Texas is a long way from the Mediterranean, but a design team from Houston managed to design a bathroom that took their clients back to their travels. The clients are world travelers and doctors who knew they needed a “Calming Mediterranean Oasis” in their primary bath. The space needed to allow them to relax after a long workday and still transition to the remaining rooms. The homeowners not only didn’t have the time to renovate on their own, but also realized they needed help in achieving the vision. That is where the Coton House Design Team comes in. Laurie Coton, the Principal Designer at Coton House, knew that the space would need to open up for it to feel less cave-like and up to date with the latest design trends, yet still match the needs and wants of the client.
Bathrooms are constantly going through one design trend after another; in the ’50s, we had Pepto Bismol-pink bathrooms; in the 80s, it was vivid greens; and in between, we’ve been privy to every shade of the color spectrum coming in and out of popularity. Over the past decade, it’s been about the clean white bathroom look. Very clean, very simple, and very, very safe. People are getting bored with white or just plain tired of being at home and seeing so much white, but Coton House has seen an increase in requests for color in a big way. Bold design is trending, and the design team incorporated it in a way that their clients will not get tired of. Regardless, we’re seeing a resurgence of bathroom floors opposite bland, and we love it. The Coton House Design Team made their client’s primary bath special by adding a bold patterned tile from Emser Tile for the flooring and accents in the bathing areas. If you aren’t feeling bold enough to have the main pattern on the floor, then use it more sparingly by moving it over to the shower wall, shower floor, or the backsplash. Those unique places can give an interesting yet different feel. You can even do a bold or large-scale print to add a zing.
The designers added a window in the shower and replaced the drop-in tub and awkward steps with a freestanding tub to make the bathroom feel more spacious and less cave-like. The softer colors used in the space also make the bathroom feel more calming. Combining the bolder floor tile with other more neutral design elements keeps the space exciting and current. Paint is another key point in the room. Benjamin Moore paint products were used in colors-Barren Plains (2111-60) in a Satin finish for the walls and Normandy (2129-40) in a Pearl finish for the cabinets.
The team created the calming Mediterranean oasis using a combination of neutrals and blue colors and a mix of patterns. On the roman shades, a complimentary pattern can be found from Jane Churchill’s Elphin Indigo fabric. They feature an intricate blue design on the white fabric and is paired with a textured blue tape from Samuel and Sons, LE Jardin Silk Border Slate Blue, on the leading edge. The draperies help soften the room and provide another aspect of the Mediterranean feel.
Recessed cans and lighting sconces were replaced to improve the lighting in the bathroom. The Wilton Double Bath Light in Hand-Rubbed Antique Brass was chosen to replace the sconces. It’s all about the details, and the design team took care of specifying the brass on the sconces, towel bars, cabinet hardware, plumbing fixtures, and trim for the tile to all match. Delta fixtures and hardware in Champagne Bronze were used throughout to provide an aged patinaed look.
Have fun with your bathroom design, embrace the trend and go bold!