Sarah Pidgeon’s Bathroom Reveal Features an Unorthodox Wooden Detail That Proves This Overlooked Material Belongs in Modern Bathrooms
Wood might not be your first choice for a bathroom, but cleverly incorporated accents in this natural material can instantly elevate an otherwise stark scheme
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We can't get enough of Love Story actor, Sarah Pidgeon (starring as Carolyn Bessette-Kennedy) at the moment, and that goes for her taste in interiors, too. She posted a picture of a stunning bathroom that piqued our interest thanks to a unique wooden washstand design.
Whilst we don't naturally think of wood as a typical bathroom material, it can look beautifully rustic. However, you might be wondering how you should use wood in a bathroom to avoid the practical concerns of water damage.
Bathrooms Editor, Molly Malsom, explains: 'A lot of people overlook introducing wood in a bathroom design, but if you want to add warmth and lived-in style, it's the perfect material. The vanity is the perfect place for it because it's exposed to the least water, and paired with a beautiful marble countertop, it becomes an instant focal point.'
If you like the idea of incorporating wood in your bathroom, start with my curated buys below, plus find more advice on how to nail this Sarah Pidgeon-approved look, further down.
A post shared by Sarah Pidgeon (@sarah__pidgeon)
A photo posted by on
Wooden Bathroom Buys Inspired by Sarah Pidgeon's Style
This washstand shape feels Victorian in style with its spindle legs, but would work equally well in a contemporary bathroom, and it's elevated further by the beautifully grained Carrara marble sink.
Naturally, wood tiles wouldn't be practical in a bathroom, but these wood effect achieve the look, and they are in a similar style to the hexagonal ones in the bathroom Sarah Pidgeon posted.
We love the elegant silhouette of this storage caddy, which has plenty of room for your shower gels and products, and you can hang it straight in your shower as it's made from 100% teak and naturally water resistant.
Whether you have little ones who need a step up to the sink or high cabinets to reach, this vintage-style wooden step stool is not only practical but far more stylish than plastic alternatives.
This mirror is so pretty with its gently curved edging and beaded detail, while the wood finish grounds it in a rustic farmhouse aesthetic. Hang above a bathroom sink to instantly elevate the room.
This beautiful bath caddy, made from distressed mango wood, fits neatly across your tub and is perfectly sized for a book, a drink and perhaps a favorite candle, to inject a spa-like vibe into your bathroom.
Molly explains: This bathroom is ticking so many of the biggest bathroom trends this year. Designers and homeowners alike are choosing washstands over a traditional vanity, but the wood in this scheme takes it to the next level.'
As opposed to choosing a boxed-in vanity, a more traditional, perhaps Victorian-inspired washstand (like Lumens' Toulouse washstand) can add character and charm to a space that is often considered purely functional. And why shouldn't your bathroom feel stylish and inviting, too?
Another way to achieve this look is by embracing Feng Shui in a bathroom. Wood is thought to be a calming element in the practice, and its tactile nature encourages a sense of relaxation. It's no wonder that wood features so heavily in some of the most luxurious spas and saunas.
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
What this bathroom does so masterfully is keep the whole color scheme muted and natural, thanks to details, such as marble tiling and the wood-panelled entrance.
You can, of course, mix color with wood, as shown in the above image, where the olive-hued paint brings out the natural tone of the wooden vanity. But, in turn, wood can undoubtedly add a comforting element to what might otherwise be a stark and clinical space.
Molly concludes: 'Wood pairs beautifully with any color, but in a neutral bathroom like this one, it adds contrast and warmth in abundance. I like to think of it as a material to add softness to all the cold finishes and hard edges typical of a bathroom.'
Adding wood to a bathroom, like in the stunning example Sarah Pidgeon posted, can bring instant warmth and be a really soothing decorating idea – just be sure to keep it away from direct sources of water, unless they are naturally resistant, and stick to a single type of wood for the most cohesive look.
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Katrina is Head of Living at Homes & Gardens, covering hosting and entertaining, seasonal styling ideas, sleep and wellbeing, along with a highly experienced team of writers and reviewers. With more than 15 years' experience in lifestyle content, Katrina was previously an editor at luxury lifestyle platform, Muddy Stilettos, has been a features writer at Sainsbury's magazine and has also written for a wealth of other food and lifestyle titles including Ideal Home, Waitrose Food, John Lewis' Edition and The Home Page. Katrina is passionate about heritage style and lives in a 100-year old cottage in rural Hertfordshire, where she enjoys finding creative ways to live and host stylishly.