Make It
Tile and color impact every square inch of the bathrooms in our 2020 project house.
The first rooms of our project house are ready, and we’re going to give you a sneak peek. As a collaboration between American Farmhouse Style, Cottages & Bungalows, J.J. and Lindsey Morris of Scissortail Homes and Rachel Shingleton of Pencil Shavings Studio, we’re chronicling this new home build from start to finish. This issue, as you tour these charming spaces, we’re sharing the colorfully tiled bathrooms and powder rooms.
PATTERN AND POETRY
These bathrooms showcase colorful tiles and whimsical patterns that put their own spin on farmhouse style. On the ground floor, the powder bath instantly captivates with its striking floor-to-ceiling tile. The tile’s diamond shape creates a harlequin design, yet the tiles themselves have an earthy, soothing mood.
“Rachel’s choices all have a hand-hewn quality to them,” says Jickie Torres, brand leader for Cottages & Bungalows. “There’s an attention to craftsmanship from the Crossville Inc. selections, and the beautiful pieces from Signature Hardware are just so special and make the bathrooms feel that no detail has been spared.”
As you venture upstairs, the bunkroom bath has a playful vibe with its blue-and-white striped shower wall and abstract floor tiles. The hall bath has a more neutral feel, with a stonecolored tile and herringbone pattern in the shower. Combining with the thread of earthy hues of terracotta, stone and blue easily tie the overall color scheme together.
“We used nature as inspiration because it’s timeless,” Lindsey says. The pink powder room is an earthy clay color, which balances well with wood textures and industrial fixtures, and you can swap in décor, like black-and-white rugs, as trends change.
When deciding on flooring and fixtures, Lindsey suggests equally practical and aesthetic choices, so you invest in details that will last. “You want something that’s going to be durable, that can handle a lot of traffic and is easy to clean,” Lindsey says. “The Crossville Inc. tile is high quality, almost commercial grade, made to last through heavy traffic and kids. That’s why we went with the idea of tiling up the walls in the powder bath because [now] you’re never going to have to repaint in there.” If kids bring in dirt or grime, it wipes right off.
FUSS-FREE FARMHOUSE
Designing a bathroom with a farmhouse personality all comes down to details such as your fixtures and hardware, to truly make your space shine. “Like any other space with farmhouse style, the overall vibes of bathrooms should be welcoming, functional and fun,” says Victoria Van
Vlear, American Farmhouse Style brand leader. “Many farmhouse bathrooms have common elements like industrial vanity lighting, maybe a farmhouse sink and wall paneling or another wall feature. These bathrooms have some of that classic look (like the industrial sconces from Golden Lighting), but then they take the design further, like the gold hardware finishes from Signature Hardware and especially the tile.”
Following the theme for the rest of the home, the plumbing fixtures are a mix of old and new. From an old-fashioned showerhead with a feminine flair to the custom farmhouse sink with dainty faucet handles, they add a touch of authenticity to the sleek curves of more modern faucets. “I’m very interested in creating contrast and something unexpected,” Rachel says. “I love the shower fixture because it feels old-timey. It’s a nod to traditional farmhouse style and feels cozy and approachable, [but it’s paired with] modern tile. It just feels good, like it’s going to stand the test of time. It’s a classic look.”