Interior designer and stylist Emma Jane Palin has revealed the bold design of her retro main and en suite bathrooms, featuring eye-catching terracotta and blue tiles from VitrA’s Pro Colour range, and the freestanding Plural washbasin by Terri Pecora. Emma collaborated with the VitrA London design and specification team, seeking advice on functionality and aesthetics of the bathrooms to bring her vision to life.
Bold colour, straight lines and statement features are all part of Emma Jane Palin’s design DNA and since her move into a newly built home in May 2021, she had dreamed of designing a mid-century style bathroom. A visit to the VitrA London Specification Hub in Clerkenwell gave Emma all the inspiration she needed to transform her 5m2 bathroom with a visual statement of mix and match tiles.
Pictured left to right: Emma Jane Palin; VitrA Gold tapware; Mode Mosaic Moss matt porcelain tiles match the Plural countertop basins sitting atop a repurposed wooden unit from Urban Outfitters. Photographer: Sam Roberts
“I immediately fell for the VitrA Pro Colour range, which is perfect for those who love clean, bold design,” explains Emma. “We ended up opting for a statement combination of tiles in Pool Blue, Tobacco and Burgundy, finishing the look with Mapei grout in Terra Di Siena on the walls and Terracotta on the floor in the main bathroom.”
To complement the tiles in the main bathroom, the Plural Monobloc washbasin in Matt Terra Rossa was selected as a showstopping, standalone design and positioned to be on view from the hallway. Beside the washbasin, the Plural Rim-ex wall-hung WC in Matt Taupe softens the colour palette and matches the ceiling colour, in Cargo by COAT Paints.
Colour, texture and shape also enhance the en suite, where a pared-back earthy palette transforms the compact space with enduring style. A duo of square-shaped Plural countertop basins in Matt Moss Green are paired with the sleek black Origin built-in basin mixers, and two Plural rotating mirrors are placed on the wall above to complete the vanity area.
From moodboard to reality, both bathroom spaces are designed with a focus on making the best use of available space, using colour and statement furniture pieces to draw the eye. Emma’s advice is: “Go bold. I know it can be scary to design for the long term, but if you stay true to your style, you’ll end up with a room you adore.”
Pictured left and right: In the en suite, a dark red shower tray that Emma sourced from Bathrooms Direct Yorkshire is teamed with VitrA’s Retromix black and white tiles and CementMix Flake Dark Greige tiles, with Aquaheat Bliss shower column in matt black. Photographer: Sam Roberts
Main Image Top – The Plural washbasin by Terri Pecora for VitrA are matched with VitrA Pro Colour range tiles in terracotta and blue and gold Origin fixtures and fittings for a striking look. Photographer: Sam Roberts