For every yin, there is a yang. Therefore, while one side of the interior design sphere is coveting the mortuary-like starkness of stainless steel bathrooms, others are seeking inspiration that is far more rugged. It is true that the Flintstones (the beloved prehistoric family of cartoon fame) may not be the most obvious of design influences, but the ubiquity of their style in bathrooms cannot be denied.
Stone has long been a go-to material for bathroom designers, but this trend is a long way from slick carrara marble. Think instead of basins that appear to be roughly hewn from rocks, with imperfections championed. It’s a kind of wabi sabi on steroids.
The giant boulder that accompanies those who shower in the Portuguese home designed by Andringa Studio (pictured above) was more than just an aesthetic choice – the entire property is built around it, like a stone held snugly within a peach. It’s an approach director Rita Andringa refers to as ‘organic architecture’.
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The rough surface of this practical trio of pieces makes it an ideal starting point for anyone who’s Flintstones-style curious.
Here, we take a look at how modern designers have embraced the style, as well as showing how contemporary homes can adopt elements of the trend. Don’t want to roll a boulder into your walk-in shower? We also have some ready-made accessories that will give any bathroom a yabba-dabba-doo time.
Respecting craftsmanship was a key concern for designer Mónica Calderón and architect Ezequiel Farca when planning this bathroom (above) in Casa Escuela, their home and creative retreat in Mérida, Mexico. The shower cubicle is made from concrete blocks, while the basin is an antique trough that horses used to drink from.
Get the rugged stone look with a softer touch by investing in this luxurious boulder-shaped mat
Soft lighting is key for the most private areas of the home and this lamp, with its travertine base, offers a sophisticated take on stone styling.
Dial up the texture even further with this stool (ideal for placing a towel or book on while you have a bath) by Project 213A.
Plus, for those that doubt whether raw stone finishes can be luxurious, look no further than this powder room in a project in Houston, Texas (above) by Nina Magon, where a wall and basin, cut from onyx, have been backlit to create an ethereal glow. It’s Flintstones style with added showmanship.
