Commode Commodity - Italian Toilet

 

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John Ruskin, the  19th century English author, wrote that architecture had three essential elements, "Firmness, Commodity, and Delight".  It means firmness in terms of structural integrity, commodity in terms of function, and delight in being pleasing to the eye.  This Italian toilet has all three.

In this country, people are hesitant to mix modern elements in the midst of a historical environment.  The safe route is to restore it to look as thought it may have always been that way.  In Europe where historical elements are everywhere, they are much more confidant contrasting modern elements against the historical elements.  This public toilet stall has a translucent glass door, standard door hardware, and a simple protective door strike at the mosaic tile wall.  It's  unusually nice for a "public" toilet, more interestingly, it's located in a 17th century mansion, villa d'este at Tivoli Gardens - a world heritage site outside of Rome.  As you exit the toilet your back in the 17th century villa sharpening the contrast and appreciation for both.  

Having made use of the commodity aspects of this stall, I snapped this picture.