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TREND: The natural bath
DESIGNER INTERPRETATION: "Although kitchens are going brighter, baths are going the opposite direction, with a lot of natural elements," says Debbie Travis, the Montreal-based design expert known for her books and TV series including Debbie Travis' From the Ground Up and Debbie Travis' Facelift.
"Unless it's a children's bath, you don't want to be confronted with bright colours. The soothing, natural, bath trend is coming through the wood-grain ceramic or porcelain tile. Glass tile is also still in fashion, but recycled glass tile is even hotter. There's a growing trend towards recycled materials, which is fantastic," says Debbie.
People also want the warmth of metal fixtures in finishes like Champagne bronze or oil-rubbed bronze, says Debbie.
"Natural hues like pale greens, ivories, and anything warm and neutral are big, and so is texture," she says. "Concrete accessories like toothbrush holders and waste bins are popular, although for countertops, stone is better than concrete (I've seen too many disasters!). Weathered wood in grey tones, like driftwood, rather than pine, is also big, as are stone finishes, whether real or faux."
Walls tend to be minimalist like a neutral off-white, but colour can be introduced on the ceiling, says Debbie, where it can provide a subtle halo of pale aqua, pink or green.
