Less is more: minimalist style for your bathrooms

Made-to-measure designs that arise as a response to a need and give each bathroom its own character. BUTO, an Alicante company that designs and manufactures bathroom furniture, works side by side with architects and interior designers to adapt to the requirements of each project, from concept to finished result.

Its production focuses on handmade pieces made from quality raw materials such as wood, glass and metal: materials that convey a timeless sense of warmth and beauty and that have a long life cycle. In this article we look at how the brand works, what its Galiano collection offers, the finishes it can be made in and what to bear in mind when specifying it.

A bathroom unit designed for each project

BUTO sees design as a specific solution to each need and treats every project from the outset as unique and tailored to its space. The brand explains that it stays close to its clients because it believes that participation and sharing ideas are the tools for improvement, and that it encourages collaboration between people and companies to reach the best result.

In practice, its technical catalogue offers units in a wide variety of sizes and layouts, completed by worktops, mirrors and accessories. Because development and manufacturing are carried out in-house, according to BUTO the product can be customised extensively and units can be made to measure when the project requires it.

Its collections are built on an idea of bathroom furniture that combines quality, functionality and design. In 2021 the brand's website featured five collections: Cor, Camira, Pro HQ, Galiano and the then newly launched Kairu. These are the defining features of some of them, according to BUTO's catalogues from that period:

• Cor: a range of washbasins, cabinets, mirrors and accessories made in Corian®, architectural in character and modular in concept, designed for both contract and residential use. Designed by MADE.
• Camira: floor-standing and wall-hung modules, auxiliary mirrors and washbasins in Corian®, with options such as LED lighting, integrated sockets and auxiliary trays.
• Kairu: contrasts straight, geometric lines with soft, organic surfaces, in a minimalist style with a strong character.
• Galiano: luxury interpreted in a minimalist way, and the subject of this article.

Galiano: luxury in a minimalist key

BUTO presents Galiano as “luxury interpreted in a minimalist way”: a collection with a style of its own, surrounded by elements that give character to both classic and modern settings, with a timeless refinement. It is a unit that sits in harmony with the rest of the bathroom and gives it presence without losing the restraint that characterises the brand's designs.

In BUTO's 2020 general catalogue, Galiano is credited to BATHINKING, the name under which the brand also publishes its manifesto and its blog about the bathroom.

Forms inspired by nature

The collection brings together products whose forms are inspired by nature. The Galiano catalogue sums this up with the motto “The nature of a shape”: nature changes the way we feel, even in small doses, and our surroundings influence how we build and how we see the world. According to the brand, its aim is to create an experience around the forms of nature for the people who will use the space every day.

That idea translates into soft volumes: wall-hung units with rounded sides, flat fronts and worktops that follow the curve of the unit. Organic forms are the source of inspiration for combining aesthetics and functionality in an everyday object.

What the catalogue compositions show

The Galiano catalogue does not include dimension sheets, but its compositions show how the range is organised:

• Wall-hung units: in different lengths, with one or two levels of drawers and rounded sides at both ends.
• Washbasins: integrated into the worktop, single or double, or set on top of the worktop.
• Side units with shelves: curved modules that open at the end of the unit and add storage without changing its silhouette.
• Worktops: plain, in the same colour as the unit or in white, and also in veined marble.
• Accessories: round mirrors or rectangular mirrors with rounded corners, some backlit, tall units and shelves.

Wood, lacquer and craft manufacturing

High-quality materials and skilled workmanship are, according to BUTO, the basis of its product. The brand is committed to the tradition of Spanish manufacturing and combines craftsmanship with advanced technical and technological processes; it has ateliers and cabinetmakers who make its furniture piece by piece.

Its 2020 dossier sets out some technical details that are useful to specifiers: the units are made from moisture-resistant boards, which prevent water, humidity or heat in the bathroom from damaging them; the lacquer is applied in several coats, which protect the piece from knocks and leave clean surfaces and edges; and the technical hardware it uses holds, according to the brand, demanding quality certifications.

BUTO's 2020 finishes chart combines lacquers and woods. The table summarises it:

The lacquer chart runs from Blanco to Negro, through neutral tones such as Niebla, Lino, Hielo, Perla, Tortora and Antracita, and colours such as Lavanda, Verde Roca, Agua Marina, Denim, Navy, Terracota and Siena. The images in this article show Galiano lacquered in white, grey, greyish green and pink, and also in wood.

Sustainability and durability

BUTO places sustainability at the core of its activity. According to the company, it pays particular attention to protecting the environment and habitats, and the design of environmentally respectful products, services and solutions is part of its value chain wherever it operates.

The brand states that its aim is to optimise its environmental management systems in order to minimise the consumption of raw materials and the amount of waste and discharges at its offices and production sites. It also says it complies with the main international environmental standards and certifications, although it does not specify which. For BUTO, product durability is also an important part of respecting the environment.

In 2021 the brand guaranteed its products for two years from the invoice date against defects in materials and workmanship, including special productions such as modifications or new models requested by the client.

Key points for specifying Galiano

Beyond aesthetics, these are the points worth resolving at project stage:

• Composition and dimensions: define the length of the unit, the number of drawers and whether side units with shelves are added. As BUTO manufactures in-house, it can adapt dimensions; these should be confirmed with the manufacturer before the drawing is finalised.
• Type of basin: integrated into the worktop, single or double, or countertop. The choice determines the position of the taps and the mounting height of the unit.
• Colour and finish: matt or gloss lacquer from the chart, a RAL or NCS colour, or wood. The shade should be checked with physical samples alongside the bathroom's wall and floor finishes and taps.
• Wall-hung unit: the wall must be prepared to support the unit with its worktop and basin; the fixing system should be confirmed with the manufacturer and reinforcements planned before the wall is finished.
• Worktop: decide whether it follows the colour of the unit for a continuous reading or contrasts with it, in white or in marble.

BUTO draws its inspiration from its surroundings, from what is around it, with the aim of creating elegant, contemporary and original products. Its collections offer many options to suit each bathroom and each client's needs, with practical, functional pieces that keep the brand's style.

At Matter we help you plan the whole bathroom: the unit, the worktop, the taps and the wall and floor finishes that go with them. Come to our material library to compare materials and finishes with your technical team.