trial by colour
It’s a style showdown as we speak to the experts about the pros and cons of having vivid touches in the bathroom
There’s nothing quite as divisive in the style and design world as colour. In the left corner are those who believe there actually are 50 shades of grey and would prefer to try all 50 before committing to colour. In the right corner are those who can’t live without colour and the mood it creates. Neutrals reign supreme in the wet zone, but is there a colour-by-number approach to consider? We talk to those in the know in the case of whether brilliant or subtle tones should have a place in the bathroom – cue Law & Order’s ‘ dun dun’.
background check
The first piece of evidence to present is acknowledging the practical needs of a bathroom, but also its capacity to be a relaxing sanctuary. Whether you use a wet room at the start or end of the day, and no matter what your style is, a bathing space should be functional, efficient and calming. Add colour to the mix and that’s when things get interesting. “Bathrooms can be very immersive spaces where you unwind, and colour can really enhance this,” say Panel architect Andrew Benn of Benn + Penna Architecture (bennandpenna.com).
the case for
Colour presents an opportunity to showcase your personal style in a practical space in a variety of ways. “We’ve used everything from render, stone slabs, brass sheeting and mosaics in a range of colours,” says architect and interior designer Jeremy Bull of Alexander&Co (alexanderand.co). Deciding how and where to use colour is important. Panel interior decorator Lisa Koehler prefers a feature shade on the floor – “it’s often a smaller area and not as visually demanding as the walls” while Andrew suggests another alternative: “the ceiling; it’s a surface above your eye line so it’ll never be too disruptive.”
Architect Stuart Vokes of Vokes & Peters (vokesandpeters.com) has actually done this. “My wife and I painted the bathroom ceiling in pink,” he says. “We then turned this tone down the walls to the door height to create a canopy of warm colour”. The lesson? Limit your use of colour to avoid ‘in your face’ impact.
A faithful feature to showcase colour is tiles, but not necessarily in a standard finish. “I love Popham Design’s encaustic tile range as the tones are more subdued and earthy, adding richness and depth without the intensity,” says Lisa. Architect Emilio Fuscaldo of Nest Architects (nestarchitects.com.au) goes even further to declare that “the days of the plain subway tile are done. It’s worth considering hand-glazed options, which have natural variations throughout the tile so that you don’t have just one flat colour.” Andrew advises going with “very matte and subtle finishes as they create a more tactile look.”
A major concern about using feature colour in a bathroom is its impact on resale. According to Lisa, this factor shouldn’t be a concern. “The key when selecting finishes for your home is to create a story and make connections between each room,” says Lisa. “So as long as the bathroom fits into the overall scheme, then your choices should be fine.” If you’re keen to explore the spectrum though, this is where paint comes into its own as the ultimate colour tool – it won’t cost you a pretty penny to repaint if you change your mind or want to sell up.
the case against
Transforming your bathroom into a technicolour zone may take away from the relaxing atmosphere you want in a wet room. “Decorative surfaces and colour may not provide a setting conducive to relaxation,” says Stuart. “And it’s hard to go past the purity of
“It ’s worth considering handglazed tile options, which have natural variations” EMILIO FUSCALDO, NEST ARCHITECTS
a simple gloss white tile.” Choosing a more pared-back approach in your bathroom’s colour story pays dividends, particularly when it comes to resale. As colour is either a personal choice or driven by trends, altering a tonal bathroom later on can be tricky and expensive. “Colour may alienate future buyers and certain shades can date quickly,” says Jeremy. Despite being a fan of coloured fittings – “playing with these elements pushes the frontiers of design” – Jeremy admits that most of his clients “tend to like more classic pieces such as brushed and satin stainless steel, brass or black.” Emilio is unconvinced though. “I’m not a fan of bringing too much attention to taps and rails,” he says. “They should be somewhat utilitarian – when they’re coloured, the room can look overly designed.”
the verdict
The jury is out on this one. As with most cases implicating colour, the right decision is down to your preferences and how you feel about colour. If you’re a fan, you’ll already identify its potential to bring warmth and character to a space; if you’re a minimalist, you have your own statute of limitations. There are options for those wanting to take a chance on colour – for instance, Stuart suggests choosing coloured glass windows “that will introduce a wash of tone in an otherwise white room”. The key to smart colour use is balance to achieve a timeless tonal look – less is definitely more and you’ll need to have some colour-free surfaces. “Start with one shade you really like and think long and hard before adding another,” says Andrew. Colour can only add interest, so you be the judge.