Let's be honest, we've all painted our bathroom blue and white at some point. It's considered a classic, bringing a touch of coastal and a palette that feels right at home here.
But it's a look that started to feel a bit overdone, boring, and sort of unimaginative. That was until I saw Amber Lewis's latest project reveal, where she created a fresh take on a blue and white bathroom.
And it's all thanks to the striking blue and white checkered tiles that add a playful touch to the palette. Paired with warm neutrals, organic materials, and an unexpected tub moment, it's the chicest scheme I've seen in a long time.
Full transparency, I'm a sucker for a checkerboard tile moment. But I'm so used to seeing it done in black and white or even two neutral shades, that Amber's infusion of blue feels like a welcome change. Not to mention the more exciting approach to decorating with blue and white.
And it's really taken this space to the next level, proving you can introduce a classic color palette and make it feel fun and original. But it's also the way she has introduced the tiles that makes such a difference.
Instead of containing the checkerboard tiles to just the shower area, she has continued them along the lower half of every wall, creating a more cohesive look that instantly ties all the different elements together.
It also brings that playful nod into the bathroom vanity area, where a beautifully timeless wooden vanity with a thick marble top has been introduced. While you can only see two rows of tiles around the perimeter, it adds so much interest to the corner.
Yet nothing quite prepares you for the statement tub moment. Although colorful bathroom suites began re-emerging last year, I've seen so many tubs brought into schemes that are a bit more modern or classic in design.
But the blue tub that Amber has chosen for this space really is the star of the show. It brings in a subtle nod to retro bathroom style, yet still feels understated and truly classic. It's the perfect addition to tie into the blue of the tiles while also bringing a bit of contrast to the neutrals used on the rest of the walls.
With so many hard surfaces, though, the bathroom could feel cold and uninviting, but she has used decor to soften the scheme and bring in a personalized touch. A wooden stool beside the tub, topped with a vase of flowers, and charming bathroom art on the wall create a cozier feel.
She's also brought in textiles to add warmth and comfort, like the vintage-style bath rug on the floor and the linen blind over the window, which dresses the area and offers privacy without blocking the natural light.
This design is full of beautiful details and timeless appeal, but above all, it proves that decorating with classic colors doesn't need to be boring or fit into a box. Playful details like the colorful bath and the checkerboard tiles have as much a place in timeless interiors as the more expected materials – they just offer a more unique scheme.
Shop the look
A bath stool is a must-have next to a freestanding tub, and I love that Amber introduced one in dark wood to contrast the lighter vanity tone. This design is a chic choice, and currently on sale.
If you love Amber's blue and white checkerboard design as much as I do, these glossy tiles are a great place to start. Paired with these matching white square tiles, you can create a chic, timeless wall design.
The light wood vanity and marble counter with the unique edge detail add a luxurious touch to Amber's design. You can get a similar look with this sophisticated design from Rejuvenation.
To add texture, Amber has introduced neutral bath towels over the side of the bath and hung on a wall hook with a fun tassel edge detail. This design by UGG is super similar and available in 3 colors.
I love the bath mat Amber introduced to this scheme – the deeper tones add so much contrast. This option is from her collection with Loloi and adds the perfect amount of vintage style.
To keep the vanity organized, Amber has decorated it with charming square trinket boxes. This vintage one is a chic option, perfect for storing cotton pads, jewellery, or even small hand lotion tubes.
This design really proves that a seemingly simple color scheme can be reinvented with a fun tile layout or even fun and unexpected bath ideas. For me, it's really proved that blue and white in the bathroom can feel exciting and unpredictable in 2025 with a few playful details.
