Since I’ve got little or nothing of the exhibitionist in me, I’m a bit bashful about the concept of a free-standing tub. Take the Viaggi freestanding soaker by Maax, for instance. The “seamless, egg-shaped bath turns the conventional bathtub into an exceptional work of art… this stunning piece is designed to take center stage in your bathroom, like a sculpture in a museum.” The piece is, by any estimation, tantamount to a fabulous fresco in marble or a beautiful bust in bronze, dominating the bathroom and commanding attention not only by virtue of its stand-alone orientation, but also owing to its textural allure and appealing aesthetic. The original Viaggi was cast in 70″ x 36″ x 25″ of classic white acrylic, with a jointless juncture between tub and skirt as well as a hidden drain–all qualities that seem to downplay its functionality and highlight its draw as an art object.

Viaggi. Designed by Maax.

The latest and greatest incarnation of the Viaggi Freestander does the latter in spades (though it certainly continues to be eminently practical and enviably ergonomic). Sporting the same freestanding orientation, seamless construction, and comfy, high-sided profile of a master craftsman’s castaway boat, the Viaggi Wood tub is a limited-edition version of the original that reverses the initial formulation. Whereas Viaggi #1 featured an acrylic tub perched atop a wooden pedestal, Viaggi #2 is an hypnotic rendering of same in wooden laminates shown-off with an acrylic base. And if you thought the acrylic version was a stunner, the wooden tub resembles the high art of the world’s best skiffs, created with an eye to beauty, yes, but supreme buoyancy as well. And there’s something about Viaggi in wood that seems a little more intimate, a little more comforting, a little less likely to pray on my personal paranoia. I’ll bet it would tuck into cabin corners nicely, even if said cabin were to feature high walls of glass. An afternoon soak of a summer afternoon amid its gently curving contours would be a sublime experience indeed.

Via MocoLoco.