I trust you enjoyed your first fresh slice of inspiration straight from the Big Apple? In part 2 of this 4-part style guide, I’ll be getting under the skin of the Manhattan look, showing you how to choose the right colours, walls, floors and accessories.
In part 1, I introduced you to the Manhattan bathroom and explained the different styles and elements which combine to create this refined look. For a quick reminder, watch the video above.
The confident use of colour, especially darker shades, is key to making the Manhattan look work. Whilst you may be more used to a light or neutral palette, darker interiors are the big design trend of the moment. Done well, it’ll do wondrous things for your home. Let’s see how best to achieve your colours, finishes, walls, floors and accessories.
Choosing your Manhattan colour scheme
Whilst the most common approach to a bathroom colour scheme involves plenty of white space and neutral tones, darker shades are now taking the interior design world by storm.
It may seem counter-intuitive but a darker setting will add a sense of theatre, drama and passion to what could otherwise be a dull and emotionless space. It’s a look we’ve been championing in recent months (see our Vintage Chic and Dark Domain bathrooms) and is guaranteed to set just the right refined tone in your Manhattan style bathroom.
Green bathrooms are on-trend right now, so we’ve selected a rich shade of opal green for our walls alongside gold as an accent colour. However, you can be as bold as you like with dark purples, deep reds and navy blues being popular choices.
Special finishes for a special bathroom
We all love a shiny chrome finish as it adds sparkle and reflects light around the room, however you shouldn’t feel restricted when choosing your taps, shower, heating and accessories.
Coloured metallic finishes are all the rage right now and can be used to great effect in your Manhattan bathroom. To match our accent colours, we’ve opted for a variety of products with a gleaming gold-coloured finish, although you could just as easily choose from brushed nickel, copper, brushed steel or even matt black.
From wall to floor
In a country where natural light can be a scarce commodity for large parts of the year, it may seem curious that I’m suggesting darker walls and floors. However, with the right choice of wall and floor treatments, you can create a space that is both dramatic and welcoming.
Walls
To demonstrate the type of effect you could achieve, we’ve gone for a heady mix of painted walls, designer tiles and shower wall panels, all designed to complement the overall look and feel of the room.
In bathroom design, there is a growing trend for Artisan products, or at least items that have the look of a handmade product. These type of items have a story to tell and provide a point of interest and intrigue—a step away from the mass-produced look. That’s why I selected Ted Baker tiles, with their unique print patterns that come straight from Ted’s own back catalogue.
Shower wall panels are an effective way to introduce different effects to the interior walls of your shower enclosure. You can even use them right around your room if you like. In this instance, we’ve chosen a black marble effect for a truly refined look.
For the painted walls, we chose a rich primary colour. Do ensure you choose a good quality bathroom paint to avoid mould or peeling.
Floor
Add visual interest by zoning your floor using different colours and textures. In our Manhattan bathroom, we used a combination of tiles to separate the bath/shower area and the toilet/basin area.
To draw the eye downwards and create a flowing appearance, we continued using the Ted Baker tiles from wall to floor. Simple white tiles add a lighter element which works in harmony with the darker walls.
How to accessorise your Manhattan bathroom
Some well-chosen accessories will add genuine character to your space. Here are my top tips to accessorise your Manhattan bathroom:
- Keep it simple—don’t be tempted to over-accessorise your space. As a contemporary look, minimalism is the key, so be selective with your choices.
- Light up with candles—what better way to unwind after a hard day in the city than with the soft glow that can only be achieved with candlelight. Scented candles will add to the ambience.
- Side tables and chairs—providing additional storage and a handy place to sit, look for chairs and occasional tables that come with your chosen coloured metallic finish.
- Designer heating—we chose a heating pole which matched the gold metallic finish for a truly unique look.
- A fancy mirror—choose something that gives a nod to a classic era, like an Art Deco design.
- Plant life—for an apartment or city dwelling, greenery comes at a premium so carefully choose houseplants which thrive in a warm and humid atmosphere.
- Natural materials—seek out toothbrush holders and soap dishes in a more natural material like marble for an opulent look.
Manhattan in a small space
Thirsty for more? In part 3, I’ll show you how to achieve the Manhattan look in a small space. Head there now by clicking the banner below.
