Photography: Maree Homer
Modern bathrooms are far from the purely functional spaces they used to be. They’re now sanctuaries people retreat to for a long soak or bit of pampering self care. As such, bathroom design needs to support a calming scheme. And what could be more soothing and serene than a neutral colour palette filled with earth tones?
Earth tones are undoubtedly having a moment. From Pantone’s colour of the year to the general shift towards warm and textural palettes, earth tones are on trend yet also timeless. After all, colour schemes inspired by nature will never go out of style.
As always, a successful palette is all about balance. You don’t want a room filled with earth tones to feel bland or beige. We sat down with Kate Nixon as she shared her secrets to designing with earth tones and how it can lead to serene and stylish bathroom design.
Designing a bathroom with earth tones
What was once a series of dark rooms in a 1940s cottage became a light-filled sanctuary thanks to the team at Kate Nixon design. The homeowners, a married couple, entrusted Kate and interior designer Jarrod Potaka to bring their Lower North Shore abode into the light, which they did with the addition of skylights.
“We were inspired by the home’s spectacular surroundings,” says Kate. “Clean lines champion natural materials, tones and textures to sit softly in the landscape.” The sense of harmony is thanks to a palette of earth tones. ‘Kone’ porcelain tiles from Rocks On grace the walls and vanity top beside Sareva honed quartzite from Artedomus on the basins and shower bench. Raw-sawn limestone from Onsite Supply + Design is laid in a herringbone pattern.
A curved motif softens these stones, with an arch leading into the shower area, echoed by the small shower niche. Both feature mosaic porcelain tiles from Onsite Supply + Design. The homeowners couldn’t be happier. “The results combine comfort and style to suit our lives perfectly,” they say.
Introduce earth tones with natural materials
Artedomus Sareva honed quartzite is show-stopping. “The custom quartzite basins evolved on site, originally designed as a single trough installation without the front stone fascia,” explains Kate. They are paired with Brodware ‘City Stik’ tapware in Weathered Brass Organic and Avenir heated towel rails, both supplied by Sydney Tap and Bathroomware.
“The dual stone basins integrated into the vanity are a beautiful happy accident.”
Kate Nixon
Kate Nixon’s bathroom design tips
As a high-traffic area, Kate advises factoring comfort into your design. “Consider texture and an earthy accent colour with key fixtures and fittings to elevate your everyday experience,” she says. Joinery in ‘TrueGrain’ Bouchon FSC from Briggs Veneers and Schwung ‘Odyssey’ sconces in Lacquered Burnished Brass from Design Nation achieve this texture and luxe accent of earth tones.
Interior design: Kate Nixon, katenixon.com
Source book
The Edit: Shop the earth tones palette
01
Pure linen bath towel in Natural
$150, Cultiver
Nothing ruins a relaxing bath or hot shower like a scratchy, rough towel. Treat yourself to a soft and supple material like this Cultiver towel. Made from 100% European flaw with 550gsm, this is quick drying yet feels luxurious against your skin. It’s available in three colours, two of which fit perfectly within a palette inspired by earth tones. The dimensions are 70cm x 140cm with a delicate fringe on both ends.
02
‘Binu Binu’ marble soap dish
$139, Lee Matthews
Decorating bathrooms can be difficult, especially when you’re dealing with a small bathroom. That’s why it’s good to purchase functional items that have a stunning design. That way, your practical features can also serve as decoration. Lee Matthews’ ‘Binu Binu’ marble soap dish is a wonderful example of this. The hand-polished marble is an opaque, glossy black, with dramatic sepia and cream veining throughout. It’s as sculptural and stylish as it is functional.
03
Saarde ‘Flow’ toothbrush holder in Marshmallow
$45, Aura Home
Even essential bathroom items such as toothbrushes and toothpaste can be stored in style. This resin toothbrush holder is rectangular in shape but the corners are soft, creating a curvy, modern appeal that perfectly suits the creamy marble finish. It fits in perfectly with a neutral colour palette filled with earth tones. A matching soap dish and bathroom tray are also available. Dimensions are 10cm (H) x 8.5cm (W) x 7.5cm (D).
04
Verotti ‘City Life Inox’ stainless steel double towel rail in Brushed Bronze
$209, Temple & Webster
This double towel rail in Brushed Bronze is perfect for small bathrooms with one or two users. The stainless steel rail is available in four finishes but we love the Brushed Bronze option as it fits in perfectly with a palette of earth tones, introducing darker hues to the scheme for contrast. It is easy to install and has a durable, quality finish. The dimensions are 2.4cm (H) x 60cm (W) x 11.7cm (D). For a heated towel rail suitable for large bathrooms with more users, try this one.
05
Tumbled white natural square tiles in Limestone
$256/sqm or $115/box for 100mm x 100mm, The Blue Space
Natural stone tiles add an essential organic appeal to any bathroom designed with earth tones in mind. They are at once tactile, visually interesting and also hardy. These tumbled white limestone tiles are square in shape, with natural deviation in colour and texture that presents a truly unique appearance. They are suitable for indoor and covered outdoor use. The finish is matte and the dimensions are 10cm x 10cm.
06
Bold ‘Skipping Stone’ vase
$260, Dinosaur Designs
Made from resin and crafted in Dinosaur Design’s Sydney studio, this vase is a gorgeous piece of Australian made craftmanship. The asymmetrical silhouette creates a smooth, organic form, perfect for displaying single stems or tubular stemmed flowers. It is available in 22 colours but we love the neutral earth tones of this one. It weighs 2kg and has dimensions of 26cm (H) x 16cm (W). The opening is 4.5cm in diameter.
Be the first to read this story by subscribing to Home Beautiful magazine.
