FOREST BATHING

For nature lovers, it’s time to forgo the shiny, clinical bathroom vibe in favour of a woodsy update, write Colin and Justin.

In times past, going rustic conjured notions of sleeping under canvas, being eaten alive by mosquitoes, or cramming into a multi-bed, stack’em high bunkie with few (or any), home comforts. And let’s not even mention the frankly terrifying prospect of the “seat of shame” outhouse.

Today, rustic no longer means slumming it or baring your posterior in the forest. As Canada’s love affair with the great outdoors bears witness to new levels of sophistication, rustic abodes are getting fancier and lifestyle expectations, across the board, are elevating.

Spa style, too, has morphed, with timber, rattan and stone replacing typically clinical surfaces and ethereal drapery. Concurrently, bathroom design is evolving too, with urbanites and suburbanites chasing the rustic idyll.

You can have “new breed” rustic bathroom style, while creating an inviting esthetic to enjoy, no matter where you live. But of course it’s all about balance: here’s how to get the look ...

LOG CABIN CHIC

Wood-built cottages feel dreamy and escapist. To anchor this mood as your backdrop, consider large-scale wall art such as an easy-hang design called Brown Wood Wall that is manufactured by Canadian company About Murals — aboutmurals. ca. While it’s hard wearing, it’s worth positioning clear glass behind each sink to protect wall finishes from water splash.

STONE FLOORING:

FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT

Stone floors are amazing, especially with underfloor heating, but they can be pricey and difficult to install. Get the look with Looselay Karndean luxury vinyl tile. Warm underfoot, resistant to moisture and easy to install with minimal adhesive, it’s a game changer. We recommend Capri LLT209. Visit karndean.com to see a huge range of hard-wearing stone, tile and wood look-alikes.

SOAK YOUR CARES AWAY

If you have space, consider a soaker tub. Imagine candles (safely monitored), flickering, a sea of dreamy bubbles and a glass of vino in hand — bliss, huh? What’s more, with a double slipper bath, there’s room for two, a nice way to conserve water. One free-standing beauty is the OVE Decors Canberra 60-inch Glossy White Acrylic from rona.ca

VANITY THRILLS

As Canada’s love affair with the spa bathroom increases, folks are maxing up by commandeering spare space (perhaps carved from a larger room next door or an unused closet), to increase the footprint for soaker tubs and large showers. If you can, opt for two vanities instead of one, so you and your other half can get ready without crowding. We opted for the Luxo Marbre Countryside Bathroom Vanity, from rona.ca

We hope the foregoing whets your appetite for creating an inviting home spa. And so, immersed in nature (wherever you are) flip the lever on that swan-necked faucet, reach for the loofah and scrub those worries away.