Light-hearted

In a world overflowing with design concepts, it's still possible to find a fresh and innovative way to combine form and function.

The two bathrooms on these pages, an ensuite and a powder room, form part of a whole-house remodel by architect Tony Koia. Both rooms have a relaxed, contemporary air, but also respect the home's origins as a turn-of-the-century villa, says Koia.

"Use of materials and lighting are key to the modernity of these bathrooms," says the architect. "Essentially, we wanted a contrast with the classic villa bathroom, which was typically lit by a single overhead bulb."

Instead, Koia designed custom Marblo vanity units as glowing feature elements for both spaces. Marblo is a waterproof translucent resin-acrylic.

"We set fluorescent tubes into these one-piece moulded vanity tops, with the lights operated by motion sensors," says Koia. "The result is a demure, modern vanity that lights up with a soft, diffused light when you enter the room."

Balanced by spotlighting in the classic board-and-batten ceilings, these illuminated, cantilevered forms create a subtle central feature and bring a floating quality to both bathrooms.

While these distinctive pieces immediately draw attention, other elements reinforce the ethereal ambience in both rooms. Large mirrors maximise filtered light and contribute to the sense of space. In a playful, post-modern touch, a classic sash window frame is set within an entire wall of mirrors in the guest powder room, so that it seems as if the window is suspended in midair.

"We put mirrors under the vanity as well in the ensuite, which adds to the sense that the piece is floating in space," says Koia. "And in both of the bathrooms, tiny iridescent tiles on the alcove walls on each side of the Marblo vanity units introduce an element of shimmer."

Besides the original-look sash windows and board-and-batten ceilings, other materials chosen for the renovation link to the original interior.

"We used teak in both spaces to provide a warm contrast to the cool, ultra-modern Marblo and at the same time, to complement the existing wood floors and the extensive use of wood in a classic villa interior," says Koia. "The floor tiles are basalt, another traditional building element, which was often used on walls and door sills."

The scale of the floor tiles contrasts with that of the iridescent wall tiles. These bathrooms are light-hearted in more than one way.

Story by: Charles Moxham