How to create a boutique-hotel-style bathroom in your home
Photo by Stacey Brandford
Pretty in pink
Mix pastels with bold bright shades
Inject energy into a soft, feminine room by embracing unexpected colour combos like vibrant red and powder-puff pink. Pick the strongest shade for your accent colour and carry it into your accessories. Don't be afraid to mix up the patterns! Place an occasional table beside a free-standing soaker tub for the perfect spot to rest a cup of tea.
Get this look: Ceiling paint, Dreaming, wall paint above chair rail, Smarty Pants, wall paint below chair rail and on trim, Snowfall, Para. Plaster crown moulding, Brienza Designs, 416-505-3532. Curtain rod, Gallery Metal. Chair, Black Pug Dmk. Chair painting, Benjamen Furniture Refinishing, 416-745-2559. Upholstery, Silva 4 Home. Pillow fabric, Mojave Zigzag in Pinks on Tint, Quadrille Fabrics. Stool, WR Antiques, 416-504-6900. Bathtub, Caml-Tomlin.
Go for an exposed shower system
Instead of hiding pipes that connect the valve to the shower head behind the wall, choose a shower system with exposed fittings for a sleek, European-inspired look. Use the same floor tiles in the main area and in the shower to make the space seem bigger. Dress up inexpensive white subway tiles on shower walls with stripes of sleek black ceramic trim.
Get this look: Shower system, The Rubinet Faucet Company. Shower glass and handle, Adanac Glass. Tiles, Saltillo Imports. Black accent tile, Lowes. Shower shelf and marble detail, Latitude.
Skip the cabinets below the sink
Open up a space by opting for a vanity that doesn't have any cabinetry. Consider a ready-made style with his and hers sinks and exposed metal legs. Then install a shelf above the counter to keep it clutter-free. Hang a tall, skinny mirror above each sink to play up the glamour and accentuate high ceilings. If your space has unusual dimensions, consider custom-order counters or mirrors to make the most of it.
Get this look: Chandelier (in mirror), Green's Antiques, 416-925-1556. Custom mirrors, Elgin Picture & Frame. Sconce, Sescolite. Accessories, Around the Block. Urn vase, Chair Table Lamp. Faucets, The Rubinet Faucet Company. Countertops, Latitude. Vanity and sinks, Restoration Hardware.
Sarah's colour trick
"Stick to timeless neutrals for anything that's tough to change (like tiles, tub and counters). Have fun with accent hues for details that are easy to switch up (like accessories, drapes, even a chair)."
Floor plan and palette
Sarah's space-saving trick: "The key to any reno is making the most of the challenges. To move the vanity beside the window, we built out the wall behind it by about five inches, to conceal pipes. By opting to build out a half wall, we created a perfect space to store bathroom necessities, without making the space feel smaller."
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