This lovely Kohler bathroom is a testament to a traditional, formal decor. There's something to be said for symmetry and refinement. In rooms such as the bathroom or bedroom, a formal decor evokes a sense of being pampered, and we all need a little of that these days.
Creating a formal space is not all that difficult. Though this bathroom includes accoutrements that many of us can only wish for, many of the other formal elements can be adapted to most any room in the home. Let's take this room apart and see what it takes to create a lovely, formal space.
Symmetry
Balance is a big part of a formal decor. With the exception of the artwork design over the fireplace, everything else in the space comes in matching sets. The mirrors, sconces and decorative trim all flank the centre fireplace. The centre light fixture and artwork cement the look of the centre feature. Everything is harmonious and well-proportioned. If you remove everything from this room, you'll note the actual footprint of the space is conducive to a traditional space. The centre feature (in this case, the fireplace), which evenly divides the feature wall along with the shower door, which mimics the window on the opposite side of the room, all cry out for a formal decor. The fact that the centre feature is bumped out a bit makes the case for choosing a traditional space even stronger. A centre feature, be it a fireplace, picture window, staircase or centre hall, is conducive to a more traditional decor. You'll want to add to the balance by flanking the centre feature with pairs of decorative items, be they candlesticks, topiaries or wing-back chairs. So if you're wondering what style to go with, sometimes you need to let the room guide you. If the fireplace were off-centre, for example, I'd probably go with a more contemporary, asymmetrical look for our feature room.
The trappings
Now that the symmetrical stage is set, let's bring in the elements one at a time. Firstly, let's look at the bathtub. In most cases, the tub would be placed along a wall. Placing it in the centre of the room adds to the formal look. Although it might not be reasonable to move your current bathtub, the idea of the centre placement is what's key here. In a living room, for instance, you'd want to place the sofa across from the fireplace instead of along a wall. In the bedroom, if there is room, a bed placed in the centre of the room signifies formal elegance.
With regard to the sofa, in a formal room you'll want to choose furniture conducive to the decor. If you'll notice the chair in the bottom left of our Kohler photograph, you'll notice the upholstery is tufted, trimmed and snugly fitted like a well-made suit. A modern recliner with big, billowy cushions just wouldn't cut the mustard in this space.
The walls
The vertical-striped wallpaper is quite regal and fits the room well. It brings additional symmetry to the space. This kind of pattern can work well in almost any room and provides the additional benefit of making the ceilings appear higher, which can add to the mystique. The fact the wallpaper is tone-on-tone keeps the busy pattern from being too overpowering. A black-and-white vertical stripe, for example, would be too busy in a space like this.
Choosing a paint colour that matches the wallpaper keeps this space serene and soft. If you were decorating a dining room in a formal design, you could certainly go a little stronger with the colours in order to create contrast and drama, but in a bathroom a calming colour palette is more soothing.
A big part of the visual appeal in this room is the installation of a chair rail and trimmed panels. This mimics the more expensive wainscotting and is fairly easy to achieve in most spaces. You can create architectural interest in a plain room with the addition of trim. Ceiling moulding, like the dental moulding seen here, will add tons of character as well. Note the mirrors are trimmed in the same moulding in keeping with the design of the space. You can create the illusion of large, expensive baseboards by installing a piece of decorative trim at the six- or eight-inch mark from the floor and then paint the trim and the wall space below it in a contrasting colour (usually some version of white) to the wall above. Even the bathtub is encased and trimmed to match the walls. These faux panels can be created on cabinet doors and interior doors as well as on the walls. Ensure the panels match in size and are visually balanced.
A formal decor is not all that difficult to achieve and you don't necessarily have to change the entire look of your home. You can have a formal decor in a personal space like the master bedroom and ensuite without having to change your contemporary living room, for example. A formal space can be sumptuous. Something to consider if you're in the mood to be pampered.
Connieoliver@shaw.ca
