Salvatori presents Nereo by Elisa Ossino at MDW2025
04.2025
“I wanted to create a bathroom for Salvatori where natural stone — such a precious material—was treated with both softness and grandeur, in bold forms and generous proportions, with a sensitivity that enhances the natural essence of the stone.” Discover the inspiration behind Nereo as explained by the designer herself.
Salvatori and Elisa Ossino bring back their winning synergy to the world of bathroom décor
Nereo, Elisa Ossino’s new bathroom collection for Salvatori, interprets natural stone through soft, majestic forms that emphasise the sculptural qualities and precious nature of the extraordinary material created by nature. The name is derived from the Nereid sea nymphs of Greek mythology.
The collection comprises wall-mounted vanity units complete with drawers, in a choice of integrated basin, countertop basin or as a top without a basin at all. The top, sides, basin and drawer front facing come in a choice of Salvatori’s key seven stone while for lovers of wood, the drawer façade is also available in Walnut, Pale Oak, Grey Oak and Coffee Oak. There is also the option to choose a Salvatori texture for the drawer facing, with a choice of honed, Raw, Plissé and Bamboo in stone and Smooth, Plissé and Spaghetti in wood.
The aesthetic is stark yet fluid with rounded edges that evoke centuries-old sculptures. This softened line approach extends around the perimeter to the drawers and side panels so that the pieces take on the appearance of stone shaped by wind and water. This expression of the solemnity of nature’s rhythms creates a classic form of beauty through shapes and forms that go beyond mere stylistic accents.
Can you tell us a little about the collection and the creative process?
The starting point came from wanting to emphasise the sculptural aspect of the material and the precious nature of stone via the exploration of classic, timeless forms. The collection is based around the majesty of forms and a softness that is carried across not only the sculptural bathtub but all the components, including the drawer top and sides. I really worked on the perimeter of the various containers to amplify this aspect of the design.
What’s the inspiration behind the name and what does it mean?
It’s inspired by the Nereids, sea nymphs who were believed to live underwater. I wanted to evoke the look of stone that has been sculpted by water and rain, and the solemnity of time when it comes to nature.
How do design and natural stone come together in Nereo?
I would say that they combine in a very sensorial way. The design is decisive, drawing on the large proportions of the past, but translated into an extreme simplification of the forms themselves, while the material invites you to reach out and touch it. It’s been worked in a very tactile, sensorial manner with a humanistic approach in terms of design.
Do you think that natural stone can be worked in such a way as to combine tradition and innovation?
I would say that for sure, when you work with stone, there is an interesting combination from this point of view. On one hand there is the continuous evolution of sophisticated technology that is cleverly integrated into the manual craftmanship of stone in each stage as the product is finished. At the same time there is the uniqueness of every single piece, due to where the block has been extracted and the fact that the veins simply cannot be duplicated. So this combination makes the pieces extremely interesting as they are always unique, in other words, works of art created both by advanced techniques and artisanal expertise.
How did you balance aesthetics and function in this collection?
My designs always start with a conceptual idea and from there, I go through a series of reflections to translate that into objects where the aesthetic aspect is immediately evident, whereas the functional aspect tends to be a little less obvious. But it’s definitely there.
How does this collection sit within the Salvatori catalogue in relation to other products you have designed for the brand?
I think it completes a timeless classicism that perhaps hasn’t really been explored. I liked the idea of creating a collection that is positioned in a sort of temporal limbo, one that will last forever.
You share many design values with Salvatori. Which particular ones emerge in this collection?
We share a passion for experimenting and researching new ways to do things, and this extends to how we combine materials. And of course, a deep appreciation of beauty.
If you had to describe this collection in three words, which would you choose?
Elegant, pure, touching, evocative.
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