimposing. Further enriching this palette are two more finishes, available for all designs – a quieter matt or more pronounced polished surface.

While disciplined in its choice of materials, CEA has found the perfect complement to its stainless-steel products – four wood essences in warm tones which can be paired with the controls of the Giotto, Ziqq and Bar collections: Wenge, American Walnut, Burma Teak and Oak. These accessories enhance the collections, their organic quality offsetting the steel’s cooler aesthetic. Yet the wood elements are as robust as their stainless-steel counterparts and are produced sustainably. The wood is sourced from managed forests and treated with patented, water-based, solvent-free varnishes. Moreover, the wood doesn’t swell when exposed to damp conditions and is resistant to acidic and saline solutions.

Whether choosing raw materials or adopting production processes, CEA unerringly synthesises style and sustainability.

© Architonic