Modern and Rustic Guest Bathroom

At long last, the final spaces of Scandi barn are getting completed, which is such a thrill! It has been a while since the build started back in 2020, but things were severely delayed with the pandemic. So finally, I’m really excited to reveal the bathroom space inside Scandi Barn!

I almost always design bathrooms with the approach that more is more. As long time followers will likely know, I’ve often favored bold colors, patterns and graphic tile shapes in my bathroom designs. That’s a design aesthetic I still very much enjoy creating, but for this bathroom in Scandi Barn I aimed to design a room that felt authentic to the pared-back space in which it sits. This is the result: a modern and minimal meets rustic yet refined bathroom that draws from Scandinavian and Mediterranean design. The bathroom is for guests who stay in the new guest bedroom, but as it’s also close to the new front door it can be used as a powder room, too.

So let me take you around the space:

Much like the rest of Scandi Barn, I turned to natural materials and elements to bring warmth and character to the design. The first thing you see as you step into the space is a custom edge-to-edge concrete sink that I had fabricated locally. I love that it stretches all the way between the two walls, it lends such striking architectural detail to the room. The sink pairs beautifully with the single handed wall-mounted Zura® faucets from Delta. I chose these as the Delta Faucet Matte Black finish provided the clean and minimal feeling I was looking to achieve, and pairs really well with the modern casement windows in the space. I’m really glad I choose wall-mounted faucets as it gives the bathroom an elevated feeling and helps maintain the streamlined appearance of the custom sink.

I balanced these industrial details with plenty of texture in the form of woven palm leaf pendants, raffia storage baskets, earthy colored walls and iridescent and irregular zellige tile in the shower. Everything in this space is designed to make you want to touch it — it’s a tactile experience, which in my opinion is what bathrooms should be, especially ones of a minimal design.

Below the sink we installed a custom white oak shelf which helps add further warmth to the room but it also provides tons of storage for towels and guest’s belongings when they are staying. Is there anything worse than being in a bathroom and having nowhere to put your things down?!

I’m obsessed with the woven palm leaf pendants. They are smaller versions of the one I used in the guest bedroom and I not only love their unique shape and texture but how they make the room feel more intimate by bringing the eye down from the high ceilings.

On the other side of the bathroom is the oversized shower and toilet. Of course, I had to add a little splash of unexpected pattern for the starred shower floor. In my imagination, it’s like stepping into the sparkling azure of the Mediterranean sea. And after all, isn’t that what design is all about… embracing and living in your imagination. These are handmade cement tiles which mean each one is slightly different and they have a beautiful chalky, matte finish, which is so pleasing underfoot. I chose these because they feel natural and organic rather than shiny or glossy. Plus, I love how they are imperfect in shape, it gives them so much personality!

On the walls of the shower I also used Delta Faucet’s Matte Black shower collection. This collection works perfectly in the space because they coordinate seamlessly with faucets, door hardware and casement windows. Again, their matte finish, vs. something that was glossy or shiny, makes them work really well with this rustic yet refined design.

I love that Delta Faucet offers a lifetime warranty on their products so I know they don’t just look great but that they are also great quality, too. For the tile on the wall I went with a natural zellige tile that has an almost iridescent appearance — so pretty! Each tile is unique and full of texture, which is exactly what I wanted. Much like the custom concrete sink, I wanted the tile to have a relaxed and organic feeling, so the tiles’ chipped edges and cracks help deliver just that. You really want to reach out and touch them as the texture is so inviting.

At the planning stage of the build, I designed the room so that the toilet would be hidden around the corner. I did this so that the toilet wouldn’t be the first thing you see when you walk into the room. The best part is that Delta’s Zura® collection has coordinating bathroom accessories, including paper holders, towel bars and hooks, which I also used in the space to complete the overall look.

What do you think of this new guest bathroom?