Bathing - An opportunity to reconnect mind with body.
Bathing is perhaps our one opportunity each day to reconnect mind with body.
Is it time for our approach to bathroom design to focus more upon the experience of wellness, materiality and balance rather than merely the utilitarian process of washing.
Perhaps we are witness to a movement, and one which has taken an unexpected and powerful turn. Prior to 2020 there was a recognition that our world never stopped for a moment of pause, which challenged us to think about new ways of combining our relentless need for technical connectivity into the functionality of our daily lives. We saw brands harnessing the power of integrated technology allowing us to maximise every moment to digitally connect with the world.
The global pandemic of 2020, has presented us with a polarising need to enhance our health and wellbeing by taking valuable time to unplug and relax, whilst also simultaneously accelerating the digital revolution. It seems that our desire to disconnect, and yet remain digitally connected, have become uncomfortably intertwined.
Typically when we retreat we find inner peace, and these opportunities promote physical and mental well-being. However, the social isolation collectively brought upon us during the global pandemic, has left many of us searching more deeply to understand what it really means to take time out and reconnect with our inner state. Recent experience has taught us that simply pausing and spending time alone can be counterproductive to our emotional health if it is not done with restorative intention and mindfulness.
As we emerge into the post pandemic era, we have the opportunity to realign our approach to wellness, ensuring that human centred design enhances the emotional and sensory experiences of our daily activities, ultimately aimed at re-balancing our overall well being.
“Bathing is a ritualistic and restorative experience, and perhaps our only opportunity within a day to re-connect mind with body. We have understood for centuries that water is a cornerstone of wellness and the experience of bathing should be cherished and appreciated, as a moment where we take precious time to slow down, stop and rejuvenate.”
The act of bathing and submerging our bodies in water is understood to have the ability to improve health and wellbeing, from improving circulation and sleep quality, to lowering blood pressure and helping to fight the symptoms of depression, yet this moment of our day is still mostly regarded as a utilitarian process to wash.
Applying a deeper understanding to water and wellness and appreciating that bathing is of fundamental importance for our emotional and physical well-being, we can look to enhance our interaction within a space, and consider more carefully the material choices that we make for our bathrooms. We have an untapped opportunity to create a relaxing, spa-like experience that can nurture the soul, and whether we are looking to create a classic or contemporary space, we can enhance the feeling of authenticity by specifying finishes that epitomise timeless and effortless design such as the Samuel Heath One Hundred Collection.
The One Hundred collection has caught our attention by the stunning use and interchangeability of refined materials. Allowing one range of brassware to transcend multiple bathroom aesthetics, from the opulent clear or black crystal roundels, or the addition of gloss black chrome and knurling detail options.
It is important when creating a tranquil bathroom that careful consideration is given to the layout, materiality, and the removal of all visual clutter, which will provide a pure and meditative space, encouraging a positive and peaceful atmosphere to get lost within.
Samuel Heath - Craftmanship and Integrity
Samuel Heath have been manufacturing desirable taps, showers, bathroom accessories, and door and window furniture for over 200 years, combining a tasteful, contemporary and minimal approach to British design which simply demands to be enjoyed.
“Each collection draws upon British design talent for a sense of uniqueness, distinction and elegance. ”
Bathroom design should create a space that the user can interact with in a seamless and uninterrupted way, creating a sense of unity, serenity and calm.
A focus upon detailing and high end materials like brass and marble will create a spa like experience, whereas light reflecting finishes which create visual interest and texture such as polished plaster will create a raw aesthetic which when combined with luxury brassware results in a powerful combination.
Adding an element of the unexpected will create a more compelling space, the soft muted honey tones of the One Hundred collection in the antique gold finish provides an elegant and classic look, yet has the shape and form which is abundant of modern and contemporary styling.
A thoughtful approach to bathrooms can provide not only a quality experience which is intended to be cherished, but also allows us to engage with materials which are tactile and aesthetically refined, pieces which are intended to be objects of beauty on their own. When specifying brassware and sanitary-ware, taking the time to consider the shape and form of each piece and allowing them to breathe with the deliberate inclusion of space around them will elevate the design. Fundamentally, it is the things that we engage with, hold within our hands and interact with that resonate most deeply, forming a lasting impression of quality.
Bathroom design is an investment not only in our homes, but in the way that we approach our self-care and wellbeing. Carefully considered spaces which intentionally set out to create an enveloping and nurturing experience, harnessing the deliberate movement towards rethinking what it really means to retreat and spend time alone. By investing in our inner self we must also invest in our homes in a mindful and considered way by carefully selecting items which are designed not simply to perform, but that will stand the test of time and the transcendence of trends.
For further information visit Samuel Heath inspiration page.
Our interior design services are crafted to offer us the opportunity to work with a diverse range of clients. No two clients are the same and our service structure is reflective of this where we mindfully balance our time between projects of various sizes and locations; providing a high-end, luxury service we’re extremely proud of.
If you’re looking for interior design services, please get in touch with our studio here for further information.
