Children's bathroom and master ensuite in renovated villa share key design features

Not the same, but certainly in keeping the master ensuite and children's bathroom seen on these pages share some key features. Both by designer Natalie Du Bois, the two sympathetic spaces evoke a wider harmony across the home.

The first bathroom was designed for the owners' two young daughters. They wanted an elegant room, one that would work well with the look of their classic villa home.

"Curvaceous elements like the hand-painted, turned vanity legs and the clawfoot tub helped achieve a romantic feel for this bathroom," says Du Bois. "We chose a grey metallic paint for the cabinetry, together with shimmery silver and white mosaic tiles, while the crystal cabinet knobs add sparkle.

"The vanity offers sufficient storage for now, but we also future-proofed the design with the tall cabinet, which has ample storage to handle the needs of teenage girls in years to come."

The choice of classic, high-quality elements such as the Victoria and Albert tub and Perrin and Rowe chrome tapware set up the glamorous aesthetic that will suit the girls, both now and right through their teen years.

"Patterned grey floor tiles link this bathroom with the other bathrooms in the home, which all have patterned floor tiles."

In addition, both the children's bathroom and the master ensuite feature a similar grey and white colourway, furthering the connection.

For the ensuite, the owners had wanted a relaxed space with a large shower that looked out to the garden. The design had to incorporate their existing vanity, which they loved and, to an extent, the room is organised around this.

But the vanity provided insufficient storage, so Du Bois introduced a full-height cabinet and recessed it into the wall, borrowing additional space from the adjacent girls' bathroom.

"This bathroom has a more masculine feel, along with a light feminine twist for balance. The curvaceous vanity mirrors and tilework are feminine, whereas the Philippe Starck tapware, toilet and vanity are quite masculine," she says.

Classic subway tiles were used for the side walls, while the end shower wall is in a teardrop mosaic. The single, unobtrusive shower screen was designed to give a feeling of spaciousness.

The wall leading from the ensuite into the master bedroom is painted, helping to soften the transition between the two spaces.

Story by: Charles Moxham