apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time


Massa Tile System

tile_system.jpg

Like nipples. If you are an organization junkie, own your apartment and want to kit out your bathroom, we think these would do a mighty fine job....

 
 

tilesystem1.jpg

The Massa Tile System is a nice, simple design: a standard base tile that will fit a number of attachments to hold everything from a toothbrush to a mirror to a flower.

Massa is designed by Janet Villano of Elseware Design in Brooklyn. Since we first posted, Janet has created three new version: Pierced, Volcano and Massage. Each is as it sounds and expands on the notion of what you can do with tile in your bathroom.

towelring1.jpg


massagetile.jpg


mirror.jpg


(Re-Edited from 2005-03-02 - MGR)
(Re-Edited from 2006-04-20 - MGR)

Tags

tile, stone & countertops, bathroom

Related Links

Share

Comments (24)

Very clever design, but I'm digging Aquariass - Aquarium toilet!!!

posted by Lori on 2005-03-02 14:47:10

But what happens when water gets into the holes? Will it cause water damage to the walls?

posted by m on 2005-03-02 15:04:49

I was looking at my bathroom wall the other day (I was cleaning not just desperately bored) and admiring the way the toothbrush holder and soap dish were each an actual tile. Much more permanent than this system but stilll kinda cool.

I don't think I'd want to see nipples sticking out of my wall.

posted by Ruth on 2005-03-02 16:21:02

I'd totally do my bathroom over just so's I could incorporate this system in the shower and by the sink.

The only thing missing is a bottle and pump for liquid soap... that would be the hottest.

posted by paul on 2005-03-02 17:14:46

After looking at the rest of the Elsewhere design site, I have to say that these designers seem to spend a lot of time considering toilets and activities related to. No judgment, just an observation.

posted by Ruth on 2005-03-03 15:25:53

...but if you think about it, the bathroom is one of the few places where there are very few people working on the sorts of eccentric and interesting design that Elsewhere apparently likes creating... The major plumbing companies do have things like the hatbox toilet or new sink designs, but when I was looking for a kitchen sink, it was all boringboringboring...

I remember watching a BBC program about industrial designers who like taking on new challenges and finding new ways to make things. When they were hired to create a new toilet, their client was really very conservative -- they just wanted a new form, and weren't interested in real innovations or even new places to put the flush handle.

posted by mary on 2005-03-04 10:49:59

Want to check out really cool tiles? This custom printed glass tile design was installed in a shower, and the installer even used colored grout to fit in with the mural
http://www.custom-tiles.com/picture_tile_murals_for_backspla.htm

posted by Mitch on 2006-03-08 17:57:23

Not for me. I shudder at the thought of keeping any open "nipple" holes clean (dust is everywhere in my ground-floor apartment). And what happens if someone applies too much pressure one of the nipple-d accessories (like the soap dish or hooks) and cracks the tile? Standard base tile doesn't seem like a strong enough material to sustain any type of abuse/misuse... No thanks. (And I didn't even mention the "ick" factor of having a row of orifices facing you as you brush your teeth every morning.)

posted by Enrique on 2006-04-20 16:32:07

Clever!

posted by Aimee on 2006-04-20 16:40:19

Oh Enrique, you are KILLING ME.

posted by patrick (the other one) on 2006-04-20 17:10:35

Enrique, where is your Roman (I assume) soul?

[I'm thinking the she-wolf of Rome, whose very old copy I discovered yesterday on the roof patio of Museum of New York].

posted by Tat on 2006-04-20 17:17:38

...and what makes it worse is that it's a row of distended orifices. Double-ick.

[Tat, I'm afraid your reference is lost on me, darlin'.]

posted by Enrique on 2006-04-20 17:29:22

Teats, from Tat, Enrique.

Of the lupine variety.

posted by patrick (the other one) on 2006-04-20 17:41:25

Ah... I see. Thanks for the clarification, p(too). Teats (lupine or otherwise) aren't my area of specialty.

posted by Enrique on 2006-04-20 17:49:07

At some point in your life it was(that is,if you're a mammal).

This is what I meant:
http://tinyurl.com/syaxr

posted by Tat on 2006-04-20 17:58:08

i just see tacky.

huh.. a repost from 2006? hmmm....

posted by *heather leaf* on 2008-03-26 12:53:34
view *heather leaf*'s profile

We do most of our work installing kitchens which can involve some extensive tile work depending on the client's taste. However, we do our fair share of bathroom refacing and remodeling and had recently completed a project with the nipple tile. I believe just like anything else too much of anything is just bad! This client decided to use these tiles only for towel rings and a soap dish. To me it was not only functional, but very unique without going to the extreme. When we went to pick out the tiles we were going to use for this project we reviewed a catalog showcasing the nipple tiles and it was a total turn off to both me and my client. I believe that they can compliment the existing style beautifully so long as their purpose is functional not just aesthetic. In closing, I would suggest to anyone who intends to sell their home in the next few years to seriously consider this design because many people are not moved by it, and will probably hurt your resale. I guess it is what one might call an acquired taste.

Christopher Purnell
President & Founder
EZ Furniture Assembly & Interior Innovations, LLC
WWW.EZFURNITUREASSEMBLY.COM

posted by ezfurnitureassembly on 2008-03-26 13:16:53
view ezfurnitureassembly's profile

what!? looks like ezfurnitureassembly's post is just spam self-promotion all dolled up to look like a, "to each his own" comment. booo!

posted by *heather leaf* on 2008-03-26 13:28:29
view *heather leaf*'s profile

These literally made my skin crawl. They are hideous.

posted by writous on 2008-03-26 13:33:27
view writous 's profile

@*heather leaf* - no flames intended towards you, but at least he's on topic. He's a guy who is in the industry, and who is giving an opinion (as we all are) from a different perspective. He's being an active participant in the discussion, and I don't fault him for the plug.

It's those other posts that I hate, which I see mostly on other sites. They are completely irrelevant to the topic at hand and their sole purpose is to try to promote their own site, such as the ones that say, "Our TrAcKeR SayS This PoST is one Of THE hOTTesT pOSts on THe WeB todAY. CHeck it OUT at www.blahblahblah.com"

posted by caitlen315 on 2008-03-26 14:00:48
view caitlen315's profile

As for me, I fall into the, "Ew! - STUFF will get IN there and I'll never be able to get it out!"

posted by caitlen315 on 2008-03-26 14:05:44
view caitlen315's profile

Horrible to my eye.

posted by Gallivant on 2008-03-26 14:21:56
view Gallivant's profile

In my opinion, bathrooms ought to be a silly place. Bring on the nippled walls!

posted by CanadIna on 2008-03-26 14:50:04
view CanadIna's profile

the towel rings are especially creapy, they look like pierced nipples

posted by vertigo on 2008-03-26 16:21:04
view vertigo's profile