If you've been following my blog and my social channels lately, you'll know that self care has been on my mind! So when the photos of this bathroom project I recently completed came into my inbox, the timing was kinda perfect. Who doesn't love a long soak in a hot bath- especially when the bathtub is as gorgeous as this one! So if you're looking to make your bathroom a retreat-like experience, here are my tips:

1. Start with white

Nothing says spa to me like fresh white walls. This room gets so much beautiful natural light that these walls were practically screaming for it. We used Benjamin Moore Decorator White on the walls (my personal favourite white of all time). To ensure it didn't start to feel bland and boring we incorporated a lot of texture- mainly in the tiles. We used Daltile's Octagon & Dot mosaic on the floor, and their Florentine tile on the shower walls (ps, this tile is a glazed porcelain tile that has a marble design printed on it, so it is a great budget saving option). Having a mix of patterns and textures ensures a monochromatic colour scheme like this does not feel boring! We picked up the grey on the floor with the neutral grey in the Auguste vanity by Foremost.

2. Add architectural detail

Trim is one of my design secret weapons. The level of luxury you can acheive, for a very reasonable price point in material, is just incredible to me. Again, to ensure this white room did not feel too plain and basic, we added crown, applied moulding and baseboard in Metrie's Pretty Simple collection. Trim used to really overwhelm me- there are just so many options, sizes, profiles available on the market! But if you want to add a level of luxury through trim, but don't know where to start, Metrie has simplified the process with its curated Then & Now Finishing Collections. They take all the guesswork out by presenting coordinated lines. Each moulding element within each Collection has been meticulously designed, so every joint and reveal is seamless. I just love how it turned out in this bathroom project! 

3. Add natural, rustic elements

We needed some contrast against all the white so we incorporated some pieces from one of my favourite retailers Artemano. Artemano's buying team travels the world in search of modern solid wood furniture pieces, and other home decor accessories that add artisinal flair. This tree stump makes for a perfect perch for a wine glass or book while relaxing in the soaker tub. We added a small hit of a rustic wood shelf for candles adjacent to the tub. These little hits of contrast give the bathroom a grounded earthy element. And then let's talk candles- because no spa-like bathroom would be complete without them. Handcrafted candle holders in natural textures like concrete are definite essentials. 

4. Think of your plumbing fixtures like jewelry in the room

Bring on the bling with your plumbing fixtures. I like to think of plumbing fixtures like jewelry on an otherwise plain outfit- the jewelry makes it fancy. We used the Ara collection by Delta to bring a bit of a modern edge to this space with its geometric angles and edges. I love the contrast of the modern fixture next to the traditional soaker tub- it makes for such a bold statement! 

5. Add luxury wherever you can (without breaking the bank)

I wanted this bathroom to be as luxurious as possible, without breaking the bank entirely. We did this in a few ways. The first way was to build a custom shower with a bench. I love how grand it feels, and we kept costs reasonable by using pre-fabricated glass shower enclosures (as opposed to all custom glass) by The Shower House. In this same shower, we added body jets on the wall for a really invigorating shower experience. I added a decorative hamper, modern stool and this leaning towel ladder from Bouclair, which adds a gorgeous visual element and can show off plush, luxurious towels, and we heated the floors with a Nuheat flooring system for a little luxury on your feet post bathing.

Finally, my favourite luxury element in a bathroom are quality towels. I am a little obsessed with these striped Turkish cotton towels.   

And let's talk about this tub! This soaker tub has been with the homeowners for years, literally sitting in the garage just waiting for the perfect bathroom renovation. With a brand new coat of Newburry Port Blue I think she's the star of the show.

If you're embarking on a spa-like renovation and need some help I am here– I hope these tips get you closer to your own little spa-like oasis.

Special thanks to the brands mentioned above for partnering with me on this project. Photos by the talented Dann Tardiff.