Bathrooms with some Eastern Flair

With an ever increasing number of people discovering the benefits of ancient Asian practices, such as yoga, various martial arts and meditation.

 

It is no wonder why there has been an increasing demand to bring this Asian-flavoured serenity and calm into their living areas as well. As a result, Asian-inspired decor and architecture have become fashionable, especially when there is a subtle fusion between Eastern and Western design philosophies. Says Jasmin Kraneveldt, director of leading sanitaryware supplier, Bathroom Bizarre: “The clean and uncluttered designs, as well as the nature-inspired inspiration for Asian-themes lend themselves particularly well to bathroom design and layout.”

 

Today, people spend a lot of time in their bathrooms – in fact, apart from the bedroom, it is one of the most frequented rooms in the home, being the first room we go to when waking up and the last one we visit before going to bed. As the bathroom has evolved from merely being a place of hygiene and functionality, into becoming a restful retreat as well, so has its design and decor progressed to accommodate this change. Says Kraneveldt: “Nowhere is this more noticeable than in Asian-inspired bathroom designs – boasting hallmarks of serenity, grace, comfort, balance and relaxation, all of which are elements that epitomise the perfect bathroom space.” She provides the following tips on how to successfully incorporate an Asian flavour into your bathroom space:

 

 

 

 

“Simplicity is an essential quality of any Asian design,” says Kraneveldt, “so it is important to choose sanitaryware that reflects this.” In the bathroom featured alongside for example, Bathroom Bizarre’s Pamplona basins and stands, the free-standing Venice 11 bath, the Iberia toilet, and the Portofino taps, combine to create an elegantly simple and exceptionally well balanced layout. The clean lines of the various pieces of sanitaryware and the faucets complement one another to produce an overall look with modern, yet highly functional undertones. 

 

She says that the symmetry of the layout is another key feature in Asian design: “Asian traditions are built on symmetry and balance – from their religious beliefs, to their cuisine, and of course, their design. Symmetry in design requires a central axis, which is provided by the centrally located, free-standing Venice 11 bath, with equal balance or weight on each side, provided by the two free-standing Pamplona basins and stands.” 

 

The layout does not necessarily have to be a perfect mirror image; in fact, it provides more visual interest if it is not. As such, the Iberia toilet, and the hand-carved wooden towel rail have been positioned on the left hand side of the bathroom, and to counter balance this, a Balinese-style cabinet has been placed on the right hand side. This composition is balanced, yet not boring due to the choice of different pieces that are hosted on each side. “Symmetry and balance provides for a very pleasing and ordered aesthetic, and remains an exceptionally popular element in general layout design,” says Kraneveldt.

 

 

 

Asian themes all pay tribute to nature and incorporate various natural elements, says Kraneveldt: “Emphasise natural materials to enhance a sense of oneness with the natural world, which is characteristic of Asian design and spirituality. Try and incorporate this in all aspects of the room – from the colours you choose, through to the sanitaryware and furniture, the lighting, and the choice of flooring.” 

 

This bathroom features laminate flooring in Limed Oak, since it is an affordable option, aesthetically pleasing, hard wearing, and since its edges are wax-impregnated; it is moisture-resistant as well. If you can afford it, solid bamboo flooring is also a great alternative, as are pebble mosaics and slate or sandstone tiles. The wooden floor compliments the various Mahogany furniture and accents featured throughout – from the wooden stands holding the Venice 11 bath, through to the Pamplona basin stands, the mirror frames, floating shelves, and the towel ladder, which are all available from Bathroom Bizarre, as well as the hand-carved Buddha relief that takes pride of place behind the bath and the hand-carved Mahogany cabinet. 

 

Other natural elements featured as accessories in this bathroom include a hand-carved stone Buddha candleholder, bonsai trees, a white orchid, and a tropical fern – all of which bring a bit of the outdoors inside. The featured back loofah sphere hanging lamp is an especially interesting addition – it is made from cross-sections of genuine loofahs that have been stained black and stuck together. It is an interesting shape, and the shadows it makes on the ceiling above are mesmerising.

 

 

 

Says Kraneveldt: “When it comes to the choice of colour palettes for Asian-themed bathrooms, the choice is really left to your discretion – you can go with plain white, or muted, pale earthy shades akin to Japanese designs, you can choose bright jewel tones, like emerald green or ruby red, inspired by Chinese and Indian decor, or, as featured in this bathroom, you can choose spicy tones inspired by the robes of Tibetan monks.”

 

The dark orange is called Auburn Falls 2, and the light orange used for the central feature wall is called Ginger Glow 3. “These oranges really make the dark wooden accents and white sanitaryware ‘pop’. They are a great choice, as they are able to instil a sense of warmth and serenity into the space, without being too overwhelming,” explains Kraneveldt.

 

“The great thing about Asian-inspired bathroom themes is that they are timeless and versatile – allowing you to customise the design and decor to suit your individual taste and sense of style. You can choose from a look that is ultra modern and subdued in its appeal, or a style that is warm and eclectic – the choice is yours,” concludes Kraneveldt.

 

All images courtesy of Bathroom Bizarre (www.bathroom.co.za).