THE SHAPE: CURVES Rounded forms for softness and a flowing feel
IT’S ALL ABOUT ROUNDED FORMS, WHICH ARE SPACE ENHANCING AND SOFTEN ANY DESIGN
THE TREND EXPLAINED
Curved shapes can transform a bathroom, adding softness to a space notorious for its hard surfaces. Too many strict lines and sharp angles are not conducive to relaxing, nor are they likely to be as easy to live with as contours that can improve the room’s sense of flow. Reminiscent of organic forms – a smooth pebble, the bloom of a flower or a full moon – the latest fittings
are designed to bring a sense of nature into the bathroom. For maximum impact, the best way to introduce rounded shapes is to use them for the two key focal points – the basin vanity area and the bath. If that’s not an option, then curved accessories, from wall lights to mirrors, can soften the scheme. Think beyond the fittings to the architecture, too. Arches
above doors and wall recesses and curved walls wrapping around showering spaces are increasingly popular, not least because seamless surfaces, unbroken
by angles and lines, boost the sense of space.
Cielo Delfo basin and top, £926 a set, C.P. Hart
EXPERT DESIGN ADVICE
Emma Scott, director of client design, C.P. Hart
To accentuate the curve of a washbowl, wall-hung basin or basin vanity unit, consider an eye-catching colour, pattern or texture. This is an organic style that
lends itself to a looser feel. Try mixing finishes to create a warmer, more relaxed space than one where
everything must strictly match. Round baths are typically 1,400-1,800mm in diameter, so suit larger rooms. A back-to-wall rounded design, oval option or rectangular bath with softly curved edges may be better for a compact room. Use a seamless water-resistant material, such as polished plaster, microcement or Senso resin surface, to highlight the smooth shape of a contoured wall, ceiling or arch. Mosaic tiles come on mesh sheets, allowing them to be moulded around
a recessed shelf with an arched top in a shower or wrapped around a curved wall for a striking result. →
Ex.t Nouveau bath in Blush Pink, £10,500, C.P. Hart
“I LIKE TO PLAY WITH CURVED SHAPES – FROM A ROUND SHOWER TRAY IN THE CENTRE OF A ROOM TO A VANITY WITH SOFTENED EDGES – TO CREATE A DESIGN THAT IS LESS BLOCKY AND MORE INTERESTING”
HENRY PRIDEAUX, interior designer