Picture: Clara Cornet, Instagram
If Paris-based Clara Cornet’s millennial pink bathroom proves anything, it’s that no matter how small a space is, it can have a huge impact. Created in collaboration with Laure Chouraqui of Studio Sur Rue, the bathroom is wrapped top to bottom in pink tiles and was inspired, says Cornet, by ’70s Japanese bathrooms.
“Laure Chouraqui from SSR has been a friend for years and we designed it together,” Cornet tells Vogue Living, revealing that the colour selection was a joint effort. She goes on to explain that while those Japanese bathrooms opted for floor-to-ceiling, all white everything, the fashion insider wanted a shade of pink she and her partner could live with full-time. “I knew I wanted pink but not ‘Barbie pink’. It’s such a positive colour, and still brings a smile to my face every morning!” Cornet says of her particular hue.
The room itself features a combined bath and shower, a white raised vessel basin and an ingenious storage solution—diagonal shelving, what Chouraqui refers to as the “irregular alcove”, which follows the line of the building’s chimney, frees up extra storage and creates a striking accent, one that punctuates the monochromatic space.
“Laure was smart to rearrange the hole in the wall from the chimney into shelving,” Cornet recounts. “She came up with the idea to tile the shelves and I think it brings a lot to the room.”
“We loved the idea of making a statement of this bathroom—original, but simple,” says Chouraqui, who notes not everyone or every home could pull off such a striking move but because it’s Cornet and her quirky apartment, it works.
On the whole, Cornet’s entire apartment is an eclectic mix of references and pieces. The light-filled space calls on a neutral colour palette (think: creams, taupes and crisp whites) which are anchored by warming wooden accents and the occasional vibrant Memphis-Milano piece.
Cornet describes the home, which she shares with her partner and their child, as “Memphis quirkyness meets Scandi-neutral!” She continues: “it’s been a fun approach to represent both my partner and my taste. We like to mix colourful and statement items with more earthy and low-key pieces! It’s a fine balance but it works for us!”
While the entire apartment certainly deserves your attention—look to Cornet’s ingenious use of colour and layering—it’s the bathroom that has kept the internet in raptures and will undoubtedly spawn many more pink, or at the very least, monochromatic en suites and powder rooms in the future.
For those who are taking notes on how to turn a small space into something remarkable, be sure to take Chouraqui’s with you along for the ride: “coherence and simplicity, unique materials and good lighting.” While Cornet begs you to remain practical: “storage storage storage! Make sure to add as much hidden storage space [as possible], especially under the sink to keep the room from looking cluttered!”
As for working with monochrome, both women recommend taking time to mull over your decision, as this could be a costly mistake. “Really take the time to sit on [the] Pantone, even overnight—you have to be sure you love the colour!” Cornet urges. Chouraqui echoes her sentiments, advising that once you’ve selected your colour and made a plan, stick to it so “that the colour comes out” as distraction can be disastrous.
Written by Lilith Hardie Lupica.
This article originally appeared on Vogue Living Australia.
