Of all the reasons to admire the new Wall-mounted Washlet Toilet by Stefano Giovannoni for Toto, the one topping my list is its genial appearance. Bidding good riddance to the typical obtrusive, blocky chunk of porcelain, this particular loo has a placid look. In fact, its smooth contours and tank-less profile recall the smiling faces of porpoises, or, even better, the even wider-grins of manatees. And that’s not the only characteristic of Washlet that reminds me of my native Miami.

Washlet Toilet. Designed by Stefano Giovannoni for Toto.

Readers may or may not know this, but in the Cuban districts of greater Miami (which is pretty much the entire city), households are regularly equipped with three major bathroom appliances: shower, toilet, and bidet. This last illustrates the pervasive Spanish/European influence in the city, which makes Miami an ideal state-side testing ground for Giovannoni’s new fixture, given that it does double duty as both toilet and “cleanser.”

Toto characterizes Washlet as a kind-of new technology for the old world: “It successfully captures both the essence of Italian style and the sophistication of Japanese bathroom culture.” Indeed, Washlet is possessed of a certain aesthetic appeal, not to mention the kind of slim lines that the smallish bathrooms of Italy, France, Spain, et. al demand. As far as the Japanese half of the equation, Washlet is geared towards hygiene, efficiency, smooth functionality, and comfort. Features include the aforementioned integrated bum-cleanser (“rear wash, front wash, oscillating wash, water-pressure adjustment, water-temperature adjustment and washing position adjustment”); high-power “tornado” flush; self-cleaning wand; patented CeFIONtect hygienic ceramic glazing; rimless design; automatic deodorizer; heated seat; and remote control (while the stick-figure icons on this device may seem mysterious, one reviewer helpfully editorializes: “from forwards to backwards for ladies (press up) and backwards to forwards for gentleman (press down)”).

Some may be daunted by Washlet’s technological emphasis. How can one relax, you might wonder–and I believe this is one location that requires serious relaxation–when surrounded by jargon like “Tornado Flush,” “CeFIONtect,” and “Oscillating Wash?” Honestly, I can’t say for sure, but my guess is that the cleanliness, comfort, high-style, and efficiency of Washlet will rule the day, winning over even new-world, old-school naysayers.

Via Trendir.