- ,,renovation
February 2, 2023
These cheerful spaces prove that bathrooms don't have to be boring. Just think of it as an extension of your personal style and create a bathroom with some serious chemistry.
White skin
Why be simple when you can be extra? This bathroom highlights traditional elements such as the classic combination of white and brass, vanity mirrors and old-school sinks and combines them with spectacular features including: a custom-designed XXL round mirror; contemporary hexagonal tiles; and bare lightbulbs hanging from cords that were creatively positioned on the wall with bespoke brass brackets, rather than hanging from the ceiling conventionally.
tips
- Mirrors in bathrooms, strategically placed, make the space appear larger and brighter.
- A built-in wall hanging niche with floating shelves is both a space saver and an attractive architectural feature.
- Maximize storage whenever you can. Here open brass shelves are part of the basin and offer space for bath and hand towels.
- A round tray can be easily transformed into an original and compact table, ideal for the bathroom - a simple DIY with hairpins or wooden furniture legs.
shades of grey
Antique meets contemporary and futuristic in this stunning bathroom that goes gray on gray. Glossy subway tiles and a painted concrete floor look unexpectedly fresh when paired with vintage-style pressed ceiling panels (who needs wallpaper!) that add texture and pattern. The interplay of old and new is taken to the next level here: an antique walnut plant stand and ornate period lamps (updated with white paint), as well as the nostalgic aesthetic of the pressed panels act as a counterpoint to the curves and ultra-modern design of the Pear dressing table by Patricia Urquiola for agape.
tips
- Introduce glossy and matte finishes for a very contemporary environment. This nifty styling trick also creates a sense of layering and energy in a room where the color has been intentionally worked.
- The introduction of pops of color – in the form of an art print and houseplants – and natural wood add warmth and character.
- Liven up used Victorian brass sconces and other antique lighting fixtures with a fresh white coat or go for colour.
Jewelry room
The North African influence remains a magic formula for impressive bathrooms, as illustrated in this stunning bath and steam room. The main event, of course, is the wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling mosaic zellige tiles in lapis blue, with their subtle variations in texture and color. Restraint in the design details — a simple wood-framed glass door, brass fixtures and shower fixtures, plus a dramatic marble basin and polished stone shelf that sits flush with the floor — ensure the final look is both classic and contemporary, never obscure.
tips
- Designing a bathroom on a budget? Invest in just one "wow" piece - a spectacular sink, a beautiful light fixture or a tiled or wallpapered wall - and keep the rest of your accessories and décor simple, minimalist and timeless.
- Wet/steam rooms require adequate ventilation.
- While there's nothing quite like it, photorealistic vinyl decals are effective at beating the look of North African-inspired tiles.
Back to routine
If ever there was the perfect marriage of understated industrial cool and organic freeform, this bathroom is it. Each element is perfectly curated for both functionality and aesthetic balance: from the precise lines of the bespoke black galvanized steel shelves set against creamy, artistically imperfect white zellige tiling, to a collection of apothecary bottles filled with scented filled with bath salts and the untamed arrangement of air plants hanging from a metal chandelier frame. Large white marble tiles and a tree stumps table reinforce this connection between the natural and the machine, the rustic and the modern.
tips
- Air plants are ideal for the humid environment of the bathroom, not to mention those who need their maintenance fixtures below maintenance.
- Beware of overcrowding. A space like this requires a decorative enclosure to balance and accentuate the beauty of the elements – the tiles, the custom lavatory and the shelving.
- An all-white palette is given foundation and modernity through insertions of black living vegetation and colored glass, in this case the warm amber of apothecary bottles.
material world
In this bathroom, the juxtaposition of textures and finishes gives it important character and visual interest. An overall modern and dramatic effect is created by polished stone countertops, square tiles, a lustrous concrete floor, ornate glass wall appliques, and large, curved basins that contrast with an exposed white-painted stone wall, an oversized mirror, and aged, exposed beams in the ceiling and smaller ones Details such as a rough stone holder for soaps and body care products in the shower area.
tips
- A reflective floor can effectively serve to reflect natural light.
- An entire wall does not always have to be tiled, which in turn saves costs. As this room shows, a large tiled wall section is sufficient in the shower area, the rest of the wall serves as a frame.
- When designing contrasts, think about the shape: the square tiles in the shower area combine visually with the mirror, their different textures reinforce the interplay between rough and smooth, old and new.
beaten
Unique details, layered textures and a rich, warm color palette give this space an inviting character. The sturdiness of the raw brick wall has been exaggerated by an aged finish, and while it is the main architectural feature, it blends in with the raw concrete that makes up the rest of the flat surfaces. Vibrant botanicals with reflective wax leaves and the high-gloss copper-colored claw tub provide a soft, bright contrast to the rustic textures. Furniture and fixtures bring a touch of nostalgia and individuality, the end result is the opposite of showroom sterility.
tips
- The bathtub has been slightly elevated on a tiled platform, drawing attention and providing a sense of architectural layering.
- Tropical houseplants thrive in a humid bathroom environment, but remember that natural light is still important to their well-being.
- An enamelled sink channeled into a converted dresser creates a beautiful and unique bathroom vanity.
Luxury industry
In an open bedroom, the bathroom zone was defined by a raised concrete platform. The industrial-style glass and steel shower cube is a sight to behold, the muted glamor of the space is enhanced by elegant touches like zellige mosaic tiling, an oak bathroom vanity, a seashell chandelier, a large framed mirror and a staircase instead of hooks. The limited color palette gives the area a clean, fresh look.
tips
- Pay attention to the stylists and dry-dry decorative items like mirrors, artwork, and ladders instead of mounting them on the wall—that's called casual chic, honey!
- There are never enough baskets in the bathroom (or even in your house): the larger ones double as laundry baskets, while the smaller baskets can hold everything from cotton balls and pads to toiletries, make-up and body accessories.
Baroque and scroll
What at first glance looks like a traditional bathroom turns out to be modern thanks to contemporary pendant lights, a beautiful gold end table with delicate profile and a deep Victorian-style pedestal tub updated with a coat of paint in light graphite tones. The framed carved mirror - an antique shop find - is a dramatic focal point and visually ties in with the framed portrait by South African artist Andrew PutterAfrican hospitalitySerie.
tips
*Pleasure and functionality do not have to exist separately in a bathroom situation. Feature elements like beautiful lighting, a rug and a distinctive piece of furniture make a home-feeling statement.
* As long as the bathroom is well ventilated and bright, there is no reason not to introduce artwork. Just make sure they're not in a direct line of steam from the tub or sink.
* Engineered wood has the look and feel of solid wood floors and can work well under certain conditions in a well-ventilated bathroom that is not overly humid or subject to frequent flooding (kids, we're looking at you!).
pale and interesting
A monochromatic scheme makes this bathroom look balanced and contemporary. Where simplicity reigns, there is no lack of interest: from the contrast of the glossy tiles with the matte finish of the sunken stone on the floor and main walls, to the interplay of angular shapes (the faucets and the bespoke black metal cabinet) and round (the mirrors, sink and trailer). The cymbal stand – made from cane that has been strung together and placed on custom-made steel legs painted white – is an unusual choice of material, but effective in injecting an element of texture and warmth.
tips
- Play with shapes like round elements in rectangular rooms. Round mirrors and curved vases are a good place to start.
- By limiting color, it's still possible to add interest with contrasts - think matte versus glossy and smooth versus tactile.
- To keep a monochrome palette fresh and modern, choose your colors carefully and stick to black and white, which have the same tonal depth.
beautiful in pink
Don't shy away from bold colors in a small bathroom or powder room. Colored walls not only liven up the room, but also distract from design flaws. A hue that has crossed the line from accent color to full-on classic, pink is a fun, vibrant and fresh choice.
tips
- Repurpose an office drawer by painting it a modern hue to use as a whimsical bathroom cabinet.
- Leave the bathroom door open when not in use: a splash of color brings joy into the house if it draws attention to itself, especially in a small space.
- Take your passion for color to the next level and extend your wall color to your bathroom door, both inside and out.