Artist Emily Forgot on how to turn a moodboard into a dream bathroom
When I hand-painted the ‘Asher’ bath for Clearwater Interiors during this year’s Clerkenwell Design Week (pictured right), my palette was very much based on the seasons. It’s actually not unusual for the colours I work in to change as the seasons shift throughout the year. But, obviously, when I began to think about the shades I would use for the bathroom renovation in my own home, they had to be something that would work for me year-round. The process is much the same as how I work on an illustration, though – it’s about finding those nice marriages of colour.
I want the bathroom to be bold and playful, but with things like tiles you are making a big commitment. It’s not as though you can decide, ‘Oh, I don’t like yellow anymore,’ and paint over it in a weekend. That’s why I currently have two schemes in mind: one is more neutral, while the other is more adventurous. The trouble is deciding which way to go. Maybe I’ll land in a kind of middle ground of outlandishness. My indecision has meant I’ve amassed quite a collection of tile samples (50 at last count, and I’m still not done!). I want to mix two different types of tile, so there’s the added complexity of their depth, and figuring out how the grout lines and colour combinations will work.
Concentrating on a project like this, you become obsessed with small details, but they really matter. Originally I kept being drawn to green, but now I am really enjoying the combination of sky blue and terracotta. They are colours that are very in keeping with my style. Of course, I want the bathroom to be a reflection of me, but at the same time, I need it to be a place to retreat from work. A lot of creative people live fully in their artistic world – their home and the way they dress reflects that – but I like the idea of my home evolving with me. Any colours I choose will need a level of earthiness to them. A hint of the natural. Bold but not saccharine.
I’m really conscious that all the hard materials in a bathroom could leave it feeling a bit too graphic. Tiles need a tactile quality, like your favourite mug that you look forward to holding when you have your morning coffee. I also want to bring in wood, textiles and art to soften the space and give it that homely, living-room feel. My partner Von and I live in a 1960s building on the coast in Kent, and I’m lucky that our home has lots of original features. The vanity in the bathroom is one of those – it’s a timber cabinet with a skirt. I want to keep it, but switch the fabric for a stripe; classic, yet still fun. The taps will probably be stainless steel, although I do enjoy the pop of colour an electric-blue one could bring.
For the art, it can’t be anything too precious. I’m thinking a print (not limited edition) or a vintage oil painting that can withstand steam and water damage. There’s a Martin Parr print I saw at Wrong Shop and liked, with a seagull hogging the shot – but after getting my sandwich stolen by one on the beach last week, I’m not so sure. When you live by the coast, you do end up detesting seagulls, so having one staring at me in the bath probably isn’t a good idea.
I want an invigorating space that is still relaxing – somewhere you can feel calm, but also uplifted. I think a lot of that will be to do with lighting. No spots in the ceiling, but really lovely wall lights and portable lamps. Again, I would love to go vintage. The previous owners who built our house were Dutch, so I think anything by Raak would be a nice nod to them. Finally, I have a wish list of stools and side tables. They’re a practical way of adding personality, through different materials and surprising shapes. There are so many layers to consider, but I know I’ll regret it if I don’t create a space that feels brave.
