birds of a feather

From habitat magazine - issue 36, bathrooms

A bold peacock-blue powder room and a Resene Raven bathroom ensure this home renovation takes flight.

There are few things as lovely as relaxing in a bathtub to decompress after a long day. Although crisp, clean whites and soothing neutral paint colours are often associated with spas and wellness-themed bathrooms, interior designer Clare Kitching of Peachhaus Design and Development says bold Resene colour choices can create a room that is both striking and a sanctuary.

“When designing a bathroom, most people don’t come and say, ‘I want to use colour’ but I say, ‘Be brave and give it a go!’” says Clare.

Clare was happy to find herself on the same page as her clients Mel and Joe, who were keen to embrace rich, deep colours in the renovation of their Remuera family home. The couple had moved to Auckland from San Francisco, where their previous house had a lot of colour. They wanted to make sure that this home felt similar.

“When I first met Mel, she said she did not want an all-white house, though she did want areas that were light and bright,” says Clare. What Mel envisaged for her Remuera residence was a Hollywood-glam vibe interspersed with mid-century modern furniture that would sit well with the 1930s bungalow. A powder room and bathroom were spaces that Clare felt could take some strong colour, and Resene Raven and Resene Fast Forward do the trick nicely.

“Joe is a sailor who is used to being out in nature with the sea and a varying backdrop of blue and grey skies,” says Clare.

“We drew on the colour palette of the ocean by using blues and neutrals to create a near-neutral palette while still infusing colour and life into the home.”

The blue-green palette continues in the powder room, a space without much natural light. Clare decided to play on the room’s natural assets and make it glamorous.

The family chose peacock-blue tiles, and Clare found a colour to match their glamour in Resene Fast Forward, a deep slate blue with a moody undertone of green.

“We painted everything in Resene Fast Forward – the walls, the back of the door, the ceiling. It’s definitely a dark colour when you’re in there, but the glossy tiles bounce the light around. We added in the walnut vanity and brushed brass fittings for the glam factor,” Clare says.

Tips for designing a bathroom

“Every space is different depending on how you use it,” Clare says, and she uses that as a starting point. “For instance, in the bathroom, Mel knew that they would not be tidying up all the time after the children, so we decided on what we wanted to see from the hallway. We hid the shower in an alcove and chose the bath as the showpiece, positioning it at the end of the room under a window.” The same logic applies to surfaces. “Think about the materials and how you will use them. We chose a hardwearing vanity surface in engineered stone for the kids’ bathroom that will take heavy use, whereas Mel chose marble for her ensuite.”

Clare adds that smaller spaces are ideal for being brave with your Resene paint colours. “It’s not a huge deal to change the colour if you really don’t like it, but my client Mel was pleased that she went bolder. You can choose classic in the fittings such as tiles, but the paint can always be changed out.”

Powder power

Powder rooms or guest bathrooms and toilets are small spaces that can make a big impression. These small spaces are a fun place to try creative ideas, and if you change your mind, they can be painted over in an afternoon.

1 Go wild with wallpaper

Powder rooms are a great place to try a fun Resene wallpaper print, especially since interesting patterns can visually expand a small room. Resene wallpapers come with codes and some designs are marked as washable, super washable, scrubbable or spongeable, depending on the level of humidity/steam they can withstand (ask your Resene ColorShop staff for advice). Unlike bathrooms, powder rooms generally aren’t affected by steam, so you can choose from a wider range of styles. Choose glam geometrics, bold florals, fruity tropicals or wild botanicals from the Resene Wallpaper Collection. For more wallpaper inspiration and for tips on how to hang wallpaper, see the free habitat plus – wallpaper book, available from Resene ColorShops or online.

2 Go dark and mysterious

Powder rooms often lack natural light, so why not embrace their dark side and use a dramatic colour to amp up the glamour? Try a rich blue such as Resene Warrior or Resene Indian Ink, a charcoal such as Resene Nocturnal or a deep crimson or purple such as Resene Burgundy or Resene Aubergine. Use Resene SpaceCote Low Sheen for easy cleanability and added durability.

3 Go natural

Nature-inspired spaces are a huge interior trend, and powder rooms are no exception. Try painting the walls in deep greens such as Resene Raptor, Resene Palm Green or Resene Seaweed and add organic touches with round basins, woven baskets, lush greenery and wooden vanities or blinds.

Words: Wendy Colville
Images: Jackie Meiring, Plumbing World, Whitewood Homes

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Printed copies of habitat highlights are available from late March 2024 at Resene ColorShops and resellers, while stocks last. You can view back issues of habitat magazine online.

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