Luxuriously Deep Baths, Glittering Gold Fixtures, Crystal Detail And Semi-precious Stone Taps

Luxuriously deep baths, glittering gold fixtures, crystal detail and semi-precious stone taps

2009 sees the renaissance of luxury and opulence in the bathroom. Spending quality time at home is on the increase, dinner parties at home, shopping online and ‘at home’ spa experiences are examples of how we are making the decision to stay in.

This trend is having a unique impact on how we are decorating and making changes to our home and the bathroom is no exception. Homeowners are looking for new and innovative ways to turn their bathrooms into relaxing havens, somewhere where they can switch off from the outside world and in turn we are seeing a return to nostalgic, opulent styling.

Over the past ten years the bathrooms has become simple, plain and practical. With clean lines, simple colour schemes and the use of materials such as chrome and glass. This year more and more clients will be looking to turn up the heat on their design, introducing softer colours including gold and even red, using new materials including semi-precious stone and purchasing key bathroom products for comfort as well as style.

Bathrooms International has embraced this resurgence and the showroom is full of wonderful examples of how a home can be transformed easily through the addition of key items and colour schemes. Cheryl Gurner, Creative Director, has years of experience in this area having decorated some of the Middle East’s leading hotels including the Burg al Arab and The Atlantis. Cheryl recommends using contrasting colour palettes, deep purples and reds – complimented by dark espresso and greys – to define the mood. Match this with bejewelled gold or brass fittings and heavily lacquered dark woods such as mahogany, walnut and dark oak for the dramatic, opulent effect.  “I find that dark wood furniture promotes an intimate and welcoming atmosphere with its rich warm tones, and the wide variety of dark wood available means that there is something for any bathroom setting.”

Lighting is a great way to set the mood in any room of the home and is without a doubt one of the top considerations in bathroom design. Whilst you want the room to remain cosy, you do not want a bathroom to be too dark! The most desirable lighting will be soft, relaxing and provide a gentle glow for you to indulge in your opulent surroundings, however you will also have the option to introduce additional lighting for times when you are not relaxing. To obtain this I would recommend that all lights in your bathroom be fitted with dimmer switches so you can alter the mood and introduce spot lighting that can be switched on separately when required. Another lighting option, often not even considered in a bathroom setting, is a chandelier. This will not only fit beautifully with the opulent theme but there is such a wonderful variety of chandeliers available from very modern to antique and traditional that there will be something to suit all tastes.

Cheryl Gurner, Creative Director, Bathrooms International
Head Office & Contract Division – 54 The Burroughs, London NW4 4AN
London Showroom – 4 Pont Street, London SW1 X9EL England
www.bathroomsint.com

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