Opting for light, shade and what comes naturally
The Romans had a reverent approach to bathing. For them, having a bath was much more than just cleansing the body. They luxuriated in having a long soak in steaming water to unwind.
A hot bath is still one of life's simple pleasures - it's incredibly soothing; the perfect way to recuperate after a hard day.
The bathroom is all about resort-style living coupled with the qualities of a private retreat, says Darren Genner of Minosa Design. Forget about designing a small bathroom and using trickery to make it look bigger. "You go on holidays where bathrooms are big open spaces, and then you come home to a small bathroom. You spend all that money on holidays to feel relaxed - renovate the bathroom instead!
"We like to design large, relaxing bathrooms. You start and finish the day there, so why not make it beautiful?"
While natural light is a must, Genner believes controlled lighting is also crucial. "It's important to get the lighting right: have bright lighting in the morning, when you're getting ready for the day; darker lighting in the evening, as you're winding down and getting ready to sleep." Add a strip of LED lighting under a vanity to give the bathroom a warm glow.
Curtains are rare in modern bathrooms, but Genner says they make the bathroom more of a living area, introducing a certain softness. "The bathroom is a wet area, but steam will never get to that curtain if there is a ventilation system. [Also] locate the sink and shower away from the fabric."
He is a fan of marble, stone and wood. "Anything natural is beautiful. It's organic, soft and warm.
"We are in a decorative era. For example, use mosaics as a feature wall. We did a knockout, black bathroom with a mosaic face. Melbourne has a lot more black bathrooms; Sydneysiders tend to like white."
Another project involved designing floor-to-ceiling stand-alone double mirrors in a 10 x 4-metre-long and narrow bathroom. "The mirror contains storage; you can reach to the side and pull out the drawer. It hides everything and is accessible from both sides. Rather than having to be neat, push it away and it's gone." Genner also used beautiful black crocodile glass mosaics and a strip of soft green frosted glass.
He lined another bathroom with Corian, a blend of minerals and acrylic that creates a stone-hard surface. While Corian is more commonly used for kitchen benchtops, its seamless surface means no grouting. That's ideal for bathrooms. "A lot of people have issues with grout - it's dirty and can get mouldy."
To counteract the white Corian walls, Genner installed a long black tap in the shape of a water drop. Its organic shape in black is in stark contrast to the white walls.
'Anything natural is beautiful. It's organic, soft and warm.' Darren Genner, pictured
with Simona Castagna
Frequently Asked Questions about this Article…
Natural light is crucial in bathroom design because it creates a bright and inviting atmosphere. It helps you start your day feeling refreshed and energized. Darren Genner from Minosa Design emphasizes the importance of having bright lighting in the morning and softer lighting in the evening to match your daily routine.
Natural light is crucial in bathroom design because it enhances the space, making it feel more open and inviting. It also helps in creating a relaxing atmosphere, which is essential for a space where you start and end your day.
Using natural materials like marble, stone, and wood in bathroom design adds beauty and warmth. These materials are organic and create a soft, inviting environment. Darren Genner believes that anything natural is beautiful and enhances the overall aesthetic of the bathroom.
Natural materials such as marble and wood bring an organic, soft, and warm feel to bathrooms. They add a touch of elegance and are timeless, making them a great investment for a luxurious bathroom design.
To make a small bathroom feel more luxurious, consider designing it with resort-style elements. Darren Genner suggests focusing on creating a large, relaxing space with features like controlled lighting and natural materials. This approach can transform your bathroom into a private retreat.
To optimize lighting in a bathroom, use bright lighting in the morning to energize your day and softer lighting in the evening to help you wind down. Adding LED strips under vanities can also create a warm glow, enhancing the ambiance.
Lighting plays a significant role in bathroom design by setting the mood and functionality of the space. Darren Genner recommends having bright lighting in the morning for getting ready and softer lighting in the evening for winding down. Adding LED strips under vanities can also provide a warm glow.
Corian is advantageous in bathroom design because it offers a seamless surface with no grouting, which reduces the risk of dirt and mold accumulation. Its stone-hard surface is durable and easy to maintain, making it ideal for bathrooms.
Yes, curtains can be suitable for modern bathrooms. Darren Genner suggests that curtains add a softness to the bathroom, making it feel more like a living area. With proper ventilation, steam won't affect the curtains, and they can enhance the overall design.
Mirrors can be used effectively in bathroom design by incorporating floor-to-ceiling stand-alone double mirrors that include storage. This not only maximizes space but also keeps the bathroom neat and organized.
Innovative storage solutions for bathrooms include using floor-to-ceiling stand-alone double mirrors with built-in storage. Darren Genner designed a bathroom with mirrors that contain storage drawers accessible from both sides, keeping the space neat and organized.
A black bathroom design can create a bold and dramatic look. It offers a modern and sophisticated aesthetic, especially when paired with contrasting elements like white walls or natural materials.
Incorporating mosaics into your bathroom design can create a stunning feature wall. Darren Genner has used mosaics in various projects, including a black bathroom with a mosaic face. Mosaics add a decorative touch and can be tailored to your personal style.
Curtains in modern bathroom design introduce a softness and make the space feel more like a living area. With proper ventilation, they can be used without the risk of steam damage, adding a decorative touch to the bathroom.
Corian is a blend of minerals and acrylic that creates a stone-hard surface, often used in bathrooms for its seamless appearance. Darren Genner highlights that Corian is ideal for bathrooms because it eliminates the need for grouting, which can become dirty and moldy over time.
Mosaics can be used as a feature wall in bathroom design to add a decorative and artistic element. They can create a striking visual impact, as seen in designs that incorporate black crocodile glass mosaics or soft green frosted glass.
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