I have a barnlike bathroom. The room faces north, and the winter feeling of cold is compounded by a vaulted ceiling. All the accouterments are arranged around the perimeter: water closet, fireplace, giant jet tub, double sink, dressing table and steam shower with seating. The finishes range from nice (granite fireplace surround) to cheesy (white laminate countertops). It even has two cable hookups. I don’t get much sympathy for this problem, but I know it’ll cost us when we finally want to sell the house. I want to love this space. Any suggestions?
My first thought: What color are the other surfaces? We know about the cold white laminate countertops. What else? The walls, the granite around the fireplace, the floor? If there’s an overabundance of cold whites, grays or blues, they may be creating a negative impact on your emotional state of mind. It’s enough that the room is large and vaulted; a chilly palette is going to make the room feel uninhabitable.
Do what you can to switch to a warmer color palette. Cream, gold or brown can do wonders. Painting the walls a warm, rich color is the quickest way to a warmer, cozier room.For the vaulted ceiling, consider a darker color, or at least the same color, as the walls, to play down the height.
Also, what’s the natural light like? Are there windows? Are the windows dressed with textural, visually interesting fabrics? Think about adding plants like palms, ferns or bamboo. Form a grouping of three, set in large pots on the floor near the window.
Last but not least, think about adding sound. If the bathroom is not wired for sound, a small CD player tucked in the corner or wireless speakers will work well.
It’s your home. Whether you plan to live there a year or a lifetime, you should love every room in it.
— Littleton interior designer Joyce Clegg (303-DAYDREAM, )
A spacious bathroom should feel more like a spa retreat than a cavernous, cold, unfriendly place.
First, banish winter. Melt the “feeling of cold” by painting the space a warm, luscious apricot color. The warmth of this shade will bring the walls in visually for a cozier atmosphere and make you feel (and look) healthy and invigorated in this bathroom. An interior designer can help you choose the right shade to accent (not clash with) the fireplace.
Replacing your countertops with a granite that complements the fireplace surround will tie features together and upgrade the whole look. If the room is truly cold (not just cold- looking), consider a concrete countertop with radiant heating coils. The counter (and towels or clothes you set on it) will be comfortably warm to the touch and the mass of the concrete will act like a radiator, gently heating the whole bathroom.
Banish winter darkness by paying attention to lighting. Think in “levels of light” that can give the right light for tasks like applying makeup or relaxing soak in the tub. Make it adjustable so you can dial up a sunny morning feeling or relax in the early evening twilight, no matter what time it is.
If there still is a big empty space right in the middle of the room, a double chaise lounge covered in chenille could be the pièce de resistance. New outdoor fabrics resist mold and mildew and wear fabulously. Add a table to set a cup of tea on and some thick washable shag area rugs for texture. Final touches: a basket of organic cotton towels and a colorful orchid will melt even the coldest winter day. — Greenwood Village interior designer Cynthia Greathouse (720-273-8984, cynthiagreat@yahoo.com)
Try plumbing your tub in the middle of the room, or face vanities back to back in the middle of the room. It is dramatic and spreads things out into the room, making it a natural tendency to use all the space you have.
Make the floor flow right into the shower area, so there is no curb to step over, with a curved tiled privacy wall. Perhaps hang a great chandelier over the tub, or drop sexy pendants (light fixtures) down flanking the sinks.
Another addition that could be made to the space is a piece of upholstery. Perhaps a chaise, something to faint onto after the relaxing time spent in the jetted tub. — Boulder interior designer Lovedy Babatelli (303-443-1662, )
“Ask the Experts” your design and remodeling questions by sending e-mail to marina@denverdesign.com. Responses are compiled for Room by the Denver Design District (denverdesign.com or 303-282-3226).
