Testimonials

Message from the client:

Dear Iacopo,

Here are some pictures!!! And I quick question. Can I leave the water in the tub till the next day, empty and then refill? This will keep the wood hydrated? I know at onsen in Japan they are always wet 🙂 

Also I absolutely LOVE our tub. The wood is extraordinary and the craftsmanship amazing. I really cannot thank you and your team enough!!! 

K. from NY

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Reply:

Dear K.

Thank you for your kind feedback and wonderful picture!!

Even just looking at the refined balance between the neutral tones and the warm color of the hinoki makes me feel instantly relaxed…
I am sure it will inspire other japanese lovers browsing our site!

About your question, yes, you can leave the water overnight and drain before refilling.
(from time to time, you can also reuse some water from the day before and just integrate with some hot water)

if you use it daily, it is not strictly necessary to do so, but to be on the safe side, especially for the first season I think it is a great idea, so that the wood can slowly adapt and avoid shrinking.

Best//

iacopo

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Message from the client:

Dear Iacopo,

Thank you so much for the bath set and hinoki oils — everything arrived and was successfully installed, what an amazing experience. The scent is incredibly calming, and we enjoy the bath every single evening. We truly appreciate it!

Regards,

L. from Israel

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Reply:

Dear L.

Thank you for your kind feedback and wonderful picture!!
Do you think we could share it in our testimonials corner?

On a side note, please be sure to use it often and prevent dryness.
It is now summer and Israel has a dry climate, so just to be on the safe side, for the first season I would recommend leaving some water inside during the day so that the wood can slowly adapt and avoid it shrinking.

Enjoy the scent!

iacopo

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Message from the client:

Dear Iacopo,

We are really enjoying the ofuro, which is now installed and working well (see photo), although a few minor adjustments in the bathroom are still needed. Thank you very much for your patience while we were working on the renovations. We are slightly worried about the humidity in our apartment as it is low (about 25%) so are working on this.

You are welcome to share the photo on your homepage.

Regards,

C. from Canada

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Reply:

Dear C.

25% is actually very low.Aren`t you getting a dry throat? 
Is it only during the heating season?

I recommend to keep some water in the ofuro at all times, at least for the first season while the wood is getting accustomed to the new environment.
About the stool. Kondo will contact you on monday.
Thank you for the wonderful picture!

It is amazing how statuary white marble (a staple of western aesthetics) goes well with the natural color of hinoki!
Do you think we can share it in the “testimonials” page on our homepage?

Of course we would omit any personal information. Could just sign it C. from Canada.
Please let me know.

Best//

iacopo

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Message from the client:

Dear Iacopo,

The tub we purchased from you has been installed and in use since June of 2023. It is wonderful.

Here are some pictures.

The design and building of the tub room took great effort and we our grateful to our builder for the extraordinary job he did.
The room looks simple, but the building and installation were remarkably difficult but executed perfectly by Tom. 

If you are ever in Vermont fell free to stop by to see the tub.

Best regards

Regards,

J.

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Reply:

Dear J.

Thank you for your kind email and photos.

The ofuro being round (maru buro) and considering the refreshing green wrapping the house, i think it can be said, beyond the figurative expression, that when you bath you are surrounded by nature✨

Enjoy the hot water!!

Best//

iacopo

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Message from the client:

Hello Mr. Torrini,

I apologize for the long gap in communication but wanted to let you know everything worked out wonderfully for our ofuro being completed. The hose suggestion was perfect and the washer was the correct type, there was no need to drill any space into the wood. Here are a few pictures of the completed tub. 

I am so happy to be able to enjoy soaking in my tub weekly and the smell is so wonderfully unique and so relaxing. 

I thank you so, so much for all of your  immediate answers to so many of my probing questions, starting a few years ago now, and even when the time difference was many hours into your evenings!

I have been singing your praises all along to anyone I tell the long saga of my ofuro and I am happy to recommend you to anyone who is interested in an ofuro for their bathroom project.

Thank You!!!!

S. from the USA

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Reply:

Dear S,

Thank you for your kind words!

The installation is very smart and I think it could be of reference for many other ofuro lovers.

Do you think I could upload the photos and your comments in our testimonial corner?

Of course I would omit any personal information and shorten your name.

Please let me know if this is possible!

All the Best//

iacopo

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Message from the client:

Dear Iacopo,

It has been two years, but I wanted to let you know that late last year I finally installed the beautiful tub I ordered in 2022.  Attached is a picture of the final result.  My son enjoys splashing in it and I enjoy a hot soak.  

Regards,

D.

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Reply:

Dear D,

Thank you for your kind email.

It is an amazing interior!!

Best//

iacopo

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Dear Iacopo,

It’s here and it’s wonderful! It cleared customs with only a slight delay and is in wonderful condition. I’ve attached some photos of it in place here. It fits perfectly! It’s a good thing we adjusted the size, it just barely fit through the door.

Thank you so much, I’m extremely happy with my tub.

Sincerely,

K.

Reply:

Dear K.

This looks one of the coziest and brightest bathrooms that we d the honor to collaborate with!

I am sure that the “maru-buro” is as happy as I am!

All the Best ! ＼(^o^)／

iacopo

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Dear Iacopo,

I hope this email finds you well. I thought you might like to see how our bathroom turned out with the ofuro. We absolutely love it!

Thanks so much for all your help with our renovation. It’s been a real pleasure working with you.

Reply:

Thank you for the kind email✨

This is the quintessential “est meets west” bathroom design!

I love it!

All the Best ! ＼(^o^)／

iacopo

PS: you can find more photos of this amazing renovation at:

https://www.diespeker.co.uk/projects/terrazzo-home-with-carlo-scarpa-residential-bathroom/

Terrazzo home with Carlo Scarpa residential bathroom

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Hey Bartok,
No better time than fall to enjoy a good soak, we’ve been loving the kadomaru!

J from Washington state

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see photo here: https://odsarchitecture.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/23-2048×1536.jpg

(photo credits: R. Brad Knipstein @rbradleyphoto )

Message from the client:

Hi, Everyone at Bartok!
We just wanted to send a thank you for our lovely ofuro. 
We think it works great in our newly remodeled home and we love it!

Our architectural firm just posted professionally taken photos of our house on their web site, and it includes a photo of our wet room with the ofuro, as well as a mention of Bartok Design in the Info page. ODS Architecture: Residential – Diablo Hills

We just wanted to send you the link to show you how wonderfully it turned out. 

Thank you!

Regards,

C.

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Reply:

Dear C.

Thank you for the kind surprise and zillions of congratulations for your house!
It is really like “the American dream” (with a Japanese twist…!)

Can I publish it on our HP of course with the references to your architect`s homepage?

We have many upscale clients and I am sure that many are looking for an architect that can achieve this result.

Please let me know.

Best//

iacopo