Crisp Minimalist Luxury in Posh Palm Springs
Gorgeous simple clean lines mark the luxurious El Portal Resort in the historic Mesa neighborhood of Palm Springs.
Through a tall gated wall, the entry path leads to a pure white cube entered along the side of an inviting turquoise pool in the arid desert landscape.
An impossibly green lawn makes a surrealistic contrast with the natural brown of the San Jacinto Mountains in the background.
Once inside, two floors of soaring glass bring the bright blue desert sky indoors.
An unusual pattern of three slim horizontal windows stacked in a column offer a glimpse of the distant mountains.
The resort is the epitome of understated luxury.
A series of huge glazed doors open out to the balmy desert air.
Striking lighting makes the utmost of a lone group of desert palms.
Warm California sunshine plays over an all blonde-on-blonde interior.
A quiet sense of indulgence is accentuated by the use of clean design lines throughout.
Bathroom mirrors are intriguingly set in to frames that suggest deeply inset windows.
Another series of stacked horizontal windows offers a glimpse of the perfectly manicured landscaping.
The elegant simplicity of its contemporary bathrooms complete the sense of relaxation and respite from the busy Southern California life.
The villa boasts four double bedrooms each with their own bathroom and a spacious shared kitchen/dining room that seats eight.
A home away from home where the discerning traveler can get away from it all – with their seven best friends.
Design Dilemma: Of the Moment Bathrooms
Just like every other room of the house, the bathroom is subject to trends. And if you’ve ever walked into a pink and black-tiled bathroom or a powder room encrusted in silver lame` wallpaper, you’re well aware of that fact.
So what are the big trends happening this year?
Here’s a rundown.
Black, Black and more Black.
Now, we’re not just talking tiles, as in the uber-chic extra large subway tiles in the shower below. (By the way, unusual tile sizes, like 4 x 8 or 2 x 9 are very popular right now.)
We’re talking black tubs!
The bathroom above features a freestanding Caroma Noir bathtub. The black is picked up again in a Nero Tempest marble wall.
Here’s another example in a luxe traditional bathroom:
And a third, simpler bathroom picking up on this trend:
And finally, a very cool looking black stone tub:
Will we all cringe at this trend in a few years time? Maybe. But what you will notice is that all black tubs are freestanding tubs — some modern, and some the traditional clawfoot tub. Unlike the last time black made it’s way into the bathroom, you rarely see fixed tubs set into the wall in black.
Floating Vanities.
They’re baaa…ck! You may have long dispensed with the notion of floating vanities as being too impractical for your cramped little bathroom where you could use drawer and cabinet space for shampoos and towels and hair dryers. But nevertheless, floating vanities, no matter how impractical, are making a come back. And for those who love the look, there are advantages to this style. A floating vanity can open up floor space, making a small bathroom feel larger. It’s also so much easier to clean. Here’s a particularly nifty look below:
For those of us who can’t give up entirely on the notion of some storage, fortunately, more and more floating vanities also incorporate a little.
Curbless Showers
We’ve mentioned this trend in earlier posts, and it’s still going strong. Today’s showers move seamlessly from bathroom floor to shower floor. This can be a great look particularly in small bathrooms, where an uninterrupted floor appears more spacious.
Neutral Matte Tiles in a Concrete Finish
Sure, shiny white subway tiles are a classic that will never go out of style, but this year, the rage seems to be in matte tiles in a neutral finish like concrete. Something like the tiles below:
It’s a sophisticated look, a bit industrial and very modern. Here’s another take on the same trend below:
So what’s your take on this year’s bathroom trends? Will we all be knocking out these fixtures and tiles in a few years, or is there staying power here? From the looks of things, each of these trends is just restrained and classic enough that no one will be offended in 20 years time by your curbless shower. So enjoy!
