Blue tiles and warm wood make cheerful companions in these light-filled bathrooms

Over complicating or over detailing a design can not only detract rather than enhance, it can also actually stand in the way of everything working well day to day. Luckily, these bold, alike bathrooms are the very antithesis of that.

The two bathrooms – a main bathroom and ensuite – were designed by award-winning architect Frans Kamermans in similar style. The two spaces reflect his thinking that strong shapes and a limited colour/material palette are more effective than a plethora of textures, tones and fussy detailing.

“Having worked with us before, the owners agreed with our functional design approach which included one-piece vitreous china basins and tops rather than popular vessel-style vanity bowls,” says Kamermans. 

“Not only do they look clean and smart, they avoid the need for hard to clean, silicone joints between top and basin.”

Regarding the bathrooms’ bright aesthetic, design clues were taken from the owners. 

He, being from the South Island, chose Southland Silver Beech for the bathroom ceilings as well as the cabinets and ledges. Her favourite colour is blue, which was incorporated into various areas of the home, including the kitchen cabinetry, glass splashbacks, front door and the bathroom tiles. 

The pale blue floor and wall tiles contrast and complement the clear finish wood surfaces.

Timber lighting pelmets over the mirror-front wall cabinets extend use of the Southland silver beech. They also fall in with Kamermans’ thinking in terms of practical, honest design.

“Often dedicated lighting in a bathroom can be from the ceiling, but there is a practical issue there in that with an overhead light, shadows fall across your face offering poor illumination for shaving or makeup,” he says. 

In further pursuit of strength and simplicity, the taps, floor-standing tub pourer and the door handles are all of a similar contemporary form.

Even the towel rails continue the clean-lined chrome look. But, instead of going with a multi-rail, Kamermans introduced several shorter rails in symmetry. As well as offering plenty of towel space, aesthetically they look fantastic.

Story by: Charles Moxham

Photography by: Jacob Carter