Room of the Week: A Monochrome Bathroom Livened Up With Pattern
An inspired mix of sleek lines, elegant furniture and bold geometric tiles has transformed this once tired bathroom
Melissa Cowan
8 January 2017
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This boldly patterned yet simple bathroom renovation, completed in September 2016, has an understated elegance to it. The geometric shapes and monochrome features make it the ultimate continuation of a beautifully renovated Victorian terrace.
The homeowners, a young professional couple who have a two-year-old daughter, wanted a bathroom they could all use at the same time without feeling cramped. This was particularly important as it’s the only bathroom in the house.
The homeowners, a young professional couple who have a two-year-old daughter, wanted a bathroom they could all use at the same time without feeling cramped. This was particularly important as it’s the only bathroom in the house.
Room at a Glance
Who lives here A professional couple with their daughter, 2, and two dogs
Location Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Size 6.4 sq m
Designer Katherine Siketa of smarterBATHROOMS+
Wanting to complement the striking and mostly monochromatic style of the rest of their renovated terrace, the homeowners had a clear design vision for their bathroom.
The terrace is contemporary, has abundant natural light, and is highly functional with a modern edge, so it was fitting that they introduce a play on shapes and geometry in the design of the bathroom.
Who lives here A professional couple with their daughter, 2, and two dogs
Location Port Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Size 6.4 sq m
Designer Katherine Siketa of smarterBATHROOMS+
Wanting to complement the striking and mostly monochromatic style of the rest of their renovated terrace, the homeowners had a clear design vision for their bathroom.
The terrace is contemporary, has abundant natural light, and is highly functional with a modern edge, so it was fitting that they introduce a play on shapes and geometry in the design of the bathroom.
“The homeowners wanted a bathroom they’d be proud of, and one that was functional for their two-year-old daughter,” says Katherine Siketa, kitchen and bathroom designer at smarterBATHROOMS+. Their daughter needed to be able to use the vanity unit and get in and out of the shower easily.
The bathroom had been renovated less than 10 years earlier. “Unfortunately, the layout and poor build quality meant it had aged much faster than it should have,” says Siketa.
Quality fixtures and fittings had been used, but their application was all wrong. This led to water damage, hidden crevices where dirt and mould could gather, cramped spaces and a bottleneck in the shower and basin area.
The bathroom had been renovated less than 10 years earlier. “Unfortunately, the layout and poor build quality meant it had aged much faster than it should have,” says Siketa.
Quality fixtures and fittings had been used, but their application was all wrong. This led to water damage, hidden crevices where dirt and mould could gather, cramped spaces and a bottleneck in the shower and basin area.
The layout was the focus of the renovation, as the owners knew the previous configuration was all wrong. It was changed by removing the old heating duct wall to make the room bigger, and by keeping the ‘wet area’ to one side across the back wall.
The new floor layout allows for flow and multiple users. There’s quick access to the vanity unit on entry, with its position maximising the natural light from the large louvred window.
Think you haven’t got space for a statement bathroom? Think again…
The new floor layout allows for flow and multiple users. There’s quick access to the vanity unit on entry, with its position maximising the natural light from the large louvred window.
Think you haven’t got space for a statement bathroom? Think again…
Hard-wearing Dekton tops the Laminex Riven timber laminate vanity unit. “The timber laminate was incorporated in the design to soften what might otherwise have been a hard, monochromatic colour scheme,” says Siketa.
The design of the bathroom maximises storage, with a wall-to-wall mirrored cabinet positioned above the roomy vanity unit.
Fittings and fixtures, Rogerseller.
The design of the bathroom maximises storage, with a wall-to-wall mirrored cabinet positioned above the roomy vanity unit.
Fittings and fixtures, Rogerseller.
Geometric feature tiles add to a sense of playfulness in the room.
Luckily, the bathroom faces a wall to the side of the house, so there’s no issue with privacy. “The owners are lucky to have such beautiful natural light,” says Siketa.
The stool does double duty in the room. It’s a handy spot for the homeowners to perch while bathing their daughter, plus it’s the perfect place to rest candles and decorative items when not in use.
“The beautiful timber of this stool brings in natural, textural warmth to otherwise man-made surfaces,” says Siketa.
Browse 10 bathrooms that use black to great effect
“The beautiful timber of this stool brings in natural, textural warmth to otherwise man-made surfaces,” says Siketa.
Browse 10 bathrooms that use black to great effect
An unusual feature of the room is the inclusion of pull-down attic stairs. The designer had to make sure these didn’t interfere with the shower screen or make it difficult to climb up and down the stairs.
“Given the home is a small terrace, these provide periodic access for the owners to store larger, rarely used items,” says Siketa. The bathroom needed to provide enough air and floor space for these to be pulled down.
Bath, Kado.
“Given the home is a small terrace, these provide periodic access for the owners to store larger, rarely used items,” says Siketa. The bathroom needed to provide enough air and floor space for these to be pulled down.
Bath, Kado.
The designer had problems finding sufficient wall space for adequate towel drying, as there were so many family towels used each day.
Multiple spaces were incorporated into the design, including a heated towel rail, which is hidden from immediate view on entry to the left of the door. There’s more space for easy access to towels from the bath, with two heated towel rails positioned above it.
Multiple spaces were incorporated into the design, including a heated towel rail, which is hidden from immediate view on entry to the left of the door. There’s more space for easy access to towels from the bath, with two heated towel rails positioned above it.
A hook next to the shower makes it easy to grab a towel after washing. Creature comforts, such as the heated towel rails, feature lighting, a freestanding bath and a walk-in shower, were also important parts of the owners’ brief, according to Siketa.
A handy niche in the shower keeps toiletries neat and off the floor.
What do you like about this monochrome bathroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
What do you like about this monochrome bathroom? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
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Can't go wrong with monochrome!
For a little more monochrome bathroom inspiration we have collated our Granley Deco shots; a striking suite showcased with timeless Art Deco styling: https://www.houzz.co.uk/projects/711912/granley-deco-collection
Aston Matthews - do you supply the black fixtures including for shower screen?