SALON: To make baths of cast iron in our time is both expensive and time-consuming (I was at your factory near Paris and saw with my own eyes that the process, in particular, enameling, is almost manual). Why do you insist on this concept of your products? Do you fear to look like an anachronism in our time of acrylic and artificial stone?

 - Pig-iron manufactory KOHLER originated in 1873 in the USA, and the factory JACOB DELAFON - in France in 1929 (the last few years, the brand JACOB DELAFON is a division KOHLER). And now we are the oldest cast iron bath manufacturers in the world. This is a biography. But this is not only the case: maybe you will be surprised, but people still prefer cast iron baths, and Russia is no exception. Therefore, our production is a successful business, and there is no reason to cut it. Moreover, we have gone even further: in addition to the popular classic model Cleo, styled as a gray antiquity, we have released the Biove bath in a minimalist style. But the remarkable thing is that it is made of cast iron! So no one is doing now. It is modern in design and has all the advantages of cast iron as an excellent heat-saving and durable material.

S: A bath of cast iron, but in the style of minimalism ... What is it - a tribute to time, betraying your own creed, the evolution of the brand or something else?

 - Indeed, the cast-iron bathtub with right angles and hard, clear lines of silhouette surprised many. This is an unusual move, and we specifically developed casting technology. Tribute to time? Yes, if you wish. The modern form of the bath is a real convenience: more space, more water, more comfort, therefore. It is clear that people like it, because the principles of functionality has not been canceled. And cast iron is the best material for a bath.

S: Recently, it is increasingly said that the bathroom, and in general the bathroom as a large complex room, becomes almost the main thing in the house. Do you think architects, designers and manufacturers exaggerate this factor? Or is there really something in it?

 - I do not think that this is an exaggeration. In fact, we see how, before our eyes, the bathroom has turned from a utilitarian room into a full-fledged living space. For 70 years, its area has increased at least three times. Previously, in the bathroom, purity and beauty were suggested, but now we are saving ourselves from stress, relaxing and nourishing with energy. The main trend all over the world, in my opinion, is that designers drag SPA ideas into everyday privacy, into houses and apartments.

S: How do you imagine the perfect bathroom interior?

 - I imagine the ideal bathroom very well, because it is in front of my eyes - in my own house. This is a beautiful space, relaxing and reminiscent of SPA. For a long time to list what is there. Rather, what's just not there! In the center is a large shower area with various functions, and a bath, and a lot of other things. For my wife Nina, a large territory is set aside - there is her personal toilet, a make-up area, and special areas for dressing are provided for me and my wife. There is also my personal toilet room.

S: One architect recently told me that from a house of his childhood a person best remembers a bathroom: a bathroom and a toilet. The fact is that in these premises he is left alone, and he has the time and opportunity to consider everything around. That is why, the architect assured me, the bathroom should be not only a super-functional room with a lot of amenities, but also super-aesthetic. Do you agree with this thesis? Do you remember the bathroom from your childhood?

 - This architect is right: the bathroom must be very beautiful, even delightful! I remember the bathroom of my childhood distinctly. Red sink, red tile, red-silver wallpaper and white toilet from KOHLER. For the 70s it was very fashionable. Now such space for the implementation of the most daring ideas! Although the color, even the shape, although the function - what you want. It's great that the interior, design, decor can express the individuality of a person.

S: As far as I know, you personally approve the design of each new model. What caused such an increased sense of responsibility?

 - Many manufacturers declare "design, design ...", but not many really pay attention to design. After all, this is not only beauty, but a huge amount of technological nuances. Design does not begin and does not end with the creation of images. It just seems to have painted - and it’s done. In principle, we have learned this quite well for 130 years.