Unlocking the Power of Elevated Aesthetics
As I step into the world of high-end home design, I can’t help but feel a sense of excitement and anticipation. It’s a realm where the boundaries of creativity are pushed, and the intersection of form and function creates true works of art. And when it comes to crafting a signature style, the humble bathroom is a space that often gets overlooked – but oh, how it deserves to shine!
Renowned interior designer Susan Bednar Long of SB Long Interiors has long been a champion of elevating the humble bathroom to new heights. “It’s where the day starts and ends,” she muses, “so the design can set the morning mood or create a calming effect at night.” And it’s her strategic use of high-end fixtures and furnishings that truly sets these spaces apart.
Bringing Warmth to the Porcelain Oasis
Let’s face it – the conventional bathroom can often feel sterile and uninviting, with its hard tiles, metal, and porcelain fixtures. But as Susan Bednar Long reveals, the key to combating this cool aesthetic lies in the strategic integration of antique and fine furniture pieces. “Antique wood consoles, armoires, vintage lighting, and fine upholstery are some examples of items that can be incorporated into bathroom design,” she explains. “It gives the bathroom depth and authenticity.”
In one of her stunning Greenwich, Connecticut projects, the client had a penchant for the classic blue-and-white color palette. But to add depth and soften the cool tones, Susan incorporated rustic painted Venetian side chairs and a large vintage scalloped mirror. “This, along with the antique sconces, grounds our classic master bath design,” she says. “Unique antique furnishings add warmth to the clean space and reinforce our modern traditional aesthetic.”
Repurposing for Personalized Flair
But Susan’s design philosophy doesn’t stop at merely incorporating antique pieces – she also believes in the power of repurposing. “Repurposing antique furniture to replace typical fixtures is a great way to liven up a bathroom,” she shares. In a recent project in the prestigious Preston Hollow neighborhood of Dallas, Susan used an antique Spanish turned leg library table as a vanity, paired with a classic giltwood mirror. “It adds warmth to this Simply White painted bath,” she notes, “and creates individuality in the interiors.”
Elevating the bathroom with personalized, high-end fixtures is a hallmark of Susan’s design approach. She recognizes that bathrooms can be so much more than just fancy medicine cabinets and tissue boxes – they’re a space to showcase personal style and elegance. “Bathrooms can have more than fancy medicine cabinets and tissue boxes,” she muses. “They’re also a room that can display personal style and elegance.”
Bringing the Sitting Room to the Sanctuary
Susan’s design prowess truly shines when she’s tasked with transforming a bathroom into a luxurious, one-of-a-kind retreat. Take, for instance, the French master bath she designed at the stunning Le Mas des Poiriers project. Inspired by her travels to Provence and Paris, Susan incorporated an 18th-century Walnut Provençal armoire and a giltwood Trumeau mirror to anchor the space. “I had the good fortune of traveling to France for our interior design project at Le Mas des Poiriers,” she explains, “and I was able to find inspiration locally in Provence and Paris shops.” The result is a bathroom that feels more like a sitting room than a utilitarian space, with tall gingham fabric draperies completing the elegant design. “The bathtub is right in the middle of special antiques – très magnifique!” she exclaims.
Balancing Modern and Traditional
But Susan’s design expertise isn’t limited to only the most grand and opulent projects. In a neutral master bath in Litchfield County, Connecticut, she opted for fine English antiques to enhance the space, including a Rosewood drop-leaf table and a carved wood mirror. “Rather than opting for a generic corner built-in cabinet, I used these rich furniture pieces to highlight the first view into the bath,” she explains. “These pieces contrast the playful striped floor, creating a balance of modern and traditional.”
The choice of elegant silk mohair for the antique armchair further elevates the bathroom design, demonstrating Susan’s keen eye for detail. “Designing in Dallas, I have an affinity for Spanish-style homes,” she adds. “Creating Mediterranean baths by using rich terra cotta pavers and decorative patterned tiles is gratifying. To ensure a consistent design, I added new furnishings carefully, ensuring they have the same rich feeling to elevate the design.”
Functionality Meets Flair
Of course, as an award-winning interior designer, Susan Bednar Long knows that a beautiful bathroom is only as good as its functionality. “It’s great to design and remodel a pretty bathroom, but it has to be functional too,” she emphasizes. This is where her strategic use of high-end furnishings truly shines, as she seamlessly integrates storage and organization into her luxurious designs.
In a classic powder room, Susan utilized a small leather chest to provide additional storage for guest towels, cosmetics, and other essentials. “Not only does this allow a pretty place to showcase flowers and hand towels when guests arrive,” she explains, “but it has lots of space for cleaning supplies and other bathroom necessities.” By repurposing fine furniture pieces, Susan is able to both conceal and organize, elevating the overall design while ensuring maximum utility.
The Signature Bathroom: A Harmonious Blend
As I delve deeper into the world of high-end bathroom design, it’s clear that Susan Bednar Long’s approach is truly a masterclass in creating signature spaces. By blending the warmth of antique furnishings, the elegance of repurposed pieces, and the functionality of strategically integrated storage, she crafts bathrooms that are not just beautiful, but truly reflective of her clients’ personal styles.
The trends and innovations she’s spotted at High Point Market – from cozy “cuddle sofas” to versatile swivel chairs and statement lighting fixtures – only serve to expand the possibilities for creating a personalized, high-end sanctuary.
So, as I ponder the future of bathroom design, I can’t help but be inspired by Susan’s vision. It’s a reminder that the humble porcelain oasis can be transformed into a true work of art, where form and function merge seamlessly to create a space that is both beautiful and deeply personal. After all, isn’t that what great design is all about?
