Clear sighted

This minimalist bathroom looks as much like a sculptural event as a place to soak, shower, or shave

The tub fills from a ceiling-mounted pourer and floor, furniture, interior design, room, table, brown, gray — The tub fills from a ceiling-mounted pourer and the tub mixer is equally unobtrusive - tucked behind the blade feature wall

Proportions were important in this bathroom, where simple bathroom, ceiling, countertop, floor, flooring, furniture, interior design, room, sink, gray

A marble edge on the bedroom's wood flooring bed frame, bedroom, ceiling, floor, flooring, hardwood, home, interior design, laminate flooring, real estate, room, suite, wall, window, wood, wood flooring, brown

A minimalist aesthetic offers at least two advantages for an interior designer. On the one hand, strong, simple lines bring a contemporary presence. On the other, a pared-back decor allows an observer to look through the space, undistracted, to elements beyond.

This ensuite bathroom has a large 2.3m opening to the master bedroom and floor-to-ceiling glazing on the other side. Designer Rudi Ahamer wanted the owners to have an uninterrupted view through and past the bathroom to the scenery.

"The design avoids the distracting, cluttered look often associated with bathrooms," says Ahamer. "A simple material palette exclusively marble, two-pack lacquer and French-polished wood veneer is combined with abstracted forms. A tall blade feature wall and cabinetry towers flanking the vanities enhance the overall sculptural effect."

Ahamer has combined pared-back aesthetics with practicality throughout the design. A spacious walk-in shower is accessed around one side of the blade wall. A toilet cubicle is entered around the other side.

"The generous-sized cabinetry flanking the vanity provides ample, to-hand storage to help keep the surfaces clear," he says. "In addition, the inset basins aren't readily visible from the bedroom, adding to the non-bathroom feel."

Every aspect of the design makes time spent in the bathroom more enjoyable. Vertical strip lighting is tucked in the corners of the vanity space proving flattering, front-on illumination, rather than less-flattering down lighting.

"The room's central minimalist feature the tub, which has a pourer set in the ceiling, and a mixer tucked out of sight behind the blade wall also offers dual benefit," he says. "Its smooth, flat marble edge doubles as seating."