Eye to eye

A powder room, as a restricted space that is private and self-contained, can often be an invitation to a designer to create a one-off decor. However, when the entire residence is chic, modern and replete with art, simply extending the general aesthetic can be drama enough.

This powder room forms part of a new home designed by architect Adam Beck. While the powder room's giant feature mural may be surprising for first-time users, in the context of a house with many unusual, colourful works of art, it is completely at home.

"The image of Napoleon Bonaparte echoes other portraiture in the home, just as the vanity, timber floors and white walls are a continuation of the interior design in other rooms.

"The mural is comprised of minute mosaic tiles, supplied in sheets of 600, and painstakingly applied," says Beck. "We added to the impact by introducing a frameless mirror at right angles to the face. As well as doubling the image, this contributes a sense of spaciousness."

While the bathroom seems idiosyncractic and playful, its placement was far from casual.

"The powder room is easily accessed from the living spaces, adjacent media room, the kitchen and a circulation stair," says Beck. "It is strategically positioned at the centre of the downstairs areas."

Another advantage of introducing a large, eye-catching element to a bathroom is that if the bathroom door is left open, it is not the vanity or toilet that draw attention.

Modest in size, bold and contemporary, this powder room reflects a love of art along with more practical considerations.

Story by: Trendsideas