Bathroom enchantment

In VISI 67 Escape to the Country we featured some of the most decadently dreamy old-world bathrooms. Pure bathing bliss is not an untouchable fantasy and, in fact, quite achievable says interior designer Patricia Jackson. Escape to your bathroom today…

For the past few seasons there has been a return to traditional bathroom design with an emphasis on romantic, old world charm. This yearning for a bygone era of safe comfort and warmth has become a global trend, but can easily become pastiche and the challenge for designers and homemakers is to reinterpret this era in sophisticated contemporary interiors for long-lasting style.

Interior designer Patricia Jackson says this nostalgic trend can easily be incorporated in sophisticated bathrooms of today, without the risk of dating a space that is expensive to update. 

Says Patricia: “Bathrooms and kitchens are usually the most expensive rooms in a home and choosing fittings, fixtures and finishes are influenced by functionality, durability as well as personal taste. If you are fitting expensive sanitary ware, taps, mixers and shower heads – make sure it will stand the test of time and not limit you to a look that will be out of date tomorrow.”

Patricia’s top tips for creating a bathroom with dreamy old-world charm

• Go for elegance and new technology appropriate to our times rather than the outdated merely for the look – interpret the era in a contemporary way. Choose classic sanitary ware and fittings with elegant lines that will not date.
• German-designed Hansgrohe and Axor taps, mixers and showers are available in a wide range to suit every bathroom style and budget, with the benefits of water and energy saving technology, and exceptional durability.
• The Hansgrohe Classic ranges, such as Talis Classic and Metris Classic, and the Axor Montreaux range, interpret classic styles in a sinuous more contemporary manner while still complementing and enhancing traditional sanitary ware.
• The new nostalgic look is all about comfort and ease, so try to create a home spa environment. The Hansgrohe Raindance Air Classic mixes air and water to give you the feeling that you are showering under the rain. 
• The Metaflex shower hoses are reminiscent of those on the old “telephone” hand showers, but the plastic covered coil hosing is easy to clean without the old dirt trapping crevices.
• For modern yet classic taps and mixers, opt for Hansgrohe’s Metris Classic or Talis Classic designs that have a full range of products for every application in the bathroom. Its sensual decorative lines and basic geometric forms, coupled with classic elements, are not only on trend but also timeless.
• The Axor Montreaux is a stylish high-end bathroom collection that takes you back to the early 20th century. Whether in a traditional or modern environment, its highly reliable design provides an authentically styled bathroom. It is ideal for those wishing to create an European spa-styled bathroom.
• Create the new nostalgic look with accessories and finishes that can easily be changed. An antique mirror, plush embroidered towels, a dramatic chandelier, and an oriental rug and silver etched glass accessories that can easily be substituted should you wish to change your look in future.

www.hansgrohe.co.za

Get the VISI 67: Escape to the Country to see our lust-have old-school bathrooms worth dreaming about. The hottest read the chill has blown your way, expect 6 celebrated authors going wild, 80 pages of divine out-of-town hideaways, 30 reasons to chill out and nest, and over 30 prizes to be won, including a R9 000 weekend at Babylonstoren. Look out for the print version at selected retail outlets or buy the digital version right now.

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