JEIDesign Blog

If you’re even reading this article, there’s a good chance that you already know that the lavatory is no longer just a place to prepare for the day. The world of interior design has opened up for this once overlooked space in the home. You can now transform your bathroom in ways that were once only options for other rooms.

But… what to choose? With the options so boundless, the obstacle is no longer finding something that will work, it’s choosing between all the things that will.

So, to ease your angst and set you on the right path for your next bathroom redo, we’ve created our very own Bathroom Décor Compatibility Quiz.

1. When you’re in a relaxing bath, you are thinking:
   1. How do I keep forgetting milk at the grocery store?
   2. Pi equals 3.14159… what?
   3. I wish my faucets were more glamorous.
   4. I need a pedicure.

   If you answered a, b or d, we can’t help you today (check back later for our Calculus and Cosmetics edition). However, if you selected c, we have a most fitting solution. Your bathroom can be glamorous. And not just for your fixtures and accessories. All elements of the wash room can be wham, bam, super glam.

   

   As you can see in this powder room, found in one of our favorite Hill Country Contemporary projects, you can achieve a sophisticated elegance that is perfectly appropriate for a place to preen. The client wanted glamorous but functional, so JEI went to work creating a practical balance that would be tastefully tantalizing.

   

   Using soft sheen and a bit of reflection manipulation, the final product was a success.

2. Upon leaving your washroom after your regular morning routine, you sometimes feel:
   1. That you need another two cups of coffee.
   2. Kind of cooped up and wishing your bathroom could be more like the outdoors.
   3. Still confused by the foreign documentary you watched the night before.
   4. Completely relaxed and rejuvenated, as if you are one with the world and totally Zen.

   If you answered a or c, again, we may not be your go-to for a remedy. (Although, if you’re up late watching contemplative documentaries, you may want to go ahead and brew that extra pot of coffee in the morn.) If you answered d, we would like for you to start giving us advice. But, if you answered b, you’re in luck. Your most suitable bathroom motif may be precisely what we were going for here.

   
   

   In this Hill Country home, it would have been sinful to close off any room from the beauty that naturally grows, but particularly tragic to do so in a room that begs for natural light. Mirrors are placed on the walls to strategically distribute light and the reflections from outside into the room within that we left “open” to receive the compliment. We kept the colors natural, to accentuate the organic elements that pour in, and the tub is placed, of course, for optimal viewing of the tranquil surroundings.

3. When you’re shopping for powder room linens, you try to match them to:
   1. The regal, but soft and sophisticated décor in the ideal bathroom of my dreams.
   2. The fade in the last ones I bought ten years ago.
   3. White. All white so that I can bleach them silly.
   4. I’m supposed to match my towels to something?

   Ok, first and foremost, if you answered d, yes. But we’ll cover that in another article. If you answered a, we’re here to tell you your dreams can come true. Any other answer indicates that you already know what you’re doing, and we’re not here to judge.

   You can design your bathroom to be both resplendent but while maintaining an understated elegance. What was once just a theme for a master bedroom is now making appearances in the bathroom, too. And it’s looking just lovely.

   
   

   In this master bath, we used a stately but soft blue with subtle metallic accents for a rich and graceful ambience.

4. If you live in an older home, your attitude about a bathroom re-do, is something along the lines of:
   1. Not much can be done with an older loo. If it’s not leaking, I’m happy.
   2. It’s my last priority. It can’t be a fabulous room, anyway.
   3. Everything must be gutted to get the look I want.
   4. I think I will just move.

   This was a trick question. The trick being that they are all wrong. Well, d isn’t exactly wrong, but we’ll present you with some other options before you start collecting boxes.

   It’s a common misconception that the WC’s in older homes just have to be accepted as they always have been- probably smaller than you would like and almost definitely awkwardly shaped and with little to no storage or linen space.

   You don’t have to live this way! With enough creativity, the right color, and a good balance of old and new, your quaint ‘n quirky old lavatory can be transformed into a revived room that is stylish and inviting.

   

   In this home, built at the turn of the century in central Austin, the bathroom looks just as dapper and vibrant as the rest of the home now. Using bright colors, and working with the existing flow of the architecture, we created an update that looks fresh but preserves the inherent charm.

   In the image below, another older country home, constructed in the 1870’s, received a complete facelift. But, it was the bathroom that actually drew the most attention and won an award for Design Excellence. You can see that the old-fashioned grace remains, but its allure is undoubtedly current.

   

5. When you think about the words “captivating” and “classy”, you think of:
   1. Rita Hayworth
   2. An Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Super
   3. Much of Oscar Wilde’s prose
   4. Your water closet

   If you answered a, b or c, we agree, but we need to focus, here. If you answered d, we think you might be most compatible with our next featured bathroom design.

   This seductive construct was created around those two words. Featured repeatedly in publications since it was photographed, this room speaks for itself.

   

6. What is the definition of chic?
   1. Attractive and fashionable; stylish and elegant.
   2. The chief of a tribe or family in Islamic countries.
   3. A young chicken.
   4. Where your toddler wants to give you a kiss.

   If you answered b, c or d, no comment. But, if you selected a, we bet you may also find yourself drawn to this bathroom.

   In the design scheme below, JEI combined clean lines and the right amount of color and reflection to create a contemporary look that is still soft and approachable.

   

   

   Eschew the notion that modern need be clinical; even in the bathroom where that may seem an impossible feat. This project demonstrates that you can retain the tranquil atmosphere you want for your bathroom but still read sharp and chic.

   Thank you for completing our Bathroom Compatibility Quiz. If you answered one or more of the questions correctly, you have found your lavatory love match! Even if you didn’t, there’s still a bathroom out there for you. It may seem a daunting task, but with the right guidance and information, we are confident that you’ll find the bathroom design that is right for you!

   We’re happy to help with your search. If you would like to chat with someone from the team at JEI about any of the projects discussed here, or concerning other available options, email Julie at Julie@julieevans.net.