Halo of light

Master bathrooms are quite possibly the most personal room in the home and are often designed as enclosed, private spaces. Yet regardless of their intimate layout, it is still important to consider basic design practices, chief of which is allowing for natural light.

The master bathroom featured here is part of sprawling rural retreat designed as a cluster of farm buildings in keeping with a rustic location.

To accommodate the master bathroom, Steve Humpherson created a wall that juts out from the main exterior line of the house. From the outside it appears to be two barn doors, yet on the inside it forms the back wall for the his-and-hers vanities.

In a bathroom that is just 2.4m by 4.8m, the most obvious advantage of the extension is that it provides additional space.

"To allow natural light into the enclosed space, cedar framed windows contain obscure glass on the gap between the main house and the protruding wall," says Humpherson.

Cedar is also used on the window above the elliptical bathtub. The louvres offer a glimpse outside and natural ventilation, without compromising privacy.

Mosaic tiles on the walls catch the light from the windows and the strategically placed halogen fittings. The metallic sheen of the tiles is matched by stainless steel fittings such as the towel holders, heated towel rail and tap fixtures.

Rectangular mirrors above each vanity have metallic frames. Their linear appeal is echoed in the tall, narrow cabinetry between each basin.

Symmetrical lines are a key feature of the bathroom design. When curves are apparent such as the shape of the taps or the round basin bowls they serve to emphasise the room's linear appeal, says Humpherson.

The black centre cabinet matches both the plinths beneath each basin and the honed granite floor tiles. "Black provides definition in this light-filled space."

Story by: Trendsideas