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Creating Hygge in Your Bathroom

Tag: luxury bathroom

Creating Hygge in Your Bathroom

Posted on by katy@hawkkb.co.uk

Hygge: A quality of cosiness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being

Hygge (pronounced hue-guh), the defining characteristic of Danish culture, is the latest living trend to enter our homes. For bathrooms specifically, the market is already seeing designs leaning toward this trend, with home-spa bathrooms and a focus on nature and wellness growing in popularity.

With much of our everyday spent in our homes, Hygge is centered on the warmth of the home so is particularly prominent as the evenings draw in towards the winter months. Although loosely translated as cosiness, hygge encompasses much more than that. It is about slowing down and appreciating the everyday moments.

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Image via Victoria & Albert

One of the rare moments when we are alone is usually in the bathroom. Although a quick shower is usually favoured in today’s busy lifestyle, taking the time to run a warm bath and relax with a book or a glass of wine will give you a greater sense of wellbeing. Choosing a bath that is both deep and comfortable, such as the Victoria & Albert Vetrella, along with the Tombolo bath rack, will give you all the more reason to take that time for yourself.

However if bathing isn’t for you, ensure you go for a walk-in shower with a large rainshower head for the most natural  water flow, as if you were simply standing in a warm downpour. There are now many shower options available for you to create your own personal tailor-made spa experience. We recommend GROHE’s F-digital Deluxe, complete with lighting, sound and steam, to stimulate all your senses and transform your bathroom into a space of hygge for physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

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Images via Hawk K&B

Texture is vital for achieving hygge. Opt for a beautifully soft bath mat and thick fluffy towels with a focus on comfort. Enveloping yourself in a super soft robe or towel after a hot bath or shower is what hygge is all about. Or for the ultimate in comfort, install underfloor heating.

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Image via Hawk K&B

One of the key principles of hygge is lighting. Low, warm lighting is best, creating a calming ambience so light plenty of flickering candles and keep harsh lighting to a minimum. If you are lucky enough to have a fireplace in your bathroom, light a fire for the perfect natural warm light.

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Images via Hawk K&B

You can also bring added hygge into your bathroom through natural colours and materials such as wood and marble. Above, the natural wood cladding and wooden vanity unit, paired with low level lighting create the perfect cosy cloakroom. However where using natural materials is awkward such as in a shower room, opt for wood-effect or stone-effect tiles which will produce the same look and feel but with much better practicality.

Similarly, hygge is about simplicity so using the same tile across walls and floors, as we have done above, will create a simple yet elegant bathroom interior. A frameless shower screen or door will also add to the seamless appearance of the space.

Overall, the bathroom is the perfect space to introduce hygge to your home. With natural lighting, materials, colours and warmth, it is easy to achieve that cosiness and contentment that hygge is about. Just take the time to relax and immerse yourself in it.

Black & White Bathrooms

Posted on by katy@hawkkb.co.uk

Black and white is a classic colour combination that can produce a stunning effect in interiors, particularly bathrooms. The bathroom has never been the place to really show off interior trends, styles and colours however black and white in the bathroom can produce both beautiful classic and contemporary schemes that will remain timeless.

The reason black and white is so effective in bathrooms is due to the impact the colour combination can make, particularly in a small space such as a bathroom. Black absorbs light, whilst white reflects it. The fact that bathrooms are often full of clean lines and bold angles lends itself further to these contrasting tones.

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Image Via Decoist

When we think of a monochrome bathroom we usually imagine a classic, traditional style bathroom with a black toilet seat, white metro tiles with black borders and a roll top bath resting on black ornate feet. However recently, black and white has come to the forefront of contemporary bathroom design too.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Luxury bathroom suppliers are now introducing black sanitaryware, with the Bette Loft Bath having launched in black at Ish earlier this year and Villeroy & Boch offering another contemporary bath in a combination of black on the outside and white on the inside.

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Image via Hawk K&B

However if you want to achieve the ultimate in contemporary monochrome bathrooms, choose black furniture such as the Villeroy & Boch Finion range with its matt black finish.

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Image via Hawk K&B

The bathroom set at this year’s Ideal Home Show also demonstrated how a black and white bathroom can produce a beautiful classic contemporary look. Classic chequerboard tiles combined with a contemporary freestanding bath and black countertop sinks create a bathroom that oozes design. The addition of natural materials and textures throughout from the wooden stool, wicker basket and foliage, bring in a softer element and warmer tones to reduce the harsh contrast of the black and white.

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Images via Hawk K&B

Another element to consider when going monochrome is pattern. With such high contrast, a black and white pattern can really complete your bathroom, particularly a patterned tile. However if you’re looking for something more subtle, choose a dark stone with a natural pattern or inject it through soft furnishings such as curtains or towels like this bathroom above.

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Image via Hawk K&B

A black and white bathroom is easy to achieve with the majority of sanitaryware being white, the success of the design comes down to where you will inject the black. From going all out and painting a wall black or choosing a contemporary black cabinet to simply adding in black details through your choice of towels and accessories, such as this bold black mirror above, a monochrome bathroom will always make a statement that will stand the test of time.

Bathroom Trends & Themes – ISH 2017

Posted on by katy@hawkkb.co.uk

Last week Frankfurt welcomed around 200,000 visitors, including ourselves, to ISH, The World’s Leading Trade Fair for The Bathroom Experience.  The trade show invited design experts to experience and view some of the most impressive collections from around the world alongside the latest products, technologies and solutions launching onto the market.

This year’s themes for the bathroom were ‘health’, ‘comfort’, ‘individual’, ‘digital’ and ‘responsible’ and these themes certainly ticked all the boxes for us.

However, the theme that really resonated with us was ‘The Individual Bathroom’. Designing a personalised bathroom, individual to the client is essential to what we do. This doesn’t mean extravagant furnishings or particularly original ideas, but a bathroom that is tailored around the needs and wants of the client.

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Image via Grohe

The Grohe Rainshower SmartControl 360 shower system offers the most personalised shower experience yet. Remembering your personalised shower patterns and water temperatures, whether it’s a blood pumping cold blast after a hot gym session or a comfortably warm, massaging spray after a long day at work; with one push of a button your personalised shower is ready and waiting for you.

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Image via Bette

On the bathing front, the BetteLoft built-in bath is perfectly designed with precise contours to fit into the tapered surfaces of a loft space. This means it can offer a more comfortable soak for those with smaller loft bathrooms, making use of the limited space.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Brass was, once again, a key look with copper and gold also making appearances, particularly in brassware. These warm metallics naturally then paired with darker bathroom settings, creating a moody look. A bold step away from the traditional light, white bathrooms we are used to seeing.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Villeroy & Boch’s new collection ‘Finion’ highlighted exactly this, with its black furniture with gold niches and brassware and a holistic lighting concept to create a harmonious light stage. This indirect lighting of the shelves as well as backlighting of the cabinets and mirrors creates a different, softer light not often seen in bathrooms, right down to the elegant mirror light with surrounding LED lighting. All controlled by remote control.

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Image via Villeroy & Boch

For a more personalised experience, a mobile phone charging station for smartphones can be integrated into the side cabinet and shelves or an optional Bluetooth sound system can be built into the mirror.

The variety of individualisation options in Finion are designed to meet the growing demands of a modern lifestyle in every single detail.

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Image via Hawk K&B

It wasn’t just colour either, textured surfaces made a striking appearance across brassware and sanitaryware. These Gessi taps offer a variety of tactile finishes from dimples to quilting, offering the ultimate in bathroom personalisation.

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Image via Hawk K&B

This BetteLoft Ornament bath in enamelled steel not only looks stunning but also demonstrates the tremendous adaptability of glazed titanium steel.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Bette definitely excelled with the textures on their sanitaryware with their Lux Oval Couture range. Upholstered in a comfortable, durable fabric in three colour options, comfort and personalisation define this collection.

It’s clear to see that the bathroom has become a room that is now treasured within the home, a place that is to be designed and personalised around the client. Consistent with our approach to designing bathrooms, we are looking forward to having some of these new collections in our new St Albans showroom opening later this year.

Preparing the Perfect Guest Bathroom

Posted on by katy@hawkkb.co.uk

At this time of year there’s always a constant flow of friends and family coming and going from our homes and it’s important that visitors feel welcome. If you are opening up your house to overnight guests this festive season, it’s important not to forget about the guest bathroom and ensure it is just as warm and welcoming as the rest of your home.

Creating a spa like feel through simple, subtle details will automatically create a relaxing atmosphere in the bathroom and therefore promote a good night’s sleep. Stock up on little amenities that your guests may need such cotton balls or buds and small bars of soap. Alongside little luxuries such as sea sponges, bath salts and loofahs you can treat your guests to a spa-like experience in your own home.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Fresh flowers or plants are also a great addition to a bathroom, adding a natural element to the room. However it’s important to pick a plant that is happy in an often hot and humid atmosphere. Orchid’s make great bathroom plants as they naturally flourish in this environment and don’t require much maintenance.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Scent is extremely important in a bathroom. A beautifully scented candle will not only create a wonderful scent and ambience in the room, but nothing is more relaxing than a bath by flickering candlelight. A diffuser is also perfect for a bathroom as the small space will always be filled with a subtle scent.

luxury-guest-bathroom
Images via Hawk K&B

A luxury guest bathroom cannot go without some luxe linens. Ensure you have plenty of fluffy warm towels, stacked or rolled and for the ultimate finishing touch, add in a bath robe and some slippers to really make your guests feel at home.

Creating a Couple’s Bathroom

Posted on by katy@hawkkb.co.uk
couples-bathroom
Image via Hawk K&B

A couple’s bathroom is the epitome of luxury. Having a bathroom that you can not only share with your loved one, but also have your own designated space is the perfect bathroom solution.

The centrepiece of any bathroom, be it for the family or a couple, is the bath. For a couple, a double ended bath is a must, allowing you to enjoy a relaxing and romantic bath together without any hassle of taps in the way. Picking a bath that is deep with high sides is also a good idea to allow you to both be fully submerged under the bubbles.

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Image via Victoria & Albert

Why not add the Victoria & Albert Tombolo bath rack too, the ultimate luxury bathroom accessory for a super relaxing soak.

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Image via Hawk K&B

However for when you’re in more of a rush, a double shower is perfect for a couple’s bathroom. Walk in showers work best to create an uncluttered streamlined look, with two shower heads so everyone has their own space.

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Image via Hawk K&B

A double sink is also a must have.  There are various types to choose from, you can opt for one single double length sink which looks great in contemporary bathrooms, or two basins situated on one unit.

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Image via Hawk K&B

However for those who really want their own space, having two separate vanity units, complete with their own mirror means there will be no crossover between his and hers! Don’t forget the accessories too; a dual toothbrush holder and double hooks for your bathrobes will add those finishing touches to your couple’s bathroom.

Luxury Loft Bathrooms

Posted on by katy@hawkkb.co.uk
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Image via Hawk K&B

Space constraints in our homes today mean that when it comes to a new bathroom, transforming the loft space into a bathroom sanctuary is fast becoming a popular choice. Although initially it may seem like an awkward space to design, there are many ways in which you can transform even the smallest of loft spaces into a luxury bathroom whilst giving an unused part of a building a new lease of life.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Roof height is often the biggest concern in a loft bathroom but it is in fact these smaller spaces that can create great design features. Building in bathroom storage into the eaves is perfect for utilising any unused space and saves on the limited floor or wall space. For the smaller of loft spaces, a shower only bathroom can be the best option. Here in one of our loft bathroom designs we used the eaves to create the perfect walk-in shower, leaving plenty of space in the rest of the bathroom for a double vanity unit.

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Image via Hawk K&B

Although tiny, the eaves in this loft room created the perfect space in which to slot an en-suite shower room.

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Image via Hawk K&B

However in some situations, a sloping roof may make it impractical to fit in a shower, in this instance a bath is best. Even the tightest of spaces can fit a bath with lots of styles and sizes now available. Positioning it under a sloped ceiling is the perfect place for a bath and with the addition of skylights you can gaze up at the sky whilst you bathe…

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Image via Hawk K&B

The more windows in your loft space the lighter and spacious the room will feel. Additionally, natural light is unbeatable for everything from shaving to applying make-up. Therefore placing a vanity unit beneath a roof light is the perfect positioning. Blended with light diffusing wall lights, you will create a beautiful, light filled bathroom sanctuary.

The beautiful features that a loft can offer are what makes the space. Combined with stunning sanitary ware and clever design solutions you can create a bathroom that is unique as the space itself.