A Vision of Luxury
Internationally acclaimed designer Lori Morris creates sumptuous, show stopping bathrooms defined by her signature opulent style, at once ahead of the trends and eternally elegant.
By Susan Kelly | Photography by Edward James and Gloria Kilbourne
The overarching bathroom design direction for 2026 is clear: lavish, expressive spaces designed to feel entirely unique. It’s a vision that Toronto-based design force Lori Morris has long embodied. An artist at her core, Morris has built a globally recognized signature style that blends Old World opulence with a refined modern edge, finished with a distinctly sensual flourish.
“Maximalism and eclecticism are all the rage now,” says Morris, widely regarded as one of the world’s most sought-after designers. “But they’ve been part of my style for close to 40 years, long before they became mainstream. I've never followed a rule or trend; I believe in setting them myself.”
That unwavering commitment to her unapologetic, eclectic vision has defined an extraordinary career. Since founding the House of Lori Morris Design (LMD) in 1987, she has garnered hundreds of international accolades. In 2025 alone, the firm received nine awards for luxury design, including recognition among the top 100 designers in the world by the Luxury Lifestyle Awards.
“I've never followed a rule or trend; I believe in setting them myself.”
That same fearless approach carries through to every space she designs, perhaps most compellingly in the bathroom. While often conceived as a private retreat—whether a primary ensuite or a powder room—Morris treats it as something far more ambitious: a fully realized, bespoke statement. As a space where the outside world can quite literally be shut out, it invites a sense of creative freedom. “Though small in size, your bathroom can reflect your personality, and do so in a bold way,” she says. From serene, spa-like sanctuaries to Versailles-worthy interiors and boutique hotel-inspired glamour, the possibilities within her design language are expansive.
Among today’s emerging directions, dark, enveloping palettes are taking centre stage, with burgundy poised as a defining hue for 2026. For Morris, however, this is hardly new territory. For decades, LMD has embraced richly saturated tones—navy, ruby, chocolate, and black—not merely as accents, but as immersive, full-room palettes. Paired with gold fixtures and accessories, the effect is both dramatic and unexpectedly calming. “Such colour schemes in the bathroom are dramatic yet surprisingly relaxing at the same time,” Morris says. “But it takes an artist’s eye to balance such impactful hues with textures and patterns, accent them with accessories and artwork, and make them look effortlessly elegant.”
It’s this instinctive understanding of balance that allows LMD to consistently anticipate, rather than follow, design trends. Consider the growing preference for concealing tubs and showers within architectural alcoves, a move toward cleaner sightlines and spatial intimacy. Morris has been implementing this approach for years. Still, when a freestanding tub is meant to stand on its own, she emphasizes the importance of creating a strong visual framework around it. A feature wall—whether expressed through striking wallpaper or an intricate tile mosaic—can anchor the piece while enhancing the room’s sense of atmosphere.
“In 2025 alone, the firm received nine awards for luxury design, including recognition among the top 100 designers in the world by the Luxury Lifestyle Awards.”
Another defining trend is tile drenching, where a single material is applied across nearly every surface. Again, it’s a technique LMD has long mastered. “Tile drenching can make small rooms feel larger or expansive rooms feel cozier,” she says. Morris often pushes the concept further, extending marble or slate across walls, floors, and even vanities to create a seamless, immersive effect. The addition of bold hardware and sculptural fixtures elevates the result into something truly striking.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, soft, warm neutrals—from cream to sand to taupe—are also re-emerging. In Morris’s hands, however, these tones are anything but understated. Applied within strong architectural frameworks and layered with intricate detailing—whether through mouldings, stonework, or wood—they take on a richness that feels deeply considered. She frequently pairs these palettes with pink, a signature hue she treats as a neutral within her design language. “The decorative touches then tell the story, shaped by the narrative of the space,” she says.
At the heart of the House of LMD is a team of creatives who share Morris’ artistic sensibility. Their work spans a wide range of styles, from classic and traditional to transitional and boldly eclectic, yet each project begins with the same principle: the client’s vision comes first. From there, the process evolves into what Morris describes as “the full LMD treatment,” where every element, from palette and marble to carefully selected fixtures, is meticulously curated to reflect the client’s identity while delivering a cohesive, elevated result.
“House of LMD has always been based on elegance, creativity, and originality, never being pigeonholed into a trend,” Morris says. “When you combine that approach with beautiful architecture and materials, there is no limit to the magnificence you can create.”