SEEKING SANCTUARY? It’s only a Hallway Away.

Bathrooms have come a long way from simply utilitarian spaces to service as a private spa and sanctuary. As with all design projects, you want this room to reflect your interests and your moods.

Here are some styles lo fine tune with your own creative variations.

COUNTRY

· Gentle colors and a feeling of space are essential.

· Fixtures: Old bathtubs and basins can be refurbished; choose simple fittings.

· Cabinets: Use sealed and polished natural pine.

· Windows: Muslin curtains to flutter in the breeze.

· Floors: Pine with a rag rug.

· Walls: Enhance walls that are papered prettily with glossy white woodwork or stripped pine. Hang framed prints of birds and wild flowers.

· Lighting: Place strip lights behind a pine fascia.

· Dressing table: Cover the surface with muslin to display a collection of silver-back hair brushes and large bottles of toilet water. Add a wood-backed chair with an upholstered seat or a stool.

· Ambience: Jugs of wild flowers; jars and bottles displayed on a decorative laundry bin or a freestanding cabinet; dozens of fragrant soap bars in a basket.

SOPHISTICATED

· Expanses of marble and mirrors are the hallmarks.

· Fixtures: Bath fittings of shining chrome or gold.

· Cabinets: Built in.

· Floors: Cover in stone or carpet to match and complement the bedroom. Coconut matting, sisal or Berber make wonderful neutral bathroom rugs.

· Walls: Line with dark shining tiles or stone, allowing the ceiling lights to reflect on the tiles. Non-endangered woodwork can be used, for example rift oak and mahogany. Just as elegant are high-enameled finishes in deep colors. Another exciting combination is silk and mirrors.

·Lighting: Recessed.

· Dressing table: Built in with concealed strip light over the make-up mirror. Decorative sconces can be added.

· Ambience: Comfortable levels of heat and humidity are essential to obliterate the chill of marble and keep the mirror free of mist. Sculptures add drama especially when spotted by concealed lights. Drape towels on a free-standing valet or pile in an antique trunk.

GLAMOROUS

· Recall the days of Garbo.

· Fixtures: The bathtub should be large, perhaps circular, and, most important, sunken. Water might pour from a gilded dolphin or “waterfalls” that cascade from walls of mirror or black glass.

· Windows: Swagged with silk puddling on the floor.

· Floors: The floor finish and surrounding area is of marble or in deep plush carpeting.

· Walls: Pad with silk in subtle colors so the look and sound are soft. Add beveled mirrors and a French pastel drawing.

· Lighting: Strip light source should be indirect from the sides of the dressing table mirror.

· Dressing table: A Lucite vanity. Silk-padded French Art Nouveau chair. Finishing touches include signed photos in silver frames and a large spiking amaryllis.

· Ambience: Toweling must be unbelievably large, in soft colors and monogrammed, of course.

VICTORIAN

· The effect is large and comfortable

· Fixtures: Bathtubs are enameled; side often paneled. Use brass towel rails and marble shelves.

· Windows: Battenberg lace shades.

· Floors: Mosaic tile.

· Walls: Tiled walls in geometric patterns.

· Lighting: Shaded sconces.

· Ambience: A washstand accented with knick-knacks and favorite scents. For a whimsical touch, install a tin ceiling painted white.

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