Relaxing sanctuary with a soft natural look

Designed by Katie Scott of Caro Design

Designer statement:

The brief was to create a relaxing sanctuary – including a bath – with a contemporary feel, but keeping a soft and natural look. 

The owner wanted to be surprised by the outcome so the brief was also to create something different and incorporate an element of the unexpected.  

The original space for one bathroom was split, creating an ensuite on one side and another bathroom on the other.  Windows could not be moved and having concrete floors meant plumbing could be moved only small amounts.  

The changes created a smaller bathroom, in which the owner still required a required a bath. It also needed to be in keeping with the house – a contemporary beach house. 

To make the room feel a bit bigger, I used light soft grey toned tiles in a large format, to minimise grout lines and simplify the wall and floor surfaces.  A timber oak veneer feature wall ties in with vanity and feature custom metalwork shelves and mirror frame to work with the black framed shower glass.  

By adding dark features on a light sandy coloured surface, I hoped to bring a slight beachy yet contemporary feel to the space.  

The windows were existing and, without an option to change these, I tried to take attention away from them with custom metal shelving, but keep as much natural light coming into the space because the space is on a dark side of the house. 

Story by: New Zealand TIDA Bathrooms

Photography by: Julia Lochhead