Room of the Day: A Bathroom Retreat for Mom and Dad
A couple gets a luxurious and restful en suite away from the kids
Desperate for a bathing space that was just for grown-ups, these homeowners wanted to reconfigure a room next to their bedroom into an en suite, to give themselves a bit of an escape. One of the owners worked in the design industry and had an astute eye for quality design and construction. And both owners also had a clear idea of the contemporary style they wanted to achieve. With their precise objectives in mind, they approached the designers at Minosa, who collaborated with Liebke Projects to help them achieve their private retreat.
“The approach to the design was to zone the functions,” Genner says. “The toilet is in a separate area away from the bathing space, so the room was set out into three zones: bathing, vanity and hamper storage-cum-seating area.”
With the clients’ desire for a truly showstopping feature, the designer elevated the bathing zone on a raised platform, which was then clad in elegant Bianco Carrara marble from Marble & Ceramic Corp. As the clients had already chosen the dark gray Design Republic tiles early on in the design process, this striking marble was chosen as the natural element to warm up the space while sticking within the monochrome palette.
The marble was then extended up the back wall for added drama, and the edges were miterd to create a block-like feel and accentuate the contrast of materials. The round form of the classic Gubi mirror centered above the bath helps to soften the monochrome and edgy design.
Gubi round leather mirror: Cult; tub faucet: Vola, Dedece; free-standing stone bathtub: Apaiser
With the clients’ desire for a truly showstopping feature, the designer elevated the bathing zone on a raised platform, which was then clad in elegant Bianco Carrara marble from Marble & Ceramic Corp. As the clients had already chosen the dark gray Design Republic tiles early on in the design process, this striking marble was chosen as the natural element to warm up the space while sticking within the monochrome palette.
The marble was then extended up the back wall for added drama, and the edges were miterd to create a block-like feel and accentuate the contrast of materials. The round form of the classic Gubi mirror centered above the bath helps to soften the monochrome and edgy design.
Gubi round leather mirror: Cult; tub faucet: Vola, Dedece; free-standing stone bathtub: Apaiser
“By building up the back wall it allowed us to create recessed niches and also house accent lighting,” Genner says. The raised step also accommodates a nightlight, which is sensor-activated. “Lighting in this space is very measured and layered,” Genner says. “The design allows the room to be bright in the morning or when there is the need to dress up, and it has the ability to tone down so you can rejuvenate and relax.”
To complement the lighting, the designer went with a 3-millimeter Gessi shower head. “Not only does it look sharp, but it has two other roles,” he says. “Yes, it is a rain soaker, but it also has a built-in waterfall option, allowing the user a large amount of water when required.” An adjustable shower rail offers flexibility.
Shower stall glass: Viridian Glass
To complement the lighting, the designer went with a 3-millimeter Gessi shower head. “Not only does it look sharp, but it has two other roles,” he says. “Yes, it is a rain soaker, but it also has a built-in waterfall option, allowing the user a large amount of water when required.” An adjustable shower rail offers flexibility.
Shower stall glass: Viridian Glass
Given the clients’ wish to have an oversized counter and integrated sinks, the designer separated the bathing and vanity zones. The custom scooped sinks were molded from a single piece of solid-surface material to ensure a sleek, uninterrupted flow of countertop. Above the sinks, dynamic touch-to-open doors lift up away from the face, enabling easy access to the abundant storage behind. Below the sinks, there are more drawers for extra towels and cleaning products.
Heated towel rack: Avenir
Heated towel rack: Avenir
LED uplights run above the marble wall and above the recessed cabinets. These are on a dimmer control, so the illumination can be softened when needed.
The designer created a real sense of arrival, as the entry point to this new bathing space is through the closet. A low, long hamper area with a marble top was designed as practical storage for extra towels or dirty clothes as well as seating for conversation or contemplation.
Two solar tubes set above the shower and the bath were installed to bathe the space in more natural light, and allow glimpses of the sky to increase the feeling of space.
Builder: Liebke Projects
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Builder: Liebke Projects
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Who lives here: A professional couple and their blended family of five children, ages 10 to 18
Location: Clovelly, Sydney, Australia
Size: 200 square feet (20.5 square meters)
Designer: Minosa
“Very rarely are we presented with a space that is free from anything — a space that is a square with good light, a clean slate,” Minosa co-founder Darren Genner says. “From the outset, this room was a dream to work with, but it still had its challenges, most notably the difficult access to the space via a narrow staircase, and the fact there was no existing plumbing in the room.”
The homeowners appreciate contemporary design and modern living. With this in mind, the plan included a bathing space for two, a large open shower and good task and ambient lighting. Natural materials had to play a starring role in the design, as did a monotone color palette, to achieve the simple yet striking look the couple wanted.