This stunning bathroom captures the eye and imagination. Although it very well could be a city home, the woodsy elements make this room warm and inviting.
You can never go wrong with nature as your guide when decorating a space like this. The natural wood and stone features are earthy, textural and visually stunning. Elements of stone and wood help ground the space and make the occupants feel secure in their sanctuary. One feels connected to the earth in a space like this, which can be very nurturing.
This Kohler bathroom has other great features that give the room masculine appeal, but the designers have not forsaken the feminine occupant. The vanity boasts his and hers sinks; his in black and hers a clear vessel sink. One wouldn't normally consider using two very different sink styles side by side, but it's a fantastic look and a great idea for those wanting a more custom feel to their home.
Another great idea was using glass as a partition wall separating the walk-in shower area from the rest of the room. Hanging the mirrors on top of the glass wall gives the illusion the mirrors are floating and keeps the somewhat dark room open and airy.
Keep it light
The chrome, glass and mirrored elements give the dark room a bit of sparkle. If, for instance, one replaced the chrome accents with a darker finish, such as brushed bronze, the room could become gloomy instead of cosy. The crisp white towels, versus towels in earth tones, lighten up the space and give it a hotel-chic appeal. A grouping of white candles carries the lighter elements to the focal wall.
The antler chandelier gives the room the look and feel of an exclusive woodsy lodge. Its large scale and sculptural quality make it a dramatic feature in the room. It's definitely not a task light but rather, provides ambiance and style.
A faux fireplace created in the recess of the wall is another striking feature in this room. (Notice that it mimics the shape of the towel cubby in the vanity.) Consider using this idea in other rooms in the home. If you don't have a similar recessed section of wall in your home (and who does?), use a low wooden bench to house your candle display, or hang a shelf at an appropriate height for the same purpose. If you don't have a bench, you may be able to shorten the legs of an old coffee table. In this case, the bench is not being used for seating, so it doesn't have to be strong.
For safety reasons, ensure the lit candles sit well away from anything flammable. Use flameless candles when in doubt. If you happen to use a closed-in space, like the recessed cubby pictured here, dot the candle display with tea lights that can be lit, while leaving taller pillar candles unlit. It's less expensive to replace the tea lights than it is to burn pillar candles anyway, so you're playing it safe and smart. Please be cautious when using real candles and don't forget to extinguish them before you leave the room. It's so easy to forget they are burning and you don't ever want to leave a lit candle unattended.
If candles aren't your thing, a custom fish tank teeming with exotic fish or a low-maintenance terrarium could be just as soothing in a setting like this.
The leather stool in our feature room adds to the sense of luxury and no doubt is a high-end item. For a similar look, without the high cost, opt for a faux leather cube ottoman in similar dark brown or black. An ottoman that offers additional storage would be a great option as well. The feature wall of wood and tile could also work in other rooms in the home. Imagine these finishes on a focal wall in the bedroom, living room, den or even a kitchen boasting dark cabinetry. It's something to keep in mind as a possibility when you're planning to redecorate. Though I'm sure the finishes used in our feature room are pricey, they are used in small amounts, which can be affordable if you're a good shopper. An entire wall of tile might be pricey, but you might find a discount on a small supply that is an end-of-stock item, for example, that could work to your advantage. As well, you could opt for a less expensive wood and finish it with a dark stain to give it the richness desired without the cost of an exotic wood. Keep your options open. The trick is to keep the wood finish and tile colours within the same tones to maintain a sense of elegance.
Nature provides a sumptuous palette for the home. Woodsy charm can be both stylish and comforting.
connieoliver@shaw.ca
