We are building an addition and we’re waiting (and waiting) for a string of sunny, warm and dry days for the foundation to be poured. As I’m writing this, Denver meteorologists are probably sweating in cramped television studios after little to no sleep because they’ve lost their minds about an upcoming winter storm. Clearly, foundation will not be poured anytime soon. We’re adding an Owner’s Suite, which is a fancier way of say a bedroom, closet and bathroom and a family room. If you’re wondering, most people in my industry are not calling these rooms “Master Bedrooms” any longer although I keep seeing it on architectural plans.
Our home is a 1930’s shack, I mean cottage, and I’ve taken inspiration from classic, unfitted bathrooms that I’ve adored through the years. Here are some of my favorites that have really inspired me for my own cottage bathroom.
I realize this isn’t a cottage, but the unfitted look works in cottage bathrooms. This is Ralph Lauren’s bathroom from at least 8 years ago. It could be 28 years ago though which is what I love about it. (Photo Source)
With unfitted bathrooms you typically see classic materials like stone and wood with freestanding pedestal or wall mount sinks paired with antique or vintage cabinets for storage. I even love the big mirror wall on the left in the image above. My favorite use of mirror is Mark Sikes’ classic bathroom – see below.
This is an image I’ve looked at so many times through the years and it never gets old. I’ve seen it imitated a few times, but it never captures the original! (Photo Source)
This room is all about that big antique at the back of the room! I wonder about who had to drag that beast into that room. I also love the antique chandelier here. (Photo Source)This is a lovely, classic cottage bathroom. The ceiling is really amazing here, but I think it would even be lovely without the barreled ceiling. It’s white on white done well. Note the different tones of white that help make it more interesting. (Photo Source)
I love this beautiful double sink in front of the window. There’s a unique mirror on a stand next to it that warms up the room a little. Anytime I see a bathroom sink in front of a window, I think vacation house which is quite appealing. (Photo Source)
I’ve liked this simple bathroom for a while too. The whole house is lovely if you have time for a house tour. I like the pale pink in the wall color and I love the antique piece used as a linen cabinet. (Photo Source)
This bathroom (and house!) is another favorite of mine. The color combinations here are very pleasing. (Photo Source)
I like this classic bathroom for the same reasons as the others – I like the antique vitrine in the corner for linens, love the planks on the walls and ceilings and the brass fittings are beautiful. (Photo Source)
I saved my absolute, hands down favorite home for last and it happens to have one of my favorite bathrooms in it. Gil Schafer is my favorite American architect – his details, his mastery of classic style is unparalleled. The house in Mill Valley he designed is something I’ve looked at so many times that it might be embarrassing at this point. I’m sure you’ve seen it throughout the years – it crops up again and again in blog posts, on instagram and in online magazine articles. I’m also obsessed with his house in Maine, but I’ll save that for another blog post.
The floors, the ceiling, the walls and the plumbing fixtures are perfect. Rita Konig and Gil Schafer make classic design look so easy. (Photo Source)
The other side of the room is just as lovely. Look at the beautiful built-in cupboards tucked into the corners. (Photo Source)
Most of the images above are expensive, even though they may not appear that way at first glance. They aren’t truly in the spirit of what I think of as a cottage, but I think we can take inspiration from their use of natural materials, reclaimed furniture and lighting and simplicity of design.
No Winter lasts forever; no Spring skips its turn.”
Laura is a Denver Interior Designer who runs an Interior Design Studio based in sunny Colorado with a strong commitment to livable and interesting interiors. She also runs The Colorado Nest, a Denver blog about Design, Art and Life in the Mountain West and co-hosts the book podcast "The Inside Flap" on iTunes, Stitcher and Google Play.
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