Bathroom Inspiration | The ivory Medici Collection from Burlington

Burlington Bathrooms have just launched The Medici Collection – a range of classic designs in a warm ivory finish. The collection takes its name from the historical shade, Ivoire de Medici, first introduced as a luxury bathroom colour in 1929 and inspired by the warm ivory hue achieved by Italian potters who worked under the patronage of the Medici family in Florence.

While the purity of white appeals to many of us it can sometimes feel a bit cold and clinical. The original Ivoire de Medici was described as bringing “the warmth of sunlight to bathroom décor” and there’s a similar appeal to this new collection from Burlington.

The warmth and depth of this colour makes it much more interesting than pure white. It is particularly well suited to older properties – a useful alternative to consider if you are looking to reinstate some period character into an Edwardian or Victorian home.

The Medici collection is the latest addition to Burlington’s extensive range of traditional products with modern functionality. Featuring faithful reproductions of historic designs their product range allows you to create a bathroom that reflects the design styles of different eras – from Victorian to Edwardian or Belle Époque – or simply to opt for a timeless classic contemporary look.

Luckily ivory goes with just about everything, so there are lots of different ways you could style this colour. The classic monochrome look, for example, never goes out of style and it works beautifully in ivory.

Or for something a little more colourful and eclectic try combining ivory ceramics with this playful contemporary palette of pink and green.

I’ve created a couple of moodboards for the Medici collection below. In the first one I’ve drawn inspiration from the palm courts of the Edwardian period and a contemporary botanical illustration I was recently sent by artist Diana Stanga.

1. Mirror – Soho Home | 2. Wall light – Davey Lighting | 3. Botanical print – Diana Stanga | 4. Medici washbasin – Burlington | 5. Shaving brush – The White Company | 6. Body wash – Meraki | 7. Tiles – British Ceramic Tile | 8. Medici roll top bath – Burlington | 9. Taps – Burlington | 10. Faux palm – Dowsing & Reynolds | 11. Paint – Little Greene

I’ve styled the ivory ceramics against a backdrop of Little Greene’s Three Farm Green and included art deco style lighting and tiles alongside arching foliage. A large mirror inspired by 1960s Italian modernist mirrors adds an opulent, luxurious feel. It’s a classic look but one that you might definitely come across in the feed of a stylish instagrammer renovating a beautiful Edwardian or Victorian home.

For the second look I’ve used some of the same elements, but instead teamed them with copper coloured accessories to add a richness and depth to the classic monochrome scheme. I really love how this colour draws out the soft warmth of the ivory.

1. dressing gown – H&M | 2. towel – H&M | 3. mirror – Soho Home | 4. wall lamp – Davey Lighting | 5. soap dispenser – H&M | 6. glass pot – H&M | 7. bath – Burlington | 8. taps – Burlington | 9. bath mat – H&M | 10. tiles – British Ceramic Tile

It’s easy to fall into the habit of thinking that something has to be a certain way just because that’s what most other people tend to choose, but I think these images show that you definitely don’t have to stick to white in the bathroom. Coloured bathroom suites can add a fresh twist, but by opting for ivory it’s possible to create a look that’s every bit as timeless as white, but just that little more distinctive and individual.

What do you think? Would you ever consider ivory for your bathroom? How would you style it

Images courtesy of Burlington Bathrooms.