A sense of charm

Installing modern fittings doesn't have to mean sacrificing a bathroom's traditional character

The Recor Dual bath with nickel plated feet bathroom, home, interior design, room, tile, window, gray, white — The Recor Dual bath with nickel plated feet provides a grandiose focal point when entering this bathroom. The Italian feature wall tiles and a rainhead shower bring a touch of nature into the room, adding to it's overall charm and freshness.

The Recor Dual bath with nickel plated feet bathroom, floor, home, interior design, plumbing fixture, real estate, room, sink, tap, tile, white, gray

When you're designing a classic-styled bathroom with modern specifications, there's always a risk that the end result won't quite gel. But with a very specific brief requiring the use of existing elements, designer Debra De Lorenzo was able to create a room with a strong sense of charm.

"Our client specified the use of tiles, and required the room to maintain the overall character of their 100-year-old farmhouse. The space demanded modern practicality without modern appearance. They also asked that an existing wrought iron storage unit be used."

De Lorenzo says planning the room around the storage unit required intense attention to detail.

"The devil is the details. All the ornate elements needed to be linked in order to not overpower each other. For example, the large porcelain pedestal basin complements the client's own decorative Venetian mirror and chandelier.

"The black wrought iron unit was key for the color scheme and strongly influenced the selection of feature tile artwork," says De Lorenzo.

Handling and setting the hand-painted feature tiles was critical to the project's success, as they were specifically imported from Italy to exact spatial requirements.

"The ceramic floor and white wall tiles give a traditional base to the room. The Italian tile artwork in the open shower and the black claw-foot bath have an immediate impact, as you see them first when you open the door."