BATHROOMS WITH COLOUR Inspiring ways of using hues to give your room a refreshing update
BE IT SUBTLE NODS OR A FULL-ON CARNIVAL MODE, BOLD HUES WILL RAISE THE STYLE STAKES
MAKE PASTELS POP
Minty greens and sugary pinks look fresh and clean, a winning combination in the bathroom. Dilute the sweetness with a punch of stronger pink and black brassware. ‘While it’s wonderful that we’re more open to using stronger colours now, there needs to be balance and pale pastels make a great neutral backdrop,’ says Dean Keyworth, director of Armstrong Keyworth. Take advantage of the increased availability of custom-coloured finishes, like this striking bespoke magenta mirror. ‘You may have to pay a surcharge
for non-standard colours but it’s worth it to achieve a beautifully balanced scheme,’ adds Dean.
DARING BUT TIMELESS
Embracing strong colour, when designed as part of the flow of the rest of a home, can produce joyful results. ‘Boldly coloured and patterned tiles can add such personality, dynamism and impact to bathrooms, really lifting the space,’ enthuses Caz Myers, director, Caz Myers Design. ‘While the tiles may be dramatic, the overall scheme can be timeless if you choose a colour that truly resonates. Pattern-wise, go for tiles in two-tone repeats, like these modern geometrics, which,
even when mixed, work effectively to create a unique and surprisingly restful space.’ →
BLOCK COLOUR
Colour blocking is a great technique for anyone
keen to test strong colour without overcommitting. An all-out approach, with multiple
blocks of undiluted colour, often clashing, is popular in modern homes. But for a more classical
look go for one small, clearly defined block of dramatic colour. Here, a Shaker-style vanity in an orange-toned red – try Andrew Martin’s Tomato
Frog No. 52 – provides a dynamic focal point against creamy stones. Restricting the rest of the paintwork to muted tones makes the statement
colour feel more impactful. Best of all, small injections of saturated colour are easy to update.
BRIGHT FUTURE
As permanent fixtures, coloured sanitaryware requires commitment and is not for the fainthearted. ‘Coloured sanitaryware is seeping back into bathrooms now, and we’ve had orders for stunning fittings in deep mustards, heritage greens and teal blues,’ reports Louise Ashdown, head of design at West One Bathrooms. ‘If you’re still sitting on the fence, go for white sanitaryware with paintable exteriors, like cast-iron baths and this retro basin – West One’s Broadway basin is similar. For a more discreet colour pop, consider coloured
brassware, like Vola’s classic HV1 basin tap, which comes in fiery oranges and zingy limes.’
DIVIDE AND CONQUER
While there’s nothing wrong with a plain white ceiling, for colour lovers it’s a missed opportunity. Here, the ceiling is painted in Little Greene’s Yellow-pink, a warm mustard shade that has a cosying effect on high ceilings. Little Greene’s Carmine picks up the pace on the bath, with Farrow & Ball’s Arsenic adding brightness on the
shutters. ‘These colours verge on clashing but, thanks to the subtler wall and floor tiles, they don’t,’ explains Mandarin Stone’s marketing director Louisa Morgan. Using tiles with textured finishes and interesting shapes
provide enough depth and character to carry the bright paint colours. →
NATURALLY INSPIRED
Exotic stones like onyx and Marinace marble are stealing the show in luxury bathrooms. Celebrated for their jewel-like hues and crystalline sparkle, these rarefied stones can create incredible splashback and shower backdrops.
In areas that benefit from low maintenance, Bathroom Design Studio’s managing director John Naughten recommends man-made alternatives, like this basin custom-made from porcelain tiles in a convincing natural agate pattern. ‘Thanks to the many advances in surface technologies, the designs of porcelains inspired by precious stones
are now incredibly lifelike, yet offer far easier cleaning and no aftercare,’ he explains.
PATTERNED PAPER
‘Wallpapering is a great way to stop bathrooms feeling too sterile and for creating truly happy spaces,
which I believe every bathroom should be,’ says Nicola Harding, owner of Nicola Harding & Co. ‘Installing half-height panelling helps protect wallpaper from the danger zone, where water is most likely to splash, while also providing another opportunity to add cheerful colours.’ Here the bath is positioned well away from the walls, offering protection for the beautiful wallpaper. If you’re still
concerned apply Polyvine’s Decorator’s Varnish over wallpaper to prevent moisture ingress.