Asian-Inspired: Bathroom Vanity Taken To The Next Level
by jewelpastor on Jul 19, 2009 with 3 Comments
Have you heard of Zen?Zen, according to Random House Webster’s Dictionary and Oxford Reference, is a Mahayana movement of Buddhism, introduced into China in the 6th century A.D. and into Japan in the 12th century, which emphasizes enlightenment by means of meditation and direct, intuitive insights, rather than the study of scriptures.
Zen and Bathroom Designs
Theory of home designs has placed emphasis on public spaces like the living room, dining area, and kitchen for the longest time – more often than not setting aside private areas such as the bathroom. But with the recent emergence of more and more young professional people joining the growing number of property holders, there has been a change in priorities.
One well-known theory of Zen philosophy promotes spiritual tranquility and the simple, yet pleasant rituals of human existence. In line with this, people then should rethink the function of the bathroom. Bathrooms should not be seen as a place to use up the least number of hours in a day, but instead it should be a space for retreat and nurturing of one’s spirituality.
This idea prompts many to reorganize and dedicate a big part of their houses for private bathrooms and dressing areas, inspired by Japanese Zen structures like gardens.
Zen also promotes the principle of harmony by means of visual sense of balance. Architects can achieve balance by bringing together opposites in different ways – combining rough, dim slate tile floorings with radiant smooth tile floorings and decorated walls, and putting even mirrors and steel exteriors next to coarse floors, brick walls, and countertops.
Architects can also extend this idea of opposites into color as well as shape by supplying bathrooms with opposing square and round objects. For example, architects can pair round mirrors, stools, sinks, and shower basins with an array of squares, such as square wall and floor tiles, square or rectangular vanities, and square windows. Solid-surface sink counters and shower basins can have white and cerulean blue designs, following the Zen principle of design that places emphasis on accenting pale colors with bright colors.
Light that is filtered is also an aspect of designs based on Zen. Frosted and glass windowpanes that may fill the room with a muted and warm wash radiance may be fitted to large windows that span walls of some bathrooms. This kind of light bounces off many huge mirrors placed on walls and provides the reflection factor of Zen.
Large bathroom spaces may be improved by the restricted use of trimmings and accessories, which results to a clean and sparse appearance. A closely controlled approach to mess, the deficiency of real color, and limited designs all come together to aid in the achievement of bathroom Zen condition.
Zen: The Right Design?
If you are considering Zen for your home, then, you will need lots of open bathroom freedom. The question is: do you really need that much space?
According to experts, homes with many people won’t really benefit from having Zen-inspired bathrooms and dressing areas since the possibility of people barging on one another is endless. But then, privacy and some quiet time are really useful for everyone nowadays.
Liked it
Published in: Home Improvement
Mimi | Jul 19, 2009 | Reply
It looks like I can not use Zen in my small bathroom, what a pity!
Joseph | Jul 20, 2009 | Reply
You have started a very interesting discussion on bathroom design. I’m a cabinetmaker who really does not want to make kitchens and bathrooms for a living, because the most of what is done in the US is just boxes with a “choice of doors and drawer fronts,” the most of which are made in a factory somewhere. Boring. I want to do something else if I can, but what?
European design just absolutely blows my mind, and I find myself reading quite a bit on it, even though these are often modular kitchens and bathrooms that one would simply send away for and have installed by a local craftsman. But what fascinates me is the utter innovation of those designs, so I find myself returning to them quite a bit.
I am also looking to design two bathrooms and a kitchen for my wife in too-small spaces in a tract home, which necessarily lets out those wonderful European designs that excite me so. And whenever I find myself going out on a limb with some idea or another, my wife always grounds me by saying, “If you stick with the classics, you won’t grow tired of them.”
So, what do you do that is different and yet timeless and practical and stimulating to make if you’re a cabinetmaker? Damned if I know, but if I ever figure it out, I mean to make it for us and splash those babies all over the Internet!
What you’ve written, though, has given me quite a bit to think about, and I thank you for sharing your concepts.
jewelpastor | Aug 4, 2009 | Reply
Hi, Joseph. I admire people who can do a lot of wonderful stuff with their hands. I’m glad to have given you an idea or something to think about. Thank you for reading and commenting.