Waterworks expert on bath design

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When it comes to changing a room’s design – especially if the space is long overdue for an aesthetic makeover – it can be easy to get excited and jump feet first into the project. But in a bathroom, where fixtures and materials are expensive to change, going into the overhaul without a meticulous plan might not be the wisest decision.

Perhaps no one knows this better than Barbara Sallick, co-founder and senior vice president of Waterworks, who has spent more than four decades in the bathroom design industry. Sallick has distilled all of her knowledge into an artful new book, “The Perfect Bath,” which touches on every possible facet of designing a dream bathroom. From planning to selecting the perfect materials and enlisting the help of a design professional, Sallick arms the reader with her trusted tips and steps through a diverse and breathtaking array of beautifully appointed bathrooms.

We asked Sallick for some key pointers to keep in mind when designing a bathroom.

Q. Designing – or redesigning – a bathroom is a big undertaking. Where do you start?

A. First, imagine the type of space and experience you seek and plan it deliberately. Consider the colors and trends that continually resonate with you and collect tear sheets of images that most closely represent the experience you are trying to create. Next, I always recommend mapping out your daily rituals so the bath is fluid and cohesive to fit your lifestyle. Towels and toiletries should be within arm’s reach, shampoos and soaps should have a home so they’re neatly placed in the shower, and install good, flattering light for applying makeup.

Q.What’s a common mistake?

A. Certain seemingly small things that often get overlooked are quite important – for instance, leaving space for the proper placement of towel bars or hooks. Before selecting shower valves and shower heads, consider the flow of water into the apartment or home. Make sure you’re placing your valves in the right place; installing them in too deep will leave you cold and wet. This is when an experienced design professional can help you find the appropriate products and avoid some of the pitfalls.

Q. A bathroom renovation is a big and often expensive project. What are some of the materials that will stand the test of time and keep the space looking stylish years later?

A. Classic white subway tile in the bath is always timeless and also beautiful and can be updated again and again simply by changing the surrounding accessories. My personal preference? Ceramic, handmade tiles. For the floors, selecting a large stone, avoiding 12-by-12 tile … a small mosaic is always a classic look. Most importantly, make sure everything is properly installed.

Q. In all your years of designing bathrooms, what has been the most popular color with clients?

A. My love of white baths has been contagious. White has infinite range, depth and shading points.

Q. What feature or material is always worth splurging on?

Invest in a beautiful floor. The bath often has a small surface area, so a high-quality floor is achievable at a range of budgets. Quality bath fittings and fixtures are essential, in part because they are often the most costly to fix should something go wrong.

Q. What trends are you seeing take shape that will likely hold steady over the next several months?

I am not crazy about trends in the bath. It’s a space you don’t often completely gut renovate because it takes a lot of time and can be very costly. I believe in installing classic fixtures and fittings and then playing with trends through accessories, art, paint and towels or bathmats. But if there is a trend, right now it’s all about gray.

Q. What’s on its way out?

A. Whirlpool baths. At one point, every renovation had one. However, this is a waning fad.

Q. What’s the best way for clients to express their vision to a designer?

A. You can start by studying your closet to identify the colors and trends you tend to repeat, collecting tear sheets and then sifting through them for the images that most closely represent the experience you are trying to re-create. Make sure to edit yourself before meeting with the designer. Curate your choices.

Q. What does your dream bathroom look like?

A. My idea of the dream bath, for anyone, should be that it aligns with the design of your home. Make sure it’s classic, timeless and refined. The installation should be meticulous.

Q. Favorite paint colors?

A. Farrow & Ball is my go-to brand. I love their paint pots and the quality of the paint – I have at least 20 in my basement. I have used many F&B colors but my favorite is All White. It is what I call a warm neutral, and is a great bridge between all of the tile and marble and the white of the sinks and water closets. My second favorite is Plummett. It’s dark and adds drama to the bath.

Q. Most overlooked feature?

A. Heated floors.