Bedroom Special: Across the world and around the bend! (Part I)

16 September 2011,
We don’t understand it either, but the bathroom is one of the most overlooked spaces in a house. However, it is the one room we spend most of our ‘me-time’ and the place to be when we need to freshen up, lighten our load, read quietly without being disturbed, etc. Bathrooms all around the globe are used for similar purpose, however, their designs and intricate details differ region from region. Be enticed by some of the greatest cities on planet earth, and covet one or two of these urban ideas into your next home or renovation project.

New York City, New York
Even though the city is called “The Big Apple,” square footage in this immaculate city is anything but big. However, precisely because of its size limitation, NYC bathrooms are designed to be convenient and simplistic – no towering shelves to store unnecessary junk. Minimize by building in a modest size tub or standing shower exactly next to the wash basin – leave no unused space between two amenities.

Going all white will help conserve money – since bathtubs, sinks and toilets generally come in white. But for the industrial and professional look, use textured tiles in an adverse color.

NYC’s apartment buildings are mostly over a century old – any alteration to the exterior is strongly advised against. Furthermore, it is fairly common for bathrooms in the city to have no window. Create the illusion of space by hanging a large mirror.

Paris, France
“What would Marie Antoinette and so many other royalties from France want in a twenty-first century bathroom?” asks interior designer and author of French Impressions, Betty Lou Phillips. Despite the years gone, unparalleled attention is still paid to little details when it comes to designing les toilettes in the most romantic city in the world.

Don’t compromise the appearance of glamour: Factices – artificial bottles of perfumeries – are collectible and can promote elegance in any room. Add a splash of splendor and glitz with a pair of silver gilt wall lamps and French chandelier.

Wed luxury with purpose. Carved out from a single piece of Carrara marble, the stone used for the tub does the speaking for itself. Furthermore, Phillips used Carrara marble on the floor and all the way up the walls, inspired by Michelangelo’s timeless culture of David.

Toyko, Japan
The Japanese has a deep love for spas so it is common to be enveloped in an aromatic environment. Without going over the top with borderline pungent scent sprays, opt for natural scented soaps or oils. These minor accessories not only improve air quality, they also balance out the somewhat monolithic appearance of the bathroom.
The Cheat Sheet: Minimize the possibility of clutter by storing unnecessary items into cabinets instead of sprawled atop counters.

Achieving ‘zen’ may not be a walk in the park, but designing a little bit of the influence into your life can be as simple as a few cobblestones, shoji bamboo screens, and copper basin. The tricky part is blending the different stations together for an effortless flow. However, ‘zen’ means closer to oneself – so it is important to find objects and apply elements that are attuned to you rather than for decoration’s sake.

Johannesburg, South Africa
Waka, waka, eh eh! Known to be the lightning capital of the world, this locale is more than just safaris and zebras. When mimicking this righteous city’s heritage, decorate in rustic, gold, brown or burnt orange. Johannesburg is famed for its warm hospitality, do not over compensate with flashy colors or premeditated prints. Try, instead, to accessorize with local merchandise: tribal wall hangings, African beads, stained glass bottles, etc…

Ethiopian Trays
Stack on versatility. These Ethiopian trays can serve as either countertops for placing bathroom goodies or as a small table for reading materials. Its unobtrusive finish warms the room and offers functionality.

Mali Baskets
No African-inspired bathroom would be complete without a woven basket. A signature of the region, handcrafted baskets blend natural ingredient with luxury. Use it to store towels or toilet papers – all those unsightly objects that would otherwise require another fixture.

Los Angeles, California
The city of angels is one of the most sought-after real estate playgrounds in the world. It is no accident that celebrities swarms and gather there: L.A. is weather-friendly and immensely spacious for all that it packs into the zip code.


Los Angeles is, thankfully, quite bounteous in square footage. To isolate bacteria, put the toilet in a separate space. Another plus aside from germ blocking is that one person can be doing some big business while the other showers.

Be a little unconventional and create a tad bit of puzzlement. It’s normal to find subway tiles laid out horizontally and monochromatically, so make a distinction by creating variation. “Random vertical subway pattern helps create a visually interesting wall and elongate the height of the ceiling,” says principal designer, Mark Hermogeno of Hermogeno Designs. “It’s also modern.”

Infusing other cities’ quirks can add to a home’s sophistication and elegance, but logically speaking: the most comfortable space is one that is functional, affordable and your own. Whether it is Paris or New York City that entices you, ’you’ are the ultimate inspiration of your space. Leave no faucet unquestioned, no bidet untested.