newelty

Let’s talk a bit about Dutch design.

I’m pro.

I love their stylish, stylish travel magazines, like Liv’, which I enthused about before. I like Droog, and their crazy collection of drawers that re-imagines the bureau. And readers of this blog know that I’m a big booster of Seattle Cycle Chic by way of my beloved Dutch bike.

But my love of novelty and love of Dutch design may have limits. And the Citizen M hotel will likely test both.

I booked a few nights for my upcoming trip to the Netherlands in this mod new pod hotel (similar to Japanese-style pod hotels). Because I generally use social media for my trip research instead of guidebooks, I came across this flickr pool showing the customizable, colored-light interiors of the rooms:

The idea of the lighting is to have it match your mood, ostensibly to put you in some kind of zen relaxation state. Or something. But that thing in the middle of the room, to your right? That’s a shower stall.

Sure, OK. Wacky shower stall in the middle of the room? Fine.

But then, looking at other photos, I realized: It wasn’t just the shower that was sitting out in the middle of the room.

I’ll give you a minute to recover from that photo.

…!

Yes, that’s right. That’s a toilet, just doing it’s thing smack in the middle of the hotel room. Hello!

(Also, just as an FYI, the entire photo set from the Citizen M is quietly hilarious to me. This one is another favorite–what exactly is happening there? And is he intentionally bringing the Borat…or…not?)

The whole thing just reminds me of the Nuni and Nooni sketch from a few years back on Saturday Night Live.

I’ve had moments just like this in the Netherlands. One Dutch friend was insistent that I was pronouncing the name of a very cool Haarlem museum incorrectly:

Him: “It’s not Teylers,” exasperation climbing into his voice. “It’s Teylers.”

Me: “Teylers.”

Him: “No! Not Teylers. Teylers!”

And so on and so on, for about four city blocks.

Stay tuned for the results from the Citizen M stay. And any suggestions, based on the photos you’ve seen, as to what that M stands for?