Bathroom - From Theory to Concept

 Having looked at the theories of High Modernism and Truth to Materials, I have used these theories to develop the following concepts for the en-suite bathroom.  These I have shown below.

Truth to Materials

This concept has been formed using only natural materials.  These materials have not been treated or painted to resemble anything else.  Wood and stone are the predominant elements, however natural fabrics such as linen and cotton have been included to show how the theory can be applied to the whole concept.

High Modernism

High modernism looks at making internal structures external.  Here I have created a concept that takes external structures and makes them internal.  This has led to some interesting feature pieces such as the sink stand and flower relief tiles.  As stated in the brief, the window in this room looks out over a garden full of wild flowers and birds.  Although this theme draws on this, and is an original concept, I need to bear in mind factors such as ease of cleaning and practicality.  It is for this reason that I have created a third concept, shown below.

Truth to Materials and High Modernism

This concept combines the two theories that I have looked at, with truth to materials furniture and fabrics, but also incorporating the idea of external natural structures.  In one of my previous posts, I also explored the idea  of external colours, which have also been incorporated into this concept.  I feel that combing the two theories and concepts has produced a practical concept that meets the original brief.  The wallpaper, fixtures and tiles connect the outside view, while the sink stand and bookcase give the room a continuing natural connection.

Furniture and Fittings Choices

Sink stand - The marble and wooden frame work incorporates the truth to materials theory, the sink which is not strictly true to the original source will be easy to clean, an important consideration.  The toilet is also ceramic, and so tis will link the two together.

Storage Unit - The client needed storage for towels, spare toiletries and ornaments.  This bookcase had two draws for storing away items such as toilet rolls and spare toothpaste, and plenty of open shelving for towels and ornaments.  Although the piece does not exactly match the sink stand, it is true to its material, and as not all natural materials perfectly match, I do not feel this is a problem.

Wallpaper - This has a direct link to the view from the window, and will be pasted on the wall containing this window as it is a large wall, and can be seen from the hall and bedroom, adding interest.  The plants that the birds are perched on represents an external structure.

Application of wallpaper

Tiles - The tiles reflect the wild garden outside, and the flowers that are all jumbled in together.  Although here it is shown with the flowers at the top, I will be putting the flowers at the bottom, to give the impression they are growing and blowing away in the wind.  This I feel will look more natural.  Matching plain tiles will line the floor in the shower and the main bathroom, but will be rough, to avoid slipping.

Fittings - The towel rail and toilet roll holder are a direct link to the wallpaper and the outside, and have been chosen for their finish and practicality.

Toilet - This period style piece reflects the age of the house, and suits the rest of the concept, as opposed to a modern style which did not fit in.  As previously stated, the material also matches the sink.

Wooden Skirting Board - This is to tie in the furniture and the painted walls, and to add a better finish to the bottom of the wall.  Natural wood also reflects the truth to materials theory.

Natural Linin Blind - For privacy, I will use a roman blind, instead of curtains.  I have chosen a non patterned fabric so that it does not detract from the busy wallpaper, and as this does not represent the high modernism theory, I have applied the truth to materials theory, choosing a natural linen.

Shower Head - Similar to the toilet, i have chosen a more traditional shower head, as this works well with the rest of the concept.  It also matches the metal taps on the sink.