This article was originally published on September 4, 2023; it was updated on September 11, 2023.
Exotic Bathroom Awash in Color
When a New Jersey homeowner opted to redo her bathroom, she turned to Bailey Li of Bailey Li Interiors after seeing her work for another client. She wanted Bailey to transform her bathroom into a “piece of paradise.”
“The goal was to achieve a botanical feel in her primary bath suite that’s reminiscent of the lush lands of many of the places she has traveled to,” said Li.
Developing the Color Scheme
That approach led to a combination of natural hues, predominantly green.
“The emerald color palette was born from us admiring a painting my client’s son created,” said Li. “The artwork has beautiful shades of green that made us think of nature and the heart chakra. I wanted her bathing oasis to be both healing and inspiring.”
Not only did Li create the design for the bathroom, she also hand-painted the murals and textured the space using specialty low-VOC paints and gold leaf.
“The mural was inspired by the Tile Shop’s Amazonia emerald hexagonal tile,” said Li. “The idea was to make the palm leaves come to life by extending the tile from the floor onto the wall and then extending the leaves from them. As if bathing in a botanical garden, my client gets to immerse herself in nature.”
To provide a backdrop to the curvy bathtub, the designer added the arched detail in the niche to serve as a focal point of the exotic bathroom and provide architectural intrigue.
Digging into the Design
Li enlisted Fernando Fattoruso of Sava 21 in Middlesex, N.J., to build the custom double vanity for the bathroom. Behind the vanity, the color palette shifts to include white flowers and a soft peach backdrop. Gold accents were incorporated with the mirror frames, sinks, faucets, hardware, sconces and palm leaf chandelier, which the designer said was the last piece to be delivered and was absolutely worth the wait.
Although less dramatic, the shower contains green and orange honeycomb tile that carries over the botanical feel of the bathroom. As with the vanity, gold fixtures and hardware here add a rich touch to the space.
Like many renovation projects, Li encountered last-minute changes, delays and a lack of immediate availability of items. Even so, the entire bathroom project was completed within four months. The bathroom blends together wellness and beauty in a nature-inspired space that is timeless.
“I believe wellness is not limited to air quality, water filtration and special function, but also includes what is equally necessary for one’s mental and psychological well-being,” said Li. “This includes proper use of color, lighting and other visual elements. The science of neuro aesthetics and the ancient practice of chromatherapy have both proven that art, beauty, color and light can all have profound healing effects both physically and mentally. My client gets to escape to her personal paradise where self care begins by simply turning on the light.”
—By Karron Warren
