colour

tip #1 – modern or classic clean palette

White is such a versatile colour to consider because it can easily work with a classic or modern setting. If you are choosing classic stones like bianco carrara marble or subway tile, then a white bath fixture will help you achieve this look. If you are going for a modern aesthetic, you can be a bit more playful by adding darker stone or tile options to create high contrast between the white bath fixture and the rest of the finishes in the room.

tip #2 – traditional and rich colour

For a more traditional look that incorporates the richness of marble, limestone and travertine, it’s best to go for a colour that will blend in seamlessly as opposed to creating contrast. Consider using one of these great neutrals – linen, biscuit or bone. Ideally, the colour should match or compliment all of the other finishes that are being used in the bathroom and will help give you a designer look!

deck profile options

tip #1 – make a statement zen-inspired 4" profile

If you want your bathtub to make a statement, go all out and choose the chunky 4" profile. I love using this in a modern setting with other materials that are substantial and masculine.

tip #2 – sleek and sophisticated traditional 2" profile

I prefer to use the 2" or slimline profile for a more sophisticated feminine look. This creates a clean and simple detail above the tile that you are using for the tub surround.

tip #3 – concealed modern slimline profile

The flush mount profile works well in a modern setting because it feels like the deck disappears. The end result looks seamless and integrated into the space.

For traditional applications, choose the under mount profile which mimics the look of a kitchen sink. This allows you to add a beautiful deck surround made out of stone or tile.

upgrading your soaker

Bathrooms have become one of the most important spaces in the home and it’s important to choose fixtures that will really enhance your everyday experience. Why not create the ultimate spa environment in your own home by adding a hydrotherapy system. Think about all the money that you will save by not having to go out for costly spa treatments every month. The benefits include everything from emotional, muscular, skeletal, skin, mental, circulatory and respiratory.

The azzura whirlpool option is achieved through a combination of pressurized water and air while the azzura Jet Air® produces thousands of tiny warm air bubbles which both help to give you a relaxing experience targeting the upper and lower back region.

My personal favourite would be to upgrade to the azzura combo of whirlpool and Jet Air® systems. This is the perfect investment because it provides a customized experience for my clients as well as their family and guests.

To enhance the hydrotherapy, consider adding azzura chromotherapy which will help to improve your health, mood and balance through the use of different colours of light. This is the "icing on the cake" when it comes to bathing because not only is it therapeutic, but you can turn off all of the other lights and allow it to become a beautiful light feature in the space!

small space bathrooms

When you have a limited amount of square footage in your bathroom there are a lot of things that you need to ask yourself before you make any purchases. What am I going to use this bath fixture for? Is it for a relaxing soak at the end of the day, a quick shower, to bath children or pets…these are all important things to consider!

tip #1 – keep it minimal

To create the illusion of more space, always choose bath fixtures that have a minimal aesthetic. A great option is the fina bath because of its deckless profile. It has the versatility of being installed either flushmount or undermount for both modern and traditional applications. The 60" length works well for most small space bathrooms because it is spacious and deep enough for all your needs.

tip #2 – reflection

Adding mirrors are a great way to add reflection and will instantly make the space feel larger. To keep things modern, a great trick that I use is to have custom mirror installed going from the top of the vanity, all the way up to the ceiling. This will create an emphasis on the vertical space that you have.

tip # 3 – hidden potential

When renovating bathrooms, I love to see a space when it’s stripped down to the bare studs. This is where I can see all of the potential nooks and niches that I can use for hidden storage. Make sure to use this to your advantage by creating storage areas for toiletries, towels and supplies. Keep everything hidden behind closed doors so that your eye focuses on the beautiful fixtures and finishes and not on the clutter!

tip #4 – small space solutions

If you have less than 5'-0" for a bath fixture then the best answer is to use an azzura shower base. This is a great solution because it allows for easy entry and exit and comes with a convenient shower seat. Since it is only 24" in height, this becomes the perfect opportunity to introduce a fabulous glass or stone tile mosaic as the focal point in the space. Eliminate the shower curtain and keep the view as open as possible by adding a glass door. For a more modern look, use frameless glass and chrome hardware.

lighting

Even though your bathroom may be smaller than some of the other main spaces in your home, always approach it with the same design principles! For the ultimate control of lighting, make sure to incorporate the following:

• Pot lights are great for many reasons. They provide overhead lighting and you can change the mood by having everything set on a dimmer. The look is clean and modern and you can position them accordingly to highlight different areas in the bathroom.
• Install at least 2 wall sconces as your task lighting above the vanity (add 3 if you have a larger space to cover). Overhead lighting usually casts shadows and doesn’t provide the best scenario especially for makeup application. Trust me on that one!!
• Finish off the look with a dramatic chandelier or ceiling mount fixture, which will help to create another fabulous focal point in the space!

drop in baths

If you want to emphasize the luxury of having space, a drop in bath is a great option because they come in 60", 66" or 72" lengths as well as 60" x 60" corner models. This is perfect opportunity to create a substantial deck or platform for the bath to be set into.

To keep things contemporary, consider using the same tile for the flooring, tub surround and deck. This will help to unify all of the surfaces and keep things looking clean and simple. Make sure to match the grout colour to the tile for a seamless look.

As an alternative, choose a beautiful stone slab for the deck and tub surround. This is a more expensive option but will give the illusion of one massive piece of stone. From there you can easily introduce an accent tile on the surrounding walls. Use a mosaic that has a mix of the same stone and introduce glass or metallic finishes to keep it modern.