Graceful balance

When creating a master suite with gorgeous bay and city views, ensuring nothing gets in the way of the scenery is vital. Besides orienting the furniture towards the view and keeping the windows clear, a material palette that provides interest without clamoring for attention is another important design factor.

The appeal of this master suite by Kanner Architects with associate Damian LeMons as project architect is due partly to its deconstruction of key elements into simple forms and also to the material choices and quiet tones. This open-plan bedroom and bathroom is characterized by strong planes and lines, says LeMons.

"This is surprising, given the home's wavy exterior it curves inwards in some areas and outwards in others, to maximize the views and to satisfy building set-back codes."

LeMons says the deconstruction of forms is a theme often used by Kanner Architects. The wraparound vanity unit, for example, has a reveal that appears to separate it from a changing room behind. Similarly, the eye is encouraged to read the walls of the shower area as one continuous folding plane.

Ideally placed for soaking and star-gazing, the sculptural, egg-shaped bathtub adds to the room's celebration of all things geometric. The tub and basins are also in curvaceous contrast to a decor that largely emphasizes straight lines.

"The pebble rock on the vanity backsplash and shower stall introduce an organic feel that is in keeping with views of the coast. A palette of muted blues, browns and whites further evokes the natural outlook," says LeMons.

The defined geometric forms a clerestory glass cube above the toilet cubicle is another example encourage you to see the bathroom as graceful parts that sit together to create an attractive whole. Even the concrete floor slab running over the in-floor heating system is engraved in a Mondrian-style composition.

Story by: Charles Moxham