Daiki by Minotti
AT THIS POINT, it’s fair to say mid-century-modern design has experienced a renaissance far beyond its supposed 1960s-era expiration date. The movement’s unfussy, functionfirst mantra came back into style in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when brands like Knoll and Herman Miller exploded in popularity; designers and homeowners still clamour for Marcel Breuer and Hans Wegner originals in 2021. There’s not much room, then, to create something mid-century-adjacent that’s both fresh and interesting. And yet Daiki, designed by renowned Brazilian architect Marcio Kogan, manages to bring something new to the table – or, rather, the chair.
The twist to the mid-century formula comes courtesy of Kogan’s many trips to Japan. Daiki is a tribute to the country’s design tradition, marrying subtle elegance with the bold, overt lines of American modernism. Because of its similar-but-different take on a beloved aesthetic, it can be paired with virtually any other piece: doubly so because the cushions come in fabric or leather and the wooden shell in beech plywood with a flamed ash veneer or palisander santos with a matte lacquer finish. Add armrests, if you like, or go for Daiki’s outdoor version (shown here). But like any good mid-century seat, function comes first, and Kogan’s design has a deep, low-slung base that’s a real pleasure to sit back and relax in.
THE BATHROOM OFTEN gets overlooked – that is, until you see a really gorgeous one, and the coveting begins. Perhaps the most glaringly functional space in a home, it can also be a logistical nightmare to renovate. Hardware like the Cyo tap aims to inspire change, adding a gently arching curve to a room that’s so often made of squares and right angles. The design comes from Dornbracht’s archive – more specifically, from the Series 2000, originally manufactured in 1969. The brand reimagined those sketches to create Cyo’s utterly modern signature swoop.
Dornbracht made the tap with Sieger Design, a long-time kitchen and bath collaborator. Together, the pair also created a set of unique circular knobs to go along with the spout, all available in brass, chrome and platinum. The accompanying handles are equally customisable, with inset options running from glossy metal to cool stone. It’s this malleability that makes the hardware stand out, as it encourages individuality in bathroom design (of all places). And, obviously, it doesn’t come at the cost of performance. Water will come out of Cyo’s nozzle just like any other (perhaps even a tad more smoothly), except this one will look much better while doing it.