Room of the Week: A Black and White Small-Bathroom Makeover
A cramped bathroom is brought to life with black and white accents and an envelope-pushing connection to the outdoors
In a Q&A format, we talk to the designers – and examine the creative thinking – behind some of Houzz’s most loveable rooms.
Brief
A black and white bathroom that was striking in its effect, with all products selected by the clients.
A black and white bathroom that was striking in its effect, with all products selected by the clients.
Starting point
The room is only 7.84 square metres and all of the products selected by the clients would not fit inside the space. We addressed this by extruding the room out over a garden bed, up the side of the house that was disused. By doing this we created a floor-to-ceiling piece of glass to make the space feel that much larger and flooded with light.
The room is only 7.84 square metres and all of the products selected by the clients would not fit inside the space. We addressed this by extruding the room out over a garden bed, up the side of the house that was disused. By doing this we created a floor-to-ceiling piece of glass to make the space feel that much larger and flooded with light.
Thinking behind the design
The space dictated the layout as there really was no other way to arrange the room. There was a structural element behind the basin so we had to bring the wall forward to hide this. This, in turn, gave us the opportunity to conceal the storage; it’s very cool and pops out to give access to personal effects. It also gave us the opportunity to conceal the recessed niche for the shower’s bits and bobs.
The space dictated the layout as there really was no other way to arrange the room. There was a structural element behind the basin so we had to bring the wall forward to hide this. This, in turn, gave us the opportunity to conceal the storage; it’s very cool and pops out to give access to personal effects. It also gave us the opportunity to conceal the recessed niche for the shower’s bits and bobs.
Key design aspects
Colour palette: Black and white and then we created a Corten metal screen to give the space the warmth it needed.
Materials palette: We choose oversized Nero Tempesta marble slabs for the wall and floor and then Corian in ‘Glacier White’ on the walls above the datum line. To contrast with both of these we used a micro mosaic (Mutina Monkey Phenomenon from Di Lorenzo Tiles) behind the basic to give the space texture. The rust and greenery were our warm and natural elements, along with the marble slabs.
Colour palette: Black and white and then we created a Corten metal screen to give the space the warmth it needed.
Materials palette: We choose oversized Nero Tempesta marble slabs for the wall and floor and then Corian in ‘Glacier White’ on the walls above the datum line. To contrast with both of these we used a micro mosaic (Mutina Monkey Phenomenon from Di Lorenzo Tiles) behind the basic to give the space texture. The rust and greenery were our warm and natural elements, along with the marble slabs.
Key pieces of furniture/fittings
KOS bath and washbasin with a Gubi Arnet round mirror.
KOS bath and washbasin with a Gubi Arnet round mirror.
Challenges worked around
The space, the brief and the black and white contrast!
The space, the brief and the black and white contrast!
Why do you think this room works
Because of the yin/yang theory that through contrast comes balance. Throw in the scale and light and this space is very serene and amazingly calm to be in. At night the garden and screens are lit up. The light levels and connection to the outdoors give it exactly what a private and personally indulgent space should offer, and that is personal calm, tranquillity and private wellness.
Tell us
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
More
See more great rooms of the week
Because of the yin/yang theory that through contrast comes balance. Throw in the scale and light and this space is very serene and amazingly calm to be in. At night the garden and screens are lit up. The light levels and connection to the outdoors give it exactly what a private and personally indulgent space should offer, and that is personal calm, tranquillity and private wellness.
Tell us
What do you love about this room? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, bookmark the story, and join in the conversation.
More
See more great rooms of the week
Answers by Darren Genner of Minosa. Styling by Simona Castagna.
Who lives here: A couple and their teenage son
Location: Willoughby, NSW
Room size: 7.84 square metres
Awards: HIA NSW Bathroom Design of the Year 2017. KBDi (Kitchen and Bathroom Designers’ Institute) NSW Small Bathroom of the Year 2017.