Woven into this remarkable works of fabric sculpture are incredible details, from metallic sheen and scratches on a recreated pay phone to grime and fish skeletons on dirty dishes (complete with fabric “water” pouring into the sink).

Working out of Beijing, China, Mongolian artist Gao Rong sews scenes from her own history, drawing on time spent in past apartments, family homes and familiar streets. At the same time, the objects she chooses are easy for anyone to relate to.

Her “meticulously crafted and embroidered pay phone,” for instance, “replicates the chips and scratches of a once-shiny public” utility, preserving the memory of a modern relic. Structurally, the work employs wood, metal, sponge and foam as shaping materials, all covered in detail-driven cloth.

In her own way, Rong is preserving a family tradition, adapting a legacy practice to create a new kind of art. In her more elaborate settings, it can be hard to tell that embroidery is the visible expression, but once realized, that lends a kind of ambiguous softness to nostalgic scenes.

More about the artist: “Gao Rong takes the ordinary and makes it extraordinary. In banal moments of the everyday – waiting at a bus stop, making a call from a public phone, collecting the mail, catching a cab – she sees a deeper significance. She re-creates quotidian things from her student days and from her life today as an artist in Beijing, documenting her existence in a dramatically fast-changing city. With her hyper-real embroidered sculptures she is recording the memories of a 1980s generation and their experiences of a transforming post-Mao China.”

Her projects intentionally question tradition: “Think of Chinese embroidery and you tend to imagine dragons, phoenixes, and blossoms applied with tiny, delicate stitches – a feminine craft from the imperial past. Gao Rong subverts this notion of decorative ‘women’s work,’ creating large-scale 3D works in stitched fabric wrapped around an armature of sponge, steel frames and wire.”

“Exact representations of peeling paint, moldy shower rooms, electrical fuse boxes, public telephones and bus timetables replace the traditional motifs. Embroidery has become her visual language … it appears astonishingly real. On closer inspection you see that every single detail is embroidered fabric … evocative and nostalgic.”

Like a giant-sized Swiss Army knife, this narrow column unfolds to reveal everything your bathroom could need – a NASA-worthy, space-age modular design idea.

A water-transmitting ‘spinal cord’ connects independently-rotating ‘vertabrae’, each of which includes a core function, from shower heads and cisterns above to storage in the middle and basins and toilets below.

The combined system mounts to the ceiling and floor to form single set of pivot points, providing stability for the spiraling functions in between and a single simple pair of inflows and outflows.

From Design Odyssey: “The Vertebrae was designed by Paul Hernon and it basically incorporates a toilet, a sink, a water cistern and two showers into an 8 foot tall compact steel column that can be folded up when not in use.

As for the intention: “It was designed for those living in a small cramped apartment who might not have the room for a bathroom with all the amenities they would like. Each module is hand crafted from 3mm aluminum with polished hand welded seams.”

Wash this space… for some of the slickest sinks around! Designers have thrown out everything INCLUDING the kitchen sink in order to reinvent one of society’s most utilitarian fixtures. Turning on the creative faucet gives “brain drain” a whole new meaning – as illustrated by these 15 sink-ly spectacular washbasins!

Faucet Meets Fossil

(images via: Doornob and HighTech Design)

From Germany’s HighTech Design comes the Ammonite Washbasin. Composed of formed concrete, this sink is no 97 pound weakling… though it DOES weigh 97 pounds. Taking the Ammonite Washbasin for a “spin” must be a unique experience and, if one isn’t careful, a dizzying one at that!

(images via: HighTech Design)

The Ammonite Washbasin comes integrated with a concrete slab countertop ranging from 900mm (36 inches) to 1190 mm (47.5 inches) and makes an excellent place to wash up after a meal of brontosaurus ribs. Amirite? Ammonite!

In Sink With The Future

(images via: Idea X Idea)

Which came first, the sink or the Starship Enterprise? It’s a chicken & egg conundrum that would even befuddle Scotty – if he wasn’t busy wondering why the warp drive is running hot & cold.

Practicing Safe Sinks

(images via: Nippon Style and Pink Tentacle)

When Tetsuya Nakamura of Nippon Style set out to create the ultimate suite of bathroom fixtures, price was no object. He hopes you’ll feel the same way: his Premium Unit sinks are priced at 1.5 million yen ($13,000) each.

(image via: Pink Tentacle)

Nakamura’s Premium Unit tub goes for a cool 3 million yen ($26,000) and, as it’s more about form than function, purchasers are advised they “should enter the tub at their own risk, as the artist and dealer assume no responsibility for injuries or accidents that may occur.”

Sink’s Swan Song

(images via: Amin Design and Trendir)

Amin Design has gone out on a limb – or a wing, at least – with its Swan Vessel sink. Unlike many sinks and washbasins, Bouchti Amin’s Swan Vessels feature custom chromed faucets integrated into the overall design,

(image via: Archzine)

Amin answers the chicken/egg question with the Eggy Sink, though many will remain confused. The Eggy Sink, like the Swan Vessel sink, includes unique polished chrome hardware.

Your Children’s Children’s Sink

(images via: Finest Fixtures and Gran-Selecto)

The Art Ceram Bathroom Sink, Wall Mounted combines the light and airy grace of modern Italian design with the spirit of the Space Age. The Urbinati-designed sink features a transparent basin and an invisible drain. Though eminently practical, it’s hard to imagine washing your socks in this exquisite sink.

Splashing in the Splash Sink

(images via: Disegno Ceramica)

Disegno Ceramica has introduced a line of sinks and bathroom fixtures that show off a playful form while making no sacrifices when it comes to function. Most attractive is the Splash Collection comprising a shower base, wall hanging wash basin and a pedestal sink. Three colors plus white are available.

(images via: Disegno Ceramica)

Disegno Ceramica features other intriguing sink and fixture designs but none have the arresting appeal of the Splash Collection, where you can lighten up while you wash up.

Let It Flo

(images via: Nova 68 and Trendir)

The Flo Pedestal Sink & Faucet was designed by Patrick Messier to be a free-standing fixture that looks great from any angle. The brushed stainless steel pedestal and chromed stainless & brass faucet riser give the impression of an early 20th century city tenement complete with fire escapes. The 19-inch deep sink is made of Perspex acrylic resin. The sink has but one moving part: the insulated faucet that also acts as a control for the water’s flow and temperature.

Fat Sink is Fat

(images via: The Design Blog and Bornrich)

The Fat Sink is made of wood… not the optimal choice of material for a washbasin, one might think, but designer Tolga Baydar has no worries – how long have rainforests been around, after all? Sculpted of fine-grained wood and complemented by polished stainless steel fittings, the Fat Sink is a wo0oden wonder the likes of which haven’t been seen since the Spruce Goose took to the air.

Sink To Go

(images via: Tuvie)

Is a portable sink all wet? Not necessarily. Jessica Nebel has engineered a sink that sits on top of a base… until you need to move it somewhere else. The drain holes match up when in sink mode and close when shifting watery loads to a kitchen island, patio or wherever the cook’s fancy takes them.

A Sink with Characters

(images via: JAVIVI)

It’s hard to find any information about the above sink, other than it looks Japanese as it resembles some types of sake-drinking flasks and cups. The sink features many Kanji characters on both its inner and outer surfaces that just might translate to… “You missed a spot!”

Mystic By That Much

(image via: Archiexpo)

The Elkay Mystic River Sink demands a lot of counter space but that’s just fine – you’ll need a lot of room for the crowd of admirers hoping to see this unusual, hand-crafted sink in action. Available in a number of finishes over 16 gauge stainless steel, the Mystic River Sink sports a bowl that slopes “downstream” from faucet to delta, er, drain.

Fresh Watercrescent

(image via: DesigneRoof and Native Trails)

The Luna sink from Native Trails is made of 16-gauge, hand-hammered copper finished in natural, antique and tempered finishes. For a brighter look, brushed nickel is also available. The stunning sweep of the 38-inch long basin may look odd, but the broad crescent is actually easier to use when preparing meals as kitchen scraps are swept right in.

(image via: DesigneRoof and Native Trails)

One of the advantages of copper sinks is that it has natural anti-bacterial qualities. Dangerous E Coli germs that can survive for weeks in the microscopic scratches of a brushed stainless steel sink are killed within mere hours in a copper sink.

A Sink Above the Stink?

(images via: Manolohome)

The “Profile 5 with Integrated Hand Basin by Caroma looks like a weird Japanese toilet, acts like a weird Japanese toilet, yet it hails from (of all places) Australia. The Profile is a green toilet… well, it’s white, but it’s green. After one flushes, the tank is filled from the faucet mounted atop the tank. Scrub up while you can – it’s not a huge tank and you don’t want to be caught short. Would a tolet like the Profile work in the USA? Perhaps… but before worrying about hand-washing how about remembering to flush?

A Higher Plane

(images via: Trendir and West One Bathrooms)

Time to take your hand-washing to a higher plane? Well all aboard, the Onda Washplane is here to sink all your previous conceptions of what a sink should look like.

(image via: Furnishism)

One of a series of Washplanes from Omvivo, the Onda Washplane looks like a liquid disaster waiting to happen but is in fact precisely engineered to direct water down the drain using only the force of gravity. Choose from glass or Corian, single or double.

The Best Sink, Bar None

(image via: Just Cool Design)

Well OK, bar ONE… the Canali modular faucet that doubles as a towel bar, thus killing two birds with one stone. It’s also the perfect place to wash up after you’ve been out killing birds with stones, since your towels will be nice and warm from running the hot water for a while.

Now that you’ve gotten in sink with sinks, take a look around your own home. Satisfied with your kitchen, bathroom and laundry room wash basins? Thought so… but making a change is easier than you think and as one can see, there are some amazing sink designs out there, most of which won’t see your money go down the drain.

Showers, bathtubs, etc., are no longer plumbing fixtures. They are pieces of beautifully designed and carefully crafted furniture that aren’t just meant to be utilitarian, they are meant to complement your personality and facilitate your lifestyle. The following collection is sometimes intricate, sometimes minimalist, but always beautiful and practical.

Gruppo Treesse – Milo

(source: gruppotreesse)

Another design by Alessandro Lenarda, Milo is much more unconventional. With options of leather or wood headrests and drawers, this Japan-inspired tub experiments with combination of disparate elements while maintaining beautiful geometric symmetry and stylish craftsmanship.

Artweger – Twinline Shower & Bath

(source: artweger)

Why compromise when you can have the best of both worlds and be economical at the same time? With the all-in-one Twinline design from Artweger you no longer need to decide between a shower and a tub, or be forced into one option because your small bathroom can’t accomodate both. Small but beautiful and functional, Twinline allows you to enjoy a bath when you’re in the mood while giving you the option of a quick shower when you’re in a rush.

Jacuzzi Morphosis – Alpha

(source: jacuzzi-morphosis)

The Alpha from Morphosis is a two-person whirlpool tub with an unforgettable design. Inspired by nature, the design aims to ‘envelop, charm, and amaze’, but is not all beauty, it also comes with hydrotherapy and hydromassage built-in. The arch of the tub embraces you in a protective gesture simpilar to that of a seashell.

usTogether – Ebb Collection

(source: ustogether)

The Ebb bathroom concept is innovative, beautiful and practical. The incredibly modern design is formed by fusing together concepts of bath, sink, and shelving units into a natural symmetry and connectivity. The bathtub and sink are made from natural acrylic stone and both have semi-transparent glass side panels.

Tueco – Hydrospa Seaside

(source: tueco)

The latest Seaside bathtub from Tueco is truly fantastic. Backed by studies and certifications, the bathtub is whisper quiet, ensuring the only sound you hear is the soothing sound of water flowing gently, allowing you to relax without any distractions. With patented hydrosonic ultrasound technology, Tueco’s bathtub doesn’t just bring superficial comfort, it massages 2/3 cm deep into the skin, 3 million times per second, and evenly distributes the effects throughout your body.

Gruppo Treesse – Calypso

(source: gruppotreesse)

Designed by Alessandro Lenarda, Calypso Wenge is an experiment with wood design. With no superstructure to support it, the wooden shape itself becomes the shelf. At 183x70x61/79, Calypso is a deep tub with a comfortable backrest which will truly help you relax.

Santambrogio Milano – Simplicity Collection

(source: santambrogiomilano)

If you’re looking for a minimalist design, it doesn’t get better than this. While keeping it incredibly simple, the designers haven’t compromised on elegance and beauty. Predominantly using transparent glass (with touches of stainless steel) the finished product is both visually luxurious and deceptively simple at the same time. The collection includes wash basins, faucets and a tub.

What could be more basic and functionally unchanging as a sink? To demonstrate the danger in this assumption, here is a look at how sink designers are abandoning the generic, water-intensive styles of old in favor of new designs heavily influenced by the natural world, technological innovation and the desire to conserve water. Here are 16 designs that certainly create a splash (sorry, had to be done).

(Images via: Kanera)

Gone are the days when sinks were ruled by right angles and flat surfaces. Today it’s a more natural, water-weathered look that designers seek to evoke. The surface of the Kanera E 1 itself looks liquid, a scoop of modern material (ceramic) that holds water just like a seaside rock pool – and thankfully deep enough under the faucet to prevent any tidal surprises.

(Image via: WMD London and Design Milk)

The Follo also goes for shallow-curve basins (perhaps in this case a little too shallow) and an aesthetic that looks like a cross between painted planking and upholstery. This design has only recently been unveiled by designer Will MacCormac so details are sketchy – will be interesting to see how it actually functions.

(Images via: Gore Design Co.)

What happens when water erodes a softer, more porous material? Gore Design Co. have evidently been studying this intently, as their eye-catching concrete Erosion sinks demonstrate. As with the previous two sinks, there is an ecological message at work: “you do not need to use so much water”. The terraced sides of this bowl will fill up in no time.

(Image via: HighTech)

Taking inspiration more directly from Nature (and thumbing its nose at the myth of the manifest Coriolis effect) is the Ammonite Sink, named after the extinct marine animals that have left such bewitching fossils for us along the shorelines of the world.  It is again fashioned from concrete to a variety of widths, and will give you hours of fun chasing dropped bars of soap out of its depths.

(Images via: Nothing Design Group)

Where the previous sinks took inspiration from the effect of falling water on stone, the Origin Sink is more interested in the river itself. Lift a stone and the source gushes out and winds its way down to the end of its journey, a plughole capped by another stone. Sidestepping queries about just how snug-fitting those stones will have to be, it’s a relaxing change from the roaring torrent of most sink designs.

(Images via: Axolute)

It’s a magic trick within a sink. Where does the water go? Wave your hand underneath to demonstrate the lack of plughole – but don’t let baffled onlookers too close, or they might see the water draining away horizontally into the wall. The “Horizontal Integrated Siphon” system is a neat and stylish way to hide the plumbing and put a sink into the narrowest of spaces.  (And it’s a great party trick).

(Images via: Maja Ganszyniec)

Thinking along the same lines is designer Maja Ganszyniec with the Plugless Sink. Once you’ve finished with your bowl of collected water, tip it backwards into the spillway and you’re ready to go again. It is designed to force to to dispose of the water yourself, and thus gain an appreciate of how much you’re sending down the drain, along with a distinctive modern-yet-retro vibe.

(Images via: Gessi and Graff)

There’s no mistaking these sinks as anything but modern. With the impressively severe-looking Rettanglo sinks, gravity does all the work as water is delivered vertically from the ceiling (at, we would hope, a sensible pressure). Bending this concept a little is the Graff Luna basin, a three foot long faucet like a sword or the rib of a ship, delivering water into a bowl. The only forseeable problem is explaining to guests what it really is before they experimentally try to tug it off the wall.

(Image via: Homeclick)

The cutting-edge modern sink isn’t content to just deliver hot and cold running water. Take the Moody Aquarium Sink from Italbrass. It’s all the rewarding work of a fully-functional fishtank, coupled with the decidely odd sensation of washing your hands in it. The soap dishes on either side of the watertight main basin conceal entrances into the tank, allowing feeding and maintenance, and the whole structure is mounted on an integrated chrome finish brass stand. What do the fish make of it all?

(Images via: Coco Reynolds and Gaiam.

If space is at a premium in your house and you are keen to double up on your appliance functionality, the Ladybird and the Toilet Sink should catch your eye. The former has a detachable top that converts it into a cosy bathtub – certainly not one to stretch out in, but a gem of space-saving economy. The latter uses the clean water that rushes into your commode with every flush, diverting some of it through a faucet in the top and saving the need for a separately-plumbed tap. A thumbs-up for water economy, and perfectly hygienic.

(Images via: Antoine LeBrun)

Finally, some sinks that aim to prove that electronic technology has a place next to running water. The dazzling and ambitious Brandt Aion is a garden that washes your dishes. Open it up and use the cooking and draining surfaces, and when you are ready, shut it down and an automatic dish washing cycle will start (digitally indicated on the front of the unit), using vegetable soap that is created by the plants in the lid. Meanwhile, those same plants help scrub the air in your kitchen. Truly ahead of its time.

(Images via: WET and Gizmodo)

Washing your hands at the Meltdown sink is a treat for the senses. As the water runs, internal speakers play soothing music (perhaps something by Wet Wet Wet?) and the body lights up, projecting images onto the underneath of its recyclable Polyethylene surface. If you are so impressed by this light and sound display that you lose track of time, you may want to fit an iSave Faucet Counter – it monitors and displays the amount of water running away. As with all the sinks featured, it’s there to make you rethink something as simple as washing your hands.