How Denise Wright of DKW Designs Created an Ocean Getaway in a Bathroom

This ocean-inspired bathroom from DKW Designs provides nostalgia of time spent with family at the beach. Denise Wright, owner of DKW Designs, says “the family wanted to incorporate elements of land, air, and water, all the things you would enjoy if you were sitting on the sand by the ocean,” and the design and elements definitely delivered. Its warm shades of blue make the room feel light and open. The room itself is  both useful and eye-catching: The bathroom is near a back door leading to a pool, making it a handy space to store towels, sunscreen and swimsuits. Within the room is a vanity and a chandelier that incorporates rope and amber crystals. Hanging on the wall is shadow box art made up of sea glass from the ocean. The decor of the bathroom includes personal mementos the family collected while vacationing, which include a statue that sits on the vanity counter. The family’s seashell finds rest on the cabinet shelves. The finishing touch is the sink faucet, which is attached to the wall instead of to the unique quartzite vanity. Overall, this easy breezy bathroom has all of its guests wishing for salty air and warmer temperatures. 

Tips and Tricks for Designing the Perfect Space:

1. Paint is the biggest transformation to any room. The color and varying shades can provoke specific feeling and emotion so think about the mood you want to give off when making your choice. Denise Wright, owner of DKW Designs, says that “neutral colors tend to be the standard color choice for walls” but no fear if your taste is big and bold. “As we move into the new year, we will see brighter, stand-out colors become a trend,” Wright says. Bathrooms offer a good starting point to test vibrant colors.

2. Think about what you want your space to feel like and what you personally enjoy, and implement special elements into the space to establish that ambiance. Wright’s clients achieved a relaxed, airy atmosphere with light-colored walls and ocean trinkets. Wright advises emptying the space and beginning with a clean slate. When decorating, be careful of overloading the space with too much junk. 

3. Feel free to experiment with your space by mixing different stains and paint colors. “You can add interest to a room by painting the walls a different paint sheen than your vanity or cabinet, or use one color with different paint sheens,” Wright says.