Bathrooms are a particularly important part of our homes – not merely functional, but, when they’re designed well, forming personal sanctuaries for self-care. Often, the first thing that we seek to remodel when we move into a new property, bathrooms can also form a pivotal part of the design motif when building a new home as well.
Our team of interior experts at Nicholas Anthony have won multiple awards for their bathroom design. So, giving an insight into our inner world of creativity, here, Design Director, Niko Rasides, discusses the key ingredients for remodelling your bathroom, taking inspiration from spas, luxury hotels, wellness resorts, and nature itself.
Form and function
A modern bathroom has to be about functionality, with style seamlessly layered on top of that user experience. A bathroom has to work – not just mechanically, but intuitively for the person who lives in the property. That can mean different things to different people, but there must be an instinctive usability in the way the space operates for it to feel both beautiful and relaxing.
Perhaps one of the best examples of form and function working in harmony, is a bathroom we designed around the use of the most exquisite Carrara marble. With the ancient stone taking centre stage, the bathroom instantly offered the sense of luxury that the owners desired. This was a space where they wanted to feel cocooned in a spa-style sanctuary, and a white theme alongside the natural stone were instrumental both to the form and that desired function of the space.
The rippling effect of the marble was accompanied by an almost egg-shaped bath, carefully selected coral sculptures, while product dispensers tucked strategically on an inbuilt marble nook in the wall. Meanwhile, a smoked oak veneer cabinet under the marble-clad double sinks, added an intentional and effective warmth to the space, as well as practicality for keeping clutter off the surfaces and tucked away so as not to disrupt the unequivocal calm.
View ‘A Bathroom for the modern age’
Timeless style
At Nicholas Anthony we don’t focus so much on what’s trending as much as we do on timelessness. Exceptional style is the kind that endures – we see this through the defining aesthetics from across the centuries, whether you look at Victorian Gothic architecture, Regency interiors, or Mid-century Modern furnishings, for example.
We all have different style preferences, and we all want to imprint our own unique mark upon our homes. While those choices might be influenced by what’s currently fashionable, in something as enduring as a property, it’s essential to consider how they are implemented so that they stand the test of time. At the moment, for example, there is a revival of Moroccan design, which has a rich beauty to it, as well as the depth that goes with something that’s endured across generations. It is also especially suited to bathrooms thanks to the cultural history of wellbeing, spa baths, and the use of greenery and water features.
Another aspect of that timelessness that we feel is integral is the inclusion of art within all areas of the home – including the bathroom – because this is a unique and important way in which we can express our individuality as well as incorporate features that bring us joy or nurture emotion within us.
Recently shortlisted for The International Design and Architecture Awards, an example of this creative mindset in action is a wellbeing sanctuary within a historic home that blends classic French aristocratic interiors and contemporary design. Bringing Regency romance to the modern world, this was a space that was intended to be all about luxury. While the palette, including chrome-framed mirrors and glass partitions, was contemporary, the details were imbued with Recency inspiration. Wood panelling, a bespoke, mural-style wallpaper, and a gentle curving freestanding bath all add subtle touches of tradition and richness without being overwhelming.
Connecting with nature
Synergy with nature is something that design should always consider, from the materials, to the light, and the connection with the outside world. These are the things that help us to feel more like ourselves, to feel calm, grounded, and at peace. Bathrooms are the epitome of that mindset, with the materials we use and associate with wellbeing inextricably linked with the natural world. Wood, stone, water, light, and even plant life – all these elements are things that give us a sense of tranquillity.
A good example of this was a beautiful property in Lexden near Colchester, for which we won an International Property Award. Here, we retained the idea of bathroom design as a sanctuary where modern luxury and nature coexist in an immersive experience. Inspired by the surrounding landscapes, it featured book-matched marble, black brassware, and bespoke features such as walk-in showers and towel radiators. Glass-fronted cabinets, ribbed detailing, and the subtle concealment of functional elements created a sense of effortless luxury, while strategically placed mirrors and lighting amplified the interplay of texture and light.
View ‘Mirror Image: His & Her Bathrooms’
Sustainable sanctuaries
With greater knowledge and awareness around sustainability, design can, and should, be even more integrated with Mother Nature. Sustainability is another aspect of design that’s about both form and function, such as water conservation through the taps and shower fittings that you choose, energy efficient lighting and heating sources, as well as sustainably sourced and environmentally friendly materials.
As a case in point, and winner of the Best Bathroom Interior Design award at The International Property Awards, we designed a bathroom for a property on the outskirts of Colchester, the Roman capital of Britain, with bathing rituals fit for traditional thermae baths in mind. The property was surrounded by spectacular views of the surrounding greenery from the bathroom, and we echoed that vista with earthy hues on the walls, natural stone finishes, and oak flooring mirroring the surrounding woodland.
The space also organically honoured nature by respecting its importance, using state-of-the-art technology. For example, the steam shower rooms from AXOR create a truly spa-like experience, while incorporating water saving technologies designed for energy efficiency and reduced water consumption. Products are also designed for durability and easy repair to minimise waste in the future.
Overall, remodelling a bathroom is about creating a space where you can switch off from the outside world, breathe deeply, relax, and take care of yourself. Unlike other parts of the house, this is an environment where the narrative is purely for you and no one else, and curating that level of peace is not simply about choosing tiles and colours, but honouring ritual, the value of life’s routines, and the need for spaces where time stands still.