As our Designers We Love column proves, we absolutely love learning what today’s leading professionals have to say about kitchen and bath design. But what about some of the leading designers of yesterday, what were their thoughts on kitchen and bath design? More often than not, the advice of the world’s most celebrated designers some 30 or even 60 years ago still holds true, even though styles change and technology advances...
Here, we revisit a few of legendary English designer David Hicks’ insightful tips from his 1970 book, David Hicks on Bathrooms. His knack for mixing contemporary color schemes and bold new patterns with fine art and antiques didn’t stop with the main living rooms of his projects , but continued right to his luxurious loos.
“A bathroom is a room, not just a plain tiled cubicle.”
“Most of today’s bathrooms still look too clinical. It is simply not necessary for them to have the stark hospitalized appearance that many builder and manufacturers seem to imagine. A bathroom needs to be not only functionally efficient, but as attractive, soothing or invorgating as any other room. Without being chi-chi it can have character, colour and luxury—even in the smallest space.”
“For me the essentials of a really congenial bathroom are simplicity, style and utter cleanliness.”
“I am constantly amazed, as I sit in my studio pondering new design solutions, to realize just how difficult it is to hit upon something original and, in a curious way, how fortunate we are to live at the present time. We are able to gain immeasurably from the past, which is more accessible to us that it has ever been. Again and again one sees how right early decisions were.”
“Don’t be afraid to flout convention and to experiment with the positioning of your units.”
“Remember that the most super bathroom stands or falls by the way it is maintained. In the end really good planning and imaginative decoration, as historical examples show, will be lastingly worthwhile. Wall colours, wallpapers, carpet, counter tops, lighting, towels, bathroom chairs, pictures, etc. are what give style to bathrooms.”
Image via Pinterest
Other Posts We Think You Might Like
Discover the top bath and kitchen hardware ideas for 2024.
View Post
L.A.-based Linda Allen is known for having a deft hand with myriad styles and creating richly layered and dramatically illuminated interiors. Her rooms are ethereal and textured, and reflective of her travels and global perspective.
View Post
Simply put, Hansgrohe’s Raindance handshowers make you feel good. In production since 1928 (and often copied), the company’s revolutionary handshowers have long been the choice for those who appreciate convenience and, well, a little fun. Now, thanks to a new concept by Phoenix Design, the Stuttgart, Germany-based firm who have been working with Hansgrohe for years, we have the next generation of hand-helds.
View Post