Facebook

Tweet

Help

Master class in bringing light and life to previously gloomy, closed off spaces

Once compartmentalised and claustrophobic, an existing master suite has been transformed, with lightness and openness achieved in several ways

A master class in bringing light and life architecture, bathroom, bathtub, building, ceiling, floor, furniture, home, house, interior design, plumbing fixture, property, real estate, room, sink, tap, tile, gray
A master class in bringing light and life to previously gloomy, closed off spaces, this master suite renovation has opened the bathroom and adjacent walk-in robe up to the sea-facing bedroom beyond. With the obstructive interior walls removed, designer Kim Duffin replaced it with a short wall that works as a shoe gallery on this side and as a bedhead on the other.

Even the most beautiful of sea outlooks is hard to enjoy from behind a closed door or an intervening wall. However, this comprehensive master suite renovation has taken just such an obstructive scenario and turned it on its head.

In fact, along with unlocking the stunning sea views, the introduction of an abundance of natural light was another major plus resulting from this master suite makeover by Kim Duffin.

The existing plan had the bathroom and dressing room separated off from the large master bedroom, which enjoys expansive views of the water and plenty of natural light.

“The existing bathroom was all 45 degree angles, with a decor I would describe as outdated Italian,” says Duffin. 

“While restricted by an immovable curved corner wall, we pretty much stripped everything else out and started again.”


While designed along contemporary, pared back and sculptural architecture, bathroom, building, ceiling, countertop, floor, flooring, furniture, home, house, interior design, material property, plumbing fixture, property, real estate, room, sink, tap, tile, gray, black
While designed along contemporary, pared back and sculptural lines, this ensuite also benefits from large format porcelain black and white wall tiles and prominent engineered stone surfaces with the look of veined marble. These cool surfaces are complemented by the wood vanity and batten wall.

In the key stroke of the renovation, Duffin opened the existing ensuite and parallel, similar-sized walk-in wardrobe to the adjacent master bedroom, and its water views. 

The new, open arrangement brought natural light into the dressing area and bathroom, transforming the previously windowless, and so gloomy, spaces. It also gave all three rooms a greater sense of space.

To achieve this, Duffin removed the existing wall between the bedroom and inner rooms and introduced a short wall a metre further into the bedroom. The new wall forms a bedhead on one side while on the other side – facing the bathroom and wardrobe – it is a dedicated shoe wardrobe.

“The wall is only as wide as the bed and side tables, opening the wardrobe and bathroom to view and light corridors on both sides.”

​​​​​​​In further pursuit of lightness for this master architecture, bathroom, floor, flooring, glass, interior design, marble, material property, property, room, tile, wall, gray, black
​​​​​​​In further pursuit of lightness for this master bathroom, an immovable curved wall is clad in glittering mosaics. A low shower wall avoids blocking natural light.

Now one big open room, the different areas are denoted in part by changes in surfaces – the tile floor in the bathroom giving way to carpet in the bedroom and dressing room, for example.

The bathroom itself is zoned for easy use, with the bath and double shower both set on a plinth – a way of concealing reworked services. The shower has a low privacy wall, another way of admitting light to the back of the room.

Opposite the freestanding tub, the wall-hung vanity and shelf further add to the sense of lightness and spaciousness. Alongside, a vibrant ottoman is at the centre point of all three rooms.

Concealed strip lighting – over 85m-worth in total – is used to highlight everything from the wall mirror to the dressing room shelving, at the same time further brightening the spaces.

Credit list

Designer
Kim Duffin, Sublime Luxury Kitchens & Bathrooms
Vanity cabinetry
Notaio Walnut Polytec laminate in Cinder Venette Finish – anti fingerprint
Basins and bath
Custom, solid surface
Shower fittings
Ram Tapware - custom, in Brushed Gold
Wall tile
Porcelain, in Concrete White and Black; feature tile - Appiani - Diva Collection in Snow
Cabinet company
Sublime Luxury Kitchens & Bathrooms
Vanity benchtop
Calacatta Neolith engineered stone
Faucets and tub filler
Ram Tapware - Evolve series, in Brushed Gold
Flooring
Porcelain tiles in Concrete White
Lighting
LEDs, diffused neutral white

Story by: Charles Moxham

Photography by: Steve Ryan

08 Dec, 2019

Home kitchen bathroom commercial design


Latest Post

13 Oct, 2024

13 Oct, 2024

13 Oct, 2024

We know the Specialists

Related Book

NZ3505 minicover - architecture | building | design architecture, building, design, furniture, home, house, interior design, leisure, magazine, outdoor furniture, property, real estate, room, sunlounger, swimming pool

We're spoilt for choice these days when it comes to selecting the key materials available for building a new home – conc...

Read More

Similar Stories