How to create a warm, decorative bathroom for a country house

Interior designer Nicole Salvesen, co-founder of Salvesen Graham, provides expert advice on transforming bathrooms into warm, decorative, and relaxing spaces, moving beyond purely utilitarian designs. The core philosophy is to treat bathrooms like any other room in the house, incorporating elements that invite comfort and leisure. This approach involves introducing fabrics and textures, such as armchairs or stools covered in soft towelling fabric, and wall lights with fabric shades that complement window blinds. To address concerns about steam damage to fabrics, Salvesen emphasizes the importance of adequate ventilation and heating, suggesting water-resistant rugs and carpets made from repurposed plastic bottles, particularly when laid over underfloor heating to ensure they stay dry. Manufacturers like Weaver Green and Jennifer Manners are noted for their innovative designs in these materials. The article also delves into flooring choices, advising against plain tiles due to their cold, hard, and slippery nature. Instead, the preference is for encaustic tiles with a matt, patterned finish to add a decorative touch. Wood floors, potentially topped with a rug, or painted wood floors for children's bathrooms, are also recommended for their texture and aesthetic appeal. When selecting baths and fittings, the emphasis is on shape and material, favoring gently rounded edges for marble vanity tops and free-standing baths. Colored baths, such as the Rockwell by The Water Monopoly, or traditional clawfoot baths with painted exteriors, are suggested to move away from a 'fitted' look. The inclusion of free-standing pieces like brass drinks trollies or wooden étagères beside the bath further enhances the relaxing atmosphere, providing practical surfaces for items like a glass of wine or an iPad. Storage solutions are also addressed, highlighting the utility of mirror cabinets and vanity units with drawers to accommodate various needs. Bespoke towel warmers, like those offered by The Sterlingham Company, are recommended to ensure sufficient towel warming capacity. For shower design, the advice is to maximize space and incorporate decorative tiles on walls, paired with marble or manufacturer's shower trays on the floor. Decorative elements extend to fittings, with unlacquered brass and nickel finishes preferred over polished chrome for a softer feel. For larger spaces, a generous, beautiful curtain can introduce an opulent and special touch. Wallpaper is embraced as a way to integrate the bathroom with the rest of the house, with practical considerations for areas prone to splashes, such as using vinyl or waterproof options. For small bathrooms, patterned encaustic tiles are suggested as an alternative to fabrics. The overall message is to infuse personality and comfort into bathroom design, making it a space where one can truly relax, even down to small details like an antique chair or a decorative cup for toothbrushes. #BathroomDesign #InteriorDesign #CountryHouseInteriors #DecorativeBathrooms #LuxuryBathrooms #HomeDecor #VentilationSolutions #SustainableMaterials #StorageSolutions #BathroomDesign #InteriorDesign #CountryHouseInteriors #DecorativeBathrooms #LuxuryBathrooms #HomeDecor #VentilationSolutions #SustainableMaterials #StorageSolutions

68 months ago

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