Hi elinitha, this will be the laminex impression decor 'weathered oak' which has both visual (white ingrained) and tactile texture. It will be used horizontally in a beach house. This colour I would recommend your timber feature also, as it looks natural, as in no staining or lacquered aesthetic, and as a finished product, no maintenance, fading and is more durable than a genuine timber product.

@ susan_66 ..precisely my thoughts on revisiting this forum! Just purchased a soft rubbery head rest designed to fit over the edge of these 'modern' baths...so have a headrest that is softer. On revisiting the PICS...YES that metal bath does look creepy and institutional-like but suppose somebody would think it the epitome of class.. PIc No 4...still reminds me of our half-a-wine barrel-tub we had as a make do as kids but the nostalgia would still not make me buy one. Am somewhat perplexed with some of the design features or lack of that are presenting to house-makers as the ultimate in style and trend. I think that some younger people with the idea of being "with it" and having perhaps little experience and more money than sense would go for any of these bath tub ideas. Whatever constitutes comfort to me...I'm all for it ! I really like the look of some of those free standing tubs with the high backs, many with rolled edges...that to me resemble ornaments. I wonder if they would also be comfortable...some seem very short and I like to be able to stretch out in the bath and relax. @ Luke Buckle...with susan_66...I do not like any of these tubs and would not trade my long, heavy enamelled cast iron tub set up against the wall looking out to the plants arranged on the northern veranda for any of these.

Personally if I had the access to the marble I would take it! Traditional concerns regarding bleach spill etc are not that relevant these day s. If you keep these items like laundry powders and cleaning chemicals off the bench and in the cupboard they shouldn't cause you much trouble. I keep all mine in a caddy that keeps them off surfaces and easy to move around the house and store in the cupboard. How many of us hand colour or hand bleach anything anymore. Most laundry troughs these days are too small to make these jobs even possible. Or if you are a craft lover do these things in the outdoors or garage. Hand washing is usually with very gentle detergents on smaller items and usually done with care. If the laundry is a chore make your work area a pleasure to be in!

Always seek professional assistance. Be it a colour consultant, designer or a house painter. Always good to bounce your ideas around here as a lot of good advise is given, certainly if you're not sure of where to start. Have a chat to a local house painter, they're the best ones to give solid advice. Paint brands are usually pretty good, certainly the well known ones like Taubmans, Wattyl, Solver, Dulux. Trusted brands been around for decades. Colour consultants are good as they live and breath colour schemes. They can come up with colours to use that the rest of us wouldn't even think of. Terracotta roof is timeless and classic so you're certainly not limited.