spa Archives - NYC Interior Design

Bathrooms have evolved from utilitarian and small 5' x 7' rooms to much more sophisticated spa type spaces. Today residential homeowners are installing fireplaces, whirlpool baths, hot tubs, spas and saunas in bathrooms. There are designs implementing tvs, sound systems, vanities, and array of other options. Bathrooms are being built much larger to accommodate more options and also to have the flexibility to accommodate more than one person. One of the most important considerations for any bathroom is that the doorway should be designed to shield the inside visually if the door is left open when possible. The first decision if space is an issue is often whether to have a tub and shower or only a shower. For materials I've found that limestone, slate, wood, marble and glass tile are some of the more popular choices for surfaces for high end bathrooms. The fittings (faucets, shower heads, lever handles, etc) should be the same finish to create harmony and continuity within the design. Matte nickel, chrome and brass are several of the nicer finishes used. Combining three types of lighting works best. Ambient or background lighting such as downlights, focused spotlighting using wall sconces on a mirror, and accent lights such as candles is the ideal combination to illuminate evenly. The spotlights need to be the correct color temperature with a warm tone to show skin tone most accurately. Dimmers should be installed on all of the lights in bathrooms. Here are some of my favorite luxurious bathrooms. Which one is your favorite?