One of the most common dilemmas when designing a bathroom is how to avoid anything that feels too clinical or sterile. With so many hard, shiny, wipe-clean surfaces, it’s all too easy to stray into the realm of GP surgeries or school toilets. One of the best ways to replace sterility with style is to inject some colour and character into the scheme to get away from the white on white look. Here at House & Garden, we are always on the look out for fresh bathroom ideas, with punchy colour palettes often catching our eye. Two such pairings that we’ve been seeing more of (and loving) lately are red and white, and green and white. By combining the go-to bathroom colour with something bright and beautiful, you can instantly bring your space to life and give it a real sense of personality. Here are some brilliant examples to inspire your transformation.
Red and white
Scarlet, cherry and wine tones combined with ivory provide a sense of comfort and a touch of glamour.
Colour psychology tells us that red is a stimulating hue; that’s why, historically, it was considered appropriate for dining rooms. Using red to decorate a space for winding down needs a deft touch. Gregory Rockwell points the way in the home he designed for model Paloma Elsesser in Brooklyn. The bathroom is defined by a tub surrounded by burgundy marble, so while the rest of the space has a simple black-and-white look, bathtime is always a moment of luxury.
Cloakrooms are another place where you can experiment confidently. In a Pasadena home designed by Leah Ring of Los Angeles studio Another Human, scarlet and white feels glamorous yet refreshing. ‘Because the powder room is used by guests, I pushed the client to go bold,’ says Leah. ‘The white in the toile de Jouy wallpaper by Cole & Son provides just enough visual rest for the eye, so it is not overwhelming.’ That’s not to say that you can’t decorate an everyday bathroom in red.
SourcE: www.houseandgarden.co.uk
