Did you happen to catch the “What’s Hot” focus on tubs in our March issue? If so, then you probably saw—and remember—the wall bearing an illustration of a woman winking. A scene-stealer, the illustration is the work of Piero Fornasetti, an Italian artist, interior decorator and book engraver who in his lifetime created more than 11,000 products. Although Fornasetti passed in 1988, his designs continue to dazzle—and maybe inspire a smile or two—through the Fornasettti atelier and the products of its licensed partners, such as UK-based Cole & Son, which makes a line of handprinted wallpaper featuring a variety of motifs, ranging from a woman’s face (Tema e Variazioni, above) to florals to suns.

More directly related to the kitchen and bath sphere, there’s also Ceramica Bardelli, which offers a Fornasetti tile collection—available here through Hastings Tile & Bath—that is fun, whimsical and a welcome sight at the end of a long day at work (as in my case when I was going through our product files) or even in the morning.

The collection is comprised of multiple lines, each characterized by its imagery. Included are Fornasettiana,

Macchine Intero

and Soli e Lune.

Bardelli also offers the brightly colored Tuli-Poni, or the Tulip Art Collection, a series of large-scale tulip-themed tiles designed by Ronald van der Hilst.

And if you have the time, check out the Fornasetti website. The opening page is quite witty.—Alice Liao

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