Bathroom Design with Katie Lydon

Tips on how to design a bathroom by Katie Lydon at Williams Sonoma Home. 

I like a cool, contemporary vibe mixed in with antiques and striking modern art. I try to design interiors that are comfortable, chic and unique without being scarily so.

Furnish to your capacity. Though I love those wonderful old English bathrooms that look like sitting rooms, filled with rugs and maybe even a sofa or chair, in New York City, you can usually only fit the necessities. Space permitting, a small table with drawers or shelves is nice to have by the tub for storing things like candles or bath salts. I'm not a big fan of things stacked around the bathtub—I like to have a sense of calm and organization in a bathroom. If someone wants to have a chat while in the bath it's nice to have a stool—someplace other than the loo to sit, and even in tight areas there's almost always room for one.
Layer lighting. Light helps you create different areas in a room, and helps you perform different functions. You'll want super-bright light around the mirror—both on top and along the sides if possible—to do things like put in contacts, as well as an overhead light on a separate switch. Put all your lighting on a dimmer. It's nice to cut the lights down to something softer and more flattering for a relaxing bath. Skip harsh fluorescent lighting altogether, and remember that not all light has to be functional recessed lighting. An oversize chandelier can give the space a unique, whimsical feeling.
Go with a clean slate. I like a classic all-white bathroom. What's great about an all-white space is that every year you can change out the accessories, and it'll work with any style phase you happen to be in. I'm a big fan of white towels, but with some kind of texture or border to them. I like my bath towels hung narrow and long, folded into thirds and draped over the towel bar. It's nice to layer a smaller hand towel in a different weave on top, especially with a vintage-inspired lace or linen detail that adds some prettiness. Make sure your bath mat and shower curtain relate back to your other linens. Unity is important, especially in a small area.
Lose the Picasso. Art is a major part of how I decorate, and I love art in a bathroom. Since there's water and steam in the room, you'll want to be careful about the caliber and medium of art you put in. It's a great place for sculptural elements. Ceramics, whether it's a beautiful bowl or a tall, thin collection of vases, are great for a bathroom. There's definitely room for works on paper but be mindful of where you hang them, and never put anything deeply valuable that might get damaged.
Cover up. There's no way to have a pitch perfect bathroom everyday, but it's nice to put away as much as possible to make things less visually cluttered. Medicine cabinets are wonderful for keeping things tucked out of sight but close at hand. If you're not good at organization, get some pretty lidded baskets to toss things in. Toilet paper holders look so utilitarian, though the single dispenser only holds one roll. I prefer a nice-looking basket around the loo. For a touch of luxury, put cut flowers on the countertop.