Rakish angle

A central consideration for any design is the environment it will contribute to. Often, the context drives the aesthetics of the entire project.

This mezzanine bathroom, bedroom, and wardrobe space created by designer Royston Wilson is set under a dramatic cathedral ceiling. The owners had asked for a design that did not compromise the attractive ceiling lines, says Wilson.

"Before, the mezzanine was a small storage space reached by an illegal ladder. I took out the ladder and put in a staircase and return on the other side of the room, complete with a glass balustrade turning the access stair into a feature.

"In addition, the mezzanine floor was expanded to accommodate its new use."

The designer then set about creating the bathroom, with a matching walk-in wardrobe alongside. Both rooms are without roofs and doors allowing you to look through the rakishly angled openings up to the three-ply cathedral ceiling.

"The sloping doorways are designed to echo the tangents of the ceiling planes, so that the angles become a recurring theme in the design," says Wilson. "For example, the vanity mirrors extend up on a faceted plane that follows the ceiling line."

While openness is not unusual in an ensuite bathroom, it is less common in a space that doubles as a powder room for guests. Catering to the requirement for discretion, the toilet is tucked out of sight behind a wall and plumbing is insulated to eliminate any noise.

In terms of ventilation, low-set fans connect to the toilet system keeping the air fresh and clean. The expulsion system is also piped round to the other end of the bathroom to facilitate the removal of steam from the open shower stall.

"Angular, interesting and at the same time highly functional, the finished space works so well for the owners that instead of utilising it as guest accommodation, they took it over as a master suite for themselves," says Wilson.

Story by: Charles Moxham