You could also use a few drops of your favorite essential oils to scent your cleaner. While most contemporary bathroom designs use neutral or primary-plus-white color schemes, this one takes a painterly approach that’s downright romantic. This stunning bathroom design, while equipped with modern conveniences we’ve come to depend on, clearly hearkens back to the elegant, many-layered past. If you’re interested in a bathroom with cleaner lines and symmetry, see the next page for a classic bathroom that hearkens back to the Roman Empire. Contemporary styling can be just as engaging as traditional or classic designs. A built-in banquette seat, comfortably upholstered in moisture-resistant fabric the color of the walls, utilizes the classic roll pillows popular since ancient Roman times. A black-and-white-and-gold scheme recalls the Empire period of Napoleon, which itself borrowed images and motifs from another empire: ancient Rome. Using a style or period to inform your bathroom design usually results in a room that’s filled with charm and personality. Carve out personalized rubber stamps using simple art supplies. The visual drama inherent in these excitingly patterned tiles is enhanced by using different sizes of tiles and by setting some on the square, some on the diagonal. Small, gleaming metallic tiles add jewel-like accents to this already beautiful space.

Befitting this extraordinary bath, a wardrobe gives ample storage (and a bit of privacy for the toilet area.) The natural graining of the wardrobe’s fine hardwood is enhanced with a gleaming protective finish; the top, where condensation might collect, is a thin slab of granite. The wood bears an intriguing carved design echoed in the wardrobe doors. Filled with beguiling details, this powder room looks like it’s straight out of a French fairy tale from the 1700s. The gilded wood mirror frame is echoed in the faux-painted drapery above the door. The warmth of the wood with the contrasting coolness of the varied tiles keeps this bathroom interesting and inviting. For a good example of the homey warmth some colors can bring, see the next page. Another good way to introduce warmth into a bathroom is with color. But in the early 21st century, “modern” is popularly used to describe design icons from the 1930s to the 1960s. “Contemporary” — sometimes used interchangeably with the word “modern” — is less a structured concept and more a way of life.

See the next page to learn more about contemporary design styles. See the next page to find an even more romantic bathroom. Once known for poor-quality images, digital cameras have improved so significantly that they’re more common than film cameras. Your safest bet when coloring or relaxing your hair is to have the job done by a qualified professional stylist or colorist. Superficial peels: these may have a downtime of 2 to 7 days. A golden glow that’s almost Impressionistic suffuses this bath, making it cozy even on the chilliest days. It can cut through soap scum in your bathroom and even clean out a clogged drain if you pour a cup (8 ounces) down the drain with about 2 to 3 cups (16 to 24 ounces) of boiling water. Tumbled marble tiles, slab marble tiles, and handmade tiles that look like elegant natural stone all pay tribute to the beauty of nature in this handsome bathroom design. Entering this bath is like stepping into an enchanted grotto or cavern. This bath is obviously large, but even a small space will look bigger if you keep the vanity, walls, and flooring in the same light tones and smooth textures.

The very modern horizontal line of the space is enhanced by the row of beveled-glass, mirrored vanity cabinets that hang above. A refined opulence is achieved with peach silk on the windows, peach marble on the floor, and a lovely substantial vanity and mirror embellished with faux finishing in subtle peach-and-taupe tones. Coordinating faux-finished cabinets, along with pleated sheers and peach silk balloon shades in the windows, complete the romantic ambiance. The room has a basic placement of fixtures, a penchant for the grand gesture, and a preference for a flattering color — such as peach — anchored by sophisticated taupe and rich brown neutrals. To keep the room human-scaled, small diamond-shape tiles are set in channel-bordered rows at chair-rail height and above. Don’t be afraid of an over-the-top idea, either very dramatic or sweetly whimsical: The mood makes for a room that goes beyond the everyday. Light-capturing white and special touches, like the artworks matted in gold, add to the quietly opulent mood. To make a concept like this work takes careful planning of every detail and meticulous placement of every tile.